The 5000-year-old Herbivorous Dragon

「As expected of the Lord Evil Dragon. Being able to disguise that overflowing power so magnificently and deceiving their eyes to become just a lizard. As I thought, Lord Evil Dragon’s acting skills are top class…」

「Yeah, that’s right.」

Facing Rēko, who was talking excitedly, I nodded along emotionlessly.

It was most definitely not an act. It was simply the truth being revealed.

My appearance simply looks like that of a dragon but even I could guess that I was really a lizard. fre𝑒𝘸𝚎𝚋n૦ѵℯl.c𝒐𝘮

Normally, my original size makes the pressure other people perceive as too strong so no one would doubt that I’m a dragon. Even being mini-sized, I still resemble a miniature dragon and also Raiottos cursed sword didn’t doubt that I was a dragon until it sucked my blood.

However, now that I’ve received a check-up, I was judged as an oversized lizard without doubt. free𝚠𝚎𝚋𝒏𝚘ѵ𝐞l.𝑐oｍ

The cursed sword instantly came to this conclusion after one tasting too.

When the inspector received the results of the check-up from the elderly magician, a smile appeared on his face and he spoke to Rēko.

「Ahh, isn’t this great little lady? This is the results of the check-up and there’s no particular problems at all. Just, he’s piled up a little more stress than normal so please take care of your pet.」

「Someone as great as the Lord Evil Dragon has gotten stressed…? It couldn’t be, has that plot of darkness encountered some sort of hindrance behind the scenes……?」

「I have no idea what plot you’re talking about but the main reason for this stress is that point about you, you know?」

By the way, when I had returned, Rēko stopped sitting on the chair and jumped onto my back. She said that “Doing this will further appeal my dignity and it will be advantageous for gaining entry into the country,” but just what kind of reasoning is that?

「Normally, with just these light symptoms, there’s no need to prescribe any medicine but the doctor in charge was able to examine a specially rare species so he took much better care than usual. So here’s the stomach medicine.」

「I apologize for a lot of things.」

「No no, by the way, when you took the blood test, there was no reaction for magic power but there was a response from some sort of alchemical potion, is it the medicine in this little tub in your luggage?」

「Yes yes, the truth is, I’m getting pretty old. I would be troubled if I didn’t have that rejuvenating medicine.」

I didn’t lie. Rather than my body’s stamina, it was more for changing my appearance that mattered more.

「Hmm… It’s an alchemical potion that’s pretty high in value but is it possible that it’s this little lady that mixed the potion?」

「Nono, it’s just something I received.」

「Haha, I thought that was the case. If you were able to blend such a potion at that age, then you would be a genius. Haha how unfortunate. If that was actually the case, then we could permit you to enter the country under the cause of allowing a highly skilled craftsman access but-」

「Eh, what a minute.」

Not good, this could have been our best chance.

I hurriedly mend my words.

「To, to be honest, the truth is that this girl really made that medicine. So can you please allow us entry?」

「It’s not good to lie, didn’t you just say that a child at that age couldn’t possibly make such a potion?」

「That’s ehh… uum, Rēko also drank that potion. The truth is that this girl is veteran.」

「Still no good, we also did a blood test for her and there was no response for any potions taken.」

Eh? I turned towards Rēko.

Having her blood taken for testing, I was surprised that her strength wasn’t exposed.

「Please rest assured that I have shown no openings, Lord Evil Dragon. The enormous amounts of magic power in my blood isn’t so small that it can be measure the the likes of these peoples techniques.」

「Rēko, don’t be so rude. I apologize to everyone. This girl has a bad habit of exaggerating things and likes to revere me.」

「Haha, well she is at that age」

It seems like Rēko has already been labeled as that type of girl. The faces of the inspectors all had a gentle expression.

That’s right. Throughout all the places we’ve been to, when we first meet, as long as she doesn’t expose her true powers, we can make do and live peacefully.

But, being peaceful and entering the country is a whole different matter.

