How much ti had passed?
Drip, drip.
Rain began to fall once again across the wasteland.
Lilien opened her eyes with a start.
Am I… still alive?
Her attempt to recall what happened only made her head throb, and she winced in pain.
What… What happened…?
As she looked around, the sight that greeted her was the charred remains of knights—all of them reduced to ashes, standing frozen in death.
Swallowing dryly, Lilien forced herself to rember the final monts.
Beatrice, who had engulfed the knights in a curtain of fla, had spared Lilien’s life with a ssage to deliver.
"You found nothing."
When Lilien stamred, asking how she was supposed to explain the deaths of her n, Beatrice had coldly replied, “Figure it out yourself.”
She also warned: if they t again, she would not spare her a second ti.
It hadn’t sounded like a threat. It had sounded like a promise.
That difference in power…
Being the Dragonoid origin wasn’t just a title. Beatrice was a calamity. She was not sothing a normal human could ever surpass.
What happened to the Hero…?
After the battle, Beatrice had taken Clay and vanished into the flas.
Was he really a corpse?
Clay’s body had been too clean for an undead. And Beatrice had treated him with a peculiar care.
Maybe that was just sentint toward her own creation, but it had felt different.
Like she was treating him as soone truly alive.
Fwoosh.
The dying embers still flickered in the wind. Lilien slowly pushed herself up.
“Gghk, huff…”
She hadn’t been burned alive, but after taking multiple attacks from Beatrice, her muscles were torn and strained. Even trying to walk made her groan.
“Damn it…”
She finally managed a few steps, staggering forward.
She had no idea how long she had been unconscious, which only made her more desperate.
Her Majesty must be waiting…
Tia was probably deep in a spiral by now, still without word from her. Even though the outco was bad, she had to return.
Can I even make it back…?
Though her mind had cleared, her body was on the verge of collapse. She didn’t know how far she’d get like this.
I need strength…
Thud.
Her legs gave out. A sandstorm approached in the distance.
I must… inform Her Majesty…
Beatrice had taken Clay’s body. That had to be reported. If not, they would waste days searching for a corpse that was no longer there.
“…Lilien?” A familiar voice pierced the storm, “You? What are you doing here?”
Lilien turned her head toward the voice, and saw Nael, the beastkin warrior.
Her thick tail drooped, soaked by the falling rain.
“I, um…” Lilien didn’t know whether to tell the truth.
If she said Beatrice had taken Clay’s corpse, how would soone like Nael—who had once been part of the Hero’s party—react?
Whether it sparked grief or rage, it would surely shake Tia’s fragile state even further.
“We encountered a powerful beast. That’s how this happened.”
But if she didn’t say sothing, there was no explaining her current condition. Claiming she got lost in the wasteland wouldn’t fool Nael.
“A beast?”
“Yes.”
“There shouldn’t be any monsters out here.”
Nael glanced around with a suspicious look.
“It was rare. A massive fire-worm that burrowed underground.”
“Fire-worm?”
“Yes. Just a bit further and you’ll see the scorched earth. All the knights I brought were burned to death.”
“That’s…” Nael sighed deeply, “If I’d arrived sooner, I might’ve helped. I’m sorry.”
“No, Nael. It’s not your burden.”
“Still. Why was the royal guard even out here?”
She knew that question would co. Lilien forced a bitter smile.
“We received a report. A rare monster was sighted in the region.”
“What? No one told that.”
“Even with the Demon King dead, monsters still roam. We were on patrol to track them.”
Nael clenched her fists.
“So even after the war, the sacrifices never end.”
“Lady Nael?”
“I don’t understand what’s happening anymore.”
Lilien stared at her, then asked, “Why were you in this area, if I may ask?”
“?” Nael looked briefly surprised, then scratched her head with a sheepish grin, “Just retracing old steps.”
“Old steps?”
“Places we visited before. I figured I’d revisit them, check for any signs of trouble.”
It was a sound reason—almost too perfectly prepared, as if it were ready for soone to ask.
“Can I help you?” Nael extended her hand.
“I’d appreciate it.” There was no reason to refuse help now. Lilien let Nael lift her onto her back.
“I’ll repay this favor, I promise.”
“No need. But if you really want to repay …”
BOOM!
A bolt of lightning lit the sky.
“…Help find Clay’s body.”
For a brief mont, illuminated by lightning, Nael’s face held sothing Lilien had never seen before.
♧
Whoosh.
Above the wastelands—more precisely, over a gorge that marked the edge of the territory—a massive red dragon soared across the skies.
『It’s been a long ti since I’ve taken this form.』
Beatrice, origin of the Dragonoids.
Though born in human shape, her soul had always been that of a dragon. Upon awakening to her true nature, she had achieved full integration with that power.
『Even during my ti in the Demon King’s army, I rarely used it.』
Riding on her back was none other than Clay.
“…Beatrice.”
The rushing wind battered him as he asked,
“Am I… okay?”
So much was buried in that question, even Beatrice—a transcendent being—couldn’t fully grasp it all.
『You’ll be fine.』
It was all she could say.
They flew in silence after that. Beatrice didn’t speak again.
She knew he was still too tired to keep his eyes open.
Where should I take him?
She recalled a few locations.
That one might work…
A place safe enough for Clay to stay, and remote enough to avoid prying eyes.
Though I doubt you’ll like it.
Beatrice gave a faint smile and shifted her flight path.
Clay, eyes half-lidded, sensed the change and asked,
“Beatrice.”
『Yes?』
“You said you’d help … right?”
『This form, flying openly, is proof that I’ve chosen to stand beside you.』
It ant she had chosen to journey with him.
『So, Clay. What kind of help do you want?』
“I…”
『You said you wanted a life worth regretting. Then how far are you willing to go?』
Clay didn’t answer easily.
He wanted to act without restraint, but he had never lived that way before. So he didn’t know what would truly suit him now.
『No need to overthink it. I just want to understand how far your resolve reaches. The destination matters.』
Her wings sliced through the air with renewed force.
『If you know where you want to go, I’ll beco your wings. That much, I promise.』
“Alright.”
Clay didn’t say what he wanted to do, or what he wanted to beco. Beatrice didn’t press him.
I know you’ve already made your decision.
She thought of the Demon King she once followed.
When betrayed deeply enough… a person always ends up on the other side.
She understood that better than anyone.
But she chose not to voice that truth—not yet.
Clay was only beginning to walk this road. If she burdened him now, it would only bring confusion.
He was worth the wait.
I wonder how many will regret this.
There were no absolutes in life. When soone dies, it always creates an equal and opposite weight.
And now that the Royal Guard had been dispatched, it was clear:
Empress Tia of Ezer was already beginning to waver.
She might have acted for the sake of duty, but in the end, she was just a woman wearing a crown.
If she couldn’t bear the weight, she should never have tried to shoulder it. Especially when she wasn’t even sure if it was the right burden to begin with.
『Don’t try to take responsibility, Clay.』
Beatrice murmured like a lullaby.
『People only ever pile their burdens onto those already carrying one.』
She looked forward again.
Their destination had co into view.
It was ti to tell him.
『Welco… to the Demon King’s Castle.』
Her draconic speech echoed, and the sealed gates slowly opened.
(End of Chapter)
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