Drawn Mochi Volume 2 Chapter 20.1: Request and Lightning*8

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　We took a horse-drawn carriage to the Dioren family’s house.

　Perhaps it was because I had decided to go on my own and was being quiet, but the other party was less cautious. At least it’s not like I have a knife to my throat, and both Laocles and his former colleague are safe.

　Now it’s just me, Laocles, and three guards from the Dioren family in the carriage. There is no …… unrest in the air. It’s all right. Everything is all right.

　Laocles is safe, and I have confirmed that his female colleague will be in the other carriage with the other guards. It’s all right. Nothing irreversible has happened.

“……hey.” (Laocles)

　I was thinking when Laocles poked me from the side.

“Why did you do such a reckless thing?” (Laocles)

“I don’t think it’s reckless. I have a good chance of winning. That’s why.” (Tougo)

“You are shaking.” (Laocles)

　I noticed it when he said that.

　…The sensation in my hands was weak.

　I grabbed my arm with my hand and found that my hand was cool. …It seems that I’m in the same state as Laocles was in earlier.

“…a little, I seem to be a little nervous.” (Tougo)

“I guess so.” (Laocles)

　Am I nervous?

　When I put it into words, I think, ah, I am indeed nervous. Yes, I am nervous. I am nervous. I was.

“…I was nervous, but this is the second time I’ve done this kind of thing. I’m used to it. Besides, the situation is much better than the first time.” (Tougo)

　So, this time, I made a conscious effort to use words.

　Words have power, my teacher said. Putting it into words can make a difference. But I’m not very good at that.

“So, I don’t worry. I think you and your colleague will be able to help.”

　I will put it into words. Consciously put it into words. When I thought so and said so… Laocles made a sour face.

“…You can also include yourself in the ones who help.” (Laocles)

“Eh… Oh, yes.” (Tougo)

　He gave me a very reluctant look, so I answered this too.

“Well… I’ll help Laocles, your colleague, and then myself too. I’ll properly help everyone.” (Tougo)

“Do that.” (Laocles)

　When I said this, Laocles looked a little relieved. Then he said,

“As long as you do that, you can do what you want to do. I’m not going to tell you what to do. I’ll let some of your injuries and loss of magic power slide. If that happens to you, I’ll take care of it afterward.” (Laocles)

　…I was a little surprised. “As long as you do that”, “do what you want to do”, And “I’ll let some of your injuries and loss of magic power slide”. Then there’s, “I’ll take care of it afterwards.”

　I see. I can do whatever I want to do. He doesn’t mind if I get hurt a little. If I get stuck, Laocles will help me. So, he will save everyone, including me. Yeah, now I see.

“…most importantly, put yourself first… We’ll be the last to be taken care of, especially Intarlia. Do you understand?” (Laocles)

“Yes.” (Tougo)

“You are… No if I am going to scold you any further, I’m going to sound like your parent…” (Laocles)

“Parents? …Yeah, sure, maybe. I was thinking, ‘That sounds like a parent.’” (Tougo)

“Hey.” (Laocles)

　Yes. It’s just a similar conversation.

　Then we had a strategy meeting. For the time being, there are other guards of the Dioren family with us, so we kept our voice down. …Though, I feel like it’s too late now.

　The other members of the Giollen family are sitting across from us, but they are not interested in our conversation. Some of them are even blatantly pretending to be asleep.

　…In other words, they seem to be “that kind” of person. That’s reassuring.

“What are you going to do now? I hear you have plans.” (Laocles)

“Yeah. Well… I’ll draw.” (Tougo)

　During the ride, I decided to talk to Laocles.

“Is that all right?” (Laocles)

“Yes… If I start thinking of painting as my job, I think I’ll have to draw things I don’t want to draw…” (Tougo)

　Laocles looked a little worried, but yes, this was the only way to go.

　I couldn’t think of any other way to save people’s lives there. I don’t know if someone else would have done something even if I hadn’t, but there were no guarantees, so it couldn’t be helped.

“What are you going to do? Give them a dragon and be done with it?” (Laocles)

　And I don’t think it’s going to be the end of the story. They will probably try to keep me at the Dioren house for some reason or another. I can already imagine that. I can, well… imagine that.

　But… it would be a lot more difficult if a dragon appears in the first place.

“Well, you know… when I materialize Fay’s, they weren’t that big at first.” (Tougo)

“…the dragon?” (Laocles)

“Yeah. They were as tall as Fay’s house.” (Tougo)

　I remember. It was a dragon so big you would have thought it could reach the sky. I don’t know why it shrunk so much, now  that it’s with Fay.

