Chapter 86

"……It's a breed whose trade is tacitly forbidden."

The Duke's brow furrowed at the Lady's stubborn refusal, the way she held the dragon close and stepped back. Seeing that, I realized more explanation was needed.

I'd meant to avoid going into detail, worried it would be too much of a shock, but there was no helping it now.

"The dragon the Lady is currently holding is a breed called Lapis Malamus. As you can see, its scales are a strikingly beautiful blue."

I'd heard that when the breed was first discovered, demand among nobles had been considerable, precisely because of that beautiful appearance.

"That's right, isn't it beautiful? And so docile, too...!"

"It's probably been given a sedative. Did the merchant give you a tonic or pills to feed it regularly? Something to mix into its food in a set amount?"

The Lady's shoulders flinched.

"...There was something he gave…