I Couldn't Become a Knight, But for Some Reason, I'm Beloved by Dragons - Chapter 10: Mysterious Duo

Chapter 10: Mysterious Duo

~Lap pillow huh… was it comfortable?~

“It was amazing.”

It was the usual time with Luna. 

Today, as always, the first thing we talked about was our time together, and I ended up talking about everything we did, even the embarrassing details. I didn’t intend to share everything, but Luna has a way of seeing through me, so it’s pointless to hide anything.

“Why are women’s bodies so soft…”

~Isn’t that statement a little dangerous?~

“Well, yeah, but I wouldn’t say it to anyone other than Luna, whom I trust with all my heart.”

~…It should be something to be happy about, but I can’t be happy because of the content.~

Luna said that, but her tail was wagging, so she was clearly enjoying our conversation. 

I do think that my way of talking was a bit questionable, but it’s not something I would do with my colleagues like Rito… Well, Luna is a woman, so I’m not sure if that makes it okay or not.

“Hey, Luna.”

~What is it?~

“Taking care of you like this makes me feel like I’ve come to an amazing place. Of course, I studied to become a dragon handler, but I also learned a lot when I started taking care of you.”

~You said that before. It means that you really cared about me.~

I chuckled at that. If I angered Luna, the Dragon Queen, not only my life but also the country of Dragonis itself could be turned upside down. Imagining that made me work even harder.

“Thanks to that, I feel like I know more about dragons than my colleagues. But because of that time, I also fell in love with dragons more than ever before.”

~And what about me?~

“I’ve fallen deeply in love with you. Didn’t I say it before? I want you to marry me. It’s a natural thing to say when I imagine having a woman like you by my side, and I’m not even joking.”

~I-I see.~

The majestic silver dragon turned away from me. It was clear that her cheeks were red, and Luna’s gaze was busy moving everywhere… Her tail and wings were flapping at an incredible speed.

“Well, at least I won’t be taking any jobs other than being a dragon handler. And I won’t leave Luna on my own either.”

~If that’s the case… if I told you I want you to stay by my side forever, would you stay, Xeno?~

“Of course. I’ll be your caretaker for life.” 

~…You won’t forget those words, will you?~

With that, Luna embraced me with her arms and began licking my cheeks. I remained still, having become nothing more than being licked by her.

(Well, I really studied with an intense drive.)

Thinking that it would be over if Luna came to dislike me, I studied relentlessly even sacrificing sleep. 

I learned everything I could about what was necessary to become a dragon handler, what dragons needed, and what dragons were in the first place. 

However, in reality, almost half of what I learned wasn’t necessary for my relationship with Luna, but it was definitely valuable knowledge.

“Well, it’s about time to call it a day.”

.

As we spent time cuddling, it was soon time to leave.

Unlike me, the other dragon handlers didn’t have to risk their lives when dealing with difficult dragons, but it still looked like a tough job that could leave their clothes covered in mud. Seeing that, I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty for just chatting with Luna instead.

~Are you leaving already?…I’ll be sad~

Luna looked very cute even when she was feeling down.

I withstood the urge to turn around and face her while feeling her gaze on my back until I left the temple area and returned from the dragon world with an unyielding will.

“Good work, Xeno.”

“Yeah, good work you too, Rito.”

I met up with Rito on the way back and we decided to walk together for a while.

Although we received provocations from colleagues who belittled us, including knights with high pride, we left the castle without worrying about it.

“Speaking of which, Rito, why are your clothes dirty?”

“Well, yeah. She’s a tomboy, so I often get covered in mud.”

“It seems that way.”

Rito seemed to be having a hard time too. 

As we walked and talked about dragons, the sun set and the surroundings quickly became dark.

Just as I suggested taking a shortcut and we turned onto a back alley, it happened.

“Stop, and don’t make a sound.”

“Huh!?”

“What—”

Just as we heard a man’s voice, we were forcibly stopped in our tracks. I could feel a sharp sensation poking into my back… undoubtedly the tip of a blade, and I sensed that the slightest movement would result in it piercing through my back.

“Who are you?”

“Just answer the question.”

A knife was pressed against my neck with a sharp sound. The person behind Rito seemed to be a man, while the one behind me appeared to be a woman. They seemed to be a pair from their presence.

“Run, Xeno! I’ll—”

“Silence.”

“Gaah!?”

“Rito!”

I tried to help Rito, who was being strangled, but I couldn’t move because of the knife pressed against my neck.

“Don’t speak unnecessarily. Do you not understand the language?”

“Uhh…”

I decided to answer the questions quietly.

“You are dragon handlers, there is no mistake, correct?”

“…Yeah.”

“That’s right.”

“Can you call a dragon here?”

“… Can’t.”

“Why is it so”

“We can only meet dragons inside the castle as a basic rule.”

“I see.”

Although I tried to look for an opportunity to escape during the conversation, it was clear that they were too powerful for Rito and me to handle. After all, their high level of ability was apparent from the fact that we couldn’t sense any of their presence until they caught us. Moreover, this feeling of coldness I was experiencing… Maybe it was these people who gave me that unpleasant premonition last night.

“Hmm?”

Just as I was wondering what to do, the woman behind me gasped. She was trembling as if afraid of something, and so was the man restraining Rito when I briefly glanced at him. They both had an odd demeanor, though I couldn’t see their faces because of their hoods.

(What… are they scared of?)

Just as I thought that, a familiar and beautiful voice echoed through the darkness.

“The moonlight does not reach here. But I can see well enough with my eyes.”

“Huh?”

That cool voice came from the darkness. As if in response to her voice, the moon, hidden behind the clouds, appeared and illuminated the area.

“… Runa?”

Under the moon’s light, I saw silver hair shining and the sparkle of red eyes that defied that silver… It was Runa, whom I only met once a week.

“Yes, I’m here, Xeno.”

“…”

“Fufu, your dumbfounded expression is cute.”

Her voice was the same as always, but there was an intense anger swirling in her eyes… I had seen those eyes before.

But where was it?