◆ Chapter 11: Too Soon to Relax
“PLEASE understand this: you are this world’s hope—the only person who can save it. Your safety is our top priority. Please keep me in attendance at all times, including your morning walks, Lady Mizuha.”
“If you insist…” I reluctantly agree.
“Although things are calmer than before, the threat has not completely disappeared yet. Many of our soldiers are stationed around the capital,” Lex continues his lecture. “But due to the lack of manpower, the castle isn’t perfectly protected compared to normal times, so please be cautious.”
“I know. I’ve taken it to heart…”
After returning to the royal capital from Cladorca, things became hectic with Cia weeping in my arms, taking a much-needed bath, and showing my face to the king. I finally got some personal time after a night’s sleep—or so I thought until Lex greeted me first thing in the morning with a lecture. He caught me on my way to the courtyard for my daily morning walk.
Now I’m being scolded endlessly in a corner of the courtyard. My lack of caution was partially responsible for what happened, so I quietly nod along with his scolding until it suddenly stops. Wondering what happened, I raise my head and am greeted by Lex’s terribly relieved smile.
“Everything else aside, I am truly relieved you are safe.”
Lex’s nagging comes from a place of concern for me. I’m willing to obediently listen to his scolding because I know that.
“…Thank you. I’m happy you came for me, Lex.”
“I wish I could have saved you sooner, m’lady.”
“You hurried ahead of everyone else and arrived when I needed you most. That’s all that matters.” He speaks of his quick arrival as if it wasn’t a big deal, but I’m certain he pushed himself to the brink to make it in time. My knight is just that kind of man. “By the way, what happened to Kodbyen?”
“He was thrown in prison upon our return.”
“Well, that’s a good place for him. It doesn’t matter if he did it for his family, kidnapping is still a crime.”
“…You speak of it with such indifference. I wouldn’t believe you were the person he kidnapped. Aren’t you angry?”
“Of course I’m angry. But I just can’t hate him after hearing his reason. Everyone wants to save their family. Even I would prioritize my family’s purification if they were zombies.”
My family means the world to me—from my parents who are so lovey-dovey it’s embarrassing to my brother who’s a bit of a dolt for secretly buying magazines to learn how to be cooler for his college debut. Just imagining them being gone makes me sad and lonely.
“At least now I’ve lost the desire to go purify Cladorca as long as that thing’s there.” I shudder.
“You mean the dragon? It is a serious threat. I never even considered such a creature existed.”
“Right? I thought it was just a fantasy creature.”
“That said, it seems highly likely that the dragon is a collection of animals like the zombie you call Boneless Ham.”
“Ugh. I can totally see that being the case… Maybe it’s like a combination of zombie birds?”
“There’s a good possibility of that with it having wings.”
If our theory is right, then a lot of zombie birds had to have combined to create the sheer size of that dragon. I’d rather not see a bunch of birds covered in pink mucus falling from the sky after purifying it—sounds like a bad horror movie!
Lex peers into my eyes as I’m shuddering at the thought of it. “I have something I wish to tell you, Lady Mizuha.”
“Where did the sudden formality come from? Do you want time off or something? Feel free to ask for it then. Oh, but find me another guard first—”
“No, that isn’t what I want to discuss! Besides, I have no intention of ever leaving your side, m’lady.”
I never know what to do with him because he suavely says things like “I have no intention of ever leaving your side.” I’m sure it just comes from him being a knight, but still!
“Uh? Um…I-I see. Th-Then what do you want?” I ask again.
Lex straightens up and faces me with a serious gleam in his eyes. “Grantz Kingdom may not be supportive, but I want to aid you in any way I can. So please tell me when you need my help.”
My mouth falls open. Lex is a Royal Knight—he needs to put his king and kingdom first. I always thought he felt that way too. So I feel as if the rug was pulled out from under my feet when he phrases it in such a way it sounds like he’s saying “You’re more important to me than my kingdom.”
“You’ve changed, Lex.”
“You think so?”
“Hmm, maybe not. I’m not too sure. You might’ve been like this from the day I met you.”
“Should I be happy about that?”
“You can be. I mean it as a compliment.”
“Then I shall take it as one!”
People with beautiful faces are the worst—a single smile can bring you to your knees. Even worse, my face has been on fire ever since he said I’m more important. This has been happening a lot lately. If this keeps up, I won’t be able to look at Lex’s face anymore.
Hoping he won’t catch on, I feign calm and look away. “But I’m not even sure where to start with Cladorca. There’s a huge zombie horde, not to mention an angry dragon.”
“I also do not know the best way to handle the zombies, but I do have an idea about how to tackle the dragon. However, it isn’t a comfortable plan…”
“Really? I’m up for trying anything that has even a slight chance of working.”
Lex puzzles his brow for a long moment before finally looking like he made up his mind. “I suppose,” he murmurs.
“So what’s your idea?”
“Asking the woman responsible for summoning the Dark Djinn—Miss Jela.”
My stomach ties in a knot from his shocking suggestion as Jela’s disturbing conduct floods my mind. He wasn’t kidding when he said it isn’t a comfortable plan.
It gives me more despair than hope.