Thank you very much! You always come up with great prompts!

So yes, they are going to fight. And no, the princess simply wants to test her new contractor.

I hope this was enjoyable!

I plan to continue, of course.

Edit: contractor/ tea supplier

Part 6:

“Hiring you.. as a private investigator working directly for me. I need to have you directly under my supervision, so I know you’re not going to run your mouth” she explained.

I raised my index finger signaling a condition.

“… I will accept it, only if you… throw in a tea purchasing clause… you can’t have me… without my tea. We are a package” I said.

“ I have no idea what is with you and tea, but alright…” she said.

“It is fine… I don’t expect you to know anything about refined taste…” I scoffed while shrugging.

Rai removed her blade from my neck and kicked me in the butt throwing me off balance and making me hop a few times until I finally fell on my face.

“Is the grass to your refined taste, Sir Roland? Perhaps you might want to make some tea from it?” She scoffed.

I got up on one knee and then stood up and looked back, glaring at her for what she did.

“Oh… scary~” she waved her hand.

“Now, since all administrative matters have been dealt with. There is something we must establish…” she said, unsheathing her sword.

I let out a deep sigh, reclining my head back.

“We need to establish the hierarchy here. Sir Roland, I challenge you!” she said, sneering.

“That is exactly why I dislike royalty” I said, facepalming.

“You all… are such a pain…” I added.

“Why did you lie to me about your magic? You thought I wouldn’t know?” She asked, glaring.

“What kind of dragon will be slayed by reinforcement magic? You are really a horrible liar” she remarked.

“So, when are you going to show your true magic? Lightning. Or do you want me… to drag it out of you?” She asked, smirking.

I smiled widely as I locked eyes with her.

“Rai… there is no way that you can defeat me” I proclaimed.

“Then… draw your sword, Roland. Today, I will claim your title” she said, smirking

“Greedy… as expected of a royal” I said, drawing my sword.

“Today… you will be humbled… Princess” I concluded.

[thank you for reading! For more stories -> r/storiesofintrigue]

Part 5:

The dragon closed its jaws, and then spread its wings, while Rai fell to his knees.

“I won’t let you escape!!!” I yelled.

“REINFORCEMENT: OCTAHEDRON!”

A large diamond shaped semi-transparent barrier materialized around the dragon, imprisoning it.

I turned to face Rai.

“Observe, prince. I will—“

The words stopped in my throat, as my eyes widened. He wore a uniform underneath the breast plate similar to the one Anthony had. But the issue wasn’t with the uniform. He… well… he had… impressive proportions.

“You… you were a woman?!” I exclaimed.

Rai glared at me gritting his (?) teeth, grabbing both shoulders with their opposite hands, in a cross.

The dragon roared as it crashed its body into the barrier, to no avail.

“You seem to have your reasons for hiding your identity” I said.

I let out a sigh and turned to the dragon.

“Dragons are peaceful by nature, but those who are greedy use forbidden magic to control them…” I said, raising my hands.

“Someone… is trying to make you unavailable, but not kill you, as I see it. Probably paving way to deposing you later” I guessed, as my hands glowed in a light blue color.

“Purification!” I yelled.

A bolt of lightning flashed from my palms and hit the octahedron making it flash with a radiant light-blue light. The light started to pulsate brightly, then diminish with the octahedron and the dragon fell to the ground with a thud that echoed throughout the mountain.

“This purification method can break the spell on the dragon…”

I heard the footsteps of Rai coming towards me. But I couldn’t take my eyes off the dragon, just in case.

“If I may be straightforward, I developed myself.” I said, scratching my nose.

The footsteps became louder as Rai approached me.

“You must conduct an investigation for dealings with forbidden magic… your—“

I could feel the cold blade of Rai’s sword pressed against my left side of the neck.

“That wasn’t… reinforcement magic…” Said Rai.

I remained silent, still looking at the dragon. I felt the wetness from a small blood stream coming from the welt caused by Rai’s blade.

The dragon moved slightly, which alarmed Rai causing… her to gasp.

