—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Ozma tilted her head, but I couldn’t bring myself to smile.
I couldn’t think of any reason why the Hero would suddenly die.
According to my plan, he should have remained alive for at least a few more months. This would throw a wrench in my plans.
And a new Hero would soon appear. That was a certainty now.
I handed the scroll to the curious Ozma and asked the soldier,
“How many people can your Wyvern carry?”
“Uh, two at most.”
So, only one more person.
“Alright, I’ll be right back. I need to get my things.”
As I was about to return to Gav’s residence, Ozma, having read the scroll, rushed after me.
“The Hero is dead? What does that mean? Wasn’t he supposed to be executed?”
The fact that the Hero was still alive was a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few within the Demon Lord’s army. Even Ozma, the Demon Lord’s daughter, was unaware.
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you on the way.”
I said, quickening my pace.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After hearing the brief explanation, Ozma muttered with a serious expression,
“So, you’re saying you kept the Hero alive to prevent the next one from appearing?”
“Yes. That’s why this is so perplexing. Unless the Hero committed suicide, I can’t imagine anyone being able to infiltrate the heavily guarded dungeon and kill him.”
Ozma frowned.
“Could there be a traitor?”
“Unlikely. The dungeon is not only well-hidden, but it’s also impossible to enter without at least one guard. And the Demon Lord, knowing the Hero’s importance, wouldn’t have just let him die.”
The news of the Hero’s party’s demise would now be revealed a month or two earlier than expected.
For the Demon Lord’s army, planning to invade the kingdom next year, the emergence of a new Hero was a major setback.
We arrived at Gav’s residence, grabbed our things, and were about to leave when Gav, puzzled, asked what was going on. We explained that we had to return to the Demon Lord’s castle immediately, and he, with a casual smile, offered,
“If you’re in a hurry, I can give you a ride.”
It was an unexpected offer.
Since the Wyvern could only carry two people, I had been worried about how Ozma and Camilla would get back.
In his dragon form, he could easily carry all three of us.
“That’s very kind of you, but are you sure? A chieftain can’t just leave his post.”
Gav shrugged.
“It’s fine. There are plenty of wise elders in the village who can handle things while I’m gone.”
“In that case…”
I had no reason to refuse. In fact, I would have begged him if I had to.
“Wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”
Gav said and then hurried upstairs.
I watched him go, then remembered the soldier waiting in the plaza.
“Should I go and tell him he doesn’t have to wait?”
Ozma tilted her head.
“He’ll probably leave on his own if we don’t show up, right?”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
About ten minutes later, Gav returned, holding three small orbs in his hand.
He handed one to each of us.
“These are protective orbs. You’ll need them to ride on my back safely.”
“Ah…”
Of course. Riding a dragon flying at high speeds would be incredibly cold and windy. The orbs probably created a protective barrier, similar to the wind barrier I had used on the Wyvern.
The four of us went to the clearing in front of the residence.
Gav walked to the center of the clearing and, in a flash of light, transformed into his true form, a massive Heavenly Demon Dragon.
The flying Tyrannosaurus let out a mighty roar.
I wondered what he was doing, but it seemed he couldn’t control his dragon instincts in this form.
He then lowered his body, allowing us to climb onto his back.
I went first, then Ozma, then Camilla. Once we were all settled, Gav spread his massive, yet surprisingly delicate-looking, wings and soared into the sky.
Thanks to the protective orb, the ride was surprisingly comfortable.
[Don’t open your mouths. You might bite your tongues.]
The blue Tyrannosaurus said, his green eyes rolling, and then, turning towards the Demon Lord’s castle, he flew at an incredible speed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
It was a four-day journey on foot.
But on the back of a dragon, we covered the distance in just three hours.
Doom Land’s terrain was rough, but the sky was clear.
And in this region, the Heavenly Demon Dragon was the king of the sky. No other flying creature could match his speed.
Thanks to a comfortable and safe journey, we arrived at the Demon Lord’s castle in less than a day.
[We’re here.]
Gav, landing in the castle courtyard, snorted.
The courtyard was already filled with people, having likely observed his approach.
Vanessa, the familiar Dullahan, rushed towards us, a surprised expression on her face.
“Princess Ozma!”
“Vanessa!”
Ozma, her face lighting up, jumped down from Gav’s back. I followed, then helped Camilla down.
Once we were all off, Gav, in a flash of light, transformed back into his human form.
“I didn’t expect you to return in such a grand fashion. How did you end up riding a Dragonkin?”
“Huh? Oh, Gav was kind enough to give us a ride.”
“I see… wait, Gav?”
Vanessa looked at Gav again, disbelievingly.
Gav, ever the maverick, crossed her arms beneath her ample breasts and asked,
“What are you looking at, Dullahan?”
Vanessa, still skeptical, asked,
“Is that the same Gav I know?”
“Yes.”
“When did he become a woman? I thought he was a macho man.”
Gav answered,
“Love.”
“What?”
“This feeling of love for Patrasche has opened a new world for me.”
Gav struck a dramatic pose, but no one seemed to understand.
She looked at Vanessa with a pitying expression.
“You don’t understand the beauty of love. How sad.”
Vanessa, who was usually cheerful, scowled and placed a hand on her sword.
“Are you looking for a fight?”
“Oh? You want to fight? You must not value your life, having already died once.”
I quickly intervened before things escalated.
“Let’s all just calm down. Vanessa, you must be busy with your patrol.”
Gav clicked her tongue in disappointment, and Vanessa, glaring at her, turned away with a huff.
Master and servant were alike. Vanessa and Gav were a terrible match.
With the situation defused, I turned to Gav.
“Thank you for the ride, Lady Gavril. We would have arrived much later without your help.”
Gav, her earlier disappointment gone, slung her arm around my shoulder.
“Haha, what are friends for? You can ask me for a ride anytime.”
She pressed her chest against me, a blatant body attack.
But knowing her male form, I was still resistant to her charms, and I pushed her away.
Gav, noticing my discomfort, placed a hand on her hip and said confidently,
“I’ll let you go this time. But next time, I won’t be so lenient. I’ll learn how to be a woman by then.”
“So, you’re not going to turn back into a man?”
Gav shook her head.
“I only used that form because it was better for fighting. But meeting you has helped me realize my true self. From now on, I’ll live as a woman.”
She turned to Ozma and Camilla and said with a confident smile,
“I’ll let you have Kaldrash for now. But I won’t go easy on you when I return.”
And then, in a flash of light, she transformed back into her true form.
The blue-scaled flying Tyrannosaurus soared into the sky.
Gav was a truly free spirit.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
