“I apologize for intruding so suddenly,” Rasmus said.
“Don’t mention it. You’re the second person to visit without notice,” Jared replied.
“Oh, does that mean me?” Olivier chimed in.
Jared invited Rasmus and Haru to his room, and the five of them, including Pfeil and Rosa, gathered to discuss future plans. Olivier had also offered to participate, but she was asked to refrain as she couldn’t fight. Although she voiced her displeasure, Jared’s primary reason was to keep her out of harm’s way.
Given her potential to be a vessel for the Progenitor, Olivier wasn’t entirely unrelated. However, with Duke Hagedorff as the opponent, and him being someone she admired as an older sister, Jared genuinely wished to keep Olivier out of it.
With only a week left until his beloved fiancée’s birthday, he wanted to resolve all lingering concerns.
“So, what’s the plan?” Jared asked.
“As a dragon, I’m unfortunately unable to lend my aid,” the First Prince of the Dragon Kingdom, Haru, was the first to respond to Jared’s question.
“I personally would like to help Jared and the others, but I am currently in this country as the Acting King. I cannot do as I please. I’m sorry,” Haru said.
“I, for one, have no intention of borrowing dragon power,” Rasmus stated.
“Honestly. I thought humans from the Magician Empire had always disliked dragons, but it seems to be deeply rooted. It’s been five hundred years since your country fell, and you still haven’t changed,” Haru retort.
“I oppose the Progenitor’s resurrection, but I agree that the Progenitor viewed you all as a threat. I want to lend my strength to Jared and his companions, but dragon power is unnecessary. I said nothing when you were present because you were the guest who arrived first,” Rasmus said.
“To push the problem of your ancestors onto unrelated modern people, and you have the audacity to say that!” Haru exclaimed.
“You dragons are no different. Moreover, shouldn’t you clearly state that you *cannot* lend your aid, but rather that lending your aid would be meaningless?” Rasmus challenged.
Jared intervened between the glaring Rasmus, the final prince of the fallen Magician Empire, and Haru, letting out a sigh.
“Stop fighting… You’ve lived long enough; be more mature,” Jared pleaded.
“Excuse me,” Rasmus said.
“Oh, ho ho ho! That was not lady-like of me. I apologize,” Olivier chimed in.
Despite their apologies, both of them shot each other rude gestures.
“Anyway! We’re going to Duke Hagedorff to stop the Progenitor’s resurrection, but is negotiation no longer an option?” Jared asked.
“Her resolve is firm. I have no idea why she desires the Progenitor’s resurrection so much, but if I could stop her, I would have already,” Rasmus explained.
“That means by force… But Crysta is on their side, isn’t she?”
It was difficult to accept that his close friend was now on the opposing side and possessed the strength to defeat Wahash. Still, he had no time to dwell on his worries or hesitate.
“If you defeated my father, you must surely be strong, but what kind of fighting style does Crysta Oken employ?” Rosa inquired. She sought information about the opponent who had defeated her father, Wahash.
“My little sister, she can do anything. It’s not because she inherited the Progenitor’s blood, but because she herself is excellent as a magician, no, as a combatant,” Rasmus explained.
While Rasmus didn’t reveal specific details, if Crysta truly was a person who “could do anything” as he claimed, she would present an unprecedentedly formidable opponent.
“If we are to stop Duke Hagedorff, we must defeat Crysta Oken,” Jared concluded.
“If possible, I would like for my sister and me to have time to speak. We had to retreat suddenly the other day without a chance to talk, but if possible, I want to persuade her. Even if I can’t, I want to know her reasons,” Rasmus said.
“You speak so leisurely. Don’t you consider that they could turn their power against you, enough to defeat your father, in that time?” Haru countered.
“She is a kind child. I believe she wouldn’t do that. Of course, with the Progenitor’s resurrection imminent, we may not have much time, but at worst, I believe I can buy us some time by facing her,” Rasmus responded.
“…Very well, if that is the case. What do you say, Jared?” Pfeil asked.
“Huh? What, I get to decide?” Jared questioned.
“Haven’t you always been the one leading the charge and fighting?” Pfeil asked. “It will likely be the same this time.”
“Hey, Rosa. Does that mean I’m going to fight the most troublesome person again?” Jared asked.
Recalling the past, her statement held truth, but there was a reason he had always taken the front line. His primary motivation for acting had been to save Olivier, but he had also fought for his friends at times. Ultimately, perhaps it had all been for himself.
“Rasmus Lowood,” Pfeil addressed him.
“Yes, Pfeil?” Rasmus replied.
“Can you not fight? I understand that you do not wish to fight against Duchess Cassandra Hagedorff, but do you possess any combat ability at all?” Pfeil asked.
“It’s not that I have none. But I’m not as capable of fighting as you are. Of course, I have no intention of being a burden,” Rasmus replied.
Jared felt a pang of doubt at Rasmus’s answer. Even though it had fallen, the Magician Empire was a nation where magic had flourished the most. He had heard that the current Court Mages of the Wethered Kingdom were considered common there. It was difficult to believe that Rasmus, a prince of that nation who had already lived for several hundred years, would be inferior to them.
However, he didn’t pursue the matter further.
He needed strength. But forcing someone unwilling to fight would bring no good. More importantly, both Cassandra and Crysta were connected to Rasmus. It might be a naive thought, but he didn’t want Rasmus to fight.
