Chapter 217 - 3−21
Theodore-sama hoisted the Princess onto one shoulder and wrapped his other arm around my waist.
"Here we go. Straight to Louis."
The moment he spoke, a beautiful, shimmering light surrounded us. As I stared at it in wonder, I felt my body lift off the ground.
This feeling... it's just like the magic Nel-sama, the Spirit King, uses.
Enveloped in a sense of peace and security, I surrendered to the light. I blinked, and the scenery shifted instantly.
The dim stone tower was gone. I gasped as the fresh, open air brushed against my cheeks. Then, I saw him—the man I loved, frantically clearing rubble and screaming my name.
"L-Louis... sa... ma?"
My legs, which I thought had no strength left, moved toward him of their own accord. Stumbling and desperate, I threw myself against his broad back.
Ah, it's really him. I finally made it back to Louis-sama.
No matter how dire the situation, I had refused to give up because I kept picturing him. Even when he wasn't by my side, the simple desire to see him again gave me the strength to stand up every time.
"Rachel!"
Louis-sama spun around and cupped my face in his hands.
His gentle, beautiful blue eyes seemed even brighter than usual, perhaps because they were shimmering with unshed tears. His hands were blackened with dirt, and his fingers were bloodied and raw.
"Louis-sama, your hands..."
I placed my hands over his and felt them trembling. He pulled me into a crushing embrace, burying his face in my neck.
"Thank God... thank God you're safe."
"Louis-sama... I... I..."
"Welcome back, Rachel."
This warmth. I was finally home. The realization brought a fresh wave of tears.
"You must have been so scared. You did so well."
He stroked my hair, pulling back repeatedly to check my face with a pained, shaky smile.
"Wait, the Princess is with us... is she alright?"
"...She's fine, Rachel. She's just asleep. It seems she was pushing herself quite hard."
"...Yes. She really did her best."
Louis-sama kept me close as he surveyed our surroundings. He looked over at the Princess, who was lying on a bench, and Theodore-sama, who stood beside her.
"Theodore, thank you. I owe you for this."
"Well, it's a bit early for thanks, isn't it? You might want to look at that."
We followed Theodore-sama’s finger. The dragon was circling, as if searching for something.
"The dragon changed direction. This is bad—the city is that way!"
"I'll distract it!"
"Rachel, no! I can't let you put yourself in danger again."
I understood his concern, and I didn't want to go against him. My body was at its limit, and honestly, the thought of facing that dragon again terrified me. But I wanted to protect Louis-sama and this country too.
"No, that dragon will respond to my voice. I have a better chance of succeeding than anyone else. More importantly, if we don't act now, the people will suffer."
I looked him straight in the eye. Louis-sama’s brow furrowed, his gaze wavering. When he saw that my mind was made up, he gave a helpless, troubled smile.
"...Fine. Then we go together."
"Louis-sama! Thank you."
♢
Louis-sama and I entered the forest, pursuing the dragon.
The Order of Mages and the knights had already gathered there, fighting the fires and evacuating the citizens. The forest had taken heavy damage from the dragon's flames, and the air was thick with the smell of charred wood.
Thanks to Theodore-sama and the mages, most of the fires were being contained. My role was limited to using water magic on the remaining smoldering patches and, more importantly, drawing the dragon's attention.
"Stop! Please! Look over here!"
I shouted as loudly as I could from a clearing. The dragon reacted to my voice, turning its massive head toward me.
Our eyes met—its deep purple gaze was hauntingly beautiful. I found myself mesmerized. In that moment, the world seemed to fall away, leaving only me and the dragon in a strange, silent void.
It was a dreamlike, soundless place where I felt as though I were floating. It was so peaceful that I wanted to stay there forever. But a powerful pair of arms suddenly yanked me back to reality.
"Rachel! Look out!"
Louis-sama’s voice snapped the spell just as the dragon unleashed a torrent of fire toward us.
In the nick of time, Louis-sama pulled me into his arms. He shielded me as we tumbled into a thicket behind a large rock. I could only stare in shock at the speed of it all.
When I saw the spot where I had just been standing erupt into a roaring inferno, a chill ran down my spine.
"Louis-sama... thank you."
"The flames are too powerful. This will never end unless we calm the source."
Louis-sama didn't take his eyes off the dragon, his expression grim. He leaned in close, noticing my trembling.
"Breathe slowly. Stay hidden behind this rock until you've calmed down."
"Where are you going?"
"I'm right here. I'll watch the dragon's movements from the front of the rock. Once you're ready, we'll call out to it again."
He stroked my head gently and gave me a reassuring smile. I nodded and leaned against the rock, taking deep breaths.
As my heart rate slowed and the cold sweat dried, a strange warmth began to envelop me. It was a peculiar sensation, one that made me want to close my eyes and drift away.
But I couldn't stay hidden forever.
"Louis-sama, I'm okay now."
I spoke as I slowly opened my eyes.
In that instant, the world changed.
I was sitting on the grass with a large rock behind me.
Burnt trees stood before me.
I hadn't moved an inch.
And yet, when I opened my eyes, I was in a completely different place.