Camille (18)

A month had already passed since I started staying in the Empire.

It was far, far past the originally promised return date.

But Vivian showed no intention of letting me go.

“Helix, try this too.”

“I’ll eat it myself…”

“Come on, open wide~”

“…”

During my stay in the Empire, I had eaten every single meal with Vivian.

Today, as always, Vivian had prepared a table full of meat-based dishes that I would like.

Unlike Camille, her eating habits were similar to mine.

This was because the Imperial citizens generally preferred meat-based meals.

“This meat is super delicious, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is.”

“You can’t eat stuff like this in the Holy Dominion. Eat lots and lots.”

Honestly, Imperial cuisine was more delicious than the Holy Dominion’s.

The Holy Dominion religiously frowned upon extravagance, so they avoided putting too much effort into cooking.

Of course, I, being a Dragon, was an exception, but…

The Holy Dominion itself wasn’t a country where cuisine was particularly developed.

“Helix, people in the Holy Dominion don’t seem to eat much meat, do they? It’s not like they’re a poor country.”

“Yeah, that’s true. They eat cheese more than meat.”

It was the same when I stayed at Derek’s house before.

Minimizing cooking and focusing on vegetables, cheese, fruit, and plain bread was the basis of Holy Dominion cuisine.

Given this, it wasn’t actually that strange for Camille to insist on only eating greens every day.

“By the way, Helix.”

“Hm?”

“Your cute child form is nice, but couldn’t you return to your original form soon?”

“No. I’ve already done so many things to feel sorry about to Camille…”

The promised time was about two weeks, but a month had already passed.

Although I contacted her directly via Magic Communication every time, Camille had been furious for a long time.

I was utterly exhausted from trying to appease her every night.

“Why feel sorry? That woman is really funny. Frankly speaking, if a war breaks out, isn’t it her people who will suffer? Helix is just trying to prevent that.”

“…”

It felt strange to hear such words from Vivian, who was actually trying to start a war.

However, I couldn’t deny that it scratched an itch for me.

“Vivian, I’m thinking of going back soon.”

“How about staying for another month?”

“No, I’m already two weeks late from what I promised. Camille will literally kill me.”

Honestly, at this point, I’m scared to even return to the Holy Dominion.

The moment I return, I’ll have to be prepared to be completely torn apart by Camille.

It’s a good thing I’ve been showing her that I’m maintaining my girl form through Magic Communication.

“Vivian, won’t you promise me now? That you won’t start a war.”

“Hmm…”

Vivian didn’t answer and merely stroked her chin.

Her expression was one of deep thought.

I unconsciously gulped.

“Alright, I won’t start a war.”

“Really?”

I involuntarily raised my voice and sprang to my feet.

“Helix, the sincerity you’ve shown me for a month has been well received. So, I should make a concession now too.”

“Thank you, Vivian!”

“Thank me for what? I had already given up on war the moment you came to me directly anyway.”

Vivian playfully wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me into an embrace.

Normally, I would have immediately slapped her back, but I felt like I should let it slide this one time.

“But Helix, I also need at least some justification to appease the Imperial citizens.”

“Ah… that’s true.”

Vivian was right.

The Empire had currently bolstered its military power at the cost of its future in preparation for war.

If she were to say now that she had talked to a Dragon and would stop the war…

Ultimately, Vivian would just be ousted from power, and someone else would take her place.

“So, how about this? You, Helix, make a promise. That you will never attack the Imperial army.”

“Why would I attack the Empire?”

I didn’t understand Vivian’s words.

I wasn’t some evil Dragon from legends…

Why would I attack the Empire?

“Unless the Empire starts a war and invades the Holy Dominion first, I would never do such a thing.”

“That’s right, I think so too, of course. But do you know this, Helix? While they outwardly regard you as a great being, inwardly they are more focused on the title of ‘Guardian Dragon of the Holy Dominion’.”

“…”

“They are obsessed with the idea that if a conflict arises with the Holy Dominion, the Dragon might attack the Empire. We need to alleviate that.”

Honestly, it was a bit shocking.

To think the Empire saw me that way.

But in a way, I understood.

They knew nothing about me.

The fear of the unknown. That shouldn’t be overlooked.

“So, Helix, you understand what I mean, right?”

“You need official proof…? Official proof that I will never attack the Empire.”

“Exactly. If the Imperial citizens gain something from this negotiation, they’ll be somewhat convinced.”

I nodded at Vivian’s words.

To negotiate, there had to be something given in return.

