Chapter 144

Hot Spring in the Great Forest
The White Dragon, who had gotten quite used to our home, asked me how the hot spring in the Great Forest was doing. I told him I didn’t know — I hadn’t been there since bringing back the dragon egg.

“Why are you so curious?”

“The hot spring here feels different from that one. I wanted to bathe there again.”

“It takes days to reach the depths of the Great Forest, and with all the monsters, we can’t just casually go there, even if you ask.”

“It’s not just me. Atre and the others said they wanted to go too. So let’s go,” he insisted, flopping onto the floor and flapping his wings.

That… looks exactly like a child’s tantrum, but I won’t be swayed.

“It’s really hard, you know. Last time, we could only go because Ripka and Bianca’s families came along, and there were beastkin with the blessing of the Martial God. So even if you beg, it’s impossible.”

Suddenly, he sprang up.

“Then if Ripka and Bianca’s families come along, will you take me?”

“I can’t promise anything. If you really want to go, you’d better convince my parents too.”

“Understood,” he said, and off he went out of the room.

That evening, as the whole family relaxed in the living room, the White Dragon perched on my shoulder, puffing his chest out.

“Reinhardt, I’ve got permission from Ripka and Bianca’s families and your parents.”

When I looked at my parents, my mother smiled wryly.

“Well, you see… he came into our study, lowered his head, and begged.”

Mother… I know he looks like a stuffed animal and it’s hard to say no, but we’re talking about the depths of the Great Forest!

“Ripka and Bianca’s families will accompany us, and your Grandfather is coming along this time, so it should be fine.”

“But if we go through the World Tree, we can’t get there unless the World Tree gives its permission.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve asked, and the World Tree agreed. Everything’s arranged.”

“I hardly ever get to venture deep into the Great Forest. Besides, how often do you get the chance to see the World Tree?” Grandfather added eagerly.

It looked like the trip was settled. Still… what was his real reason for wanting to go to the hot spring so badly?

Three days later, we safely arrived at the World Tree. I was relieved Grandfather could come too.

I introduced Grandfather to the World Tree and Alraune. I also cooked the promised curry rice for Ripka and Bianca’s families, and they were thrilled.
We’re out of rice now, so no more curry until next year. That was our last feast.

The next day, we set off toward the hot spring. Unlike last time, we didn’t run into any berserk monsters, but we did encounter nothing but poisonous creatures — Poison Snakes, Poison Spiders, and the like.

“Meyer, those weren’t around at all last time. Any idea why?”

“The depths of the Great Forest are a den of powerful monsters. Since we defeated the Ice Spiders and Black Snakes last time, the territory lines likely shifted.”

Once again, most of the beasts were defeated by our family’s fluffy companions and Ripka and Bianca’s families. Ciel was with us as well.

“You lot are making them do all the work. Hurry up and handle it yourselves!” Grandfather shouted at the knights and magicians, all while dropping a lightning strike on a Poison Snake’s head and knocking it out.

Grandfather sure is strong… He wields lightning and wind magic with ease.

Thanks to him, Captain Kyle and the other knights were unusually tense the whole time.

The next day, we steadily made our way through, defeating beasts as we went. The withered land we saw on our last visit was now sprouting grass and saplings — no purification needed.

We pressed on, eventually reaching the hot spring. But the steam was so thick, we couldn’t see inside… though it was clear something was in there.

As we approached, a lightning spell shot out from the hot spring. The magicians quickly raised barriers to block it.

The White Dragon, however, flew past the barriers without a care for the lightning and headed straight for the hot spring.

“White Dragon, it’s dangerous, come back!” I called, but he ignored me completely.

Atre remarked, “He’s still a child, but he’s a dragon. And if it’s a monster that bathes in the hot spring, it’s probably intelligent enough not to attack him.”

A breeze swept through, clearing the steam and revealing what lay within — a black wolf-like monster with a golden horn on its forehead.

“A golden horn… That’s a Tonitrus, isn’t it? This is my first time seeing one,” said Meyer, confirming my suspicion.

Brother Chris came over to me, smirking.

“See? You really do bring luck, Hardt.”

“That doesn’t mean Grandfather will necessarily be able to make the Tonitrus his familiar, okay?”

The decorative knife I’d given Grandfather… turned out to be a Tonitrus.

What do you think about this chapter?