Is That What You Wish Of Me?

“Will you… hear me out?”

“Is there any reason I would not?”

At Volcanion, whose expression seemed to say he had no idea what Kikori was talking about, Kikori let out a breathless little laugh.

“No, sorry. Honestly, I thought you were going to say the conversation was over already.”

“It seems mutual understanding is still lacking.”

“We only just met, after all.”

“Heh, true enough.”

After sharing a round of laughter, Kikori spoke to Volcanion of what he had been about to say earlier.

Because he felt Volcanion would understand.

“Just recently, there was a major change in this place humans call the ‘Contaminated Region.’”

“Yes, I am aware. That is likely why those goblins strayed in as well.”

“Humans call this ‘labyrinthification.’ All the routes we understood until now have been thrown completely into chaos.”

“Mm. And?”

“This place is now much closer to where humans live than it used to be. I think there is a strong chance humans will come here.”

And so, Kikori said,

“If they do not attack you, that is enough. Could you let them go?”

“I cannot.”

However, contrary to Kikori’s expectations, Volcanion immediately declared that.

It was a flat refusal without the slightest hesitation.

“…What?”

“I cannot. Any human who strays into this place will be given my flames without exception.”

“W-wait, no! Just the humans who do not attack! If it is only that, then I can tell the important people—”

“I said I cannot, Kikori.”

“Why not!?”

At Kikori’s shout, Volcanion hurled a clear feeling of rejection at him.

The pressure was so overwhelming it felt as though a wind had blown through, and Kikori could tell Orphe was trembling behind him.

“Listen well, Kikori. Let us say you negotiate with those in power among humans and obtain a guarantee that they will not make me attack.”

However, Volcanion continued.

“Am I to be negotiated with and asked to ‘please refrain from attacking’? I, of all beings? Am I to spare those fools who would look down on me and think, ‘It will not attack unless we do’? Kikori, is that what you wish of me—that I endure such insult and absurdity?”

“But if that happens, it could turn into an endless war with humans! Volcanion, you are a dragon far smarter than I am, right!? Then you should understand how important it is not to fight!”

“And where is the necessity for me to yield?”

“That…”

“You should understand, Kikori. You are not a fool. You should know full well the degree to which I regard humans.”

As he said that, Volcanion opened his mouth before Kikori’s eyes, revealing rows of vicious fangs.

“I said this to you as well, did I not? Always keep an accurate grasp of your own place. Kikori, where do you intend to stand?”