NOVEL WEB Chapter 153
Chapter 153. The Two in the Sky
The first time I flew with Leila was—
“—Whoa!”
The stars sparkled brightly—
“Whaaaaaa—”
No, not sparkling, more like swaying—
“Uuuuuuu—Whaaaaah!!!”
No, it’s me that’s swaying!
The ride is terrible!!!
This is bad!!!!
“Ahhhhhh!!!”
Desperately, I clung to Leila’s neck, trying not to be thrown off as we soared up and down wildly with each flap. The cold night wind howled fiercely by my ear!
“Ahaha, ufufu!”
And carried by the wind, I faintly heard Leila’s cheerful voice. She must be thrilled to be flying with me.
But maybe she’s a bit too lost in the joy of flying…?!
“Leeeila—!! Leila—!!”
I called out, almost biting my tongue.
“Ah, yes!”
Leila turned her head slightly to glance back. Thanks to her spreading her wings and switching to gliding, the shaking temporarily calmed down.
“How is it?! My ride comfort!”
With her pure, hopeful eyes filled with anticipation, I choked on my words.
“Well, uh… It’s a bit scary with all the shaking!”
I underestimated it. The White Dragon I rode during the assault was bad, but I thought Leila would be more considerate since she’s family.
But opening the lid revealed that this was on a whole different level! With every powerful flap, my body is like a ragdoll, lifting and dropping. My strength is being put to the test!
“Ah… I’m sorry! Was it shaking…?”
“Y-Yeah… a little…!!”
Seeing Leila’s dragon face droop in disappointment, I felt a pang of guilt.
—Thinking calmly, her way of flying is inherited from the proud Faravgi… of course, she wouldn’t consider her rider’s comfort.
Complaining about something she inherited from her late father is just…! It’s like telling a fellow human after having them run with you on their back, “Can you not shake me so much?” How rude!
“Going bare-handed might have been a bit reckless—Leila, can I make a ring around your neck with bones? I think that’ll help!”
Back during the assault, I was securely tied with a sturdy rope, but now I’m just holding on with my hands. It feels a bit too dangerous.
“Yes! Of course, do whatever you want…!”
Taking her up on that, I manipulated the bones, wrapping them around her neck like a necklace. I could almost hear the sigh of an older soldier saying, “What a pain…”
Alright, now my hands are secured. This is much better.
Leila is also being considerate, gliding smoothly without flapping too much. I finally had the chance to take in the scenery.
“Oooo…!”
I could see the city of Reiju Territory illuminated by the moonlight. Although it’s the stronghold of the dark ones, lamps are placed everywhere, and it’s brighter than any human night city.
Far below, in the clearing in front of the forest, the Night Elf Maids looked like tiny dots, gazing up at us with worried expressions. I was a little scared at the thought of falling from this height.
But more than that—I was deeply moved. While it wasn’t my first time flying on a dragon, the fact that I was riding with Leila truly struck me.
For the first time since being reborn, I was free. There were no Dragon tribe eyes watching over me, and the dark ones were nowhere around—
“…Leila! Thank you!!!”
I couldn’t help but shout.
“I want to keep flying forever like this!”
Just forgetting everything and traveling freely would feel so incredibly relaxing…
“Ahahahaha!”
Leila was laughing joyfully. This carefree laughter was something I’d never seen from her before.
“I feel the same way—!”
If we feel like it, we could fly anywhere, but Leila remained close enough to the city, circling repeatedly.
“It shakes a bit!”
“Got it!”
As we lowered our altitude, Leila flapped her wings powerfully again. I grabbed the bone handles firmly and lowered my posture.
…Yeah, I’m getting used to it. But when the rebound from her flap sent her body down, I nearly floated up and got thrown off. Once again, I realized I needed something to secure me like a proper saddle for dragons. I’ll think about it when we get back to the Demon Lord’s Castle…
“…It’s beautiful.”
As we climbed in altitude and glided again. I could almost touch the fluffy clouds with my hands.
Night birds rarely come up this high. Just me and Leila, alone together. The wind is cold, and the world is so clear—
“…Actually, it’s my first time flying this high.”
Leila’s slightly trembling voice floated through the wind.
“There are memories of flying higher in my father’s…”
…
“It feels really good to fly, after all…!”
Leila said with all her heart. And why wouldn’t it? Just riding along, it’s this exhilarating.
Ah, Leila truly is a dragon, I thought as I reflected.
And I couldn’t help but ponder the connection between me and Faravgi, Leila’s situation, and our peculiar fate.
“I’m so glad I met you.”
I gently placed my hand on her silver scales. I could feel the heat and power of her strong dragon body.
No matter how many apologies I gave, it wouldn’t change what I did to Faravgi.
However, bringing it up repeatedly would be self-satisfying and disrespectful to Leila.
All I could voice were my gratitude and prayers.
“I’m so happy too…! I’m so glad I met you…!”
Leila’s voice seemed to shake.
—Softly.
I felt a wet sensation on my cheek.
Rain? …On such a beautiful starry night.
Then I noticed. Something sparkling was trailing down Leila’s cheek—
But it was quickly blown away by the cold, clear wind.
Like stardust—
“……….”
We didn’t exchange any more words after that, but perhaps that was because there was no need to.
Our hearts were one.
As Leila slowly reduced altitude while circling, feeling her warmth, I gazed towards the horizon.
In the far distance, the allied territory that felt like a completely different world…
I had finally ridden with Leila. I acted on my own without prior discussion, so Platy might get angry.
However, my level of freedom would surely increase from here. Even after returning to the Demon Lord’s Castle, I could add “sky walks” to what I could do during free time!
There’d be more options and possibilities… A mix of excitement and terror at stepping into the unknown.
But it was something I had to do.
I am a hero. No matter what anyone says…
I’m the hero who will defeat the Demon Lord and save humanity!
Step by step, I would take action.
For now, I figured Leila and my aerial stroll had become a settled fact, so Platy wouldn’t say much…
†††
And upon returning to the chief’s mansion, I found myself—
Sitting in self-reflection.
“…So, what exactly is going on here?”
Platy sat on the sofa, tapping her fan on her hand with an irritated expression.
Forget what I said earlier.
I’ll probably get grilled about this!