Dragon Life 91

September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 Sonata Chiyu8 Comments

Hello everyone, sorry for the extremely long delay! Tbh, it was 50% bcos work got busy again, 20% cos I was lazy, 30% bcos I didnt know whether it properly ends and I really dreaded finding out. But hey, for you all who waited and wanted to see even one more chapter, this is for you 🙂 it’s a miracle its out HAHA but thank goodness it was short

Just to clarify, this is the last available chapter of dragon life, there won’t be anymore, regardless of how it ends on this page. And just how does it end? Fufu, time for you to find out!

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The Words of the Oath – Side Vito & Marius

A few hours after the chaos in the castle settled.

It completely changed from a glamorous ball, and the hall became such a mess you could barely see what it used to be. Scattered tables and chairs, cutlery and etc. As of a huge monster had appeared and rampaged around.

All the demons that appeared has been defeated, but the red magic circle continued to faintly glow as it floated at the centre of the hall. Surrounding it were knights with sword in hand and in a battle stance. Behind them was Prince Leblance with a serious face, looking at the magic circle. The magician Madeleine was investigating the magic circle, and as if reaching some kind of conclusion, nodded as she walked over to the prince.

“Prince, unlike conventional teleportation magic, that magic circle is extremely complicated. And it’s also made in an old-fashioned way. To think that there were still people who would make such a thing. I respect them.”

Although I’m not sure a human did it, she added sarcastically, as she glared at the floating magic circle.

“To plan and execute a surprise attack on such a day, it is not a plan that demons would be able to come up with. As expected, the Demon King’s resurrection has something to do with it”

“Was it something that Hector said? [To prevent the resurrection of the Demon King, present the Great Devil]… what he says is incomprehensible. The demons appearance, Hero summoning, and to add on, the conversation with Demons and their assistance. It’s all so astounding, I have no idea what to believe in”

He held his forehead as he held in a sigh. Madeleine gently supported that prince’s shoulder.

“Please do not speak so weakly as the prince of a country. This is not the first time that they aren’t showing all the cards in their hand”

“If he was the Demon King, I probably wouldn’t be worrying this much.It’s become such a difficult world to live in, huh.”

“So you are saying we should have just died when the Black Dominator was around, is that what you’re saying?”

I didn’t say that much. The prince smiled bitterly as he looked away. And then he met my eyes.

“Lutoria, where were you? I was worried, you know”

His gaze moved quickly to Captain-san who was next to me. Looking at the prince upfront, he looked emaciated.

“The one that is hiding behind you… are you possibly, Touka’s older sister?”

At the prince’s words, I panicked and hid behind Captain-san. I have no face to meet him.

I thought of dropping things here and quickly returning home, but as I thought, I was worried about the situation.

Even if I looked around, there were only servants and knights cleaning up, but I couldn’t find them and their unique outfits. Approaching the prince as the Captain-san suggested because he would likely know was a good idea, but it really did not look like the right situation for that. And right now, I am hiding behind Captain-san’s back.

“Leblance, where is Touka?”

“Touka? He was here up to a while ago… but I presume he went in search for his sister over there. And it seems like Naoki got caught up in the magic circle. And chasing after them, Touka’s older brother and the purple Eart Dragon jumped into the magic circle. Touka does tend to be more emotional when it comes to his relatives… he remembered about his sister and went running out. It seems as though you just missed each other though”

That’s both Touka’s strong point, but also his weakness. How he’d probably sacrifice himself first. The prince likely knew that as well, as he sighed for the second time.

When I peeked out from behind Captain-san’s back, my eyes met the prince’s. For some reason, Madeleine was also looking in my direction.

“…Itoka, what do you plan to do?”

I figured out that something had happened. But as expected, I want to properly listen to Touka. I’m curious about what happened to Naoki, Honoka-nii and Hana, and also Marius, who I can’t find. I’d be able to hear directly from the witness, Touka, about what happened here, is what I thought, as I pulled on the hem of Captain-san’s clothes and look up at him.

“I want to go look for Touka”

A gentle smile, as if saying ‘I knew you would say that’.

“But, Captain-s-… I can’t ask Lu-san to continue to accompany me”

“You don’t have to force yourself, you can just call me captain. I have become, quite fond of it. And Itoka, you don’t have to mind such things”

But, my words were cut-off.

“I am doing it because I want to. Even if the world was my enemy, I will be fine as long as you are with me. Just remember that”

He just casually dropped a killer line. Such frivolous words just rolled off his tongue, but it was somehow fitting for Captain-san, and somehow made my heart skip a beat, putting me in critical condition.

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“…Sorry to be a bother, Lutoria, um, she is…”

I come back to my senses at the Prince’s words. He was smiling wryly.

“Nice to meet you, Prince Leblance. Thank you for taking care of Touka, I’m his older sister, Itoka. For my disrespectful actions earlier, please pardon me”

I bow in a hurry while I introduce myself. It became a habit that I was stiff and using formal language.

“…That way of bowing”

I heard Madeleine gasping. Wondering if I made a blunder, I raised my head, to meet an amber-coloured gaze. It has been 2years since then. If Chiffon was a lady who lived under the sun, Madeleine is the maiden that sings magic under the moon. The 2 that could not be told apart except through their hairstyles, they have changed so much in just 2 short years, huh. Even her dress for the ball was dazzling.

I stared straight. Just as I thought she was silently approaching, my right hand was clasped by both her hands.

“Are you, Vito?”

At Madeleine’s words, the Prince’s eyes went wide.

“There’s no mistake. When you take a bow and lower your head, you bow a little deeper than others. And that, can’t just be explained as being humble”

She smiled happily.

I never noticed that I had such a habit. This bowing form is from when Madame had taught me as Vito, and it’s how any servant around here would do it. To think that it would backfire in such a way. Ahh, habits are such a scary thing”

“It seems I have no choice but to trust in what Chiffon had said. Looks like it’s my loss”

“Ex, excuse me”

“Don’t try to run away, and say that you are a different person. I realised after touching you. This warm magic is no doubt, Vito’s. In addition, looking at Lutoria-san’s reaction there is no way you aren’t Vito”

Her smile deepened. But the hand that held mine was faintly trembling.

“…I’m sorry, Madeleine”

“It’d be better if you mend that habit of just apologising right from the beginning. Because you have absolutely nothing to be sorry for”

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“Lutoria, please explain, just what is going on”

At the Prince’s muffled words, Captain-san smiled bitterly while letting out a rare sigh.

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Side Marius

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The air in the underground of the Demon realm was far worse than I thought, and the atmosphere was terrible. Rough red rocks were rolling around, and some indescribable mass of insects or creatures were wriggling in crevices and gaps between rocks. The demon realm is a place where the light of the sun doesn’t reach, but there are fires every here and there, to allow me to finally be able to confirm my surroundings. It’s like a huge cave.

I push down my discomfort and focus on the presence in front of me. I have already gotten past the shame of being carried. I just want to get out of here as soon as possible. That’s all I think about as I desperately hold out.

“Marius?”

My companion had timely stopped his stride. I wonder if her noticed that I’m not feeling great.

“I’m fine, so hurry. Let’s go find Naoki”

It hurts just to talk. I bite my lip and push my face into Fer’s shoulder. I don’t have they hobby of smelling other people, but it’s better than breathing in the air in this underground space. No, it might not be right to say that it’s better. He has a nostalgic smell. It’s similar to the sandalwood incense that Mother liked to use. If I remember right, she received it from a precious person—-

“Marius”

“Ah”

Gakun, my body swayed. It seems my consciousness had flown away for awhile. Sitting me on a nearby rock, Fer bent down on his knee and took a look at my face.

“Did you, push yourself too much?”

Feeling extremely terrible mentally, tears start to flow out and hinder my vision. Wiping my tears on my sleeve and spat out an ‘I’m fine’ while pushing away his outstretched hand, I was forcefully grabbed had my face brought closer. A coarse tongue brushed by my cheek. In the same way a cat plays with its owner. But the one licking is not a cute cat, but a red-eyed Demon.

“As expected, Angels are weak. That’s why, they get eaten immediately”

“The one’s who are forcefully eating are you people isn’t it… I hate succubuses”

I have no idea what they are thinking, and even their gender is questionable… although I know I’m in no position to talk. But to be able to change their entire body structure is just cowardly. If I were a Demon, I wouldn’t have been troubled by this for years. [1]

“Open, your mouth”

My chin is grasped and held in place. Even with my dulled thoughts, I could figure out what Fer was trying to do.

“Don’t wanna”

“At this rate, you’ll die”

“Definitely, don’t want to”

With my arm grabbed, it was pointless resistance to try and dodge. There’s no way I can beat him in strength. But even then, I don’t want to.

“Why are you going do far. It’d be fine to just release me! Because you vowed, because you like me, I don’t know anything, and I have nothing to do with it…! If you want to eat, then why don’t you eat?!”

I’m being incoherent. I don’t even know what I’m saying. But I just didn’t want to be whining.

“So it’s fine to eat? Got it”

“Eh, ….nn”

Both my cheeks were held and brought closer. My mouth was cleanly sealed without any gaps, and I felt as if my soul was being sucked out from my body. From deep in my throat, from a place deeper than my heart. Some squirming black thing was slowly being sucked out. Strength left my entire body.

“What, are you doing”

“Because the miasma was building up in your body, I ate it. Angels, unlike Demons, are pure. So it’s easy to accumulate”

The miasma is especially dense underground, he plainly said. It’s true that my body feels lighter. Even though I felt so bad I could vomit earlier, I now feel refreshed.

But something doesn’t make sense. Are all Demons like this? To be able to casually just kiss others? Is that just to be expected? Am I the weird one?

And if it was going to be that way.

“…I would have preferred a girl”

When I muttered that, Fer just stared blankly, before saying ‘got it’ and standing up. Just as I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, Fer’s body became limp and started distorting. Not just his body, but the space also twisted, and gradually became smaller.

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And what appeared, was a small girl.

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Eyes so big, they looked like they’d fall out, slowly opened. Her lightly coloured lips formed a gentle arc, and her fangs peeked out. Tilting your head up, bright red hair was swaying behind her ears. As always, revealing clothes fight snugly on her body lines. Her ample chest was hidden by exquisite, thin lines.

“Is this, fine?”

Her innocent smile did not change, and bat-like wings continued to flutter at her back.

Even then, I can’t help but be surprised.

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That appearance, is — Maribelle.

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“How, do you know that appearance”

Blankly looking up, Fer turned and twisted to check her body carefully.

“I took on the form of the woman you like the most. This way, you can like me?”

Once again, she knelt on the ground as she came closer. Her smile, even with the Demons wings on her back, it was no exaggeration to call it the smile of an angel. Looking at it objectively, even if Maribelle’s figure isn’t me, she’s still cute.

I remember something Ariade told me before. [So the person you like is Maribelle huh]. Back then, I didn’t really understand what she was saying. But now, I understand. I was tailoring Maribelle as my ideal girl.

“Marius?”

“Don’t, don’t come close”

Having become conscious of it, I can’t just stay calm. It’s way too embarrassing. Even if the one in front of my is supposed to be a Demon, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a girl taking Maribelle’s appearance. I don’t care if you call me a narcissist.

I hide my red hot cheeks with my hands.

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But come on, she’s so cute. It can’t be helped…!!

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Translator corner:
[1] Recap: Marius is talking about how he was ‘forced’ to cross-dress when he was younger, the exact reason I can’t rmb either!

Confession time <Don’t read if you aren’t done with the chapter!! You’ve been warned!>- I knew from the beginning of the chpt that it doesn’t end properly… After all, the title of the chapter is actually “The Words of Oath- First part : Side Vito and Marius” but I couldn’t possibly have put that there right from the start TT that’s why I considered not doing it all. But I rmb promising that I would finish it all, so thats how we reached this point.

Either way…crais :'(… so that’s how it was left… If anyone has thoughts of making a fanfic continuation and wants to post it, please go ahead! Then let me know where I can find it! But if not, we’ve come to the end of this journey, it’s been a good ride!

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<< Dragon Life 90 — Dragon Life Contents Page

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Dragon Life 90

July 18, 2021September 7, 2021 Sonata Chiyu7 Comments

Sorry for the mishap last week everyone, here’s the real chapter! Anyways regarding whether the series was dropped or completed, we’ll find out in the next chapter. Since it’s the last available post HAHA *cries internally*

At this point I honestly can’t tell anymore, because it feels like it could go on longer, but also come to a conclusion soon. Well, we’ll see it soon either way!

The angelic race are upset. Side Vite and Marius

“– Hah! I feel like I just heard Marius’ voice..!!”

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I shuddered as I looked back. Towards where the event hall was.

Marius had headed there to get a grasp of the situation. Did something happen to him?

Probably noticing the worry in my expression, the captain asked “What’s wrong?”

“…No, it’s like a wild hunch, or something like that. I think Marius is in some serious trouble”

Marius is? He asked, to which I lightly nodded.

Putting that aside, what do you mean wild hunch. I didn’t actually revert back into a dragon did I. It’s a little scary.

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“…Well, he has some complicated circumstances so, it’s not unexpected for him to get caught up in troubling things”

“Complicated circumstances?”

Certainly, he cross-dressed, or that he’s a member of the angelic race, it was a far too complicated life. But I feel like he’s carrying more than that. This is also, just a hunch. But my hunch is often right. There is no loss to worrying.

“Something troubling, could it be…! Because he was such an enviously beautiful girl that he got kidnapped?!”

“Ah… that happened once before. About a year ago. He was abducted by some lustful man”

“Wha, what did you say?! Tell me in detail! Any for real, for it to be a lustful person! I’ll bite him to death—”

At that moment.

When I got all excited and leaned forward.

Psat– A strange feeling enveloped my back.

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When I fearfully turned to look at my back, I found a pair of white wings growing.

I involuntarily let out a small scream.

Unlike Marius, the winds weren’t glowing mysteriously or divinely. A strong frame and smooth curves drew out dragon wings. They sprouted from my back, as I felt the blood rush out.

“This is”

Somehow I, haven’t I been dragonizing too much? Why would I have dragon wings on a human body.

Does it come out when I get excited? If my emotions keep growing, I’d be a dragon at the end.

――― You’ve got to be kidding!!

AHH, as I was about to shriek while I was worried and at a loss, a change occured in my wings.

The pure white wings, starting from the pointed tips, were gradually dyed black. When it reached the base of the wing, it had a brilliant lustre under the light of the sun.

They were the black wings I almost fell in love with myself.

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“As I though, black suits you”

“No way, is it Captain-san’s fault!?”

He just profoundly smiled at my question.

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It seems that was exactly the case.

Whether it’s the ‘re’ contract or the ‘new’ contract, being forced to drink blood, as ‘expected’, lead to this.

“I, I don’t want to! I will not return to being a dragon. I want to remain as a human!”

The Captain is just staring blankly.

“Even if the body is different, there was no change to the soul itself. The Black Dragon in the entrance hall, is also one part of you. Vito. So it doesn’t matter what form you take, it won’t change that you are you”

Even so, it’s, terrible.

“I am…. not Vito”

“That’s true. Then, Itoka, let me try to guess, what you are thinking about”

Putting his hand on my cheek as I hung my head down, he smiled gently and kindly as usual.

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“You’re afraid of no longer being a human”

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Afraid. That’s right. Even if I accept my memories as a dragon, I don’t ever want to become a dragon, again.

I’m, a human.

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“But that’s wrong. As long as Itoka believes she is human, then she is a human. If you think you are a dragon, then you’re a dragon. No matter how your existence is defined or classified, your appearance won’t affect that. That’s why if you think you are a human, you are a human”

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In this world, I’m sure it really is like that. It won’t matter whether I am a human or a dragon. I could live however I wanted.

But that’s not what I’m apprehensive about.

The Captain, is speaking on the premise that I remain in this world.

But you see, that sort of logic won’t work in my world. Even if I were to return to being a dragon, I could probably live on in this world. But, I’d just be treated like a monster in my world.

That’s why, I’m scared. Of not being a human. Because I wouldn’t be able to return to my world.

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“Aren’t you just trying to wrap it nicely?”

“Maybe. But you seemed to be looking for an answer, so I am just providing one”

“…”

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… Did you perhaps, say it knowingly?

I look at Captain-san’s complexion. He’s smirking. Almost creepily.

… It can’t be, he really said it knowingly?

I, in order to prevent my from returning to my previous world, he made a contract, to bind me — no, no way. But, I feel as if he said something along the lines of not letting me go.

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I’m scared, I can’t hear.

There’s no way I can hear you!!

Listening to one’s true intentions, listening to one’s true will, that should be my life-or-death or more like life problem!!

This time there might be a working collar on my neck. How frightening!!

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“I, I get it already, it’s fine. Let whatever happens from now on, happen”

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I look away. It might have seemed intentional. Did he notice, no, he definitely did. Captain-san is purposely letting me swim. But even I am not that stupid or ignorant. I’ve gotta regain my calm..

Yup, I’m fine. It’ll be fine if I just think a convenient power has fallen into my hands. Let’s think about it that way.

Now I’ll stop thinking about it. There must be some sort of solution. For example, asking Riya-san, or using Touka’s hero powers to somehow do something. Let’s be optimistic here.

It’s kind of like a insect in the summer flying near fire.

For a while, I probably have to resolve myself to fighting with Captain-san underwater.

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“Do you really not care?”

“Eh? About what? In any case, why did only one side turn black I wonder!”

Was I being to obvious? But if I don’t at least go this far, I won’t be able to change the subject.

Probably finding my reaction interesting, he laughed to himself, turning his gaze to the still white wing and tilted his head in mystery.

“Did you, by any chance, drink someone’s blood?”

