Translator/Editor : Léabyss
Douglas’s POV
“You’re a fucking idiot! A fucking idiot !!”
When I found out that Chika had been captured, I was so upset that I couldn’t help but squeeze the neck of the escort who gave me the information.
Even if Glenn tries to calm me down, I can’t stop because my head isn’t spinning right.
After a while, the doors to the office room thundered open and Mintz came over to give me a terrible kick in the groin.
“It worked? Did you come back to reason, Douglas?”
“A-uch.”
“Oh, it seems so.”
“We have to go with your brother, it is necessary to make an emergency meeting and create an action plan before even more time passes.”
“Yes it’s correct. Sorry, we have to move now.”
Mintz, Glenn, Parish, and I rode in our Arvis to Wangcheng, where the most important national security conferences are usually held. When we entered, we discovered that Gale and Richt, Hikaru, who is of course carried by Theo, Alex, Cyril, my brother, Johann, my father, Richam, Virgil and Sebastian were already there.
I was very concerned that Gale’s complexion was so pale and that his hands were shaking so much. When Richt finds me, he slips out of Gale’s arms and comes running and screaming:
“Dad dad! Mommy!!”
Richt’s tears can’t stop. He cried a lot, for so long that now his voice is even a little hoarse. I have to try to calm myself down for him, so I pick him up and tuck him into my arms as I ask my brother, my father, and Gale for a detailed explanation.
The first person to speak was my older brother:
“Douglas, I know it’s completely normal to be scared right now, but please listen. Chika was kidnapped by a dragon. I am investigating whether it is a criminal or a declaration of war.”
I almost felt like I could drop Richt.
“How? Not an envoy from Catalton? Are you sure it’s a dragon?”
“I don’t know the details yet, but there is no doubt that the dragons are involved in this. Both Gale and Johann have confirmed that the dragon took Chika.”
“Why the hell did a dragon suddenly appear? They never show themselves … Have they sent a message? An exchange? Do you want a deal?”
“Nothing … But if Dragnea is involved, it will be very troublesome.”
My head hurts, as if they were breaking it … But I need to calmly determine what situation our Chika is in now.
“Gale, Johann, they were at the scene … What happened?”
“I’m sorry, Douglas. Things like this…”
“No, a dragon opponent is dangerous. I don’t want to blame you for that, I know you did what you did thinking about Chika.”
“… It certainly happened very fast.”
“Where were you, Gale?”
“…”
“Gale?”
“Oh yeah … It was really fast.”
“I understand your feelings, but you have to think ahead instead of regretting something we can no longer correct.”
“I’m sorry…”
However, I don’t understand at all how he feels. When I think of Chika, I feel almost crushed by a terrifying sense of loss and anxiety … But Gale’s baby is in Chika’s womb, he has been waiting for him so long … And now, we both know that losing him is a possibility. He has a very sad expression, something I have never seen before. His eyes are sore and it looks like he is going to start crying at any moment. Even when he broke his foot, he did not show such a fiery and desperate expression. Gale’s pain has always been mine.
I rushed to Gale’s side and held him in my arms as tightly as I could … Although maybe Richt couldn’t breathe anymore.
“Hey, you have to calm down … We won’t be able to help him if you …”
“Son, you are a fucking shame! Your husband was kidnapped. And what are you doing? Taking refuge in Douglas again! You suck! It’s not just about your husband, there’s also my grandson! If you are my son, you should be looking for Chika! You should be in your Arvis right now and not here!”
His father is very angry, so he takes it out on Gale.
“Virgil-san, that’s enough! You have to listen to me. Okay, Gale? I know I don’t understand your feelings. Surely the pain you feel is so intense that I can guess it, but if you start to regret, what will happen to Chika? Are you really going to help your child by acting like this?”
“I’m sorry…”
“That’s it, now we have to continue.”
The brightness is returning to his eyes, so I think it will surely be fine … However, we lost our “partner” at a very important time … Now more than ever, his condition must be very delicate.
“According to a report from a person who chased Chika-chan’s course halfway, it appears they flew north of the capital city. It would be natural to think that he will go to Dragnea.”
“Is there a way to trace him?”
And then I remembered …
“Chika is wearing a bracelet that we gave him the first time we met him. His magic and our magic are combined thanks to this so we should be able to detect his location using the proper method.”
“Leave it to me.”
When Parish receives my bracelet, he begins to perform some special magical techniques that were surely inherited to him thanks to his grandfather.
Now, it’s time to talk to Richt, the baby who keeps crying on my chest.
“Richt, your mommy is a very strong person. It is not true? Everyone here is trying to help him. Your grandparents and uncles are smart and reliable, they have helped you a lot when you are scared, right? So don’t worry … Or he’s going to worry a lot when he sees that you won’t stop crying.”
“Good…”
Richt managed to regain his composure, even though he had already made my shirt sticky with so many tears and snot.
“So we’re going to be tracking Chika’s whereabouts with a small number of people anyway. Do you agree?”
