Long-Awaited Desire (6)

Combining the conversations, it seems their plan requires the magical power contained in at least three Dragon orbs.

Their goal is to use this to massacre other dragons and then establish domination of the world by a single race.

In that case, the Elder of the Red Dragons would ultimately become a god-like figure.

A visible god who reigns above the rulers—emperors and kings—of all the nations of the continent.

Well, this doesn’t really matter. Their goal will never come to fruition.

If there is one takeaway, it’s that I’ve realized the reason Dragon Lord asked me to investigate the whole incident involving Rurin’s mother in exchange for handing over the Dragon Heart.

In truth, deep in my heart, that sudden request always left me with doubts.

The Dragon Lord had said,

that there would be a hidden secret behind the events of this incident.

And indeed, there was a hidden agenda, and it made me think that the Dragon Lord was truly a Lord.

Perhaps, for some time, the Dragon Lord had realized that something was suspicious about the Red Dragons?

Dragon Lord’s lifespan was nearly over. But dragons do not die with their heart. Their brain cells simply wear out and they die.

The reason I tried to open Rurin’s heart, despite being called a “you” and facing all the hardships in the lair, was because of Dragon Lord’s request.

Of course, that was how it was at first.

But after that, it became sincere, and it’s truly amazing how fate works.

Fate itself created the bond between Rurin and me.

Anyway, whether it was his request or Rurin’s vengeance, I never intended to let it end carelessly.

Therefore, to make those who must pay the price and reflect on their actions do so, I’ll first follow their lead.

“Ugh. No… No…”

While I was organizing my thoughts, Rurin suddenly let out a moan.

Was she having a nightmare?

I grabbed Rurin’s hand in surprise. It was trembling uncontrollably.

The more I held her trembling hand, the louder the moans became.

It’s almost inevitable.

She finally knew her enemy, but still held back and fell asleep because of me. It’s natural for her to be oppressed or have nightmares, and her rest wouldn’t be peaceful.

However, immediately rushing to take revenge is never a good direction. I will avenge her, but her mother’s honor cannot be restored if it’s rushed.

So the only thing I can do right now is hold her hand tightly.

“Rurin?”

I gently shook Rurin’s body. Seeing the cold sweat on her forehead made my heart ache.

“Wake up, Rurin!”

“No!”

Unable to bear it, I woke her up, and to my surprise, she got up easily, shouting loudly as if in sleep talk.

This was definitely the first time she woke up like this since I started waking her up.

“Huh?”

Rurin woke up and stared at me blankly, then spoke with a strange expression.

Then, silence again. About 10 seconds later.

“You!”

Finally, recognizing me properly, she jumped into my arms, unlike usual.

This was also a rare occurrence. She’s not one to initiate affection.

Rurin jumped into my arms, burying her face in my stomach, wrapping her arms around my waist and stretching her legs backward.

“You, you, you! You were dying! I was so scared! I was so scared that… I cried!”

“Huh? Calm down, Rurin. It was just a dream! Your mind was unstable, so it was just a nightmare. I’m fine, okay? I’m not about to die, so don’t worry.”

“Eh?”

Rurin lifted her body again. Her eyes, already swollen, looked like they wouldn’t have time to settle, with more tears welling up in them.

“I’m really fine! I don’t know what kind of dream you had, but of course, I’m fine. It was just a dream.”

“Ugh… A dream?”

She made another strange noise and then grabbed my face with both hands. After staring at me for a while, as if challenging me to a staring contest, she finally seemed to come to her senses and rubbed her eyes gently, nodding.

“It was a dream? Ugh. But it feels unsettling! It was the first time I had such a dream. It was so vivid!”

“It’s because you weren’t able to fall into a deep sleep. The clearer the dream, the less deep the sleep. If you have worries or stress, you can’t sleep deeply, and you wake up easily, which makes the dreams more vivid and tiring. And more importantly, you’ve never had a prophetic dream, have you, Rurin?”

“Prophetic dreams? I’ve never had one! In my dreams, you’re always kneeling and doing everything I ask, but it’s never happened in reality!”

Hmm?

Is that the kind of dream you always have? If it’s Rurin, it makes sense, but still…

“Anyway, that’s the case. You’re not the type to have prophetic dreams. It’s just a nightmare, so don’t worry.”

“I see. After all, the you in my dream pushed me away. That wasn’t the real you.”

Rurin stared at me with clear eyes. After I gave her a gentle smile, she seemed to relax and sat down, fixing her hair.

“Here, drink some water. Well, it’s tea, not water, but…”

“That?”

I poured tea from the thermos. I had brought the lunchbox and thermos in my bag, so I could take them out freely since they weren’t related to summoning magic.

“Yeah. Drink it, and let’s wake up fully.”

Rurin took the lid from the thermos and looked at me. She then looked back at the lid, hesitating slightly with a cautious expression.

“But this one is hot! Ugh!”

Her sticking out her tongue reminded me of yesterday’s memory.

