Camille (15)

Since that day, many things have changed.

The most noticeable change occurred in the Empire.

[Breaking News! The Final Victor of the Imperial Succession Struggle Has Been Decided]

[The 13th Empress, Vivian, Emerges as Successor with the Emperor’s Full Support.]

[Who is the 13th Empress Vivian?]

The media in each country focused all their attention on Vivian, who had appeared like a comet.

Empress Vivian, who was born out of wedlock and seemed to have no backing whatsoever.

Yet, she had defeated all the formidable candidates and seized imperial power.

However, there was something even more surprising.

She had even reduced the Emperor of the Empire, a symbol of absolute power, to a mere puppet.

I suspect she might have used Geas on the Emperor.

[Will the Empire’s Expansionist Policy Become a Reality?]

[Anti-Empire Alliance Launch Becomes a Reality]

[What is the Holy Dominion’s Response?]

Neighboring countries grew tense with the emergence of the new power.

This was because Vivian, upon seizing imperial power, had publicly announced an aggressive territorial expansion policy.

“From now on, our Empire will stop at nothing to reclaim the status befitting its national power. In this process, armed conflicts may inevitably occur. However, we will endure it all. Everything is for the future of the Empire!”

It was not merely a one-time statement intended to create tension.

As proof, Vivian began to push for a powerful military buildup project.

Raising funds from foreign countries by selling national bonds.

Massive investment in the defense industry.

And even expanding military resources through large-scale conscription.

Coincidentally, the Empire was the country where magic engineering was most developed in the entire world.

The foundation for building a powerful military force at any time had already been laid.

“The movements within the Empire are unusual.”

“Indeed, we must be prepared for a preemptive strike.”

Some elders of the Holy Dominion advocated for a preemptive strike as a preventive war.

However, that was merely the opinion of a few, and the majority tended to question why they should bother starting a war.

Even the Holy Dominion, as obsessed as it was with Dragon worship, would not rashly start a war.

“I’ll go to the Empire myself and try to talk. Let’s decide on war after that.”

Though I was displeased, it was I who had released Vivian.

I also had a responsibility.

I had to resolve this issue in some way.

“However, Dragon-isiyeo. Going to the Empire alone is too dangerous.”

“Indeed, we don’t know what the Empress of the Empire might do…!”

Despite the elders’ dissuasion, my resolve remained unchanged.

“Think carefully. If war breaks out, it’s your families who will die, not me.”

“Dragon-isiyeo…”

“Don’t worry too much. It’s true that the Empire has a strong military, but they can’t capture me. As you all know, I am a Dragon.”

However, a more difficult task remained than persuading the elders.

It was persuading Camille.

“No. I absolutely cannot allow it.”

“Camille, the Empire can’t do anything to me anyway. Do you think it’s possible to arbitrarily capture a Dragon?”

“Even so, no. If you go, I’ll really get angry.”

Camille’s vehement opposition wasn’t simply because of the Empire’s danger.

“Helix, are you trying to defect to the Empire after all this? Tell me honestly.”

“Haa, that’s impossible. I’ve lived here my whole life. I’m used to this country’s language and food. Even if it weren’t for you, abandoning everything and leaving for another country isn’t easy, you know?”

“What? So you’re staying here because you like the Holy Dominion, not because of me?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Camille is not in a normal state right now.

She was suffering from what is called ‘delusional jealousy’.

Camille no longer trusts me.

She is convinced that I could go to Vivian at any time.

“Camille, you always used to trust me completely just by looking into my eyes. Can’t you trust me anymore?”

“I trust you, but I can’t trust the current situation.”

“…”

The reason Camille became like this was, of course, because of Vivian.

The series of events that occurred at Vivian’s mansion that day.

That incident had etched a bitter lesson into Camille’s heart.

‘Fortunately, Vivian’s Geas was incomplete, so it only ended in an attempt…’

Next time, I might truly be taken away by Vivian.

Camille seemed to have been quite shocked by that.

Indeed, it wasn’t unreasonable for her to think that way.

To wield Geas, the strongest mental magic, in just two years.

How much stronger must she be now, with even more time passed?

Even I couldn’t dare to estimate her potential.

“Anyway, don’t go. Absolutely not.”

“Camille, if I really intended to betray you, I would have done it long ago. I’ve endured all your unreasonable demands until now. Isn’t it a bit too much to doubt me now?”

“I know… but I’m anxious.”

Despite my efforts, Camille’s anxiety grew worse day by day.

The act of having the Dragon’s Priestesses, whom she cherished so much, embrace me had virtually stopped.

It was something I desired so much…

But I didn’t wish for it to happen this way.

Camille was always like that.

She changed not because of me, but because of Vivian.

“Camille, if I can’t properly persuade Vivian, a war will break out. Then everyone will lose someone precious. That could even be someone precious to you.” “…”

“The Dragon’s Priestesses you cherish. Do you think they won’t get caught up in the war?”

“I don’t want that…”

“Right, so let me go. I’ll try my best to persuade Vivian.”

I don’t know what Vivian is relying on to bare her fangs at the Holy Dominion, where I, a Dragon, reside.

However, Vivian is more cunning than I had imagined.

She might exploit an entirely unexpected weakness to try and bring this country down.

“Hmph, fine… I’ll allow it.”

“You’re trusting me?”

