Dragon Life - Chapter 71

Chapter 71

White knight mister and gray miss and black “me” .

The moment I collapsed on my bed and closed my eyes, the demon of sleep attacked me . Shaking awake my consciousness, I force my eyelids open as I turned to the side and look out the window . That scene of the setting sun was not one that I knew . No matter where you go, it’s a scene you wouldn’t be able to see in Japan . An old western-style rural town . Being under the roof of one of the towns inns is something I would never have imagined a few days ago . With my whole body aching too .

“To think, that he was serious”

After I finished my registration, I planned to go to the uncle’s house to thank him, when my shoulder was grabbed by the white knight mister who had sparkling eyes like a child’s . “How about we become partners” he said . What is this person saying? Before I realised, he grabbed me while I was dumbfounded and brought me all the way to this inn . This is the one room the white knight had rented in the inn . There was another bed set up, and the owner of the above things was almost back .

“Agh, it’s hard”

After being subject to the relentless approach from the white knight mister, I finally gave in and have been forced to join training every day since . Even though I thought it was a joke at first, thinking I don’t need it, I’ve been given a sword and have been learning swordsmanship daily . For someone as unfit as me, it’s honestly arduous . But somehow I managed to suppress my feelings of wanting to run away, and I’ve been doing my best .  

I’m fine, I am fine . If I can’t at least do this much, putting aside trying to bring back Touka, I’d probably die on some random roadside before meeting up with him . I’m fine . This much is nothing . I’m fine, I am, fine .

“Ito-kun, are you okay?”

Yea, I’m fine… wait, that voice was not mine .

“Celia?”

The one who suddenly entered the room, is a long, gray-haired lady . She wore an outfit which clearly shows off the lines of her slender body . Hanging from her waist was a sword and a grimoire . She might be a magic swordsman then . Might be, because I don’t actually know . About jobs, since it’s named based on what one is skilled at, the titles differ from person to person .

She is a woman in the same party and is travelling together with the white knight mister . At first, I thought they were in a relationship, but it looks like I was wrong . I never checked, but they’re always fighting . But at the same time, I’ve heard that saying no is also an expression of fondness . I wonder how it is .

Celia’s hair is gray, like Rosa-san’s eyes, a colour that is also pretty rare . When I was introduced in this room, I almost cried involuntarily . This is bad, my tear glands are getting weaker .

“If it’s hard, you can say it’s hard . I’ll be sure to tell him properly”

“Mm, I’m fine”

It’s difficult, but I’m being taught the things I need to survive in this world as the human me out of goodwill . In this dangerous world where demons lurk around at night, I who was living in a peaceful period would definitely be unable to adapt alone . In fact, if I encounter a worm now, I wouldn’t be able to run, only able to sit there . It wouldn’t be weird if I died . That’s why, I have no choice but to make use of this . If I let this chance escape, the only future that awaits me is death . Even with some knowledge of this world, I lack the experience and know-how of living as a human .  

“Are you sure? But your face is completely pale . Let’s just take the day off tomorrow . That guy has been going overboard, seeing that he hasn’t realised how exhausted you are . ”

That guy, is quite thickheaded .  Celia said, smiling bitterly . Sitting at the edge of the bed I was lying on, she gently stroked my head .  

“Even though you are still a child”

… Just now, I’ve just heard something I can’t ignore .

Celia’s words, no matter how I hear them, imply that I am a young child . Children may have a range of ages, but she definitely referred to a young child or maybe even an infant .  

“I’m 17 years old though”

I said indignantly, causing Celia’s eyes to go round .

“Eh? We’re the same age?

The same? This time I was surprised . I thought she was older .

I push myself up to sit and take a look at Celia . They all still seem to misunderstand and think I’m a boy, but even if we’re the same gender and age, to have such a difference in height and presence, is somehow depressing . Maybe I should just live as a boy . It’s convenient too . Yea, plus I’ll be able to flirt with cute girls too so it’s fine . No objections here .

“… A joke?”

‘I’m not joking . Do I really have a baby face?”

“No, no, fufu, black must be a colour that makes you look younger . I’m sorry . I was treating you like a child . ”

So you really were treating me like a kid!

After excessively brutal training, I get my head stroked while hearing ‘Very well done’, and when I collapse from reaching the limits of my stamina I get a lap pillow . Ahh I want an older sister like this, I think as I’m being spoiled . If I’m going to be spoiled, I’m going to be spoiled all the way! Is not something to be proud of . 　

“It’s good to look young . It’s an enviable trait”

Yes yes, this is how indulged me every day . Being pampered by a beautiful woman feels great and it’s healing too . …Dang, I shouldn’t have told her my real age .  

“Hey, do you know why Al invited me?”

Honestly, I will just be extra baggage . Allowing a penniless black featured boy in weird clothes (which is how he’s seen) to directly join your party, is something that is unthinkable, or at least that’s what I believe, and people would be suspicious . They taught me, who knew only the world of two years ago, both swordsmanship and even things from common sense to world affairs . I did say I hid in the forest to trick them, but normally one would also be doubtful of that . Plus I have very little stamina too .