“Don’t worry. Observe…” I said.

The dragon raised its head slowly, then got up on its feet and looked at us.

I waved my hand at the dragon, and smiled. The dragon stretched its wings, once again, and took flight away from the plateau.

“See?” I prompted.

“You know a lot about dragons… who are you?” Asked Rai, still holding the blade.

“My name is Roland… Roland Bluemar—“

“Roland the dragon slayer, huh? I should have known” said Rai.

“Huh…? Why do you know that as well?!” I asked, frantically.

“Sir Anthony told me, how else would I know?” Scoffed Rai.

“That blasted Anthony!!!” I yelled.

“You know my secret, Sir Roland. I, simply, can’t let you be…” remarked Rai.

“And why is that…?” I asked.

“A power struggle within my family… no one shall know I was a woman until the coronation ceremony is concluded… I have lied about me being a man for 24 years, and will not let you or anyone else stop my coronation…” she said pressing the blade more firmly against my neck.

I let out a deep sigh.

“Women don’t succeed the throne in Hanir, do they?” I asked.

She went silent for a few moments.

“You are an only heir as well… I know that much” I said.

I could hear her drawing a breath.

“You have fought hard, haven’t you?” I asked.

My words were met with more silence from Rai. And now, I fell into silence as well.

The wind blew swaying the grass blades in front of us. A nice and cold breeze that carried the smell of the earth and grass.

“You are hesitating…” I noted.

“Didn’t you want to silence me? So what is stopping you from that?” I asked.

“I… can’t take a life… I feel my heart will become corrupted if I did that” she finally answered.

“Thank you… I guess I am corrupted, then?” I scoffed.

“I know your story… private investigator” she said, mockingly.

“That is private investigator AND tea connoisseur thank you very much” I retorted.

“I have a proposal for you…” She said.

“One might be willing to accept anything when one has a blade against the neck” I scoffed, once again while shrugging.

“Hah!… I always negotiate from a position of power, mind you” she said.

“You will work for me… as my Royal Guard Captain, only then—“

“No… I won’t” I interrupted.

Rai went silent.

“I can’t… my king died, and I should have died along with him. It was by his sacrifice that I lived… I can’t swear loyalty to any other” I said.

“I see…” she said.

“Then… a contract?” She proposed.

“I am listening…” I said.

[to be continued in part 6]

Part 4:

The sphere shined brightly and it beamed towards our location.

“Reinforcement: BARRIER!!!” I yelled.

A large semi-transparent, half-sphere barrier materialized around us immediately. The beam instantly collided with the barrier causing a big explosion which shook the ground.

Rai took a step back, with his eyes widened and his teeth clenched. An understandable reaction.

I remained holding the barrier as the beam dispersed, and then I dispersed the barrier as well.

“Listen, Prince. You need to stay behind me—“

Rai dashed towards the dragon, gripping his sword in his left hand, while the blade was engulfed in flames.

“ROOOOOAAARR!” The dragon roared, once again.

Rai got close to the dragon and avoided an incoming swing from its claws, nearly being slashed in half. Then, he leapt into the air and swung his sword at the dragon’s chest, wounding it.

The dragon let out a horrible scream that echoed in the mountain, with its head reclining back from the pain.

“ROAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”

Rai dashed away from the dragon, and stood across from me, maintaining a distance from the dragon. He glanced at me with a smug look on his face, and a smirk.

“See? I can handle it…” he said, pointing at himself with his right thumb.

“Fool…” I said, while closing my eyes.

“Wh-What did you say?!” He yelled, glaring at me.

The dragon opened its jaws, once again, and a radiant golden sphere spun in front of it and started increasing in size.

“You have angered it, and it will now attack with a stronger Draconic Light!” I said.

I dashed towards Rai and stood in front of him.

“I don’t need your protection! I can dodge the attack well on my own!!!” He said, glaring at me.

“FOOL! What about the villages close by?! This attack is nothing like the last one, it will definitely have a longer range. We have to stop it!!!” I yelled.

