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“What a crazy dude, seriously.”

Balron said to Kyle.

This was already the umpteenth time he had said it.

But Vivian completely agreed with Balron’s words a hundred times over.

When Kyle hung onto the hook and took off riding the dragon, he probably didn’t realize how startled he would be.

Vivian couldn’t comprehend that he even planned such a thing.

Yet, Kyle went ahead and did it… he took down the dragon.

Predicting his actions was always a challenge.

In a situation as unexpected as a surprise assault by a dragon, he managed to turn the tables and capture it.

Kyle was being dragged along, slumped over the horse.

He had fallen asleep and was in a state of unconsciousness.

He didn’t seem to have any broken bones, but he looked utterly spent.

The bandage wrapped around his forehead looked even dirtier and messier than before.

“…”

Vivian felt silly for not changing that bandage and wanted to tend to him.

Honestly, she wanted to stay by his side and nurse him back to health.

She felt grateful for him saving her in such a dire situation.

However, she couldn’t even afford the luxury of changing his bandage right now.

Eight carts had been burned in the dragon’s fire.

Resources needed for treatment had all been reduced to ashes.

Even Vivian, with a wound on her arm, could do nothing but apply a makeshift bandage with a rag.

If they let the dragon go like this, the expedition would surely become a significant loss.

All the hardships they endured would go to waste thanks to the dragon’s breath.

But with Kyle taking down the dragon, an even greater reward was on the way.

Since dragons weren’t easy to catch, their byproducts would fetch a high price.

If Kyle was from Roktana, it would surely be a feat that brought endless rewards.

However, due to their complicated relationship, Vivian felt stuck.

Vivian and a few knights, including Burgor, were now on their way home.

Given how exceptional the dragon was, plans had changed considerably.

Since they had to process the dragon, the remaining manpower decided to drag it ashore, while the injured or people like Vivian would head back.

Burgor stared at Kyle for a while and sighed, saying,

“…I’ve never heard of a kid getting a dragon’s leash at fifteen.”

Colman murmured,

“…True enough. The Allen family… it’s hard to deny a monster has emerged.”

“If the war had dragged on, would we have had to fight against this guy?”

Vivian continued to gaze at Kyle, who’s slumped over on the horse.

They were right.

Though she had been too close to notice, she had never heard of any achievements Kyle had been accumulating.

Moving forward, Kyle would hang a blue cord around his neck as proof ever since he caught the dragon.

Having not even reached adulthood, he would wear evidence that knights envied.

Some would claim it was luck, while others would say he must have had help, but… Vivian knew.

This time, Kyle had single-handedly taken down the dragon.

He had hunted it with far more bravery and audacity than anyone else.

“…Ugh.”

As she continued to watch him, Kyle let out a groan, as if uncomfortable somewhere in his body.

Strangely, it triggered Vivian’s feelings of guilt.

Over the past ten days, would things have been better if she had treated him a bit more carefully instead of awkwardly avoiding him?

Each time he risked his life to protect her… she had done nothing for him.

Grinding her teeth, Vivian guided her horse beside him.

She lightly placed her hand on his back, whispering,

“…Hang in there a bit longer. We’re almost there.”

…

The Castle of Rondore came into view.

To enter the castle, they would need to cut through the crowd of Roktana.

The residents of Roktana, drawing closer to see Vivian’s group, reacted in various ways.

Some applauded for their efforts, while others cheered Vivian’s name.

And among them, many were too busy sneering at the fallen Kyle.

“What an idiot! Looks like he got hurt badly!”

“It’s the judgment of the god Ras!”

If it were in the past, their jeers would have been pleasing to hear.

But Vivian felt their mockery wasn’t as amusing as it once was.

Instead, it felt like a stone was lodged in her chest, suffocating her.

Vivian continuously realized how alien Kyle was in this land, and how much he was despised.

She felt he was just as isolated as she was.

And she hadn’t even changed a bandage for him or brought him food once.

She began to despise herself a little.

Unknowingly, Vivian felt that at the very least, she had to take care of him.

As another loner, she resolved to repay his kindness in some way.

Vivian tightened her grip on the reins, wanting to escape the scorn, enter the Castle of Rondore, and look after Kyle.

“Kyle, wake up.”

Vivian patted his back, shaking him to wake him up.

After a moment of groaning, he opened his eyes, blinking.

As he regained his senses, he wore a distressed expression at the accusations being thrown at him.

Still dazed, he couldn’t manage his facial expressions at all.

Seeing that face made Vivian’s heart ache strangely.

Not long after, she stepped into the castle.

There were those to greet her in her shabby state.

And among them, the one standing out the most was her uncle.

