Chapter 287: Chapter 287: 15 year old Inglis and the Eastern Front (18)

「Fresh meat?! The whole tail?!」

「Yup. With greater speed, we could carry it as is! We can take it with us and have big brother Rafa feast on it, okay?」

「Sounds great! I’m sure he will be happy!」

「Okay then, I’ll bring it over!」

And then…

「Let’s go, Rani!」

「Yeah! Wait for us, big brother Rafa! We’ll save you and give you mister dragon’s exquisite meat, that’s for sure!」

Inglis and Rafinha nodded at each other with serious expressions. Inglis was carrying a whole dragon’s tail on her shoulder, while Rafinha was holding a huge chunk of dragon jerky in both hands…

Incidentally, Redas was also carrying jerky as their porter.

「……Their faces are beautiful and yet the sight is a bit…」

「W-, well, that is how they always are…… The fact that they’re bringing so many souvenirs for Sir Raphael shows how determined they are to help.」

「Rather, this means they’re back on their usual track… That’s much better than feeling grim, ain’t that right?」

「I’m sure they will be okay! If anything, we should be the ones making sure Inglis and Rafinha don’t regret going back to Charalia!」

Whilst the rest of the group watched over them, the hangar at the bottom of the flying battleship opened and a person peeked out.

「That’s some luggage! We’ll bring the ship down, just wait a sec!」

「No need, we’re in a hurry! Would you mind backing away a little?!」

「……? What’d you wanna—AAAAH?!!」

When the Ironblood Chain Brigade soldier asked her, Inglis was already furiously running at them with the Dragon God’s tail in her grip. As she did, she looked back to Leone and the others.

「Well then, everyone! I’ll see you at the Academy! HYAAAaahh!!」

With an earth-shattering kick to the ground, her figure soared weightlessly into the sky as though the dragon tail weighed nothing, and she was promptly sucked into the ship’s hangar.

The impact of Inglis and the huge Dragon God’s tail diving into the ship caused the hull to lean heavily for a moment.

「OOOOooooohhhhh?!!!」

「Sh-, she flew?! While carrying such a huge thing?!」

「I-, inhuman! No wonder the general bothered to summon her!」

In the midst of the dismayed Ironblood Chain Brigade soldiers, Inglis politely bowed.

「I’m told you can give us a ride to Charalia! I look forward to our trip.」

「O-, okay?」

「L-. looking closely…」

「Sh-, she’s hella cute… even cuter than Lady Cystia, maybe?」

「C’mon guys, don’t say that in front of Cystia, kay? She loathes little Inglis, after all.」

From amongst the soldiers, Leon appeared.

「……I bear no hatred for her though?」

「Coz she’s quick to lose temper, right?」

「Yes. I love people who love fighting.」

「Hahaha! You never change, even during such times. Though, that’s why you’re dependable right now.」

It was then, Rafinha came in through the hangar onboard the Star Princess unit.

「Mister Leon! Rather than this, have you spoken to Leone at all? We still have time!」

「No, time is of the essence right now. We gotta send you ASAP! Besides, I have no right to face her… No matter how you spin it, fact is she went through hell ‘cause of ol’ me. In fact, she might be lost with how to restore our family’s name now that she knows the truth. Dang, I’m a pathetic big bro…」

Leon awkwardly scratched the back of his head, turning away from Inglis and Rafinha.

「It’s okay. No matter what the circumstance is, I will still defeat my brother! That’s what she said.」

「……Rani?」

After learning the truth, Leone didn’t say such a thing, but… When Inglis looked at Rafinha puzzled, Rafinha made a shushing gesture at her.

「I see… No, that’s good. That’s the best for her!」

「……I lied.」

「Eeh?!」

「She told me that if we could save big bro Rafa, she could be more forgiving to you, Mister Leon, so she urged us to go.」

「……! I see… that’s what she…」

「……Which one do you prefer?」

Rafinha smiled mischievously at Leon.

「Good gods, don’t ask me such a mean question.」

Leon raised both hands, seemingly giving up.

「You can leave big bro Rafa to us. That’s why, I’m not forcing you to do it now, but you should apologize to Leone and make up with her! Understood?!」

「Rafinha…」

「Well, I won’t be doing anything since it’s mostly Glis, though!」

「It’s all right, Rani. My power is all yours to use, so think of me as your own power, okay?」

「Hahaha…… You two really are chummy! Man, I hope what you said is true, Rafinha!」

「Good! Now, let’s hurry it up! Full speed ahead!」

「Come on, Rani! We are the guests here.」

「No, it’s fine! Rafinha has this strange charm that makes you want to listen to her! Come on, let’s go! We’re off!」

In high spirits, Leon ordered the soldiers.

「「「Roger!」」」

In response, the soldiers scattered to their respective stations.

「Now, I’ll show you your cabin. But first… here.」

Leon handed Inglis and Rafinha a folded thick black garment.

「What is this?」

Inglis asked.

「The uniform everyone is wearing. This is for female soldiers. With your clothes like that, everyone’s gonna gawk at you. Feel free to change if you want, or throw it away if you don’t.」

「……What do we do, Glis? I’m conflicted……」

They were lending each other help for now, but the Ironblood Chain Brigade was an anti-Highland guerilla organization. From the standpoint of Charalia Knights, they were a conflicting group that must be defeated.

Even if only temporarily, Rafinha wasn’t sure if they should be dressed in their uniform. The uniform itself was chic, so she wanted to try it on. Which was why she was concerned.

「Why not? The clothes did nothing wrong!」

Inglis liked the uniform just as much. Simply put, new clothes were always exciting. She could look at herself in the mirror and appreciate herself with a fresh experience. Which she would do the moment she had the chance.