Ashes and Kingdoms

"This is a reply to a letter I sent to you earlier from Comrith. Over there, they haven't changed anything about the movement of the Dark Beast. You just think the situation in the east is obscure?"

Finn took the letter as he answered, looked through to the end and then gave it to Mac. Mac hesitated between the bundles, but quickly threw away the reluctance and read the letter.

"Hmm... that sounds kind of odd. If there is a family of darkness flowing on the domestic side, there should be some change. Have there been any noticeable reports that the attacks have intensified?"

"If you're even close to Naruto in the east, General Glaus' soldiers are suppressing you. It's just that in the northeastern part of the country... the Dolphins' autonomy and the Mazra state are almost dead, so even if something's going on over there, they don't know that."

"That's why I want you to scout for me."

Mac finished reading with a complicated face and returned the letter.

Much east of Vitia and north of the meadows, Mazra was the kind of land that consisted of agriculture and trade. The ancient Dolphins were not commercially enthusiastic, and the Vitians were poorly commercialized, so the Mazrahs stood between them to make deals, and then stretched their legs to Nornicom in the south to end up coming and going to and from the country.

Because it is such a national pattern, they should have carried the information. But it became less and less frequent and inaccurate about four years ago, and then disappeared completely.

Back when Finn and the others had to leave the windmill shed, they already had no idea about other regions or anything, but they are still in constant contact with the northeast.

"I don't want to think that one person has been completely destroyed by the beast of darkness..."

"I know how you feel, brother, but I don't think that's what the Emperor's worried about."

"I guess."

Finn sighed melancholy and agreed.

If you're doomed, you're doomed, and you'll give up. That would be the true meaning of emperors and councils. Even Vitier's reconstruction says financial resources are tight, but there's no room to take back the muzzle or anything. If it had been completely destroyed, you would even consider it quiet and good because there is no complaining people or an army to rebel against. Even if weakening distribution or falling tax revenues is a problem, we can leave it alone if we don't need to control the land.

You have to worry about that, because it's the land of Nornicom with the burning grass on it called the Dolphins, and the sparks are dull. The wind of supplying the Mazrahs there is not an accumulation.

"Whatever the thoughts in my country, it would be time to go check on them. I'm concerned about the Dark Beast's movements, and I'll be away again, but in the meantime, please. Even so, don't give me a ceremony without me."

Mac glanced at Finn, who he added, in order to hide the light.

"You don't have to worry, I'm going to make you a better spectacle than the bride and groom as a relative of the bride and guardian of Nanais. It's your day. Don't run away."

Threatened Finn tries to surrender at all costs. Mac laughed, tapping Finn's arm lightly and leaving the room. I guess I'm going to report to Nellis, the footsteps are light. Finn was warm and dropping it off.

Then, when I heard this news, Lena also came out and called out to me with surprise, even though it was something that was going to bless Mac. but her signs, which should normally be felt right next to her, are oddly distant.

Lena, where are you?

Has he gone flying on the sea again? I'm glad I didn't have to let you hear Finn's complicated thoughts about Lena, but I get anxious without her. If something went wrong, Finn would know, so I guess there's no special circumstance that I went out without telling him anything.

As Finn kept calling, he was slightly more responsive.

Wait, I'll be right back.

After a reply and about a breath, the light fluttered and vortexed and Lena appeared.

"What's going on? Looks like something good happened.

"Oh. I hear Mac has finally decided to marry Nellis"

"Wow!"

As soon as she did, Lena smiled just dazzled and cheered.

"Nice, glad! Well, then, you'll see two kids later!

"I'm a little quick."

Finn smiled bitterly. Apparently for Lena, marriage is synonymous with having children. She turned on the spot happy and curly.

"But it's not decades away, is it? Ugh, look forward to it."

"... oh"

It's not even enough time for Lena to wait for a few years. You knew it, but you reminded me again, and I'm going to lose my mind. Finn tried to change his mood brightly.

"More than that, where have you been? That's unusual, I can't believe I'm going so far away that I can't get right back to calling you. Have you been looking beyond the sea to see another continent?"

"Ah... yeah, it isn't. Even if it did, once we got back to our side, the distance on the ground wouldn't be much more problematic."

Yeah, Finn nodded. It doesn't have to be explained that "our side" is the world that exists while Lena disappears. The world where the gods and dragons and spirits live, the so-called heavenly realm.

but Lena just said that much and mumbled. It's not the answer to the question. Finn is surprised and reluctantly raises the question.

"Well, then, why?"

I may not even have to insist, but I was curious. Then Lena moaned, turning bright red while she saw, and answered with a voice barely audible.

"Um, hey... I wanted to ask you something, because I was visiting..."

It also conveys to Finn the feeling that there is something great that cannot be done in a person's language. Shall I say something close to God among dragons, or even the oldest wise man, the ancestor of the Dragon tribe?

