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“The Black Dragon has departed.”

The day after the exam results were announced, Forli, the oldest of the dukedom’s senior officials and ministry of forestry and agriculture, appeared in the office for the first time in a while and said this.

Ekaterina gasped. The Black Dragon, who had lingered for months in the forests of the Duke of Jurnova domain. When transformed into human form, he became Vladforen, the hidden route character from the otome game—the Demon Dragon King himself. And now, at last, he had moved.

(*Since Flora-chan cleared the event, he’s not going to attack the capital in the “Empire’s Destruction” route… right? Don’t tell me the hidden route triggered or something!? I don’t even know how to unlock that one!*)

“Forli, are you certain?”
“Yes, I witnessed it with my own eyes.”

Forli, with his white hair and old samurai-like bearing, nodded to Aleksei, his sun-browned face grave.
Wait, Forli actually saw the oldest and strongest dragon take flight? Where and how? The man’s really all about that wild, hands-on lifestyle.
Then Forli began to recount what had happened.

.

Forli had been overseeing preparations for reforestation within the duchy, and they had finally reached the stage of planting the first trees in a trial area. The site had once been completely logged—nothing but stumps remained—but the steep slope made it unsuitable for farmland, so it had been left unused.
Because the Black Dragon’s presence had made the forest off-limits, the loggers had been out of work. Forli paid them daily wages to plant saplings, showing that reforestation could also provide an income.
Next came the task of watching the saplings grow. That too could become work—something for those no longer strong enough for heavy logging. As Forli, still sturdy even at sixty-five, made his rounds checking the saplings’ condition, his wife—chieftain of the forest people—accompanied him, wishing to see the project for herself. She looked up at the sky and said:

*“The Dragontell Bird is watching.”*

Forli followed her gaze. A large black bird was circling above. Though its body was as black as a crow’s, its shape was more like a raptor’s. Even Forli, who knew every creature of Jurnova forests, had never seen one before.
His wife explained that the Dragontell Bird was a servant—or perhaps an avatar—of the Black Dragon. It observed and reported what it saw and heard, like a scout. The humans’ unfamiliar activity must have drawn its attention.

Almost as if it had heard her words, the bird descended in a smooth glide and landed on the tip of a large nearby rock, fixing the couple with a stare.
Its eyes gleamed ruby-red.

And so Forli spoke to it.
He explained that they were replanting the forest. That humans had long felled trees, but now intended to plant and raise new ones in their place. That it would take fifty years for the saplings to mature enough to be usable, and asked for permission to continue limited logging until then. That the idea came from the Duke’s sister, sanctioned by the Duke himself.
And that the ducal house wished for coexistence with the forest—and thus with the Black Dragon.

Then, the Dragontell Bird—laughed.
It laughed loudly, in a human voice.
And spreading its wings, it took off with a thunderous flap.

.

After the bird disappeared, Forli felt a little foolish. Who knew whether the Black Dragon would even get the message? To anyone else, he must have looked ridiculous, speaking so solemnly to a bird. He smiled wryly at his wife—and it happened then.

The clear sky suddenly darkened.

Mountain weather is prone to change. Perhaps clouds were gathering, he thought—until he looked up and saw it: a colossal shadow outlined against the sun. A massive, black, serpentine neck rising above the treetops—the Black Dragon himself.
Even in silhouette, those eyes burned crimson as they gazed upon him.
Forli instinctively drew a breath, squaring his stance and staring back into that distant gaze.
He thought he saw the red light curve into a grin.

*“Interesting.”*

Was that…a voice?

Darkness spread over the forest as enormous wings unfurled behind the neck.
They beat once, and a storm wind roared.

The Black Dragon took flight.

Forli shut his eyes against the dust and debris whipped up by the gale. When he opened them again, the dragon was already vanishing into the distance.

.

(*God, that’s such a chuunibyou-tier story… Still, where did the Demon Dragon King go?*)

“He said, ‘Interesting,’ did he?”
“So he did.”

Forli nodded to Aleksei’s question.

“He may have left for now, but no doubt he still watches us—from somewhere unseen. To see if we truly mean to live in harmony with the forest.”
“I see. Then the Black Dragon has approved of the reforestation. That gives us a clear reason to restrict further land clearing for the common folk.”

Aleksei nodded firmly.

“Very well. Let us make this the Jurnova Dukedom’s hundred-year plan. From now on, logged areas will be replanted by default. But we shall make exceptions for land well-suited for farming, to respect the people’s needs. Coordinate with Daniil to establish it into law.”
“As you command.”

