It Seems I've Been Reincarnated As A Mob Character In An Otome Game World, But The Prince Dropped Out Before It Even Started - Episode 24

Since arriving in Lakewood, peaceful days have continued.

By returning my hair color to its original shade, the atmosphere among my colleagues has brightened.

Until now, it was all black. Black hair, black suit. The students wore deep green uniforms, though.

It became a white shirt with gray pants. Since it’s summer, there is no obligation to wear a jacket or vest.

Finally, the wave of Cool Biz has reached my workplace. Since there are no outsiders, I don’t have to worry too much about my appearance, so I’ve rolled up my shirt sleeves.

However, everyone still wears ties. They can’t relax without them.

Since it’s now allowed to loosen it, the knot is up to each individual.

I’m the neat type. If I let it go, it doesn’t suit me… I want the adult allure that comes from a subtle glimpse of the chest.

Even Lord Cedi, now that the danger of assassination has passed, is spending his time leisurely.

Cedi-sama has begun learning the duties of the grand duke position he will eventually assume, but he is still in the acclimatization phase.

Finish in the morning, and in the afternoon, go for a long ride or take a walk to the lake.

For long rides, horses are prepared according to each person’s needs, so the order of riding is predetermined, but for walks, the members are chosen each time.

In fact, it’s often just the two of us, me and Lady Cedi, who go for walks on foot.

Because there are no attacks, you know.

It seems they judged that even a single young person could protect Lord Cedi.

Since leaving the royal capital, I feel like I’ve been interacting with Lord Cedi a lot.

At the academy, I was just a mere bodyguard, servant, and classmate, only able to watch from the sidelines.

Since I dropped out, I feel like I’ve been by your side more and more.

Cedi and I are going for a walk again today.

The newly created path, hastily made by embedding burnt boards into the ground, leads to the lake, and I walk slowly along the lakeside, where the dazzling surface of the water sparkles.

Cedi-sama, who had been walking a little ahead, turned around and looked at me.

The golden eyes, shining gently without a hint of danger, are beautiful.

Stopping and being stared at, I also stop walking.

“Alexis.”

Have you heard that in about ten days, officials and priests will be visiting this land?

To proceed with my abdication from the throne and the formal annulment of my engagement.

“Yes, I’m listening.”

If you don’t mind, the entire shadow faction is looking forward to that day.

Cedi-sama still has to go through complicated procedures as a member of the royal family.

As a pretext, I have to go through the process in order: dropping out of school due to poor health → recuperating in a remote area → but not getting better, leading to renouncing my royal title and breaking off the engagement.

So, the prince who is currently recuperating in the remote Lakewood is still engaged.

Complete the procedures in front of the official and priest who brought the documents, and annul the engagement. The prince also resigns and becomes a vassal duke.

Cedric Lakewood.

He is a one-time duke who was granted a very small fief that extends only to the foot of Lake Mountain.

Lord Cedi showed a slight hesitation.

But soon, she looks at me with eyes filled with determination.

“Right now, I’m still a prince. I’m also engaged.”

So I can’t tell you anything. But if I could express my feelings freely, then at that time…

It’s been a while, my children! I’ve been looking for you!

“――――”

Before anyone noticed, without a sound or a trace, a large green dragon had descended by the lakeside.

It’s a dragon I know.

Recently, a pocket monster was saved from a dangerous situation.

The dragon, lowering the basket it had been carrying with a grunt, stretched its neck and wings and let out a satisfied croak.

Somewhere far away, I could sense the presence of the senior from the dark side who had been secretly watching over me, and it seemed like he was in a hurry.

It’s okay, I stand to protect Cedi-sama and send a hand signal.

This dragon means no harm! It’s more frightening to provoke it, so please just keep watching.

Lord Cedi is staying still. Since he is someone who is used to being protected, he must have judged that this was the best course of action.

Somehow, the conversation got cut off midway, but please don’t mind it.

