chapter 37

The circ.u.mstances of the childhood friends and the circ.u.mstances of the contract.

After making Tiruzoto Kingdom recede I was heading towards the Vizannu Mountains.

I skillfully evade the mult.i.tude of overgrown trees and fold my large black wings as I descend to the ground. Surveying the surroundings, theres not a single animal around; it is a very quiet s.p.a.ce. But its been a short while, I wonder if the animals have escaped partly because Wyrms may have made their nests here.

On top of the earth on which I land, is the place where the human me appears. Not a split personality nor multiple personalities, let alone a parasitic character of my Dragon self, but myself. I am me, and nothing else.

I got the feeling that I can finally understand it a little bit now.

But I am not sure about the reason for my existence.

You, who are you? (Vito)

That mysterious voice that arbitrarily speaks to me, is not unlike a mans or a womans and is both old and young. Still, I have the feeling that it is right next to me.

After a while, that voice echoes within my head.

Taiju.

I wonder if this Taiju is the same Great Tree that watches over all of the living things that Lau was talking about before. I wonder what does it mean, that an existence akin to a G.o.d in this world would be talking to a single Dragon. Or, were they the mastermind as I thought?

Tell me, is my existence something that you arranged?

That is the case.(1)

Oh, as expected.

A part of me becomes annoyed at receiving a positive answer in such a simple manner. I also want to ask why me, or to confront them with a lot of other questions, but rather than that, theres something I want to say the most.

I dont know in which way this world was created, nor how I myself was created. Theres a part of me which doesnt believe in your existence either. But you know, dont believe you can deal with me as much as you like just like that.

In fact, I became unable to remember any of my human memories, as if they have been sealed. The j.a.panese language, and even about the family I have dreamed of so much. Is it because my human self was pushed back deep within me, or because I decided to live on as an Earth Dragon? However, whichever the case, coming from my instincts, a sense of purpose for protecting Alvina Kingdom is starting to boil up a little bit. (2)

But, I think that, thats still fine. Even if my actions are being manipulated by someones expectations, these thoughts are unmistakably my own. I wont allow them to be called fake. Even if Im being made to dance on top of someones palm, I have enough power to resist and tear off those puppet strings. I have fangs to fight back against my owner. (3)

Im only doing what I want to do. Even if those are the expectations of this voice, then its just that our interests match.

Ill thoroughly, become serious. I do not want to have contradictory thoughts anymore.

You are the same as that guy but that will be fun once again.

Saying so at the end, the voice is gone. The sensation that was next to me disappears, and I wonder if this is what is called to feel relieved.

Anyway that guy? That guy, who is it.

I thought it over for a while, but nothing comes to mind no matter how much I think.

When I extend my folded wings in order to return to the castle, something flashes at the edge of my field of vision. Theres something on the ground, and it sparkles with a momentary flash of light at being hit by the sun. Its something so small that you wont be able to see what it is if you dont concentrate your gaze. As I bring my face closer to the ground to try to take a look at it, it was something similar to a pebble. However its color is too bright for it to be a pebble. When I try digging out that thing which was partly buried in the soil, a box with a rectangular shape appears. It seemed it had been neglected for a long time, maybe for several dozens, or even hundreds of years, as it is quite severely deteriorated, yet it was showing a vivid blue l.u.s.ter in some places. I wonder if the rain or something else dug this up from the ground.

Its a blue rectangular box that Ive seen somewhere before. Theres an incision in the middle, and something like a long thread is tied to its edge.

I dont know what the heck this is, however I know the proper way to handle it. I open the box skillfully along the incision in order not to break it, and the edges become connected, becoming an even larger rectangle. (4)

For the fraction of a second, the black portion of the boxs upper part fluctuates and three people appear. In the middle theres a young man, and by his sides theres a girl and a boy embracing his shoulders while laughing. That disappears right away so I cant define the details, however I could confirm that from their hair to their eyes, they were people that could be said to be laced in black.

Somehow this gets stuck in my mind, making me uneasy.

These thoughts which think this is nostalgic, whose thoughts are they?

When I returned to the castle in a hurry, I could hear joyful, excited voices here and there, and at the time I didnt even think that they were aimed at me. I thought that perhaps they were happy because Tiruzoto Kingdom was repelled and this time it became a victory for Alvina Kingdom.

