The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go

A lot of the time, I was Cedric’s personal escort.

 “Why are there so many dragons on the southern border suddenly this time, anyway?” 

The expedition was organized in response to recent reports of an exponential increase in dragon damage and sightings in the southern border region.

 

Since the area wasn’t normally known for dragons, the defense minister sensed something needed to be fixed and suggested the expedition.

 “I’m expecting something, but I’m not sure.” “May I ask what you’re expecting?” 

James asked earnestly, and I nodded.

 “Well, the fact that the dragons came from the border, and not elsewhere, means that they were probably sent on purpose by another country.” “I guess so, huh? I guess I’m not the only one who thought that.” “And I’ll have to check on this, but these dragons may be similar to the ones that attacked the last expedition near the temple.” “You mean the ones that were enhanced by the power of that black magic?” “Yes.” 

The expedition had been organized in the first place because of the unusually high damage caused by dragons in the south, but there had been a recent increase in demon sightings elsewhere.

 

I couldn’t ignore the connection to recent events involving unregistered magical powers and wildly enhanced beasts.

 “But if you’re right… if dragons are like that, they’re extremely dangerous, aren’t they?” “That’s why I was so careful when organizing the expedition this time. There are already two Thunderbolt wielders, including you and me.” “Ah, I see.” “And we’re bringing in people who can do ranged attacks.” 

Meanwhile, having finished my lunch, I dusted off my knees and stood up.

 

James, who had also finished his meal, gulped down his water and stood up, walking toward his horse.

“By the way, Captain.” “Yes.”

“Those guys who use black magic to enhance beasts, what’s their purpose?” “Hmm… bioweapons or something.” “But aren’t they too loose for something like that? If it were me, I’d hide them and release them without the other countries noticing.” “Maybe the ones running around now are failures. Or maybe they’ve escaped due to poor management.” 

To be honest, there was so much that didn’t make sense, starting with the black magic.

 

‘Once we get to the border, we’ll see what happens.’

 

Just then, I heard Caliberne’s voice.

 [Hey, Ciel.] 

‘Yeah, why?’

 [You know, those beasts, the ones that were enhanced beyond normal.] 

Caliberne asked, sounding uncharacteristically concerned.

 [The first one was a messenger from Nemesis, and the last one, we’re not sure, but we think it was Terraum.] 

‘That’s right.’ 

 [But if that’s what this dragon is as well…] 

‘Why? Is there a problem?’

 [No, it’s just that…] 

Caliberne trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

 

‘Why, what is it?’

 [It’s weird, to say the least 

Caliberne said, her voice a little shaky.

 [Maybe not in that order, but a lion from Nemesis, a dragon from Terraum—] 

A thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

 

Suddenly, I understood what Caliberne meant.

 [The order of intellect]. 

And then.

 [You do realize that dragons are next, right?] 

That ominous thought left me speechless for a while.

  

At that moment, Cedric was in the middle of something very important.

 

Sitting at his desk, his face was as serious as ever.

 

All sorts of things were arranged in front of him.

 

A diamond necklace, a bundle of dried lily of the valley, a ring with a ruby, a diary with drawings and newspaper clippings.

 

At first glance, they seemed to have nothing in common.

 

Cedric looked at each of them carefully, etching them into his eyes. He closed his eyes and clasped his hands together in prayer.

 

‘May Ciel return safely from this expedition.’

 

As he prayed, just as reverently as he had when he had gone to receive the oracle a few days earlier, someone came to his side.

 “Wow, what’s all this?” 

Cedric frowned at the sudden interruption and opened his eyes.

 “…Don’t interrupt me, Kashuel.”

But Kashuel had no intention of leaving.

 

‘What are those?’

 

As Kashuel stared curiously at the objects in front of Cedric, his eyes caught sight of the figure in the painting.

 

The figure’s all-too-familiar features caught his attention.

 

‘Captain Minerva?’

 

The drawing was quite elaborate for a quill pen on parchment.

 

Anyone close to Cedric would recognize it and easily assume that Cedric had drawn it himself.

 “…Is he praying?” 

