Kobold Delivery System: The Goddesses Won't Leave me Alone!

I gulped hard the moment I truly took them in, my throat dry and my chest tight, but my eyes steady.

They were right there in front of me, the weight of their presence pressing against my senses.

Still, even with all of that, I knew one thing clearly.

I could take care of that dragon easily somehow.

The thought came naturally, without arrogance, without panic.

Especially knowing how much Lucy had already damaged her.

That knowledge settled my nerves.

The dragon was powerful, yes, terrifying in presence, yes, but she wasn't untouchable.

Not anymore.

Lucy had made sure of that, and the evidence was clear even without anyone saying a word.

But Lucy herself was a different story entirely.

For Lucy… I wasn't ready.

Not yet.

The confidence I had moments ago thinned the instant my thoughts turned toward her.

Facing her head-on wasn't something I could just decide and do.

I could already tell that before even thinking about standing against her, I needed a couple of successful system deliveries under my belt.

At least a few wins.

A few confirmations that I wasn't just surviving on borrowed luck.

Only then could I even allow myself to imagine challenging her.

My mind raced again, thoughts crashing into each other, looping and overlapping, until suddenly something strange happened.

It wasn't loud.

It wasn't dramatic.

It was subtle, like a switch flipping deep inside my head.

Somehow, neuron activation happened to me.

I felt it clearly, unmistakably.

It was as if something that had always been locked simply opened.

Paths connecting.

Thoughts aligning.

Unlocking my full brain potential.

The world didn't slow down, but I felt like I finally caught up to it.

With that clarity, I turned toward Lucy.

My steps were steady, my voice calm, even though my heart was still beating fast.

I looked her straight in the eyes and said, carefully but firmly, "If you love me, then give me a gift?"

Lucy tilted her head slightly, her long hair shifting with the movement.

She was smiling, that familiar, confident smile that always made it hard to tell whether she was amused or planning something far bigger.

"Sure," she said easily, her tone light.

"What does my husband need? A couple of kingdoms?"

I ignored that comment.

Not because I doubted her.

I didn't.

She obviously could do it.

The way she said it made it sound effortless, like giving away kingdoms was no more complicated than handing someone a cup of water.

But that wasn't what I wanted.

I didn't want to collect kingdoms like toys or trophies.

Power for the sake of power had never interested me.

I cleared my throat, buying myself a second, then raised my hand and pointed a finger toward Emelia, the dragon.

Even doing that made the air feel heavier.

"I want her as my mount."

The words hung there for a heartbeat, clear and sharp.

Lucy's eyes changed instantly.

The warmth in them tightened into something cold and focused.

"Is this a way to save her?" she asked, her voice calm but edged.

"Did you get attached to this filthy dragon?"

I reacted immediately, waving my hands, almost tripping over my own words.

"No, no, it's not like that," I said quickly.

"It's just because it will sound awesome."

She didn't interrupt, so I pushed forward before doubt could creep in.

"Imagine it," I continued, energy creeping into my voice.

"One of the four heavenly monsters."

"A dragon, no less."

"And I'm using her as my personal mount."

"A lot of people would be amazed by it."

"Even my reputation as the new king would soar."

That was the truth.

Simple, direct, and honest.

It wasn't mercy.

It wasn't sentiment, but an image, and the impact of my presence on the people.

A statement that would echo without needing explanation.

Lucy stopped for a moment.

She didn't speak.

She didn't move.

She just stood there, thinking.

The silence stretched, thick enough that I could hear my own breathing.

Then finally, she nodded once.

"If that's what you want."

She turned toward Emelia without another glance at me.

Her voice was clear, commanding, and final.

"Thank your entire ancestors' line, Emelia."

"Ragnar wanted to choose you as his special mount."

I froze.

Completely.

My body went still as I waited for Emelia's response.

Somehow, things had turned out well on Lucy's side, better than I expected.

But if Emelia turned out to be iron-headed, if she refused or reacted badly, then everything could collapse in an instant.

Emelia herself froze for a moment.

Her massive form went rigid, her expression unreadable.

Then, slowly, something changed.

Her face broke into something bright, almost jewel-like, filled with emotion.

"A mount?" she repeated, disbelief and joy mixing together.

"Absolutely." she said happily.

"As long as I can be with my husband, I don't care about the way!"

The tension drained out of me all at once.

I let out a long breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"Everything is fine now," I said, my voice quieter, steadier.

"Let's go now and solve the rebel problem." I declared at both of them.

Lucy nodded, satisfied.

"Okay, Ragnar," she said, turning back to me.

"Come now near me."

I hesitated for half a second, then started walking toward her.

Slowly.

Carefully.

Honestly, the last time she told me that, I was about to get kidnapped, so my fear was completely justified.

Every step felt heavier than the last, my mind replaying that memory even as I tried to dismiss it.

But the moment I came close enough, everything changed.

Lucy's arms stretched around me, pulling me in without warning.

The strength in her hold was firm but not painful, confident but not cold.

And then… everything else faded.

The tension, the plans, the fear, the calculations.

For that brief moment, there was only the warmth of her presence.

A steady reminder that I was still standing, still moving forward, still choosing my own path.