"Did Lady Fi fall asleep?" (Curtis)
Captain Curtis asked with a quizzical look on his face when he saw that Zavilia, who had just gone to take Fia to her sleeping quarters, had returned a short time later.
It was only a while ago that everyone's special talk, which took a long time, ended.
Since the time for socializing that was held with dinner had ended, we were each guided to our sleeping quarters, and Fia was naturally taken to the Black Dragon's sleeping quarters.
Captain Curtis, on the other hand, was led to a sleeping quarters a little further away, but he returned without a break and was waiting for Zavilia in an open area where he could be seen from a distance.
From Zavilia's suggestive statement earlier, it was inferred that there was something he wanted to ask Captain Curtis.
In fact, Zavilia had purposely made a suggestive remark to make Captain Curtis realize that he had something to talk about alone with him, and he seemed glad that he had read it correctly.
As proof of that, Zavilia smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, Fia is good at falling asleep. Whenever I get small and sit on her belly, she falls asleep right away." (Zavilia)
The legendary magical beast feared by everyone confessed to being used as a body pillow.
"……Is it so" (Curtis)
After hearing Zavilia's reply, Captain Curtis remained silent with a complicated look on his face.
He seemed to be hesitating whether he should tell her that his age for playing with stuffed animals was over, or whether he should be reassured that he would be protected by his strongest familiar until it was time for him to sleep.
Zavilia looked at Captain Curtis with a thoughtful expression and let out a strange voice.
"When you do that, you just seem to be obedient to your master...But you're the most troublesome type. What a thinking subordinate." (Zavilia)
After saying that, Zavilia spread out his large wings as if threatening.
Captain Curtis stared at the black dragon's entire body shining beautifully in the moonlight, then looked down at the ground.
"Lord Black Dragon, even if you don't threaten me, I have no intention of betraying Lady Fi. From the bottom of my heart, all I want is for Lady Fi to be happy." (Curtis)
Captain Curtis then looked down and clasped his hands together.
"I'm sorry for what I said earlier. 'Those who have never experienced it cannot understand the feeling of loss,' was an argument that could only be countered by a specific experience." (Curtis)
Captain Curtis regretted what he said and apologizes, but Zavilia simply answered.
"No, it's okay. Honestly, I don't care about anything other than Fia, and I never think about anyone other than Fia, like, 'What is this person's true intentions?' So, what I want to tell you is... If there is, I won't understand unless she tells me clearly." (Zavilia)
After hearing Zavilia's words, Captain Curtis raised his head and met Zavilia's gaze.
"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Black Dragon. Also, what you said earlier is correct.…Lady Fi’s view of justice is straight and undistorted, and she should leave all decisions to her, and she intentionally hides things. It's a good idea that we shouldn't do that or induce thinking." (Curtis)
Even as he said this, Captain Curtis' expression did not seem to convince him of what he was saying.
On the contrary, his face became more and more distorted in pain.
"But...but, Lord Black Dragon! Lady Fi's decision was always the right one even 300 years ago, but...as a result, she met an unpleasant end....'You have to survive even if you use others as your shield,' I believe that this strong feeling is necessary in order to survive. Otherwise, someone in that position would not be able to survive. That's what happened 300 years ago." (Curtis)
Captain Curtis folded his arms all at once, as if pleading with him, but Zavilia cautiously expressed his agreement.
"...Certainly, my life before Fia had an unfortunate ending." (Zavilia)
Then, Zavilia opened her mouth without changing her expression.
"Hey, I have a question." (Zavilia)
"……I know it" (Curtis)
That's why I was waiting here...
Zavilia, who correctly read the words he couldn't continue, said, "Yes, thank you for waiting," and then put away his wings, which he had spread out to intimidate, and sat down in front of Captain Curtis.
Captain Curtis took a deep breath as if to calm himself down, folded his hands in front of his chest, and opened his mouth.
The voice was different from before, it was flat.
"I'm sorry for being so distraught. I was looking up at the moon while I was waiting for Lord Black Dragon, but...on nights with a beautiful moon like this, there are things that remind me of something that makes me feel disturbed. I'm very sorry." (Curtis)
Captain Curtis then continued in a calm tone.
"Lord Black Dragon, who can share Lady Fi's thoughts, naturally has a lot of questions. I'll answer whatever I can." (Curtis)
"You're really quick at understanding things. As expected, you were just an escort knight of the Great Saint." (Zavilia)
Zavilia casually mentioned the relationship between Fia and Captain Curtis in the past life, hinting that he knew about their relationship from 300 years ago.
Captain Curtis' eyes widened slightly and whispered, "Do you know that much?"
Then, after a moment's hesitation, he agreed with Zavilia's words.
"...Ah, that's right. I was Lady Fi's escort knight. I was always proud of that and tried my best to fulfill my role. That feeling hasn't changed even now." (Curtis)
Captain Curtis seemed determined to take Zavilia's insinuations head on and respond with a sincere attitude, without trying to disguise it.
Zavilia saw the situation and said to herself, as if he had something in mind.
"I see, you make quick decisions. I can't believe you decided in an instant to accept me as an ally. And you're also an honest knight. The Silver Guardian in your previous life must have been able to entrust you with being an escort knight with peace of mind." (Zavilia)
Captain Curtis, who must have heard those words, looked straight at Zavilia without seeming upset.
On the contrary, he picked up Zavilia's soliloquy and answered it as a question—as if to show that he didn't hide anything.
"So, what do you want to know, Lord Black Dragon? The fate of that silver guardian? Or..." (Curtis)
"Ah, that’s fine. It seems like Fia’s feelings haven’t been sorted out yet, and even if she hears the other side’s story in such a situation, it’s likely that she won’t understand the truth even more. There's only one thing I want to ask." (Zavilia)
Zavilia flicked his tail and stared back at Captain Curtis.
"What I want to know is what are you trying to hide from Fia? …Do you believe that unless Fia has a strong desire to survive, you won’t be able to save Fia, right?" (Zavilia)
Captain Curtis lowered his eyes and sounded emotionless.
"Ah, that's right. I don't have overwhelming power. If Lady Fi doesn't reach out to me, it will be difficult to save her." (Curtis)
"Huh. Well, for example, if someone is about to fall off a cliff, the difficulty of rescuing them will vary depending on whether the falling person reaches out or not. However, you are stronger than Fia's brother from 300 years ago. Right? Besides, the demon lord has already been sealed, right? Even so, you're saying that you can only save her at the very last moment? ...For what exactly?" (Zavilia)
Zavilia asked to find out, but Captain Curtis bit his lip and remained silent.
Zavilia waited for a reply for a while, but when he realized that it didn't seem like one, he tilted his head.
"Listen, I only have one question. Now that the Demon King has been sealed away, what are you afraid of?" (Zavilia)
"……" (Curtis)
When Captain Curtis still didn't respond, Zavilia dropped a clear bombshell.
"Then, let's say it differently. 'The Demon King's right-hand man'...what is that?" (Zavilia)
Author's Note
Thank you for always reading!
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