He was someone she had completely forgotten about.

“Vivian. It’s been a while, my niece.”

He was large, had a deep voice, a heavy face, thick arms, and red hair.

The lord of Nerumport approached her, exuding an air of authority.

“I heard you went on an expedition. Everything went alright?”

Despite having made her wait, he seemed unperturbed.

Surprised by his unexpected reaction, Vivian fumbled her words and nodded.

“Yes, uncle.”

She continued,

“I apologize for making you wait. The entire army was deployed, and I couldn’t possibly not go.”

“…You’ve changed a bit. You’re speaking so smoothly.”

“…The head of the Rondore family shouldn’t stutter.”

Robert Rondore chuckled softly.

“Head of the Rondore family… right. Of course. Well, I had plenty of time to wait. Don’t worry about it too much. If the head of the Rondore family is waiting, a vassal like me should wait too.”

“Setting aside the relation of lord and vassal, I apologize as your niece.”

“Accepted. It’s alright.”

The conversation flowed smoothly, but Vivian could feel an unexplainable tension hanging in the air.

Whether this was merely her mood or an actual competition of presence, she couldn’t tell.

Robert Rondore’s gaze shifted to Kyle.

“…Kyle Allen.”

Kyle remained unfazed even under Robert’s watchful eye.

He simply gazed down at him from his horse with steadfastness.

As Robert was about to say something, Vivian interrupted.

Kyle looked far too exhausted.

“Uncle, he just got back from a long expedition. I think it’d be best to wrap this up for now… let him wash up, and we can talk again later if we have time.”

“Oh dear, you’re right. That’s a good point.”

Robert affirmed Vivian’s words and lowered his head toward her.

“Then see you later, Vivian. You’ve done well.”

“…Yes.”

As Robert’s group departed, the retainers of Rondore Castle emerged.

Vivian was too busy dealing with them to pay attention to anything else.

Lady Linne frowned in concern.

It seemed she disapproved of Vivian looking like a boy.

“No, Lady Vivian… what’s with the way a lady is dressed like this…”

“I just traveled with my knights like my father.”

“I understand, and I’m proud of it, but… you should still be more ladylike if you want to find love later…”

“It was only for a few days. Besides, I made new friends…”

Vivian replied, thinking of Kyle’s group.

Lady Linne was even more taken aback by this.

“…New friends? You can’t be talking about the boy soldiers, can you? No way! How could the lord of Roktana…”

“It’s fine, Mistress. And just a moment…”

Vivian wanted to pause the conversation and focus on Kyle.

Vivian told Lady Linne,

“Mistress, please bring me a few new bandages.”

“What? Lady Vivian, your arm is…!”

“It’s not mine…”

Vivian turned to look for Kyle.

She realized that she was the only one who could look after him, as he would still be all alone.

He had been weighing on her mind, causing her anxiety.

Between the bandages around his head and the new wounds…

Vivian spotted Kyle’s black hair and approached him.

“Kyle…”

“Lady Kyle!”

However, she froze at the sight that followed.

Someone interrupted her intended actions.

It was her maid, Rona.

“No, why did you let the bandage get so dirty…”

“…Right?”

Rona, having been close to Vivian, was not at all estranged to Kyle.

And now, perhaps due to Kyle’s injury, Rona was acting much sweeter than usual.

“Come this way quickly. I’ll change it for you.”

-Thud!

Rona hurriedly grabbed hold of Kyle’s arm.

Vivian took in the entire scene.

She couldn’t take her gaze off Rona’s hand gripping Kyle’s arm.

Kyle looked at Rona with a grin, responding,

“…Finally, someone is taking care of me.”

At Kyle’s smile, Vivian felt her heart strangely squeeze tight.

She couldn’t fathom where this odd irritation was coming from.

But the annoyance was more intense and explosive than she expected, and she spoke without realizing it.

“…Rona.”

Her voice came out more fierce than intended.

Even the other maids nearby flinched, thinking something was wrong.

“…Who told you to take care of Kyle Allen?”

As Vivian said this coldly, the atmosphere stiffened in an instant.

“Ah… well…”

Rona stuttered and then bowed her head and stepped back.

The air was thick with tension as if it belonged between enemies.

Kyle was left standing there, while Vivian silently watched.

Injured, exhausted, and dirty, he remained standing still like that.

Laughing in disbelief, Kyle shook his head.

“…You really are too much.”

With that, he headed towards the lodging.

Vivian remained frozen in place, trying to make sense of her chaotic emotions.

…She couldn’t understand why she reacted that way just now.

Rona would have acted just fine, and she could simply have returned to rest, yet something strange had caused her to act otherwise.

 

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