Because at that moment, my head was only filled with thoughts about the Captain.

But I couldnt meet him.

As I laid down my large body in front of the Fourth Knight Corps dormitory, the Vice-Captain came to tell me. He had to be supported by Maribelle because of his injured leg, but Im glad that hes alive. They told me with a gloomy face.

Apparently after that, the Captain lost consciousness and he hasnt woken up. They said that theres no danger to his life, but hes sleeping as if he were dead. I became uneasy after hearing that.

The contract, failed?

No, not at all. His injuries were healed and I also am alive like this. (5) And besides theres no way I can think that it failed. Because my instincts as an Earth Dragon are telling me so. That there was no failure. Yet, I wonder whats up with him not waking up. I wonder if something inexplicable happened?

But theres nothing the current me can do right now.

So I decided to wait.

Without thinking about anything, simply, waiting.

In my Dragon form, lying in front of the Fourth Knight Corps dormitory, waiting for him to wake up.

Some days later.

One week was about to pa.s.s.

But there is so much to think about, and yet I somehow became free of any thought, waiting there motionlessly till the point of resembling a rock. It did not think of this as troublesome at all.

When I came back to the castle, at first people crowded around me in a jumbled mess, totally like they were surrounding a freak show, and occasionally there were people who came to talk to me. There was the Prince and Madeleine, and also including Ariade and the other girls, however I submerged myself into silence and did not talk to anyone. I was just waiting there for the time to come, unmoving with my eyelids closed, mysteriously carrying a calm feeling.

A few days later, I dont know if it was out of consideration or because they had given up, but the surrounding people who came to visit me occasionally became extremely quiet.

Only the Prince comes to see me every day. He comes to see me any day, and talks to me.

He sits down on the ground right by my side, without worrying about getting dirty, and says while laughing, what was I talking about yesterday.

Although he should be pressed about his duties on the relations with Tiruzoto Kingdom, day after day he visits me without learning his lesson; I dont understand this Prince LeBlanche. Just by talking about matters from the past his expression is softer than usual, giving me the impression that hes just a youth thinking about a friend.

It doesnt matter if its said to be the taboo color, but that color of yours, I like it you know. Thats because thats Lutorias color.

Even if he knows there wont be an answer from me, he becomes satisfied by chatting a little as if he was talking to himself, then he goes back. Such a day-to-day continued for a while.

Well, even if its called a taboo color, in this country of Ours theres almost no prejudice against it, hey. It was called so a lot more in the old days, and such a concept is already becoming obsolete. Yet, as habits are things that are deeply ingrained, there are some people who wont think of it as good.

And its inevitable that there are also those that grow lively out of curiosity, please dont think badly of them, he says with a wry smile.

From silly talks to what is happening currently at the castle, or that Madeleine and the girls are also worried, he talks about a variety of things.

I was just listening to him talk without thinking about anything.

The Prince continues to talk without paying any mind to the unresponsive me.

I wonder if that guy is what youd call distant, he has almost no attachment to anything. This person is someone who lives in indifference to an impressive degree. Was it when we were children? After he was bitten by a wolf, he didnt raise any cry and just drove the wolf away, you know? Its funny right? I was still a small child ignorant of the ways of the world so I was crying like a baby chick at that time.

Laughing occasional, he is immersed in the old memories.

He always said he wanted to fly in the night sky. Because the dark color that spreads to every side of that sky is, the color of that guys eyes. We may say this or that, but he was probably worried about the color of his eyes being different from others. When he started to grow his bangs was about the time when he started to put more discretion into it, and it was his most delicate period. Oh thats right, there was just one thing that Lutoria had an attachment to. That was, Dragons.

Saying, I wonder about when did it start, the Prince looked up at the sky.

When we were playing in the woods after escaping the castle, we found a young, weakened wild Dragon, and we brought it back. That Dragon, was Lutorias companion Fire Drake. It was unusually quiet for being a male Dragon.

He lowered his face in sadness.

How many years have pa.s.sed since then, that one died while covering up for Lutoria. They grew up together since they were very young so it was like they were brothers; at losing one of the group he was raging for some time. But, he started to change when you appeared. In a good way. So Im thankful towards Vito. Rather than as a Prince, as LeBlanche, as Lutorias friend, I want to thank you. And, thank you for choosing him.

