Asletica’s Proposal
“Take the water from the lake with you”—so said Asletica.
But what was I supposed to do with it?
“I don’t mind taking the water… but what exactly should I do with it?”
“Drink it. That should heal the leg injury at once.”
“R-Really!?”
I had no idea this lake’s water had such an effect… or rather, it was almost certainly because Asletica was here that it gained that property.
—Wait a minute.
I was sure I’d heard a story before about a dragon with a similar legend.
“Hey, Asletica. Could it be… you’re one of the so-called Holy Dragons?”
“So you knew.”
“I wasn’t entirely sure. It’s just that I remembered an old soldier once telling a story—he said, ‘Water a dragon once bathed in has healing properties.’ I looked into it out of curiosity and found a book that said among the many types of dragons, only the Holy Dragons were known for having strong healing abilities.”
When I told Asletica this, he let out a deep sigh.
“Forgive me for not saying anything sooner.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for.”
That same book even said the blood of a Holy Dragon had the power to grant immortality.
Which was probably why Asletica had kept quiet. If word got out, people might start hunting him for his blood, and he’d be driven from the home he’d finally found.
So from my perspective, it meant a lot that he’d chosen to confide in me.
“Why did you tell me, though?”
I couldn’t help but ask.
Asletica smiled faintly as he replied.
“My time in this world… is nearly up.”
“What!?”
Another shocking revelation.
“Well, ‘nearly’ still means I’ve got over ten years left, so by human standards, that’s a long time. But to someone who’s lived a thousand years… it feels like no time at all.”
“Th-that’s…”
“And so, think of this water as my way of saying thank you. For accepting me when I decided to make this lake my final home. If Doyle’s leg is healed, he’ll be able to attend that ball, won’t he?”
“Y-yeah…”
I returned to the station once to grab the canteen I’d used since my days in the royal capital, then took Leon, my horse, from the stables and rode back to the lake.
After filling the canteen with the lake’s water, I thanked Asletica and set off for the Tryon estate.
What do you think about this chapter?
