Now that I think about it, I wonder what is Rodrigar’s full name? I’ve been literally calling him Rodrigar for the past 2 chapters now I can’t help getting curious.

“By the way, Rodrigar. What is your full name?” I turned to my side. Rodrigar was sitting with his leg crossed on top of brushing his nose length bangs to the side. The air is especially fierce, given the high altitude the both of us were at. Luckily, I have cold resistance skill—from when I strain my eyes reading through all the skills in my skills list, and even if I didn’t, the surface of the skin of this dragon both of us were sitting on is enough to keep me warm throughout the night. Apparently Rodrigar has a skill to duplicate his body into several copies, and this dragon is Rodrigar’s duplicated self.

Rodrigar shot me a side glance. “It’s Clairmont. I thought I’ve told you before.”

I fluttered my eyes a bit. “Clairmont? As in, Clairmont Rodrigar?”

Rodrigar nodded.

My God.

Clairmont Rodrigar, golden eyes with a slight tinge of red, bronze skin, and a dragon. Why didn’t I think about this before? In the novel there’s only one person who holds the name Clairmont Rodrigar, and he is Rodrigar the halberdier of Chaos.

To make sure I am not mistaken, I asked again. “As I, Rodrigar, Halberdier of Chaos?”

Rodrigar nodded. “People usually call me that. But what’s with the questions? You are now finally curious enough to want to know who this dragon you first bumped into?” His remarks were snide. Fair enough, he is arrogant. It’s better than him keeping his silence.

Though because of that, I lost interest in wanting to know about him. At the very least, I have the novel to rely to if I want to know about him on the surface. I might need to ask him in detail one day but I am pretty sure not now, or even in a few days.

I was scrolling through the online shopping while we were on our way to Rustaval. Even though the temperature is not cold due to our skills, the wind is really getting into our peripheral view, so Rodrigar created a barrier around us to protect from the wind.

Before we ascend to fly, Rodrigar had reminded me about Rustaval’s situation which is in a brink of war. He said that the war was due to internal conflict between the royal faction and the elder faction to determine who should rule the country. I’m not one to divulge myself in political matters so I don’t know what’s the difference between who rules what, but if that kind of conflict was what destroys Kuzan’s country, then I wished for it to stop somehow.

“…Oh.” Suddenly I exclaimed.

“What?” Rodrigar gave me a lazy look by side glancing me.

“I just remembered,” I tapped the online shopping window and it returned to the main window. “You said you want to have more custard bread. Do you want it now?”

Instantly his eyes glinted. He shot up from his lazy sitting posture and looked around. “Where? Where is that delicious bread?”

I couldn’t help but burst out chuckling for a moment. This guy, the novel never said anything about him having a love for sweets, or is the bread just that good?

I don’t know because I have never eaten anything from this world before.

“One moment.” I scrolled the bread section of the online shopping. A few taps later, two large boxes appeared out of nowhere, winning a surprised look from Rodrigar.

“That’s a strange looking cuboid you have there. I don’t think I have seen these kinds of objects before.” Rodrigar approached the boxes after I did. Inside the boxes were the giant-sized custard bread for him, and a few bottles of teas. I felt like drinking some tea with bread. Having warm tea would taste better, but I don’t think I should reveal myself too much in front of anyone, Rodrigar included, because I don’t know who should I trust yet.

Still, Rodrigar doesn’t look like he cared much about me nor my background. He probably just wants to eat, right?

“Rodrigar.” I called.

Rodrigar didn’t even pause from unwrapping the giant custard bread as he said ‘yes?’. The bread looks like a medium sized pillow next to him, and when he had to rip a small piece of the bread just to eat it made him look like a mouse stealing some bread, cute.

“Aren’t you curious about who I am?”

That question managed to win him a halt. He shot me a glance for a hot second before continuing to bite into the bread piece. “To be honest, I don’t care.”

I held in my breath, for some reason.

“I am more interested in the food you brought with that magic of yours. Besides, everyone has their own unique magic, and this, objects you conjured along with that strange cube thing called box might be one of your skills, so I don’t want to probe.” Rodrigar closed his statement.

After hearing what he said, I huffed out the contained air, along with my sheer anxiety. I might be able to trust Rodrigar, even just a little bit. He’s in for the food anyway so that works well with me.

