Vivian (12)

A day passed, and morning arrived.

The conclusion reached after agonizing all night.

I ultimately decided to choose the greater good.

“The World Tree must be protected.”

I was prepared for the fact that the price of this choice would be far from small.

Perhaps this incident would only further fuel Vivian’s possessiveness.

But even so, for the sake of everyone living on this land.

I could not give up what I believed to be right.

“Helix, are you leaving?”

“I’ll be right back. I’m just going to see my Wife.”

“The Empress might suspect you.”

“She’s always been a bit like that. She doesn’t know anything about you anyway, so don’t worry.”

Excellia tightly grabbed my hand as I was about to leave.

Her small hand was trembling violently.

“You have to come back… You must…”

“Yes, I’ll keep my promise. Because I am a Dragon.”

“You absolutely must come back.”

Even though I wasn’t leaving for a battlefield, Excellia was desperate to keep me from leaving.

Reassuring her until the very end, I finally left the forest and headed towards where the Imperial Army’s camp was visible.

Vivian would probably be waiting there.

“Polymorph.”

Instantly returning to my Dragon form, I began to powerfully flap my wings towards the sky.

My target was the Imperial Army’s camp where Vivian would be.

Looking down at the ground beneath the blue sky, I searched for Vivian for a long time.

‘It’s a Magic detector.’

It was clearly similar to the Magic power setting I had transmitted to the Imperial Army.

That meant this signal could reach Vivian.

‘Even if I just stay roughly in this vicinity, she might find me on her own.’

I circled the area without leaving my spot, ardently announcing my arrival to the Imperial Army.

And before long, the Empire’s Wyverns began to approach me.

A Wyvern Knight fearlessly approaching me.

He shouted towards me with a booming voice, imbued with Magic.

“O Dragon-isiyeo! It is truly a relief that you are safe!”

“Krrrrr…”

“O Dragon-isiyeo, we will guide you to where His Majesty the Emperor is! We would be grateful if you would follow us!”

I flew along with the Wyverns in the direction they were heading.

I would see Vivian after such a long time.

Lost in countless thoughts, I flew for a long while.

Kuung!!

And finally, I landed at the Imperial Army’s temporarily constructed Wyvern airfield.

I could see the Imperial Army generals hurrying this way.

And among them…

‘Vivian…’

There was my Wife, whom I hadn’t seen in a very long time.

She was still beautiful, but…

Her face was considerably gaunt.

Her eyes were filled with worry.

It was clear that she had suffered a lot emotionally during that time.

“Helix…”

She approached me with surprised eyes.

What should I say to her?

Leaving my complicated feelings behind, I stood before her.

“You didn’t really come all this way because of me, did you?”

“Of course I did… How worried I’ve been all this time.”

Vivian quickly approached and fumbled over me as if to check my physical condition.

As she did, her hand brushed my side.

“Ow… Don’t press there.”

“Helix, you weren’t hurt, were you?”

In response, I slightly lifted my clothes and showed Vivian the wound.

It had healed a lot, but a sharp pain still surged if pressure was applied.

“Good heavens, how did this happen?!”

“I was hit by an arrow.”

“You, a Dragon, hit by an arrow…?”

I didn’t miss the suspicious gaze that instantly turned towards me.

Don’t panic.

If I panicked when I hadn’t done anything wrong, Vivian would cling to the matter even more tenaciously.

“It’s true. I was careless.”

“Even if you were careless, is there anyone who could wound a Dragon with an arrow?”

“Yes, I thought so too, but it turns out there is.”

“…”

Should I mention Excellia here?

Honestly, I hesitated, but…

Vivian would, in any case, try to confirm everything that had happened by grilling me for hours right here.

In that case, it would be better to just be honest and tell her first to reduce her suspicion, even if only a little.

‘I absolutely have to hide anything about a “second partner” or whatever was said…’

Alright, I’ve made up my mind.

“Vivian, do you happen to know about the Daughter of the World Tree?”

“…!”

Vivian’s eyes widened in surprise, as if she knew something.

Oh, this isn’t good…

Having a lot of information means there’s a higher chance she’ll figure out our ambiguous relationship.

This feeling, as if I’d committed adultery even though I hadn’t cheated.

It was incredibly unfair, but for now, getting past the situation was the priority.

“Yes, I know. A little, anyway.”

“I was hit by an arrow from that Daughter of the World Tree. I was careless, but she was also an exceptionally skilled archer.”

“If it was the Daughter of the World Tree, it wouldn’t be impossible… I understand.”

“Hit by an arrow in the ribs, I crashed on the spot. And I was captured as a prisoner.”

As the story grew longer, Vivian and I walked slowly near the airfield.

The Imperial generals tried to tag along, but Vivian shot them a fierce glare, and they quickly cowered, unable to follow.

“Is it okay to treat the generals like that?”

“They were the culprits who almost made me lose you. I’ll leave them for now, but I’ll deal with all of them soon.”

In truth, the fundamental cause of this situation wasn’t the generals, but Vivian herself.

But there was no need to upset her mood here.

“Where should I start the story?”

“…”

“Right, when I opened my eyes, I was wrapped tightly in bandages.”

After that, I told her about Excellia.

From how she nursed me.

And how I met the World Tree and received a request to deal with the Termites.

And how, because of that, I hadn’t been able to find Vivian for several weeks.

“Are those bugs really that dangerous?”

“Yes, the World Tree and I both agreed. If we leave them as they are, we won’t be able to handle them someday.”

“…”

“So, Vivian, I’m going to withdraw from this war now. The biggest problem, the Holy Dominion, has already been dealt with anyway.”

Finally, I expressed my honest feelings.

