Chapter 82

"You and I can help each other.

You should get out of this place too. I'll help you."

-Tus, I like Calypso. Calypso is a good familiar.

"Okay, thank you. What do you think of my proposal?"

-Calypso is right. Tus has found someone to help. Calypso is good. It's fine. But...

"But?"

Tus seemed hesitant and shook his head.

-When is Calypso leaving?

After a moment of thought, I said,

"If you want, we can leave right now."

After all, I came here to see the Dragon Duke.

It's a bit disappointing not to see the festival, but from the conversation of the guards earlier, it seems the festival won't happen anyway. So, there's nothing to be disappointed about.

-Really? Leave right now?

Tus's face lit up.

It seemed the timing of leaving was a concern.

-Then, it's good. The Dragon Duke should learn from a good place. Good!

His excited voice was full of loyalty and affection for the Dragon Duke.

I glanced at the child for a moment.

'Is not being able to learn emotions the same as not being able to feel them?'

With such a being radiating affection right next to me.

Perhaps in the previous chapter, the Dragon Duke became the person described in the original work because Tus was there.

But I can't leave him in this environment.

"Good, if you've decided, let's move quickly."

Then I suddenly realized I was still holding the Dragon Duke's hand.

I was about to let go, but this time he firmly held my hand.

I immediately understood.

'He's mimicking my actions.'

I blinked and smiled.

"What's your name?"

"…What's your name?"

"I'm Calypso Aquasiadel."

"Calypso Aquasiadel."

"Right."

"…"

His tightly held hand gently squeezed mine. My name came out of his small lips once more, and I affirmed it.

"Calypso Aquasiadel."

"Okay. Calypso."

"Calypso."

Over and over.

With the hope that he would remember my name first.

I thought about raising him well and taking him home.

"Good, now that you've decided, we need to move."

Instead of revealing my hidden hope, I shook my hand.

There will be a time to talk about this with the Dragon Duke again.

'I can't take the Dragon Duke with me right now.'

I want to grab his hand and leave quickly, but...

I've already seen it. Outside, there are the hyena, a top predator familiar, and the chameleon familiar, a perfect combination for surveillance. I can't ignore them.

'Besides, that hyena is incredibly strong.'

I can sense it just by looking.

In my current state, I can't guarantee I can escape even by myself.

Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, the Dragon Duke is slightly larger than me. I don't know if he can fit through the hole I used to escape.

With so many uncertain variables, I can't just take him out.

'I have to think of this as a one-time opportunity.'

If the people outside, or the royal family, find out I'm planning to take the Dragon Duke, such an opportunity won't come again.

"Tus, you'll stay here, right?"

-Yes! I'll stay by Duke Tus.

I nodded.

It would be better if Tus came with me, but I can't make this baby snake, who just met his master and looks so happy, leave again.

Besides, even if Tus came with me, it wouldn't change the situation much.

"Tus, I have one more question. If I come near this building, will you be able to sense it? For example, if I speak to you in my mind like I did earlier, will you hear it?"

-Yes! It's possible! This castle is the dragon's territory. I can sense Tus!

"Really?"

I stroked my chin.

I made a decision.

'After all, I can't do this alone.'

…The scale of this task is too large for me to handle alone.

'I absolutely can't do this alone.'

Moreover, even if I somehow manage to bring the Dragon Duke back by a one-in-a-million stroke of luck, there's still a problem.

What will I say if I run into Dad and Belus at the dorm?

I sighed but tried hard to think of how to convince Dad.

'If I can convince Dad, then Belus…'

I can tell Dad to use force to threaten Belus. Okay.

"First, Tus, I'll come back tomorrow. When I come back, I'll be ready to take the Duke."

I don't know if I can convince Dad in one day, but I'll try.

After all, if the dragon festival is definitely not happening, there's no reason for the whale family to stay here.

"Just in case, if I'm not ready tomorrow, do you remember the hole we came in through?"

-Yes! I remember!

"I'll call you there and explain the situation. When and how I'll take the Duke."

-Yes! Tus is happy!

Tus, sitting on the Dragon Duke's hand, wagged his tail.

He looks really happy.

I smiled and turned my head.

"…"

I don't know how long he's been watching, but the Dragon Duke was staring at me intently.

His gaze was blurry and dazed. It looked a bit cute when he tilted his head in confusion upon feeling my gaze.

"Let's go together."

"…Let's go together."

"Let's go."

"Let's go?"

I chuckled and commented.

"You sound like a parrot."

Being so small, are you a baby parrot? It doesn't really suit a dragon.

'I need to go back before it gets dark.'

I need to return to my bedroom before night falls.

Just as I was about to turn around, one of my hands was gently grabbed.

At first, it was a very weak grip, but it gradually became stronger.

The Dragon Duke moved his lips.

"Calypso."

"Uh-huh?"

I blinked.

Then I smiled.

"Right. I'm Calypso. And I'll come back."

I gently released the Dragon Duke's hand but instead of letting go, I firmly held it.

It's a different case from the Dragon Duke, but… one of my subordinates had a severe lack of affection.

"See you then."

I remembered that he really liked holding hands.

"Just, the situation of being able to feel the warmth of another is quite amazing."

"Lord, the warmth of another can bring more than you think."