Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Summer Cold (3)
Brown hair slightly covering the eyebrows.
Skin full of freckles.
It was a boy I was seeing for the first time.
But he felt more familiar than anyone else.
He chuckled as he welcomed the visitor after so long.
"You've become cuter, Rakiss."
"Last time it was too big and uncomfortable."
Rakiss shrugged his small shoulders and continued.
"I thought if it's around the same age, Miss Merthesia might feel more at ease."
"Yeah..."
The intention was clearly good,
but against Merthesia, it might have the opposite effect.
As I looked awkward, my old friend tilted his head.
"What's wrong, Row?"
"Well, Merthesia is shy around kids her age."
"...Really?"
Rakiss blinked.
He somehow looked embarrassed, so a chuckle escaped me.
"...!"
"Huh?"
There was a presence from behind.
Merthesia had come out from under the blanket and was looking at us.
Precisely, at Rakiss who had appeared as a child.
Merthesia spotted the unfamiliar boy standing at the door, her eyes widening.
In those eyes were surprise and wariness,
and a very faint trace of fear.
Soon, Merthesia disappeared behind the door in an instant.
"Hmm..."
"See?"
"Yeah."
I could easily guess that she had burrowed back under the blanket without looking.
Seeing my old friend even more embarrassed, I said a bit louder.
"It's Rakiss."
"...?!"
There was a clattering of footsteps.
A moment later, Merthesia peeked out, clutching her rabbit doll tightly.
Rakiss waved lightly.
"Long time no see, Miss Mer."
"!!!"
Did she remember Rakiss?
Merthesia's expression brightened noticeably.
My old friend responded to the child's joyful demeanor with a kind smile.
As expected, a smart kid.
She hadn't forgotten Rakiss after half a year.
"...!"
"Ah."
Merthesia, who was approaching excitedly, staggered.
Fortunately, she was nearby, so I quickly reached out and grabbed her arm.
"You should be careful since you're sick."
"...."
"Sick..."
Rakiss muttered with wide rabbit-like eyes.
He seemed flustered seeing Merthesia wobble right in front of him.
I picked up Merthesia.
"It's a cold... I think. For now."
"I see. Good thing it's not serious, Miss Mer."
"!"
Maybe because of the height difference.
Rakiss was looking up at us with his neck craned quite a bit.
The sight was so funny that I burst out laughing unwittingly.
"？!"
"Why are you laughing suddenly, Row?"
"Just... you've become really cute, Rakiss."
Merthesia nodded.
Rakiss tilted his head, seemingly flustered by the unexpected agreement.
The old friend's gaze, which had been on Merthesia, turned to me.
"Is she in a lot of pain?"
"Yeah. She had a high fever. Still does."
I gently stroked Merthesia's back.
The child was breathing steadily, rubbing her small forehead against my chest.
Holding Merthesia properly, I looked down.
Continuing the conversation like this
would be pitiful for my old friend's neck.
"Let's sit and talk."
"Sure."
I placed Merthesia back on the bedding.
I was about to go to the living room so as not to disturb her rest, but Merthesia grabbed my clothes.
Her pursed lips showed full dissatisfaction.
"Don't go?"
"!"
"Got it."
In the end, I sat next to Merthesia.
Perhaps from moving hastily, her breathing was quickened, fever rising.
I took the thermometer.
It wasn't much, but the fever was up a bit.
"I think I need to give her another fever reducer."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Watch Merthesia for a bit."
"Sure."
It was fortunate.
That my old friend came now.
How reassuring it was that he could stay by Merthesia's side while I was away.
Though it might not be fortunate for him.
"How's your body feeling, Miss Mer?"
"...."
"I see."
From the door crack, my old friend's voice came.
It felt much more comfortable than before.
Rakiss,
and Merthesia too.
I hurriedly got the fever reducer from the medicine cabinet.
On the way back, I picked up the candy I give every time with the medicine.
'She said it was bitter in the morning.'
I put the fever reducer and candy on a small wooden plate and returned.
Rakiss was stroking the rabbit lying by Merthesia's head.
The sight strangely suited him well.
"I'm back."
"...!"
"Merthesia, time for medicine."
Merthesia's face scrunched up.
But she was a good child.
She whined a bit but carefully opened her mouth.
"The taste hasn't improved yet. But I'll give you candy instead."
"!"
Her expression brightened a lot.
I carefully put the medicine in her mouth and gave her water.
"!!!!!!"
"Here, candy."
"!!!"
"Sorry. Next time, I'll definitely improve it."
Merthesia nodded while rolling the candy.
Her expression was brightening gradually, which was good.
Watching us, Rakiss smiled kindly.
"By the way, what brings you here?"
"Didn't I say before? That I'd visit sometimes."
"Ah, right."
Spring and summer.
Various things happened knowingly or unknowingly,
so the promise with my old friend was buried deep for a while.
As if knowing that, Rakiss's expression was softly understanding.
