The Golden Curse

After thinking for a moment, Kikori slowly shook his head.

“…They will not.”

There was no way anyone could defy it. The dragon desired it so.

Just how great was the weight of those words?

And though it could not be helped, Kikori shuddered at the fact that he himself had used those “powerful words.”

“So what I did was…”

“No, I believe your report was something that had to be made.”

Saying that, Aria let out a small sigh.

“It is just that, because of it, the ‘dragon’s influence’ has entered this Fortress City. I have no idea at all what course that will take from here.”

Dragons were strong. If such a dragon said, “Do not do this,” then naturally the choice to make was “not do it.”

But… depending on whether people took that as an agreement or as oppression… many things would change.

For example, it was entirely possible that someday a reckless argument like “the dragon must be slain” might appear.

And then, purely as a hypothetical,

“There is also the possibility that some fool will come along wanting the title of Dragon Slayer.”

There were countless fairy tales about heroes who defeated evil dragons.

In reality, slaying a dragon was a fantasy beyond fantasy, but… now that it had spoken with Kikori, it could not be said with certainty that no one would think there was an opening to exploit.

“But they cannot win, right? Anyone who would challenge something like that.”

“The title of Dragon Slayer is like a curse. It looks like radiant treasure and draws everyone in, but it is a curse that destroys those who try to obtain it. Even knowing that, there is no end to those who still desire it. It is… a golden curse.”

“A golden… curse…”

“But surely, for a while at least, no one will appear who tries to pursue something the Defense Count has forbidden.”

Hearing that, Kikori let out a breath as though reassured.

He did not want Volcanion getting angry the next time they met and asking, “Did you truly pass on my message?”

“In any case, you should go home and rest for today. You must be tired, right?”

“Yes. Thank you very much, Aria-san.”

Kikori climbed the stairs, and Orphe followed after him, but… halfway up, she turned back.

“…What is it?”

“They may not go after the dragon, sure. But will they not go after a ‘substitute’ instead?”

“Who can say. I really could not.”

“What a slippery human you are. Did you not want Kikori to hear that?”

Aria said nothing. Orphe gave a snort, then flew up to the upper floor.

Yes, Orphe’s point was correct.

If they could not slay a dragon, then to satisfy the pride of believing themselves worthy of being called a Dragon Slayer… there would surely be those who would instead target wyverns.

And if Kikori learned that, he might go challenge wyverns for Orphe’s sake.

As for Aria… she had wanted to avoid that.