“…eh? Ah, now that you mention it, I did drink a little from Marius”

Because I was hungry, I added with a wry smile.

“The colour of the angelic race is white. While Marius blood is in your body, it’ll probably stay like that”

“So it’ll eventually become black”

“As long as you didn’t make a contract with him”

You have the contract with me, too.

Hmm, hold on. A contract, in Marius words, was the vow, wasn’t it.

If I complete the vow while I have Marius’ blood, I’d always be white and black, both types of wings. …which would mean. It would overlap with the contract with Captain-san, and maybe negate each other?

Ooh!! How smart, me!!

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The solution was found much faster than I thought.

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＊＊＊

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Side Marius

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After diving into the red magic circle, there was a pitch-black world. You could compare it to the ocean floor, where light could not reach. Before my eyes could adjust to the darkness, I couldn’t tell up from down or left from right, and I could only desperately cling to the figure in front of me for dear life.

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The red Demon began to rapidly descend.

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“Eh, wai-, ah, no— kyaaaa!!”

I can’t help but scream?! It’s even scarier than when I fell above Itoka!!

That was because I was just following gravity and fell, but this red Demon is obviously falling on purpose. His flapping red wings are the proof.

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This may be the first time in my life that I’ve screamed till my throat hurt.

After a while whoom, I felt the effects of gravity again, finally having reached the ground.

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“I, I thought I was gonna die…!! Hey! What do you think you’re doing! Return me right now! And more than that, put me down!!”

“Mm, is that, fine? It’s, dangerous”

“It’s fine!! Hurry!!—Wah?!”

The arm wrapped around me pulled away and I was finally released, but I couldn’t put strength into my legs and sat on the ground.

It’s too pathetic, even for me.

The red Demon looked down at me with glee. It looks like he knew that this would happen.

How infuriating!!

“I, said. Warning, you, didn’t listen”

He squat in order to meet my gaze. I thought I’d be pulled up by the arm again, but it went back to the way it was before.

If I was going to get princess carried… I wish it was at least done by Lance-niisama!! In this situation, even Minette would be fine! It’s fine as long as it’s anyone but him!!

But frustratingly, my legs were so weak that much less walk, I can’t even stand. I feel like crying.

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“Where, is this”

“Demon world”

“I know that much. Where in the demon world. It was created together with the heavenly realm right? If this is somewhere near the gate, I might be able to return to the surface world”

“The gate, far. So, created, magic circle”

“As I thought that magic circle was your doing! Because of that, just how many had been sacrificed!!”

“Swear. That, magic circle, activation ah— hard to say, hate”

The red Demon’s face twisted. It may be his individual language issues, but there’s something that’s hard to explain using his stuttering speech. The person himself looks like he’s having trouble sometimes too.

I wonder if all Demons are like this. Us Angels aren’t like that, but, we don’t know much about the nature of Demons. Mother taught me before, ‘Be careful of Demons’, ‘Be especially careful of Nightmare-types’, ‘They, they are a species that care not for the method in order to get the prey they want’, ‘Mother is worried, you see—that they might take advantage of you’, ‘I don’t want you to lose your wings’, said Mother, who seemed lonely due to losing one of her wings as she looked at me.

Mother was, captured by a Nightmare Demon. The white wings are our proof as Angels. And at the same time, white wings are Demons favourites. I have no idea how they steal wings, but the one side dyed-purple wing doesn’t suit Mother. Because of that, she can’t return to the heavenly realm. Because of that, Mother was caught up in the succession for the Tirzot Kingdom. Because of that, Mother— was mentally afflicted.

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“I will definitely, never forgive you”

Just recalling Mother’s sad face overflows me with anger.

Clenching my fist so tightly that my nails dug into my skin, something lightly brushed by. It was the red Demons fingers.

Instinctively brushing them away, the red Demon tilted his head and stared blankly.

“Wha, what. If you want to say something then say it”

“Is. Speaking, difficult. Conveying, impossible, concluded”

“Concluded…?”

“Fine? Say it, I can”

“Say it? You can? You’re saying that you can speak? You? Like a person?”

A light nod.

“How?”

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Fuu, and his face came closer. There was no time to avoid it.

By the time I noticed, his dusky pomegranate eyes were right in front of mine, our foreheads collided, and something hit my lips. Something entered my slightly open lips. It was cool air. It passed through my throat, and blew in as if penetrating straight to my heart.

My eyes would have gone wide with just this.

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“Now it’s fine”

After a while he pulled away, as a smile like a child whose mischief was successful bloomed on his face.

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…That, what, did he do?

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“Oi, what’s up. Angel? …did you die?”

“I didn’t die!! Wai- just, wh-wha-wha-whaa!!?”

I resent from the bottom of my heart that I can’t even move away and just bend back because I’m being held by the Demon.

“Face, red. Interesting”

It’s not fun or interesting for me at all!!

The Demon started gleefully laughing again.

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It was at that time, along with the sound of flapping wings, someone had came down from above.

“Oh my, Fer. Where did you pick up little cutie over there? …Ack, wait. Isn’t it an Angel”

Not to mention the revealing clothes, but also a low voice and tough face with an Okama’s mannerisms. Plus it’s got a skinhead. He licked his lips as if looking at a delectable treat, sending shivers down my body and made my hair stand.

“This isn’t provisions. Besides that Cocyto, did you see any humans?”

“Humans? That’s true, now that you mention it there was something that fell from the sky earlier. It fell over there you know? And pretty deep too”

Looking closely, it was tall. The red Demon was also quite tall, but it was beyond that. It might be even taller than Father.

But, I could tell from the eyes that were the same colour as it wings, that this being, was a Demon.

“…and like, that speech. Fer, when did you take an oath? Aww. If it was like that, you should have said so earlier! What kind of Demon is the other party? Or is it maybe the little cutie from the other day? That child did seem quite zealous about you—?”

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“This person”

The red Demon pointed at me with his chin.

“…you’re lying”

The okama Demon opened wide its small eyes.

“Haa-… to take an oath to an Angel, it’s just like you should I say, well, it looks temporary since it was one-sided, but if you are fine with it then it’s fine isn’t it? Angel-chan, I’m not troubled by this”

An oath? What’s with that. Eh? Eeeehh!?

“It’s not a problem that’s just troubling!! An, an oath, what on earth is that! Demons also had such a ritual!?”

“Oh my, so Angels have it too huh. Well, we were originally born as similar existences, whether it looks like it or not.

I don’t need a flying kiss! More than that, I want an explanation!

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“An, an oath, eh? You did? Eh? Wai, wait, that, what does that”

“Are you confused?”

“Can’t you tell just by looking!”

Well of course, the Demon smiled.

“It’s fine. As long as you don’t vow to me, the ritual will not be completed.

“There’s no way I would!! Absolutely never! I have someone else I have vowed to!!”

“Oh my. You got rejected, Fer. I thought you too had found a partner just like me and darling, even though it was Angel-chan. A forbidden love is so romantic. Especially for us Demons, who like to steal Angels white purity as their guilty pleasure. Oh no!”

The Demon wriggled its body while saying ‘Things are getting interesting!’.

It’s not interesting to me at all, it’s outrageous!

Inferring from the okama Demon’s words, Demons, unlike Angels, have to find specific partners and make an oath with each other and become something like a couple. And as part of the oath, their language ability is improved, I guess. However, but this all I can think about calmly. My head is almost about to blow.

“In, in the first place! Be-between 2 guys!”

“Mm, that doesn’t matter. As long as their feelings are conveyed, their gender doesn’t matter. Anyways, us Nightmares can switch between male and female you know? Thats true, Fer, take on your female form. Didn’t you use that form before. For all you know, it might make the cutie Angel fall for you, you know?”

“So it’s like that?”

“It is like that!”

“Absolutely wrong!! Don’t misunderstand me!”

<line>

“Hey hey, in any case. What are you planning to do with that child?”

“This has nothing to do with you. Don’t unnecessarily poke. Your darling will scold you”

“Ehh but for an Angel to come to the Demon world, how many decades has it been. They are a feast to us. I’m sure, they’ll come in flocks you know? Even if it’s you, what would you do if you were spotted by another Demon while carrying that child? Won’t it be difficult?”

That is true. This is the world of Demons. Will I be able to remain sane in this situation. Thinking of my reality makes my face turn blue. I don’t even have anyone I know that I can rely on here. I’ve got no choice but to make it to the surface world by myself. But, the exception is this red Demon.

“Nghh, even your frightened face… tempts me”

The okama Demon poked its cheek with it’s finger. Seeing the image of it licking already gave me a psychological attack.

—Kyaa. A pervert! There’s a pervert over here!

<line>

“Don’t touch him”

Seeing that I was scared, the red Demon pushed aside the okama Demon’s hand.

“Ehh, don’t be like that. A little, just a little, let me have a taste! I’ll only corrupt him a little! It’d be easier for him to move around the Demon world like that, right?”

“As if I’d let you corrupt me even a little!!”

“That’s right, the one who will make him fall, is me!!”

What the hell is this Demon saying!!

“Why does it become like that!?”

“Oho. Your hands have already reached! If Fer is going that far then it can’t be helped. I’ll give up! I too don’t want to be in your way!”

I even got my tension up! The okama Demon danced a strange dance before flying away.

<line>

“I’ve had, enough… Let me go home”

I don’t want to have to be here for another second. It’s dark, there are weird okama Demons, I still can’t put strength into my legs, even the air here is somewhat stagnant, and every breath is scratchy. It’s also because I was screaming like crazy, but now even my mood is down. I want to breathe air outside.

<line>

“Sorry. Is it difficult? Angel”

He seems to have finally noticed that I was in bad condition. The red Demon peeked at my face. I wonder how blue my face had become, as wrinkles had appeared between the red Demon’s eyebrows.

“It’s obviously tough. For me, the air of the Demon world is like poison. And my name is not Angel, it’s Marius! I have the wonderful name of Marius Dufoe!”

“Heh, I am Fer. Fer Ryche. Let’s get along, Marius”

“Wh-who wants to get along with you!”

Ah, crap. I don’t even have the energy to shout. With a small sigh, I bite my lips.

“And so, how are you planning to return me… well, I don’t trust you yet though”

“Once we find Naoki-sama. As Cocyto said, they probably fell over there, and fell deeper within. Are you fine? Going deeper, the air will get even thicker”

“…For a Demon to worry about someone else, it’s the first I’ve heard of it”

I thought they were more audacious and acted without care for others. Just like the king of Tirzot Kingdom.

<line>

“Because, I like you”

“Eh…?”

I raised my lowered head.

<line>

“Because watching you is interesting”

Fer flapped his red bat-like wings as he smiled like a child.

<line>

Translator Notes:
[1] TBH I really don’t know either, if anyone figures out do let me know!

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<< Dragon Life 89 — Dragon Life Contents Page — Dragon Life 91 >>

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Dragon Life Announcement

July 11, 2021July 17, 2021 Sonata Chiyu6 Comments

Sorry about the wrong release! My scheduling really got messed up. The chapter will be up probably next week.

BUT what some of you might have caught is that Dragon Life has only 2 chapters left, and it’s most likely not the end, but that the story was dropped. Which makes sense, seeing that the earlier translators both dropped it. At least now I know why :’)

but it’s also not confirmed so just stick around for the last 2 chapters! We’re in this together, I’ll cry with you if it really didn’t end, but since we don’t know we can still have hope 😀

Thats all for now!

Dragon Life 89

June 20, 2021July 20, 2021 Sonata Chiyu3 Comments

Big oof. Guess what. I didn’t realise that I had accidentally set the release to come out a whole month late HAHA I was wondering why I wasn’t seeing any wordpress emails. Welp. Thank goodness my lazy brain remembered to check while I was working on the next part of the chapter. Well, better now than never, and earlier than later.

Also sorry to bring slight disappointment even when we are near the end, but the next release will probably be delayed a little, but I’ll do my best to get it out:) However as promised since the beginning, I won’t drop it and make sure I reach the end! For you guys’ sake and mine 😀

A bit of an impt note while reading this chapter:
Previous translators had used the word ‘demon’ to translater ‘mamono’, which is actually closer to monster. Where it gets confusing is that *spoiler* a demon/member of demonic race(‘mazoku’) shows up in this chapter. So, it’s obviously going to get confusing. The solution? For consistency, I’ll call all monsters and ‘mamono’ as demons, and all ‘mazoku’ will be Demons or members of the demonic race.
Same for angels: if ‘tenshi’ comes out, its angels, but if it’s written as ‘tenninzoku’, it will be Angel/Angelic person or member of the angelic race.

Hope that clarifies things!

Putting that aside! It the almost last chapter! Are you looking forward to it? Or sad that it’s ending? or both? Regardless which group you’re in, here’s the next chapter, not too late from before!

Red demon Side Marius

The demons which suddenly broke into the castle were disorderly scattered around. Knights and mages had weapons in hand as they faced the demons, while those with no way to fight were escaping to a safe place. There has never been a situation where demons appeared in Alvina Kingdom’s castle and began attacking people before. It was unthinkable to even be able to breach the city, much less the castle, with all the adventurers and the country’s elites stationed.

But that belief broke easier than a thread, and the people fell into a panic.

“Damn it, what happened all of a sudden! Riya, purification please!”

“Ye,yes!!”

There were unsuppressable number of monsters even with the purification powers of the priestess Riya combined with the innate light magic of the Hero.

“Where did Yuu and Naoki go?!”

We seem to have lost them. Touka took a look around, as he swung his sword.

And he met my eyes. He cut down the demon between us and moved closer.

“Marius! You’re back! …That, your back!?”

“…that, that, you were an angel-sama?!”

Riya’s were sparkling. Like a maiden dreaming of a fairy tale. Legends and folk tales were looked up to and praised as good.

<line>

‘“I’m not an angel, just part of the angelic race! [1] Forget that, what happened?”

“That’s the thing, I don’t know either! Nii-chan and Hana suddenly appeared and just as I thought that they were being swallowed up by a red magic circle, demons started to pour out instead. And so the whole place is panicking. In fact, I want to ask someone to tell me what’s going on!”

Take a look, he prompted me to taken a look at where the stained glass was. Where Touka’s brother had put into a miserable state, was a huge, bright red magic circle, swaying as if it was alive. As if it was twisting space. That was connected to another space.

“Argh, damn it! There’s no end even if I defeat them!!”

Even as we were doing this, demons continued to come forth from the red magic circle. I too took the sword at my waist to deal with the demons, but as Touka said, there’s no end in sight. First, we need to do something about that magic circle. Making up my mind, I moved away from Touka and flew towards the red magic circle.

<line>

“This, is”

I noticed as I came closer. The spell from magic circle was made using ancient letters and spelling. And it was a particularly old set of letters. Making use of this to cast space magic, one must have a large amount of magical power for that. And the number of people who can do so are limited.

Just who’s doing this, I mumbled. At that moment, the magic circle flashed. I prepare myself for a new demon which might appear.

But what appeared, instead of a lion shaped demon, was a completely bright red person. Dusky red hair that looked as if it was thirsty for blood, with dull eyes the shade of a crushed pomegranate.[2] Dark brown skin which reminds you of someone who lived in a dark, dank cave instead of looking lively. And sinister, red, bat-like wings stemming from it’s back.

It’s clothes fully exposed it’s arms and back. It looks like a man from it’s build, but Demons were famous for being genderless. They could take the form they liked.

As I was thinking that a Demon had appeared through the magic circle, it glanced at its surroundings expressionless.

I wonder if it is searching for something.

<line>

―― Wait a minute? A Demon? But Demons and demons shouldn’t be related. Although their existences were similar, they were fundamentally different. And anyways, the world’s agreement this round didn’t only involve the kingdoms. The angelic and demonic race would also be troubled if the world they lived in were to disappear, so they have at least publicly consented to the agreement.

Why would such a Demon, appear from the magic circle where monsters were appearing?

…I see, it could be Demons from the demonic race with outdated ideas.

<line>

Flick, those red eyes suddenly meet mine, making me tremble.

“The great devil-sama?[3] …no”

“Great, devil…?”

The great devil, is a name that is as old as the times where we used to be called ‘angels’. It’s name was just passed down as part of the fairy tale read just before bed.

“The great devil, is it referring to, the demon king?”

“You know it?”

It was a bad decision on my part to react. The Demon swiftly flew right in front of me. Realising that that bony hand was about to come close and touch me, I hurriedly shook it off.

“You Demon…! Don’t touch me!”

The blood of the angelic race in me instinctively rejects Demons. The demonic and angelic race were incompatible. The past few hundred years, they had no conflict nor huge public relations at all, it was no exaggeration to call their relationship like those of cats and dogs. Demons have corrupted uncountable members of the angelic race. And they see it as nothing more than a game. I don’t even want to think about having my wings dyed the detestable colour of the demonic race.

“Are you, an Angel? …I see, then, don’t, interfere”[4]

That was the first time that expressionless face crumbled. A face with wrinkles above the eyebrows approached.

“Guh..!”

His extended arm grabbed my shoulder, and my body was instantly thrown toward the ground. It was so sudden that I couldn’t deal with it. At this rate, I’d just be rammed into the ground. I couldn’t even breathe for a moment because of the shock to my back.

With my wings held down and being sewn into the ground, right ahead of me, were the squinting, pomegranate coloured eyes of the Demon.

“Not, demon king-sama. Great devil-sama. You, don’t know. No, want.”

“Just what are you calling different…! You guys’ old man boss is the demon king isn’t it. Even if you add a ‘-sama’, it’s the same either way!”

“…how carefree, they are, completely different, you don’t, understand”

My lips distorted, forming a twisted arc.

“Demon king-sama, became human. No, want. Great devil-sama, stopped being human. Have, want”

The demon king became a human? I’ve heard of that Demon called Maji from Vito, but this is the first time I’ve heard that he became a human.