“Ah, the insulation isn’t that great. It’s cooled down now, so don’t worry and drink it.”

“I was thirsty after crying, so it’s true. I’ll drink it then!”

Gulp.

Without hesitation, Rurin gulped down the tea from the thermos. Then, she made a sour face.

Considering that she didn’t spit it out, it wasn’t hot. Actually, it never was hot to begin with.

“You, it’s lukewarm, so it tastes bad.”

“Well, it’s always like that.”

Seeing her discuss the taste, it seemed like she was fully awake, so I started to stand up.

Her determination not to leave my side remained unchanged, so Rurin, still holding my hand, stood up as well.

The sanctum was still quiet.

The fact that it was quiet inside meant that the sanctum outside must be very noisy.

The preparations, of course, were in full swing.

The preparations for what they plan to do with me.

“Rurin!”

“Why, Rurin?”

“Can I kill them today? I think I can do it because you’re here!”

“No, no, wait. Not right now. If we kill all the Red Dragons here, we’ll just be mass murderers. And we can’t let just us know about their shameless plan, right? The Black Dragons and Gold Dragons will learn about their plan. That will lead to clearing your mother’s name. Then, her honor will be restored automatically. Honor that was sullied by disgraceful actions! We’ll restore that honor and take revenge. Isn’t that the real revenge?”

“Her honor, you mean?”

“Yes. Just revenge isn’t enough, right? The whole world needs to know that Rurin’s mother never stole the Red Dragon’s sacred relic. We need to make sure that the Black Dragons who treated her like a disgrace can’t even show their faces.”

“That…sounds good!”

“Right?”

“But it’s hard to hold back, you know? My chest hurts, and it’s not like when you make my heart ache! The anger builds up, and I feel hopeless! That’s something I just can’t take!”

“Hmm, still, hold back. You remember your mother’s last words, don’t you?”

“Yes. She said she was framed. That’s why she left, saying she would clear her name.”

“If that was your mother’s last wish, we have to fulfill it, right? Hold on a little longer. No matter what happens, I’ll make sure you get your revenge.”

“……”

Rurin pressed her lips together tightly. She blinked, never taking her gaze off me.

“Do you understand?”

After the long silence, I opened my mouth first. Then Rurin answered loudly.

“I always know! How amazing you are! Cool! Love… Agh, forget that, I’m too embarrassed! Anyway, I’m living today because of you! Tomorrow too! And the day after tomorrow!”

“Thanks for that. But, could you live on even without me?”

“I absolutely refuse.”

Rurin answered very firmly.

We stayed inside a little longer to buy more time for preparations, and by the time we stepped outside, the sun was already setting.

At the end of the afternoon, the Red Dragons stared at us. There were still many of them. The number, which seemed to have increased compared to yesterday, was definitely not just my imagination.

They were so desperate for the Dragon orb I possessed that they would do anything to get it.

At the center of it all.

The Elder of the Red Dragons approached as soon as we came out, pushing his disgusting face close and started talking.

“Human, we gave you the time you wanted. How is it?”

It was blunt. So blunt that it actually made things easier. They must have finished their preparations for facing me, so they were coming straight at me.

I knew these guys.

They didn’t know me.

To me, who knew what their preparations were, their reactions were laughable, but I continued to play along and answered.

“Yes. I’ve decided.”

“I see? Then hand over the orb, human.”

I only said I’ve decided, but I didn’t say I’d give them the orb. They’re getting ahead of themselves.

“That would be difficult.”

I shrugged at them and refused. Since they were coming at me so bluntly, I hoped they would start showing their true selves.

“What’s the matter? You, a human, dare to play word games with the Elder of the Red Dragons!”

The explosion before showing their true form.

The Red Dragon glared at me, anger in its eyes.

We’re almost there. The moment their true form is revealed. Then I’ll push even harder.

“Word games? I just said I have no intention of giving it to you.”

“Hahaha, fool!”

Then, the Elder of the Red Dragons began laughing loudly. His laughter was contagious, and soon the other High Dragons joined in.

Yeah. This is the real them. It’s finally out.

“So you’re relying on your pitiful strength and teleportation to act so arrogantly. But listen, human! We’ve already set up a barrier that disrupts coordinates around us. Many High Dragons have been working all night. We can’t use it, but you can never escape! Try facing all of the Red Dragon combat units!”

This is also too obvious.

What they’re wary of is me running away with the orb. So, I waited for a situation where I could naturally hand over the orb, giving them enough time to feel reassured.

Yeah.

I planned to give them the orb for now.

I knew what I was going to do with the orb, so my plan was to give it to them. But I couldn’t raise suspicion, so I acted as naturally as possible.

“Y-yeah!”

I made an exaggerated gesture. It was a bit embarrassing. Well, more than a bit.

The dragons here aren’t scary at all.

The ‘me’ who couldn’t handle this many dragons was the ‘me’ from the Dragon War. That’s not who I am now.

But to them, I’m still the ‘me’ who could never handle this many.