Sweet Golden Whispers

Wahhh!

Huh?

I said I wanna have it, and I'm gonna get it!

There's nothing I can do... They've stopped selling it.

*sob* I wanted it so so so much...

*sigh* I know but... We came all this way for the Opulence of Saurus, but how was I supposed to know they'd stop selling it.

I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do about that. I'll get you some other treat before we go home...

I-Is that the truth?!

Sounds like they've stopped selling something called the Opulence of Saurus.

What could a child that young want that's called "Opulence of Saurus"?

Hold up... Are you telling me you know nothing about it? Serious?

Huh? Never heard of it. Is it that strange?

Oh dear... What a pathetic man you are! Well, allow me the honor of telling you what Opulence of Saurus is...

It is the most exquisite pudding of this century! Mildly sweet, but shockingly delicious!

P-Pudding?

Hmph, indeed! It is pudding!

They are thoroughly mixed with beaten eggs and sugar, then steam-baked slowly with extra care. They use dinosaur eggs which makes the pudding very nutritious as well.

Okay... So it's just pudding. Geeze, Tiramisu, here I thought it was the end all be all of desserts.

Oh... You know what puddings are? Err... Hmm... Okay...

Y-You seemed lost, so I took the opportunity to explain...

But hey... Doesn't the idea of this pudding using dinosaur eggs make you upset?

Me, upset? For what reason?

Aren't dragons like, your allies? It seems outrageous that you'd eat their eggs.

*sigh* You know nothing, Aldo. Dinosaurs are reptiles with the intelligence of any regular monster.

Whereas dragons possess a peak level of intelligence with some variation in species. There is no comparison with dinosaurs.

O-Okay... I mean they look alike, so I thought they might be the same.

Anyway, this is an emergency of utmost importance. We must find a solution.

If my memory serves...

*gasp* They were still selling the pudding just a few days ago.

Wait a second... How do you know that?

Oh! Well, you see...

Aldo, this is not the time to concern yourself with trivial details! Something must have happened to the confectioner. Let us visit Palsifal Palace and learn what is the matter!

W-Wait a second! Is this really that big of a deal?!

There he is! He is Palsifal's most famous confectioner!

Huh? Do you know him?

Oh! W-Well that proves how famous he is.

Wait, I recognize this voice...

Huh?

Excuse me, but aren't you...

Whether there be rain, sleet, or blazing heat... You're my regular that comes to my shop every day!

Uhhh...

You're his regular? You, Tiramisu?

I didn't recognize you at first because your outfit is a little different now...

But I would never forget about one of my best customers!

Wh-What are you talking about? Me, a regular customer? You must have my confused with someone else.

Really? But the way you speak is...

I said you are wrong!

So anyway, we heard rumors that you have stopped selling pudding, is that correct?

W-Well, what happened was...

I was on my way to pick up eggs from a small dinosaur's nest like I always do, when a huge dinosaur appeared. As I was running away I tripped and hurt my leg.

You were gathering eggs on your own?! Isn't that dangerous?

Well usually getting the eggs is the easy part. The dinosaurs often go hunting, leaving the nests unguarded.

And that is when you snatch the eggs, I assume.

Exactly. That's why I was heading to their nest as usual, but this time was different.

This was the first time you bumped into a large dinosaur.

I couldn't even get my hands on a single egg... And now with this injury, I can't get anymore. This may be the end of my shop...

I see your conundrum. In that case...

I, the Dragon Summoner, am here to save the day!

Huh? You want to help him?

Why are you so surprised?

Your mission's to resolve issues relating to dragons, right?

You are correct, Aldo. It is good to know you were listening.

But you said that dragons and dinosaurs have nothing to do with each other. So I just assumed that...

Well! You see... Umm...

Ahem, intelligent or not, dinosaurs are friends of dragons.

They... They are both big! And...look similar! Practically siblings! Therefore, this is a dragon-related issue and thus, part of my mission!

Didn't you just contradict everything you said before?!

Well...I'm sure there is a very good explanation for that...

Confectioner! Where do you usually collect those dinosaur eggs?