“I also want to fight to save people now, not to kill them.”

“Alright, the war is mostly over anyway, so do as you wish, Helix.”

“Yes. Thank you for understanding.”

“But… I can’t allow you to continue working with that Daughter of the World Tree.”

As expected, this is how she reacts.

But working together with Excellia is the most efficient way to deal with the Termites.

“Excellia is strong. Working with her is the most ideal.”

“…”

“Still, if you don’t like it, I won’t insist.”

I took a step back for now.

I intended to grant Vivian’s wish, and in return, negotiate with her.

“Vivian, honestly, I want you to stop the wars of conquest now and put your strength into the fight against the Termites.”

“For those pointy-eared bastards?”

“No, for the future of all of us.”

For now, the World Tree and the Daesurim are merely acting as a breakwater against the bugs. If that breakwater ever collapses…

That flood would pour over us and take everything away.

“Please, Vivian.”

“Ugh…. It’s not easy to stop the conquest now and make those bugs the main enemy, Helix.”

“I know, but it’s something only you can do.”

“Only me?”

At that one phrase, Vivian’s eyes sparkled for an instant.

I don’t know what caught her attention, but this was an opportunity.

An opportunity to coax Vivian into focusing on the Termites.

“Honestly, I didn’t like the wars of conquest until now because innocent lives were being lost… But in the event of such a great crisis, it might be better for human forces to be united as one.”

“Helix…?”

“In a way, you were right. I don’t want to condone what happened until now, but Vivian might have, as a result, laid the groundwork to save this world.”

Vivian’s lips parted in surprise at my words.

She probably never imagined hearing such words from me, who had been fighting and criticizing her to death for the past few years.

“Perhaps I chose Vivian because she could fill what I lacked.”

“…”

“Because sometimes, strong power is needed to guide people onto the right path.”

Vivian said nothing in response.

But in those red eyes that met mine when she raised her head…

The venom had drained away.

The inferiority complex that had bound her until now.

That terrible knot had melted away a little.

“Haa, Helix.”

“Vivian…?”

“You always speak so beautifully.”

“…”

“I’ve finally heard the words I wanted to hear from you.”

Warak.

With tear-filled eyes, Vivian roughly embraced me.

My ribs were squeezed, and a sharp pain made me wince, but…

Still, it seemed to have worked well enough.

“Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“Where else? We’ve been for months now…”

Vivian smiled alluringly.

At the intention contained within, I recoiled like a frightened girl.

“But I’m a patient, aren’t I? I’m still in a lot of pain.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything gently.”

“No, how can you be gentle? My body moves, you know.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. I have my ways. You’re just too innocent in this regard to know.”

Thus, I was caught by Vivian’s hand, practically dragged along.

It was a small inn located on the outskirts of the city.

It seemed to have been operating originally, as various furnishings were scattered about.

Now, due to the war, people had left, and the empty space seemed to be temporarily used as Vivian’s residence.

“Your Majesty, you’ve returned early…?”

“Yes. Please tidy up the room.”

At that moment, my eyes briefly met with a maid.

“O-O Dragon-isiyeo…!”

“Oh, you’re…”

A face I’d seen many times somewhere.

Yes, it was that maid who looked very much like my face in my female form.

“Isn’t this that girl from back then? The one who was in the Imperial Palace. Right?”

“That’s right, you have a good memory.”

Was she displeased that I remembered another woman?

Vivian’s face had somehow turned pouty.

“She looks a lot like me, doesn’t she? That’s why you remember her.”

“Y-Your Majesty, O Dragon-isiyeo…”

“But your way of speaking is really awkward… Just speak comfortably.”

“S-Sorry… I’m still not used to the Imperial language…”

But why had this child come all the way here?

She was still too young to serve Vivian, and her skills weren’t particularly great either.

At my questioning gaze, Vivian hesitated a little before answering.

“Since Helix wasn’t here, I was lonely… so I kept this child close. She looks like you, after all.”

“Really? I suppose so.”

I glanced at the girl.

“What’s your name?”

“Stella, my name is Stella. O Dragon-isiyeo…”

“Stella? Are you from the Holy Dominion?”

No matter how I looked at it, it wasn’t an Imperial name.

“Y-Yes… I lived in the Holy Dominion when I was young.”

“So there was a story behind it. I won’t press further.”

A war orphan, perhaps.

I subtly looked at Vivian.

And I noticed, even if only a little, Vivian’s gaze towards the girl.

Guilt. And pity.

It certainly looked that way.

‘Someone from the Holy Dominion would have a hard time fitting in among the other maids.’

Vivian hadn’t taken that maid as her exclusive attendant simply because she resembled me.

She had extended a small act of pity.

Because if she worked under her, she could enjoy a relatively comfortable life as a maid.

‘Vivian could harbor such feelings too, I see.’

Until now, I had only thought of Vivian as unconditionally cruel when it came to war.

So much so that I had even separated Vivian into a completely different persona when it came to war.

But if she could, in her own way, feel guilt for what she had done.

If she could extend even a small act of pity.

If I could comfort and persuade her well.

Couldn’t I guide Vivian towards a slightly better path?

Isn’t that my mission as a Dragon?

“Helix, let’s go inside. The sun will set at this rate.”

“Okay.”

I was the first to tightly grasp Vivian’s hand.

At that, Vivian looked at me blankly, surprised…

And then, as if she would never let go, she likewise squeezed my hand tightly.

I don’t want to let go of this relationship yet.

Nor do I want to give up.

‘I’ll make her change.’

At the end of the dark tunnel, a small light is visible.

A light named hope.

Very small in the distance.

But it was clearly flickering.