<line>

“Blue eyes, black hair. That one too be come our new ruler of demonic realm.”

It’s language ability must have been pretty meagre, as only a mess came through.

“I can’t communicate at all here?! As I thought, it’s impossible to have a proper discussion with a Demon— eh?”

I got hooked by what the Demon said.

<line>

“Blue eyes, black hair. Is the one that will become our ner ruler of the demonic realm”

<line>

There’s only one person that comes to mind.

Black hair isn’t something easy to find even if you searched the whole world. And to speak of black haired people currently in the castle? There are just two. But Itoka has black eyes, not blue eyes.

<line>

In that case, there’s only one person left.

<line>

“Eh? Hold on. That means— Naoki… Eeh?!”

<line>

“Naoki, sama. The great devil-sama’s, name?”

“No, that’s not it! It’s not! There, there has got to be some mistake. There’s no way, Naoki is the great devil. There’s no way I’d believe that! You must be lying!?”

The Demon looked toward me blankly.

“Female?” [5]

Crap. When I lose my composure, I unconsciously revert to female speech. Even though I should have fixed it long ago, it just comes back sometimes. If it was 2 years ago, I could still pass as a girl in guys clothes, but I’ve already developed more like a man, both in terms of physique and face. No matter how you look, I’m a guy. If such a guy suddenly used female speech, I’d just look like an okama. [6]

What a grave situation, to have shown a disgraceful sight to my enemy, the Demon. My face flushed red from embarrassment. No, hold on, if I just extinguish it here and now, won’t this disgrace disappear too…?!”

“An-anyways, get out of the way! …no, move! Or, are you gonna attack just like the other demons?”

“Attack, good, too. But, no, time”

It’s good too, what’s up with that!

<line>

“To defeat Angels, is the Demons’ pleasure. I’ll save, that fun, for later”

<line>

With a bewitching smile, it licked it’s lips with it’s long tongue, just like a succubus— then, I realised. …This is the worst. This Demon, is probably an Incubus type-Demon. Or it might be a succubus. [7] Either way, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a phantasmagoric type Demon. I don’t want to be catching its eye. Mother taught me, these were the number one kind of Demons you should never mess with. In the first place, it was these Demons’ fault that Mother only had one wing.

The hatred I feel is not just from my angelic instinct, but also my own will.

<line>

“That’s why, see you, later”

My chin was held up by it’s long fingers, as its long tongue licked my cheek.

“What…?!”

When I heard the sound of wings flapping, the weight of 1 Demon disappeared. By the time I noticed, the Demon was already flying in the air.

Crap. I don’t want to think about whether Naoki is the Great devil or not, but that Demon is definitely looking for Naoki. There’s no way I can just let it leave like this. Besides, we still haven’t figured out the relationship between the magic circle and the demons.

<line>

“Miss Maribelle!! Are you okay?”

I got up and was about to chase him, when I was called.

There’s only one person who calls me Miss Maribelle. Turning back, a lady in a knight’s gear was running up to me. Unlike the Demon from earlier, her hair was a bright, fiery red, and her eyes seemed as if pure passion was residing within. They are both shades of red, but the difference between them was like heaven and earth.

“Minette, do you know where Naoki is?”

“I was worried and came rushing over because I saw you held down by the Demon earlier, but you immediately bring up the name of another man, how cold. But that’s also adorable”

“Enough of that, where is he?”

“Even your angry face is cute, Miss Maribelle”

“I said before, I’m not Maribelle, I’m Marius! I’m a guy!”

“What are you saying, Miss Maribelle. If it weren’t for these circumstances, you’d be wearing a cute dress downtown, looking good and charming enough to be heading for a rendezvous”

“…agh, enough!! I’ll wear the dress and go for a rendezvous or whatever you want, so go find Naoki!”

“Gotcha! Leave it to me!!”

Minette’s eyes shone brightly.

Good grief, it’s so tiring to deal with this person!

I heard from Ariade that Minette was fond of young girls, and even I’m aware that my outfits are right in her strike zone. Well, it’s bound to happen because I’m cute. But that’s for when I’m Maribelle. When I’m Marius, no matter how you look at me I’m a guy, and I keep telling her that. Even after confessing my secret to her, she still persistently looks after me.

<line>

I’ve had enough, it’s driving me crazy!!

…Ah, oh no, I reverted back to female speech again.

<line>

＊＊＊

<line>

Minette has long since left elsewhere.

I also need to search soon, I thought as I run around the castle.

Ever since the Demon appeared, no more demons have appeared and are no longer increasing, but just what does this mean.

<line>

Maybe because I was running while brooding, but I found him much faster than I thought. How anti-climatic.

But it wasn’t Naoki, it was that red Demon.

The Demon’s red eyes stopped on me, it’s face tilting and looking confused.

“The Angel, huh. Want, something?”

“Isn’t it obvious I do. Do something about that magic circle. That thing, it’s something you made isn’t it?Thanks to that, the castle grounds have become a mess. In the first place, what are you even doing in such a place”

Above the statue in the courtyard, the Demon was squatting with its bat-like wings fluttering. If you look really closely, there were two small horns growing on its head. They looked just like the horns of the toy cow I had when I was young—Nono, I don’t know!! I didn’t think they were cute or anything!!

Calm down, me.

The opponent is a Demon.

<line>

“Naoki-sama, I cannot find”

A grim expression. I wonder if it’s a habit, as the Demon was biting the nail on its thumb.

“It’s weird. No, presence. No way, in that, magic circle”

The red eyes widened, and lowered toward the ground. And right in front of me. At the sudden change, my body shot into the air with a jump. Without a care about me, the Demon approached and peered at my face.

Close. It’s too close I said. Just casually grabbing my arm, are all Demons like this?

Maybe because of what happened earlier, I was strangely put on my guard.

Regardless who sees it, its well ordered features and face were praiseworthy, and it’s entire body was overflowing with charm, most likely for seducing it’s opponent. Just how many humans have been sacrificed I wonder. No, not just humans. There may have been many of my brethren among those countless sacrifices.

<line>

The reason the angelic race was trapped in the heavenly realm could be attributed to the fault of the Demons. In the past, in the age when the angelic race used to be called angels. It wasn’t rare for angels to descend to the lower realm and interact with the humans. But, the Demons also frequently appeared, causing the number of angels being corrupted by them to increase. That inevitably resulted in the angelic race being forced to withdraw to protect their people, establishing rules to keep the angelic race in the heavenly realm. But that wasn’t the only issue, even if the rules have resulted in fewer sacrifices than before.

Because even then.

My mother, became a sacrifice.

<line>

“Hm, is there someone, who got caught up?”

Being talked to, I came to my senses.

“…That, there seems to be someone, but”

As Touka said, Touka’s older brother and the dragon called Hana might have gotten involved. It might even be that, Naoki got involved too, without us noticing. I can’t find Yuu either, and maybe not her either. Which means, they may have been sent to that place which was rampant with demons. I don’t know if that’s hell or what not, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a dangerous place.

It looks like it’d be best to go consult Touka as soon as possible.

<line>

“I got it, then, come”

“Huh?”

I was pulled by the arm and collided with the Demon’s chest. Just when a neutral face appeared right in front of my eyes and nose, and arm wrapped around my back and my knees, before lifting up into the air and flying.

<line>

It’s the all-famous princess carry.

<line>

…Well, when I was Maribelle, it was something I once yearned for?

Like, I’d be happy if Lance-oniisama had done it for me. It’d be lovely, and every girl’s dream, or something like that. I’d be filled with a sweet and sour feeling. Because, ain’t it my dream? To have a prince appear and do so one day, isn’t it a cute young girl’s dream?

But you see… who the hell would want a Demon to! It, it’s not like you had to carry me with a princess carry right?!

“I, I can fly too, you know?! That’s not it, put me down!”

The more I flailed about, the more strength was put into the arms holding me. The Demon’s delicate physique was hiding a lot of strength.

“Naoki-sama, face, don’t know. Angel, knows. So, take with”

“You’d be able to tell with the black hair, blue eyes won’t you! Black hair is rare!”

“Hell is dark”

That’s why everyone looks black too, huh, I didn’t need such information!

And just as I thought, that magic circle was connected to Hell. And we are heading to that place right now?

You’ve got to be kidding!!

For a member of the angelic race to head into Hell alone, it’s like throwing feed in front of starving crows.

<line>

―― Itoka, save me!!

<line>

My scream was drowned out by the magic circle before it could reach her.

<line>

Translator Notes:
Just repeating my explanation earlier for [1] and [3]
– For consistency, I’ll call all monsters and ‘mamono’ as demons, and all ‘mazoku’ will be Demons or members of the demonic race.
– Same for angels: if ‘tenshi’ comes out, its angels, but if it’s written as ‘tenninzoku’, it will be Angel/Angelic person or member of the angelic race.

[1] Could be confusing in english, since Riya asks if Marius is a ‘tenshi(angel)’, but Marius says he is not a ‘tenshi(angel)’, but a ‘tenninzoku’, which directly translated means race of the skies/heavens, but english only has the word angel haha. Look at the explanation I gave right at the top!
[2] I’m not joking, it really says pomegranate. It might have been a typo though, because if they added one more kanji, it would mean garnet (a red jewel) instead. But eh, they are both reddish, so I’ll just leave it be.
[3] Once again, another way to say demon. The Japaese word ‘Akuma’ directly translates to evil person or evil demon even, hence will be translated as devil
[4] There are lots of commas in the original script, I presume is to show that the Demon is speaking slowly or in broken sentences. Just to give ya’ll a better idea!
[5] TBH I couldn’t really tell either, but basically, Marius was speaking more femininely in his last sentence. There are very slight differences when said in Jap.
[6] Okama: A Japanese man that dresses and acts female. For example, Haruhi’s Dad from Ouran high school host club LOL
[7] The first time, it was written in kanji. The following 2 were in katakana. You can imagine it as being in Japanese, then said in English.

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<< Dragon Life 88 — Dragon Life Contents Page — Dragon Life 90 >>

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Dragon Life 88

May 16, 2021June 17, 2021 Sonata Chiyu4 Comments

Here we are, a little late but better than never, after (slightly over) 1 miraculous month (I ended work at 2-3am quite a few times and even worked for full weekends when I had to) but here we are somehow with another chapter! Was it worth staying up to read and translate the chapter? I’d say YES. Ito/Vito is sooooo cute ❤

Can I just say, I’ve developed so much respect for the people who do fan translations while balancing a full time job, friends and family, and yourself. I struggled to find time to get to translating with all the overtime work I had to do, and finally found time when I took leave. And just full time employees in general- you are all doing great just hanging on, so I hope this gives you another small joy in life:)

Anyways, I really forced this one out – it only made it out this soon because it was a shorter chapter – so go easy on me if you see random mistakes or weird sentences HAHA but do let me know about them so I can fix them haha. Ok no more intro, to the chapter you go!

Sly, aggressive and stupid.

This may be a little dangerous.

No, it’s not just a little.

It’s quite dangerous.

Extremely dangerous.

Catastrophically dangerous.

If I were to compare it, it’s the same cold sweat you get when a car suddenly rushes past as you were about to go across at a pedestrian crossing. Actually, instead of cold sweat, your nerves are hit with a wave of excitement causing your heart rate to rise, your pupils to dilate and blood vessels to contract. Biochemically speaking, those are the symptoms I’m facing. [1]

blank

I blinked a few times before looking up at the face above my head. It’s kinda frustrating, but there’s too wide a height gap that my neck hurts from having to look up that high.

“Just, what are you doing”

“What, did you do it?”」

Something has been rampaging within me. Ever since I was forced to drink Captain-san’s blood.

I could feel the heat spreading throughout my body, beginning from the boiling feeling in my heart.

It wasn’t just a slight fever. A high fever, making me light-headed and dizzy.

He seemed to be satisfied with my condition as he smiled and looked down at me.

Just as I thought that something strong was supporting my back, my feet left the ground. Moving back a few steps, I was leaned against the wall. The feeling of the cold, inorganic material on my back, helped ease the discomfort. My temperature only continued to rise, as if not knowing how to fall.

―― Ahh, it’s hot. My body is hot and I feel like I’m going crazy.

“Please, answer me”

The sweat forming on my forehead was wiped off with his hand, which naturally made its way down to my neck. My body instinctively reacted to his cold fingertips.

blank

His well-shaped lips uttered with a smile.

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“— Re-contract”

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“Re-, con, tract?”

A recon-tract? Contract? Con-tract?

What’s that, ugh, it’s tiresome just to think. But if I give up thinking, I feel like I’d lose, as if I ran away. I don’t want to do that. Just what had happened to my body, my brain was fully rotating to try and grasp the current situation as I looked at Captain-san.

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“You said you’d protect me. So I just carried it out.”

“…I said that, I did say that. Even so, would there be some-, anyone, who’d sign a contract without consent?! Protect, you say, this and that, are completely different situations!”

I said I’d protect him, but I don’t want to enter a contract again and end up reverting back into a dragon’s body! No, I don’t actually know what’s going to happen, but I at least understand that something close to that will happen.

Nevertheless, I, my articulation hasn’t been functioning very skillfully.

“What kind of situation?”

He had a smile, as if he just wanted to try saying it.

…Wait a minute, was Captain-san always like this? Didn’t he become a little meaner? Isn’t a little heartless, or even twisted? …Did I, make you like this?

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“In, in any case, what do you mean, re-contract. I’m, a human, you know? It’s not like I’m a dragon, so such a thing, there’s no way, it’d work――”

“Even though your body is honest”

My pale white hand moved to my chest, where my heart beat so hard it felt it would burst. Even just that, was dangerous. I felt like my whole body would melt from the fever.

“The contract I made was not just for the body. It’s the soul. And rather than a re-contract, it might be more accurate to call it a new contract. This time you, are not the main host, because I am.”

Main host? Does it matter who’s the main host? What does it mean, if Captain-san is the main host?

I was full of questions and wanted to ask so many things. But just like a cup being filled with water, it simply accumulated whatever I didn’t know, till it overflowed while I could only watch. [2]

Still, I have to say something, so I start to weave together my words and spoke sharply.

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“In, in the first place! Why aren’t, you surprised…! I, I die” [3]

Argh, I can’t speak well!! My tongue won’t move properly, and I feel like I’m dying from a fever!

“Not, Vito, she, she’s gone, but I”

A human who was weaker, smaller and less reliable than her. A through and through realist who denied this world up till a while ago.

It was a physiological response, that my vision was blurred by tears.

“I was surprised. To think that, Vito’s soul was of a human from another world, and that the hero Riya summoned was that human’s younger brother, and the purple dragon, I’m sure it’s the dragon of 300 years ago, that dragon’s contractor was that human’s older brother. But the strange sense of incongruity I felt when I first met you was not wrong. It struck me… just how small, delicate, and cute, the real you was”

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But you see, he quietly muttered, as he put his hand to my cheek.

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“To me, the fact that ‘you’ are in front of me right now is all that’s important”

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His beautiful smile and honeyed phrase were thrown at me.

That I can’t just honestly be happy, is it because my path is twisted?

I guess I’d still be a cute girl if my cheeks were dyed red as I put my hands to my chest to dampen my rising heart rate, but in actuality, I was blinded by his dazzling smile and avoided his eyes, while chewing my lips to hold in my embarrassment.

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“Such, a thing”

Such words.

Such an expression.

Really, the captain is too sly.

‘Her’ thoughts which had been held back all flowed in at once.

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“…for now”

“For now?”

“I want, to escape”

“I won’t allow such a thing”

He didn’t just say it. His face came unbelievably close.

“… I understand. I won’t run or hide. But, please just tell me, one thing”

blank

My body which was burning, as if something inside me had formed and it’s job was done, gradually calmed down. My thoughts too, seem to have returned to normal.

I can no longer turn back.

I take a deep breath, and exhale. Bring fresh oxygen into my lungs. Release the unneeded carbon dioxide back out. Just that, and my head became clear.

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“Captain-san, just what is it that you want from me?”

The sweet words he whispered felt like they were glazed and candied.

blan

“Everything”

It was an immediate answer.

“I want your everything. All of it. For you stay within my reach, I want you to stay by my side”

“…and what about, my will?”

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“Because you said so, didn’t you? That you like me”

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What is he saying? And another blindingly dazzling smile.

The cold, expressionless face that I encountered as Itoka almost seems like a lie with this gentleness, and the Captain-san before me now was almost like a good young man who helped to pick apples that the young apple seller girl had dropped. This was a sudden change. Is this, also my fault I wonder.

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―― “I like you. I love you”

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I said it. I did say that. Eeh, I remember it!! My life’s first and last and biggest confession!!

But that was on the premise that I would never see you again, as part of my last words. I never thought that we’d ever meet again like this, and that it would be used as pretense like this. I said it, as a part of my final will of sorts.

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“Now look here. It is true that Vito li-liked Captain-san. But that doesn’t decide whether Itoka, that is I, likes you or not.

Li-like or something [4], who would say such an embarrassing thing!

While I was puffing my cheeks, he smiled mischievously.

“How stubborn”

This is the third time I’m hearing this today. Am I really such a stubborn and inflexible person I wonder. Nevermind, I don’t need to ask such a thing. I’m sure I am.

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“Yes, that’s right. I’m stubborn! I’m a weak human with a narrow heart that takes a long time just to admit and recognise one thing. Amazing right!”

“That’s not something to be proud about”

Captain-san put his hand on his mouth as he began to laugh weirdly.

I was saying it seriously and was slightly upset about that, but seeing that figure somehow brought me relief.

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This is the him that I know, I thought.

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“Anyways, I’m fine as long as the Captain-san is safe. Because this is, undoubtedly, my own feelings! Please shut up and let me protect you!”

