CH 13.1

As late spring ended, the people of the Imperial Palace became busy with their own work. 

It was originally a busy time at this time, but everyone seemed distracted because there were many changes due to my problems. 

Right now, the Imperial Guards, where I used to belong, were busier because I was gone. The position of vice commander was also vacant. 

In the case of Lionel, I could see that he had become busier as he handled the things that were delayed by me. 

Anyway, I was the only person sitting bored among the hectic people. 

I felt sorry, but it was fortunate that I had a chance to meet Laroque. 

However, it was strange to see Laroque for the first time in a long time after that day.

He remained silent, his usual dazedness was gone. His face had a serious look.

I asked with a puzzled face, carefully accepting the contract that Laroque had secretly taken from the previous palace. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“Lindel.”

The voice answering me was low. 

“I think I’ll have to leave for a while.”

“What? Where are you going?” 

“There’s an emergency. I’m sorry for you, but I have to go.”

I was taken aback by Laroque’s sudden notice. 

“Where are you going with that body?”

I said those words without thinking.

At the moment, I couldn’t help it. 

As expected, Laroque, who listened to me, bit his lips.

“I’m a dragon, even if I look like this now. It’s no problem.” 

As expected, there was a thorn in Laroque’s voice. 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.” 

“I know. You don’t have to apologize. Rather, I’m the one who should be sorry now. I’m sorry for saying this when we don’t have time.”

Laroque kept his head down as he said he had to go. 

He didn’t seem to have any intention of bowing, but he avoided my gaze as if him being sorry for me was the truth. 

The atmosphere was heavy. I stared at Laroque with a stiff face. 

The current Laroque had an ideological body. In other words, his body was a vessel made of mana and only held his consciousness.

Laroque’s contract with me involved finding his body and unsealing him. The term of the contract was one year in total. By then, we had to complete the contract. 

We spent almost half a year searching through the empire, so now we don’t have much time left. 

This was why I wanted to resign from the Imperial Guards in the first place. I couldn’t find it in the empire, so I planned to go to another country. 

But my feet are tied up. It was hard to understand Laroque saying that he had to leave at a time when we were almost running out of time.

If I was using my rational judgment, I have to stop her now. 

“If you don’t keep the contract, I will be reborn, but you’re going to die..” 

If I don’t complete the contract, I die in return.

When signing the contract, he was eroded by the power that was engraved on his body and will soon die. 

Laroque’s death, on the other hand, was not due to the contract. 

The problem was to leave the vessel created from mana and return to living inside his actual body.

A mana vessel eventually disappears over time. It would mean an eternal death for Laroque, who had nobody.

TL/N: People in this world can be reborn but Laroque won’t be able to be reborn if he dies in his vessel.

“…But I still have to go.” 

“…….” 

Laroque still said the same thing.

There was plenty of reason to stop Laroque at the cost of my life, but I made a different decision. 

“Okay. Have a safe trip.” 

When I told him to have a safe trip instead of stopping him, Laroque was surprised as if he hadn’t expected it. 

“Aren’t you telling me not to go?”

Laroque said it playfully, but I could tell it was some kind of bluff. 

“If you’re not going to die, I won’t stop you.” 

Laroque’s mouth, which was pulled up playfully, hardened. Looking at it calmly, I opened my mouth again. 

“I don’t know where you’re going, but have a safe trip. I’ll be waiting.” 

Laroque stared at me for a moment. 

“What if I’m late or if I don’t come back?”

“If you’re confident to walk the path of death with me, you can do that.” 

I swept away my hair which had fallen from frustration. Laroque was silently staring at what I was doing. 

“And you’re going to come back, right?” 

“…Do you trust me?” 

“If I don’t, who would I trust?” 

Normally, I would have answered with a smirk, but I wasn’t in the mood right now. 

I replied with my eyes locked with Laroque’s.

* * * 

“I trust you. So don’t get hurt and come back.” 

Laroque’s face clouded. It was an expression that I couldn’t read, but it evoked a weak protective instinct. 

I thought he looked sad. 

“I’ll have to return to repay that faith.”

It was the first time he had this kind of atmosphere around him, so I looked at her silently. 

Laroque bowed his head and whispered sweetly. But his words were more for himself rather than me.

“I’ll be right back. Just to confirm… I just want to confirm one thing. Thank you for your understanding.” 

Laroque murmured in a whisper.

I didn’t know what he wanted to confirm, but I nodded. 

I thought I should let her go now. 

“I’ll give this to you instead.”

Laroque pulled a small bottle out of his pocket and held it out. It was red powder in a transparent glass bottle. 

“What’s this?” 

“Estel. It’s a precious medicine that only dragons can produce. If you have problems while I’m away, eat this.” 

“What do you mean problems?”

“I’m giving it to you just in case. It won’t be a big deal, but just in case.” 

I looked at the red powder that gave me an ominous feeling and asked. 

“Exactly what problems should I have to eat this?” 

“Well, when you feel like you’re going to die?”