"Mm, Melusine is wonderful—thank you for taking such good care of me."
As the warm milk flowed from his lips down into his body, Novia immediately felt his earlier weakness lighten.
It was, truth be told, still the same old problem: with the world's Mystery far thinner than it had been a thousand years ago, his soul needed time to adjust to the rules of the present age. The sensation was akin to one who once lived in luxury now forced to live frugally.
"Heh, of course! I am the strongest, after all—and I'll only ever give you the strongest service."
Holding the now-empty glass of milk in one hand, Melusine wiped the sweat from Novia's forehead with the other before asking brightly:
"Want me to feed you again later?"
"That won't be necessary. I can still get up on my own. Also… could you get off me first?"
"Uwahh, Novia, you're so cold! To give me such a heartless answer..."
Even so, the silver-haired girl pouted, then shifted to the side and sat up.
"…How long was I asleep?"
"About a day. To be precise, twenty hours and thirty-seven minutes. Of which, I held you in my arms for exactly twelve hours, forty-eight minutes, and twenty-seven seconds."
Catching a glimpse of Melusine—naked, like himself—Novia couldn't help but laugh as he dressed.
"There was no need to strip completely, was there—?"
"Of course there was! Being pressed close together feels so good. Every point of contact is silky, like the thinnest silk threads… as if I could just melt away…" The silver-haired girl beamed at him. "Besides, Novia, you're mine. So no matter what we do, it's fine. Even if someday you come to me weak and broken, I'll throw all doors and windows wide open, stretch out my arms, and welcome you gently… comfort you tenderly…"
She gazed at him as though lost in a sweet daydream, then broke into a dazzling smile.
"Because I'm going to become the most important one in your heart—until you're completely, hopelessly in love with me!"
Novia stared at her, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Well? How's that, Novia? Did my new confession leave you dumbstruck—shaken to your core?"
Melusine peeked up at him from below, teasing. At that, the corners of Novia's lips curved into a smile.
His eyes—clear as spring water, radiant as a flower in bloom—shone with gentle warmth, filling Melusine's chest with a soft, blissful heat.
"How could it? I don't think I'm someone who wavers so easily."
"Then I'll just keep trying!"
The naked dragon-girl puffed out her chest in declaration. Then Novia suddenly reached out his hand.
Eh? Already? Are we starting now?
But as she thought so, Melusine realized—his gaze held only a quiet, gentle light.
"Put on your clothes first. I need to go somewhere—to find someone."
"…Then since I was the one who undressed, you should be the one to dress me again."
She set her chin on his shoulder, her voice damp and sulky.
And as she wished, Novia carefully dressed her.
"…You're still not fully recovered. Maybe you should rest a little longer?"
Melusine puffed her cheeks in mild frustration. This was nice, yes, but far from what she had originally envisioned.
"This is something best done quickly. There's no point in delay."
"…Fine. So, Novia, who are you going to see this time?"
"You should know her. Typhon."
Novia nibbled at his own breakfast, then fed the rest directly to Melusine as she lounged in his arms.
Ever since awakening, he had been thinking about when to seek out Altrouge and Typhon. After all, both were still alive.
Right now, he guessed Altrouge hadn't fought her great battle with White Princess in the 12th century yet—and therefore hadn't been gravely wounded, nor forced to retreat to the Far East's Demon City. Perhaps he'd stop by Monaco later and ask Van-Fem about her whereabouts…
As for Typhon, the one Meltryllis had led away—though she had once yearned to soar the heavens, she was probably still at Mount Etna. And Attila, of course, remained upon the Moon.
Of all those he knew, the only one whose whereabouts were truly unknown… was Nero.
But no matter what, he had promised. And promises must be fulfilled. There could be no delay.
"…Huh?"
The silver-haired girl froze at the sound of that familiar yet foreign name.
"Typhon? The Greek one?"
"Yes. The Primordial Dragon of Greece herself."
"No, no, no! That idiot? Talkative to the point of death, and—"
"But I promised her I'd take responsibility."
"I don't care! No! Absolutely not! You only need one dragon—and that's me! You can have other girls if you want, fine—but as for dragons, I'm the only one allowed!"
Clinging to his back, Melusine shook her head like a stubborn child.
"But Typhon, like you, has waited a very long time for me. And I care for her as well."
Novia stroked her gently, speaking in a soothing voice.
"Ugh… but, but…!" Melusine faltered. "Liking someone… it's not that simple, is it? There are so many kinds of love! The affection of friends, the warmth of family, the passion of destined lovers… You can't lump them all together. Especially for me—the strongest dragon, the only one of my kind—when it comes to love for life, I have to be careful."
"It's the same kind of love I feel for you. …Now, I need to go, Melusine. Let go."
"Uuugh… damn it, Novia, you had to say that… Now my heart hurts, and I can't let go."
"…Then I'm sorry."
"…Do you really feel sorry?"
"…I suppose I do."
The silver-haired girl suddenly leapt down, cupped his face in her hand, and smiled.
"Then you owe me one full day. All to myself. If you promise me that, I'll forgive you."
"…So that's what you were aiming for all along."
"Doesn't matter. You've already agreed! Now then—you're going to see Typhon, right? I'm coming too."
Her smile bloomed like a flower, and as she grasped his hand, it grew even brighter. Together, they stepped out into the world.
"It's Manaka. Melusine and I have something to do outside. We'll be back later."
Novia called out when he noticed the golden-haired girl lounging on the sofa with a phone pressed to her ear.
Manaka Sajo opened her mouth to respond—but the two were already gone through the door.
"…Come back soon."
Smiling faintly, she said it to the empty room. Then, almost in a panic, she scrambled back to her phone.
"Waaah! Ayaka, Ayaka—it's terrible! Your big sister just met a Minotaur-dragon!!"