Kashuel asked, noticing the name

‘Ciel Minerva’

in the text of the article attached to the diary.

 

Cedric, who was staring at Kashuel, replied,

“Every year.” “Every time the captain goes on an expedition?” “Yes.” “That’s a nice gesture.” “It’s nothing compared to what she’s done for me.” 

The transparent red eyes slowly opened as he spoke.

 

‘To think those words came out of Cedric’s mouth.’ 

 

Ciel Minerva was no ordinary person, Kashuel thought again.

 “By the way, Kashuel, there’s something I want to tell you.” “Uh, go ahead.” 

Slowly, red eyes turned to Kashuel.

 “…I don’t want you to touch it unless you’re willing to take care of it.  “What?” 

Kashuel asked, narrowing his eyes, not understanding Cedric’s words.

 “What do you mean, don’t touch it?” “Did you think I didn’t know?” 

A heavy, dry voice echoed through the room.

 “You have feelings for Ciel.” 

Kashuel’s face instantly hardened in confusion at the words.

 “You, how could you…” 

Cedric’s blood-red eyes stared straight at Kashuel, who muttered in disbelief.

 

‘Strange how you don’t recognize it when you see it.’

 

I’ve seen people take an interest in Ciel over the years.

 

Most of them had either lost interest and drifted away, uninterested in anything but the Knights, or had given up on her at his unspoken warnings.

 

It wasn’t hard for Cedric, who had seen enough of them, to recognize Kashuel’s feelings.

 “I’m surprised you don’t recognize it, hovering so close to Ciel.” 

Cedric leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs.

 

Kashuel noticed that his eyes seemed to turn a deeper shade of blood than usual, as if to warn him.

 “The more ambiguous you are, the more it could hurt the other person.” 

Cedric said, his voice dry and unemotional.

 “I don’t like to see Ciel hurt, so unless you care for her like you care for your own life, stop.” 

His emerald green eyes met blood-red ones.

 

In that instant, the air in the room turned cold, as if winter had arrived.

 “I don’t want to hurt her, not anymore.” “Really?” 

Cedric asked, his eyes narrowing.

 “Because I’m still regretting being irritable and mean to her when we first met.” 

Kashuel’s sparkling emerald eyes burned brightly, as if they held a green flame.

 “I heard before we arrived in Deamant, Cedric, that you were offering your hand in marriage and a renewal of the contract in exchange for the oath you made with the Captain.” “Yes. What was that supposed to mean?” “The Captain ultimately chose to renew the contract instead of marrying you.” 

Kashuel said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

 “I suppose that means the door is still open.” “You…” 

Turning to Cedric, who was looking at him coldly, Kashuel spoke in a low but clear voice.

 “I’m not giving up just yet.” 

With those words, Kashuel turned and left the room.

 

Cedric leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, staring at the open doorway for a long moment.

 

‘Kashuel will never know.’

 

How he prayed for Ciel’s safe return from her annual expedition.

 

Cedric didn’t think Kashuel would ever know.

 

‘I don’t want to give up.’ 

 

For Kashuel, who could easily get tired of anything, those were words of determination.

 

But Cedric has been living with that determination for years now.

 

Never had the option of giving up,’

he says.

 

Staring at the diamond necklace and the lilies of the valley that glowed brightly in the transparent light, Cedric clasped his hands together again and closed his eyes.

  “Whew… is everyone okay?” 

Pulling out the sword I had driven into the dragon’s eye, I turned to the rest of the expedition.

 “Yes, we’re fine!” 

The knights on the lower part of the dragon’s body shouted and made a sign with their hands that they were fine.

 

‘Thank goodness, no one was hurt.’ 

 

To be honest, when I first encountered this dragon, I was afraid that if things didn’t go right, someone might get hurt.

 

I couldn’t ignore the possibility that it was indeed curse-enhanced, as it didn’t seem to go down after a few effective attacks.

 

So I led the party to retreat and reorganized the plan before returning to fight the dragon.

 [I’m sorry, but you got hurt as well, you’re human.] 

Caliberne’s point made my chest tingle.