What a spoiled brat. He only looks for glories he can achieve, wearing them as medals and bragging about them to the other royal family members. That is why royals are—

He walked towards me, passed me and stood in front, then looked back.

“I had no knowledge of that… If our people would be endangered, then I should stand in the front” he said, smiling.

My eyes widened when I heard his words. Of course, he would not be able to stop the attack on his own, but to think he actually cared about the people.

I sighed softly, with a small smile.

“Listen prince, the attack will be a big one. Do you have any means to hold off the beam?” I asked.

“I do… but it is not powerful enough” he said.

“Very well… prepare your attack. I will put a barrier, but I know it won’t hold for long. The moment it breaks, unleash your attack… understood?” I told him.

“I don’t take orders from you” He said, summoning a burning fire sphere above his right palm.

“Then fall with your nation…” I said, extending both hands in the dragon’s direction.

The ground trembled. Different small pebbles were bouncing lightly, blades of grass swirled in the wind around the dragon, cracks opened beneath us. It was as if the green patch had gnarly claw marks in it.

I glanced at Rai. He was pressing his lips, looking straight at the dragon, his fire sphere increasing in size. He gulped and trembled slightly, his trembles were almost not noticeable because the ground shook. I would reckon this was his first time facing a dragon, and the fear he was feeling is more than normal. But despite that, he continues to fight…

The dragon turned to face us, taking aim.

“Ready…? If you want to escape, now is your chance” I said, sneering.

“I have been running away from many things for a while… No more” he sneered back.

“You know, prince, you—“

The dragon shot its Draconic Light towards us, being pushed back from the intensity. The beam was about 5 meters in diameter. It tunneled the ground where it made contact.

“May not be so bad, AFTER ALL… REINFORCEMENT: HOLY SCREEN!!!”

A flat rectangular semi-transparent barrier screen shot up from the ground as if it was buried, the beam collided with the wall, and it cracked slightly.

Soon… the screen will break.

“At any moment now, take aim!” I told Rai who was still in front of me, to which he nodded.

Rai sheathed his sword, and suspended his now larger fire sphere in front of him. He extended his two hands, placing them directly behind the sphere. Taking aim, and ready to shoot his attack.

“Don’t worry…” I said.

He turned his head back and looked at me.

“We will repel his attack, trust me” I said, glaring straight.

He smiled softly, then looked to the front.

Crack

“I thought I told you…”

Crack… Crack

“I don’t take orders from you and…”

CRASH, the screen shattered.

“I CAN HANDLE THIS ON MY OWN!!!”

“FIRE LANCE!!!”

A column of fire shot directly towards the beam the dragon was unleashing, and both collided, causing a huge explosion.

The fire column started to be pushed back from the beam it was colliding with. I saw Rai grunting and sweating profusely, as he trembled to continue controlling his flow of magical energy.

I placed both of my hands on his shoulders, which prompted him to look back.

“I will show you know… why I asked you to trust me…” I said.

Rai’s body glowed in a soft red color. A small wind vortex swirled around us, throwing more blades of grass into the air.

“Wh-What is happening?!” Asked Rai, confused.

“You will soon understand…” I said.

The fire column’s color was surrounded by a soft white light.

The secret words that reinforce magic… I know most of them. As I channeled more of my magical energy into Rai, he glowed more radiantly.

In the case of fire… the reinforcement word is…

“Reinforcement: Ambition” I said, softly.

The moment I said my words, the column of fire expanded and burned more violently.

I could hear the low cracking sound of Rai’s breast plate - all this magical energy was sending resonant magical energy frequencies stressing the metal.

It pushed the dragon’s beam back, closer and closer to the dragon. More and more cracks appeared on Rai’s breast plate.

“I-I DON’T THINK I CAN KEEP THIS UP!” Yelled Rai.

“JUST A BIT MORE!” I yelled back.

Rai’s breast plate shattered completely, and the different plate armor pieces scattered in front of him. The dragon’s energy beam started to become less intense and diminish.