The nests are on the Keruri Highroad. But are you really going to help? What if that huge dinosaur appears again?

That is of no concern. Your pudding is like a golden treasure for the people of Palsifal. We cannot take that away from them.

Even if a whole bunch of dinosaurs attacked us, I would still get those eggs for you.

I-I'm stunned by your passionate words! You're most definitely my regular customer...

Nope, not me! I just told you that!

I am just a humble dragon summoner passing through, dealing with any dragon issues!

Time to go to that dinosaur nest! Any objections, Aldo?!

N-Not at all. Let's go to the Keruri Highroad.

According to the confectioner, the dinosaur nest should be around here somewhere.

Hey Tiramisu! Is that it?

Wh-What is this? The nest is empty?

The confectioner did mention that the huge dinosaur chased him away from the nest. Maybe it wanted to eat the eggs.

No...

Huh?

I cannot forgive it! How dare that dinosaur eat those precious eggs needed for the pudding?!

T-Tiramisu, are you okay?

Each and every bit of that egg is what brings happiness to pudding lovers across the continent! Perhaps this was all intentional! Whatever did this has declared unrestricted warfare against me... Errr... I mean the dragon summoners!

Calm down! What are you saying?

Vile, gluttonous dinosaur... You shall pay for this indiscretion!

Yeah, I think they might regret this... How are we gonna find them? I don't see any dinosaurs around here.

Hmph! It is quite simple.

Behold. That flower stem is bent in an unnatural way, likely caused by the tail of a dinosaur. Furthermore, the ground is wet. Possibly because of their saliva, no? Without a doubt, the dinosaurs were walking around eating... A rude and potentially dangerous thing to do.

Y-You're right! You've got quite the eye for detail.

Hmmmph! As a dragon summoner, tracking dragons is a critical skill when carrying out missions.

Let us follow the tracks. Our criminal is just ahead! Pudding... I will avenge you!

Tiramisu... You're just crazy about pudding, aren't you?

There it is!

That dinosaur... Hasn't it filled itself up already?

This crime spree cannot be allowed to continue!

You there! Step away from the eggs!

As something I have declared to be a dragon, how could you prey upon those weaker than yourself?! You marauder! I must slay you in the name of the dragon summoners!

Yahhhhhh!

What?! My lance could not piece through. Its skin is like stone!

Watch out, Tiramisu!

Dammit! My sword doesn't work either!

Guh... It seems that will require more than just swords and lances!

Tiramisu! Can't you use the same skill you used to defeat those dark dragons?!

Impossible! Those skills only work on dark dragons, not dinosaurs!

Then, what do we do?!

Ngh... I did not want to resort to this... But it looks as though I must summon him!

Him?

Ah! Could you mean...

Stay back, Aldo! You do not wish to get caught up in this!

Okay!

O dragons from the other side, heed my words and answer my call!

Come to me with your incredible power!

So, this is the dragon you are bound to!

So, this is the dragon you are bound to!

Dragon! By my command, expel this creature!

......

You dare summon me...

To just beat up a wimp like this?

Huh?

Why you, !

That things not a wimp! Look how big it is! And its skin is as hard as stone! Anyway you look at it, this is a tough dinosaur!

You've just proven how incompetent you are. A simple dinosaur shouldn't spook a dragon summoner...

I-I'm not scared! F-Fine then! I don't need your help!

Tiramisu... Mind explaining what's going on?

You never change. You're extremely immature, and you lack patience. I must have a word with you after this. But for now...

Wow! He's really strong!

H-Hey! You aren't supposed to start fighting without my command! I've told you a hundred times! Listen to me for once!

So... What should we do?

L-Let's just take care of this dinosaur, Aldo! I don't like this one bit, but at least its skin is softened up!

Then let's do this!

The calamity has been diverted! My duties as a dragon summoner are fulfilled.

Your duty? You simply wanted something for yourself.

E-Excuse me?! When have I ever done anything for myself?!

Did you think that you could get away with lying to me? I saw everything. You quibbling about how dinosaurs are dragons and that this is part of your mission...

But after all that you just wanted pudding, right?

Ugh! Y-You're completely wrong! How dare you insult me with lies!