“Sure, whatever it takes.”
“It is better to start moving as soon as possible … Your baby is worrying me a lot because he is not receiving magic.”
“Gale, can you ride?”
“Of course I can.”
“Well.”
An excited voice came out of Parish, who was concentrating on the bracelet.
“I found him!”
“Are they going to Dragnea?”
“He is a dragon, but he is definitely a person of high rank. What do you think, Johann?”
“What about Johann?”
My father hit me on the head:
“Thank you for paying attention to the stories of this poor old man. Johann is part of the dragon family, silly!”
Hey? It was true?
“If it has a high rank, then he is not an ordinary dragon. Is the leader. My ancestors have closed thoughts. Very stupid bans and limited magic. My father is a human so it was a miracle that the blood of the tribe was passed on to me … But in the end, I am also a human. Sorry, I can’t do anything useful.”
“No, don’t worry about that.” I’m amazed, I must have realized. I really had a lot of doubts. Considering that dragons are long-lived, Johann can be much older than he appears. Well, this question is not important now. “I think you could be our guide. You said it. You are more familiar with the geography of Dragnea and are much more skilled than we are.”
“I get it. I will definitely help and rescue Chikayuki by your side.”
“Theo, you too. Do you want to come help us?”
“Uncle, are you sure?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? You are very young, but absolutely skilled.”
“Uncle!”
It’s interesting that Theo yells like that while holding Hikaru. The baby sleeps so peacefully in his arms that it doesn’t even seem like a little while ago he was crying so loudly.
“Then let’s go now, damn it.”
“No, Mintz should stay. This is not yet a good time to leave Mils alone.”
“But he’s my friend! My patient! Didn’t you hear about the baby or what?”
“That’s why I’m going in your place. If Mintz and Glenn are with Mils, then I will be very relieved.”
“Parish … are you sure?”
“I want to go find Chika too!”
“No, Glenn. It’s not good for either Grants or Mils that both parents are absent. I promise that I will heal him. I’ll take care of Chika as well as you would.”
“Thank you very much, my Parish …”
“It’s okay, Parish! Leave me Mintz! I’ll take care of Grants and Mils as if they were mine!”
“… They’re yours, Glenn.”
“Well then there is no more to say … I’ll be back soon, my love.”
“That was very inspiring. I will definitely go too!”
“Father, I really appreciate it, but can you leave this to us? I showed you a shameful side of me so maybe I shouldn’t speak this way now, but … I feel like it’s something I have to do without you.”
“Gale, but …”
“Virgil, Richam, I understand what you’re feeling, but we need to get to Dragnea quickly. I have the flying monsters that I have been raising, but there are only five. Also, we should think about the return. There is a chance that the baby will be born prematurely … It would be better if you catch up in a wagon so that Chika and your grandson can recover and rest.”
“Hector, but … Every time I think little Chika is in danger …! Only me…!”
“Virgil! Please calm down for once! Hector is right and besides, what did you say to Gale? Weren’t you really hell-bent on getting him to ride his Arvis and bring him back? Well, that’s what he’s going to do now. He is his husband and it is his mission.”
“Richam … But my grandson is in Chika’s womb! He’s our grandson! His body is so small … If we don’t get there soon, if we don’t bring him home … What are we going to do then ?! How are we going to bear the loss of the child? Hey? Tell me how!”
Then Sebastian, who had been silent all this time, approached Gale’s father and silently punched him very hard in the stomach. Virgil seems to be as fine as usual, but soon falls down … My father seemed so scared that he turned into a lion simply to hide under the table …
Why is this happening?
“Sir, you have to calm down. Hector’s words are correct. We must think that it is the best for the young husband and at this moment, you are not.”
Virgil has his face pressed to the ground and next to him, his husband caresses his back while sighing over and over again.
“Bochan, you have to promise. You have to promise that you will safely bring the young husband and your son. It’s okay?”
“I’ll make sure to get him home safe and sound. I swear.”
As Gale knelt down to see his father, Sebastian called out Johann to whisper in his ear: “Don’t kill the person who kidnapped the young husband. However, as long as he’s alive, the state doesn’t matter … We’ll kill him here.”
Well, it’s nice to know that he had the same ideas as me.
Richt, who kept his head against my chest, raised his face and asked me:
“Dad … Can I go get Mommy?”
“No honey, we’re going to be very busy and it might be boring for you. Can Richt wait with Hikaru at home?”
“No! I want to go get mommy!”
“Richt, are you planning to leave your grandfather alone? What if he feels very sad and starts crying?”
“Are you going to cry?”
“Yes, Grandpa is a fool and cries for everything. But hey … Do you think you can comfort him for a minute in what I think to do?”
“Yes!”
When he answered, Richt stepped out of my arms and, as he always did when he felt better, he dove under my shirt and scrambled to stick his head over the top and then jump to the floor.
“Well, thank you very much son.”