"...It's been a while since we met without any purpose. Feels a bit strange."
"Is that so? I'm very glad."
"You're glad?"
"We used to meet often even without business before."
I slowly nodded at my old friend's words.
Come to think of it, it really had been a long time.
Sitting face-to-face with my old friend, spending time without purpose.
It was common before becoming the Evil Dragon,
decreased naturally after becoming the Evil Dragon,
and disappeared after I chose isolation.
'I'm glad...'
I could somewhat understand my old friend's feelings.
"...."
"Sleepy?"
"...."
"I'll be right here."
Merthesia's eyes closed.
Even so, her head tilted towards me.
Seeing the sweat on her forehead, pity welled up.
I gently caressed Merthesia's forehead.
At that moment of silence,
my old friend's low voice came.
"Row."
"Yeah?"
"How about you rest beside her too."
"...Me?"
Rakiss slowly nodded.
Come to think of it, Rakiss's gaze had been on me since earlier.
That gaze held faint worry.
"I'll watch Miss Mer, so take a breather."
"...Yeah. Thanks."
Without refusing, I lay down next to Merthesia and closed my eyes.
Closing my eyes, I felt a throbbing headache.
It seemed I was now aware of the aftermath of tampering with time earlier to heat the water.
'Sleep, sleep.'
Holding Merthesia, I listened to her breathing.
My mind blurred.
Then gradually sharpened.
Familiar background,
familiar figures,
familiar situation.
A scene I'd recalled numerous times even after becoming the Evil Dragon.
A scene that always revived in the same flow.
In the grand conference hall where the past decision was made,
gods and dragons of Lord rank and above were gathered.
That day was when the world's evil and chaos disappeared.
At the same time, the day I was given the name 'Evil Dragon.'
Both the gods
and we dragons facing them.
Shadows heavily cast on every face.
It was natural.
We saved the world from crisis and simultaneously broke the world's balance.
No one opened their mouth first, heavy silence flowed.
Occasional words were said,
but all were similar, uncertain methods.
When it came to the relatively certain but unstable method—
"I'll do it."
I spoke up to change that decision.
I knew.
Even now, same thought.
That I was the most suitable for the Evil Dragon's role.
The world's eternity.
The only undying dragon.
The time that can be rewound first.
All those conditions proved I was the perfect vessel to bear evil and chaos.
I slowly opened my eyes.
The familiar cabin ceiling came into view.
I turned my gaze to the window.
The dim mountain scenery announced the end of the day.
'Slept a lot.'
Merthesia was not beside me.
Hearing clattering sounds, they seemed to be having dinner.
I got up slowly and headed to the kitchen.
"You're awake?"
"!"
"Yeah. Thanks to you, I slept well."
Merthesia put down her spoon and ran to me.
She hugged my waist tightly with her small arms and leaned against me.
The fever seemed much down, and her eyes were lively.
Good.
Rakiss, who had come close, smiled leisurely.
"The fever's completely gone. She changed her clothes herself, and even wandering around, she didn't stagger like before."
"Really? That's good."
"She'll probably be fully recovered after a good sleep."
The unrecognized tension slowly released.
Now I really felt she was okay.
"Thanks, Rakiss."
"No problem. Eat, Row. It's the soup you made, I warmed it up."
"Yeah."
I didn't mention the memory I saw.
It wouldn't be a good memory for my old friend either.
Rakiss stayed until the next day.
Seemed worried about Merthesia.
Fortunately, Merthesia was running around the house brightly as if she hadn't been sick.
"Yeah. So this is your secret base."
"!"
Dragging Rakiss around, she showed off every corner of the cabin.
He, who owned a significant share of the newly changed cabin,
inspected each furniture and shelf meticulously, smiling contentedly.
"Good to see it's being used well."
"Thanks to you."
"???"
During the day, we went to the valley Merthesia had wanted so much.
"Just dip your feet a little. Your cold might not be fully gone."
"!"
Merthesia went to her favorite spot and dipped her feet in the valley water.
Watching her from a distance,
I realized anew how precious this ordinary day was.
"I hope it doesn't hurt."
"I understand. Even seeing briefly, it was nerve-wracking."
"Yeah..."
Did he notice my thoughts?
I felt a gaze looking up at me from below.
"But don't research ways to prevent illness, Row."
"...Why?"
"It's providence."
"Yeah..."
"Like now, being by her side when she's sick is enough."
I slowly nodded.
Can't go against providence.
Rakiss, looking at me steadily, smiled leisurely and continued.
"But curing illness doesn't go against providence."
"Ah."
"So you can research that as much as you want. In your way."
At those words, I looked at Rakiss for a moment.
This friend always noticed my thoughts first.
"Thanks, Rakiss. Can I ask one favor?"
"What?"
"Bring some magic tools from my nest."
I looked at Merthesia sitting by the water.
Our eyes met, and she smiled the brightest.
That one smile was enough.
I decided to prepare to make this child's tomorrow even brighter and more splendid.