When I pointed my finger at him, he took my hand and gently brushed his lips against the back of my hand.

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“Un, protect me”

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My face, even I knew that my face was getting hot.

A sidelong glance is against the rules!!! Red card! I request that you leave right now!!

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The captain, whom I met after a long time, was going crazy in a strange way.

<lin

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Translator Notes:
[1] In case you are curious, it’s a legit biology thing, that when your sympathetic nerves are aroused, these symptoms may occur to you- facts courtesy of Google. Well in this case, it’s just Itoka/Vito being excited and happy that Captain Lu recognises her 🙂
[2] I think it’s supposed to be a metaphor to say that she was overflowing with questions she couldn’t even ask, so she just kept holding it until she had so much she can’t even remember them all and just let some of them be forgotten.
[3] Not bad grammar, Itoka didn’t finish her sentence properly
[4] Just for clarity. Like and love are the same in jap (suki), but generally it is translated as like while ‘daisuki’ which literally translates to big like, is what is translated to love. But in Japan when someone confesses, they usually just say ‘suki'(like).

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<< Dragon Life 87 — Dragon Life Contents Page — Dragon Life 89 >>

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Dragon Life 87

April 11, 2021May 15, 2021 Sonata Chiyu4 Comments

It’s only been a few months but, how has 2021 been for everyone? For me, big OOF. It took a month this time, not so much because the chapter is long, but because I’ve been OT-ing at work alot this month :’) I’ll do my best to never go beyond a month, but peak period (when work just piles up like crazy) is killing me. But Easter weekend was nice, so hopefully it’ll continue to get better from here.

Also, is it just me, or has the story been moving super fast these last few chapters? Maybe it’s just cos I’m sad that this is the third/second last chapter :’) I’m so sad to see this come to an end, but I’m also mega happy for Itoka, that she’s coming to terms with herself and is moving towards a good end:)

Anyways, story away!

The person that I love.

“I, I don’t want anything painful…”

“Don’t worry, it only hurts at first”

The pain will go away soon. That’s why relax, I gently stroked the white wrist.

I was hesitant to injure Marius’ soft, fair skin to draw blood, but I came to accept even though I was uncertain, since I couldn’t beat my hunger.

Amongst regular humans, drinking another’s blood is, in reality, is problematic because of infectious diseases and such. But right now, I am no longer a regular human and, everytime I accept Vito’s memories, I feel as if a part of her merges with me and permeates through me.

―― I have already, made my resolve.

Although I say that, it’s impossible to go back to being her. At best, the soul may recall the method to replenish magic power. As of now, I’m an incompetent, magic-less human. In this world, that’s no better than a walking corpse. I will never be able to challenge this world in such a state.

So I’m trying to make up for it by getting magical power from Marius.

Well, there are conditions to it.

That is, I will become his bond.

He did say there are no constraints after vowing, and it should be effective even if I return to my own world, so I guess it’s fine with just the form of it.

It seems that Marius’ mother also asked her human friend before she became an adult, so it’s not like they’ll have to live together forever. To be forcefully summoned when you become an adult, but be able to escape it with a bond that’s just for show, whether it’s plain or ingenious, I can’t really understand the rules of the Angelic race.

<line>

It’s only natural that I, who does not have the body of a dragon, don’t have sharp fangs, but in order to get blood, it is necessary to at least make a cut. Taking out the self-defense knife from my pocket, I place it against that thin wrist.

“…sorry, maybe it’s impossible after all”

I tried playing the captivating count Dracule and said such things, but I chickened out. I can’t do it unless it’s dramatized!! But it’s still impossible!!

“What are you talking about”

“I can’t bring myself to hurt Marius’s beautiful skin! I’d get cursed…! I’d be hated by all those with beautiful skin around the world!!”

Gotsun!, my head was lightly hit. Marius’s face was red.

“Such, embarrassing words are forbidden!! Even if you told me such a thing, I’m not happy in the slightest!! If Itoka isn’t going to do it then I will!”

He took the knife from my hand, and unhesitantly slid it to the side. It’s sharp edge cut into Marius skin, and from the shallow wound, blood leaked out. Now it’s fine! He thrust his hand before me as if saying so. How manly.

“You don’t have to feel guilty! The angelic race have high healing abilities, and such wounds would heal in no time!”

Is that so. No wonder he didn’t even falter.

“More importantly, here”

You’re hungry right? He said as he brought his arm right to my mouth.

Such a sweet, sweet smell. Feeling dizzy and faint, even now I’m about to succumb to my desire to devour.

So I wanted it this much.

To be lacking magic power, is the same as being constantly hungry. In the midst of that, I was suddenly presented with magic abundant blood, so it can’t be helped that I sunk my teeth into it.

I held back my trembling as I reached out to take Marius’s wrist.

While moving slowly, I put my mouth to the wound.

<line>

―― If I were to express it, it’s like strawberry flavoured fresh cream. The elegant flavour you’d queue for at a dessert shop.

<line>

This is, bad. It’s too dangerous.

I didn’t think it’d be something this impressive. I did think he looked delicious every time we met, but this blood is far sweeter than any human’s. Whether it’s because of his angelic heritage, or just Marius’s own constitution, it was so sweet I might go crazy. And it was a stubborn sweetness, as if, it was drugs in melted sugar.

With every gulp of blood I took, I could feel magic power permeating my body.

“…Hey, Itoka. It kinda feels, a little weird”

His magical power is slightly above the standard— hmm?

When I raised my head, Marius was looking at me with an uneasy expression. His cheeks were dyed light red, and his breath was elevated and rough.

“Feels weird?”

And in response, Yup, he nodded. His pink hair fluttered and lightly knocked my cheek

“It hurt when my wrist was cut, but once Itoka put her mouth there, the pain slowly faded, and instead there was a fluffy, floating feeling, and my head just spaced out”

It doesn’t seem like it’s low blood pressure. On the contrary, it was like excitement but without heart.

<line>

So there’s probably something that alleviates pain huh.

What’s up with that vampire-like feature.

Although my body is human, but Vito, her soul within me is allowing me to do that? That time I received blood from Mr Morris, I remember him saying. “Whatever you just did is dangerous. It’s almost like a drug”. Back then, I just thought ‘what’s up with that’ and forgot about it, but I guess this means that it was not entirely wrong.

Let’s change from being a human-eating dragon to a vampire dragon. Oh, since I’m a human, I’d just be a vampire. Or maybe even a cool vampire.

Or so I thought, but now isn’t time to daydream.

I don’t know what kind of side effect I might have on Marius, but if it doesn’t hurt then there’s nothing better than that.

But anymore than this might put a burden on him.

“My bad, let’s stop here”

“Ah, that’s not what I meant”

Releasing his wrist from my mouth, Marius got flustered.

“What’s wrong?”

His gaze is swimming.

“Itoka, you shouldn’t take blood from people too often”

“?”

“That is, a dependence—”

Dependence? I tried to ask again what he meant, but to no avail.

<line>

All of a sudden, I heard a scream.

And it wasn’t just one. There were many people screaming. Just like that day in Caspe De Kingdom, when demons suddenly sprang up.

Instantly, chills run down my spine.

This is, no way.

<line>

Exchanging glances with Marius, he nodded.

“I’ll go check out the situation! Itoka, stay here!”

Marius powerfully beat the wings on his back, taking off from the garden and disappeared into the sky. He probably went to search for the source of the screams.

Stay here, huh?

I know that I’m powerless. If the cause of the screams were to be demons, I won’t be any more than a small part of your fighting force.

Even then, I did think I became stronger after coming to this world.

I wiped my mouth as I quietly sighed. The blood that was on my lips was now smeared on the back of my hand. It’s a waste so I lick it up, and run down the path I came from with my self-defense knife in hand.

The destination is, the entrance hall of the ball’s venue.

<line>

As I ran, the screams grew louder. As expected, I was right.

Taking a turn at the end of this corridor would lead me right to the entrance— I thought, as I tried to turn at the corner, when my body was suddenly strongly impacted. Since I ran full swing into whatever it was, I couldn’t catch myself fast enough and fell on my butt.

I thought I’d probably collided with someone who was trying to run away, but I froze, looking up after holding on to my sore hips.

<line>

――――Why are you here?

<line>

“What are you doing?”

I sat there blankly, unable to say anything. With my eyes wide open, I was looking up at him.

A gaze filled with suspicion turned towards me as I said nothing. Maybe to end my paralysed thoughts, he grabbed the mute me by the arm and pulled me up.

Despite stumbling a little, I somehow managed to stand on my own, and he released my arm.

<line>

Why, are you here?

He was supposed to be at the ball’s venue.

This place is, although close to the venue, still a distance away. Unless you had an errand to attend to, there’s no way someone would want to leave the gorgeous ball hall for this lonely corridor. And even more so for someone who is a knight, like him.

So why?

Like this, it’s as if, you were coming after— scratch that. What I need to hear right now, is not about that.

<line>

“That scream earlier, just what happened…?”

“Most likely, a demon”

He said as he looked back. His gaze looked toward the ball’s venue.

As I thought, something has happened over there. I wonder if Touka, Chiffon, and the rest are safe.

I want to go see you and confirm it myself, as I tried to run off, but my arm was once again grabbed.

“You’d better stop”

“Please let go of me!”

“Just what, can you do?”

Those black eyes, spoke of how I was useless, just a weak human being.

Towards the question in his eyes, I could not answer.

<line>

At that moment, a black shadow appeared from behind him.

Like a bear, it was a huge and ominous shadow. It’s eyes were red as if bloodshot, and as if finding prey, it swung it’s huge arm down.

<line>

“Watch out!!”

“…?!”

Without thinking, I stretch out both my hands and push him away. Since it’s strike was just barely avoided. It didn’t give up and continued to attack. And, there was more than one.

When did so many appear, from wolf to bird forms, openly hostile as they attacked.

With just the short self-defense knife in hand, it’s taking all I got to defend myself.

He was armed with a sword and was handling the larger demon, but there were just far too many.

<line>

“Why, are there so many…! Has anything like this ever happened in the castle before?!”

“There’s no way, it has…!”

In this irregular situation, I saw his always calm face cloud over. It isn’t the time to think about such things, but I felt as if I saw something rare.

<line>

I was worried and anxious, since the self-defense knife has a very short reach, so if I go in to attack, I risk getting injured by the demons’ sharp claws.

But when I’m moving my body, I feel great. This situation is the worst, but it’s exhilarating.

“Earlier, you asked what I could do? You did, didn’t you…!”

And what about it? He sent a look over just as he defeated a demon.

I thrust my knife into the throat of a wolf-shaped demon that attacked me, and it fell to the ground. The demon scattered into a miasma-like smoke, before rising and disappearing in the air.

“True, I said it myself, that I am just a weak and powerless human being! But, I hate turning a blind eye!”

Probably because of my vigorous actions, my breath rose and my tone was stronger.

It felt like I might bite my own tongue, as I breathed roughly in preparation to face the demon in front of me, and screamed as if roaring.

“If there is anything I can do, if there’s anything within my abilities, I want to do it! I don’t want, to regret it!”

It was the cry from my chest, my heart. With each scream, it got warmer, and with each demon I brandish my knife and defeat, my head gets sharper.

<line>

“What are you…”

saying. The moment I stepped into his view, those words were swallowed back and disappeared.

His pitch-black eyes were open wide.

<line>

“Because I want to protect— Captain-san”

<line>

Plain and clear, I said it.

It was a refreshing smile, if I do say so myself.

<line>

“That’s why, please keep up the heroine trait. Because no matter how dangerous it is, I will definitely protect you”

Well, I am pretty weak, but I’d be able to act as a shield at least, I say as I smile bitterly.

<line>

The captain, who was still for a frame, slowly raised the arm holding his sword, and threw at the wolf-shaped demon to the front-left. The sword pierced through its back, and the final demon released its death throes before it collapsed onto the ground.

The expression seen by the disappearing demon had significantly changed for all but a moment, before it once again became expressionless. I can’t tell what those eyes, those eyes that have no light, are thinking of.

<line>

Ah, I see, you don’t believe me.

<line>

Of course he wouldn’t. There are plenty of people in this castle that call him Captain-san.

Plus, my outer appearance is different. I’m shorter, fairer, and frailer than before.

Who would ever believe that Vito and I are the same person.

Even I can’t believe it.

<line>

Ah, but. You didn’t notice after all.

That’s a little dejecting, but at the same time relieving.

<line>

“Um well, for the time being, I’ll be going to where Touka is”

After calming down, there’s nothing more embarrassing than this. To tell someone, whom you just met and have barely spoken to, that you want to to protect them. I feel like my face is on fire.

Ahh, if there’s a hole, I want to hide in it. Then put a lid over it and just get buried like that.

It was getting uncomfortable, so I tried to move my feet forward, but I couldn’t.

<line>

―――The face that turned around and faced me, was a crying face.

<line>

For a moment, I doubted my own eyes.

I forgot to breathe, and just watched.

His eyes were moist, reminiscent of an Obsidian jewel with water droplets on it.

Eyebrows were lowered, biting on his own lips, and a pitiful and weak expression.

<line>

This is the first time, I saw that.

<line>

I felt so urged to run up and hug him, tell him that it’s okay, and stroke his head through the night, after being hit with a wave of sympathy as if I was looking at an abandoned kitten.

But the one who approached first was him.

Just as I thought he was approaching, he held me with just his right arm as if running into me.

It was a tight hug.

I could feel his breath on my ear, and my whole body was filled with warmth.

<line>

But inside, I’m panicking.

<line>

“Eh, ahh, umm excuse me”

I hurriedly looked up, but instead of seeing his face, something covered my view and pressed against my lips.

“N?”

Eeehhh!?

I’m extremely confused.

Eh, wait a minute!! Please just hold on a moment!!

Just what’s going on! It feels as if the biggest thing in my life is currently happening!!

<line>

But nonetheless, after touching his lips, it’s unmistakable. Those, are his.

The were softer, warmer, as if a gentle warmth was seeping out from the depths of his heart. I’ve never felt anything like this before.

I couldn’t get a grip, and noticed that my heart was furiously pounding. Almost like it’s going to go on and explode.

<line>

That short touch, separated after a moment.

“…wrong”

Wh-wh-wha-what is wrong—!

His quietly murmured to himself, and while leaving the blushing and panicking me, he deftly cut his right hand with his teeth, and held his arm in hismouth before staying put for a while.

<line>

“Wha,what are you—! Mm, guh”

Again, my mouth was blocked. This time it wasn’t just a touch.

Something smooth and warm flowed into my opened mouth. When I realised that it was blood, my brain instantly switched to that of a dragon’s.

Even though I already had blood earlier, my hunger must have been worse that I thought, since each time blood passes through my throat, my greed for it just gets stronger. And it’s not just any greed.

That’s because, this was special.

<line>

My heart jumped again. Won’t he die, I thought, as my heart beat so hard I felt like I was going to die. I struggled to gasp for air too.

My whole body felt weak, and I could no longer support myself.

When I desperately grabbed the clothes before me, his left hand, which should have not been able to move, gently wrapped around and supported my back.

<line>

Our lips finally parted.

The cool breeze cooled down burning heat.

Before me, those red, wet lips, drew an arc.

<line>

“I’m never, letting you go again”

<line>

That face, was the smiling face of the captain, whom I was deeply in love with.

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<< Dragon Life 86 — Dragon Life Contents Page — Dragon Life 88 >>

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Dragon Life 86

March 14, 2021March 29, 2021 Sonata Chiyu3 Comments

New (3rd) week, new post! How is the story going from here, no one knows? But it’s end is coming up soon, and I sure am excited for it!

I was reading the reviews on NU, and realised that this novel doesn’t have great ratings. Which is kind of sad. I think it’s mainly because this isn’t what everyone was expecting from it, but I think it’s great. To have a protagonist which is so relatable, who is somewhat thinking straight, worries, agonizes. Heck, I don’t think I’ve seen many stories were the MC is so conflicted with her wants, and it’s sooooo like me so I really empathize with her. Rather than an action packed fantasy or a comedy filled romance, it’s more like a memoir/diary, or even a slice of life with dark fantasy? Maybe even historical fantasy, since it’s just telling the tales of our dear MC and all her troubles. I’m not saying there are no plot holes, or that it’s a masterpiece or something, but it’s a calm, comforting almost, story. Hopefully more people will come to enjoy it:)

Well, I’m sure you all didn’t come here to hear my ramblings, so let’s get on with the story!

Fortune and misfortune are intertwined.

Recently, I’ve been recalling those times, when I was a young dragon girl named Vito.

<line>

I don’t know what Honoka-nii had experienced in this world, but Honoka-nii who accepted everything is different from me.

I was already faintly aware that I was in no position to complain about things. I couldn’t accept this world, no, that’s not right. It would be presumptuous for me, who could not accept the other me called Vito, to try and interfere with this world.

But, so what? I am, of my own will, trying my best to take Touka and the others back from this dangerous world. Something like acceptance, or qualifications, if you get too caught up thinking about such things, you wouldn’t be able to do anything. That’s what I believed as I acted till now. On an unfamiliar trip, for my non-athletic self to be able to defeat small demons, is already some amazing growth.

Even if I hold in my complaints, I’m always, wanting to cry.

<line>

It was pretty risky the last time I met Lu-san. I was about to be swallowed up by Vito’s emotions, and was close to confessing everything.

Al and Celia are kind, I was happy to have been able to see Chiffon and Ariade again, Chocolat-kun is cute too, and just being with them makes me feel relaxed and cheerful.

But, after all.

<line>

I can’t hide my true feelings. Even if you can hide it from others, you can’t fool yourself.

―――That, it hurts.

