Tina had used all the skills she’d learned as an adventurer to give aid to the dragon. She had also brought it food and water. In the end, she and the dragon had spent seven whole days together. During that time, the dragon had taken a liking to her and decided on a whim to grant her its blessing.
A Dragon Priestess was capable of incredible feats of strength. They symbolized the power of the church. It was their role to slay monsters that were deemed threats. So when Prince William had asked her to exterminate a demon, Tina was inclined to take the fight head-on. It didn’t at all go against the will of the church for her to accept the request.
“Without the power of the exalted fire dragon, I was defeated,” Tina said. “She killed me and gave me this heart. A Marionette Heart, I believe she called it. It gives me life, but it’s also inflicted with a powerful curse of domination. In practice, it isn’t too different from being dead.”
“For all that, you don’t sound too torn up about it,” Nacht deadpanned.
“Ah ha ha...” Tina laughed, putting on a brave face. “I was already bound to the exalted fire dragon, you know. It seems like the curse of domination didn’t affect me. I was able to find an opportunity to escape, and now, I’m trying to think of a way to resist that woman. If only I could send word of the demon to the priestess of the water dragon, I’m sure we could defeat her. But I would need to show proof that I’m alive, and I can’t do that...”
Tina seemed extremely wary, like she was expecting assassins to show up at any time. “Prime Minister Analissia is searching for me,” she explained, her voice resolute in the face of fear. “She hasn’t stopped my heart yet, but I don’t know how long she will refrain. So, Miss Nacht, that’s why I must ask...” She bowed deep, desperately entreating the demiwyrm. “If you were guided to this city by your ties to the dragons, we are truly blessed. If you have the strength to face the demon and strike her down, would you please destroy her in my stead?”
“Are you sure?” Nacht said. “That’ll kill you too, won’t it?”
If the spellcaster were to die, the dolls in the city and Tina’s heart would stop functioning as well. A tremble ran through Tina’s body, but she looked up at Nacht with conviction in her eyes. “I am the priestess of the fire dragon. It is my duty to forestall disaster. But to be honest, I don’t particularly care for the position. The only thing I ever wanted was for everyone to have plenty of food to eat. To me, that was happiness. But as long as I’m here, I am placing everyone’s lives in danger. I’m their older sister. I have a responsibility to protect the younger children. Besides, if the prime minister ever asks me for something in exchange for my life, I intend to refuse on the spot. I would rather die than assist her. What difference does it make if it happens now or later?”
Tina’s eyes were full of determination, but she was clearly putting on a brave face. She was clenching her teeth to keep them from rattling as if bracing herself for certain death. “Exalted demiwyrm Nacht,” she said. “I beg you, please exterminate this demon!”
There was no doubt as to what Nacht’s answer would be. She nodded once, acknowledging Tina’s grave words. “Sorry, but no,” she said.
“Thank y— Excuse me?! Weren’t you nodding along just now?! I thought for sure you’d say yes!”
“Look, I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on in this city. I’ve got a bone to pick with her for tricking Aisha, but her being a demon has nothing to do with it.” Nacht had given Aisha until she got to the bottom of the mystery to think. It would be boorish of her to bust into the demon’s stronghold and beat her up right off the bat. She had to use this time to think as well. That way, she and Aisha could confront the issue together.
“What?!” Tina protested. “But if you defeat the prime minister, surely all of the unnatural happenings in this city will be resolved!”
As far as Nacht was concerned, though, that was someone else’s problem. The only thing that mattered to her was Aisha. Still, she was charmed by Tina’s sincerity and polite request for aid. She didn’t want to refuse to help flat out. Plus, this was potentially an opportunity to mend her relationship with the fire dragon.
“And you would die, then, I suppose?” Nacht replied.
“Gh...”
“If you’re going to ask me for a wish, at least make it something fun. Something greedy or heartwarming. I don’t feel like granting you death.”
“No!” Tina wailed, pain creeping into her voice as looked up at Nacht. “No! I don’t want to die! I’m afraid of death! I’m only sixteen, but I’ve never had the time to fall in love! And I’ve finally managed to earn a bit of money, but I haven’t eaten half of the things I want to eat! But... But what else can I do?! I can’t protect them like this! Protecting them was all I ever wanted...” Tina clutched her sword, cursing her own weakness.
Just then, there came a knock on the door, interrupting the heavy silence. Nacht scowled, not concealing her displeasure in the slightest.
“Um, I’m sorry!” Tina said. “We’re in the middle of something right now, if you could perhaps come back later.”
Whoever was at the door wasn’t listening, though. It opened, and three figures stepped inside. They were not humans, but dolls in the shape of humans. It was Nacht, not Tina, who seemed angriest at the intrusion. “How dare you mock my companions?!” she growled. After all, the pair of catgirls that had stepped inside—one black and one white—had the forms of Nacht’s old friends, with whom she had faced many battles.
The third intruder was a man Nacht didn’t recognize. He was small like a child and wearing clothes that were plainly too big for him. “What nonsense,” he said. “We haven’t done anything at all. I suppose this is your lingering attachment, then? It’s your own fault for clinging to the past, you know. Don’t blame us.” Something about his voice made Nacht’s skin crawl. He smiled smugly, looking over Tina with undisguised sadistic glee. “But be that as it may, we are here to collect you, Madam Priestess.”
“Gyria...” Tina said, her eyes narrowing to a scowl. “What are you doing here?” It seemed plain that this Gyria had nothing but bad intentions.