I dont have any memory of doing anything that requires any thanks, though.

But, please dont die. Because Lutoria has a risky side to him, so he would even sacrifice his body like he did previously.

Talking up to this point, a voice calling for the Princes name could be heard from some distance away. It should be time already.

The Prince stands up, knocks off the dirt attached to his clothes with his hand, and goes away with a Later.

Tomorrow, will he come again?

I properly understood he wanted to say. But I do not want to live even at the expense of sacrificing those existences that are important to me. Such a promise, I dont know whether Ill be able to keep it.

Even with this times matters, the cause is me. So, I also feel that I also want to protect the Captain at the expense of this body.

Im tired of just, being protected.

If Ill feel regret by not doing anything, then Id rather want to feel regret from doing something instead.

When he made some signs of having woken up I opened my eyelids and directed my sight to the balcony. The closed window and curtains were open and spread apart, and a nostalgic figure came into view.

As his eyes fell on me he laughed happily.

And then, what was he thinking? He jumped over the handrail and came falling down. Its quite high, too dangerous. As I quickly raise my body from the ground and use my back to catch him, he slides from there and goes down and stands on the ground. Maybe he couldnt keep his balance properly, for he staggered when his feet touched the ground so I used the tip of my nose to support him from behind, preventing him from falling.

[What a reckless thing are you doing!!]

As I was rebuking him he looked at me with his eyes narrowing pleasantly. (6)

Even though I thought my heart was gonna stop!

It seems Im a little dull. But somehow my body feels light, so.

[So, you say]

If you fall from a balcony and end up dying then thats the end.

As I was saying to him, Do you really understand that, in a sermon-like, vigorous tone, he says.

Because I believed Vito would catch me.

His dark eyes peek into my blood red eyes, and he laughs gently.

Welcome back, Vito

Its nostalgic seeing him after so many days, and I also feel like he got a little skinny. But his fluffy smiling face is the same as ever, and it calms my heart. Just by looking at that smile, I become serene as if a wide, vacant gap that existed in me until now became full, and at the same time it gives me a rustling heart.

[Im home]

Looking appreciative, the Captain deepened his smile.

I wonder if he was always someone to laugh so innocently. When we first met he didnt speak more often than not, let alone laughing; I believed he was a silent person, and I thought that was what was a matter of course. But recently he speaks and laughs a lot. It seems that what the Prince was saying was not a lie. If it was me, if I had an important person, but that person was lost because of me, I wouldnt be able to stand up again.

But therere no longer vestiges of his previous condition in the current Captain.

At that point, I noticed something different from usual. its obvious that his clothes would be different but, still feeling something was strange I stared at him from the top of his head to the tip of his toes, and what felt out of place were his bangs.

[Whats with the barrette?]

His bangs that are always long enough to hide his eyes have been pulled to one side and kept in place by a barrette. Therefore his pair of eyes are in plain view, and to the left side of his face, the geometric pattern that is a testament of the contract is clearly visible.

I got it from LeBlanche.

The Captain touches the barrette.

He got it from the Prince? What does that mean? And in addition to that the mark is in sight. (7) Dont tell me, he gave him the barrette, in order to show that off?

[Take it off right now. If you leave it as it is, isnt just the same as saying Im the contractor!]

Youre right. I believe LeBlanche surely had that intention when he gave it to me. But at the same time, it protects me.

[It protects you?]

This, is Alvina Kingdoms coat of arms. Only the royals and those who have been recognized by them can wield it.

The tip of the barrette has been decorated with the workmans.h.i.+p of a diminute hexagon. If you look closely, its not impossible to see the figure of a Dragon. Could this possibly be an Earth Dragon? And besides this pattern is well in place throughout the castle. Even in the Captains and the Knights uniforms, it had a slightly different shape but it was sewn into them like embroidery.

Was perhaps the Prince, by confering this to the Captain, intending to make it so that n.o.body would be able to reject him? But such a thing, does it not have the meaning of being officially recognized by the country?

[Still, it is, no good. Its no good. If I hadnt gone and formed the contract as I pleased, this wouldnt be I dont wish to cause trouble for you anymore, so, its no good.]

I have caused him a lot of trouble until now. This time its the same. I dont want people to talk behind his back like they do about me. Its enough if it only happens to me.

