I'm sorry for the delay. Thank you to everyone who waited.
I spent some time writing the novella for the book version (it's finished now).
On June 15th (Saturday), it will be published by Earth Star Novels.
Thank you so much to everyone who has read it, bookmarked it, left comments, evaluations, pointed out typos, written reviews, and created fan art!
Zabiria has disappeared...
Thinking that she really left, I gaze blankly at the northern sky where Zabiria vanished.
However, it seems I'm not the only one; the knights around me also look dazed, as if they're half in a dream.
"Oh, is it a day of dazedness today?" I think to myself, my mind not fully working, when the Sixth Knight Captain Zachary, who was the first to snap out of it, raises his voice.
"Get a grip, all of you!"
...As expected of a captain. He recovers quickly and is already concerned about his dazed subordinates, addressing them.
Impressed, I look at him, and Captain Zachary, surveying everyone, continues in a clear voice.
"You seem to be in a state of confusion after witnessing the terror of the Black Dragon King! Understand? Most of what you think you saw and heard is a hallucination caused by fear!"
...Huh? What is Captain Zachary saying?
I look at him suspiciously, confused by his incomprehensible words just after I was impressed.
Hmm? Could it be that Captain Zachary is the one who is confused and saying strange things?
However, Captain Zachary, who is in my line of sight, looks serious and returns my gaze as if checking if I'm okay.
"Especially you, Fia! You might think you're fine, but you're completely confused!"
"Eh?! Me?"
I ask in surprise, suddenly called out by name.
...Eh? I'm confused? I didn't think there was anything wrong with me, but am I in a state of confusion?
No, that can't be, right? I send a smile to the other knights, seeking their agreement, but those whose eyes meet mine all nod solemnly.
"Yeah, Fia! You're confused... I want to think so."
"Yeah, Fia, I don't want to think you're normal."
The last part of what the knights said was in a low voice, so I couldn't hear it clearly, but they were ultimately affirming Captain Zachary's words.
"Huh? So, I'm really in an abnormal state?!"
I ask in a high-pitched voice, genuinely surprised by the knights' words.
Eh? Am I really abnormal? ...How can I return to my normal state?!
I look at Captain Zachary, but he is already addressing the knights.
"Everyone! I'll help you distinguish between reality and hallucinations later, so don't talk about anything you think you saw or heard until then, got it?!"
"Understood!!"
All the knights except me respond in unison.
...Ah, what? Only I'm lagging behind? Am I really in an abnormal state?!
...What should I do?
In contrast to my pale face, Captain Zachary looks at the knights with satisfaction, then tightens his expression and starts giving orders.
"Alright! Three of you on the right, go search for the Holy Maiden who fled into the forest! Half of the remaining knights, join me to meet up with the Zachary team, and the other half, join Quentin to meet up with the Gideon team! Both teams are likely in battle with monsters, so be careful!!"
Captain Zachary gives me a short order to "follow me!" and heads east, where the rest of his subordinates are.
Despite being concerned about my abnormal state, after running behind Captain Zachary for a few minutes, I meet up with the Zachary team's knights at the place we parted earlier.
From a distance, there are no monsters in sight, and the knights are standing scattered, staring blankly at the sky.
...Ah, what? I saw this scene earlier?
Is it really a day of dazedness today?
As I think this, the acting captain, who has noticed Captain Zachary, approaches quickly.
"Captain Zachary! Thank you for coming to our rescue!"
"Yeah, I intended to, but... it seems I arrived after the fact."
While saying this, Captain Zachary looks around.
"Is everyone alright?"
"Yes, there are some injured, but everyone is safe!"
Hearing this, Captain Zachary lets out a small sigh of relief.
"Where are the monsters? There don't seem to be enough bodies..."
Looking around, there is only one Flowerhorn Deer corpse, and no other monsters are in sight.
"A while ago, the Black Dragon King appeared in the western sky! ...The overwhelming presence made us and the monsters stop fighting and watch the aerial battle. ...When the Blue Dragon was defeated, the monsters fled into the depths of the forest."
