TSMMT Ch 135

Curiosity

The dragon stared at Dianna for a long while after she unlocked the restraint collar. Though still bound by chains, a sharp crackle echoed a moment later as the iron links and shackles binding his arms snapped apart.

Flexing his wrists, he spoke in a low voice.

[Dragon] "Lacking strength though I may be, I possess ample power to sever mere iron. I sought to kill thee."

[Dianna] "..."

[Dragon] "Yet thou hast set me free."

[Dianna] "..."

[Dragon] "Why? Why place thy trust in me? I am curious to know thy reasoning."

She couldn't easily articulate her feelings. One might dismiss it as foolish romanticism, yet a quiet certainty assured her that this dragon wouldn't kill her.

Indeed, it had to be so. She had recognized early on that the dragon was drained of strength and held no intention of taking her life.

[Dianna] "I have far too many reasons for wanting to free you to explain them all."

At her response, the dragon looked at her as if observing a peculiar anomaly. Curiosity and contempt for an incomprehensible creature filled his eyes.

[Dragon] "Could it be... thou wert created improperly? Art thou a living entity devoid of survival instinct? Dost thou not know that dragons lie as well?"

[Dianna] "..."

[Dragon] "Nay, perhaps thy intelligence falls short compared to other creatures."

[Dianna] "..."

[Dragon] "Nay, it may not be intelligence, but a total absence of knowledge."

[Dianna] "That is enough."

Though his tone held no malice, hearing such words proved far more irritating than dealing with genuine spite. Dianna recognized her own strange behavior as well; when she had unlocked the iron shackle around his neck, a faint flicker of fear had brushed through her.

[Dragon] "Thou claimed there were many reasons. Speak them."

In truth, she possessed numerous reasons. The apparent absence of murderous intent, or the calculated judgment that gaining the dragon's favor would aid future conversation.

Yet, the most critical reason was simple: she refused to witness such a sight ever again. A child bound by restraints and left helpless.

The collar around Guiscard's neck, the collar that had once bound her. She knew all too intimately how horrific it felt to endure such confinement.

[Dianna] "First of all, you appeared to be in immense pain."

Pressing her handkerchief against the raw gash visible through his torn robes, she wiped away the blood still trickling from his skin. The dragon flinched slightly, yet accepted her gentle touch.

[Dianna] "Honestly, I don't fully understand it myself. I simply had no desire to look upon such a sight."

The dragon wore a bewildered expression. Noting his look, which still treated her like an idiot, she released a soft sigh.

[Dianna] "Is it because you look like a young child?"

[Dragon] "What nonsense! I am no child. I am vastly..."

[Dianna] "As a dragon, naturally you would be."

[Dragon] "Thou art treating me like a child."

Surprisingly, the dragon reacted with sharp sensitivity.

Watching his indignant flare-up, Dianna found it almost absurd, yet it revealed another emotional side to him. Looking directly into his eyes, she spoke with deeper sincerity.

[Dianna] "Furthermore, you told me you wouldn't kill me."

[Dragon] "..."

[Dianna] "I chose to trust that."

[Dragon] "Thou art indeed a lacking creature. Among those who possess language, none refrain from deceit. It is only natural for any living entity to exercise caution when facing mortality..."

As she carefully wiped away the blood, the bleeding slowly subsided. The dragon exhaled a low sigh.

[Dragon] "Even if thou performest such acts, I can't aid the dragon slayer."

She flinched in surprise, realizing his voice was now resounding clearly in her ears. Previously, his words had reverberated directly inside her mind.

Snatching her handkerchief, the dragon held it in his hands and examined it from side to side. The sight closely mirrored that of a child of his apparent age.

Observing him, she spoke.

[Dianna] "I understand that you can't offer aid. Guiscard will recover eventually. Yet is there any way to know when he will awaken?"

[Dragon] "Since his head was thoroughly blasted, prepare to wait at least a full season."

So that is how it is…

Regardless, if the dragon deemed him fine, he would surely recover. So long as he remained alive, that sufficed. Though she had failed to gain direct assistance, securing such confirmation proved invaluable.

Having learned all she could, it was time to check on Guiscard. Just as she prepared to depart, the dragon interjected.

[Dragon] "Lacking creature, art thou not curious about me?"

