Ceres starts to calm down after bawling for a while, and a soft smile forms, starting from her red swollen eyes.
She looks pretty refreshed after crying so much.
“You had to see something so embarrassing…”
“I told you it’s not embarrassing.”
“You did.”
Tiltue corrects Ceres.
Between this and how she plays with Snow, this girl can actually be pretty caring.
Luna is more like she does anything that’s fun to her, but Tiltue tends to watch people around her.
She’s grown.
I kind of feel like a parent.
And I also feel like what just happened shortened the distance between her and Ceres.
“By the way, how long have you been here?”
“For about a week. When I came to, I was alone in a nearby forest, and Mister Graham saved me when monsters attacked.”
“I see.”
So not really the same time as Zephir?
Edinburgh only got here recently, so there really is a strange time difference between everyone.
“I knew this was the Faraway Island, but the monsters here are so far from what I know, that I couldn’t do anything by myself…”
“That makes sense.”
And so, they decided she would stay here until she learned more about this island.
Monsters with no intelligence won’t get near where the ancient dragons live, so she was brought here because it’s safe.
Other ancient dragons besides Graham visit her from time to time, and treat her kindly.
“They’re kind?”
Tiltue doesn’t look convinced.
Young ancient dragons tend to be pretty exclusionary, and don’t have much interest in those weaker than themselves.
I’m also a little surprised to hear they’re kind to Ceres.
“Ah, yes. Maybe it’s because I mentioned your name, Mister Arata…”
“Ah, I see.”
“Those people…”
I guess knowing me might make everyone get along.
“But then why didn’t Graham come over to my place?”
“That’s probably because I had a fever, and he has been looking after me.”
Apparently she was down for a few days after Graham saved her.
She muttered my name in delirium, and Graham and the others decided to look after her until she was feeling better.
And the day after she recovered, she finally explained things to them, and…
“Ah, that means we just missed each other.”
“Probably.”
And I’m sure he’s going to my place.
What bad timing…
“All right then, I guess we’ll go back.”
We might miss each other again, but if we stay here, it’s going to get dark.
Worst case scenario, I’ll just come back tomorrow. At least that’s what I’m thinking, but…
“Hum, can I come along?”
“Eh? That’s…”
Won’t Graham get worried if we do miss each other and he sees she’s gone when he gets home?
That’s what I’m thinking, but it’s hard to say no when she’s looking at me like that.
“I guess it’s fine.”
“Tiltue?”
“I’ll just tell someone that lives nearby. Hold on, I’ll be right back.”
Tiltue says before leaving.
It’s crazy that this is the same person that got teary eyed at the idea of talking to other ancient dragons.
“Tiltue is a nice girl.”
“She is. People on this island are strong, but this place is full of good people.”
Come to think of it, she called me god incarnate, but there are plenty of people here who are like gods, like Suzaku and the great spirits. Will that be all right?
“By the way, your two friends…”
“…I’m sure they’re all right.”
I let that slip, and immediately regret it. She knows very well how dangerous this island can be.
She got separated from her friends, so it’s hard not to imagine the worst case scenario.
And yet, she’s looking at me with a smile.
“They’re much stronger than me!”
“I see.”
I get right away that she doesn’t mean strong as in strong in a fight.
She really trusts them.
…But we still should find them quickly…
The monsters on this island are strong compared to the ones on the continent, to the point where Xellos and Merlin couldn’t put a dent in them when they first got here.
If they haven’t been found by someone like Ceres and Zephir were, they might be in trouble.
And as I think about that, Tiltue comes back.
“It’s fine here, we can go!”
“Ah, Tiltue.”
“Hn?”
“Can you turn into a dragon? I don’t think Ceres can fly.”
I could carry her, but… How do I put this? Ceres has a pretty feminine figure, so I don’t think that would be good.
I see Tiltue and Luna as kids, but Ceres is out.
“…What were you just thinking about, darling?”
“Nothing?”
“Hm…”
She’s staring at me with suspicion, but I’m absolutely not saying this, so she might as well stop.
Thankfully, Ceres either doesn’t know what’s on my mind, or doesn’t particularly care.
◇ ◇ ◇
“Wahahahahaha!”
“A-amazing! I never imagined I would ride on a dragon’s back!”
Tiltue is laughing loudly in her dragon form.
She’s flying pretty fast, so I’m also on her back and holding Ceres so she doesn’t fall off. But Ceres herself is just having fun.
“And this scenery is so beautiful…”
She’s entranced by the sight of the island from up here.
I was pretty moved too, when I saw this scenery from Suzaku’s back.
“We’d be there in a flash with my speed, but…”
Tiltue is being considerate about Ceres, and slowing down so she can enjoy the view.
It’s also fun for me, because I can recognize more places than before.
“I’ve been to most places north and east.”
The divine beast people’s village, the demon gods’ village, the alfar village, and Wil’s castle.
Conversely, I went south the other day, but couldn’t find the elven village.
I think I should go there again once things calm down.
There are two of Ceres’ friends, and two of the seven great mages still unaccounted for.
I don’t want anyone to get hurt here, so that takes precedence.
And I need to support Sakuya…
“There’s a lot I have to do, but I’ll do my best.”
I’m sure it’s all connected to my dream.
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