Perhaps because the giant dragon was defeated, the dragon flock scattered like startled spiders.

"Can you stand?"

I extended my hand to the young knight. He grabbed my hand and stood up.

He looked a little healthier than before.

"My thanks. I am Ricardo Arbishop, one of the Agatha Dragon Knights, a Royal Guard. May I ask your name?"

"Anos Voldigoad"

"Anos-dono. To have defeated the black giant dragon without divine power... I am truly impressed. Perhaps you are a young dragon?"

Those who possess extraordinary power in the underworld are either gods or young dragons.

"I'm not a dragon person. I'm a demon from the surface."

As I said this, I pointed at the canopy.

"From the surface..."

Ricardo looked surprised. But he quickly regained his composure and opened his mouth.

"Then, from Dilhade?"

Hmm, it seems he knows about the surface. Since he's a member of the Agatha Dragon Knights, he's probably close to Diedrich, the Sword Emperor.

"Yes, I came from there."

"According to the prophecy of our nation, Agatha, heroes from the surface who value chivalry would someday visit the underworld. It is an honor to meet you, Anos-dono."

"Whether we are the ones in that prophecy or not, I am happy to have met a valiant knight."

I shook Ricardo's hand once again.

"By the way, Ricardo. I have a question. Why did you purposely lure out the giant dragon? With your strength, you could have escaped before the dragon appeared."

Ricardo nodded and answered with a serious expression.

"My daughter is ill, you see."

"Oh."

"We need a rare dragon pearl that is refined inside the giant dragon's body. If we use it to make medicine, it will be effective for my daughter's illness. That's why I've been challenging the dragon flock for a while now, trying to lure out the giant dragon."

He chuckled slightly.

"However, it seems I pushed myself too hard. If you hadn't passed by, Anos-dono, I would have been in danger of losing my life."

"Then, quickly obtain it and take the medicine to her."

Ricardo looked confused.

"Oh... no, it's not that simple. Anos-dono, you're the one who slayed the giant dragon. Rare dragon pearls are valuable. They're materials for magical tools, and if you sell them, they'll fetch a considerable price. If you have no use for it, I'll teach you everything I know as a thank you for saving my life."

He's a righteous man. Even though I saved his life, he's willing to give away the ingredient for the medicine he risked his life to obtain.

"No need for restraint. I have no need for it."

"I cannot betray the path of a knight. Surely, Anos-dono, you have some use for the dragon pearl."

Hmm, that's admirable.

"Then, Ricardo. I have a purpose. I want you to tell me how I can do that with dragon pearl."

"Yes, please tell me."

"I want to make this world, which is so chaotic into ones where righteousness and honesty are rewarded. It's deplorable that honest people are taken advantage of."

Ricardo's expression shifted as if he had suddenly understood what I meant.

"Now, what can we do to achieve that with the dragon pearl?"

He bowed deeply, as if embarrassed.

"......My thanks. I will surely repay your kindness..."

At that moment, a voice echoed from above.

"To-Tomo~!! Where are you going? No! Not that way!"

I thought I heard Naya's voice, and the next moment, a strange "Zaza" sound echoed.

When I looked, the giant dragon's body was shrinking rapidly, becoming the size of a ball.

"Kuuruuu."

Was that cute sound from Tomogui? At the same time, the shrunken giant dragon disappeared.

"Tomo~!"

"Kuuruu?"

As if in response to Naya's voice, a small dragon appeared where the giant dragon had been moments ago. It was licking around its mouth with its tongue.

"Hmm, Tomogui ate the giant dragon."

"......Ku...?"

Tomogui let out a sweet, chirping sound.

Was that the result of eating a god dragon? The strange sound earlier probably had the same effect as the Magic Power Spheres.

"To-Tomo! Anos-sama is talking. I..."

Naya jumped down and hugged Tomogui.

"I-I apologize!"

She bowed her head deeply and returned to the snow dragon that was circling in the sky.

"My apologies. It's a student from my academy and her summoned dragon."

"Not at all... Originally, Anos-dono slew the dragon..."

That being said, Ricardo's expression was somber. He had risked his life to defeat the giant dragon. His daughter's illness must be quite severe.

"I've already given it to you. I'll take responsibility. Can you show me your daughter's illness?"

"......Yes... I have no objection... but..."

"I'm not saying this to comfort you. On the surface, healing magic has advanced. I also know a bit of medical magic. If that medicine can cure her, magic should also be effective."

When I offered this, Ricardo bowed deeply, looking embarrassed.

"My thanks. I beg of you."

"Let's go. Where does your daughter live?"

"She lives in Agatha's capital, Agarofione."

"Then, it's just our destination. Will you guide us?"

He nodded, and drew a <Flight> magic circle on his body.

"Hmm, is your body alright? If you need to, I can have my subordinates carry you."

"I appreciate your concern. However, I am fine."

Ricardo leaped into the air. As he said, there was no problem. I also rose into the air and joined Misha and the others who were circling in the sky.

