Chapter 69

Azure Dragon Stone

(T/N: Seiryuu Stone)

I presented one blue jewel as remuneration for guarding me .

It’s one of those jewels from that pair of skeletons in the Disposal Ruins .

If Seras knows the value of this jewel, I may be able to understand the value of the other jewels too .

[Ah~]

As she was observing the jewel, Seras yelped as she was about to drop the jewel in her hands .

However, she was able to catch it before it fell on the floor .

[I- I’m sorry about that . ]

[Are you okay?]

[Yes . It’s just that, I’m slightly surprised . ]

[About what?]

[Touka-dono . ]

Seras held out the jewel in her hand .

It’s as if she wants to ask some questions .

[No matter how I look at this, this can only be that… This is the Azure Dragon Stone, right? But…]

[Azure Dragon Stone? Someone just gave me that jewel before . The only thing I’ve heard from him is that this should be a valuable jewel . ]

Well, that’s what the owner’s spirit (?) said .

“I would be glad if the jewels I had could be of use to you up there on the ground above… I don’t know about the current economic situation there, so they might have been cheaper now . So, if they really became cheap, I’m sorry about that…”

Seras began to examine the jewel in detail by holding it over the light of the lamp .

[Is this the real thing?]

[I don’t know . ]

[Touka-dono, could you please try injecting magic energy into this jewel?]

[Hmm? Can’t you just do it yourself, Seras?]

[Us elves weren’t as good at refining magic energy compared to humans . The amount that we’re able to refine is comparably smaller . To verify the authenticity of this jewel, we would need some decent amount of magic energy . ]

They have lower ability to refine magic energy than humans .

If that’s how it is, why is it that it’s the elves that were the main users of Spirit Techniques?

[I understand . ]

I received the jewel from her and injected my magic energy .

At that moment, the jewel sparkled like a glittering prism .

It’s like a boisterous dance of pretty lights .

Though, that light immediately stopped .

[It also matches the phenomenon that I have read in one of the books before . That’s probably the real thing, Touka-dono . ]

[I don’t know if you could just briefly describe it with “it does worth something”…]

Seras began explaining .

[The Azure Dragon Stone is said to be a rare stone that was produced by a dragon called the Azure Eyes Dragon, which could be considered as a legendary creature . It was said that the corpse of the Azure Eyes Dragon would melt when this dragon have died . However, there were some rare cases where there was something that would be a beautiful stone that would remain there even if the rest of the dragon’s body were to melt . ]

(T/N: I’m tempted to put in Blue-eyes…)

Seras’s gaze was on the jewel in my hand .

[The Azure Eyes Dragon was said to have the greatest strength among all monsters, and it was said that they would be designated as a Disaster-Rank enemy whenever they appear . Although there were multiple heroes and mercenaries that has dreamed of making a fortune by defeating them and challenged this monster, most of these people were killed . ]

Most of my attention was on the Great Sage at that time but…

I recalled about those two who were still holding hands even after they died in the Disposal Ruins .

They may also have held some considerable power .

[For the meantime, I don’t think the Azure Dragon Stone is something that could be distributed in the market . How should I say this, the value of this jewel is…]

Seras puts her hand over her forehead as if she’s slightly troubled about saying it .

It seems that she’s trying to suppress that confusion that’s about to spring up .

[Could I easily explain it if I just say it exceeds the reward I’ve got from the Dragon Eye Sakazuki?]

[I see . Then, this should be fine as payment for guarding me, right? I feel as if this jewel should be difficult to accurately judge its value since it’s pretty valuable . ]

Nevertheless, I think I may be able to use these jewels when I needed some kind of great negotiation with someone .

I could also use this in exchange of some materials .

[Touka-dono . ]

[Hmm?]

The hand that used to be on Seras’ forehead were now held out in front of me .

As if she’s telling me to stop .

[You can’t do that . ]

[Wha-?]

[I don’t exactly know what you’re thinking, but I could feel that you’re thinking something that you shouldn’t do . ]

Simple-minded people could easily meet their end .

Or perhaps,

I look down at the small bag beside me which holds the other Azure Dragon Stones .

There is still a number of them even if I give one of them to Seras .

I threw the Azure Dragon Stone towards her .

[Ah~!]

Seras catches the jewel in haste with both of her palms .

[Umm, Touka-dono… . ]

[That’s already yours . If you want to throw it away, you’re free to throw it away . ]

[Eh? No, however—]

[I’ve now paid the remuneration . Or, is it that you think that it’s too few?]

[That’s true, but…]

If this thing is worth more than the Dragon Eye Sakazuki, then it should be fine .

[Then, the negotiation for your remuneration should be concluded with this, right?]

[Piii~?]

Pigimaru cries out as if he’s trying to press an answer from Seras .

