242 9-22 Sand Country Roukaku What you want to protect

We left the castle and rode away from Lokakuk in the desert parasauro that had been prepared for us.

It's a good thing that we're able to do that.

We're not going to be able to get out of there.

'Well...'

But at least we're safe away from here!　She's also full of energy, and we're going home quickly!

Even though he was so flustered and distraught before leaving the castle, Renge was clearly in a strange state of tension.

As soon as he left the castle, he kept his mouth shut, but after a little while, he was in this tone.

''So?　What did your husband do to Coren after all?

Well it's nothing, just a regular massage and grooming.

Really?　Didn't you do something more erotic?

....

Huhhhhh stop that face.

It's painful to watch.

Why are you forcing yourself to smile so hard........

The four of you who turn around and stare worriedly at Renge.

They all seem to have the same feelings as I do, and it's easy to tell from their expressions.

Yeah. Yeah........I know. I'll say it.

"So....you're okay with it?

What's that?

What's the...

You know what I mean.

Right here, right now?　There's only one reason to ask, though.

When I stare at Renge with my serious eyes, at first Renge laughs as if she had been distracted, but she soon realizes that it doesn't work and her smile disappears.

'.........It's okay. I'm not from this country anymore........ The two of them let me escape, so I'm going to escape while I still can.

Well it's okay if you're okay with it.

I'm next to Renge and we look out into the desert together.

I turn around, but from the back of the cart, I can't even see the city of Lokak anymore.

'What's that word...'

Nope. Nothing. So, I wonder what they're going to do about the waxwork?

Just following the terms of our agreement, that's all. And that will save the people.

Another pact... and what about the people?

That's right......... Normally.........the princess miko would be sacrificed and that would be the end of it....... But I am.........

Wait a minute. What's going on?

A princess priestess being sacrificed....

What does this guy say as if it's a matter of course?

The purpose of the earth dragon is to eat. He's here to experience the rich magic of the High Priestess. ........The role of the princess miko is to defeat the earth dragon and sacrifice it to the earth dragon. But of course, there are times when the maidens are not available.......and at those times, the king will take their place according to the pact.

Bewildered, goose bumps appear and my eyes widen.

Wait a minute, that would be Coren-sama.........

The next king will probably be the one who prepares the discussion. In this kind of situation, a cousin from a branch of the family will probably be the one to do it. I don't remember meeting her very often, but........well, her family is very serious, so I don't think there will be any problems. The other thing.........is to get the people away from the city for a while for their own safety.

That's not what it's about.

You know what that means for Master Coren?

Why are you taking so long to talk about the next king?

"Is that what you want?

..........it can't be good, can it? 　If it were the other way around, Coren would be free by now...

At Renge's voice, shouting with a sad face, even Desert Parasauro was surprised and stopped moving.

He turned a very worried face towards us.

'I heard that story. I've heard that story, and Coren-sama was troubled that he had put you in danger of death. No one can know that this future will happen, so that's where we're both going. Besides, I'm asking you what you want to do.

What do you want to do... of course I want to help you!

Renge shouted as if to explode the emotions she had been suppressing.

Her eyes were filled with tears and she was staring straight into my face while contorting her face wide.

'Then why didn't you tell me that?'

I can't tell you that!　I'm your husband's property now!　If I said I was going to help you....

Of course I'll be there. I'll be there.

"I'm not going to accept that!　And if that happens....

'Of course. If you're going, then we're going too.

'Huh ... because I know that's what it is ...'

Renge, who had a look of anguish on his face, must have been forcing himself to laugh and leave Lokakku behind, forcing his emotions down the entire time.

He thought about what to do in his head, and no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't find a solution, so he probably decided to respond to Koren-sama and Kuduro-san's thoughts.

I'm sure it's quite dangerous. It must be very dangerous.... So what are we going to do?

So, what are we going to do about...

You want to help, don't you?　Of course, you don't have the option of sacrificing yourself instead....

What, what do you mean by...?

I don't know........I don't know if I'll understand unless you tell me everything.... Do you want to run away and live on with your sorrow, or do you want to beat up the earth dragon and live a good life?

Wha...?

Renge doesn't understand what I've said, and she froze in surprise with her mouth open.