I had expected her to make unreasonable demands, like giving up territory from neighboring countries…

This was an incredibly merciful condition.

“Is that really enough…?”

“Yes, that’s enough. However…”

“However?”

“Promise me with a Geas. That you will never attack the Empire, nor its people.”

Geas.

The strongest mental magic that absolutely dominates another’s mind.

This Geas had one more use.

It was an absolute oath placed upon oneself.

Not dominating another’s mind, but dominating oneself.

In fact, this was the original purpose for which Geas was created.

“A Geas…?”

“Yes, you’ll have to do that much. We need a definite promise strong enough to convince the Imperial citizens. It also has strong symbolic meaning.”

It was said that in the past, other Dragons also swore oaths upon themselves through Geas when making truly important promises.

Vivian seemed to be referring to that.

“Is it difficult?”

“No, I can certainly cast a Geas. However, I can’t give you an answer right here and now.”

“Are you going to consult with the Holy Dominion?”

“Yes, I think I should. It’s not a matter I can decide on my own.”

“Well, alright. Then talk it over well and make your decision.”

Vivian nodded, as if she had expected all of this.

Was it really just a pure intention?

Her natural reaction made even a shred of my doubt fade away.

*****

That night.

I summoned several Elders of the Holy Dominion via wireless communication.

Naturally, it was about the negotiation with the Empire.

“Excluding the Geas, it’s an offer that’s not bad for us at all.”

“Yes, the Geas is the only part that concerns me.”

“Well, isn’t there much to worry about? For the Dragon-nim to actively participate in a war is sacrilege in itself. It was a problem we were supposed to solve among ourselves from the start.”

Was it said that too many cooks spoil the broth?

The discussion, which had started quietly, gradually grew more heated.

“The Empire is undoubtedly afraid of our Holy Dominion. I believe they offered these conditions just to get official proof that the Dragon-nim won’t attack.”

“Oh, isn’t that too naive a thought? There must be a reason why those belligerent Imperial bastards would put a leash on themselves!”

“But if we don’t accept this negotiation, the justification will shift to the Empire’s side. It could even lead to a situation where our Holy Dominion is perceived as wanting war.”

The Elders engaged in a fierce debate.

Everyone’s words sounded plausible, making it difficult to find common ground.

Unable to watch any longer, the eldest Elder, who had only been coordinating opinions from the center, stepped forward directly.

“O Dragon-nim, isn’t there some loophole when casting a Geas?”

“There is. That’s why I’m going to propose a dual contract to Empress Vivian.”

At those words, a glint appeared in the Elders’ eyes.

“Such a method existed?”

“Yes, in exchange for me not attacking the Empire, she also won’t start a war. If she breaks her promise, my Geas will be nullified.”

I wanted to trust Vivian completely…

But she had a history of trying to subdue me with a Geas once before.

So, it was necessary to have at least a minimal safety measure.

“Oh, if such a method existed, there would be no need for such a pointless debate!”

“That’s right. Our concern was the Dragon-nim unilaterally taking on the Geas oath. If there’s room to break it, there’s no need to worry.”

The atmosphere quickly moved towards finding common ground, making the previous debate seem ridiculous.

At that moment, Camille, who had been silently observing the situation from the beginning, opened her mouth.

“No, don’t do it.”

“Saint-nim, why not?”

“It feels ominous. There must be a reason why that woman is doing this. So, absolutely don’t do it.”

There was no reason convincing enough to persuade everyone.

Camille just kept repeating “no.”

Of course, one could never ignore a woman’s intuition, but…

This wouldn’t convince the Elders of the Holy Dominion.

“Saint-nim, this is a matter of war.”

“You don’t know how cunning that Empress is. She’s trying to take advantage of Helix’s innocence.”

“…”

The Elders didn’t openly refute her, but their eyes showed distrust.

In truth, ever since Camille’s jealousy had flared up, she hadn’t been able to properly carry out state affairs.

They had no room to argue if they thought her judgment was clouded by jealousy and the fear of losing her husband.

“O Dragon-nim, this time, please listen to our words, not the Saint-nim’s.”

“That’s right, this is a golden opportunity to avoid war.”

The Elders’ opinions converged.

In fact, my heart was also leaning towards casting the Geas.

It was just Camille’s reaction that I was wary of.

“I clearly warned you. Don’t negotiate.”

Camille’s softly uttered words.

My heart wavered for a moment at her words, but…

This was the last chance to avoid war.

There was no choice from the beginning.