Chapter 34: The unnamed

After Arsep’s mood improved, we resumed our conversation about the item she was searching for.

Just a few days ago, progress had stalled due to her lethargy, but now, there was a chance we could find out something.

“…Come to think of it, you mentioned that unpleasant fellow had already told you my staff was gone.”

“Yes, so I tried to pursue it right after it disappeared, but it seemed it had already left the city far behind.”

The mysterious figure who introduced herself as Keren.

Neither Berard, a high-ranking demon, nor anyone else in the city remembered her.

Except for Arsep, Flua, and me, no one even knew she had been in the city.

It was even uncertain if she was truly a demon.

Perhaps, like me, she could have been in disguise.

“I never imagined there was still a mage who could perform memory manipulation on such a large scale. Even before I fell asleep, only a few could do such a thing.”

“How many people were capable of it?”

“I don’t remember exactly, but at most, five.”

Given that they were people from centuries ago, their current status was naturally unknown.

Since I didn’t know much about magic, there was nothing I could discern on this subject.

Chasing traces of magic was like tossing a dictionary in front of a dog and asking it to read.

Though it’s said even a dog can recite a poem after three years at a school, I hadn’t yet completed those three years.

So, to uncover Keren’s identity, I thought of other aspects to consider.

For example, her behavior or the words she had said to me.

By revisiting those, I might be able to figure out something.

***

“This is simply a small favor in return for saving my life, just to guide you in the right direction.”

“Why would she say something like that?”

“What are you talking about?”

“That person named Keren, she told me that she informed me of this fact as a way to repay me for saving her life.”

She had claimed that telling me about Arsep’s missing staff was her way of repaying me for saving her.

“She was in the city herself, so isn’t it possible she was able to avoid the dragons’ wrath because of you?”

“Do you really think someone who could manipulate the memories of everyone in the city in a single day would genuinely be in danger because of those dragons?”

“Now that you mention it, that does seem odd. From what you said, she already knew teleportation magic. In that case, avoiding the dragons’ assault should have been simple….”

It was then that Arsep noticed the strangeness as well.

At first, she thought Keren was merely imitating a noble lady raised by the family that ruled the city, Berard’s daughter.

But in retrospect, there were many strange aspects.

Above all, even when it was just the two of us alone in that alley, Keren had still referred to me as her benefactor.

So, the fact that I was someone who had ‘saved her life’ didn’t change.

‘Then, whose life exactly had I saved?’

‘She could exit the city in an instant and manipulate the memories of the entire city overnight.’

‘Yet, she called me her benefactor.’

“Could it be…?”

Arsep’s reaction made it seem like she had caught on to Keren’s true identity.

“…It was my own fault for not realizing sooner. That accursed creature intentionally clung to you to prevent me from making rational judgments.”

Arsep frowned in frustration.

Even now, I still didn’t know who she meant, but her comment about clinging to me made some sense.

Looking back on those events, whenever Keren flirted with me, Arsep would become so agitated that even basic communication became challenging.

“Is there any demon you can suspect?”

“That’s not a demon. It’s a dragon.”

“A dragon…”

“And not just an ordinary dragon.”

Arsep anxiously tapped her fingers on the table.

“At this point, that creature is probably the closest thing to a god in this world.”

***

The island floating in the sky.

During the ancient times of chaos caused by the appearance of the Evil God, when people prayed for salvation at a shrine of an unnamed goddess, the land rose from the ground to form the island.

While countless monsters ravaged the surface, the goddess who created the island answered the people’s prayers and summoned a hero to save the world.

This hero was an ancient being said to have sealed away the Evil God.

He brought peace by dividing the turbulent land into three continents – the Demon Realm, Fairy Realm, and Human Realm.

When peace returned to the world, the island’s people descended back to the surface.

Yet, even after peace was restored, someone chose to remain alone at the shrine on the island.

She continued to observe the surface from the sky, even after it was split into three continents, and has done so to this day.

‘It was nice to see that face after so long.’

A golden light shone down from the heavens.

The light took the shape of a person, gently descending upon the altar of the shrine, folding its two wings behind and using its tail as a cushion to lie down on the altar.

‘But still, did I choose too careless of a name?’

Recalling the events on the surface, she worried whether the temporary name she had chosen was perhaps too hastily made.

‘I could’ve given myself a slightly more dignified name.’