“Yeah, but don’t go in your male form. I don’t even want to imagine that Empress getting horny and clinging to you.”

She wants me to go in my female form, not my male form?

Well. This much was a perfectly acceptable condition.

“Alright, then I’ll stay in my female form.”

“No, no, don’t even use your female form. That’s a privilege only I’ve seen until now, and I don’t want that woman to see it either.”

No, what am I supposed to do then…?

“Alright, if you don’t like that either, I’ll just go in my Dragon form.”

“No, if you’re going to talk to the Empress there, you’ll have to be in your baby Dragon form, won’t you?”

“Well, I suppose so?”

In my adult Dragon form, I can’t even enter buildings.

If I spread my wings once, everything would collapse.

“If that Empress starts talking weakly again, you’ll surely soften up and allow her to touch you. It’s horrible to even think of her touching you with those blood-stained hands.”

She just hates everything, doesn’t she…?

It looks like I’ll be asking for Camille’s permission until dawn.

“Can’t you just Polymorph into something like a cricket?”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

She seems to think Polymorph is some kind of invincible, all-purpose transformation technique.

Polymorph was originally a magic created by Dragons to imitate humans.

Naturally, transforming into something like a cricket is impossible.

“Then just don’t go. The very idea of you going to that woman is too horrible.”

“Please, Camille, just trust me…”

Once, I wanted Camille to look solely at me.

However, I didn’t wish for her to be anxious in this way.

And then.

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

Only when Camille felt anxious…

Would she look solely at me.

That was the best way to deal with her.

It was the moment the seed of prejudice towards her sprouted within me.

*****

As time passed, the situation worsened.

[Breaking News! The Empire Demands Former Eastern Territories]

[Declares willingness to wage war if no progress in negotiations within a week]

[The Holy Dominion Remains Silent]

The Empire’s movements were much faster than expected.

It strongly expressed its will to claim its former territories from neighboring countries, even threatening war if the territories were not relinquished.

There was no time.

I had to meet Vivian quickly and stop her.

“No, I will never allow it.”

“I didn’t come here today to ask for your permission. This is a notification.”

“Are you really going to do this? Are you going to abandon me and go to that woman?”

“Camille, there’s really no time for this. We have to stop the war.”

Despite Camille’s vehement opposition, I had no intention of changing my mind now.

If Vivian truly intended to wage war…

I had a responsibility to stop it.

After all, I had contributed significantly to her becoming the ruler of the Empire.

To be frank, if I had killed Vivian first, things wouldn’t have escalated to this point.

But I couldn’t do that.

Because the memories I had built with her had suddenly held me back.

“Dragon-isiyeo, at least take an escort with you.”

“Hmm, I’m sorry, but if the Empire’s people try anything foolish, they’ll just be a hindrance. It’s better if I go alone.”

The elders suggested taking an escort of 500 knights, but I immediately refused.

No matter how excellent 500 knights might be, they wouldn’t be able to extract me from the heart of the Imperial army.

There was a possibility that they might instead become hostages of the Empire, becoming tools for Vivian to manipulate me as she pleased.

“Camille, I’m going now.”

“Hmph.”

Camille, perhaps angry that I wasn’t doing as she wished, didn’t even speak to me.

Yes, perhaps this was better.

If she had cried and clung to me, my heart might have truly weakened, and I might have changed my mind.

“The Empire has sent a letter stating they will open their airspace for one day.”

“How incredibly devoted of them.”

The Empire is originally a country that is very restrictive regarding its airspace.

Even when foreign dignitaries visited, using flying means like Wyverns was unthinkable.

But for me, they made an exception.

“Dragon-isiyeo, the moment the Empress shows any strange signs, you must immediately leave.”

“I know. Stop talking so much. My ears are going to bleed.”

The elders repeatedly urged me.

Their nagging was annoying, but I understood their concern.

They had already received information that Vivian had turned the Emperor of the Empire into her puppet with Geas.

The Emperor of the Empire was a swordsman with martial prowess close to the pinnacle, not only within the Empire but across the entire continent.

Of course, even so, placing humans and Dragons on the same level was inherently ridiculous…

“Do you intend to fly there yourself?”

“Of course I should. Isn’t it a bit funny for me, a Dragon, to ride a Wyvern?”

“Still, it’s quite a distance…”

“It’s fine, I said. If it gets too tiring, I can just rest midway.”

I plan to fly directly to the Empire Capital in my adult Dragon form.

“I’ll try to talk to Vivian as much as possible, so at least for now, don’t provoke the Empire yourselves.”

“Yes, we also wish to avoid this war.”

In truth, this war was one that the Holy Dominion also wished to avoid.

Even for the Holy Dominion, with all its national power, a full-scale conflict with the Empire was not an easy decision to make.

Because in such clashes between great powers, there would inevitably be no victors, only losers.

Even the elders of the Holy Dominion, who usually hesitated to put me forward, sent me off without a word of complaint this time, which showed how serious the situation was.

“I’ll be back soon. In the meantime, everyone, please do your best in your respective positions.”

“Of course, Dragon-isiyeo. May your journey be peaceful…”

Woowoong!!

Simultaneously with Polymorph, I returned to my adult form.

Receiving the farewells of the elders and the Holy Knights…

Thus, I set off on my journey to the Empire.