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

[Dragon] "That male creature (Adelheit) asked me numerous questions. Thou art the one who ought to ask me countless things. I spoke of time; I spoke of the rift."

[Dianna] "..."

[Dragon] "I am willing to answer most matters."

She pondered for a moment before frowning slightly.

[Dianna] "Pardon? I have nothing to ask. I discovered why you tried to kill me, and I know it was a misunderstanding."

[Dragon] "..."

[Dianna] "Which means you won't kill me... and Guiscard will awaken... Isn't that enough?"

What else was there to ask? Swirling energy manifestations, demonic power? None of those concerned Dianna. While she worried for Guiscard, she remained, above all, an ordinary person.

[Dragon] "Hmm. What is this sensation?"

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

[Dragon] "I feel a surge of annoyance welling up within me. My brows furrow... Somehow, I feel compelled to explain the grandeur of dragons and how precious it is to acquire dragon wisdom. What is this emotion?"

[Dianna] "Could it be the exasperation one feels toward ignorant fools who fail to grasp how monumental this matter is?"

[Dragon] "Indeed. I find thee thoroughly pathetic."

His furrowed brow appeared remarkably cute. Yet cute or not, Dianna felt entirely unmoved. Having accomplished her errand, she needed only to return to Guiscard. Being called pathetic mattered little to her.

[Dianna] "I shall take my leave now."

[Dragon] "..."

Seeing that her demeanor remained completely unfazed, the dragon's brow furrowed even further.

[Dianna] "O Dragon, I unlocked your restraints because I believed imposing such confinement upon a dragon was unjust. Out of consideration for me, I ask that you refrain from harming humans."

[Dragon] "I don't attack humans without cause."

[Dianna] "Additionally, I would be grateful if you answered the questions posed by the gentleman who entered earlier."

Offering a polite bow, she turned to leave. While she felt a measure of sympathy for the dragon, that was the extent of her concern. After what he had done to Guiscard, what reason was there to find him endearing?

As she reached the exit, Adelheit wore a look of deep perplexity. Then, the moment he spotted the child trailing right behind her…...

[Adelheit] "AAAH!"

He shrieked in horror.

[Adelheit] "Dian! Dian!"

Dianna could swear that in that moment, Adelheit wore the most resentful expression she had ever seen on his face.

---

[Maid] "My goodness! Who is this?"

A maid gently patted the silver-haired boy's head, admiring his cuteness. Watching the scene, Mable interjected sharply.

[Mable] "Mind your manners. He is a precious guest brought personally by Her Majesty the Queen."

[H. Maid] "Lord Taras, please change your attire."

Giggling softly, the maids escorted 'Taras' away.

[Dianna] "Mable, I didn't bring this child here."

Dianna crossed her arms, muttering in a dissatisfied tone.

[Adelheit] "Accept it nonetheless."

Adelheit spoke up. Learning that Dianna had freed the dragon, Adelheit wore a despairing expression, ready to mobilize every mage present to detain the dragon once more. Observing the commotion, the dragon spoke impassively.

[Dragon] "There is no need to shout so."

Adelheit calmed himself and looked at the dragon.

[Dragon] "I shall answer most of what thou hast inquired."

Adelheit's face brightened instantly upon hearing the dragon's willingness to cooperate. Yet clutching the hem of Dianna's dress, the dragon added:

[Dragon] "In exchange, permit me to remain beside this creature."

[Dianna] "W-What?"

[Dragon] "This creature is utterly fascinating, ignorant yet completely indifferent. Permit me to observe her closely."

And just like that, Dianna acquired an unexpected dependent. The moment she brought the child into the palace, the knights went on high alert.

Logaple, Inez, and Bill stared at her in absolute horror. The dragon hid quietly behind her like an innocent child.

[Dianna] "Grand Duke Blake requested that we take custody of him."

When Adelheit nodded in agreement behind her, the knights reluctantly accepted the arrangement.

Thus, the dragon was classified as a "mysterious prince or noble invited by Grand Duke Blake and entrusted to the royal palace's care."

Dianna felt thoroughly bewildered, unable to fathom why this dragon showed such peculiar interest in her.

[Dianna] "What is your name?"

[Taras] "Tarascus."

She watched the dragon walk away.

What a strange dragon.

Why did he feel so inexplicably familiar? And why was it impossible to bring herself to hate him?

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