Chapter 25 – I’ve Made Up My Mind

「Your lordship, I am….」

Flying Lizard Lowers its gaze and slaps the floor using its tail.

「Flying Lizard, don’t break my room.」

Flying Lizard was surprised with what I said and noticed that my eyes were looking at its tail.

It looked at me with a clumsy expression on its face and turned its gaze to a distance.

「Sorry. I did it unconsciously.」

I guess that’s how confused it was but if I let it be, its tail might crack the floor.

「Flying Lizard, I’ve made up my mind.」

Flying Lizard sighs after hearing me.

Then, Koa hits Flying Lizard on its head with her paw.

Bonk.

…..given that sound, isn’t that quite heavy?

I was a little worried and looked at Flying Lizard.

「Ouch, what are you doing!」

「Nothing, I’m just trying to give a fool some sense.」

Koa snickered at the angry-looking Flying Lizard.

「What do you mean?」

Flying Lizard asked Koa in an impolite manner.

「If you’re really worried, look at the knowledge of dragons you have. His lordship himself didn’t give up, are you telling me you are?」

I agree with Koa.

「I’ll definitely protect this world.」

If I can’t, I’ll just die with everyone.

Ah, but the kids….I’ll discuss it with Goddess Aion.

Well, that’s only if she’s on our side.

『Rope, by telepathy please.』

『What’s the matter?』

『I want you to make sure that the dragons won’t be able to leave this world.』

They will probably leave on their own to protect this world.

I’ll do my best in order to prevent it from happening but if the destruction of the world is inevitable, I’m sure they’ll choose to leave.

And I’ll block them from doing that.

I’ll stay with everyone until the end.

That’s what I decided.

I’ve made up my mind.

Ah, however….does that mean that I’ve decided for everyone too?

『All right. I’ll stay with you too.』

『Eh? Rope can leave this world as long as you ask Goddess Aion, right?』

Rope was not born in this world.

If that is the case, there’s no problem if it leaves this world.

『I can but I will only recognize your lordship as my master. We’ll be together until the end.』

『Since you are finally free, don’t you want to enjoy it more?』

『Fufuuu, I enjoy being with your lordship. I’m fine with the way things are.』

『I see. Thank you.』

Yeah, it’s okay.

I’m not going to lose them.

「Your lordship.」

I looked at Flying Lizard.

「Can I tell it to the others?」

I have a feeling that the less they know, the happier they’ll live.

However, I guess that’s my selfish thinking.

「It’s okay. You can inform everyone.」

Flying Lizard and Koa nodded.

「However, I will not send anyone off this world even if the world comes to an end. Tell them that that’s what I’ve decided. Sorry if I’m being too selfish.」

Koa looks sad.

However, she nodded strongly the next second.

「It’s fine. I’m sure there’s something we can do.」

「Right.」

Flying Lizard nods many times.

Yeah, everything will be okay.

But still, I’m glad I had the hero summoning gifts.

Without it, I might have never looked forward.

I’ve been thankful for it up to now but there has never been a day that I’ve been more grateful for receiving it.

「Talking to Koa seemed to have calmed you down.」

「Was I helpful?」

I hugged her neck tightly.

Ah, she calmed me down too.

「Yeah.」

Alright.

I should explain this to everyone.

 

Flying Lizard called Fluffy and the others and left the room first.

As for me, I’ll figure out what to do with the angels and the kids.

I wish they could say my intentions but….they can’t.

I think it’s about time for the angels to talk in a meaningful manner but they still don’t.

I’ve heard that even human children can talk before they’re a year old….

They’re pretty late. I’m worried.

 

I went downstairs to the first floor and saw Chai waiting.

When he sees Koa, his tail wags happily.

「Why are you here?」

His tail loses momentum in response to Koa’s question.

I pat Chai’s head while almost laughing at it.

Chai is happy to be pat but also seems to be concerned about Koa’s presence.

Koa laughs a little and slams Chai’s but with her tail.

They are flirting as usual.

「I have something important to tell you so let’s go to the living room.」

Hearing my words, the spiderling and grandspiderlings on the ceiling move hastily.

I guess they’re going to call everyone.

The living room is too small for everyone to gather in so let’s prepare the wood deck too.

「Your lordship.」

Usa and Kuuhi came running down to me.

They look a little uneasy as if they have sensed something.

Hikari is behind them.

Hikari can’t speak yet but he’s interacting well with everyone.

「Usa, Kuuhi, Hikari, I have to talk to you about something. It’s about your future.」

Hearing my words, the three nervously nodded.

When I went to the living room, my companions were already there.

The wood deck had been vacated by the one eyes or perhaps they opened the window wider than usual.

Boss-san, Shuri, parent spiders, and parent ants are already here too.

Ai and the others also have gathered.

The dragons….all here.

Karen is looking at me from her perch.

「I think everyone is aware that there have been earthquakes since a little while ago. I had Rope investigate the cause and it found out what was causing it.」

I explained it to everyone and they were all listening quietly. Listening about the problem this world iis facing.

As I was done informing them, I could see the dragons exchanging glances.

I’m sure they’re preparing to leave.

「Let me tell you this first. I will not be happy to survive at the expense of someone. On the contrary, it would be so painful that I might want to die. Therefore, I don’t want anyone to leave this world. I don’t want to feel that pain.」

I look at the dragons and they have complicated expressions on their faces.

I wonder how long have I been like this?

When did I become able to read their expressions with the slightest change?

I already could do it before I knew it.

I guess that’s how much we’re together.

「But….your lordship……」

Light Blue comes up to me while looking down in sadness.

When I pat its head, I can feel the coolness coming from it.

It feels good since it’s summer.

「It hasn’t break yet and it’s not even decided that it will surely break. Don’t you think it’s too early to give up?」

We have to solve this at all costs.

「……that’s right.」

Fluffy and the other’s expressions changed a little.

「Hikari, Usa, and Kuuhi, I’ll ask Goddess Aion to….」

Ah, Hikari will be fine but Usa and Kuuhi were born in this world.

They might die if they leave this world.

「I’ll stay with your lordship.」

「Me too.」

Kuuhi and Hikari agreed with Usa’s words.

There is no sadness in their expression.

「I see…..」

What should I do? Should I tell Usa and Kuuhi?

When I look at them, they look straight at me.

「Sorry, Usa and Kuuhi. You two were born in this world so you might not be able to live in other worlds.」

「Understood.」

Usa and Kuuhi replied as if they didn’t really care.

That made me a little confused but Usa hugged me tightly.

「Then, let’s stay together forever.」

I pat Usa’s head and she smiles happily.

「Yeah, together.」

Someone pulled me.

When I look who it is, I find Hikari pointing at me.

「Hikari will stay in this world too.」

Hikari smiles as Kuuhi says that.

Isn’t it still too early to decide what’s ahead?

「Hikari wasn’t born in this world so I thought he could live in another world.」

Hikari shakes his head.

I look at Hikari and he looks at me.

「I understand. I’m sorry for making you stay with me.」

I pat Hikari’s head as he shakes it.

The others are….Taiyou and the others.

They are still too young.

I’ll ask Goddess Aion to take care of them.

And the angels too.

Ah, and let’s get the pitch-black egg leaves too.

……speaking of which, when is that egg going to hatch?

I turn my gaze to the bed in the living room where the egg lies.

I think it’s about time for it to hatch.

Maybe, those are….that one?

Which one?

Well, I don’t need to think about that now.

I wonder if that one’s power is still too weak to hatch.