The smile on Seras’ lips have somehow relaxed .

[Yes . ]

She closed her eyes as if she’s still thinking about something .

[I feel like I lost at something…]

v

I put back the small bag of Azure Dragon Stones into my bag and sat down on the chair .

[You are to continue calling me Hati on the public areas for the time being . Of course, I would also call you Mist when we’re in public too . When you’re sure that we’re just alone or when it’s just Pigimaru nearby, you could call me with either of my name . ]

[I understand . ]

And as if she thought about something, Seras looks quite conflicted .

[It’s fine for the meantime but… are you really fine with this?]

[Hmm?]

[As you’ve already known, I’m currently being chased right now . There are also multiple personal things that I haven’t talked about with you . However… the entirety of my story, I still have yet to—]

I can’t decide on how to proceed .

I can understand from the tone of her voice and the expression on her face .

This is related to her conscientious personality .

[You can talk about the details of your background whenever you feel like you want to talk about it . I just wanted to create a relationship with you where you could sleep without any kind of problems . ]

An environment where Seras could sleep as she pleases .

That’s all I wanted .

Having to lack some sleep would always interfere with her job as a guard .

On the other hand, it wouldn’t matter as long as the problem of her inability to sleep were to be solved .

[I think you should already know this, but it’s not your past that I wanted to reveal . ]

I know the real identity of Mist .

Seras also knows that I know about her, Mist’s identity .

All we needed now is to both share this recognition upon our situation .

[It’s fine if you just remain in your optimum condition as the guard of your employer . Well… I’ve already said this earlier, but you can tell me all the things you want to talk about during the journey . I may inquire some things that I think were things that I need to know, but I basically don’t plan to investigate about your past at all . ]

Seras calmed down after she heard my words .

[It seems that Touka-dono would always care about my situation . ]

[Of course . I’m a kind person after all . ]

As a matter of fact, I have only been telling her the truth all these times .

Well, it’s convenient for me if she took my words as if it’s my care for her .

[Anyway, are you able to sleep tonight?]

[I think that with the amount I’ve used in the ruins, I think the effect should disappear tonight . ]

Tonight, my desire to sleep (with someone) has returned .

I’m sorry, it’s just a little joke .

[Well then, I don’t think you would need my tonight .

[Fufu, that’s right . ]

[If that’s so, go back to your room and get some rest . I’m afraid I’m too tired having to be hospitable with your types . ]

Seras chuckles a bit .

[I should have guessed already . ]

Seras’ facial features and ears began changing .

Her elven ears turned into the ears of a human .

Is she staying alert even when she just have to walk a few distance along the corridor outside?

This elf is very thorough .

Before leaving the room, Seras turned towards me and Pigimaru .

[Well then, good night . ]

[Pii~ ♪ ]

Seras smiled towards Pigimaru .

I could feel a slight gap with how she treated us two .

[Touka-dono . ]

[Hmm?]

[Would you like to have some breakfast with me tomorrow?]

[Yeah, I understand . ]

After deciding that we would meet tomorrow morning, Seras left the room .

v

It’s still a bit early for me to sleep .

I’ve also took some nap today .

Standing up, I picked up the bottle that contained the Monster Enhancer .

[Pigimaru . ]

[Pii?]

[Would you like to absorb the Enhancer now? Well . it’s fine to wait for some time if you’re still afraid—]

[Pigii!]

Pigimaru immediately answered .

His color shows a positive response .

“If you’re ready, let’s do it!”

That’s what I feel he’s saying .

[As expected of my partner . ]

[Pii ♪]

Pigimaru morphed into a bowl-like shape .

[Should I pour the contents in there?]

[Pii . ]

[Then, I’m going to pour it now?]

[Piii!]

The Enhancer is a transparent liquid .

Slowly, I poured it into the opening of the bowl-shaped Pigimaru .

Eventually, I’ve poured all of the contents on Pigimaru .

Pigimaru returns to his rounded shape after enclosing the Enhancer .

Thereupon…

[Pii?]

Pigimaru’s body began to emit light .

[Pyyyiiiggyyyyiiiii—-]

If I were to describe the result, then it would be a success just like the second experiment that’s written in the “Encyclopedia of the Forbidden Arts . ”

The effect of the Enhancer towards Pigimaru were the same just as described in the results of the experiment .

[It’s already deep into the night, so I guess I’ll thoroughly inspect the various effects tomorrow… Should I check out for a bit before I sleep?]

I sat cross-legged on the bed and opened the “Encyclopedia of the Forbidden Arts” .

I occasionally turned over the pages of the “Encyclopedia of the Forbidden Arts” and finally confirmed the appearance of Pigimaru . I kept browsing the contents of my book until I’m finally overcome by drowsiness and fallen to sleep .