“Good, good !!”
I was happy when he finally allowed me to stroke his head.
“Brother, as king, I cannot move or give any communication until I know the purpose and true intention of the other party. It only remains for me to tell my people about the current information, without going into unnecessary details about Chika and the baby. However, this will be different in case something goes wrong.”
A chill ran down my spine when I thought about it. How something really went wrong.
“Now, is it okay to leave? I have my men preparing their tools and weapons in the stables.”
“Oh, of course. You know? I didn’t think there would be a day when flying monsters would be so useful to me.”
“Thank you for having an eccentric father.”
✤✤✤✤✤
Gale’s POV
Chika, I wonder … What are you doing now? You are injured? Does something hurt? Do you cry for your children? Dammit. Why did I let Johann stop me? Even if I hadn’t defeated the dragon, could I have helped you escape? My regret overflows and doesn’t stop.
Until just a year ago, I lived every day without you, but now that you’re not by my side, I feel like my world is vanishing. This feeling will not change until I see you again and let me hold you again in my arms. I think I’m going crazy.
The stable is a place where you usually only find Arvis … I heard the rumors countless times, but I didn’t think it was true that they were raising flying beasts here. Strange animals with the head of a bird, giant wings and a torso similar to that of a horse.
“The Pewtons are ready now. Their flight speed is fast, but they don’t have enough stamina to fly many hours … We’re still going to have to walk a good part. Sorry to lend you something like this.”
“Not at all. It’s great. However, Douglas and I have never been on top of one.”
The four of us stand in front of each Pewton and first try to communicate properly with them. I looked into his eyes so that he would know that I was his master and slowly lowered my head to see if he accepted me.
The Pewton’s back is probably the same width as the Arvis and to ride, you also need to hold the reins … The only difference, obviously, is that they fly.
From his back, I can see the face of a little Richt, staring in wonder at the animal with his eyes wide open and his nose moving from side to side. Hector and Albert came to give us their good wishes.
“Well, I was worried … But it seems that everything is fine.”
“All your weapons and scouting equipment are in the back, make sure you use everything properly.”
“Okay, thank you very much Your Highness.”
Once the preparations were completed, Cyril-sama rushed in with Alexei and some beasts.
“Ah, we were on time …”
“God … Dad, I’m already at my limit.”
“Where did Cyril and Alex go?”
“Huh, wait … wait! I can’t breathe …”
Alexei sits up on the spot, and Cyril begins to gasp exaggeratedly.
“I thought … if the other party was related to Dragnea … Then they might want allies from nearby towns … Urfair and Fishred are close, I’m from Fishred so … I wrote a letter.”
“Cyril, did you move so fast to do that?”
“Yes you’re welcome.”
Two beasts, apparently running with them, advanced even further when they became aware of our presence.
“Sir, we have heard from young Cyril about the circumstances that occurred in recent days … Chikayuki is very dear to my people, because he cured a large number of people who had already been considered dead. If there is a crisis, all of us will come to help.
“This is a copy of the letter we have sent.”
When Albert received and read the letter they gave him, he immediately passed it on to Theodor.
“Thank you all for joining our mission. Douglas cannot speak now, but I assure you he is very grateful.”
“I also made contact with the chiefs of the various tribes in Leonidas. I sent letters to the dwarves, elves, and fairy tribes.”
“Why call fairies and dwarves?”
“Chika is very close to all those tribes.”
“Interesting…”
Theodor-sama is in charge of receiving all the copies of the letters.
“Thank you very much, Cyril-sama and Alexei … Thank you very much for helping me with my Chika.”
I can’t help but bow deeply to them.
“I’m sorry. I have taken the time to prepare medications and tools in case we need to induce labor.”
Although he says that, Parish arrived just in time.
“I gave Parish many of my special medications. If there are any injuries, there should be no problem … But … Ah, sorry … I know that being him will be fine. I was really excited about the baby and … Now…”
I can’t find a suitable word for Mintz to stop crying.
“Mintz, don’t worry so much. You’ll be fine with me, right?”
“Don’t cry honey … Come, try to calm down here with me.”
Mintz is in Glenn’s arms, but his expression is completely sad. Meanwhile, Doug turns his full attention to Hikaru, who is now in Hector’s hands.
“Hikaru, be nice. Alright?”
Hikaru was still very sleepy, but managed to fully grasp Douglas’s finger with his little hand. I also go over to talk to him.
“Hikaru, I’ll bring your mom home right away. It’s okay?”
“Mom? Mom!”
Hikaru grabbed my finger with his free hand. Ah, my child’s warmth is always comforting.
So we all ride on a pewton. As we soar into the sky, everything quickly becomes smaller and smaller and finally, disappears. Johann leads the way, and Parish, who goes with us, follows the location by means of the bracelet that connects us with Chika.
Chika, Chika … Rest assured that I will help you and bring you back. You and our son and then, I’ll never lose sight of you again.
Please, wait for me.
BL snack 