Chapter 69

After finishing the dungeon raid, Ariel set off on another adventure.

The next destination was still undecided, so she decided to have a meal first.

There happened to be a lake nearby, and since Ariel liked eating by the lakeside, she headed straight there.

Shortly after, Ariel arrived at the lakeside and sat on a rock that looked suitably wide and flat.

Ghost and Black Wolf wagged their tails as they approached Ariel, and Roo also crept out from inside Ariel’s hat.

“Big sis, it seems Ghost and Black Wolf got close while we were in the dungeon. More than expected.”

What Roo meant by “more than expected” was that they had become lovers. Ghost was female, and Black Wolf was male.

It was only natural for romantic feelings to blossom between a male and female.

The way the two wolves looked at each other had grown more intense, and a perceptive fairy like Roo couldn’t have missed it.

However, Ariel was completely oblivious.

She was just happy that Ghost had made a friend.

“Anyway, shouldn’t we give Black Wolf a name soon? It seems like we’ll be traveling together from now on.”

At Roo’s words, Ariel nodded.

In fact, she had already come up with a name the moment she first saw him.

Pointing at Black Wolf, Ariel said:

“Black.”

“……”

Roo gave an awkward smile, and Black Wolf, now Black, also looked somewhat flustered.

After a brief silence, Roo spoke up.

“Um… that’s a very intuitive name, Black.”

Ariel nodded with a smile. It seemed she had done a pretty good job naming him.

Ghost and Black.

An adventure with two wolves.

“……”

Anyway, it was time to eat.

Ariel pulled out a bunch of raw meat from her inventory and gave it to Ghost and Black, while handing Roo some potato stew and fruit wine.

As for herself, Ariel ate rye bread and drank milk.

A peaceful meal by the quiet lakeside.

Ariel enjoyed this time.

While exciting experiences through adventures were great, these quiet moments were also a happiness she couldn’t miss.

After finishing the meal, Roo fell asleep, drunk on fruit wine, while Ghost and Black, sensing Ariel’s mood, quietly disappeared into the bushes.

Ariel approached the lake and quietly gazed at the water’s surface. She had suddenly become curious while eating.

Could she use Telekinesis Magic underwater?

It seemed entirely possible to lift a swimming fish out of the water with telekinesis.

But what if Ariel moved through the water using telekinesis without swimming?

It seemed like the water’s resistance might make it difficult, but there was no way to know without trying.

Ariel took a step forward to enter the water. Just then, a voice called out from beside her.

“Oh ho, a beautiful elf lady.”

Ariel turned her head to look at the speaker.

Smooth hair and snake-like skin.

A lizardman was approaching Ariel.

*

“My name is Draco.”

The lizardman introduced himself abruptly. Then he asked for Ariel’s name.

“If it’s not too rude, may I know your name as well?”

“Ariel.”

“Ariel… a name as beautiful as your appearance. I’ll remember it.”

Draco smiled softly and adjusted his attire.

For some reason, he was dressed like a noble, though to Ariel, it didn’t suit him at all.

If he was a lizardman, he should be shirtless, wearing only pants, and carrying something like a trident.

“…The lake is always so beautiful.”

Draco gazed at the lake with a distant expression.

“Though of course, it pales in comparison to your beauty. Hahaha.”

“……”

Ariel ignored Draco’s words and turned her gaze back to the lake.

She continued her earlier train of thought.

If she could use telekinesis underwater, could she move like a submarine…?

Meanwhile, while Ariel was lost in thought, Draco was also lost in his own thoughts.

Draco was from the nearby Lizardman Kingdom.

In fact, he was a prince.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would soon become king and lead the Lizardman Kingdom.

Of course, he would also need a queen. There was already a chosen candidate.

The daughter of the kingdom’s greatest general.

She would become Draco’s queen.

But Draco wasn’t pleased. He didn’t want to marry the general’s daughter.

Not that she was lacking.

She was considered a beauty among lizardmen and was highly skilled in martial arts.

Any other lizardman would consider her the ideal bride.