Daniil Rygal was the ducal legal adviser. He would have to reconcile imperial law, the duchy’s local laws, and Forli’s practical realities—codifying the policy while ensuring fair treatment for any who violated it. Punishment without balance would only spark resentment.

…So, the fantasy of a talking Ancient Dragon ends up as bureaucratic legislation. Yep, in this world dragons are just part of everyday reality.

Thinking that, Ekaterina delicately bit into her lunch—a fried bread roll stuffed with generous fillings. Even a proper young lady could only take a big bite; it was that kind of food. Warm, fragrant, and delicious.
She’d made it with Flora earlier, but Flora was currently out of the office, attending a special off-campus lesson to study holy magic. She’d taken a few of the rolls as a packed lunch.

“With this settled, we can safely cut the special Black Dragon Cedar for the Temple of the Sun God.”
“That’s a relief. Maintaining good relations with them is most desirable.”

Aleksei said, and Khalil, the head of commerce, replied. The tension in the office finally eased, replaced with quiet satisfaction.

“I have a report for you, my lady. Her Majesty the Empress has placed an order for Celestial Azure. It seems she intends to pair it with imported fabric. We’ve also begun to receive small orders from other clients.”
“Oh my! That’s wonderful to hear.”

Yes! Her Majesty the Empress actually adopted my design! It’s going to make such an elegant gown, I just know it.
I bet it was designer Kamilla who recommended it to other ladies as welll—thank you so much!
Villainess Tourism Ambassador, Mission Complete! Woo-hoo!

“Thanks to you, we managed to solve a difficult problem. You’ve been a great help.”

Said Aleksei, but Ekaterina shook her head.

“Your words bring me joy, Onii-sama, but what I did was truly a trifling matter. This success is due entirely to your brilliance and the excellence of everyone here.”

She wasn’t being humble—she meant every word.

“In any other house, a daughter’s words would hardly be taken seriously. But you, Onii-sama, and all of you here were willing to listen to my whim and see its potential because you are open-minded. And to have turned that idea into action so swiftly was only possible thanks to Lord Forli’s experience and the trust he commands. Without that, my words would have had no value at all.”

Having worked in system design in her previous life, she knew how hard it was to turn ideas into reality.
And back in her former office days, there were plenty of people who wouldn’t even listen when a newcomer spoke up.
That the dukedom’s executives in this office actually took her words seriously was no doubt largely because her brother was so brilliant despite his youth—but the executives themselves were also incredibly competent. And because they were competent, they could recognize when even a young lady’s words—just months out in the world—might actually be useful.
The Jurnova ducal house really is amazing. Though I guess this outstanding staff is what Grandfather left behind… so Grandfather was the truly great one.

But her humility made the executives exchange glances and smile quietly. What she said was true—but few people were perceptive enough to realize such truths.

“You really are a clever girl. But this time, the greatest value lies in the fact that you thought of something no one else did. You also earned excellent marks on your exam. I’d like to give you a reward. Is there anything you want?”

No no, this life—being here with you, Onii-sama, is the reward already!

“If you’re speaking of excellent marks, Onii-sama, you’ve always been first in class—you should reward yourself instead. As for me, all I wish for is to stay by your side.”
“Ekaterina. “

Aleksei said, smiling softly.

“It’s because you’re like that that I want to give you something.”

Then Khalil and Aaron chimed in enthusiastically.

“My lady, this is a fine opportunity—you might commission a few more dresses. Her Majesty the Empress may summon you soon.”
“Indeed—and jewelry as well. It would be wise to begin assembling fine pieces, even if to save them for dowry”
“…”

Hey, hey, hey! You shouldn’t be encouraging a kid to be extravagant!
This is bad. If I don’t say something soon, they’ll go ahead and pick out something fancy for me. I don’t need that! Memories over material things!

Ah—!

“Actually, Onii-sama, there is something I want.”

“Oh? What is it?”

Aleksei asked with a gentle smile. Beaming, Ekaterina replied brightly.

“Do you remember, Onii-sama? The day before I entered the academy, I asked if someday we could visit the Imperial Capital together. Would you take a day off from work and accompany me?”
“…That’s all you want?”
“Onii-sama, a single day of yours is worth a thousand gold pieces! Please, give that day to me.”

Aleksei looked momentarily bewildered, but as Ekaterina pressed her request, he gave in with a soft smile.

“Of course, I don’t mind. If that’s what you wish.”
“I’m so happy!”

Yay, I did it!
It’s a date!
With Onii-sama!