“You can stop!” I told Rai.

[to be continued in part 5]

Part 3:

“Alright gentlemen, I am mobilizing immediately, please take care.” I said to Anthony and Simon.

“We will be counting on you” said Anthony.

He nodded and then waved while walking away, accompanied by Simon who was looking quite pleased with his purchases, I was pleased with it too.

Tim came back with my leather satchel. I didn’t need a lot of items since I intended to use a particular type of horse, not found anywhere - the horse that helped me combat the three dragons. I placed my thumb and index finger on my lips and whistled. I could hear the neigh of a horse close by… my trusty partner.

In no time, I could hear loud wing flaps above me. I looked up, and a white winged horse with white mane, and blue eyes was descending to the ground. It approached me, and I stroked its mane.

“How have you been, Serenity?” I asked.

Serenity, my pegasus, a rare creature in this kingdom. I inherited it as the Royal Guard Commander of Thasiel, the only legacy I had… other than my shame. I built Serenity a small stall in a place close by, and I always feed it and take care of it. It is quite attached to me, I must say.

I placed my foot in the stirrup and pushed myself up the leather saddle I had mounted on it. I kicked back lightly and Serenity spread its wings and took flight, heading south east to Sados. By foot, it is a seven day journey, but I should be there with Serenity shortly.

As I flew over Hanir, old memories came rushing to me. The dragons, his majesty, and that wretched betrayal that happened. Forbidden magic. It lies at the center of this case as well. Dragons wouldn’t kidnap someone so suddenly - impossible. Someone cast that same accursed magic and bent the dragon to its will, a greedy person whose selfishness knows no bound. Helping the prince of Hanir is important; however, an opportunity like this where I can get information on the forbidden magic is rare. I will find out who corrupted our greedy royal family, and did the same to Hanir. I… will exact vengeance for his majesty…

In no time, I could see the foot of Mount Sodas. According to the location given to me, it is a plateau halfway up the mountain. It should be large enough to not be able to miss, so I started scanning the area looking for it. Sodas was largely composed of rocks with harsh terrain, a small number of trees grew in the mountain and so a plateau should be easy to spot, because of minimal obstruction.

I narrowed my eyes and saw what looked like a small green patch in the middle of the rocks. Placing my left hand on Serenity’s neck, I signaled my desire to descend to that area, to which she neighed softly. We began our descent to the plateau, and as we approached I saw something strange.

Flashing lights?

No… those are not lights…

Gasping, I placed both hands on Serenity’s neck.

“Dive…” I instructed.

Serenity bent her wings backwards and dove right towards the plateau. I… hated dives, but there was no other choice. Those lights… are magic attacks! There is a battle going on in the plateau. I hope the prince is alright!

I narrowed my eyes because of the incoming wind from the dive, I felt my heart rising to my throat as the speed increased. Only a few more minutes until the plateau. Grunting, I struggled to maintain the reins of Serenity, I pulled with all my might, hanging on as we came closer to the plateau.

I could see a person and a dragon, they looked like they were fighting. As I expected…

Serenity opened her wings and flapped violently as we reached the ground throwing grass blades into the wind as she did. She let out a loud neigh that echoed in the mountains. She was a bit of a show off…

“Wh-Who?!” Exclaimed the person.

The dragon looked at us.

“ROAAAAARRRR!!!!” Echoed the roar of the dragon in the mountain as if responding to Serenity.

Serenity flapped her wings as she reached the ground with her back legs first and then the front ones. I got down from her back quickly and then patted her twice. Understanding my gesture, she took flight away from the plateau.

And now… we became three.

The person had a slim figure with ashy blonde hair and deep blue eyes, the hair was tied in a short ponytail, with long side hair reaching their defined jawline and straight bangs reaching their eyebrows. They wore a breast plate which bore the falcon and scimitars, the royal insignia, shoulder armor also bearing the insignia, a gauntlet and a boot. A sword was in their left hand. I had a doubt…

They looked at me with shock on their face.

“Are you Prince Rai?” I asked.

