Chapter 193
Chapter 193. The Dragon Girl Ponders
――It has been three days since that person went to war.
In a certain quiet mansion, far behind the front lines, Leila and the others were spending uneasy days.
A mansion standing by the lakeside. It seemed to have originally been a villa for a noble from the Defteros Kingdom.
Compared to a solid fortress or a castle town, it felt quite open, but in reality, it was under strict guard by the skilled Night Elf soldiers who had become Zilbagias’s private army, ensuring that not even an ant could pass through.
That is to say――it was guarded to the point that not even an ant could pass through.
From both the outside and the inside.
“If something were to happen to you two, I wouldn’t be able to face His Highness…”
The maid Viene, representing the Night Elves, said this.
Being treated as Zilbagias’s beloved mistress and “stored” like a fragile item was a suffocating experience more than expected.
Even so, Leila was still in a relatively good position.
As the strongest of the Dragon Race at this place, aside from the Demon Race, she could move around freely to some extent.
However, with the absence of Zilbagias and surrounded by Night Elves all day long, Liliana was pitifully losing her spirits.
(But… It’s understandable)
For Leila, it was like being surrounded by shadow dragons and being treated with false respect as “Zilbagias’s mate.” Just imagining it was enough to bring her down.
No, unlike Leila who was just cooped up in a cave, Liliana was literally suffering in hell. It was worse than that.
Leila tried to take Liliana outside the mansion as much as possible during the bright daytime. It must have been quite a nuisance for the Night Elves who were on guard with their light-blocking cloaks.
But she felt that time away from their presence was necessary for Liliana now.
“It’s gotten quite warm, hasn’t it?”
“Nya~”
“Wow.”
In the afternoon, as Leila sat on a bench overlooking the lake and murmured, Garunya and Liliana sat (or sprawled) beside her, responding lazily.
While it was natural for Liliana to be in relaxation mode, Garunya had also sprawled out, completely weary against the bench.
Originally, she had become a servant as both a bodyguard for Zilbagias and a substitute in emergencies, but now she had become more like Liliana’s caretaker and beloved (?), and it seemed to weigh heavily on her that she wasn’t even brought to the front lines.
“I’m not Liliana’s bodyguard, you know, nya~,” she grumbled, something she rarely voiced.
…Since Liliana looked a bit down, she quickly added, “It’s not that I dislike Liliana, of course.”
(……Time really isn’t passing at all)
While patting Liliana’s head resting on her lap, Leila absentmindedly gazed at the lake’s surface.
Every day had been painful when she was in the dragon’s cave, but now, just waiting for Zilbagias’s return was even more torturous.
‘……What if something happens on the battlefield?’
She didn’t want to think about bad omens, yet worry crept in uncontrollably.
“…………”
Even Liliana, who seemed to be relaxing on Leila’s lap, would occasionally open her eyes dreamily, looking at the scenery, hinting at her disturbed inner state.
(Since she’s from the Reiju Tribe, I think it’s unlikely, but…)
Healing, which she usually relied on Liliana for, she would have to manage on her own. Though calling it “relying too much” was an understatement, considering she had taken on every potential injury from combat drills to the Night Elves’ treatments and no one doubted her teleportation skills.
(But… I have to sacrifice humans…)
……Thinking of this made her chest ache.
A secret that only Leila and Liliana knew.
――That person’s true identity.
How painful it would be if she had to sacrifice humans to heal her injuries.
No, after all, he was on the battlefield. That person had made up his mind—prepared to sacrifice his own kind one day to defeat the Demon Lord.
How much suffering tormented his soul――
Leila, who wanted to protect only that person, could hardly imagine it.
“Master, I wonder what they’re doing, nya~?”
As Garunya flapped the hem of her maid uniform, she said.
“Are they cutting down humans left and right by now, nya~… Oh, maybe they’re resting since it’s daytime?”
Garunya, who no longer had to match Zilbagias’s activity, had fully returned to being diurnal.
“……Right, I guess,”
Leila could only vaguely nod.
When the topic turned to war, it became hard for her to respond. Even Garunya, who was always friendly, seemed somewhat distant.
