Chapter 28: Lucia, Keeping Her Word

The next morning, Lucia was having breakfast while Fratina stood behind her.

Thinking of Dorothy’s odd behavior last night, Fratina’s curiosity lingered.

“Um…”

After hesitating, she spoke.

“Lord Lucia, when I went to bathe last night, did Dorothy say anything to you?”

To avoid being overheard by Dorothy nearby, Fratina kept her voice low.

Lucia paused, glanced at Dorothy, her eyes showing surprise.

Dorothy met her gaze, giving a reassuring look, which eased Lucia’s tension.

It seemed Dorothy hadn’t told Fratina about last night, but the Hero might have picked up on something from Dorothy’s demeanor.

Lucia didn’t answer directly, instead chuckling lightly.

“What, Fratina, are you that curious?”

“Not really.”

Fratina’s reply was insincere, her tone carrying a faint, unnoticed trace of displeasure.

“I’m just Lord Lucia’s servant. Such matters aren’t for a subordinate like me to care about.”

Her words caught Lucia off guard, then sparked joy.

‘Is Fratina starting to care about me?’

“Ahem, no need to call yourself a servant or subordinate anymore.”

Both Dorothy and Fratina were stunned.

Was Lucia planning to dissolve the contract?

As Dorothy looked at her expectantly, Lucia continued, “You’re humanity’s Hero. Calling yourself that outside would be too disrespectful.”

“Let me think… given our relationship, I could call you my steward or knight. Which do you prefer?”

Hearing it was just a change in title, both girls felt a twinge of disappointment.

But Dorothy gave Lucia a meaningful glance.

Last night, she’d asked Lucia to care for Fratina, and today, she was fulfilling that promise in her presence.

Trustworthy… courteous… yet firm in her principles.

This dragon hardly seemed evil; she even carried some Church virtues.

Fratina, considering Lucia’s options, chose “knight.”

Though her tasks were more like a steward’s, she was more accustomed to fighting.

She hoped the “knight” title would reduce her housework, letting her focus on combat.

“Knight, then, Lord Lucia.”

“Alright. From now on, Fratina, you’re my knight.”

Though still master and servant, “knight” sounded far grander than “servant.”

When introducing herself outside, saying she was Lucia’s knight would carry more prestige.

After Lucia and Dorothy finished breakfast, Fratina cleared the table. It was nearly morning.

“Lord Lucia, if we leave this time… will we be gone for a long while?”

“Probably.”

Lucia nodded.

The three reached the cave’s entrance, and Lucia seemed to remember something, calling Dorothy over.

“Dorothy, can you come here?”

Dorothy, standing with Fratina, hurried over.

“What is it, Lady Lucia?”

“No need for ‘Lady.’ Just call me Lucia.”

Lucia pointed to a stone tablet near the cave.

“As the Saintess, you must have plenty of magic, right?”

“Uh… yes, why?”

“Channel magic into that tablet.”

“…”

Dorothy gave Lucia a wary look.

“There’s no trap in it, is there?”

“I guarantee it’s safe.”

Reassured, Dorothy approached the tablet and infused it with magic.

As magic flowed, cracks on the tablet glowed faintly blue.

Moments later, with a loud “boom,” a massive boulder sealed the cave’s entrance.

“Got to keep out reckless thieves who’d sneak in.”

A dragon’s treasure could tempt desperados to risk death.

Though Dorothy planned to station guards in the valley, Lucia sealed the cave for extra security.

“If you ever need help, you can come borrow from here.”

Lucia covered her lack of magic with an excuse.

Dorothy’s eyes sparkled.

Lucia’s gesture was like a tycoon handing her the vault key, saying to take what she needed.

They’d only met yesterday, yet she was this generous?

Dorothy could only think of it as hush money.

She nodded solemnly. “Rest assured, Lucia, I’ll keep your secret.”

Lucia sweated.

Though Dorothy misunderstood, it wasn’t a bad thing.

It dispelled doubts about her strength and strengthened their bond.

Dorothy wasn’t this world’s chosen one, but as the Church’s Saintess, her influence was immense.

If Lucia and Fratina ever parted ways, the Church could offer her protection.

Fratina watched their interaction from afar.

For some reason, seeing her long-time friend and recent superior grow close left a sour taste.

She was supposed to be their link, so why did they bond so quickly in just a day?

Feeling left out, Fratina grew dejected.

But then Dorothy hugged her enthusiastically.

“Hehe, Sister Fratina, let’s go?”

“Dorothy, you’re the Saintess. Mind your behavior…”

“What’s the big deal? I’ll act proper once we’re down the mountain. Indulge me a bit now~”

Dorothy’s warmth melted Fratina’s gloom.

Trailing behind, Lucia watched them, a sudden sense of crisis rising.

‘Wait, I’m Fratina’s master. Why is my knight so close to that Saintess? This won’t do!’