<line>

[Wait right there]

As I was walking along the castle passage alone and lonely, someone called me out. That voice was not a physical sound, but a strange voice that echoed from somewhere. Hearing it from the front, I directed my eyes which were looking at the ground towards it, to find a small boy standing in the corridor leading to the garden.

“Lord Cleric, huh”

There’s nothing to be surprised about anymore.

More importantly, I am already overwhelmed with dealing with my own issues. Like what to do from now on, a plan to bring Touka and the others back, and first of all, find a way to get back home, there’s just so much to think about.

As Lord Cleric approached me, he had his usual smile, one where I couldn’t understand anything he was thinking.

[It seemed you just missed Marius. I never thought that you yourself would want to return to this world again.]

Those words were enough. He knew everything.

“I didn’t want it”

[How stubborn. How about you acknowledge it already? Hmm? Isn’t that right? Even if you continue to lie about your own feelings, you’re the one that will suffer from it]

Unable to say anything, I just stood there.

When Lord Cleric came and stood right in front of me, he peeked at my face.

[Ah, as expected, black suits you well. It looks good. Yes, it looks good. It’s the only peerless colour in this world. That colour that you have, is different from others. That is, and endless black]

How wonderful.

An expression beaming with joy floated up, and his small hand stroked my black hair.

[Fufufu, at first, I truly believed that you had died. Just like Ruth, the sacred beast of the Casp Do Kingdom, as one who died in another world and was reborn as the sacred beast here, he completed his duty and died. There was no body left for him to return to, thus left for the circle of reincarnation… but you were a heretic. I had forgotten to account for that. How mischievous, right? Don’t you think so?]

What are you calling a joke. If anything, you are the main culprit which hid that fact. He knew everything, and spoke suggestively.

“I think that it would be weird for me, to call myself a joke”

[It’s a joke. Fufu… In reality, you never died. Your soul, simply returned to the body that it originally belonged to… right, Vito]

This is the second time, I’ve been called by that name. It is not my name, something which was supposed to have been forcibly planted itself uncomfortably in my memory, but when I’m called by that name, a part of my heart becomes warm, wanting to cry.

“…To have even sent Marius, what do you want with me? As Lord Cleric earlier mentioned, my duty or what not should already be over”

If I was just dancing on top of someone’s palm, then that ended when Vito died. You should not have any business with the human me.

Lord Cleric, That is true, he said as he lowered his head while deep in thought.

[To tell you the truth, I thought the logic of the world would limit it to just this gift. Alvina Kingdom of course, but this entire world… on that day you vanished, miracles happened across the globe. For me, who could not move from that place, to now be able to live without being bound, it’s all thanks to you. Even for just this, I’m grateful you know? I really am. That’s why I, well, am in retirement, as you would call it. I wanted to try it. Retiring, that is. Mm, yes, it is good…. But, he wanted to see you so much, I just gave him some advice and aid. That’s why I personally do not have any business with you. The position of priestess has already been passed down to Riya too. Right now I am just a human, who lived for a slightly longer time.]

How is that just slightly. You’ve been living so long, it wouldn’t be strange to call you a living fossil.

But Lord Cleric’s smiling face was somehow softer than before, and was gentle.

[By the way, how are you, although you don’t seem to be fine. Right now, you are… Itoka? Or Vito?]

His face came closer as he checked my complexion. I could have avoided him if I wanted to, but I didn’t. A soft feeling on my cheek, and a gentle fragrance came from Lord Cleric as he stretched up, naturally eased all the tension from earlier.

[It was an impolite question. They are both the same ‘you’. It has nothing to do with you accepting it, from the very beginning, Vito is you, and Itoka is also you. There you are. I didn’t even have to ask about it]

He smiled teasingly from up close, and his coloured eyes just looked at me.

“How are you able, to say such a thing”

[I have been treated as ‘the answering one’ after all. And, my long years of life aren’t just for show. I’ve met many people. From one glance, I can tell what kind of person they are. You are especially delicate. Even though you are serious, you feign casualness, afraid of getting hurt, just like a small rabbit]

That’s why I know, he continued.

[How about you be a little more honest with your feelings? Well, you’ve already decided for yourself, haven’t you? It’s hurting you to continue to just mull over it. It’ll only be painful]

Why, are you pinpoint keeping up with me.

Why, are you saying that as if you know everything.

If you say such things, the things which I trapped deep within look like they’ll explode.

I have to resist it.

Ah, all I seem to be doing lately is crying.

In my blurry vision, I could see Lord Cleric’s smile.

<line>

[However, it’s unfortunate but, it is not my role to wipe away your tears]

Shuuu, Lord Cleric’s outline, and existence, disappeared.

As if, he was a ghost.

―― Eh?

But not like everything disappeared.

The one who then appeared instead, dressed as a clergyman, was a person with pink hair. On that person’s back, was a pair of white wings.

<line>

“Ma, Marius…”

“I was lending my body to Lord Cleric. Because he said he wanted to speak with Itoka. He could have just come himself, but just because he’s in retirement… ah I can finally move my body”

The small, outstretched body moved.

The strange, echoing voice, was because Lord Cleric was borrowing Marius’ body? So, he was even able to do such things!

“Hi, it’s been a while”

Crap, my voice cracked.

“That’s right. Just when I told you I was going to pick you, you were here in this world. What a waste of effort”

He glared as his cheeks puffed up.

“That, that is…!”

“…Well, in any case, here”

Hands stretched out to my waist and pulled me in.

I wonder if it is a habit he made while he was Maribelle, to hug at the waist, but to be embraced by the grown up Marius was, as a maiden, something to get embarrassed about.

Marius’ face was right in front of my eyes. That his navy blue eyes narrowed, and looked sad, was not just my imagination.

“What, are you crying for”

“…this, it’s sweat”

“I never heard that sweat could come out from your eyes”

“It’s sweat”

“If you want to cry, you should just go ahead and cry. Vito… Itoka is strangely obstinate sometimes”

“Hey, I’m fine”

I roughly rubbed my tears away with my sleeves and tried to smile, but I’m not confident I managed to do that well. But it’s fine. I don’t want to reveal my crying face in front of others anymore.

Marius was a little stunned, but with a small sigh, “don’t overdo it”, he said as he released the hand around my waist.

<line>

“Marius has some business with me, right?”

That’s why you even interfered with another world to meet me. I wasn’t able to hear it then, but he should tell me the reason now.

“I’ll make this clear because it sounds like it’d get complicated, but it is by my personal will that I came looking. You see, it has nothing to do with fate or duty that you hate, so rest assured”

Seems like he also heard the earlier commotion too. How embarrassing. It’s enough to be part of the top 3 most embarrassing events of my life. I was speaking so sharply as I argued in front of such a huge crowd after all. …if it’s something I can forget, I want to forget it!

“It’s lie that you want to hit me when you found me, right?”

“That’s right, I want to hit you”

Hiii! [1]

Marius who took a stance, smiled wryly.

“But I dislike hitting girls with my fist, so you’ll have to put up with this”

It didn’t hurt but I got a forehead flick. I was at least being treated like a girl.

…I, how should I respond to this?

Honestly, I don’t understand Maribelle’s attitude toward me. He’s got the appearance of a boy, but occasionally he acts as if a girl, and vice versa.

―――[I really don’t know, if these feelings are me as Marius, or as Maribelle]

I recall the words from that time, and my cheeks get a little hot.

The Marius before me now, is both the him and her that I know, and also someone I don’t know, who had gone through the 2 year gap without me.

No way, I thought.

…No, I don’t think so. I’m being too self-conscious. Let’s stop here.

<line>

“Hey, are you listening to me? …I’m going to kiss you, alright?”

“Yes I’m sorry!”

Hold on! Just as I was about to put aside that thought, if you say such a thing, I’ll definitely be conscious of it even if I try not to!

I guess he was unhappy with my immediate reply, as his sullen face was reflected in my eyes.

“Do you dislike doing that with me so much? Even though we even slept together?”

Aren’t you getting too worked up! It’s indecent! The way you put it is way too indecent!!

“Isn’t obvious, it’s a joke! Don’t misunderstand! For me to have such feelings for Itoka… something like that, I don;t know, huh”

The ending was weak. It seems he doesn’t know too well either.

Or maybe he had something to ponder, and after showing that he was thinking about something, ‘I’m only going to say this once, so listen carefully’, he said.

“Vito is, an extremely important friend to I and myself.[2] That existence, was the first ever since I was born. I also got along with Chiffon and Ariade. I was happy, that the place I was seeking was here. But, you suddenly disappeared… I couldn’t believe it”

Without saying anything, and disappeared.

<line>

“Itoka, do you still remember, Captain Lu?”

My heart jumped. I wonder if that got across, as Marius smiled bitterly.

“It was vexing watching the two of you. It was the same with Vito, you keep missing each other, and I’m sure Captain Lu is far more sad than I am. That rough person, was not normal after all. …But you see, even if you were stolen by Captain Lu, I won’t give up my position as your friend. Even if you’ve become Itoka, let me believe, that my precious friend has not changed”

“Marius…”

“I’ve said this much, so make sure you properly keep this in your heart! Got it?!”

Kokukoku, my head shakes up and down as I nod.

I’m not saying it again, you hear me! He exclaimed as his face turned red.

“…Thank you. To have been thought of like that, Vito must surely, have been happy”

“Why are you using past tense! It should be in present continuous tense! …and, I’ve got something I want to do”

That is, umm, his mouth floundered as he delayed talking.

<line>

“I want you to, make a vow with me”

“Yes?”

Itoka, a novice, has been proposed to.

Marius’s personality is turning into a ‘Let’s keep going!’ one. Was he always this forward…? The Marius, or Maribelle, I know was a much more tsun-tsun, high-handed young lady… ever since a while ago I’ve just been bewildered!!

With my mouth left open and staring blankly, Marius hurriedly rephrased himself. It looks like he understood what he just said. His face turned ever redder than before. It was just like, a ripe apple.

“I don’t mean it in a weird way! Although in human terms it may sound like that! That’s not it ok! Don’t get me wrong!! When people of the Angelic Race become adults, they are forcefully called to the Heavenly Realm! But I don’t want that, so I need a bond with a human…!!

“Eh, but didn’t you say you were a half, so it wouldn’t matter to you”

“There are no exceptions! If you have inherited even the slightest amount of Angelic blood, you have to follow the rules. In human terms, it’s like a master-servant relationship? If you do not have a bond with a being of the land, you’ll be dragged back, so I’ve been searching, but, there was no human that would vow! Ariadne has Lance-niisama, Chiffon is well, like that. And, I, don’t have many friends… argh don’t make me say it!!”

It seems the Angelic race has their own set of rules. What a difficult race to live as. Mature angels would have to live in the heavenly realm, and would not be able to interact with the human land at all. No wonder I hardly heard about the Angelic race when I was in this world.

Hm, but wait a minute? If that is true.

“That means, Marius was searching for me in order to make a vow with me?”

“That’s because, the only person I could think of, was Itoka-mon…”

What a rascal! It’s ten times more mischievous than Lord Cleric!

But if Maribelle’s upturned eyes stir my desire to protect her, I can’t complain about anything…!!

<line>

Rather, it’s kind of funny and I can’t help be filled with laughter! Why did I end up in this world again, the reason that I agonized so much, it was all because of Marius’ own will.

Right, Marius is undoubtedly the reason I had the chance to return to this world. If he did not act in such a way, I wouldn’t be here now.

Ahh, somehow. It feels like it was foolish of me to worry about it.

“…In fact, maybe I should be saying thank you. If Marius hadn’t come, I think I would have just been carefreely waiting for Onii-chan to bring Touka back”

Then, I would never have had to face Vito’s memories either. Whatever caused me to come to this world, I have to properly face those memories, or I may regret it. No, I will definitely live regretting it. That’s how great and significant, her memories are to me.

“I was surprised, too. That Touka was your younger brother”

There should be a limit to how different you are. I want to believe that all my strong points were taken by Touka. Looks, smarts, all of it. The one thing which we have in common, is that we’re both stupidly earnest.

<line>

I also found a purpose, in bring that Touka and friends home no matter what, even if I have to fumble around for a method, and I have decided that I would live in this world the way I want to.

Even right now, I feel like I want to go home even if I’m alone, but beyond that, the feeling that I would greatly regret not staying in this world longer is stronger.

<line>

Even the human-eating dragon, look, she is laughing inside me.

<line>

――― You, you’re going to pretend that all your relationships with them never existed? She said.

<line>

The answer is obvious.

<line>

There’s no way you can do something like that!

<line>

Even if the me right now is just a weak human, Marius is an important friend, and Chiffon and Ariade are too. But to an equal level, my family Touka, friends Naoki and Yuu, and Honoka-nii, are precious.

Both memories unmistakably belong to ‘me’.

Both thoughts are unmistakably ‘mine’.

To act as if one of those didn’t exist, such a thing, I can’t do it. I wouldn’t be able to.

<line>

Right from the beginning, the answer was fixed.

<line>

I was just delaying it.

<line>

So, I have to set my resolve.

In order to do that, isn’t there someone I should face first?

<line>

Ah, but before that.

<line>

“By the way Marius, could you give me some of your blood”

When I said as such, he opened his eyes so wide that he was about to fall, and blinked his long eyelashes.

<line>

　―― I was hungry.

<line>

Translator Notes:
[1] Not hi, but a screaming sound. Can also be spelt ‘Heeee’ but I thought it looked weird.
[2] Refers to himself as I (watashi- Maribelle) and myself (boku- Maribel)

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<< Dragon Life 85 — Dragon Life Contents Page — Dragon Life 87 >>

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Dragon Life 85

February 21, 2021February 1, 2021 Sonata Chiyu4 Comments

Hmm so I guess about once every 3-4 weeks seems doable, depending on the week itself, so it’ll be at worst once a month:) but for now, most likely, I guess you’ll be seeing a new chapter every 3 weeks! Ain’t that great! Also, as I mentioned before, if anyone has any novel suggestions (just to read or potential translation candidates) let me know in the comments (Thanks to those who have suggested some, I’ll go check them out when I have time!)! I like most fantasy stories, and my all time favourite for the last few years is a Korean novel called Trash of the count’s family – although I can’t translate korean just yet, I’ve been trying to learn ahah. Anyways, if you guys have the time do check it out! But its got over 600 chapters and is still ongoing, so just a forewarning haha

For this chapter, if you ever see ‘my/her brother’, they all refer to Itoka’s older brother Honoka, and if she talks about Touka I’ll definitely put ‘younger brother’, just so it’s clearer!

Hope the new year has been treating everyone well so far! And if it hasn’t, hopefully it will get better from here 🙂 So take the story and bask in your sorrows or joys *Throws*

Nothing ventured, nothing gained [1]

My voice unintentionally rang through the whole hall, and everyone tried to look for the source of the third voice that was suddenly heard. Even Lu-san who was near me, looked at me with an expression which read ‘I have no idea what you are thinking’

…I won’t be able to talk from here. I gather up courage and take a step forward. I began walking, and did not stop. I evaded the suspicious gazes rising from my surroundings as I leisurely made my way to Touka’s side. Before I realised it, there was a path made by people before me. That space connected me to Touka and Honoka-nii, where a small circle was formed. Once I was diagonally in front of Touka, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

Looking at it objectively, I just seemed like an unrelated young noble boy who had come just to participate in the ball.

But reality is different.

I briefly looked over Touka to check on him, meeting his eyes in the process. “Who are you?” they seemed to ask, but in response, I immediately turned my gaze back to my older brother.

Truthfully, I don’t want to act so conspicuously. I could have met Touka and Honoka-nii afterwards to talk. But the more I think about it, the me right now does not have the luxury for that.

<line>

“The situation changed. Just what the hell are you thinking?”

I questioned as I scowled at my older brother who stood on the stage. I could see the band behind him gulping with their instruments in hand, as if they were watching some kind of farce, how ridiculous.

But I can’t laugh.

“…That voice, are you Itoka?”

My brother spoke as if surprised.

“Huh?”

“Itoka-san?”

“Eh? Ito-chan?”

The ones to react to the name Itoka were Touka’s group. It can’t be helped that they were doubtful. Currently, I have my back to them, I only met their eyes for a moment, and I’m in a different outfit. It can’t be helped that they are only able to recognise me through my voice.

“I didn’t think you would come too. You hated it so much, did your feelings change?”

My brother laughed as he stroked Hana’s head.

But it’s not funny at all to me.

“I didn’t come because I wanted to. I’ve got my own circumstances. But since I have already come, I figured I’d go bring Touka and the rest home. Onii-chan, that’s what you’re doing too, right? That’s what you said right? Even though you said you’d bring them home, what do you mean, I’m going to save the world with you?”

“Exactly as it sounds. I was surprised that you came too— but Itoka, you should withdraw”

Withdraw? What do you mean withdraw?

I have no idea what you’re thinking. But you had a slightly sad expression.

I didn’t get the answer I wanted, and Honoka-nii just looked down at me from on the stage. Hana, who was beside, cried out in a gentle voice, but I had no idea what she was saying.

My older brother stroked Hana’s nose, telling her not to worry. Somehow, they 2 of them seemed to be speaking.

<line>

In any case, the conversation wasn’t going anywhere. Honoka-nii, he has a habit of autonomously handling conversations. That’s why it’s hard to get a mutual understanding, and as such we often butted heads and fought.

This was one of those common patterns.

In such situations, I’d usually be the first one to give up and end the talk, but I cannot afford to do that this time.

<line>

“Why. Withdraw, you say, do you mean to give up on bringing Touka and the rest back?”

That’s right, my older brother nodded.

“You are, confused by this world”

“If you think about it realistically, it’d be weirder to not be confused”

“And just what do you mean by, realistically? By who’s standards did you decide that? You, are too caught up with your own thoughts. Same for how you don’t believe in magic. There’s no way you’d be able to bring Touka and the rest home with such a half-hearted determination”

The heck, is that.