I was skeptical, wondering why he needed me so much, even though he has enough strength to complete rank S requests . Even though I worked hard the last few weeks, I’m not even level 10 yet .  

“He probably really wants a partner that can match him . Al’s all white, right? The opposite of white, would be black . And black, it isn’t just rare, but also the same colour as the legendary dragon, right? Besides, if you grow stronger, your name will become famous”

So it’s for the renown after all! You want to become famous huh! Is that so! That’s why, grow stronger every day! Is that what you’re saying!

“He has his own way of thinking too”

Hmm . Maybe, he has some special circumstances . They have something that they can’t tell me, and I also have something that I can’t tell them . I shouldn’t pry too deep .

“But black used to be a taboo colour”

“Sure, there may still be people that think that way, like grandmas and grandpas . But, it’s different now . It’s thanks to the Black Earth Dragon that we are alive, so if you say that it’s still taboo you’ll be cursed . ”

There are times when I think that this world is really different from that world . What was common sense was easily overturned and spread throughout the world .

“Itoka!”

Just as I was thinking that the world is truly strange, the room door suddenly opened and the white knight mister, Al appeared . By the way, my roommate is Al . Celia has a different room . Why is that, you ask? …Because they all think I’m a boy . I could correct them and say that I’m a girl, but I think it’s easier to live in this world as a boy . Thanks to that lady’s mischievousness, my identification pass also states that I’m a boy . If I’m found out that’s fine too probably . Well honestly, if I had to correct someone every time I heard ‘boy’, ‘young sir’, ‘brat’, or ‘young boy’, it’d be way too troublesome, so it’s still a secret for now . Does black really make me look like that young of a boy I wonder . I think the noble boy Marius might have mentioned it before .   

As an act of defiance, I bunch up and tie my loose hair into a ponytail . It’s not uncommon to find men with long hair in this world . However, when pressed about my glasses, I brushed it off by calling them ‘the latest fashion trend’ . They don’t have glasses in this world anyways . More like, if I lose these, I won’t be able to survive anymore . Gotta be careful .

“I’m heading for the mountains now . It’s secluded mountain training!”

No, impossible . My whole body is aching .

“Good grief! Show a little restraint . Ito-kun is exhausted, you know?”

Celia exclaimed in place of me, who lacked the energy to even respond .

“You’ve only been training for the past few weeks . It’s time to take a break soon . I understand how you feel, but you know that Ito-kun isn’t a thing right?”

Al approached me as I was sitting on the bed and peered at my face .  Gattsun, he put his forehead on mine, what is this . Maybe Al also treats me like a child? Eh? He does?

“Hmm… that’s true . His temperature is a little high . I might have pushed you too hard . Sorry”

Right before my eyes, a pair of amethyst eyes appeared . And befitting the name ‘white’, his skin was fair .

It’s not common to touch foreheads with a guy like this! I was startled when you suddenly brought your face closer!

“Does he have a fever?”

“A slight one, probably”

This time, Celia put her forehead on mine .

Hooray for fevers .

…Not . This is not the time to be thinking something like that . I have something I need to tell Al .

“Hey, Al . There’s only one condition . I’m saved that you taught the inexperienced me various things, and also how to fight . But, even if I entered the party on a whim, I have to at least say this . ”

What thing, Al looked down at me .

“I don’t really want people to know that I’m black featured”

That was something against Al’s will .

“Do you, not take pride in your black features?”

“Pride? Just a few years ago, the black featured were oppressed and persecuted . And that changes, because a single black dragon saved the world, would I believe that?”

It’s impossible . There are surely more than a few people out there who still feel awkward with black . The good thing about humans is, they are sensitive to the flow, and they can adapt to it . But that is exactly why I can’t trust it . I’ll never know if or when black will become a taboo colour again .  

“Ito-kun, you…”

My words may lead you to think I lived a tough life because of my black features . Which is not altogether untrue . I like black . I love it . I’m definitely the one who is most reliant [1] on this colour . But, to have the perception of black change just because of my actions in the past, is something I still can’t believe .

Al stared at me in silence . I stare back at Al resolutely, till he caved in, ‘can’t be helped’ he said as he sighed .

“…I got it . It’d be a pain if you got kidnapped since you’re so rare anyways . ”

Kid, kidnapped? That would be terrible . All the more reason to hide it .

“But, I have a condition for you too”

Nii [2], his mouth raised and formed a smile .

“Become strong”

You can hide it till then, Al chuckled as he stroked my head . Become a partner that complements me . And .  

Partner .

People who become a pair . An ally, a companion . It’s about people who work in a duet . They think about each other, and support each other .

Partner, huh?

I mumbled, and I felt my chest suddenly tighten .

A memory I didn’t want to remember felt like it was being dragged out, so I hurriedly thought about other things . I told Al I understood, while smiling bitterly . I need to make sure I don’t think about it . I don’t want to pry into my memories as a dragon, which I have not fully accepted yet, half-heartedly . Not yet, I have not gotten strong enough to face it head-on .

I’m sure, — it’d make you want to hang on .

Translation Notes:
[1] The word used also implies that she is ‘addicted’ to the colour
[2] From ‘Nico/Niko’: onomatopoeia for smiling