Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Translator: Yonnee

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Rosteratu alternately called Albert and Marquis Evnen’s names in his sleep. Looking at him sweat now, it’s the opposite of how he was acting just earlier.

“It’s the perfect end. Everything that happened today was also organized by Marquis Evnen.”

Schubert also added while he was behind me.

It’s the perfect plan to drive out Rosteratu’s closest allies. Schubert looked around the banquet hall, where everyone had fallen unconscious, and clapped slowly.

“You’ve achieved your perfect revenge, Dragon.”

“…That’s right.”

Alexander laughed dejectedly. His face was blurred now, as if I’m looking at him while he’s submerged in water, but his expression was strangely clear to me.

Before long, people began to scream.

AAARGH! UGH!

“I originally thought that I should inflict physical pain, but… This isn’t bad either.”

All the nobles who were enjoying the banquet up until a few moments ago were now breaking out in cold sweat, suffering.

Alexander made eye contact with me. Then, he spoke calmly.

“Now, it’s time for you all to sleep as well.”

The only ones now who weren’t embroiled in nightmares were us.

That’s why Alexander kept me close.

This was the consideration that Alexander had given me—the chance to know what my biggest fear was.

“……”

When I first entered the cabin earlier, I knew that Alexander hated humans, and yet he was now helping me.

This act alone made me emotional because at the very least, while Alexander was living in this world, it’s enough to show that there’s not only bad people around him.

It’s just that, Alexander resembled Blanc.

He trusted humans.

He began to hate humans because he had been betrayed, and now he was here to exact his vengeance. Even so, he didn’t even hesitate to help another human in the end.

Are you interpreting my apprehension in a different way now? Alexander added.

“But don’t worry. You’ll wake up much faster than the others, and it won’t be a disaster for you.”

“That’s not why I’m hesitating.”

“Then why?”

Alexander was perplexed.

“I paused for a moment because I felt grateful.”

“……”

“I’m grateful that you’re helping a human right now.”

Alexander seemed at a loss for a moment. Then he laughed.

“You never know, right? Maybe you’ll overcome your fears and really become the contractor for that white dragon, and that dragon cub will be a real adult dragon.”

Alexander stared at Blanc.

“If you become a real adult dragon thanks to me, please write it down and leave my name in history.”

“……”

“That there had once been a dragon like me in this world.”

Blanc and Alexander stared into each other’s eyes for a long time.

“Okay.”

Blanc said straightforwardly.

“Okay, I will.”

And I also told Alexander that he had my word for it.

“For this opportunity, really, thank you so much. I’m so glad to have met you, Lord Alexander.”

These weren’t empty words. If it wasn’t for him, I truly wouldn’t be able to face the ordeals that I’d have to face in the future.

Alexander’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment, but his expression soon turned into a comfortable smile.

“If I ever get born once more, I’d really like it if I can traverse dimensions.”

Alexander’s body began to disappear.

“You said you want to face your fears.”

Alexander’s voice echoed in my ears.

“I wonder. Would the fear of pain be greater than the fear of losing someone dear…”

With that question, Alexander started the disaster.

“I hope you can find the answer.”

And I soon fell into the depths of fear itself.

* * *

I was back in the tower.

At first, I knew clearly that this was just a dream and that Alexander brought me here.

My surroundings were like a hazy fog, but they gradually became more evident. At the same time, my awareness that this was nothing but a dream became covered with a haze.

The dream soon became like reality to me.

Today was Blanc’s 500th birthday.

I tried to make so many good memories with Blanc. We were always together and Blanc learned a lot more about the world.

But even during all that time, I couldn’t pluck up the courage to become his contractor. After all, the contractor was the one who’d take the brunt of the inexplicable pain of a dragon’s ordeal when turning into an adult. In my mind, this physical pain was what I was the most afraid of, and I couldn’t overcome that fear to take on that pain.

“I’m sorry, Blanc. I can’t become your contractor.”

Hearing my apology, Blanc shook his head.

“It’s okaaay…”

Rather, Blanc comforted me. He smiled brightly, saying that he also wouldn’t have been able to overcome such a fear. But at that moment—

“Uuugh…”

Blanc began to writhe in pain.

“I-It hurts…”

The little dragon cub groaned and cried, unable to power through the pain that incapacitated his entire body.

I wasn’t in pain.

“IT HURTS!!!”

But I had to watch him be in pain.

As though I’d been nailed to my seat, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even come closer to him. I couldn’t even comfort Blanc.

I could only sit there and watch Blanc writhe and struggle and cry out in pain.

Here, during Blanc’s final moments,

I just watched.

I could have been his contractor, but I didn’t try.

Taking in his last breath, Blanc looked straight at me. His clear eyes had not even the slightest shadow of resentment. This added to the guilt weighing down on me.

Blanc just smiled at me. Then he disappeared without leaving a single trace.

Blanc died.