''Well, you will, won't you?''

'Yes. That would be most ideal.

Hmm. White will follow the Lord.

Huh ... you're going to do something dangerous again ... already.

Sorry, Wendy.

No, sir. Okay, go ahead. I'll come along for the ride, of course.

I'd like to say........but I'm selfish too, so I guess I won't say anything.

What are you guys talking about?　You know what I'm saying?　The opponent is a ground dragon!　This isn't just a demon!　It's a dragon species, the most powerful species in the world!

''Well actually I'm not a rare Gaia in the basement, but I'm looking at a ground dragon. You're an awful scary guy.

You know how reckless you are then!

''Well to be honest, I don't think you can win against that thing normally....... But maybe it's my fault that Jiryuu is awake, and I'm sure there are some reckless things that need to be passed through the world.

Well, I don't think the line is so thin that it's my fault.

Rare Gaia and Cassandra have different names for it.

If anything, I think the large number of earth dragons is more suspicious, and besides, it seems Cassandra was awake before I fell.

Nevertheless, I think there might be at least some kind of relationship.

Besides, Renge's smile earlier was terrible.

It was beyond awful, and it was painful.

If I went back to Ains Hale, I wouldn't be able to see Renge's normal smile again.

Maybe we would be able to go through this without anyone else noticing, but it would only look painful to us.

We don't want that to happen....

The best way to do it is to have a good idea of what the odds are.......then what are the odds?

"Hmmm........I'll do my best. She's not picking up. Aina, how's Shin doing?

'This one too........I guess. Probably both of them are in the dungeon. Well, we can't bear to let them go along with our recklessness, so it can't be helped.

It's not because of Hayato's presence this time, it's just our own personal motives.

Of course, it would be helpful if Hayato was there, and I'm sure he'd be willing to cancel any and all promises to come to our aid on a moment's notice, but we're getting ourselves involved in something quite dangerous....

If you can't get in touch with him, there's nothing you can do.

So, the odds are against us. But.... that's no reason to give up.

Why.......... Why doesn't everyone stop your husband too........

Well it's not enough to miss your depressingly bright smile.

Yeah. And we're all friends. You don't like it when your people get in trouble, we'll do what we have to do.

White will protect the Lord. And he will protect everyone else as well.

We need to be on the lookout to make sure you all don't get too reckless, don't we?

So I'm going to ask you again. Let's hear it again, shall we?　What do you want to do?

I smile and reach out my hand to Renge and wait.

''.........Aren't you all stupid....... I'm definitely going to die.........

You're the idiot, Renge. You're not going there to die in the first place. You're going there to live happily ever after.

It's not honestly funny, it's just that you're not alive, but you're not dead.

Life is so boring.

I don't want to live a boring life, Renge, and I can't accept that we're going to live a boring life.

I want to continue to be with you, smiling and frolicking.

Now, it's just a matter of how you feel.

I told him all our thoughts.

And finally, we wanted to hear Renge's true thoughts from her.

Everyone was looking at her in unison.

Without any hesitation or even fear in their eyes.

It's a very good idea to have a good time. I want to help..........

Renge told us how she felt, firmly, with tears that couldn't be stopped no matter how many times she wiped them away, so that she could reach us.

So--.

Oh. Then, let's go.

Aye....

Renge took my hand.

He took my hand, his eyes bright red and his ragged face sobbing like a child.

'Yes. Let's go.

"A ground dragon you will have to give it your all.

Hm. The army is useless because White beat up on them. I'll take that responsibility at least. .... and I expect the ground dragon to be delicious.

''You eat dragon seeds too........''

Okay, Desert Parasauro. Turn over. You're on.

With that, Desert Parasauro let out a somewhat happy squeal and ran off down the road he came from.

Hey, hey, are you okay?　I'm running as fast as I can, it seems.

Renge is still staring straight at Lokaku with tears streaming down her face, but when our gazes meet, as if she's noticed me smiling at her, she rubs her eyelids as hard as she can and makes a desperate attempt to smile.

Yeah. I've been wanting to see that face.

I want to continue to see that face.

I want to live my life without any recklessness, but I will push through for you.

And I will protect you. I promise. You have a smile.