I heard from my friends that a human child came to the mountain by the lake. I was looking for you because I have a favor to ask.

“Hi, long time no see.”

Did you hear it from a friend? So, what is the favor?

My friend is the dragon living on this mountain. You see it flying in the sky sometimes, right?

As long as you don’t make noise, we won’t do anything to you, so don’t worry. But if you make noise, we’ll get angry.

Absolutely no noise.

The dragon that can read my mind is happily laughing in our telepathic conversation.

Actually, my boy became interested when I talked about human children.

Could you keep them close for a while and let them experience the human world?

“What?”

Popping up, a small dragon peeked out from the basket.

It was a pure white baby dragon. The adorable dragon, about the size of a stuffed toy that could be held with both hands, looked up at me with silver eyes and let out a cheerful chirp.

It seems like you really like the human child after all.

Well then, I’ll leave it to you until the boy gets bored.

In the meantime, I’m going on a trip with my wife. Hehehe.

“I’m going to have fun,” and the floating green dragon disappeared in an instant again.

At the lakeside with a mirror-like surface without a single breeze, the basket with the baby dragon and me are left behind.

In the quiet caldera where time seemed to have stopped, the sudden echoes of multiple dragon roars resounded.

Alright, kids of the world

Sorry for making you take care of the kids. Dragons are free creatures, you know.

Midori has always wanted to set off on a journey and has been looking for someone to take care of things. You should expect some souvenirs.

Since that little one doesn’t have a name yet, give it a temporary name. A temporary name won’t bind its soul.

Ah. Although they can’t use telepathy yet, they can understand human speech, so don’t worry.

If you need anything, feel free to rely on us. Please take care of the dragon’s child.

From the outer edge surrounding the basin, several dragons appear and take to the sky.

It was a magnificent sight. If only I could hear the contents of the telepathy!

Huh? The green dragon wanted to travel with the lady dragon?

So, you entrusted me with taking care of the boy, right? And you said you’d properly thank me later.

――So free!

It was a request I couldn’t refuse. After all, there were so many dragons present.

Besides, we have already been helped by the green dragon once.

When I asked for help, they came to my aid without hesitation.

That dragon entrusted me with the boy, asking me to take care of him. It felt lighthearted, but still, they trusted me.

I want to properly respond to that trust.

“May I raise this baby dragon in Lakewood, Lady Cedi?”

“Ah. Let’s raise them together.”

Lord Cedi nods while smiling.

The dragon hatchling flapped its wings and floated up, moving in front of Lord Cedi.

Chirping happily, it lands on Lady Cedi’s shoulder.

“I forbid you to convey that.”

“Kyuwah!”

It’s fine.

Go to Alexis.

It seems that Lord Cedi and the baby dragon were talking telepathically. They are already good friends.

The baby dragon, as instructed, moves to my shoulder and stops. It wraps its long tail around my neck and settles on my shoulder in a stable position.

With the croaking sound, the satisfaction of the young dragon was conveyed. It was not through words, but through telepathy of images alone, and I could clearly read the other’s emotions.

“Dr. Irving would be disappointed not to be here.”

“That’s right. It would be nice if they came early.”

The friendly little dragon quickly became the idol of Lakewood.

The provisional name was decided by election. Since it’s Lakewood, it was simply “Lake.” Nevertheless, the person (Honyu) seems to like it.

When called, it flutters its small wings and moves to the person who gives it treats.

The one Lake likes the most is Lord Cedi. I’m in second place.

It seems that the title of the Dragon Saintess doesn’t mean being liked by dragons.

If the other person is a child, I’ll help them if they ask for it. It seems like Ryu has a judgment criterion like that: adults should manage on their own☆.

Lake taught me through an image.

I see. So that’s how it is when the criteria for judging whether someone is an adult or not is based on whether they are with children or not…

I really wish Joshua would come here soon. I think there might be a rush of new discoveries in the academic world.

A summer day when I was thinking about such things.

The customer had visited Lakewood.