The White Dragon's Precious Friend ③

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

In front of Lauri’s corpse lying on the ground, I shed tears and apologized over and over.

If I hadn’t rushed at him in panic, he wouldn’t have fallen off the cliff.

If I had stretched out my foreleg sooner, I could have grabbed him.

Everything… It’s all my fault.

“Lauri… Lauri…”

Gently placing bloodstained Lauri on my foreleg, I whisper his name.

The first and only human friend I ever had.

Even as he fell down the cliff, he looked at me and smiled.

He told me I’d be his “friend forever.”

He, so dear to me, is no longer in this world.

But.

“Lauri… always… let’s be friends forever, okay…?”

I slowly bring my face closer to Lauri on my foreleg.

So we never, ever separate.

To protect him forever.

So.

–I became one with Lauri.

“…!?”

At the same time, an irresistible impulse rose up inside me.

My whole body began to shout all at once.

“Give me more,” “More of this sweet fruit.”

I couldn’t forgive it.

I had spoken to be with my precious friend forever, but my body kept crying out such cruel things and wouldn’t listen at all.

But I couldn’t resist—it was agonizing, heartbreaking, aching, thirsty, maddening.

I went to Fafnir for help.

“…!? Lindwyrm, you…”

She stared at my mouth and murmured.

I had Lauri in my mouth, and my body is white to begin with, so of course the red of blood would stand out.

“Ah… I was just a bit hungry, so an animal, you know…”

A lie spat out on the spur of the moment.

I understood. That eating humans is taboo for dragons.

Still, I chose to be with Lauri.

So it would be presumptuous to ask Fafnir for help.

After that, I parted ways with Fafnir and withdrew to the northern edge.

To suppress the craving that welled up inside me.

To resist the body’s temptation that cried, “Devour all humans.”

My will returned to nothing in just five years.

At this point, the only remaining means was for Fafnir to stop me.

She had been waiting for me on Mount Baldia for that reason.

But… even Fafnir couldn’t stop my hunger-driven self.

I found a town where many humans lived, and then—

—I devoured the humans.

“No… I don’t want this…”

Having come to my senses, I held my head in the forest far from the human town and trembled.

I couldn’t forgive the mistake I had committed.

I couldn’t forgive myself for doing something irreversible.

And yet I couldn’t stop that self.

Moreover, even Fafnir, whom I believed would be the only one to stop me, couldn’t stop me.

If this continues, I’ll keep eating humans as my desires lead me.

“GROOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRR!”

I scream into the night sky.

Begging someone to kill me.

So I won’t be allowed to eat any more beloved humans.

Maybe that wish was heard.

From beyond the night sky, a Black Dragon… Fafnir came.

So I provoked her with all my might.

Because I thought that would make Fafnir kill me without hesitation in her anger.

Because that way my dear kin wouldn’t have to suffer.

And Fafnir brought three humans and a single mystical beast.

Two tiny little children, one girl. And a white wolf too.

I recognized that white wolf.

The small wolf pup Lauri had found in the forest. It grew so big.

Then one of the children prepared a stage for Fafnir and me to fight on.

It was so overwhelming that even I, a dragon, was taken aback.

Even if Fafnir couldn’t defeat me, that child could.

Having that certainty eased my heart a little.

And… the fight between Fafnir and me began.

But, as expected, I was stronger, and if things continued she’d be hurt and fall.

I didn’t want this to happen, but my body refused my will.

“Eliminate all who interfere with the chewing of the sweet fruit….”

As if it were telling me that.

So I spoke spitefully to provoke Fafnir into rousing herself.

How wicked a dragon this Lindwyrm is.

Then.

“Hey… say something. Tell me. …What do you mean you killed my father, jeeeesusss!”

I never imagined he would be Lauri’s child.

I see… he got better from the medicinal herbs I gave him and grew this much. I’m truly glad.

All the more reason I must be defeated spectacularly.

So that Lauri’s child’s sorrow might be soothed, even a little.

Perhaps my wish reached them.

Fafnir’s fangs seized my throat and wouldn’t let go.

Now… just a little more.

In just a moment, I’ll be felled by you.

I mustered my strength and lifted Fafnir up.

What will you do? If this continues, you’ll be slammed onto the stage, you know?

So—gathering my last strength.

“G-g-gah, gah!?”

Thank you…

With this, I won’t have to eat humans any more…

Fafnir, Lauri’s son, the wizard’s child, and the white wolf Lauri picked up are all staring at me.

Oh, don’t look at me like that… I’m a bad guy, so don’t stare.

“Th-that’s what you get! Because you killed my dad… my dad, that’s why this happened to you!”

Yes, yes… hate me like that and be even a little saved… but why are you crying so much?

“Lindwyrm… tell me. Why did you eat Henrik’s father? Why did you call someone who was supposed to be your friend a ‘traitor’…?”

The wizard’s child asks such an unpleasant question.

There’s no way I can answer that.

He had always called me his friend, but it was I who misunderstood and betrayed him.

I wanted to be with Lauri forever, so I ate him.

Ah… is it almost time to part?

Fafnir always acts tough and haughty, but she’s actually lonely, so I’m a bit worried.

But… I’m sorry, okay?

I can no longer be by your side… I tell myself.

“I will always be Lindwyrm’s friend.”

Ah…

Ahhh…

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah…

Lauri inside me said it.

Even now he still calls me his friend…

Eh… ehe… I’m happy, you know…

Hey… Lauri…

Let’s stay together, forever and ever…

Because—

—we are friends forever.