https://re-library.com/translations/hero-king/Book 12: Chapter 478: 16-year-old Inglis and the Search for a Dragon God (5)

Gwon— Gwon-gwon—

In the large chamber filled with the distinctive hum of machinery, Inglis and Rafinha stood in front of a single flygear.

To be precise, Inglis had opened up the outer panel of the flygear and was busy working inside its mechanical components, reaching in with her hands or sticking her head inside, while Rafinha watched over her and worked on a separate task.

“…Gli~s. Gliisssss~.”

Rafinha called out to Inglis. But Inglis was currently too absorbed in her work to respond right away.

“Just a minute. I’m at a pretty tricky part right now and can’t stop…”

She was on all fours, reaching deep into the flygear’s internal mechanisms. She was trying to replace a particular part located further inside. The flygear she was working on was their personal one—The Star Princess unit.

It had been badly damaged during the battle aboard Illuminus, which had drifted into the Shaker Open Seas, but Mais and the Highlanders of Illuminus had offered to repair it, saying it was their responsibility.

Not only that, they had even offered to install new parts and improve its performance. However, that took time, and although the parts were now finished, the assembly was only partially complete. The Highlanders of Illuminus were likely swamped—between restoring the Central Research Facility and assisting Principal Miliera with the joint Seminar Festival, they had their hands full.

Since only assembly remained, Inglis and Rafinha had taken the flygear and its parts back and were now finishing the job themselves. Mais had come along to help as well, so things should turn out fine. It was the perfect way to pass the time during their voyage on the flying battleship en route to Prime Minister Rigriff’s territory.

“Gliss!”

“Sorry. Just a bit longer… almost done, so hang in there, okay?”

Just a few more tweaks, and it would be ready. The Star Princess would soon soar through the skies once more.

Flick.

There was a soft rustle of fabric behind her waist, followed by an unfamiliar chill she didn’t usually feel there. A strange sense of unease and tension crept up her spine. Rafinha had lifted the hem of Inglis’ skirt by pinching it between her fingers.

“Hyah!?”

With a yelp, Inglis scrambled out from her position with her face buried inside the Star Princess and hastily pulled her skirt back down.

“You can let go of your hands, can’t you?”

“Wh-what are you doing, Rani!? S-stop that kind of thing…!”

“Well, I mean, even if I didn’t do anything, you were totally exposed in that pose. I was trying to tell you to be careful, but you weren’t listening.”

“……”

She couldn’t deny that she had gotten so caught up in her work that she’d completely lost awareness of her surroundings. Tinkering like this was fun for Inglis—especially when it involved their beloved personal machine.

“Well, I am happy the Star Princess will be fixed soon, okay? And sure, it’s fine to get all boyish when you’re into building stuff, but you still gotta be careful about certain things as a girl, right?”

“…Yeah, Rani.”

Still, shrieking and hurriedly fixing her skirt—her reaction had been exactly like that of a proper teenage girl.

If she really still had the mindset of a man, she doubted something like this would have flustered her so much. But the truth was, Inglis Eux had already lived sixteen full years in this body. It was a little embarrassing—but this was who she was now. Nothing to be done about it.

“So, anyway! I made these for you! Here, try them on!”

With that, Rafinha handed her a pair of short shorts meant to be worn under her skirt.

“Thanks, Rani. With these on, I won’t have to worry no matter what position I’m in.”

“Right? Now get back to work. I’m almost done on my end, too.”

Rafinha was busy crafting a ceremonial outfit for shrine maidens. Just like when they made contact with the Dragon God Vufailbane, the purpose was to show they came without hostility. This time, they were heading to the sealed domain of the Dragon God Owlgloria—also known by another name: the Golden Dragon.

The shrine maiden outfit, naturally, was gold in color, and the fabric Rafinha was working with gleamed brilliantly. Since they were in the hangar of a flying battleship, while Inglis’ mechanical work didn’t seem too out of place, Rafinha’s sewing project definitely looked a bit unusual.

But they had proper authorization, so no one gave them any trouble. This was the flying battleship of the Holy Knights, and everyone aboard already knew that Rafinha was Raphael’s younger sister, and that Inglis was her cousin.

Many of the crew had also witnessed their recent battle with the Frozen Prisma, and treated them with kindness and respect. Most helpfully of all, without a word, the mess hall gave them meals on par with what Raphael received—which they deeply appreciated.

“ “All right! Done!” ”

Both of them wrapped up their respective tasks at nearly the same time.

“Hey, Rani, she’s ready to move! Try her out!”

“Yeah! And this outfit is ready to wear, too! Try it on!”

Inglis took the golden shrine maiden outfit Rafinha had made, and Rafinha reached for the controls of the newly rebuilt Star Princess that Inglis had put together.

“Whoa…! It moves, it moves! Our Star Princess is finally back!”

Rafinha beamed with joy as the vessel gently lifted off the ground.

“Hmm. This thing’s kinda hard to put on…”

Meanwhile, Inglis was struggling a bit as she tried to change into the golden priestess outfit. There were still people nearby, so she had to be careful to conceal herself as she changed.

“Would you like some help, Inglis?” The gentle voice came from Arles, offering her assistance.

“Thank you, Professor. But… shouldn’t you be with Instructor Rochefort?”

“It’s all right. He’s stable for now and resting—”

Rochefort had been brought aboard the flying battleship so he could be given dragon meat as soon as it became available.

“Besides, Lady Meltina is with him at the moment and told me to take a break. So I’ve got a bit of free time,” Arles said with a gentle smile.

“I see. Meltina, huh… Then, please, I’d appreciate your help, Professor.”

Both Rochefort and Arles were originally high-ranking officers from Venefique, so Inglis had been concerned about how Meltina might feel about them—but the sentiment was clearly mutual. As a princess of Venefique, Meltina no doubt felt strongly about helping former members of her homeland like Rochefort and Arles.

“Yes, the size is perfect. It suits you so well, Miss Inglis—you look absolutely beautiful.”

“Hehe, thank you, Professor Arles. Though it does feel a bit chilly around the stomach.”

This particular shrine maiden outfit was a two-piece with relatively little fabric, leaving the stomach and navel exposed.

“True… It is a little, um… daring, I suppose. I don’t think I could pull it off.”

“What!? But I made one for you too, Instructor!”

With that, Rafinha lightly jumped down from the Star Princess and held up a second shrine maiden outfit. This one had a small hole in the back of the waistband—specially tailored for Arles’ beastfolk tail.

“M–me? I wear that too…!?”

“Yup! These aren’t just for fun or to kill time—they’re meant to help us talk to the dragon. If we can communicate with it, I figured you might be the one best suited to speak.”

“Rafinha… Yes, I do want to speak to him… Thank you for being so thoughtful.”

“Then will you wear it, Professor Arles?”

“Yes, of course!”

Arles nodded and, with Inglis and Rafinha’s help, began changing into the golden shrine maiden outfit.

“B–but still, this really is a little embarrassing…”

“Aww, but that reaction is so fresh~ ♪ You blushing like that is adorable ♪”

“Pl–please don’t tease your teacher like that!”

“Hehe. But truly, it looks wonderful on you, Professor Arles.”

“No, not at all… Miss Inglis looks far more stunning than I do. Like a living doll—so beautiful. It’s hard to believe someone like that is so strong, loves to fight, and has such a huge appetite, too.”

“Glis is basically a warlord’s soul in an angel’s body.”

“Oh? That’s so true, hehe.”

Arles chuckled softly, clearly amused. Maybe this helped lift her spirits a bit. If so, then that was a good thing.

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