10-11: Fontaine Duchy

The duchy wasn't too far from the capital, being less than a day's carriage ride away. It was relatively flat land with only a small handfuls of hills on the outskirts. The Fontaine estate was right in the middle of the duchy, surrounded by various military training encampments.

Sable was the first one to get the girls when they arrived, though it was odd seeing her dressed so nicely outside of special events.

"I didn't expect you girls, or even all of you to be here. But it's welcome. Come, Seraph is already here and waiting, we'll talk about it all when we get in." She spoke eloquently, leading everyone to a meeting room. "Ah, right, congratulations on your marriage, Veronica, or should I say 'Consort Dornan'? Or would you prefer Queen?"

"Please don't. It's already hard getting used to strangers calling me that."

Sable giggled softly, and continued down the halls. The halls were filled with paintings of her ancestors, from both sides of the family.

"There are a lot of people in your family." Cassidy said, briefly looking at the paintings.

"Well, most of them are dead. My father's ancestors, from war. My mother's, mining complications."

"Right, doesn't your family own five diamond mines, alongside multiple mithril and iron?" Sirtia questioned.

"And silver, and coal, gold too. If it's a major mineral, we probably mine it."

Without saying another word, Sable led the girls to a set of double doors. Two guards opened them, ensuring that their Lady's hands wouldn't be dirtied, which was certainly odd considering she has punched through walls before. Inside, there were two couches, one of which had Seraph, who also wore elegant clothing.

"Ah, hello everyone! I didn't know you all were coming."

"Well, Priscilla said I should take some of the girls with me, so I did. It's good to see you again."

"Are you also a noble? A secret child?" Cassidy questioned, then she gasped. "Or perhaps you're Sable's secret lover!"

"No, no, it's not like that. I'm just simply a guest here, my usual wear is being cleaned, and Sable lent me some of her clothes to wear while that's being washed."

"Oh~?"

"Quit the teasing, Cass. We're here for other matters anyways. Ahem, so, Sable, what seems to be the problem?"

"Indeed. Right, so, the issue comes from conflicting reports from the soldiers."

"Conflicting reports? Like what?" Kazue asked.

"You heard that We're having Beast troubles, right? Well, our soldiers have reported seeing a much larger creature. The issue is, soldiers in the same area have only reported about the smaller creatures."

"Coukd it be because the large creature hasn't posed a threat to anyone, so some of the soldiers didn't think to report it?" Aviris wondered.

"That's possible, and what I intend to find out. Now, I believe it's only one singular creature, as it's only the soldiers just north of us who've reported it. Everyone else has consistent reports of creatures that are easily handled, but appear in large groups."

"Hm... reports of a large creature, smaller creatures appearing in hordes... could the smaller one be running from the large one?" Seraph questioned.

"More than likely, yes. And that's because I know what the creature may be. Some of the soldiers who reported the creature were rather consistent with their descriptions..." Sable started, leaving everyone with baited breath. "Larger than anything they've ever seen, scales, wings, claws... It's a dragon."

The girls gasped, wondering if it's true.

"Impossible, the Dragons were wiped out when the Angels warred against them." Lilith added.

"Well, whatever it is, it is very dragon-like."

"Well, let's say it is, what happens then?" Seraph asked.

"Dragons are known to be honorable, though ill-tempered. Since this one has yet to cause trouble, we can be certain that it doesn't intend to harm." Lilith spoke with her experience with the Dragon race. "Though, the more important question is, why is it constantly being seen? Dragons eat a lot, but in singular sittings, waiting months before needing to eat again. And considering the Angels, the Dragon should be in hiding, trying it's hardest on not being revealed."

"So, what you're say is, if it is a Dragon, somethings is definitely wrong as it has been seen going back and forth."

"Indeed."

A dragon. Something that was supposed to be extinct, is now suspect number one for this large creature.