Chapter 104 – Dragon Cage and Wyvern

I was summoned to the royal castle because there were preparations to be made before borrowing the dragon palanquin, and they wanted me to visit the wyvern stables. I assumed it would be something like a lecture on how to handle wyverns.

When I went to the royal castle around midday, as instructed, a stablehand from the wyvern stables was waiting in the training ground square.

“I’ve been waiting for you. I—no, my name is Matthew, a stablehand.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Theodore Gartner. Was today about learning how to handle wyverns?”

He was a young stablehand with brown hair who seemed like a good-natured person. Since he introduced himself with a friendly smile, I gave my name and shook his hand.

“Well, even though it’s about handling wyverns, those guys are smart. They understand human speech too. The ones who’ve completed training aren’t that difficult to handle, you know.”

Wyverns are said to be a different species from what are commonly called dragons, even though they look similar.

They have high intelligence and relatively calm temperaments. They become quite tame with humans, making them suitable for riding. Among them, those with wilder temperaments are trained as mounts, while those judged to be too docile for combat are trained for dragon palanquin use.

Matthew led me into the wyvern stables. It was much cleaner than what the word “stable” might suggest, and since it was for wyverns, it was quite spacious. Probably because it was well-maintained. There wasn’t much odor either. Wyverns themselves don’t have much body odor to begin with.

“But, well, precisely because wyverns are smart, they judge their handlers, so compatibility matters. Since you’ll be together for a long time, we’d like you to choose one that seems compatible.”

“Eh? A long time together?”

“Huh? Didn’t they discuss this with you, Ambassador?”

Hmm? …I feel like there might be some slight misunderstanding here.

“Ah, you’re already here. Seems I’m late.”

Then King Melvin appeared there. He approached with several guards in tow. Matthew looked surprised and bowed respectfully.

“What brings you here?”

“Well, you asked to borrow a dragon palanquin. But for someone of your status as the Otherworld Ambassador, I thought it would be better for both convenience and appearance to have dedicated wyverns and a palanquin. Though I suppose you’re usually delving into labyrinths, so you won’t use them much. Still, wouldn’t it be better to have something you can use freely?”

King Melvin grinned.

…So in other words, he’s telling me to choose one I like from the wyverns here. It seems King Melvin enjoys these kinds of surprises, or rather, pranks.

“The wyverns in this stable have completed their training but are still young. They’re wyverns that haven’t been clearly designated as either mounts or palanquin carriers yet. Since they don’t have fixed habits yet, feel free to choose whichever you like. We’ll take care of feeding and stabling, so it won’t be any trouble for you.”

“So that’s what this is about. I gratefully accept your thoughtful consideration.”

I smiled too. The Wyvern Corps had vacancies due to some trouble, so there were extra wyverns available.

I suspect this is also part of the reward for the Luceriage subjugation and orb retrieval.

The training approach differs slightly between wyverns handled by knights for riding and those for carrying dragon palanquins, since palanquins are used to transport honored guests. But from King Melvin’s perspective, by making it exclusively for me, he probably wants to provide a wyvern that can handle both riding and palanquin transport.

“Indeed. My apologies for the haste, but I still have official duties remaining.”

“Understood. Then later.”

King Melvin left the stables.

I hadn’t yet discussed the matter of the magic communicator with him. After consulting with Alfred, we decided it would be better for me to talk to King Melvin after I returned. It would feel like I was dumping the troublesome aspects on Alfred if I consulted him and then left while being absent.

Besides, it would be easier to discuss and arrange things after proper field testing of the communicator.

So for that reason, I went around looking at each wyvern one by one. They generally seemed friendly, and when I peered into each wyvern’s stall, they would bring their faces closer from the other side.

Just in case… I brought Ouroboros with me today too. Though they’re not both dragons, I thought it would be better to see how they’d react beforehand.

Ouroboros snorted, and I got the feeling the wyverns on the other side were keeping some distance and being careful around Ouroboros.