"Well, that's why you didn't mean to be rude all of a sudden because you called me. I'm sorry. I didn't need much, but I called you back."

"Yeah, it's okay. I like being called by Finn."

Remaining a red face, but there purely a voice of joy, Lena says and shakes her head. Finn unknowingly lowered his mouth. So he realized.

"Speaking of which, he said your family isn't here anymore, but the one you've been seeing... are they the same Tenryu?

"Yeah, that's right," Lena replied with a lonely eye. "My parents got terribly weak in the war, and soon after they sealed me, they died. But not all the dragons are gone. There's very little to get out on the ground, but if you go back over there, you always have a few families."

"Really?"

Finn was surprised and convinced at the same time. In human history, the dragon showed up about the time of the war. That's always enough with one hand, too. If the dragon actually existed only that, it would be doomed, by the way. They have their world, where they don't get caught up in the battle of man, and where their only lives are run.

That means.

"It's not like you don't have a companion."

Behind Finn's brain, Fauna's words rise. When Lena was upset that she wanted to marry me, there was a word returned with a loss of laughter.

- I thought Lena brought the dragon's son-in-law.

In fact, it seems unlikely either. I'm not asking you to do that, but the world that Lena belongs to is that way. If she chooses the same dragon as her connecting opponent, I guess that's more desirable than choosing Finn. Just as Lena said to Finn that it would be nice to be bonded in love with a human woman.

(I'm not a dragon, so I can't say 'nice thing' from my heart...)

Having understood Finn's such emotions, Lena nodded small.

"Yeah. But I like Finn. Finn is the only one who wants to raise a child. That's why I went to ask. About how to make humans your companion."

He told me so in great seriousness, and Finn seemed to be fine. but soon, I feel like they have no shame and get back on my mind. He stared back into his golden eyes and smiled bitterly.

I thought you said stop.

"I was worried. A dragon out of the ground bonding with a human being is, in a way, a natural accomplishment... but even to a connected companion, it will be hard," he said.

Oh, still?

Bitter certainty descends into Finn's chest. The tragedy of the first Nakte Dragon Marquis was well known on the Dragon's side. as one of the lessons on human beings.

When he thought of it that way, Finn had a strong backlash while unconscious. Almost as close to anger. He frowns and retraces and rethinks the words that came out of his mouth.

(Didn't decide that)

Surely humans are dangerous and horrible to dragons and they don't know what to do. That's what he thought himself, and that's why he's been on hold for three years. But to be honest, I wasn't happy to be pointed out that from the dragon's side.

Then why is there a Dragon Horse? Isn't it because there are those who please dragons that bonds are formed? Some are like Finn's family, Kveris, Islev, and others, not just Dragon Hou. Humans shouldn't just be there to make dragons unhappy.

At the same time he was sexually angry, he finally woke up.

(Am I not an idiot)

It's like not hitting any hand at Lena's thought that humans are scared, but on the contrary, being together and hammering at all. You can't marry because it's dangerous, etc., and reason every time it fuels fear and aversion to humans.

The rudder to be taken was completely reversed.

Whatever changes would happen to Finn himself, Mac told me he was on his side. Probably the same with Nellis and his parents. Isn't it Finn's job, the Dragon Marquis, to reassure Lena with trust and bond with them?

Cursing himself in his mouth, Finn held up between his eyebrows. Lena tilts her neck when it comes to things.

"Finn? Why are you angry?

"Because I've noticed my stupidity add and subtract. I'd like to come back three years ago and kick your ass if I could."

"?? Finn's not bad at all."

"No, I did something wrong to you. It will be a short time for you for about three years, but still..."

Finn shook his head, raising his face and staring straight at Lena. When the strays were blown away, all the things that I feared so much seemed unyielding.

(What were you lost in)

Is there another girl like this who stares back at me without fear, anxiety or intention? How could you not take that feeling before when you told me from yourself that you wanted to be by his side until you pressed shame?

Finn extended his arm, pulling Lena closer and hugging her hard. The sun felt on his cheeks. The heat, like a clump, seems to have raised the temperature a little. Unexpectedly Finn laughed small and put her lips on her soft hair.

"I made up my mind. Let's marry you, Lena."

"... ho, really? Are you sure about this?

Lena glances wide at Finn's face at close range. The innocence of that expression makes too little sense to talk about the real life of marriage. Finn managed to nod with a straight face as he struggled to indulge in laughter.

"I can't right now, but when I get back from Mazra, let me take a ride to Nellis and Mac's ceremony"

When he said it, Lena smiled like a shiny - actually a little dazzling.

"Finn!! Glad, glad, glad! Love it!!"

Receiving Lena, who had held him around his neck with cheer, Finn felt the warmth all over his body, twitching a little loose.

"It's enough to be a spectacle in one go"