　…Yes. I mean, you know.

“So, at that time, I was painting in the underground prison, then the ceiling broke.” (Tougo)

“……hey.” (Laocles)

　Laocles looked at me as if to say, “I know what you mean.”

“So, you’re going to paint… inside their house?” (Laocles)

“Yeah, well, I’m thinking that would be okay.” (Tougo)

　The Dioren family people don’t know the first size of the Red Dragon. If they assume the size of the dragon Fay has with her now, they won’t complain if we do it indoors. So, well, the last resort is a “dragon headbutting the ceiling until it collapses.”

“…as I said that earlier, I’m not going to stop you.” (Laocles)

“Yes, thank you.” (Tougo)

“In that case, how do we get out?” (Laocles)

“I think it would be nice if Laocles could make the dragon that I materialize you’re your summoned beast.” (Tougo)

　When I laid my escape plan, Laocles looked surprised.

“…me?” (Laocles)

“Yes, I’d like to make them my summoned beast, however, Fay said that there would be problems if I made it my summoned beast.” (Tougo)

　When I said that, Laocles seemed to remember and looked as if he was enduring a headache.

“But… me, have a legendary monster as my summoned beast? That’s a very bad joke.” (Laocles)

“I don’t think so.” (Tougo)

　I think you’d look good with one.

“What if I can’t?” (Laocles)

“I think Fay will appear.” (Tougo)

“…did you talk to him?” (Laocles)

“I didn’t. But the people of the Dioren family came so flashy…” (Tougo)

　Then Laocles nodded deeply.

“Is there any reason for the Redgarde family to move independently of you?” (Laocles)

“Yes.” (Tougo)

　Well, …… I mean, I think we can do something about it.

　If I the dragon materializes, the ceiling will break and it will be more than just about me, and if the dragon comes out, I can have Laocles make it their summoned beast and we can ride them for our escape. If not, Fay and Fay’s father should still be able to move. Not over me, but for a better and more legitimate reason.

“…By the way, did you think that far ahead before you jumped out?” (Laocles)

“About half of it.” (Tougo)

　I’ll be honest, I just thought about getting out.

“…But I think the plan is good. The people of the Dioren family are the kind of people who will attack you even if you properly refuse them. If that’s the case, we’ll just have to let them look up at the sky through the hole in the ceiling and think about it. Besides, we now have a chance to save that woman.” (Laocles)

　I think the Dioren family had no choice but to do this, since they attacked us like this after we turned them down. Or was there a better way to say no?

“That woman… Intarlia, huh?” (Tougo)

　But I’m glad that the woman who is making Laocles look so vexed right now was there.

“You know, Intarlia, she’s a… a slave. I am, and so is she.” (Laocles)

“Yes.” (Tougo)

“It was a situation where we should have just left her to die.” (Laocles)

“Really?” (Tougo)

　I asked back, and Laocles let out a deep sigh… and then said,

“…I don’t think your actions are wise. But I am grateful.” (Laocles)

　We then arrived at the Dioren family mansion about half a day later.

　After chatting with the guards for a bit, we got some information like, “The Dioren family mansion is not that far from the Redgarde family mansion.”

　It seems to connect to other territories, and the distance is not that great. The Redgarde territory has a large forest in the middle, and the mansion is located at the edge of the territory. I guess that’s why it’s not that far away.

　…image is like moving in a straight line from Shiga to Nara, the capital of each prefecture. The distance is not that great, though it passes through Kyoto on the way.

“We have arrived.” (Guard)

“Oh, good to know.” (Laocles)

　I got off the carriage with the help of my escort. (I think I could have gotten off without his help, but he wanted to help me.)

　In front of me was a house made of chocolate-colored, brown cocoa-colored, and sometimes biscuit-colored bricks. The roof was orange. The window frames were painted white, and it looked rather fancy.

　…It looked like an orange and chocolate cake. The color scheme is somewhat appetizing. [T/N: Orange-chocolate candy bars are gross, but orange-chocolate cookies and cakes are good. What alchemical trickery is that?]

“Finally, it’s over. That was a terrible trip.” (Laocles)

　From the next carriage, Mr. Santos and his guards got off. I could also see Laocles’ colleague, a woman, getting out of another carriage. That’s good.

“…Okay, you were safe.” (Santos)

“Yes.”

　Santos looked at me and looked a little worried. I’m not sure if he’s afraid of me or not. I’d appreciate it if he was afraid of me.

“Then let’s go. Father is waiting for you. …Hey, you guys, go back to your posts.” (Santos)