“By the way,” Rodrigar shifted his gaze to me. I though he was looking at me because he wanted the tea I was drinking, so I tossed him an unopened bottle. He caught the bottle, but gave it a puzzled look. Still, he kept the bottle beside him.

“By the way, what are you planning to do when you reach Rustaval?” Rodrigar resumed his words. So, he was about to say something, and not looking at me because he wants the tea.

That was slightly embarrassing.

But anyways…

“Don’t tell me you want to end the war?” Rodrigar guessed. I couldn’t quite catch what he said because I got distracted with my mind sometimes so I fluttered my eyes at him.

“What?”

Rodrigar rolled his eyes. “I said don’t tell me that you plan to end the war in Rustaval?”

“Oh.” I mouthed. Slowly, my face darkened. “I…”

I didn’t think that far actually.

But hold on a second. I did say I want the conflict to end, but if there’s no one to end it, then Rustaval will eventually be destroyed by their own people even if there are no dragons attacking the kingdom. So that means, aren’t we like, two heroes that came to the kingdom for rescue?

My eyes wavered.

“…Eh?” That is the only word I was able to utter at that moment. Then I face slapped myself. Rodrigar was already narrowly eyeing me by the time I face palmed myself.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t think that far enough?” His assumption was spot on.

“I…” I swallowed nervously.

That kind of reaction was probably enough for him to know that I don’t have any plan, because he heaved a sigh soon after that.

“Dangit…” He then shook his head. I thought he was going to spew curses at me after that last one, but his reaction after that caught me by surprise. He was surprisingly calm as he continued to eat the custard bread.

“Go on, eat. The bread will get cold.” He even offered me to eat with him.

What is wrong with him?

I reluctantly accepted his offer and gingerly ripped some piece of bread for me. The two of us ate the bread quietly.  

“For your information…” Rodrigar suddenly spoke. “I will drop you off as soon as we arrive at Rustaval.”

… Eh?

“Wait what?” I widened my eyes at him.

“Yeah. Anything related to Rustaval or the kingdom is none of my concern, so I don’t want to involve myself into something as pain in the butt as this one.” Rodrigar continued his munch.

I can feel my jaw dropped when he said that.

Does that mean his calm demeanour is because he doesn’t care about what I did at all?!

That’s quite true because he is unrelated with me, but hearing that from him still irks me at one point. Besides, he is my first friend from the same kin, so it’s kinda sad to part ways so soon. I lowered my gaze to the ground and fumbled my fingers solemnly.

“…I might be able to make an exception.” Rodrigar suddenly spoke.

“Eh?” I lifted my gaze to him.

Rodrigar blew a sigh and nodded his head. “I can make a few exceptions for you if you want. I can even help you save Rustaval. Of course, with a condition.”

My expression lighted up a bit. “W-What is the condition?”

For a split second, I saw Rodrigar’s eyes slid down below me. I don’t know where he was looking at, but it was somewhere on my body.

…Was he checking me?

Pfft no way XD

I’m just a shrimp what did I expect?

His gaze returned to me and he crossed his arms haughtily. “Cook something for me, something that is not bread. If you can do that for a few times, then I will consider helping you save the country.”

“Really?! Awesome!” I assumed a triumphant pose. “Just you wait, Rodrigar. I’mma show you what authentic Japanese cuisine taste like!”

“Japanese?” Rodrigar tilted his head to the side.

“It’s nothing!” I broke into a grin. “Anyways, when will we arrive at Rustaval?”

The two of us returned to enjoying the bread and bottled tea.

“If we’re talking the border, we will be there in about half an hour.” Rodrigar estimated.

“That fast?” I gave him a surprised look.

“We are riding my dragon body, remember? Just how fast do you think a dragon can go?”

I shrugged. I don’t know even if you asked me. I mean, I don’t have a good memory with flying and I hope I won’t fly again anytime soon. Though not flying would be a waste given my two pairs of majestic wings.

“Well anyways, we will get reach there soon enough so get ready.”

I nodded. Finally, I will be able to enter a place with lots of people. I’m excited!

“Oh.” Rodrigar suddenly remarked. “Just a heads up. Rustaval’s border gates are closed at night.”

…What?