「So then, the reason for you to enter the country?」

「Ehhhh, we want to investigate information on monsters and spirits… We wanted to be introduced to a person knowledgeable in this area so we came.」

「And on your way here, you encountered an accident huh… my condolences. However, I have to apologize but our country is currently in the middle of a very important religious matter. During this time period, other than a few exceptions, we have restricted access or all foreigners. As we have said before, if the one entering is a highly skilled craftsman that would benefit our country, then that’s another matter.」

Although they spoke gently, I could feel that behind those words were a firm will that would not budge under any circumstances.

Rēko crouched down to my ears and asked “shall I do it?”, to which I silently shook my head.

If we used brute force here, it would be the same as declaring war on their country. After all, it’s right after I’ve been told to take better care of my stomach.

「Is that so. In that case Lord Evil Dragon, our next best move would be to create that rejuvenating potion on the spot, how is it? If we can mix the potion here, then these people should welcome us correct?」

「That’s no good, you’ve never mixed a potion before right?」

Then I whispered in a low voice.

「If it’s you then you may be able to forcefully succeed with your strong powers but that’s no good. If you show too strong of a power, it’ll become the same as all the rest of the places we’ve been to and they’ll be on their guard. Without even knowing the ingredients or knowledge and being able to leisurely create a secret medicine, rather than welcoming us, we’ll be treated as an anomaly.」

「So then, I just have to succeed without making it too amazing right?」

「Well, that’s correct but… Can you really do such a thing?」

「No, I am one who can turn the impossibility into a possibility, the Lord Evil Dragon’s head kin. I have thought of the greatest idea just now, please wait expectantly for me.」

「Ah, wait up.」

Without even getting the chance to stop her, Rēko jumped towards the luggage that was finished with its inspection.

I didn’t think there was a set of tools to play along with her crazy play in there though.

「I’ve made you wait.」

What was in Rēkos hand after she returned was a simple pot used for cooking and a bottle of drinking water.

She then handed that over to the inspection officer.

「You may inspect this, this pot and water are without any problems as you can see.」

Though the inspection had already ended, the inspector did as they were told and checked the pot and water. They thought they were just playing along with a child’s game and showed a serious attitude as they checked the items.

「That’s right, they’re just a pot and water.」

「Ahh, now I will boil water in this pot.」

Rēko poured water into the pot and sparked a fire with her own finger. It wasn’t strange for even a child to be able to use such basic fire magic. For Rēko, this was an act that she uncanningly moderated to a believable level.

Could it be? That this child, going through multiple failures, has finally sharpened the only skill she was bad at, her acting skills? If that’s so then I’ve exhausted my usefulness as her guardian already.

After waiting for a while, the water in the pot started to boil.

「The water has been boiled. Coming this far, there is but only one step left before the secret medicine is complete.」

「Little lady, isn’t that a bit impossible? No matter how skilled you are, creating a secret medicine from this situation—」

「There’s no need for my skill. If you just follow these steps, anyone can do it.」

I wonder why but Rēko had a proud expression on her face as she placed the pot of boiling water on the table and then trotted along to where I was.

「Lord Evil Dragon. While we were sitting before, I’ve noticed something, that there’s a single scale on your back that’s almost falling off. If possible, may I receive the right to obtain that scale?」

「Ahh, it’s an old scale falling off for the new. I don’t particularly mind but why would you ask for it at this time?」

「I’m extremely grateful.」

Rēko joyfully pulled the scale off my back. It was already almost fully peeled off so I didn’t feel any pain. Rather it felt like I shed some excess keratin and felt slightly good.

And then Rēko threw my newly shed scale into the pot.

「Little lady?」

「Behold and observe. The Lord Evil Dragons scale… is the base for all secret medicines. Now all we have to do is desire in your heart “become a rejuvenating potion” while it brews. If we do that, then after only 3 minutes that secret medicine will be completed…」

The inspector, with a troubled expression turned to face me. Perhaps that expression was trying to ask me “what should we do with this child?”.

However, I had no room or leisure to respond to that question. Because my heart was in even more turmoil.

—I didn’t think that Rēko would do such a thing… yeah. It’s not as if my scales will turn into the ingredients for a secret medicine. She couldn’t possibly do such a skillful thing…

And so a few minutes passed.

With my body as our entrance permit, it was decided that I would be sent to their research labs.