Well, now that we've taken care of that egg eating dinosaur, the confectioner and his customers will be happy. Since she helped other people, don't you think that means it wasn't just for herself?

Well said, Aldo!

You heard him. Aldo is right!

This is not about the outcome. It's your mindset. Consumed by greed, you've lost your ability to judge, and you abused your power to summon me. I've told you over and over again, you need to be more self-aware to succeed as a dragon summoner...

E-Enough is enough! I've saved someone, so nothing else matters! You're supposed to be taking orders from me, and you shouldn't be lecturing me!

You are not only stubborn, but you behave as a child. I am at a loss for words. I'm amazed by your obsession with pudding. How often do you eat it again?

Huh?

D-Don't, !

You've been going to the store every single day, wearing that weird cloak and hiding your identity. Eating sweets seven days a week is too much, no matter how nutritious it is. A dragon summoner should...

That's enough! Silence! Do not utter another word!

Tiramisu, I knew you really were a regular at that shop!

Urgh! This is why I hate summoning you! You treat me like a child!

I wouldn't have to nag you if you changed your behavior.

Hmph! It doesn't matter what you say. You simply don't like me. You don't even like the name I gave you...

A name? You named this dragon?

You bet I did!

Ahem. I believe I haven't properly introduced him to you. His name is...

Don't call me by that name!

Listen, young man... Humans call me the Heavenly Dragon. I do not have other names.

Urgh... The name I gave you is way better than that!

Be grateful that you and I are allies. Do not forget that dragon summoner.

Hmph! How dare you speak to me like that! I'm not gonna summon you anytime soon! Every time, I think about how I'd love to end this contract!

Hahah... Anyway, the dinosaur's done for and the eggs are safe again. Let's go deliver some eggs to the confectioner in Palsifal Palace.

Hmm... You are correct. He can start making pudding again!

Onward to Palsifal Palace!

This pudding will absolutely melt in your mouth! We've still got plenty, so please wait your turn!

I'm glad to see that his business is back and we can have pudding again!

Yup! It's so sweet and so good! Try it, father!

Hmm... Thanks to us, Palsifal is filled with smiles again.

What matters most to you is that you can have your pudding again, am I wrong?

Ugh! Aldo, do you think I am only interested in pudding?!

I-I didn't say that...

It's just that...what that dragon said was partly true.

When it came to this pudding, you went out of your way and nothing could stop you...

Are you taking that stupid dragon's side?!

No, I'm not!

By the way, why don't you get along with the Heavenly Dragon? He's your partner, right?

Hmph! It's all his fault! He's been like this for a long time. Every time I see him, he has some comment to make. He tells me to be more aware and that I need to be more serious about being a dragon summoner...

I don't need him to remind me about those things!

Is this a normal relationship between a summoner and dragon? Wryz and Iridian are...a bit unique, so I guess I can't really use them as an example.

Is this a normal relationship between a summoner and dragon? (I know other dragon summoners, but their circumstances are a bit unique...)

Is this a normal relationship between a summoner and dragon?

Of course not. I've never heard of such an annoying dragon before.

He is a dragon of a very high status and is influential over the other dragons around the world. That is why he looks down on us.

He does?

Not just that.

Because I'm a dragon summoner without a crest, he doesn't admit that I am his ally.

By crest, you mean the one that you were asked to show back in Ratle?

Indeed. It's what proves that one is a true dragon summoner. That's why he thinks it's okay to disrespect me...

Tiramisu... I don't know much about the Heavenly Dragon, but I don't think it's like that.

Hmph! I'm not interested in whatever you have to say. That dragon and I just don't get along. I'd like to end the contract, but it's not so simple.

Yes, you've said that, but you can actually end the contract, can't you?

Hmph... This is between you and me. In fact, we can end our contract if both parties agree.

But the reason why we can't is because we haven't completed the proper procedures. Our contract will remain valid until either of us dies.

I was only a child when he and I were contracted together, which is why I don't know more...

Heh heh... They really aren't getting along.

We couldn't have asked for a better situation...

So, you wish to end the contract... Then I shall grant you that wish!