…Yeah. Wyverns really don’t feel like dragons after all. Because they have sociality, they give somewhat the impression of large dogs. Though they look like giant winged lizards.

If possible, I’d prefer a wyvern with high specs. By touching their snouts and using circulating ki, I assessed the wyverns’ abilities. The wyverns seemed to find the sensation of circulating ki pleasant, narrowing their eyes and purring.

“Ah. The one at the far end—just a moment.”

When I reached the very end, Matthew called out to me.

“Is there some problem?”

“No. He’s strong and flies fast. But because of that, he has high self-esteem and is difficult to handle. Unfamiliar stablehands have been sent flying by his tail, so please be careful.”

Hmm. When I peered into the stall, I made eye contact with a black wyvern that was one size larger than the others I’d seen so far.

He glanced at me but didn’t approach like the others. Yet he didn’t look away either, looking down at me from his higher position. Ouroboros twisted the corner of his mouth as if amused, but the wyvern showed no sign of being intimidated.

Quite an insolent attitude. They say he’s difficult to handle… but for riding purposes, this level might be better. Wyverns basically judge others based on hierarchy. That aspect is similar to dogs too. Probably thinks dealing with human children is beneath him, huh?

I stepped into the stall. The wyvern, perhaps thinking I had entered his territory, growled irritably. When I enhanced my physical functions with magical power circulation, I could see the wyvern’s eyes widen.

“Ah!”

Matthew let out a surprised cry. The wyvern’s tail was coming at me from the side.

Well, it’s not that powerful. Even if it hit me directly, it would probably just knock me over. It seems the wyvern is holding back in his own way.

Of course, I had no intention of taking it quietly. I raised one hand casually and blocked it with a similarly restrained magic shield.

Taking advantage of the moment he flinched, I kicked off the floor, kicked through the air in a form shift, and in one breath mounted his back. The wyvern looked back over his shoulder in surprise and looked up at me.

“You understand words, right? Why don’t you give it a try?”

When I spoke from his back, the wyvern twisted the corner of his mouth.

Slowly, still carrying me on his back, he came out of the stall.

“Sorry, Matthew-san. I’m going to fly around a bit. Any problems or restrictions?”

“Huh? Eh? O-oh, as long as you don’t approach the King’s Tower, it should be fine… Ah, no! It’s dangerous!”

“It’s fine. Even if I get thrown off, I can fly on my own.”

There was no saddle or stirrups. Well, I’ll manage somehow.

We burst out of the stables and rapidly ascended over the training ground square. Perhaps thinking I would quickly complain, he flew with restrained movements at first, but whether dissatisfied that I was riding normally on his back or not, he growled irritably and gradually his flying style became more flamboyant.

Even so, I could feel he was flying carefully considering inertia so I wouldn’t fall off his back. Like with the tail strike earlier, he seems to have the sense to hold back.

He probably intends to stop when I start crying. Well, his expectations were misplaced.

Rapid ascent into steep dives. Adding twists and flying in corkscrews. Maneuvers like this are everyday occurrences for me. The cold winter air isn’t a problem either since I’m protecting against it with magic.

I enhanced the wyvern’s power with circulating ki. Deployed a wind barrier wall ahead to reduce air resistance and set things up so he could fly even faster. The wyvern looked at me with a surprised expression.

Our eyes met, and we both smiled. The wyvern, perhaps getting more excited, increasingly accelerated his flight speed. Quite an enjoyable speed. When I gave him instructions, he began flying according to them.

Eventually, the wyvern descended to the square on his own. When I dismounted, the wyvern lowered his head in a gesture that seemed to acknowledge me as his master. When Ouroboros snorted, the wyvern lowered his head to him too. It seems the seniority hierarchy between them has been established as well.

“I like this one. I’ll take him.”

“Eh, yes. So you can handle wyverns too, Ambassador?”