‘But not me…’

Draco didn’t want her.

No, more accurately, Draco didn’t want a marriage based solely on him being a prince and her being a general’s daughter.

What Draco wanted was a marriage born out of thrilling love.

Of course, Draco had tried.

At first, he tried to love her.

But he failed.

Being with her didn’t make his heart race, nor did it make him happy.

She felt the same. She didn’t love Draco and didn’t want this marriage.

Yet, Draco and she would still marry.

Because the king had decreed it. The king’s word was absolute.

There was only one way to change this situation.

Draco had to find another marriage partner.

If Draco found someone he loved and who was suitable to be queen, the king might change his mind.

So Draco left the kingdom.

To find a bride.

And now, he had found the perfect candidate.

Ariel.

Her appearance perfectly matched Draco’s taste.

Her shimmering silver hair and deep red eyes.

Truly, she was as beautiful as an elf should be.

Draco felt he had finally met someone who made his heart race. He wanted to make Ariel his queen no matter what.

Above all, the fact that she was an elf was appealing.

Elves were a noble race, as beautiful as they were proud.

Having an elf as his bride would make Draco the envy of all lizardmen.

The king would surely be delighted.

‘Hmm, but what about children? Would they be hybrids?’

A hybrid between a lizardman and an elf.

He had never heard of such a thing.

But it wouldn’t be a problem.

Draco and Ariel would just be the first.

A love that transcended species.

That was what Draco had always dreamed of, and now it was finally within reach.

All he had to do was reach out and take it.

Draco carefully took out a ring he had kept in his pocket.

It was a ring woven from grass. A small flower was attached in the center.

Though it wasn’t adorned with sparkling gems, this was far more romantic. At least, that’s what Draco thought.

‘After all, elves are a race without greed, who love nature…’

Draco gently caressed the grass ring and looked up at Ariel.

Ariel was still gazing at the lake. Her beautiful profile made Draco’s cheeks flush.

“Um, excuse me…”

Draco awkwardly spoke up.

Ariel turned her head to look at Draco.

“W-we may have just met, but…”

Draco knelt on one knee.

“W-will you accept this ring…?”

His voice trembled as if there was an earthquake.

This wasn’t the proposal Draco had imagined.

It was supposed to be much more romantic and impressive.

He had even practiced alone a few times and felt confident.

But when the moment came, Draco couldn’t do it gracefully.

Just meeting Ariel’s gaze made him tremble as if he would stop breathing.

“……”

Ariel quietly looked at the grass ring Draco offered.

Her expression was blank.

Draco felt desperate, almost pleading.

‘Please, please accept it!’

But he didn’t voice those thoughts.

After all, Draco was a prince and a gentleman.

Ariel slowly reached out and took the ring.

“!!”

At that moment, fireworks exploded in Draco’s mind.

‘F-finally… I’ve found my beloved bride… and such a beautiful elf at that!’

Ariel smiled faintly as she tried the grass ring on her finger.

Draco felt like he was dreaming. It was hard to believe this was real.

“Huff, huff, huff.”

His breathing even became labored. Draco struggled to catch his breath as he stood up.

“W-well then, we should enter the water now…”

There were two ways for a lizardman to propose.

The first was to offer a ring, like other species.

The second was to enter the water and share their love.

“W-would you enter the water with me now…?”

At Draco’s question, Ariel immediately nodded.

“Sure.”

“!!”

Draco’s eyes widened, and he took a deep breath. If he didn’t, his heart might burst.

“Huff, huff! Huff…!”

Seeing Draco like this, Ariel tilted her head.

She wondered if this lizardman was sick somewhere.

“Are you okay?”

Ariel reached out and touched Draco’s forehead.

Due to their height difference, she had to stand on her tiptoes, but she managed to reach.

Draco’s smooth, round forehead was burning hot. His breathing was rough, and his pupils were darting around.

“You have a fever.”

Just as Ariel said that.

Plop.

Draco’s legs gave out, and he collapsed on the spot.