They glared at me taking a step back.

“Who wants to know…?” They asked.

It is him… no doubt. He looks really like a spoiled prince.

“I have been hired by your Royal Guard Vice Captain, Anthony to rescue you” I proclaimed.

“No! I don’t need any hel—“

“Stand back, prince!” I said, interrupting him.

I scanned the area. There were holes scattered on the ground, rocks and rubble as well on the grass. Obviously the prince has been fighting the dragon…

I turned my gaze towards the dragon, it was a medium sized dragon that stood at 10 meters (Approx. 32 feet, 10 inches). Nothing like the monstrosities that destroyed Thasiel. It was red in color with shiny scales, sharp fangs and razor claws, it looked at me with its yellow eyes. I couldn’t notice any battle damage from its fight with the prince.

Wait… Its fight with the prince?

I looked back at him. He was glaring at me and was… pouting? What a strange reaction.

“You are very… RUDE! Who the hell are you?!” He said, raising his voice.

“Coming here on the back of a pegasus, and not conducting yourself properly in front of me!” He complained.

I let out a small chuckle.

“I am paid to rescue you, and not to be polite, your highness” I retorted.

“Like I said, I don’t need—“

“ROAAAAAARRRR!!!” the dragon’s roar thundered in the mountains, once again.

I glanced at the prince.

“What type of magic do you use?” I asked.

“Fire… what about you?” He asked.

“Reinforcement…” I replied.

“What… that is not a type that normally—“

The dragon opened its jaws and a radiant golden sphere spun in front of it. The ground trembled slightly as the dragon readied its attack.

“Wh-What is happening?!” Asked Rai, frantically.

“Behind me, NOW!!!” I yelled.

Rai looked at me confused, furrowing his brows.

“NOW!!!” I yelled.

He dashed towards me and finally stood behind me, close.

“What is going on?!” He asked.

This attack. I know it all too well from the fall of Thasiel… the very same all three dragons performed, with difference in scale. This one was way smaller, though.

“This is called… Draconic Light” I said, extending both my hands.

“An attack that you shouldn’t take lightly” I added, looking back.

[to be continued in part 4]

Part 2:

“We have one last box remaining, and the customer who reserved it just cancelled because he had to travel. If you do not act now… you will never be able to show off your gentlemanly knowledge… of tea. Only for 2 silver coins… the bag can be yours” Tim concluded.

“I-I am good… t-thank you” said Simon.

It is over… once you show Tim any sign of weakness. It is over for you…

“Good… are you really? Are you really good with not having exquisite tea in your cabinet? Are your guests that unimportant to not even consider this tea? I am sorry… it seems…” said Tim and then paused.

He walked to the door and grabbed the handle, opening the door slightly, then stopping.

“It seems I have mistook you… for a gentleman” said Tim.

Simon slumped forward as soon as he heard those words, then he finally… declared defeat.

“I’ll take it…” he said softly.

“P-P-Please c-c-come with m-me!” Requested Tim.

Simon got up and followed Tim out of the room to the small store we had in another room.

I looked at Anthony, expecting we will continue to talk about the subject at hand. He was smiling softly.

“T-That is some formidable assistant you have” he said, while I could see ripples in his tea, as his hand trembled.

“Yes… it is hard to believe that he is only 18. He is an orphan, and I am sponsoring his studies. He is a good kid… I think.” I said.

“Now… since we are talking in private. What is the real reason you failed?” I asked while looking seriously at Anthony.

I could see Anthony’s face change, he lowered his gaze and smiled bitterly.

“His highness… was abducted by a dragon” He said.

Lightning. Those words came down on me as if I was struck with lightning. My eyes widened, and I was at a loss for words for a few moments. I managed to recollect my thoughts and then I reclined my seat back again.

I took a deep breath, then I spoke.

“Why me? A Reconnaissance detachment failed… what can a single PI do that a trained group could not?” I asked.

I don’t like where this is going… it is as if…

“Why, you ask?” Prompted Anthony looking back at me with a small grin.

