Chapter 85

In the distance, the chirping of birds could be heard. Then, the sound of a stream. And something else, as if something was riding on top of it.

"Ugh..."

Shaking my head and getting up, I found Nebel clinging to my stomach, unconscious. Had we been blown away together?

Shaking Nebel's body, I looked around to confirm. The air was dense, and there was a white mist. The smell of grass, trees, and earth was even stronger.

"Where are we...?"

"Is it...?"

"Did you wake up?"

Nebel, who had woken up, released the arms that were clinging to me and moved away.

"Where are we?"

"The place I saw in my dream."

At my words, Nebel's face changed.

"Is this the work of the one calling for Al?"

"I can't think of anything else."

Standing up and brushing off the dirt on my clothes, I extended my hand to help Nebel, who was still sitting, to stand up.

"At that time, I felt like I was being pulled from behind."

"The space behind Al was distorted, and a strange hole opened up."

We must have been sucked in there. I didn't expect Nebel to come along too... But it would be ungrateful to ask why he came. After all, Nebel said before, didn't he? He was ready to be my meat shield.

It's not just that he's ready to die in my place, but he's willing to follow me to hell, right?

Thinking about that, I remembered Hilt.

Ah, I left him behind. I could hear Hilt's voice, almost crying, as I was being pulled and Nebel clung to me.

"I did a bad thing to Hilt."

When we get back, Hilt probably won't cry in front of me, but he might cry in front of Nebel.

"Yeah, but it's better that he wasn't involved."

That's true, but...

"Nebel might have to deal with his tears, so you should be prepared for that."

"...That's unfair."

"What are you saying? That's a privilege only because it's Nebel, right?"

Hilt only cries and vents his frustration because it's Nebel. He wouldn't do that with anyone else.

"I don't like being cried to."

Nebel muttered, looking bitter.

Yeah, Hilt is reserved and reliable, so if he cries because of something I did, it would be troubling.

But Nebel won't say he'll try not to make him cry. Being with me means there are many dangers.

But if Nebel and Hilt's relationship gets strained because of this, that's not right.

"This time it was unexpected, so it couldn't be helped, but Nebel, next time, come with Hilt too."

"Eh?"

"If Hilt is with you, he won't cry. So, when we get back safely, let's apologize together. He must be really worried."

Still, what should we do now?

"My ears are ringing."

"It's because the hippogriff's roar was so loud."

The surroundings are white mist, but wait. Is this really mist?

"Nebel, let's hold hands. This mist might not be mist."

I don't want to get separated here.

"Something magical?"

"No, more simply. Maybe we're at a high altitude? I thought the ringing in my ears was from the hippogriff's roar."

The ringing in my ears might be due to the pressure. And this white mist might be clouds.

As I thought that, a bluish-white light began to float and flicker around Nebel and me.

"What is this?"

When I poked the light approaching me with my fingertips, it seemed to make a guiding motion.

It's telling us to follow.

"It seems to be telling us to follow."

Nebel must have thought the same.

"Let's go."

We decided to follow the bluish-white light.

As we followed the light, the tall trees and flowers around us gradually decreased, and the rocky ground became more prominent.

We must be at a high altitude. I was already out of breath after just a short walk.

And with each step, I felt an intense pressure.

Thinking we should take a short break due to the shortness of breath and strong pressure, the light leading us disappeared, and the mist began to clear.

"My ally, you have finally come."

Beyond the clearing mist stood a presence so strong it was overwhelming.

It was a dragon, silver in color.

A dragon... It really exists! A dragon!!

Stunned by its immense size and breathtaking beauty, Nebel and I gaped up at it, but then we snapped out of it and asked.

"Did you call me?"

"Indeed. I have been waiting for you, Albert Wilgaren Marcocius."

The voice, which sounded directly in my head, called me by the name at the top of the family tree we saw in the library with Nebel.

"That's not right. My name is Ryugen Albert A-Igel Faverwesen Lave. When I come of age, I will be Albert Marcocius."

"You are my ally, Albert Wilgaren Marcocius."

"That person died over five hundred years ago."

"The body did."

Ah, this is the type that talks as if everyone knows what they know. Often, such people only talk about themselves and have no intention of having a conversation.

"You know, but I don't. First, you should state your name. We can talk after that."

I pointed and said firmly.

"...I see."

"Yeah. So, what's your name?"

"I have no name."

No name! I thought in such situations, one should give a plausible name. And I fully understand the danger of giving a name to such a being.

"Then, let's call you Silver Dragon for now."

Just as it looks. Don't say my naming sense is the worst or anything!

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