――For Garunya, humans were enemies to be despised.
They were the nemeses who toyed with and hunted her friend from the White Tiger Tribe.
Therefore, Garunya felt no pain at the thought of Zilbagias killing humans. In fact, she seemed rather relieved.
“…………”
Therefore, Leila’s heart grew cold. She couldn’t help but think that this girl belonged to the opposite side.
――She was grateful to Garunya.
When she was at her weakest, presented as a token of apology to that person, Garunya was the one who kindly interacted with her to ease her tension.
“Here, I’ll share a little snack with you, nya!”
“Leila! Want to take a bath together, nya~?”
“If your maid outfit gets torn, just ask that person!”
From daily life to the various chores of a maid, she had taught her everything step by step.
Now, being able to adapt so well to Zilbagias’s group was all thanks to Garunya’s presence.
But…….
“Ahh, I want to go into actual combat too… I want to avenge my ancestors!”
Garunya whined, jumping up and beginning to practice martial arts techniques on the spot. Though calling it “techniques,” it was a profoundly fierce one that gouged vital points with nails and crushed bones with punches and kicks.
――Techniques to kill the “enemy.”
“If I want to be taken along by Master…… I have to become a Sword Saint!”
Saying that, Garunya continued to swing her fists as if challenging the laws of the universe――
No matter what she did, she was an enemy of humans.
“…………”
Leila averted her gaze from Garunya without saying anything.
That person’s――Zilbagias’s true purpose.
What would happen to Garunya when that is fulfilled?
What would she do then?
……No, there was no need to think. That person’s enemy was Leila’s enemy.
Then, she—
“――Ah!”
Suddenly, Leila gasped softly, and Garunya halted her actions.
“? What’s wrong, nya?”
“……No, it’s nothing.”
Leila smiled to brush it off.
“I just thought I saw a fish jump in the lake.”
“Eh, a fish~?”
Garunya widened her eyes like saucers, straining to see the lake surface fluttering in the wind.
(I see, this pain, what is it)
Amidst thoughts of her friend from the White Tiger Tribe, Leila quietly placed her hand on her chest.
As she envisioned the unavoidable future with Garunya, it pricked her painfully.
(This pain――)
If multiplied by hundreds, thousands of times, it would surely—
(That person’s――)
She felt she had understood his feelings just a little bit. This was it. This was what it felt like……
Leila smiled faintly, gently stroking her chest.
As if trying not to forget this pain.
……Or perhaps, like embracing it.
“――Hmm?”
Garunya turned around.
Looking over, she saw the Night Elf maid, Viene, hurrying over, wearing a light-blocking cloak.
“Everyone! His Highness is returning tonight!”
“Eh, already!?”
At Viene’s announcement, Garunya perked her tail up and exclaimed in surprise. Liliana also rose from her slumped position. Normally, she rarely reacted to the Night Elves’ remarks.
“Is it over, then…? Or—”
The unexpectedly early return only heightened Leila’s unease—but Viene smiled.
“His Highness is safe. Evaroti has fallen.”
Viene, herself having just received the news, seemed slightly excited.
“His Highness has made remarkable achievements, decapitating numerous enemies such as heroes and Sword Saints—”
A sharp pain shot through Leila’s chest.
“—However, because it fell earlier than expected, the damage to the Demon Race was unexpectedly severe…”
As Viene’s expression clouded.
“It seems that His Highness’s dependents… Kuvirtar and Albar and others… well…”
She hesitated, which was rare for her.
“……They’ve been completely wiped out.”
At those words, Leila and the others gasped.
After meeting in the Reiju Territory and spending the winter together, the Demon Race members, especially the young ones whom that person called the “Three Fools,” were friendly to the point of not acting superior over their juniors and were well-liked by everyone――
Leila had exchanged words with them on numerous occasions.
Such people had……
“Completely wiped out……”
Garunya murmured in fear.
“…………”
Leila was also struck by a terrifying sensation.
Completely wiped out.
And an unexpected loss for the Demon Race.
That means――perhaps――something extraordinary has happened. She had a premonition.
――And it was correct.
