Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 145

Chapter 145   Her Highness Thoughts

“This beautiful, pale skin—how many lives were sacrificed to maintain it? Answer me!”

“…”

The veteran soldier wore a twisted grin, lost in his own delight. In contrast, Her Highness remained silent, her expression contorted in anguish.

“Perhaps that’s enough entertainment for you?”

I hurriedly approached, drawing my sword toward the veteran soldier. Startled by my voice, he shoved Her Highness aside, hastily turning to raise his sword at me.

“Hey now, why not join me? You could sample the body of this noblewoman, and there’s plenty of reward in it for you.”

The veteran soldier held his sword in one hand, gesturing with the other to signal that he meant no immediate hostility.

“That’s tempting. But I’m more the type to keep things to myself.”

As I tossed out the retort, his eyes narrowed, and he raised his sword, radiating killing intent. In the dimly lit space, he lunged, his feet pushing off the ground with speed.

I parried his sword and launched my counterattack.

The clashing of blades rang out repeatedly—sharp, relentless. The veteran’s swordsmanship was surprisingly refined, using unconventional techniques suited to real battle.

“…Ugh.”

“What’s wrong? Is that mouth of yours all talk?”

I was already breathless, having come here at a relentless pace. His swordsmanship gradually forced me backward.

Clang!

A particularly high-pitched clash echoed as my sword flew from my grip.

“…Hah. I’ve won, haven’t I?”

“Oh, have you now?”

“…You fool, still putting on a brave face!”

The veteran soldier closed in on me, bringing his sword down in a fierce swing.

Thud—

The sword made a dull sound as it struck my shoulder. But rather than cutting through, the blade slid off my skin, grazing only the fabric, and embedded itself in the ground at my feet.

“What…?!”

In that instant, I drove my right hand into his chest, sinking my claws deep into his heart. He collapsed wordlessly, lifeless, slumping to the ground.

I quickly rushed over to Her Highness, who lay bound and stripped of her clothes, covering her with my jacket before untying the ropes.

“Are you all right?”

“That inhuman skill… Are you, perhaps, Sir Reister?”

Her Highness tried to maintain her composure, but she huddled close, her body trembling slightly. Likely, it was a mix of fear and cold.

“Yes, it is as you say.”

“You’ve saved me from danger once again. Is this the third time now?”

“I wouldn’t recall.”

I sheathed my sword, handed Her Highness the water flask from my belt, and turned to retrieve spare clothing and a blanket from my pack. After passing them to her, I turned my back to give her privacy to dress.

Once she finished changing, we both sat down near the fire. My clothes were oversized on her, hanging loosely.

“Do they suit me?”

“…Ah, well, matters of clothing are beyond me.”

I answered honestly, spearing some dried meat on a twig and warming it over the flames. Once it was ready, I handed the meat to Her Highness.

“Thank you for everything.”

“It’s no trouble.”

I took a bite of the hard, dry black bread I carried with me.

“Poko~♪”

Pokorina, who had been hiding in the shadows, now came out, hoping for food. I tore a piece of black bread and shared a bit with her.

We sat quietly by the fire for a while, neither of us speaking. The weight of fatigue had finally caught up to us, bringing a heavy silence.

Her Highness spoke suddenly, as if remembering something.

“Tell me, Shinker. Why do you always come to my aid?”

“Well… because I enjoy bringing happiness to others… Is that reason acceptable?”

“Very well. I have one more question.”

“Yes?”

“Why do you keep fighting? You have wealth and fame enough, surely. Even after transforming your body into something otherworldly—why do you continue?”

She was likely referring to the scales that covered my skin.

“At first, I fought for wealth and fame, but to be honest, I’m no longer sure why I keep fighting. If I had to say, it’s simply because those around me expect it.”

“I see. For a moment, I thought perhaps you’d say it was for the sake of the common people…”

She looked at me with a curious expression.

“No matter who wins, in any battle, the common people on the losing side suffer. I don’t believe there is such a thing as a war for their sake.”

“I see. But I, on the other hand, want to conquer this entire world by force. If there were but one ruler, perhaps no more wars would be waged…”

Her Highness was likely referring to a time around 600 years ago, when the world was unified under one vast empire, ruled by a single emperor.

“A challenging path. So restoring the royal house of Owen is not enough to satisfy you?”

“…Indeed. Were I to pursue only my own happiness, that might be enough. But I feel there is something greater than my own happiness that I must pursue. Shinker, would you help me in this quest?”

“As you command.”

I lowered my head to her slightly from where I sat. Beside me, Pokorina followed suit, bowing her little head to Her Highness. Seeing this, Her Highness finally smiled faintly.

“…Though, sometimes even I would like to indulge in a whim.”

With that, she leaned into me.

“A whim?”

When I asked, she suddenly pressed her lips to mine, then pushed me back against the grassy earth.

“This is what I mean…”

Her Highness, her face flushed, leaned over me, and I felt the weight of her presence settle above me.