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?]
[Toukdono . ]
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 . ]
[Toukdono, 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, Toukdono . ]
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[I’m still a bit left in the dark but, well… this should worth something, right?]
[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 .
[Toukdono . ]
[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 . ]
[Wh?]
[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 .
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She then raises her gaze after looking at the thing on her hand .
[Umm, Toukdono… . ]
[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 . ]
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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 Toukdono 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 .
[Toukdono . ]
[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 .