Chapter 88

If Father is right, if the Dragon Duke found out that we left here, or if there is a way for him to know that there is an intruder.

'The important thing is whether the Dragon Duke knows that he is outside, or just that there is an intruder.'

It would be better if they merely suspected that there was an intruder.

"Master, let's wait a moment instead of running away."

I quickly said what I had thought.

Father listened and soon nodded.

"......Let's do that."

Soon, the thin water barrier we saw in the dining room surrounded us.

The difference this time is that it not only hides sound but also movement.

In fact, unless there is a top predator like a lion or a black leopard, the hyena humanoid who just ran over would not have the ability to notice.

Soon, the hyena humanoid and the chameleon humanoid we saw earlier appeared in front of the building.

Whether they ran here directly or not, the hyena humanoid was standing there holding the chameleon humanoid by the waist.

"What, no one's here. Did you really feel something?"

The hyena humanoid dropped the chameleon humanoid.

"Ugh, yes, yes...! The trap I set off was triggered. There was definitely a movement!"

"They're not wild animals, are they? No, they wouldn't. They wouldn't dare to approach even if they smelled the predator's scent..."

The hyena humanoid sniffed the air.

"Sure enough, there's no one around. I don't even smell any unfamiliar scent."

She rubbed her nose.

"That's strange. Even if nothing happens, it feels off..."

"Mr. Hyena... Huh, first, the trap I set might have been triggered by a strong wind..."

"What? Why are you saying that now?! I was so scared that I carried you and ran!"

The chameleon humanoid seemed to feel motion sickness from the hyena humanoid's speed and vomited several times.

After checking the surroundings several times, the hyena humanoid soon took the chameleon humanoid to check the area again.

Soon, they moved away.

"Master, let's go now."

Observing the enemy's movements, it seemed that fortunately, there was no way for them to realize that the Dragon Duke had left.

'They are more lax than I thought. The reason is...'

I glanced at the Dragon Duke.

Probably, they think that the Dragon Duke, who has never known the concept of 'escape,' would not understand it.

Moreover, which mad humanoid would take the Dragon Duke away like I did?

It would be unimaginable from their perspective.

'It's better to leave quietly here.'

Even if, by some chance, Tous was found to be a fake and the Dragon Duke's disappearance was known, they would not be able to narrow down the suspects.

Even if the guests were suspected, the number of guests who visited the hall for the Dragon Festival today was enough to fill it.

Moreover, unlike the land animal humanoids who showed immense interest in the Dragon Duke, Aquasiadel, who showed no particular personal interest, would be far from the list of suspects.

Father moved silently.

When I glanced back while being carried by Father, the Dragon Duke was staring at the building that was getting farther away.

"...Tous."

A small voice. Even though it lacked emotion, I felt as if he was missing someone.

* * *

When we returned to our lodging, the sky was still dark and the surroundings were quiet, contrary to my expectation that it would be dawn.

We saved a lot of time thanks to Father's quick movements.

'I even considered the possibility of encountering predator humanoids or guards... It's fortunate that nothing happened.'

It was a relief that the contingency plan was unnecessary.

"Calypso."

Father put me and the Dragon Duke down in my room and stood on the railing again, as if he was about to leave.

I looked at him curiously.

"Master, where are you going?"

"I have something to take care of, so I'll be back in a moment."

"Just a moment... Just a moment!"

I hurriedly ran and barely caught Father.

"Are you planning to cause some trouble?"

"You're treating me like a three-year-old."

"There are three-year-olds like me in the world, so that's a prejudice."

"Are you a special three-year-old?"

"..."

You're good at retorting. I maintained a stern expression but spoke firmly.

No accidents.

"Don't worry. It won't be the kind of accident you're thinking of."

"That's even more unsettling!"

"Why?"

"What if something goes wrong?"

"I have no reason to ruin your mission."

"..."

That's true.

"I haven't failed to give you what you wanted on this journey. That's still the case now."

"I understand. Master must have your reasons, but nothing should be exposed, right?"

It seemed that Father had noticed some flaw in the operation for some reason.

We can discuss the reason when he returns.

We'll be in the carriage together on the way back anyway.

Father smiled under the blue moonlight.

Moreover, his overconfident and arrogant demeanor suggested that he had no reason to fail.

"Who do you think I am?"

Then, he patted my head and jumped over the railing.

Even though I couldn't see him jump down, I stared at the dark space for a while before turning my head.

"..."

The Dragon Duke standing in my room.

It seemed like an unreal scene, but this was reality.

'Snap out of it. The operation isn't over yet.'

This operation and plan will only be complete when the Dragon Duke sets foot on Aquasiadel's land.

"Are you tired? Dragon Duke, would you like to sit down?"

"..."

I spoke out of courtesy, but I didn't expect him to understand.

I led the Dragon Duke by the hand and made him sit on the bed.

I took off his bag and put it aside.

While I was doing this, the Dragon Duke just stared at me.

"A lot has happened in a short time, hasn't it?"

The Dragon Duke didn't respond. I didn't expect a response, so it didn't matter.

"We'll leave as soon as it gets light. I've already informed the butler of the castle about the departure time, so no one will find it strange."

"..."

"Thinking about it, is this the first time the Dragon Duke has been outside the place where he lived? Have you lived there since you were born?"

Have you lived there since you were born?

Or were you chased away from that grand and magnificent castle where you were born?

I had nothing to do but sleep, but I didn't want to sleep.

I wasn't sleepy either.

I opened the bag next to the Dragon Duke and took out a notebook.

As soon as I flipped through the cover, I saw pretty and round handwriting.

"A newly born Dragon Duke needs to learn.

This includes not only knowledge but also the basic emotions that humans have.

Dragons first mimic the emotions of humans they form a bond with.

So, learning is very, very important. A lot."

I skimmed through the notebook and looked up.

Emotions are included in what needs to be learned, or rather, what needs to be learned directly.

"That's why you didn't wipe Tous' tears."

"..."

"That's strange. I could still feel that you cared for Tous a lot."

Even though your arm must have hurt, you held Tous in your hand and didn't move.

That image left a deep impression on me.

"Dragon Duke."

"Our Dragon Duke's name is 'Echion Phontus.'

But no one knows except me. No one calls him."

"What's your name?"

"..."

"Your name is Echion. Tous says so?"

"..."

"Echion."

I smiled as I felt his gaze.

"A name similar to the city of dragons. It suits you well."

The first dragon's name was Echidna.

It's a name that seems like a mother and child.

"...Echion?"

"Yeah. Echion. That's your name. Echion."

If this city was as kind to you as the name suggests, it would be nice.

"Let's go together."

I'm not repeating what I said in the Dragon Duke's room because I forgot it.

"I know it's hard for you to understand and make decisions now. But I hope you don't forget that the reason you are here now is because of the sacrifice of someone who loved you deeply."

"...Calypso."

"Yeah, that's right. My name is Calypso. And Echion."

"..."

"You have to say it yourself."

I held Echion's hands tightly with both of mine.

"One day, you will understand what I said today. Your life is something you save yourself."

"Save..."

The child, who didn't understand the meaning, repeated my words like a parrot.

It was good enough for now.

"Yeah. One day, when you understand everything I said today, I hope you will do one thing for me."

Send me back home. That's my request.