"Ah... Since the battle was in the sky, it was visible from here. If you saw that, it's understandable that you fled."
Captain Zachary mutters, and the acting captain looks at him with a start.
"Captain Zachary, you're safe! When I saw the Blue Dragon rise in the sky, I was worried that you would have to face two such vicious monsters!!"
"Yeah..."
"Then, the Black Dragon King appeared in the sky... Ah, right! Captain Zachary, you faced the Black Dragon King, didn't you?! Up close! ...You're really safe!!"
The acting captain, looking happy, takes Captain Zachary's hands and shakes them up and down.
Holding Captain Zachary's hands, the acting captain starts to tremble.
"That was the 'Black Terror' itself. Overwhelming, complete monster power. When I saw the Black Dragon King defeat the Blue Dragon, I could only see a future where we were all wiped out... We could only stand there, staring blankly at the Black Dragon King. But the Black Dragon King didn't even look at us and flew north. In a way, we were spared by the Black Dragon King's whim..."
"...Yeah, that's right."
Captain Zachary agrees with the acting captain's words and then regains his composure.
"Listen well! Since the Black Dragon was so active, the monsters probably won't approach for a while, but we can't predict their movements today. We don't know what will happen, so get out of the forest as quickly as possible. Also, this battle, including the Black Dragon, is confidential. Until I give the order, impose a gag order on everyone. Got it?"
"Understood!"
Nodding, the subordinate turns to leave, and Captain Zachary starts moving further east.
"Since the Black Dragon was so active, the monsters facing the Gideon team probably fled as well."
Indeed, before joining the Gideon team, he encounters Captain Quentin and his team returning.
"Zachary! The Gideon team is all safe. The monsters fled on their own before the noble presence of the Black Dragon King. Just by appearing from a distance, the Black Dragon King scattered the monsters. Truly, the Black Dragon King is amazing!!"
"......Yeah"
Captain Zachary shows a momentarily exasperated expression but accepts it without denying it.
Indeed, Captain Zachary! Your depth of character is number one!
"Alright, let's get out of the forest!"
After raising his voice powerfully, Captain Zachary slumps his broad shoulders and sighs deeply.
"Ah, I came prepared to camp for a week, but we didn't even stay for an hour... It's worse than a picnic."
After about ten minutes, we reach the entrance of the forest.
"Alright, split up by team and have lunch! After lunch, I have something to say to each team!"
Captain Zachary gives a loud order, and the knights start moving.
I walk towards the Zachary team to help, but Captain Zachary grabs me by the collar.
Surprised, I turn to him, and he shows a twisted smile.
"You're coming with me. Quentin and I will have lunch with you."
"Huh?"
...Ah, what? Something black is coming out of Captain Zachary.
"Hey, something ominous is coming out of the fair and just Captain Zachary. Having lunch with two captains is too much for me. Hey, let go. Please let me off. I have something I want to think about quietly."
I want to think about things like when Zabiria will return.
However, hearing my words, Captain Zachary nods with a fake serious face.
"I see, I'm a captain, after all. I've lived longer and have more experience. Come on, tell me about your troubles."
Saying this, he drags me along.
"Hey, that's forceful, Captain Zachary..."
On the way, I meet a few knights' eyes and look at them with a plea for help, but they all just smile and wave back.
"Damn... these people in a hierarchical society."
I am dragged to a distant place and made to sit on the ground with Captain Quentin.
"Alright, Fia, Quentin, you two definitely have something to tell me! I'll listen as much as you want, so speak up!!"
Captain Zachary sits down heavily, crosses his arms, and looks at me and Captain Quentin alternately.
Glancing at him, he has a hard, determined expression, like a rock.
...Ah, I know this atmosphere! It feels like an interrogation is about to start.
So, Captain Zachary is the interrogator.
My only ally is Captain Quentin...
Yes, in terms of numbers, it's 2 to 1, a clear advantage.
But why?
I can only see a future of complete defeat...
I've posted character sketches for the book version on my activity report.