A dragon carriage was a means of transportation similar to a horse-drawn carriage.
The difference was exactly what its name implied.
Instead of horses, a subspecies of lesser dragon known as a earth dragon pulled the carriage at high speed along the road.
Although the two vehicles served essentially the same purpose, ordinary horse-drawn carriages were actually rather uncommon in this country.
Whether in speed or endurance, horses simply could not compare to earth dragons.
The main reason was that nearly every earth dragon possessed a special blessing—
[Divine Protection of Wind Evasion].
If one observed a running earth dragon carefully, they would notice something resembling a barrier forming around its body.
Whenever the wind struck that barrier, it split apart to either side like water sliding across soap.
Without air resistance slowing them down, earth dragons could naturally run far faster than horses.
Merchants also preferred them for transporting goods.
After all, they ran faster while eating roughly the same amount.
At present, Shiro and the others were riding in a dragon carriage driven by Ram, traveling along a broad road toward Count Roswaal's mansion.
During the journey, Emilia ignored Subaru, who had been making noise ever since getting into the carriage, and gave Shiro a general explanation of Count Roswaal.
His full name was Roswaal L. Mathers.
As a margrave of the Kingdom of Lugunica, his position was somewhat similar to a general entrusted with guarding the frontier in ancient times.
He was also one of the kingdom's relatively few accomplished magic users.
Magic in this world was primarily divided into four attributes.
Fire magic governed heat.
Water magic governed life and healing.
Wind magic acted outside living bodies.
Earth magic acted within living bodies.
Beyond those four major attributes were two extremely rare ones.
Yang magic primarily specialized in beneficial effects, while Yin magic mostly specialized in weakening and negative effects.
Interestingly, although most of Emilia's spells manipulated ice for attacks, they were actually classified as fire magic in this world.
Roswaal, meanwhile, possessed aptitude for four different attributes.
He also held three titles representing the pinnacle of fire, wind, and earth magic—
Red.
Green.
Yellow.
Because of his extraordinary accomplishments in magical research, Roswaal also held the title of Chief Court Mage in Lugunica's royal capital.
According to Emilia, however, aside from those facts that practically everyone in the kingdom knew, she understood surprisingly little about Count Roswaal himself.
His everyday habits and behavior were somewhat strange, making his thoughts difficult for her to understand.
The only reason he currently acted as Emilia's supporter was because the two had reached some sort of agreement.
Shiro was just about to ask what kind of agreement could convince the kingdom's Chief Court Mage to become her supporter when Ram's voice came from the front.
"Lady Emilia, we have entered Lord Roswaal's territory."
"We will be arriving at the mansion shortly, so please prepare yourselves."
Hearing Ram's reminder, Shiro looked outside through the carriage window.
Rather than a noble territory, the surroundings looked more like an enormous forest.
Tall, straight trees blocked most of the sunlight.
Only scattered patches managed to slip through the canopy and gaps between the branches.
From this forest all the way to the border between Lugunica and the neighboring kingdoms—Everything belonged to Roswaal.
For a mere count to possess territory of this scale indirectly showed just how exceptional Roswaal's position within the kingdom was.
Fortunately, the forest scenery did not continue for much longer.
Roswaal's mansion soon appeared before Shiro.
The first thing to emerge at the edge of his vision was the pointed roof of an extravagant manor, surrounded by various ornate carvings.
As the dragon carriage rapidly approached, the mansion's full appearance gradually revealed itself from top to bottom.
The estate occupied an enormous amount of land and was decorated lavishly.
Shiro estimated that even if more than a hundred people moved in, there would probably still be rooms left over.
Neatly trimmed ornamental trees lined both sides of the road leading toward the mansion.
Farther away stood a marble garden.
Although Shiro could not clearly see the garden from the road, he could faintly hear the sound of its fountains.
Holding the reins, Ram brought the dragon carriage to a stop in front of the mansion's main entrance.
After Shiro stepped down, she left them with a brief—
"Please wait here."
Then she drove the carriage around the side of the mansion.
Judging from her expression, Ram was probably going to return the earth dragon to its stable.
At that moment, perhaps the people inside had heard the commotion outside.
Or perhaps Ram had already informed them of their expected arrival.
Either way, almost immediately after Ram left—The large cherrywood door slowly opened from within.
The person who appeared before Shiro was another girl wearing the same kind of maid uniform as Ram.
Or rather—
Calling her another "Ram" might almost have been more appropriate.
She was clearly Ram's twin sister.
Whether her clothing or facial features, the resemblance was nearly perfect.
The biggest difference was their hair.
Ram's hair was a vivid pink, while this girl's was a clear blue resembling the sky.
Her bangs also covered the opposite side of her face.
"Welcome back, Lady Emilia."
The girl stepped aside from the doorway and stood to its right before bowing slightly.
In terms of etiquette, she was clearly more proper than Ram, who had begun complaining to Emilia almost immediately after meeting her.
"Mm, I'm back, Rem."
Emilia smiled and nodded toward the blue-haired maid before asking—
"Is Roswaal currently at the mansion?"
"I brought back two guests, so I'd like to inform him first."
"Lord Roswaal is currently reading in his study."
"Lady Emilia may go see him at any time."
"Alright. Then I'll leave for a little while."
"Could I trouble you to bring these two to some vacant rooms?"
"Of course."
"Looking after guests is part of Rem's duties."
"Lady Emilia may leave without concern. Please leave everything here to me."
Emilia gave Shiro and Subaru an apologetic look.
Only after Shiro nodded to show that he did not mind did she turn and walk deeper into the mansion.
Once Emilia had left, the girl named Rem finally turned her attention toward the two "guests" Emilia had brought home.
She discreetly examined them.
Then—
As though she had noticed something, her pupils suddenly contracted.
Yet Rem did not react openly.
Instead, she continued performing her duties as though nothing had happened.
She gestured politely for them to follow.
"Please come with me, honored guests."
…