No… it can’t be…

“You thought you could fool us?”

“You thought you could hide who you were? That we wouldn’t suspect anything…”

Anthony pointed at a blue marker I had placed on my desk.

“Seriously… ‘Bluemark’? Couldn’t you have come up with a better alias? You looked at that blue marker you had on your desk and made that your last name?”

“How utterly foolish… Sir Roland Stenroy, of the fallen kingdom of Thasiel” He said.

I went quiet for a few moments. Obviously, in shock.

“We accepted you into our kingdom, years ago, knowing full well who you were. You started your own business and it was doing reasonably well. You have a debt to pay to this kingdom that hosted your, Sir Roland… the ‘dragon slayer,’ the youngest Royal Guard Captain to ever assume that position. Honestly, I can’t believe you are only 27, only three years older than his highness. You… you have to help our kingdom… or would you rather … watch it fall like Thas—”

I took a deep breath and slammed the table.

“Enough…” I said.

Anthony went quiet for a few moments, observing me carefully. I paused for a few minutes.

“The kingdom fell because of greed, Anthony. The greed of the Royal Family. Dragons are majestic beings that are peaceful and live away from us, humans. The Fall of Thasiel happened because of a forbidden magic that was cast on dragons, driving them mad. They destroyed everything in their wake. His majesty… he…” I said and then paused.

The words stopped in my throat, as memories of that horrible day came rushing in. My heart ached as I saw the final moments of his majesty in my mind. A sight I will never forget. It was only then that I…

Anthony stood and looked me in the eye; then, he bowed deeply.

“Sir… The very same thing is happening here in the Kingdom of Hanir. Greed is finding its way to the hearts of the royal family prior to his highness’s coronation in two weeks - our nation is in danger. Please, save his highness” he said.

I facepalmed, rubbing my face and eyes as I heard that. History repeating itself… another disaster was bound to happen. It is as if I was an agent of calamity bringing it to whichever kingdom I went to.

“You know very well that I have failed in my duty to protect his majesty, so why insist?” I asked.

“Facing three dragons is three too many for one man… Let alone slaying one” Said Anthony.

The guilt I have buried in my heart… the horror of that day. I… will never let my weakness take command over me again - I swore that.

“Very well… but you will have a hefty bill to pay” I said as I stood up.

Anthony raised his head, looking at me with glittering eyes, his jaw dropping slightly. He then bowed again.

“Th-Thank you, Sir! We will help you with men—“

“No… I will travel alone. You will just bear the expenses” I said as I pulled a contract paper from my desk, walked round and placed it in front of Anthony.

“Sign here… with the blue marker” I said.

Anthony took the blue marker and signed the contract; then, pulled out his seal and stamped the paper.

“Alright… everything seems to be in order. I will depart immediately, please process the payments through Tim” I told him.

Anthony extended his hand towards me. I looked at him, then shook his hands.

“Thank you…” he said, to which I nodded.

“Alright… let us leave” I proposed.

We exited the office and stood outside. I looked at Anthony, and extended my hands, palms open.

“One more thing… I want a sword” I requested.

Anthony unbuckled his belt with the sword he had on and offered it to me. Looking me in the eye. I looked at the belt, and back at Anthony. Then I took the belt and buckled it up.

“Simon… sure is taking his time” noted Anthony.

“W-Wait Sir Anthony!” Asked Simon.

Be huffed carrying a big knapsack over his shoulder.

“W-Wait… sir…. Huff … huff” he wheezed.

I could see Anthony facepalming as he saw Simon, and behind him was Tim waving.

“All the tea… I bought all the tea!” he said happily.

Anthony looked at me with a small smile.

“We are definitely not processing any payments through Tim… You would have to come and collect it personally” he said.

“Understood” I said with a small scoff.

I looked back at Tim.

“Tim… please bring my stuff. I am heading to the mountain” I said, to which Tim nodded and dashed back inside.

[to be continued in part 3]

In your battle against the demon lord, your party won and threw him into the dark gate. To your surprise, you were thrown too.