542 541 'Those who do not want to live'




 It was not in the usual common room, but in Fialaat's private room, where few people entered. I shouldn't have pushed Fialaat when he was feverish, but I needed him to at least listen to me.

"Well, you don't want to! You don't want to die, do you?

 But the main topic of conversation today was as if he didn't want to talk.

 Brushing away his coppery red hair, Shad gives a wonderful smile.

 It's a little too refreshing for the quiet, innocent face to say.

"...... Shad.

This is not selfishness, is it? It's a natural claim. I'm not sure what you mean by that.

 I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea. It's the only time he doesn't call you by your name.

 I turned to face Shad, a little intimidated by the ruthless look he was giving me at this moment.

I'm not asking you to fight. I just need you to buy me some time. I know you wanted me to kill Zebraelis. And this is a measure you brought to me. I think it's an equal trade.

"You only want to make deals where you have an absolute advantage. I don't understand how that's an equal deal.

...... You've brought in some pretty impressive people, Rougis.

 It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

 I'm not the one who brought him here. Tell that to Kalia. He's the first owner.

 Leu, with his cloudy eyes, looked at Shad with disdain.

 It was a disgusting sight to see a quiet red-haired beauty being looked down upon by a still young girl. The girls are often together, but they don't seem to be at odds at all.

I don't understand ....... Why are you so backward? You're a dragon, aren't you? Then you're unlikely to die.

 Holding his fingers around his mouth, he searched for words. I don't think I've ever met anyone more backward and pessimistic than me. I had no idea what to say to him.

 The bronze dragon that had slain Vriligant and then destroyed the flesh of his people. That's the girl in front of me now-- Shadrapto.

 There's no doubt about it. I can see the same shade of magic in her. How is it that a being with that much magical capacity and heat can be so frightened?

 The trouble is, it doesn't seem to be an act.

"What does it matter if it's a dragon? It doesn't make any difference if it's a human or a dragon. No, dragons are much more scary!

...... I don't understand what you mean, so please rephrase it properly.

 This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your money.

 I don't want you to reject me. First of all, I wonder why Shad is so weak against Leu. I wonder if he has some kind of weakness for me.

"Well. In the end, you ex-humans don't understand, do you? Aren't humans crazy enough to risk their lives even if there's a one-in-two chance? I won't do it even if the odds are one in a million.

 The dragon said pathetically. I wonder if all dragons are like this.

 As if to blow away my gaze, Shad opens both eyes.

It's good to be human. We'll be dead in a hundred years at most! --But you dragons don't die like that. But you dragons don't die from that. You've never seen a dragon die from longevity. The longer you live, the more unfortunate your chances are. If the odds are one in a million, you may not get it in a hundred years. What about two hundred years, or a thousand years? You may eventually die of inevitable misfortune. Such a less-than-perfect probability is synonymous with death, isn't it? Shouldn't you try to be perfect then?

 Perhaps this is not a spur-of-the-moment thought. It's a much smoother tone than Shad usually uses in his spur-of-the-moment speeches.

 But it was a view of life I hadn't considered. It's a stark reminder that she and I come from different species.

 In fact, it was a miracle that we were even talking to each other in human form right now.

 Shad is certainly too timid to be a coward. But it wasn't because she was afraid, it was because she had her own ideas.

 Thinking about it, the dragons that once reigned in the heavens with their vast floating castles are now nearly extinct. Now, in this land, the dragon species is definitely on the verge of extinction.

 In fact, her overly pessimistic thoughts were probably natural for the species.

 As Leu and I rolled our eyes in bewilderment, Shad proudly opened his mouth.

"So, I hope you guys can do it this time! I'm sure you'll be able to handle a half-dozen or whatever!

"......



 My head is starting to hurt. If the jewel Agathos were still around, he would have been spewing venom. Whatever the occasion, he was dependable.

 I narrow my eyes for a moment. He thought he had regretted her as much as he could, but there was still a trace of pain in his heart.

"Well, let's look at it this way. Shad.

 It was Fialaat who opened her mouth to replace my thoughts, which had moved in a different direction.

 His dark eyes were tinged with fatigue. I'm sure the fever hasn't completely worn off yet, even though it's gotten better.

If we can't defeat the great demon Zebraelis, then the world will spin the way you fear Althea wants it to - and will she tolerate you?

 No, she won't. Althea's main goal is to unite the continent through faith. For him, demons are just a stage set to unite humans.

 It's obvious what happens to a device when it's done.

 Shad sank into a sitting position and tilted his head. The timid look in his eyes has faded.

What you're suggesting is fatally flawed. Suppose I could help you here and take care of Zebraeliris. So--who's going to kill Althea in the end?

 As long as it all ends there, Shad said, there's no point in betting.

 It doesn't matter how well you're doing on the board, all it takes is that monster to turn it upside down.

 Better to be on the run and out of sight than in conflict.

 She may have destroyed Vriligant, but I killed her. Maybe, just maybe, Shad will be let off the hook.

"....... That's a low probability, of course. Still, you don't want to run out of patience and die in vain, do you? Althea must be looking over the board with plenty of time on her hands right now.

 As soon as Shad finished, it became difficult for both Fialat and Leu to interrupt.

 Her words were backed up by experience. Her words were not as thin and light as they had been in the past. Especially Fialaat, who had seen it in the Great Temple of Flimsulat.

 As good people at heart, they may be able to persuade someone, but they can't seduce them.

 I was the opposite of them.

"No, you can't afford it. Althea's in a hurry.

"Yeah?

 I said, looking straight into Shad's eyes.

 He formed the words in his head and lifted his cheeks.

"Althea's plan is this. Hunt down humanity with demonic powers, rescue them from their confusion and grief, take them on faith and rule them--but look at the present. Most of humanity is united, but not grieving. His assumptions began to be distorted long ago.

 How many people are left in King's Landing to say, "Long live the Great Satan.

 Althea's plan was right up to the point where the demons and monsters appeared and slaughtered humanity helplessly. But what comes after that must be unforeseen.

 The demons that once felled cities and destroyed heroes with a single smile - Drigman the Controller, Junerva the Poisoner, Labur the Gear, Agathos the Jewel.

 They are lost, and yet humanity has not lost hope. They are looking forward to the day when they will be able to fight the demons.

 And now, even the great demon Vrilliganth is lost to Althea.

 Mankind is no longer in the misery it once was. It's not the same as the time when all the famous nations collapsed and we were trapped in a part of the continent.

If Zebraeliris, which was designated as the Great Satan by the Great Patriarchate, is destroyed by the heraldry, there will always be people who will turn to us. That's why we have to come forward. That's what he hates the most. Hey, Shad. In all probability, when's the next time an opportunity like this rolls around? It might not happen again until you're dead.

 Shad wrinkles his brow and bites his nails.

 His gaze was not on me, but somewhere in the distance. Apparently, he thought it was worth a thought.

 His claws and teeth clicked together, and after a few seconds of deliberation, Shad said.

"Then we have a deal.