“So, how will I win?”
‘Heh. Indeed… Assassination will be the quickest way.’
“What?”
The dragon raised his face from his bowl in surprise.
“Why are we talking about assassinations all of a sudden!”
‘It cannot be helped. This time, you will really be forced to fight, isolated and without help. The only way to win in such a situation, would be to kill the leader in one strike.’
“The Hero, likely, in the very back of the army. How could I reach?”
‘The best way…would be to use the chaos when they are battling the demons here. Ideally, right when the Hero defeats their leader.’
“Woah…dirty tactics.”
Fi sighed and continued to eat the meat and dumplings. Once he was done, he looked up at the sky with exasperation.
“Since when did gods go around ordering assassinations anyway?”
‘Since I was called evil, since I took lands from a hundred others, as well as those of a fallen plague god. At this point, nothing could tarnish my reputation more.’
“This goddess is shameless…I have no hope for the celestial world.”
The two chuckled. Sheto had been watching, but he now turned serious.
“Salia, did you give blessings, to Fi and Guto?”
‘Aye. That is done. Ah, Fi. You should check it with your ‘App.’”
“Alright. Huh? There’s an update notification.”
The small dragon tapped his device as it beeped.
“A new version of Status Checker, huh… You can see an enemy’s status by taking photos…”
Fi muttered as he brought out a red light into his hand.
“Oh, so this is the break arts. It sure feels strange…”
‘I added defense and break arts blessings to Guto and Fi. I could not do automatic healing yet, but I will deal with it eventually.’
“I see that it’s always activated with Guto. As for me the only one I can control is the break arts.”
‘Well, you would not be able to fight as you are now. It would be best for you to act as a counselor, Fi.’
“…That’s true.”
Fi looked a little disappointed. Sheto laughed and then moved the pot off of the fire and spread out the wood.
“What are you doing?”
“Bathe today. And then sleep. Helps with being tired.”
“Was there a hot spring around here?”
He then put the hot stones into a pot and started to walk.
“Will make now. Follow me.”
They went to a large puddle by the river, and then he threw the rocks inside, causing steam to rise.
“Woah. This kind of bath. But…doesn’t it smell a little strange?”
“Put different herbs inside. To help fatigue, bugs, bruises, palsy and other things.”
There was a bundle of herbs that had sunk to the bottom of the water. It reacted to the heat, the smell spread out in the air. Guto, who was prowling in the area, sneezed with a look of distaste.
“Palsy?”
‘It’s usually referred to as a stroke. That said, it probably has nothing to do with you young one.’
“It’s ready. Get in.”
Fi got into the hot water without hesitation. His face relaxed when he felt the hot water, and he let out a deep sigh.
Sheto then took off his clothes and sank into the water.
He slowly scooped up some of the water and washed his face. The warmth and smell went up his nostrils and seemed to melt inside of his body.
While he had washed up here and there, it had been a long time since he washed his whole body thoroughly.
“Bathing is nice. Fi, take your time.”
“Hey…”
“What? You look strange.”
He noticed that Fi was staring at him. The stone around his neck.
“Interested in the stone? Or the scar?”
“…Both.”
His hand went to his chest. There was a terrible scar there that did not disappear, even with the power of regeneration.
It was the proof of the beginning.
“This, the Hero did it to me. And then, I died once.”
“…You, died?”
‘To be precise, I saved him on the brink of death. Back then, I did not have as much power as I do now. I had to use everything, bet my whole existence on helping him.’
And then he picked up the blue stone attached to the string.
“A memento. Of the one that…I loved. She was supposed to, have.”
“…Memento…”
“One day, when everything is over…will give it to her.”
After the short confession, the young dragon looked down at the water.
“What is it? Fi?”
“I…I…um…”
“It’s fine. I do not, mind.”
Still, the dragon did not raise his head. Sheto lightly hit him on the shoulder.
“!?”
Fi raised his head. He looked both scared and apologetic.
“…Wait a minute.”
He grabbed a bottle and wooden cup that was nearby and poured.
“Here. Want to drink?”
“…What is that?”
“Drink.”
It smelled of sweet wild strawberries. Sheto poured himself a cup.
“Yes. Made well.”
“…You think…I should drink this and forget?”
“Old wounds, old friends…are in the past. You don’t…need to worry.”
The young dragon held the cup and said quietly,
“You…you’re fine with that?”
“…With what?”
“You aren’t…angry? At the Hero…who killed you.”
Fi asked.
Somehow, the Hero who had changed his fate, now seemed so far away.
“…I think…I don’t have that anymore.”
“Why?”
“He…I killed him. He is, no more.”
It was the truth.
After slashing his throat, the Hero had disappeared into light.