TEB Ch 85

It was absolutely pathetic, the strength that held those two legs together and endured without collapsing reminded him of someone. 

This young human was different from Marianne. Even the scent of their souls was fundamentally different. But their appearance was the same, and the eyes, desperately trying to protect something, were as solid as their blood ties with ancestors and descendants from the distant past. He couldn’t help but feel there was something he couldn’t turn away from. Even though many generations had passed and they couldn’t be connected, considering only genetic homogeneity, it would be okay to say they were completely unrelated. Yet, somehow, it seemed impossible to look away.

“Humans are so foolish yet fascinating, aren’t they?” 

Even though he knew he was repeating the obvious, he couldn’t take his eyes off it. The old dragon’s sigh was like being blown away by the flapping of his wings, like a storm. 

*** 

After the ghostly commotion was over, the hectic schedule continued as if all the time spent in peace was gone. Everywhere they went, not only was it a wasteland due to monster attacks, but there were also many areas where the crops were so bad that the local residents were also suffering from famine. 

“It’s serious, really.” 

Some cities were completely paralyzed due to casualties, and there were also places where the entire defense force that protected the village was sacrificed to the monsters, so it was not a situation where they could relax and take it easy. 

“As expected, it’s strange.” 

Liev, who was dealing with the remaining bodies of the monsters, couldn’t shake off the uneasiness. The places where the monsters appeared, their appearance was different from what they had expected. They appeared to be ordinary mountain birds on the outside, but they had the habit of mimicking human voices to lure their victims. They were found in places where the snow had remained for centuries. There were also cases where gazelles that lived in the fields were found in the mountains. 

It’s like a glitch in a city management game.

It was similar to making a mistake when manipulating the ecosystem in a tycoon game without knowing the habits and nature of animals. This wasn’t a natural phenomenon. That conviction kept growing. But Liev was the only one who realized it. 

“He seems to know something too.” 

When Liev looked at Sigrid with suspicion, Sigrid just smiled with a cheerful face. I was convinced that he wouldn’t give a proper answer, even if I asked. 

As the journey continued along the mountains without any major injuries, the thoughts that burdened Liev’s mind became heavier and heavier. 

“……” 

On the day they left the castle where the ghost incident occurred, Lindgren seemed to have said something very meaningful to Renard. It seems they were speaking in a language that only dragons could understand, but when Liev asked what they were talking about, Renard acted clueless. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Is this another one of your weird accusations?” 

“Do you think I’m always accusing you? I’m not!” 

“Then just tell me. What did you say?” 

It was obvious that Renard continued to lie. 

“He didn’t say much. He just wished us well in the future. Didn’t Liev say it was a good thing to worry about the future?” 

I couldn’t ask any more questions in front of everyone because it felt like he would kiss me just to make me stop. After that, the situation was so bad that it wasn’t the right atmosphere, so I had to restrain myself in the end.

Renard was a young dragon overflowing with confidence, but Lindgren had lived for a long time, so it was understandable that he looked like a chick compared to Lindgren. Naturally, Renard did not listen to Lindgren’s advice.

So, what was the method he knew in advance? Liev was slowly reaching his limit. What secret was he keeping? As the peaceful night they spent together with Renard stretched out, his anxiety grew. 

Until just before they left, he kept talking about breeding, but they didn’t finish talking. It was also nerve-wracking that he suddenly became quiet. It would be good if nothing happened, but wasn’t it too worrying? Even if he tried to think positively, things that were brushed aside like this had never turned out well. 

I have to be sure. 

When the group finally arrived at a settlement with proper water facilities after almost two weeks, Liev was at his limit. He was so exhausted that he could have fallen asleep at the push of a button, but he couldn’t push it off any longer. 

But the problem was that he still didn’t have a definite plan. It wasn’t as if he could torture a silent enemy spy into confession….Looking at Renard, who entered the same room as him without saying a word, Liev suddenly thought of a possible solution. 

“……” 

However, he didn’t have the courage to put it into practice right away. Are you crazy? Are you in your right mind? He didn’t even realize it, but he slammed his head against the wall. Renard, seeing Liev blushing even to the nape of his neck as if he had caught fire, came closer to ask what was going on. 

“What’s wrong? Are you hot? It doesn’t seem that hot here.” 

Liev pushed Renard away in shock and quickly moved to the other side. 

“It’s nothing. Don’t mind.” 

No matter how much he thought about it, that wasn’t right. Of course, there were other ways of persuading other than that method(?). But still, this wasn’t it! Confused thoughts and defense mechanisms scrambled in his mind, making his forehead burn again. Hmm. Liev cleared his throat and tried to control his breathing before stuttering. 

“And I said, How could you…” 

It was embarrassing enough to say two things at once and make him want to run away. It was also shameful for an adult like him to try to act tough and then suddenly change his attitude. Liev desperately tried to cool down his heated cheek and said to Renard. 

“I’m tired, so I’m going to bed early today. You should rest when you can.” 

It was a comfortable sleep in a cozy indoor bed for nearly two weeks. Of course, even compared to sleeping on a bed made of straw with a waterproof blanket on the ground, it was good to have a rest while he could. 

“Don’t think strange thoughts.” 

Liev quickly pushed away the remaining thoughts and headed to the bathroom, while Renard just titled his head without understanding what was happening. 

“I have to wash away these heavy thoughts with water.” 

After taking a light shower with warm water in the bathtub full of water, slowly from the tip of his toes to the rest of his body, it felt like all the fatigue was being drained away. 

“I feel like I’m alive…” 

Bathing is indeed precious. Of course, he had washed himself in a river or lake during camping, but it wasn’t as satisfying as washing up with this warm water. His whole body was immersed in the warm temperature, and his eyelids were getting so heavy that he thought he might actually fall asleep. 

If I don’t get out soon, Renard will be worried. Even though he knew it in his head, his body was so relaxed that he couldn’t move. 

He has to get out now. Fighting against the tempting desire to stay in the bathtub, he stepped on the floor with all his strength and stood up. 

“Ah.” 

Was there still water at the bottom of the bathtub? For a moment, his body stumbled and fell backward. 

“Ah, ugh, ack…” 

If he falls backwards like this, his head will definitely break. To free himself from the ominous feeling, he leaned forward to keep balance but stumbled again, and his body, which had been momentarily freed from gravity, fell headfirst into the bathtub. 

Gasping and groaning, his face burning with embarrassment, he tried to struggle and free himself, but Renard, who had already cleaned off the remaining dirt and was now completely clean, came running into the bathroom. 

“Are you okay!?” 

As soon as the door burst open, Liev felt that he couldn’t show his ugly face, so he used his last remaining strength to get out of the bathtub. He felt embarrassed and wanted to hide somewhere. However, he still hadn’t even realized the truly shameful thing that was happening right now.