To her, a name was of little importance, but seeing that familiar face brought a sense of amusement.

Especially since, in the past, that person would never have shown such an expression, yet now, even a small tease could bring out the innocent emotions of a young girl.

It was a joy she hadn’t felt in ages.

‘Well, it’s fine as long as I got to see that familiar face again.’

Once, she had been a pitiful existence, devoid of the function of emotion.

No matter what that being did, emotions were something she could never acquire.

A being with a power so great that it could save or destroy the world.

One who had given up most of her abilities, fell into a long sleep, and only awakened now, centuries later, so changed that the resemblance to her former self was almost unimaginable.

She didn’t know if this was some twist of fate.

But if it was the path she chose, she decided to keep observing as she always had.

Her awakening in this era wasn’t a coincidence.

While the outcome of this event was unknown, if it was the path she had chosen and her will was set on moving forward, she would only guide her in the right direction.

‘Since the thing I was worried about didn’t happen.’

Having shown her the way, there was no need for further interference.

The nameless dragon closed her eyes and returned to her rest.

Someday, she would wait for the familiar guests to visit this ancient island again.

“That island was created by the First Dragon. Without it, all lifeforms aside from monsters would likely have gone extinct long ago.”

“…And that First Dragon, you’re saying it’s the person we met there who called herself Keren?”

“That’s not her real name. She didn’t have a name to begin with. It’s just a makeshift name she came up with to pretend to be a demon.”

Arsep nodded as she finished the old story.

While the story itself was a legend you’d expect to find in a world like this, Arsep was quite a good storyteller, so I found it thrilling to listen to.

If I had read it as mere text in a book, it might have felt like a common and boring legend.

“I think she called you her life savior because you spared those dragons when they came to the city.”

“I hadn’t intended to kill them from the start, though.”

“That’s because it was you. If it were other demons, they would have dismantled the dragons, using every last scale and part. Every part of a dragon is a precious material.”

“…That does sound frightening when you put it like that.”

It was roughly akin to a cow being separated into bone and flesh, with even the marrow sucked out.

Anyway, listening to Arsep, I felt like I finally understood why Keren called me her life savior.

She wasn’t referring to me saving her specifically but rather to me sparing her fellow dragons.

Giving me that hint was her way of repaying that debt.

But if she was going to reveal it anyway, she could have just given me a ride.

Being the First Dragon, her strength would be immense, and her flying speed must be incredibly fast.

Surely faster than the other dragons.

Honestly, everyone has thought at least once in their lives about wanting to ride a fighter jet.

***

“My dear.”

“Yes?”

“Then let’s go now and separate that nameless one’s flesh and hide.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Didn’t I tell you? It’s the First Dragon. Her blood and flesh would be worth more than gems of the same weight.”

It seemed Arsep, who I thought had finally returned to normal, had gone strange again.

“I’m proposing we trade that creature’s blood and flesh for the staff thief. Isn’t it a good idea?”

“…Is it a good idea?”

Honestly, it was a bit terrifying.

“That cursed lizard… Did she toy with me on purpose? She was once a pathetic recluse who couldn’t even look me in the eye… How dare she….”

Arsep’s fierce determination for revenge was astonishing, making it hard to believe she was the same person who once sniffled alone in bed every night.

Although it was good to see her regain her energy, this seemed a bit excessive.

“And you!”

“Yes? Why am I suddenly involved?”

‘Why was I getting dragged into this?’

“Next time someone flirts with you like that, just shake them off! You’re more than capable, aren’t you? Don’t tell me you were enjoying it?”

“I didn’t think much of it….”

Honestly, I hadn’t thought anything of it.

When I first met Keren, about 70% of my thoughts were focused on a vanilla-scented banana.

Vanilla beans used to be so expensive, and I wanted to use them as much as I wanted here.

“If that’s the case, that’s a relief… Still, from now on, show clear signs of refusal. You are my gatekeeper. There’s no reason for you to guard anyone else’s gate.”

“…Alright, alright. Next time, I’ll properly refuse. So for now, try the new cake I made.”

“Very well. If it’s your cake, it’s worth opening my mouth for and bringing into my body.”

Arsep’s tail swayed with anticipation for the cake.

In any case, it was a relief she had regained her energy.

As for her staff, we’d have to hope Berard conducted a thorough investigation, and until the results came out, I decided to relax.