"I am Ricardo Arbishop, a member of the Agatha Dragon Knights, a Royal Guard. Heroes from the surface, thank you for your assistance. Due to Anos-dono's kindness, I have been granted the privilege of traveling with you to Agarofione. Please be kind to me."

Ricardo greeted the Demon King Academy students politely and flew at the front, leading the way.

I explained the situation to Sasha and the others, who had confused expressions, and flew toward Agarofione.

Of course, the song and dance practice continued.

Eventually, we could see a city surrounded by swords. Huge swords were impaled into the ground, densely packed, as if they were a defensive wall, covering the city.

At the center stood a castle, and around it were houses and shops. We could see people coming and going.

"That's the dragon landing."

Ricardo pointed, and we slowly descended towards it.

When our feet touched the dragon landing, I said to the Demon King Academy students.

"I have some errands to run. You can continue your song and dance practice until I return. Nothing serious will happen in Agarofione. You can relax a little, but don't let your guard down."

Then I turned my gaze to Shin.

"I'll leave them in your care for a while."

"As you command."

Turning to Ricardo, I said,

"Now then, will you guide us?"

"Yes, follow me."

I followed behind Ricardo as he started walking. Misha, Sasha, and Arcana followed behind me.

"Can I come along?"

Misa asked me.

"Hmm, are you done with practice?"

"It's perfect. It's a breeze once I discard my shame."

Sasha smiled casually.

"Oh? You've overcome your shame in such a short time. You seemed very resistant to the Fan Union's songs before. What method did you use?"

"......W, what method? It was just, you know, a, a matter of willpower."

"Hmm, a mental method. Well, shame originates from the mind, so you resisted it with the mind."

"It's awkward when you analyze it so seriously..."

Sasha murmured.

"Was that not the case?"

"Because you did the most embarrassing thing?"

Misha said, and Sasha's cheeks immediately turned crimson.

"W, what are you talking about?!"

"Was that not the case?"

"......That's... that is... t, then, you do it too, Misha..."

Hmm, it's random. Misha is also tilting her head.

"......Don't open it... ♪"

"Why are you singing to me?!"

"Sasha said I should."

"Over there, over there. To Anos."

Sasha pointed at me.

"Well, if you're good, then it's fine. Come along."

I smiled at Sasha, who seemed to be in a noisy mood, and left the dragon landing. We walked through the streets, looking at the scenery of Agarofione.

"Unlike Jiorhaze, there are no churches or anything like that, are there?"

Sasha commented while looking at the town.

"And no priests either."

Misha said.

"Agatha is a knightly country ruled by the Sword Emperor. For the people of this country, prayer is to wield a sword. It is believed that only by carving a path with your own hands will divine salvation arrive."

Arcana explained this to their questions.

"You know a lot about this place, even though it's on the surface."

Ricardo turned towards us.

"I am a god of the underworld. His Selection God."

"Selection God..."

He murmured and bowed his head.

"Is that so? Indeed, I feel a powerful force. Selection God, welcome to Agatha. You are most welcome."

Ricardo started walking again. Even though he knows I'm the Agent of God, he doesn't seem to be trying to pry into anything.

"Agatha has an ancient teaching called "One Sword, One Wish"

As if in response to Arcana's earlier statement, Ricardo began.

"To make your own life into a sword and fulfill one wish. Once in a lifetime, a battle worthy of sacrificing your life will come. Until then, you train your body and sharpen your sword. It is the act of sharpening your life. The "Omnipotent Radiance" resides in that life. Therefore, we, the people of Agatha, are knights, and each of us is a "Omnipotent Radiance".

"Hmm, the glow of life is what you call God."

"Yes. God is always here."

Ricardo placed his hand on his chest.

"Therefore, there's nothing to fear. Since we are already gods, we should devote ourselves wholeheartedly to our affairs. That's the teaching. It's the foundation of Agatha, the most important teaching. It is also our pride."

Ricardo laughed cheerfully.

"Of course, Agatha's teaching of people being gods is incompatible with Jiordal's teaching of worshipping gods, and it is not something that can be easily accepted..."

They have the same idea of believing in God, but the teachings of Agatha and Jiordal are completely different.

Personally, I think Agatha's teaching of being gods themselves is much more refreshing than Jiordal's teaching where people can only pray.

But, it's no wonder that the two countries are incompatible.

"This way."

Ricardo stopped in front of a large gate. A soldier nearby saw his face and opened the gate.

"Agarofione Sword Emperor's Palace. It is the palace where the Sword Emperor of Agatha, Diedrich, governs all affairs."

"Oh. I didn't think you would be living in the palace."

"I apologize. I should have explained it first."

Ricardo crossed the gate and entered the palace. We followed behind him.

"My daughter is a close advisor to King Diedrich. She is a young dragon born of the Royal Dragon and holds the title of Dragon Knight, which only two people in this Agatha have."