“Well, I manage somehow.”

When I gave an appropriate response, Matthew showed a strained smile.

Naturally, since wyverns seemed interesting, there’s no way I hadn’t touched on them in BFO. I knew the basics of riding techniques and handling tips. Though there are some differences since they’re real creatures unlike in games, it’s within acceptable margins.

“What’s his name?”

“He has a temporary name, but… Young wyverns don’t have official names yet. It’s customary for the knight to name them when they become mounts. So please give him a name, Ambassador.”

“Hmm.”

What should I name him?

“…How about Lindwurm?”

When I called him by that name, the wyvern raised a cry toward the sky.

Since I’m usually delving into labyrinths, we won’t be together much. But flying through the sky on a wyvern on days off might not be so bad either.

Then several more days passed.

On the day we were to return home, we all headed to the royal castle to board the dragon palanquin. In the square, a splendid three-wyvern palanquin was prepared.

The dragon palanquin’s appearance could be described as resembling a carriage… but enlarged and without wheels. Thick chains were attached to the top, connected to the wyverns’ bodies. That’s how it would be suspended and flown through the air.

Besides Lindwurm, two other wyverns were waiting quietly. Lindwurm seemed younger, but in terms of power dynamics, Lindwurm appeared to be superior. He had the remaining two wyverns following him like subordinates, but when he recognized me, he lowered his head.

He probably understood that Grace and the others were my family members, and recognized that his companions were of higher status than himself. Even when looking at Grace and the others, he maintained his submissive posture.

Lindwurm seemed smarter than I expected. Since he acknowledged me as his master, he intended to fulfill his role. His insolent attitude was probably because he hadn’t found anyone worthy of acknowledging as master until now.

“Good morning, Theodore-sama.”

Matthew bowed and greeted me.

“Good morning, Matthew.”

“Those other two are trained for palanquin use. Since they’re experienced, I think they’ll cover well for Lindwurm.”

“Thank you.”

“Theodore-dono.”

Dame Mercedia and Prince Albert had also come to the square, with Dame Mercedia speaking to me first.

“I have a message from the Knight Order Commander. The investigation is continuing. He said to leave things to us while you’re away.”

“Thank you, Dame Mercedia.”

“Alright then, Theo-kun. Here.”

I received the prototype magic communicator from Prince Albert.

“Do you know how to operate it?”

“Well, somewhat.”

The design hasn’t changed much from what Marlene was using before. It would be accurate to say it simply has pure transmission and reception functions added.

With this, we’ll communicate regularly and conduct tests of communication from distant locations.

“Well, telling you to be careful is probably unnecessary worry, but please go carefully. I’m counting on you with my sister.”

“Thank you.”

I said, and we all boarded the dragon palanquin.

“It’s a splendid dragon palanquin.”

Ashley said admiringly.

The interior was quite sturdy with velvet-like fabric covering it. Being a three-wyvern setup, it was spacious even with all of us aboard, and it seemed we could travel quite comfortably. A tea set, fruit wine, and even sugar candies were prepared in the shelves. Hmm. It feels quite thoroughly prepared.

Blankets were also prepared, but… if I cover the palanquin with wind magic for cold protection, there’s no worry about the cold.

With Lavigne, along with heat resistance measures, I also prepared an air screen magic tool to prevent cold air from leaking out, so even being together with her, we don’t feel the cold anymore.

“Alright then, Lindwurm.”

When I leaned out the window and told Lindwurm the direction, the palanquin quietly ascended.

As we rose, there was a slight pressing sensation of weight, but probably thanks to training, it wasn’t as shaky as I expected. The scenery outside the window flowed by quietly.

Basically, when carrying palanquins, wyverns are trained to fly along the roads. If we leave the rest to the wyverns, we should reach our destination.

Waving to Albert and the others, Marlene and everyone, as they grew gradually smaller. The palanquin carrying us flew straight toward the Count’s territory.