Why?

The Captain asks me with a curious face. I was left in a loss for words, but I cant not to say anything.

[I mean, I made the contract of my own accord without your consent? So its fine if you want to swear at me, or even hit me.]

When thinking normally, its absurd to make a contract without permission. Although common sense or absurdity may have nothing to do in such situation, for the Captain its like his whole life is being put under control. He was dragged into this by my selfish decision.

Such a thing, I hate it.

Vito, do you want to be insulted, do you want to get beaten?

[No.]

I dont have such an SM hobby. Theres no living organism thatd find joy in that. At least Im not fine with it.

But, I ended up doing such a large damage. (8)

One that is, irreparable for a lifetime.

Well then, I wont do it.

I ended up becoming dumbfounded at the answer which was returned to me so readily.

[Wh, why?]

Such a thing, dont worry about it. Rather, its me the one who should apologize. For ending up forcing you to make a contract, Im sorry.

Though you said you didnt want it so much, he says with a sad expression.

[Why are you apologizing! Although its me the one who should be apologizing!]

Certainly I did say I didnt want to do it, and I thought so too, but the decision was unmistakably made by me in the end. Thats a matter the Captain needs not to worry about.

Stroking the cheek of my downcast face gently, the Captain says.

I dont want to see you suffering so much because of me In the first place its my fault for having been so close to dying.

[Im to blame because you used your body to cover for me.]

In that case then we are even. I covered for you, and you saved me from the brink of death. Is it still no good like that?

In that case things are too convenient for me.

The Captains words continued.

And Vito chose me. That alone is enough. The one who told me for the first time that this color is beautiful, and honestly said that they liked it was you. And above all, you dyed your body in my color. Theres nothing happier than this for me. So I have no need to hide it anymore.

At being told to lift my face, I raise my down casted face only a little.

The Captain was laughing with an almost dazzling smile.

So, thank you.

Saying so, he bends down and as I think he is going to crouch down, he places a gently kiss on the tip of my nose.

At the small feeling that is transmitted from my scales, my heart became warm.

Really, hes too kind.

And besides, being hit and cursed at would appease just you. (9)

[Yes?]

Im not going to blame you for anything, so you should regret it for the rest of your life. (9)

Whats with this devil. So from now on I should always continue to be tormented for a contract I did on a whim!? Wh, what kind of person are you, Captain!

I feel the need to divert my gaze as cold sweat comes out. But contrary to his words, his mildly laughing smiling face makes me not want to look away from his eyes, thus I end up staring fixedly at him.

Think only of me, even if its in distress; dont think of anything else. Moreover, I can stop restraining myself now, right?

He stretches both hands fully and comes to hug my head as if he wanted to carry it in his arms.

Am I allowed to have expectations of getting a chance, now?

Restrain? Chance? Expectations? What the heck. As I voice this, with my eyes blinking in surprise, the Captain chuckles.

You dont believe me when I say I like you, and when I tried showing you through my actions it was all splendidly in vain. In that case, Ill try my best so that you believe me this time.

Oh dear, like? Showing me through his actions? As I try to think back on the matters of the past, there are too many things that p.r.i.c.k at my heart so I feel troubled.

Its stuff that makes me blush just by remembering them.

Maybe, those were his true feelings?

Saying that he likes me, the intense physical contact, and even when he strangely charged at me, all of it.

But I was desperately convincing myself that it was because he loves Dragons, or because he saw me as a pet. Somehow I feel that the affection the Captains sending my way is not that kind of thing. I want to think Im imagining it, but it may already be the limit to continue to avert my eyes. A part of me thinks so, somewhere within my heart.

And besides Im not as dense as not to notice it when being told so.

Nonono theres no way thats the case! Arent I being too conceited!

I mean, I dont know what I should do.

Because, this is the first time for me.

My head is confused.

[Theres no need to try your best.]

I blurt that instantly.

Ill do my best.

And he ends up saying that with a big smile.

I am no good with b.a.l.l.s that change speeds, but Im also bad with fast b.a.l.l.s; Id like to ask you to send me slower b.a.l.l.s please. (10)

As I kept on staying silent because I didnt know what to say, he said with a smile.

Because I, am strongly possessive.

His smiling face was dazzling.