“In the first place, Onii-chan was supposed to bring them back”

“Ah, that’s right. I’ll bring that home eventually. But, now is not the time for that. The deadline was just extended a little”

Why, I asked, and my brother laughed.

It was a smile, tinged with sorrow.

<line>

“I used to be like ‘that’ too. And you were like ‘that’, too”

<line>

So, Touka and the rest should be like ‘that’, too? That’s, just too much.

“…Touka and the rest, they don’t have to do such a thing. It would be fine, for them not to carry such a heavy burden!”

My tightly clenched fists were shaking.

“I’m not like brother, I can’t so easily be optimistic”

“It’s tough to be optimistic. I am just acting according to my thoughts. But, both my regret and joy in the results, that I got you guys involved, all of it, I’ll accept them. I’m not like you who is always denying everything”

Gatsun, it was a shock, as if being hit in the head.

Certainly, it’s true. My brother who accepted it all, and I who denies it all, are complete opposites.

But that’s, because Honoka-nii who lived as a human, and I who lived as a dragon are completely different. It may sound like an excuse. But, whatever the excuse, it’s a fact that I did not accept anything. It is also true, that I didn’t resolve myself.

Optimism, huh. Right. Looking at it from the side, it just looks childish and immature, but Honoka-nii lived according to his own will. Maybe I’m wrong in saying that it’s easily said and done, since I couldn’t do it. There’s nothing, that’s easy to do in this world. All of it, they’re all complex and intricate, as if they are made up of a bunch of firmly tangled threads.

“I too have an attachment to this world. If they are facing a crisis, I want to be of help. If it’s Itoka, you understand my feelings, don’t you?”

There’s no way I don’t. But, even then, as expected, I.

“You also, for this country, you put your life at ri—gufu”

It sounded as if he was about to say something unnecessary, so I quickly grabbed the small vase on the nearby table and threw it at him. It made a clean hit to my older brother’s face before falling to the floor.”

“Ugh, ah!! Pain! It hurts!”

He held his face as he was flailing in agony. Hana, far from helping him, seemed to be happily laughing through her nose, which felt rather refreshing.

“As always, you aren’t going easy on me…”

As if tired of this, Touka, who was impressed by this, spoke.

<line>

“How strange. Why”

My mouth dried up, and my tongue wouldn’t easily move. Swallowing my words once, I open my mouth again.

“Why, does this world have to throw us around so much? All I wanted was to live peacefully with my family and friends, am I not even allowed to do that? Because you’re a hero, a brave, a sacred beast, a chose one, out of duty, your mission or whatever, such cheap words obviously filled with justice can’t convince me. I don’t want to listen to such words lumped together, I said”

Even if the reason I lived in this world as a dragon, was because of Honoka-nii.

I lived properly. I worried, thought about it, and sometimes hated it so much that I wanted to run away, but it’s a fact that the traces of proof that I lived still exist in this world. And seeing that, I, who was slightly relieved, was there.

“…Itoka, I understand what your feeling, but”

I too, I understand your feelings all too painfully.

In this world, I can’t say I have no attachments to the humans here. Rather, there is. There’s so many it’s worrying.

<line>

――― Ah, I see. I cannot acknowledge my own feelings.

<line>

“I am, not the ‘old me’ anymore, Onii-chan”

Just as my brother had arrived in this world and saved it, I too have experienced many things. A life so full, you won’t be able to hear it all in just one night.

I turn back and look at Touka’s group.

Just as I am no longer the old me, Touka’s group are also different from the past. That was something I confirmed from their atmosphere when we first reunited. Putting it nicely, it’s growth. Putting it badly, it’s the Urashima Taro phenomenon.

The younger brother before me, is a young man who experienced things I don’t know.

It’s not possible that we are always together just because we’re siblings. It seems as if I was shown this fact, making me feel slightly lonely.

“Touka, do you really, from the bottom of your heart, want to save this world?”

“…yes”

There was a bit of a lag, but his tone was clear and determined.

“Naoki and Yuu too?”

They calmly nodded at my question. Their eyes showed the same will as Touka’s. Living in this world, just what made Touka and the others mature this much is something I don’t know, but, it cannot be helped if they’ve become like so.

With a large sigh, I smile bitterly.

“Every last one of them, I wonder how you managed to summon such kids with main character dispositions”

If it was a person like me, I would have run away early, thinking that it’s too much to ask me to save the world. Maybe it’s more accurate to say that they chose to summon people that carry favour for the world. Which means, this all started from Honoka-nii–?

“Won’t that include me too!”

Fumu, in a bad way.

“As one with a perverted disposition”

“Gu, Guh! Even that’s fine!”

Changing from his serious mood, seeing my usually older brother somehow helped me to relax. Enough to make my feel stupid for thinking too deeply. What’s up with that quick change switch, I really want to ask. But, it made things a little easier.

I’m probably just overthinking things, as my brother had said. Somewhere in my heart, I’ve already realised it. Because I didn’t want to acknowledge my own feelings, I involve those around me. Thinking that if I brought Touka and the rest home, I’d be able to deny this world. That’s I’d be able to make it so that the dragon ‘me’ never existed. But that is exactly, an arrogant human forcing her feelings onto others.

It’s offensive that I had to be told that by Honoka-nii, but it’s useless to just keep running away— from her, memories.

<line>

That was, the source of it all.

<line>

“Neechan, I”

“Un, I understand. Sorry, I said too much. I got a little too emotional. I’m a failure as an older sister”

Once again, I’m sorry, I apologised. …wait, there, isn’t the crowd stirring? …Right, I was currently cross-dressing as a man!

But, well, it’s past the time to care.

From our earlier exchange, I can’t just come forth and excuse myself as just an unrelated young man accompanying the heroes’ party and the purple Earth Dragon.

Then, I have no choice but to reveal myself.

<line>

I put my hands on my head, and remove the blonde wig. The stuffiness was gone, and I felt refreshed.

Slowly flitting down, was my familiar black bangs.

In the surroundings, noises similar to gasps or small screams arose. Those were not out of fear, but from curiosity. I heard something similar to high-pitched scream as well.

What’s wrong with black hair? What’s wrong with black eyes? Colour has nothing to do with it, plus if it’s just black, Naoki is the same. After all this time, it’s not that strange for the number of black-featured to increase, right?

I laughed.

It was so, so funny that I couldn’t help it.

“The ‘me’ right now is just a human being. Plus, I’m a weak, modern, bean sprout woman. I’m very much aware, how powerless I am. It’s not like I have Hana like Onii-chan, neither am I strong like Touka’s group. But you see, my feelings for Touka’s group are so strong they would never falter before such an enormous and powerful strength. That’s why I don’t want to see you guys hurt, nor see you doing dangerous things. Even if this just me thinking too much”

Yes, these are my real feelings.

“Touka”

“Wha, what…?”

When I deepen my smile, Touka felt dubious and watched while on his guard.

“I am aware that, I’m not the heroine type, which would just wait for you to save the world while worrying. Something like that, I gave it up ages ago. If I refuse to bend my beliefs on something, I’ll put my body, and my life at risk, and even hurl myself at whatever it is to protect it. Because, that’s what ‘I’ am”

“…huh?”

He had a baffled expression.

Yeah, you don’t have to know right now.

<line>

“Touka, you see, Itoka was actually a dra— gufu”

This. damn. brother!

This time, I tried throwing a spoon. It brilliantly hit his forehead, how refreshing. Hana likely couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out.

“Don’t say anything unnecessary”

Let’s get back on track, I faced Touka again.

“…Umm, so in short. I understand Touka’s will, and as your older sister, I want to support my younger brother. But there are also things I cannot give up. Whatever happens, I will definitely bring Touka, Naoki and Yuu back home”

This want, unlike my wish to live in peace earlier, isn’t something as selfish. It’s because Touka’s group is precious. I don’t want them to be faced with any danger.

However.

“…but, I can’t force you guys. How troubling”

Touka’s and the other’s feelings which I confirmed earlier, were true. It’d be difficult to forcefully bring them home. I can’t deal with it with ordinary means. No matter how much I say I will bring them home, even if I could win in a conversation, I’d definitely lose in strength.

“That’s why, give me some time. I’ll go cool my head”

I can’t do this while I’m being emotional and without straightening out my thoughts.

“The next time we meet, I’ll proudly say it to you”

Let’s go home, that is.

Saying so, I take a step with heavy feet, and another step, walking away. The exit to the hall was behind Touka and the rest. I walked aiming for that, but as we passed each other, my shoulder was grabbed and my upper body was twisted back. This is somewhat painful. Especially for my waist.

“Neechan. Where are you going”

It’s a secret that my heart doki-ed [2] at my younger brother’s dignified face that appeared near me.

“To cool off my head”

“I meant, exactly where!”

“…outside?”

“Why are you asking me. If you are just going to cool your head, you don’t need to go outside. Didn’t I say so before. It’s dangerous outside, so don’t go”

“No, that’s no good. Anyways, I’m going to leave this castle. I want to leave right now. Like, immediately leave”

“Just why?”

“Well that, … my younger brother, Onee-chan has one or two things that she doesn’t want to say”

For example, things like, that I want to escape from the surrounding gazes. If you look around calmly, you’d make eye contact with everyone. I was the one that made this situation but, it’s still uncomfortable to be looked at with such curious eyes.

“What’s up with that. In the first place, there’s so much I don’t understand. Like about what you said the last time, there’s so much I want to ask!”

There’s no way I can let you go! He put more strength in the hand holding on to my shoulder.

“I’m sorry, I can’t say it, for now”

“…what, what happened. It’s like you aren’t my sister. Just what the hell happened? In times like this, “It’s a pain so do as you please” you’d say while just staying on the sidelines is more like my sister, right? You’d stay still in the castle like air until I finish my mission, wouldn’t you? Niichan too, you aren’t like Niichan anymore… just what, happened to the 2 of you!”

I’d stay still as if I was air, true enough, that’s exactly what I would have done in the past.

“I won’t be able to understand if you don’t explain…!”

<line>

….I see. Touka is the same as me.

I would think it’s weird too, if my lazy-bones older sister and ever-childish older brother suddenly became hostile and were seriously quarrelling. I have to explain it, but I don’t know either. I am also, confused. The one who suddenly changed, was not just our older brother, but, me, and Touka too. What a set of siblings we are. At this rate, we’ll just keep missing each other.

But right now, my feelings don’t have the leisure to resolve our misunderstandings or come to an agreement.

“I’m sorry. I’ll definitely return. So please give me some time”

Touka’s eyes were full of anxiety. He’s probably thinking that he can’t just let me go like this.

I gently shook off his hand, and turned my back.

<line>

With every step I took, people opened up a path.

Until I reached the exit, I had only turned back once. Standing far away, I noticed Touka mouthing “Neechan”, as he stood there blankly.

<line>

For me, time was necessary.

<line>

*Short story＊

<line>

Black, black, black, black.

Recently, this world has been crowding with this colour. Just a few years ago, it was an extremely hated and repugnant thing.

It’s my, and also her colour.

Black, black, black, black.

No matter what black I see, it doesn’t move my heart. I don’t think of anything. I don’t feel anything.

<line>

―― But then.

<line>

That colour which appeared from underneath the platinum blonde, made all the blood in my body clamour as if dancing.

It’s the same colour as Naoki, the same thing, but somehow, my throbbing heart doesn’t subside.

At first, I thought it was a young boy. A petite, delicate, young face, Chiffon’s partner.

The reason I thought her eyes were weird, was because she had Madeleine’s magic device equipped. Maybe those eyes are the same colour as that hair, and thinking so, I felt my spirits lifting.

<line>

So that, was Touka’s older sister.

For a young girl, her words and mannerisms are very manly. Just like… yes, just like.

<line>

…Just why are you so curious.

<line>

Along with the feeling of something that was stuck in my chest falling out, my feet, naturally chased after her back.

<line>

Translator Notes:
[1] Or ‘you will not get the tiger cub without entering the tiger’s den’. It is a proverb.
[2] Because, I figured there’s no better word for it. I could have said skipped a beat, but I think it’s a bit shallower than that, so please read it how ever you please:)

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<< Dragon Life 84 — Dragon Life Contents Page — Dragon Life 86 >>

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Dragon Life 84

January 31, 2021December 22, 2020 Sonata Chiyu9 Comments

With this, there are about 5 chapters of the main story left 😥 The end is nearing, I can feel it! 😦 Our dear Vito/Ito-chan is finally reaching her conclusion… and that means my translating journey is also coming to a pause.
But hopefully not forever! If anyone knows any dropped novels that you would like to have translated, do leave a suggestion in the comments! It may be a little early, but this way I can read them first and decide if I like it enough to translate it:) And it’ll take quite a bit time before I’ll be able to start translating again after I’m done with this project anyways ahha

I’ll say no more, the chapter is here!

Curiosity killed the cat.

That gaze immediately turned towards Chiffon who was behind.

“Madeleine is calling”

“Onee-chan is? …Ah, oh no! I forgot to make my report! I’m sorry Itoka-kun. I’ve got to go meet my sister!”

Completely forgetting the earlier happenings, she panickedly flailed. She probably remembered some work she had to do.

“Lu-san, thank you very much!”

After saying so with a smile, she quickly ran off in the opposite direction with small steps.

I wonder why Chiffon uses a nickname with him. More so if she’s part of the fourth knight squad, she should be calling her superiors Captain or Vice-captain. Or is it, are they close enough to ignore that gap. There’s no end to thinking about it. There’s no end but, I can’t help but be curious.

Whatever it is, Chiffon has left this place. Currently, there are only 2 people. There were other people nearby, but within this space there were just 2. With a very awkward atmosphere. Or am I the only one washed away like this.

Getting curious, I steal a peak to my side.

…Ah, please calm down. My heart. Stop beating so hard, at such an age.

…Alright, at least say my thanks!

“Um, thank you very much”

“It’s nothing”

A curt reply for my words which I gathered courage to say.

That’s right, he probably saved me because Chiffon was with me.

…Un, I’m tired of it so let’s just take the lead. And regardless of what I’m told, I’ll just play dumb.

No matter how you look, I look like a guy, and being oddly conscious here would be weird. It’s best to just maintain minimal contact as Chiffon’s partner. By the way, the setting shall be a slightly timid, naive young boy.

“Lu-san, right. Thank you for the other day as well”

“The other day?”

He might not get it if I just say the soul controller incident, and I fall deep into thought thinking about what happened, ending up not even twitching. Was there someone like this? His eyes seemed to be asking.

“My appearance was different then so you may not recognise me, but, Vito-san, was it? I had her appearance at the time. Probably because I was in a soul state, I was a little confused and had a rude attitude, my apologies for that.

After saying that much, he seems to have finally remembered. That I was the unyielding girl spirit whose character was going haywire.

Lu-san nodded slightly.

“I see.”

Again, he said so without much interest.

Even then, his gaze did not move. If you have no interest, it’s fine if you don’t stare at me that much. As if searching for something inside, those dully shining black eyes pierce me.

Deep and deeper in my chest, I felt as if I was being completely seen through, and got a little scared. I looked away from that unbearable gaze. In place of that, people dressed in dazzling clothes while happily dancing entered my view.

Oh yeah, I haven’t seen Touka and his friends. They were supposed to be the stars of this ball, where it’d be fine if they were openly introduced, but for the last few hours I’ve been here, I haven’t even caught a glimpse of the shadows.

But Touka said he won’t participate, and not being able to see my younger brother’s applauded figure, is slightly disappointing– just as I thought so, my arm was grabbed.

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“Eh?”

As I turned back around in surprise, the one that grabbed my arm was the right arm of Lu-san who was standing before me. His hand was thin and pale for a man’s, and the feeling of his palm transferred through the cloth.

Did I do something I wonder, but all I remember doing was turning my gaze away.

Exactly why did you grab my arm?

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“That”

He released my arm, and his slender index pointed directly at my face. I tilt my head, puzzled, as his hand came closer and touched the area around my eyes. Shocked, I tried to retreat one step back, before noticing the unusual state I was in.

My view was, blurred.

It was strange that I had not noticed till now, but tears that were held back were pouring out of both eyes. I hurriedly use my the hem of my clothes to wipe them away, but the overflowing tears ignored my will and wouldn’t stop.

“Wh, why…?”

How funny.

I don’t know what this means.

My eyes and emotions don’t even feel like crying.

Even so, the tears do not stop.

Right now, am I not the one that’s crying?

Then who?

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…It’s obvious. Its her, Vito.

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Once I realised it, a horrible pain assaulted my chest, and a sadness that could drive me crazy couldn’t be held back.

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My breaths were short and fast. Even breathing was difficult, as I grabbed my chest with my hand as I slouched over.

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I somehow managed to remain standing with this suddenly faint body by pushing on my two feet.

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Just what, is happening to me?

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“Calm down”

A low voice whispered in my ear. My body trembled in response to the voice which sounded as if it directly resonated in my head. Much less than calm down, I can’t remain composed at all. Rather, it’s getting worse.

Biting my lips, I swallow the sobs deep into my throat. It feels like it’ll become sore, but I strangle it down tightly.

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The hand gently stretched out on the crown of my head, drew me in. I was stunned when my face was pulled towards his shoulder, but the hand that was on my head then wrapped around my back, rubbing it. As if cradling a child, those hands were gentle.

I want to entrust my whole weight to him, and have him indulge me, without having to think about other things. Hugging me tightly, smiling, laughing— but, I can’t do that.

Stuffing Vito’s feelings away, I wipe the last of my calmed tears away with my sleeve, and released myself. Taking a step back and looking up, a Lu-san with a softer gaze than earlier was looking down at me.

