“Next time you come, stay a little longer!!”

That was the parting remark of the Time Dragon.

“If there is a next time…”

The dragon, with a friendly smile, waved enthusiastically as I departed. I had no particular thoughts about it.

The meeting with the Time Dragon at the Sacred Peak of Time and the tea party had concluded without issue.

At first, suspicion and caution hindered the conversation, making it difficult to progress smoothly. However, once I learned the truth, it all seemed surprisingly simple. I sincerely accepted the Time Dragon’s current state and her advice, gaining the key to ensuring the death of the Shadow Dragon and saving Alice.

──── The rest is up to you.

The turbulent emotions that once surged within me had now settled into an eerie calm. The anger that once consumed me, the hatred that drove me forward—it all seemed ridiculous now. Perhaps that was because I had finally realized my own sins, my own mistakes, and understood how entirely wrong I had been.

Through the authority of the Time Dragon, I was instantly transported from the sacred peak. A strange sense of floating overtook me, and in the next moment, I found myself back in a familiar dimly lit room. My vision, wavering as if from motion sickness, gradually stabilized. As the unnatural floating sensation left me, a voice rang out.

“You’re back, Clay!”

“What a relief, Sir Bradley.”

His Highness, who had seen me off before I was sent to the sacred peak, and the guild master, who must have been waiting outside the room, both relaxed with visible relief.

The time… When I left the sacred peak, the sun had already set completely, so a fair amount of time must have passed. Yet, these two had remained here, waiting for me.

──── If that’s the case, then I’ve caused them trouble once again.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting, Your Highness.”

“Don’t worry about it. So? The fact that you’ve returned means you were able to speak with the Time Dragon without any issues, correct?”

As I bowed to the two approaching me, His Highness shook his head and asked. I nodded sincerely in response.

“Yes, there were no problems. I received both her advice and her message.”

“…I see.”

Hearing my response, His Highness let out another breath of relief, his shoulders visibly relaxing. Seeing that I was able to speak without hesitation reassured me as well. Then, the guild master, Goldwin, spoke up.

“There must be much to discuss, but shall we change locations first? Staying in this dimly lit room any longer isn’t ideal, and you must be exhausted, Sir Claym. We’ve prepared a room at an inn operated by our guild. Please take your time to rest tonight.”

“Thank you… Your Highness, let’s discuss the details once we return to the royal capital. For tonight, let’s rest.”

“…You’re right. My apologies, I was a bit unsettled. Get some rest tonight.”

We had planned to stay overnight from the beginning, so neither His Highness nor I had any objections to the guild master’s suggestion. While we hadn’t decided on an inn beforehand, it was only natural that accommodations had been properly arranged for a royal visit, and they were, of course, excellent.

As I caught sight of His Highness clearing his throat awkwardly at the guild master’s words, I fixed a smile on my face. Then, following the guild master’s lead once more, I left the dimly lit room behind.

The next morning, we departed from the labyrinth city just as the sun began to rise. Since it was early, only a minimal number of people saw us off. The guild master, Goldwin, did not try to detain us, merely saying, “If only you could stay a little longer…”

Well, that was to be expected.

Today marked the second day since that accursed event. Including today, only five days remained until the Dragon Slayer War, the battle decreed by that damn lizard. There was no time to spare. Every second counted, and we had to deliver the Time Dragon’s message to His Majesty as soon as possible.

A different fast horse than yesterday now pulled our carriage briskly forward. As I absentmindedly watched the ever-changing scenery pass by, His Highness, sitting across from me, spoke.

“You seem to have slept well last night, Clay.”

Noticing that my complexion was visibly better than the day before, His Highness gave a faint smile. His voice, however, was hoarse.

“Well, better than yesterday at least… What about you, Your Highness?”

I turned my gaze from the window back to him and asked in return. Looking at him closely, His Highness Chronos’ complexion was noticeably worse than yesterday—pale, and clearly exhausted. His response was easy to predict.

“To be honest, not much… It seems I’m more frightened by this situation than I expected.”

“…That’s understandable. I think everyone feels the same as you, Your Highness.”

As expected, his words were self-deprecating and tinged with weakness. I tried to offer words of encouragement, but even as I said them, I hated how distant and irresponsible they felt coming from my own mouth.

──── How hypocritical…

“I made you worry… I’m sorry. And thank you.”

“…It’s nothing.”

But His Highness sincerely accepted my words and softened his tense expression just a little.

If that eased his weary heart, even slightly, then my plan had worked. Yet, the fact that I could only think in such calculated and self-centered terms gnawed at me.

──── I really am disgusting.

Everything that happened was because of me, and even though I understood that, I still tried to act like a good person. I feigned innocence, pretending to be harmless—pretending to be just another victim. That fact was the most unforgivable thing of all.

“Tch…”

I barely managed to suppress the surge of emotions and nausea rising within me. As I attempted to redirect my gaze back to the window to distract myself, His Highness suddenly spoke again.

“Clay… you seem much calmer today. It’s like you’ve regained your composure. Did something happen during your conversation with the Time Dragon yesterday?”

“… …”

His unexpectedly sharp question made me instinctively hold my breath. Despite his own lingering anxiety and fear, he was still perceptive enough to notice changes in others. His gaze, unshaken yet piercing, bore into me.

I hesitated, wondering how to respond. But in the end, the words that came out were all too smooth—words full of deception.

“──── Well… if I had to say, it’s because yesterday’s events made my purpose even clearer.”

It wasn’t a lie. It was the truth.

As he said, I was more composed than yesterday.

But that didn’t mean it was something commendable.

Even though I had accepted the truth, I was still too much of a coward to confess it to anyone. Instead, I was the kind of person who would rather resolve everything before my sins were exposed.

That’s why—

“I see… Clay, you really are strong.”

That’s why, please don’t look at me with those eyes, as if I am someone noble, kind, and just.

“…That’s not true at all.”

Swallowing down the weakness that almost spilled out, I turned my gaze back to the window as if escaping. The guilt inside me surged again, making my chest tighten, and the nausea I had barely suppressed threatened to rise once more. But I had no choice but to endure.

──── Someone like you has no right.

I had no right to complain, no right to seek comfort. I could never allow myself such arrogance.

“Tch…”

Grinding my teeth, I cut off the conversation. His Highness, however, seemed unconcerned by my sudden silence, quietly closing his eyes and drifting into slumber.

The carriage continued racing through the mountainous terrain. If things proceeded as expected, we would arrive at the royal capital by noon.