Lindyss sighed as she wrapped her blanket around herself tighter. Everything around her was white, and a shivering fairy with damp hair was clinging to her neck. Lindyss kicked her foot against the black surface beneath her. How many tis do I have to tell you not to fly through clouds!?
Grimmy snorted. You can tell as many tis as you want, but if it gets too hot when Im flying, Im going to dip into the clouds to cool off. You knew what you signed up for when you wanted to tag along.
Who wanted to tag along, damnit, Lindyss said, pulling the blanket around herself tighter. She sneezed and sniffled a few tis before wiping her nose against the fabric covering her shoulder. I was perfectly happy sunbathing on a beach until you ca along and whisked away for no good reason.
Eh, when you put it that way, you make seem like Im the bad guy, Grimmy said. Im the one carrying you across two oceans like so kind of cheap transportation. Youre not even paying .
I didnt want you to carry , Lindyss said, narrowing her eyes. Weve been flying for over a day now. I havent eaten or slept or used the bathroom. What kind of transportation wont stop to let soone use the bathroom?
What, you want to just float atop the ocean or sothing? Grimmy asked. Dragons arent great at hovering, you know. Circling around at high altitudes is much easier.
Lindyss sighed. Forget it. Just hurry up and fly.
Grimmy clicked his tongue. Soones grouchy.
I have every right to be grouchy. Why are we even going to check out this devil summoning? What is a devil anyway?
A devils a being from another dinsion, Grimmy said, rolling his eyes up to look at Lindyss. They dont have conventional forms, and the rules governing their abilities are different from ours. Back when I lived in the southern continent, a group of people tried to get rid of all the dragons using devils. Long story short, those pesky people failed and everyone died, rendering the whole continent uninhabitable. Then
I rember you ntioning you destroyed the southern continent, Lindyss said, lowering her head to et Grimmys gaze.
Did I? Grimmy asked. Lets ignore the minor details, alright? Anyways, its not like I exterminated everyone. Clearly, soone mustve escaped to the western continent. How else would knowledge of devil summoning appear?
You think the person summoning devils is trying to get rid of the dragons again? Lindyss asked. It makes sense whyd you want to investigate.
Yup, Grimmy said. Who knows, it might even be soone Im familiar with.
You get along with people other than ? Lindyss asked, raising an eyebrow.
Grimmy snorted. What, you thought you were the first person I experinted on?
Im not?
No, but youre the only one that I like, Grimmy said. All the other people swore to get revenge on for so reason. Sheesh, after all I did for them too. Well, not like it mattersthousands of years have passed since then, so theyre all probably dead.
I told you hes evil, Erin whispered from Lindyss neck. Its not too late to jump off and hide in the ocean.
No, no, Grimmy said. Its far too late even if you do that. No matter where you go, Ill know where you are thanks to those souls planted inside of you.
Lindyss frowned. Really?
How do you think I found you to take with ? Grimmy asked, raising his brow.
Thats kind of creepy, Lindyss said. No, thats seriously creepy. She paused. Does that an you were just ignoring for all those years before I found Vur and t you again?
Grimmy scratched his snout. Eh, dragons are very busy individuals, you know?
Lindyss sighed. Sure. If you say so.
I wouldnt ignore you for years, Erin said with a pout.
Please do.
Erin snorted. Maybe it really is too late for you to be a good person anymore.
***
Mary sat with her arms and legs crossed, her cheeks bulging outwards like a chipmunks as she glared at Tafel. Tafel smiled at the pouting empress. Glaring at wont change the fact that you lost.
I dont want to hear that from soone as wishy-washy as you, Mary said, the tension in her face relaxing. She turned her head away and closed her eyes, her chin tilting towards the ceiling. This round doesnt count. We agreed that only Apollonia could spectate as a judge. Outsiders interfered.
You shouldve said sothing when Tafel and Alice ca into the room, Vur said. By not saying anything, you agreed to let them spectate. Besides, even if they hadnt co, I wouldve won anyway.
You wouldntve, Mary said, still refusing to et Vurs eyes. It doesnt count.
Sore loser, Vur said and clicked his tongue. Wheres your honor?
I dont want to hear that from you, cheater, Mary said, opening her eyes and pointing at Vur. You made your wife distract because you knew I was going to win. Wheres your honor? I refuse to step down as empress under these conditions.
Tafel nudged Vurs side. You want her to step down because itd be bad if you beat up the empress since youre a dragon, right? Thats what Alice said, at least.
Vur nodded. I dont like how she hurt you.
Tafel sighed. You know how I told you I have soone I want to beat?
Uh-huh.
And how you shouldnt interfere and beat them for because itd be unsatisfying for ?
Mm.
Well, shes the sa, Tafel said and pointed at Mary. I want to get stronger and beat her with my own strength. Yeah, sure, she beat pretty badly, but thats not sothing you should get mad over.
Vur tilted his head. I shouldnt get mad when soone hits you?
Hmm. Tafel scratched her head. No, thats not right. You should, but when soone beats this badly, you should let take revenge for myself unless I want you to help.
But how do I know if you want to help? Vur asked. You were unconscious.
Tafel bit her lower lip. Um, you just should?
Vur sighed and lowered his head, staring at the rose tattoo on his chest. It flashed with a purple light as Stellas voice rang out, I told you so.
Vur furrowed his brow and placed his hands on Tafels shoulders. Youre really confusing sotis.
Tafels face turned red. Well, sorry, she said, emphasizing the last syllable. But you understand my feelings, right?
Right. You want to beat her yourself.
Thats impossible, Mary said as she leaned forward and grabbed a slice of dried mango. Soone who cant fully dedicate themselves to their craft has no chance winning against .
Hey, Tafel said, furrowing her brow as she broke away from Vur. I train hard every day. Who says I have no dedication?
Mary shook her head. Your efforts will always be half of mine. You cant decide whether you want to be a magician or a swordsman. Thats why you fail at being both.
Tafel let out a long breath through her nose, clenching her hands. I might fail at being a swordsman and a magician, but at least I can run a kingdom properly.
Wow, how childish, Alice said from off to the side, her voice dry.
The tips of Tafels ears turned red, but she pretended as if she hadnt heard the guild master.
What do you an? Mary asked, her eyes narrowing. Are you trying to say Im running my empire improperly?
Thats right. Your people hate you, Tafel said. Youre a terrible ruler.
When you cant hurt her with fists, youll hurt her with words, huh? Alice asked. Is that what you ant by beating her?
My people love , Mary said as she stood up, placing her hands on her hips. She talked through gritted teeth due to the mango slice hanging out of her mouth. Look at all the taxes Ive collected.
Pardon for interrupting, Apollonia said, lowering her head, but people most certainly do not enjoy being taxed.
Mary tilted her head as she slurped up the mango and swallowed. Why not? The richer an empire is, the happier its people. The more taxes I collect, the richer the empire becos. To make people happy, I simply have to raise taxes. Whenever people complain about sothing, I can raise their taxes to make them happier.
Tafels expression disappeared off her face as she poked Vurs side. Maybe you should force her to step down.
Vur knit his brow. I dont know, he said and rubbed his chin. What shes saying makes a lot of sense to .
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