Eliminating Fafnir had not taken much effort. The cultists of the Dragon Cult were weak and easily crushed, and as for Fafnir, sealed inside a crystal, its cries for help went unanswered. Though Guleya could not absorb it (otherwise Duanmu Huai would have had her do it back when he killed Fafnir the first time), Duanmu Huai had another way to deal with it.
He only needed to call upon the Angel of Clear Sky.
Sahariel did not refuse—after all, this was precisely why she had come.
With a final scream, Fafnir's essence was obliterated beneath the angel's starlight barrage. The evil dragon was gone for good, never again to stir up storms.
With Fafnir's end, the girls finally breathed a sigh of relief. After wiping out the Dragon Cult, they returned to an inn in the city to rest properly.
Seizing the chance, Anne ran up to Guleya and grabbed her arm.
"Guleya, how do you feel?"
"What do you mean, how do I feel?"
Perplexed by Anne's sudden question, Guleya tilted her head. Anne pouted, glancing at Duanmu Huai chatting with Olgis.
"I mean Sir Knight. You've been together so long now. Any thoughts?"
At Anne's "hint," Guleya's face flushed crimson. She quickly countered with her own question.
"Then what about you, Anne?"
"Me? I think Sir Knight is wonderful! Sure, he looks scary, but he makes you feel safe. No matter what happens, he's always the first to step forward, and he never forgets to care about you. I think he's great… oh, and his armor is cute too!"
By the end, Anne couldn't help but giggle.
Guleya silently agreed with her assessment. In the time she had spent with Duanmu Huai, she realized he wasn't gentle or sweet-talking like the handsome princes in girls' fantasies.
But he wasn't careless either. He looked after her, though without words.
For example, if she was thirsty, he wouldn't ask if she wanted water—he would simply set a cup before her as if it were the most natural thing.
She had also seen how he treated Bambi. If she ever had children of her own, she could easily imagine Sir Knight caring for them in the same way… What am I thinking?!
Her cheeks flared red and she shook her head hard.
Although Duanmu Huai was indeed admirable…
"I… I'm just a little afraid…"
"Afraid?"
"Yes. Sir Knight…"
Guleya's eyes flicked toward him nervously before she whispered to Anne.
"He seems to care more about humans… and that scares me…"
Indeed, she harbored unease. She had seen with her own eyes how Duanmu Huai struck at the Thalmor Elves. Though they were in the wrong, his ruthless, unflinching attitude toward other races unsettled her deeply.
Anne, as a human princess, might not see any problem. But Guleya, as a dragonkin, was sensitive. To her, Duanmu Huai's stance—putting humanity first, striking mercilessly at other races—was hard to accept.
"I see… but doesn't he only target those unfriendly to humans?"
"That's true, but still…"
Guleya sighed. As Anne said, Duanmu Huai's enemies were all hostile to humanity. But that meant any race threatening humans would become his target.
And what about the dragons of Regnis?
She recalled their earlier conversation, when Duanmu Huai had plainly declared he would never allow Regnis to endanger mankind.
But even she and her father could not control every dragon. Especially the conservatives—someday they might attempt to reclaim dominion.
In that case…
"I understand, Anne."
Guleya steadied herself and met her friend's gaze.
"I've decided. I will marry Sir Knight. I will become his wife. I will be a good wife."
"Uh… what…?"
Anne froze. She had only wanted to chat about her friend's feelings, yet in just a few sentences, Guleya had already resolved to marry him? And she didn't even look particularly shy or delighted?
Why?!
Anne's head filled with question marks.
But Guleya's resolve had nothing to do with girlish romance. It was a calculation. If she married Duanmu Huai, then should Regnis's dragons one day stir trouble, perhaps he would spare them for her sake—rather than exterminate them like he intended with the Thalmor.
Anne, of course, had no idea of her friend's reasoning. She only watched in confusion.
Could it be… something already happened between them? Sir Knight wouldn't have forced himself on her…? No, impossible. Guleya's strong. No ordinary man could overpower her…
But looking at Duanmu Huai's towering two-meter-five frame, Anne wasn't so sure.
Most men couldn't overpower Guleya. But could Duanmu Huai…?
No way… right?
"All right."
While Anne's thoughts ran wild, Duanmu Huai's voice broke in. He clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"Next, I have something very important to say."
"What is it?"
The group gathered around, curious. They were in a private inn Duanmu Huai had rented out, so no outsiders would intrude. The plan had been to celebrate Fafnir's defeat, but it seemed he had something else in mind.
"Our mission here is basically complete."
He waited for them to settle before continuing.
"But I still have two matters to handle. One, I can manage myself. For the other, I'll need your help—if you're willing."
One matter was the Thalmor, something he could handle alone.
The other…
"I intend to kill a Daedric Prince."
His words dropped like a hammer. The room fell silent.
The girls had been on this continent long enough to understand what a Daedric Prince was. Not one of the Nine Holy Spirits, but close in power, worshiped by many cults. And Duanmu Huai was saying he meant to kill one?
"Wha… why, Sir Knight??"
Lorena was the first to ask, bewildered. As a priestess, she knew well that some Daedra were benevolent while others were cruel. But Duanmu Huai had no quarrel with them—why target one?
"Bambi…"
Duanmu Huai beckoned. The girl bounded over like a kitten, leaping into his arms. He stroked her head gently.
"You all know her story by now."
"…"
The girls nodded. Through telepathy, Duanmu Huai had already shared Bambi's past with them.
"In truth, the one who incited the attack on the Vampire Kingdom was Molag Bal. What's more, I've learned that the souls of those vampires are now imprisoned in his Oblivion realm!"
"Eh?!"
Bambi's eyes widened in shock. She stared up at him, trembling.
"Is that true, Master?!"
"I'm certain. He told me himself."
Duanmu Huai nodded firmly. His expression grew grim.
"So I plan to invade Molag Bal's realm, kill the bastard, and free the enslaved souls. To avenge Bambi. What do you think?"
The girls fell silent, deep in thought. At last, Lorena spoke.
"Molag Bal… the Soul Harvester… I recall he is one of the Four Corners of Calamity. A brutal Daedra. To fight such an enemy… is my duty as well."
"Oblivion, huh… I've never been there. Is it really like hell?"
Anne blinked curiously. Duanmu Huai nodded.
"Yes. We missed the chance last time. Want to come along now?"
"Of course! Definitely!"
Anne shot her hand up excitedly. She had wanted to accompany him to Hell during his class advancement quest, but he had needed to go alone. Now that there was an opportunity, she wouldn't miss it.
"But… only the few of us, going into a Daedric Prince's realm to fight? Isn't that far too dangerous?"
Guleya voiced her concern.
"Of course it won't be just us. I'll bring the entire Night Watch, and I'll also recruit some Guardians."
He's going that far?!
The girls were stunned. They had thought he might take only a small squad to strike swiftly. Instead, he planned a full-on assault!
Naturally, Duanmu Huai had his reasons. Avenging Bambi was one, but he also needed to train his troops. As an Inquisitor, he would one day have to fight Chaos Gods in the Warp. He couldn't go alone to die. Better to use this Daedra as practice, to let his soldiers gain experience.
"I see."
Unexpectedly, Sahariel, who had been silent until now, spoke.
"I will also return to Heaven and bring a host to join the battle."
"Oh?"
Duanmu Huai's eyes lit up.
That… was better than he could have hoped.
(End of Chapter)