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“I, I’m sorry, I suddenly lost my composure”

It is technically our first time meeting.

Lu-san responded with eyes cast down.

“The one who should apologise, is me. If I stay too close to me, this will, occasionally happen”

…What do you mean?

Even when I looked up with a questioning gaze, he did not answer. Only the ever-unchanging face, was there. His diverted gaze just floated around.

I’m sure he can’t just disregard me since I’m Chiffon’s partner. That’s why he cared about me who suddenly started to cry. That, is all to it. But that means, I’m at least being considered as one of Chiffon’s companions. …Why, does it bother me so much. It doesn’t matter anymore, we have no relation anymore, isn’t that what I decided for myself.

Even then, contrary to my feelings, her feelings are overflowing from her memories, and it wasn’t stopping.

Back when it looked like I was about to be killed on Mt Vizannu, when I drank his blood in the back alley, even when I had Vito’s appearance, I just don’t know. What you, are thinking about.

What are you thinking, feeling, when you took action, I can’t understand them, at all.

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Is it ‘my’ fault that your left arm doesn’t move?

Why do you have such an expression?

What happened, to Roza-san?

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Since then— what happened?

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I have so many things to ask. The number of questions I want to throw at you are countless. But if I say them, it’s all over. Me, as a human, would end. I, don’t want that. I’m not Vito. I’m not a dragon either, just a human. You’d probably not accept it even if I say I used to be Vito, and would just be disillusioned. Not saying anything, is for both our sakes. I will live as a human and die a human. I don’t need, my dragon self…. I don’t need it.

Still, my want to know, called curiosity, was unsuppressable.

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“May I ask a rather, impolite, question”

By the time I noticed, I had already spoken.

Silence meaning consent.

I lick my dry lips and ask.

“You, ‘who’ are you?”

“…who knows”

I wonder who, those dark eyes looked into the distance. That gaze was not fixed on anything, and simply looking into space. I recognise this gesture. It’s when he’s thinking about something. He looks blank, but his head is full of thoughts going round.

“ ‘One-winged Swordsman’, ‘Chiffon’s acquaintance’, ‘A knight of the Alvina Kingdom’, just which is the real you?”

It’s better to not get involved. It’d be better for me as well, to just cleanly forget everything instead. Yet why, my words do not stop.

“Why?”

Why are you asking that?

“It’s just, out of curiosity”

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“Curiosity kills cats, too”

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His mouth distorted, and he smiled nihilistically.[1] It was the smallest change of expression, but that cold, pitiful smile pierced my heart.

You can’t take a step further into my territory. You won’t be able to.

After all, to him, my pathetic human self has so little value, it’d be enough to clean up with just a cold smile.

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…Ah, let’s just stop it.

My feelings have changed to become darker.

“Is that so… I’m sorry for asking such a strange thing. Well then, it’s about time I–”

Go and pick Chiffon. I froze as I tried to say that. When I turned back and saw what entered my sight, my eyes went wide enough for me to say this.

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W h a t t h e h e c k i s t h i s .

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I thought I had vanished.

Why didn’t I notice it until now, no, I just thought it was a large black sculpture. Black is the trending colour, and this hall also had black decorations in various places. I was so swept away by the heat of the ball, that I never looked all the way there.

It’s just, a sculpture. It was.

It’s just, a decoration. It was.

Once you notice it, the presence standing before you will overwhelm you. Behind the stage at the centre of the hall, in front of the stained glass, the figure that was enshrined there.

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That was undoubtedly,— the figure of the black dragon.

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As if petrified, the scales were dull, and they had no luster at all. Most people would believe it if you told them that it is a full-sized sculpture. But, I can tell.

This is, ‘me’.

A firm body and strong skeleton. A head with only three horns, and sharp fangs peeking out of the mouth. It may look like a fearsome dragon, but to me, that appearance is nostalgic and lovely to me.

It’s my first time looking up at my own body from an objective view. It was so big and scary… but was also a charming dragon. I don’t particularly like dragons, but there is something about them which fascinates people.

However, there is no sign of a soul. It is not alive, it’s just an inorganic object.

I thought I was blown to bits from the impact, is it possible that this is Lord Cleric’s work? If it’s that person, I feel like he could do it.

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Swish, I turn to look beside me, to find Lu-san looking up at it.

His mouth moved slightly and seemed to be muttering something, but I couldn’t hear it.

I’m glad I wasn’t able to hear it.

I feel like I might just thoughtlessly reply.

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This is no good. If I’m next to this person, who knows when I might spill. And yet wanting to remain by his side, is not because of my own feelings but Vito’s memories… Argh! How complicated! Just give up and accept Vito you say? There’s no way I can do that!! I am Itoka. A girl without exceptional features, who loves to eat and sleep! I don’t know someone like Vito!

Ah, I feel ill.

Just as I intended to tell him that it is about time I leave to pick Chiffon, Ga-Shan!, a loud noise accompanied by the broken glass and screams could be heard.

“Eh?”

A small glass had broken, it was not such a cute sound. Shocked, I looked in the direction the noise came from, to see the moment when the stained glass behind the black dragon was magnificently broken and the glass fragments were falling. The shards flew out in a wide radius, preventing people from reacting promptly. The shards were so huge that it’d be no surprise if they got a severe injury from carelessness.

As they fell, my head momentarily went completely white, before my arm was suddenly grabbed and my body pulled back. Right in front of me, a huge glass shared fell, shattering on the ground and scattered.

“It’s dangerous”

It was Lu-san. My body was stuck close to his back. It seems he saved me from a dangerous situation.

I opened my mouth to say my thanks, but it was interrupted by the loud voice of the uninvited visitors.

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“Hahahahaha!! Wahahaha h-ack ah- cough a-ahem… A pleasant evening! Everyone !!”

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…You, choked didn’t you.

The one who broke through the stained glass and appeared in the hall, was a man wearing a dark mantle and an ugly mask which surrounded his eyes. It’s just like the Phantom, no, the Eccentric of Opera.

The hall which was chaotic due to his grand appearance, immediately turned silent. They were stunned by this eccentric, is not what happened. They were dumbfounded at the ‘creature’ he was riding.

The body which was illuminated by the Chandelier’s lights looked pink, but it was more accurate to say it was close to purple. It was much smaller than the black dragon, but it was undeniably a dragon. Anyone with a decent sense would be able to tell that, that figure which does not belong to any other species was the sacred beast, the Earth Dragon. To add, it was the same colour as the Earth Dragon that appeared with the Hero from 300 years ago.

Bewildered by their all too sudden appearance, the hall stirred.

Without caring about the mood, the masked man took an imposing stance on the Earth Dragon and said.

“My apologises for disturbing you while you were having fun, but give me a portion of your time!”

The heck, so it was a command.

More like, no matter how I think about it, isn’t that Honoka-nii?! This eccentricity, there’s no doubt about it!

Just what on earth were you thinking when you appeared in such a conspicuous way! It’s far too troublesome!!

This idiot brother surveyed the dazed surroundings and ecstatically brought a joyful smile to his face. So you just wanted to stand out huh… ?! Since long before, he always imitated heroes and always took action to get people’s attention. Whereas I was this close to getting seriously hurt!

Fortunately, there wasn’t anyone who fell prey to the glass shards. But it’d be great if you could think a little more before acting.

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“Ni-niichan?! Why are you here!”

A familiar voice echoes in the quiet space.

This voice, I’m sure. Touka!

I tried to look for that figure, to find that Touka was closer than I thought. He was right in front of the idiot Honoka-nii, next to me. Naoki, Yuu and Riya were there too.

Wow, he glows in formal attire as I thought. As expected of my younger brother. It’s different from the usual all-black character, he transformed into a gentlemanly young man. He’d look good in a white based outfit too. To be able to see such a cool image, it makes me glad I came to the ball— it’s not the time to be casually enjoying things!!

Although he was dressed oddly, Touka was able to recognise his older brother from his voice and pretentious demeanour. I can’t believe it, his face seemed to say as he held his head.

“It’s been a long time! My beloved little brother!! Now, let’s act out the reunion of us brothers once more!!”

He spread wide his two arms, what an overreaction. Hana was probably going along with Honoka-nii, as she raised a growl. They are staging it too much.

“Answer the question”

The one who bluntly cut-off such a brother, was as expected, Touka.

“Uh, umu. …It’d be fine for you to play along a little. Onii-tan iz lonely” [2]

“That method of entry was too much. What are you thinking!”

Aren’t you embarrassed! He said with a bright red face. By the way, I’m also so ashamed by my brother’s behaviour and can’t even look him in the eye. You’d get full marks as an entertainer, but do those kinds of things as a sideshow or somewhere else. Who is going to pay for the broken stained glass.

“Eh? But isn’t it cool? A mysterious person! A masked mystery suddenly appears! It even got high-pitched cheers so I’m satisfied!”

Those weren’t cheers, they were shrieks.

But this brother was happy with it so hoi, he took off the mask to show it. Beneath the mask, was an extremely refreshing smile. If he shows such a refreshing smile, how could anyone hate him… No wait, so that wasn’t for hiding your face. It was just a prop for this show.

“It wasn’t cheers! They were screams! Answer me seriously!”

As expected of Touka. We had the same thoughts.

“I got it, I got it. Don’t yell like that. It’s been a while since I’ve come to this world, let me enjoy it a little”

He lightly jumped off Hana and stood on the stage. Touka was just nicely right in front of him, as he looked down at him. There was a road made by human-walls between them, as they just looked straight at each other.

By this time, they already had serious expressions. It’s rare for my older brother to have such an expression, and it only appeared when there was a really serious problem.

Touka, who noticed the sudden change in the air, shut his mouth. Feeling the unnatural atmosphere, the surroundings also went quiet. It was a strange scene, where even with this many people, not a single one dared to make a noise. And the one who created this, of course includes my brother, but also the presence of the purple-coloured Earth Dragon.

“I came here to bring you back to our original world. But, the situation has changed”

“What do you mean, situation”

Hold up. That’s something I also want to hear. Back when we split up in our world, you said you’d definitely come back with Touka. Was that a lie?

“Beautiful priestess Riya, please forgive my rudeness from earlier. When I learned that this world has once again been beset with a crisis, I changed my mind”

I found Riya next to Touka, the one my brother was greeting respectfully.

“I will be going to assist in my own ways. I’m not as powerful as I used to be, but I’d at least be able to help you out with my limited power. How about it? I don’t think it’s a bad deal”

“Eh?! Ah, um, I am”

“Help out you say, what are you thinking Niichan”

“Exactly as it means. I’ve been observing your actions the past few days, but just like I used to, your desire to protect this world grows stronger day by day. As expected, you can’t go against your blood”

What do you mean blood. It sounds like you added it to dramatize your story, but blood has nothing to do with it. That’s because my family is a very ordinary family. Just, my older brother is beyond common sense, while Touka and I got caught up in it.

“…Is it true, that niichan used to be the hero?”

You’d have no choice but to believe it after seeing the Earth Dragon.

“Oh, so you knew. That’s right, and by the way, this is Hana”

“Eh?! Seriously?!”

Hana was so lovely and cute. You have become so reliable, I feel lonely. For Hana who I thought was a cat to be a dragon, I never imagined such a thing. Naoki and Yuu, who knew Hana’s cat figure, were also surprised.

“How about it?”

Why not make me one of comrades too, he said.

Touka was stuck in thought for a while.

“Of course, I’m thankful for Niichan’s offer but, …is it true?”

“It’s for my cute little brother. I’ll support with all my strength. Because that’s the very least atonement, I can do for you”

…Even with that said, you aren’t going to bring Touka back? What are you calling atonement. If you have made such a resolve, then hurry and bring Touka back already. Back to our safe, and peaceful world. Isn’t that what atonement would be? Helping him with saving the world? The heck is that. What an unlaughable joke.

I promised you, didn’t I. I’d definitely bring Touka and the rest back. So just wait.

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Honestly, I don’t get my older brother.

Touka too, to be overcome by a strange sense of duty, to save the world, will you be able to pull off such a huge task? Because you’re a hero? A brave? [3]

How can you accept these so easily?

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I don’t know. I don’t know, but I want to understand them. Because we’re siblings.

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Still, — I want you to explain, this situation.

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“Great! Then it’s settled! From today on, I am also—”

“Wait a minute”

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The voice which stopped my brother’s words, emanated from my throat.

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Translation Notes:
[1] Nihilism is a line of thought which believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy. (I googled it) You can think of it as an empty or broken smile.
[2] ‘Nii’ refers to and older brother, ‘Tan’ another suffix when referring to other people, similar to ‘Chan’ but somewhat cuter? Anyways this is Honoka trying to speak cutely. For the Kpop-loving kids out there, it’s basically aegyo.
[3] Actually both translations mean Hero, but English is boring and only has so many ways of saying hero

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<< Dragon Life 83 — Dragon Life Contents Page — Dragon Life 85 >>

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Dragon Life 83

January 10, 2021December 22, 2020 Sonata Chiyu5 Comments

Happy (late) new year everyone!! Hope everyone had enjoyed their Christmas/New Year break!

I have some bad news. It’s not that bad haha but chapters will be released after a longer time, probably only once every 3-4 weeks starting after this chapter. That’s because I’ll be working full-time starting Jan, and I’ve been told that I’d be starting during a peak season, so I’m not too sure how much time I’ll have to translate :’) I’ll still be working on the chapters slowly, so they’ll be out eventually, but unfortunately, I can’t make any promises on dates. BUT I will still be working to finish the series, so you can expect that much! 🙂

Also, damn you Marius-belle for your cross-dressing and gender switching. Jap has plenty of gender neutral sentences but English doesn’t!! Why doth thou do this to moi, sigh. So since you are biologically a boy, i dub thee now and forever, ‘he, him, his’ !

Oh well, it’s done for not, and I’ve got not much else to say, so let’s get right into it:)

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A ball for clowns

In any case, I earned the title of the partner of Chiffon Quartet, a knight of the Fourth Knights’. In exchange, it feels as if I’m losing something, as a girl.

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While I was holding my head thinking about how to deal with this, Celia burst into the room, and hugged me so tightly it hurt, as if my head would pop off. Chocolat was in tears after he saw the awake Chiffon. How cute… I seemed to have thought one line too much there.

Just going with the flow, we moved to the topic of the ball, which I don’t even need to mention. At present, there was a single fire drake playing in front of its owner. To say what that means, we’ll be flying on this dragon to get to the Alvina Kingdom’s castle.

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Yeah, why? How did this happen?

Chiffon’s dragon called Caramelize-chan was on the smaller side for fire drakes, which felt like it was for females only. Minette’s fire drake was a normal size so I guess that’s not always the case though. It was the perfect size for Chiffon to ride on. Looking even closer, even its face shape was seemingly cuter than others. From its cute eyes and rounded skeleton, along with a mild personality, you could tell that it was likely to be a still growing child.

“I’m sorry it took so long for me to come see you”

The way it purred and sought affection from its owner was just like a cat. Or, rather than a faithful dog, a loyal dragon. I thought so even while I was at the Fourth Knights’ dormitory, but the relationship between a person and their fire drake is so deep, I envy it. It’d be difficult for anyone to get in between them.

Seeing the 1 person and 1 dragon frolic brings a smile to my face, but I have a problem that needs to be solved.

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“Umm, even without riding a dragon, can’t we walk there just fine”

Plus, Caramelize-chan seems to only be able to carry 2 people. What about Chocolat, Al and Celia then. In the first place, we neglected the other 3 and came to the woods outside the city alone. You’ll never know when a demon might attack while we are here, and the cowardly me was feeling jumpy. Although we have a fire drake with us, it’s still a child. Even if we just put aside small demos, what are we going to do if a larger demon attacks.

In response to my worry, Chiffon looked back at me and said with a smile.

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“Because you see, the ball is tomorrow”

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…Hah? What did you just say?

“That’s why we have to hurry back to the castle and prepare everything!”

I also have yet to prepare a dress. Even her troubled expression is cute, this bastard, but this is not the time to be escaping reality.

“Do you want to go to the ball that badly?”

“It looks like it’ll be fun, and you’ll get to eat delicious things-mon[1]. Nassau’s[2] sweets are amazing you know! Ah, and you’ll be able to meet the heroes there too!”

I’m sorry Chiffon. Those heroes, they’re my brother and his friends. I wonder how she’ll react if I told her. Anyways, Nassau-san, so you were able to make sweets too! I’d really want to eat them! How could one go without eating Nassau-san’s cooking!!

My feelings were being shaken, but I somehow managed to hold myself back.

“But what about Chocolat? And I have Al and Celia too…”

“I’ve already told Chocolat so it’s fine! And as for Al-san and Celia-san, they’ll be coming on foot, they said! Only invited parties can participate in day one of the celebrations, but from day two on, it’s fun because anyone can join!”

If it’s from here, you’d be able to reach within two days, she smiled excitedly.

When did you settle all this while I was not around? Maybe it was while Celia was strangling me with her hug? At the time my consciousness was faint, and I could only tell that the people around me were talking about something. Celia had said “Ito-chan can begin full-fledged male dressing from now…!” and she got all excited, was it that!! Do you mean you intend to come along! And the ball is across two days! Aren’t esteemed nobles free huh!!

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“That’s how it is, so, let’s head off!!”

When she cutely raised her right arm, Caramelize-chan roared in response.

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No matter how hard I try, it looks like I can’t avoid playing the male part as we attend the ball.

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The sky that I haven’t flown in, in a long time, was scary.

I had forgotten, but while flying on my own was fine, being flown was not good.

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Holding my mouth in my hands as we descended, I crouch down at the place I alighted. I should be praised for stopping my stomach from turning inside out. Caramelize-chan nudged her nose towards me in worry, so although I wasn’t alright, I said I was as I somehow stood up. But it was no good. I once again fell onto the ground and was crawling.

