Protecting Something (2)
A very faint low sound, audible only to a select few people.
To Gorgan, it was as clear as if a large speaker was playing music.
There were not many things that could make such a sound.
A dragon, or a drake similar to a dragon.
Or a half-dragon with dragon blood.
The place where Gorgan landed was the Empire's plains.
It was about 2 kilometers away.
On the blue grassland where white flowers bloomed, a half-dragon woman with golden hair and threatening black horns stood.
"It's you, Phoebe."
At Gorgan's words, Phoebe greeted him warmly.
"Nice to see you again, Gorgan."
"Not really happy about it."
Gorgan glared at Phoebe, unlike usual.
The fact that she had intimidated the third prince was still lingering.
Because of that, Gorgan had more work outside the palace than within.
Phoebe apologized to Gorgan with her hands clasped.
"I'm sorry. But you know I had no choice at that time."
"Just because you had no choice doesn't mean your actions disappear."
"Then are we going to fight?"
At her question, Gorgan closed his mouth.
He did not want the situation to lead to a fight again.
It was not a matter of skill difference or such.
Given Phoebe's nature, the moment a decision was made, someone would die, and the remaining person would have to carry the burden.
'That's the Black Dragon.'
It was the dragon that shined the most in battle.
"Gorgan, as always, you're reluctant to fight. Then, I think I have to make a really sorry request."
"What is it?"
"Actually, I came here to fight with Gorgan."
"Why?"
Gorgan had an expression of not understanding.
Phoebe noticed Gorgan's understanding and waved her hand.
"Oh, of course, it's not a life-or-death duel, but more like training."
"Training, you mean?"
"Fighting has inertia, too. It's been too long since I used my body."
"But you were fast, weren't you?"
"If it had been a sustained battle, Gorgan would have been much better off. I would have definitely lost."
Phoebe was confident about that, but Gorgan couldn't know for sure.
Phoebe could see right through others' intentions, but she had never properly revealed her own.
Since Reed, the owner of the Silence Tower, had changed, it had become even more so.
Whether it could change all at once, as she said, or whether she was acting all along.
"What is the purpose of your training?"
"Perhaps the Tower Master doesn't trust me."
Sadness was embedded in Phoebe's tone.
"If I were very strong, the Tower Master would surely trust me, but I can't give him that trust."
"Did that man hurt you?"
"No, that's not it. He is a very kind person. He is so good that it's an honor to serve him."
Phoebe had a happy face.
Gorgan looked at her happiness with discontent and then spoke.
"I think I know a little reason why you seem untrustworthy."
"What is it? Do you see a weakness in me that I don't know?"
Phoebe desperately asked Gorgan, leaning her face towards him.
Gorgan nodded and replied.
"Cut down on your food intake and lose some weight. It's not strange to think you're slow when looking at your body. The Tower Master must be aware of it as well."
"Oh, oh my! That's rude! Women don't like to hear that!"
Phoebe scolded Gorgan, her face turning red.
She covered her chest with her own hand, perhaps a complex in itself.
Gorgan looked down at her with an indifferent face.
'I'm sure of one thing.'
He could clearly see how Phoebe thought of the owner of the Silence Tower, at least in her heart.
It had the same color as when she looked at the owner of the Asteria family, whom she regarded as a father before following Reed.
'Is that man so precious?'
He couldn't ask.
Gorgan didn't want to ruin her smiling face.
"Help me."
With Gorgan's consent, Phoebe's face lit up brightly.
Phoebe thanked Gorgan, holding his hand.
"Thank you so much, Gorgan."
"Don't get me wrong. I don't intend to help you unilaterally."
"Do you have a request for me?"
"Do you remember Saul?"
Upon hearing that name, Phoebe nodded happily.
"Of course. How could I forget my comrades?"
Gorgan sighed and spoke.
Gorgan felt that a big event was about to happen.
* * *
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Dream big tl dot com
[Original Source – dreambigtl . com]
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Gorgan took Phoebe to a knight training facility on the outskirts of the empire.
They passed through an unripe wheat field and entered the stone-built walls.
Although different from the interior of the empire, the facility was neatly constructed as it was a place where elite knights were trained.
"As expected, the empire's buildings are different. I've always been curious, but I haven't had a chance to see them."
"It's completely different from the buildings inside the empire. It's originally a place far from the empire."
"Oh, really? I must have acted like a country bumpkin."
Phoebe blushed as if she was embarrassed.
Phoebe had never seen the interior of the empire before.
Unlike Gorgan and Saul, who became knights, she was an enemy of the empire, and her access was prohibited.
That's why Phoebe had to call Gorgan with a voice that no one could hear outside the empire.
"What is Saul doing here?"
"He's not doing anything. Literally..."
He was just assigned to a place where a supervisor was needed.
They were heading to Saul's office, but Gorgan ended up at his bedroom instead.
Phoebe found it strange that they were going to the bedroom in broad daylight.
They could hear a man and a woman's voice coming from inside.
-"Hey, how about that dress you showed me last time?"
-"That dress? I think it would make you look fat."
-"Wouldn't I look slim in anything I wear?"
-"You're really out of your mind."
-That's too much! Really!
Despite the harsh words, the sound of laughter and glass shattering could be heard.
Phoebe cautiously asked.
"Is she his girlfriend?"
"...It's a bit different than that."
"Hmm, I understand."
Phoebe took the lead and opened the door.
A red-haired man, lying on the bed and chatting with a woman, came into view.
"Oh my!"
The pretty woman pulled the blanket to cover her body.
Unlike the fussing woman, the man was also surprised.
The woman in front of him.
Golden hair and threatening horns pointing forward.
"It's been a while, Saul."
"...Phoebe?"
Saul spat out the name of the woman calling him.
"What? Why are you here?"
"Our Saul has grown a lot. He's taller, has a better physique, and now he doesn't even call me 'sister'."
"...Why is your tone like that? Did something happen to your head? You're stretching your words like a fool all of a sudden."
Gorgan warned him as he spoke sharply.
"Saul, she is a former leader. Show some respect."
"No, it's weird. Gorgan, you honestly think so too, right?"
Gorgan didn't say anything.
It was because it felt completely different from the last time he saw her with his honest feelings.
The sharp leader, Phoebe, was gone, and she had become round overall.
Whether it was the atmosphere, body lines, or personality.
It was a time when she would have disciplined the mischievous Saul as usual.
But she was smiling.
Like a fool.