As for Chiffon, after landing at a place that seemed nearby the Fourth Knight’s dormitory within the castle, she happily ran towards the person standing in the open space and hugged them. She probably noticed us landing from the air and came out from his room. I was unable to determine who it was since I was dragon sick, but I could tell it was a woman through the corner of my eye.

“I’m home! Araide-chan”

“Welcome back Chiffon. As I thought, you came back”

I heard a voice that was low and husky for a lady. It was an extremely nostalgic voice.

…I thought you’d be here, I did think you;d be here, but my heart isn’t prepared yet, and I wanted to avoid meeting in this weakened state! But it’s impossible right! Because you are standing right in front of me-mon!

“That person is?”

Taking a glance, both her height and aura seemed powerful. Her golden hair was tied up higher than the heavens without a single misplaced strand, and every time she moved her head, it gleamed like the morning sun on a flowing golden river.

Donned in a light blue one piece with a thin shawl draped on, although her clothes may differ, the girl I knew well, Ariadne was right in front of me.

Those eyes mysteriously reflected myself, who was floundering even as Caramelize-chan was helping me up.

“This is Itoka-chan. You see, she’s gonna be my partner!”

“Oh, my. Nice job Chiffon. I thought for sure you’d just give up and bring Chocolat as your partner”

Fufu, Ariade laughed.

It feels as if her aura became gentler. Just what happened in 2 years, to see the Urashima Tarou phenomenon here, making me feel a little lonely, and even if I tried to think that these weren’t my memories, it was too late. Recently, I have been infinitely similar to Vito. I don’t know exactly when it might be unconsciously expressed. That’s why I need to thoroughly ensure that this is the first time I’ve ever met with Ariade.

“I’m glad. That you managed to find a boy as a partner”

Like this, you’ll be able to participate in the ball, she continued, which made Chiffon tilt her head.

“Itoka-chan is a girl though?”

“…eh?

She made a ‘What did you just say?’ face. I was pretty shocked at first too. For a woman to invite another woman and not a man to a ball, it’s definitely unheard of.

“Well um, nice to meet you. My name is Itoka. I am a girl, although I look like this”

It can’t be helped that I had to state that I am a girl. When I said do, Ariade smiled bitterly.

“Sounds like what Chiffon would do. Fine then, that play, I’ll go along with it”

That’s so unlike Ariade. The Ariade I knew would bluntly go ‘What’s up with that?’ and drop it there, but her gentle smile which looked like she was playing along with a child’s game was perplexing.

And I’ve been curious about it since a while ago, but Ariade’s stomach— was kind of big.

It’s not like she grew fat, but it was unnaturally large right there. Back in elementary school, I remember playing by putting a ball under my shirt, but Ariade wouldn’t do such a thing nor is she at the age for it.

In which case, there’s only one possibility.

“Araide-chan is, you see, a knight-sama’s wife! She’ll be giving birth soon”

It looks like I was caught staring at her stomach, I see, as expected she’s pregnant, I understand, so since a child will be born she became milder, or because she fell head over heels for her husband that she rounded out. In either case—what the heck??!! Pregnant?! No, nono even though in 2 years you could have gotten a husband and 1, or even 2 kids, no 2 kids is impossible! Any, anyways! A pregnant woman, and a dragon rider, these 2, how much must they surprise me until they’re satisfied! I’m starting to get confidence in not being shocked by anything anymore!

“Oh right, you aren’t with Lance-san today?”

“Yes, since he has work to do. Just because he’s worried, having him by my side all the time is troubling. It’s not like I’m a sick patient”

“A baby is going to be born, that’s to be expected for a husband!”

Wha-what!! Just when I said I wouldn’t get shocked anymore! Your husband is Lance! …Madam Killer! [3] What did you do to get the heart of the pure-faced Ariade! Please tell me!! I want to hear everything from the very beginning till the end!

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“Putting that aside, you’re a girl but you’ll need to dress as a boy. What are you going to do?”

“You see, Itoka-chan looks like a boy so I think it’ll work out. I was mistaken too in the beginning”

At any rate, these 2 are totally on board. I, who received an Urashima shock instead of a culture shock, watched as they continued the conversation harmoniously.

Does my will not matter, is that it! I got it. I’ll give up. Let’s go to that so-called ball or whatever!

If I’m lucky I may be able to see Touka and the others again. I think it may be better to avoid making contact, but it’ll be good enough if I’m able to just see them. My motivation is rising. Also, I personally want to see a formally dressed Touka. I’m not a bro-con[4], but it’d definitely suit me.

“Ah, but there might be one problem”

At my words, ‘what’s wrong’ Ariade asked through her gaze, before my mouth unconsciously shut.

I wonder if it’s okay to say it, I haven’t even told Chiffon yet, so it’s worrying whether or not it’ll be fine to tell the sharp Ariade.

But I have no choice but to say it in order to move forward. I’m sure I can’t just brush it off as nothing either.

“Please don’t be surprised and take a look”

It’ll be too conspicuous to stand in front of others with this hair.

Resolving myself, I take my hood off.

Avoiding the eyes of the pair, I looked at the ground, and heard a gasp.

“Black…?”

“You, you were a, black-featured?”

“This black hair would definitely stand out, and I don’t want to gain too much attention”

“…right, you must have had it hard too”

I glanced briefly at Ariade, to see her very gentle gaze, as if she was overlapping my figure with someone. I won’t ask a crude question like who it is, it’s best to pretend not to know.

Chiffon had a slightly sad expression as she put her hand on her chest.

“That hair would definitely stand out, so we’ll need to hide it, hey, Chiffon”

“Yeah… but, it’s a colour that I like”

I don’t want to be looked at gazes full of curiosity, just because it’s rare or stands out. That’s why I normally hide it, not to mention in a place with many people around, I’d be very reluctant not to hide it.

One thing I’m thankful about is that these 2 people didn’t connect me to Vito just because of my black features. We have completely different appearances so even if they associate us, they wouldn’t ever think we were the same person. How fortunate.

Speaking of which, Naoki is in this country too, so they may be more used to black than I thought. Society’s perception of black-featured have changed, and the black-featured that used to live at the ends of the earth where light does not reach may have begun to appear. That would be a dream come true.

This may not be the best way to put it, but in these current times, black featured and respected and fussed over. The 2 may have sensed my opinion of wanting to hide it, with their discussion moving towards hiding it.

If the one here was not Ariade but the Prince, for example, such an idea would have been rejected. Thank goodness.

“Then, how about something like a wig. If I remember correctly, Maribelle-chan had some fake hair!”

As expected of Maribelle. You even have disguise tools. The so-called wigs, or to say it cooler, wig. …To think such a convenient item existed! How did I not notice! I’m an idiot!

“It’s not Maribelle but Marius isn’t it. Is it almost a year? It’s about time you called his proper name

“But there are also times he’s Maribelle-chan, um, this is difficult”

Perhaps, did Maribelle confess that he was a man? He did mention he was an apprentice knight, ahh, too much has changed while I was gone and I can’t keep up. Anyways, I wonder what Maribelle, or more like Marius, is up to. If he has returned back to this side…. eh, isn’t that kinda dangerous? The only one who recognises this appearance is Marius. No, Timo and Marge[5] would too. In any case, if I run into Marius here, I’d definitely be exposed. What should I do!

“But I haven’t seen Maribelle-chan lately?”

“I haven’t seen him the last few months. He said he was going to his mother’s distant hometown, so he probably won’t be back for a while.”

I’m saved! …But well, wasn’t that an excuse to come to my world?

An, anyways, I’m not there right now so it’s fine. Whether it’s a ball or some other errand, It’ll be fine if I do it all quickly and run away!

Come, you two! Turn me into a man!

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…Not in a weird way.

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＊＊＊

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“Chiffon Quartet-sama and her partner, Itoka-sama, we have been awaiting your arrival. Please go on inside”

When Chiffon handed over the invitation, a dandy gentleman sent us to the entrance hall of the ball with a smile. A large chandelier was installed on the ceiling of the dance hall’s atrium, a small stage set up in the front, and beside them, a music troupe was playing music. Men and women dressed in costumes which suited the gorgeous venue, which was lavishly decorated with a number of glittering ornaments, were dancing at a relaxed tempo. I’m not familiar with dance, but it looked similar to ballroom dancing.

Then I realized. I, can’t dance.

When I told Chiffon such, she just replied “Don’t worry, I can’t dance either!” encouragingly. So it’s like that, then it’s fine. The two of us will partake in the delicious food while tasting this atmosphere, and if I was lucky, see Touka in formal attire before heading home. Yup, that’s the best. For what reason did you come to the ball. I did not retort to myself.

Through this, I don’t forget my role as the male partner and properly lead Chiffon. You hand please, and Chiffon holds the arm I offered her.

If Chiffon is enjoying herself, then the ball might not be too bad.

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The blonde wig we found in Marius’ room was a more mature colour than Chiffon’s honey-coloured hair. I struggled with putting it on since I didn’t know how, but for now, my black hair can be hidden with this. I thought I wouldn’t be able to do anything about my eye colour, but Chiffon has something similar to colour contacts so I put that on. It’s apparently Madeleine’s work. She seems to be making all sorts of magic devices each day. It’s gentle on the eyes, and uses magic indirectly so even I could use it, so I gratefully made use of it. I was surprised about how easily it fit. By the way, it’s blue. It seems to have been intended for people with poor eyesight, but because it is able to change colours, it is also being developed as a fashion item now. Besides this, there are also various magic devices to improve convenience to her name, as she operates as a so-called magic research household. As expected of the magician Madeleine.

If you are going to play the male role, it’s obvious but you’d have to wear the male’s outfit. It saddened me to watch cloth binding my cliff flat chest.

The clothes had been prepared by Ariade. Her family runs an aristocratic exclusive tailor, so I borrowed some random clothes that had been ordered for the ball. But, instead of the young master of a noble house, I look more like a knight from somewhere? And it was bewildering. When I asked for the reason, apparently knight fashion was trending, and there were many outfits imitating it. Plus, the outfit I was wearing right now was so dark it was close to black worried me at first, but after reaching the ball, I patted my chest in relief seeing that there were more people than I expected wearing trendy knight-like clothes with dark or black features. It’d be unbearable if I stood out because of my clothes after all my effort to hide my hair and eyes.

For your information, Chiffon’s dress was also borrowed from Ariade’s stock, but she totally nailed that look. Wasn’t it disgraceful for women to show skin, I thought, but such thought seemed to be old now. was old apparently. She wore a red dress with her shoulders and chest open. Her thighs had enough exposure to make the nearby men’s gazes swim. When I first saw it, I too was shocked at how mature and bold a dress it was for Chiffon, but it looked good on her so I didn’t complain. More like I had no complaints. She looked delicious, just like a sweet. If I were to explain it, like a chocolate chiffon cake. One served with a bright red strawberry on top of a bold amount of thick fresh cream. Honey syrup would be the hidden taste to be liked.

Seeing that, the guy that has his gaze fixed on Chiffon’s marshmallow melons would grow tired of his own female partner. Where you go, where you go[6], the men would turn back to look. It somehow feels good. The women turned back too, and was probably also captured by Chiffon’s beauty.

It is a, sweeter and fluffier than any dessert you could find on his table, but slight maturity adds an unforgettable bitter taste like dark chocolate, confectionary.

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Ah, I want to eat.

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…Is-is not what I’m thinking!

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“I shall go get something to drink. What would you like?”

“Really? Thanks. I’m fine with anything if it’s cold”

Chiffon was excited to be in the mysterious atmosphere, as if in a fairy tale that couldn’t be commonly experienced, but was a little tired but the unfamiliar crowd and attire. We didn’t dance even though it was a ball, but what was tiring was still tiring. Touching my red cheeks with the back of my hand, they were slightly hot. It might be better to step out for a while and cool down, but we’re in the middle of a theatre that Chiffon was watching ravenously, so it’s probably impossible. She may have just not noticed that she was tired too.

If I at least had a cool drink, I thought as I searched the nearby tabletop, only to find luxurious food without a drink in sight. It was troubling, so I went to call the waitress over since I saw her holding some.

“Excuse me, may I have one?”

“Eh? …Ah, ye-yes! Please go ahead!”

Since I called out from behind, she was shocked and froze for a while, staring at my face. The next moment, her face flushed red as she offered all the drinks she was carrying on her tray. I didn’t need all of them, so along with a ‘thanks’ I picked one up, and that child blushed even more like a red apple as she left as if running away.

I wonder if she also has a fever. It’s worrying.

While trying to bring the drinks in one hand back to Chiffon, I caught a glimpse of fiery red hair, bringing my feet to a stop.

…Was that, Stefanos-san?

Lance-san was also nearby. I could see Ariade beside him so I guess they are partners. But I could not see Stefanos-san’s partner anywhere. How weird, as a womanizer I figured he’d have 1 or 2 women attending to him, or maybe he had left his seat.

…Either way, it’s not related to me anymore.

Still, seeing a familiar face momentarily shook me, as I shake off the thoughts that were indulging in reminiscing.

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It doesn’t matter to me, anymore.

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Returning to Chiffon’s side, there was a serious mood around. What sort of development was unfolding? It was surprising.

Next to Chiffon, who should have been avidly watching the play, was a man I’ve never seen before. They seem to be arguing. If the 2 appeared to be having a peaceful conversation, I would have quietly disappeared elsewhere, but Chiffon had obviously furrowed her brows as if it was a nuisance. In that case, it’s time for me, her partner, to make an entrance, and I enthusiastically come closer.

“I’m sorry, Chiffon. Did you wait long?”

“Ah, Itoka, -kun”

It was an answer that seemed like she was almost going to say Itoka-chan. Her anxious eyes turned toward me.

“What are you? I’m talking to her right now?”

The guy who was trying to talk to Chiffon, could you not interrupt me? I said as I stuck my chin out. I don’t like the condescending glint in his eyes.

“However, she is my partner…”

“So what. I’m the eldest son of the Vengerell family, Rotario, you know?”

I did think he was from an upper-class noble family from his luxurious outfit, but I have never heard of the Vengerall family before. Unfortunately, but the information I have on the oh great nobles are close to non-existent. His features are somewhat good, but his face ruins it.

Above that, I dislike people who abuse their status of power. It is extremely unpleasant having such people approach Chiffon.

I pushed Chiffon behind me, covering her as I stood before that guy.

“I do not know how important your name is, but as a man, I think it is problematic to try to force a reluctant woman.”

“What did you…? Force? There’s no way it’s like that! Which house could you possibly be from, to not know what an honour it is for someone like me to talk to you!”

You’d just be some pathetic lower-class noble at best, his eyes conveyed as he looked down on me. In the first place, I’m not even a noble.

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Why are humans like this. Even though I know not all humans are like this, I can’t help but think so. Even delicious looking food, if they contain poison it would no longer be edible.

“Something like status, or appearance, it isn’t cool to judge someone with such external factors. I can’t hand over Chiffon to such a person”

“How impudent! You little, do you have any idea who you’re running your mouth to?!”

He grabbed my collar and looked ready to beat me up.

I don’t want to be beaten up, and I don’t want to be in pain either, but if I look away here, I feel like I’d lose. As I matched his gaze and glared at him, my opponent was frightened for a moment.

However, the fist he had swung did not stop.

But.

Before I could get hit, someone else grabbed that hand.

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“What are you doing”

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That voice broke the tension. Because the familiar voice I heard came from right beside me. Turning my eyes towards the voice, all of a sudden, Captain-san— Lu-san was there. Donning his original formal knight’s uniform, his daze was turned towards the Vengerell house’s first son Rotario. Rotario looked angry at the person who got in his way, but after seeing his appearance, his face instantly turned blue.

“You, …your esteemed self is!!!” [7]

“What, are you doing”

It was an extremely low and cold voice.

He put us behind him as he stood in front of him. No matter how you look at it, it looks like he was covering for us. Likely noticing this, Rotario’s face changed from one full of determination to one full of fear as he timidly retreated a step back.

“I, I am terribly sorry! I was unaware that you were friends!!”

“You’re a hindrance”

Those words were like an invisible sword stabbing into his neck.

Hiii, a scream came from Rotario as he left as if escaping.

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What is this, this treatment. As if he had seen a ghost, yeah, as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have seen, but his eyes also had a faint colour envy. I was slightly curious, just what kind of position did he have in the kingdom, but it has nothing to do with me, I advise myself as I repeated it in my head multiple times.

It has nothing to do with me.

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The one remaining braid of hair is swaying in front of me.

Slowly turning to face me, his side profile was higher up, so I had to look up for it to be in my line of sight.

I meet the gaze of the black eyes that I yearned for. I can’t see the light that is harboured deep within them, but back then, I knew that they definitely shined for a moment.

Even though the gaze directed at me was different than before.

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But, as I thought, I, towards this person— I still, like him.

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The squealing in my heart, can’t be suppressed.

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Translation Notes:
[1] As mentioned before in a previous chapter (I think), ‘mon’ is a kind of speaking habit. It doesn’t actually have any meaning, but it usually denotes a cute way of speaking.
[2] Ok anyone remember who this is? Because I for one, still cannot, for the life of me, remember a character with this name. Well, I guess he/she isn’t very important haha
[3] Was said in English
[4] Refers to a sibling (usually sister) who extremely favours, loves and/or dotes on their brother.
[5] I don’t know who either, any ideas, lmk in the comments!
[6] This isn’t a typo, the author repeats the same thing twice
[7] Earlier, when he addressed Itoka, he used a rude way of saying you (kisama), but here, he says you respectfully (anata-sama), so just in case you are wondering.

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Sonachim Stories

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