I leapt down into the arena and ran straight toward Asella.
The massive black dragon covering the arena created sandstorms with a single flap of its wings.
'One of the Four Heavenly Kings, Dragon Wilhelm.'
Even though it was a dragon, there was no way I could mistake a face I'd seen hundreds of times.
An enemy I'd fought countless times.
It wasn't wearing adamantium armor, and it was smaller than the form I knew.
It was still in its growth phase, before becoming one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
'Why has this creature suddenly appeared?'
I could guess.
The recall magic Asella had just cast.
It's magic that can bring other creatures to the caster's side.
Even ten years later, only Asella could use this magic.
She probably summoned the Dragon Corps by continuing to develop and elevate the recall spell.
'Someone who witnessed Asella's magic just now imitated and cast it.'
A magician who could understand a new spell at first glance and use it with even greater power than Asella.
Since Seymour hadn't come to the tournament, there was only one culprit.
'Empress Camilla.'
I'd have to question her later about what she was thinking with this stunt.
'Asella once told me about Wilhelm.'
—"Next is dragon subjugation, I see. About ten years ago, I competed with that black lizard. Had I known it would become a high-ranking officer in the Demon King's army, I would have made sure to end its life then and there."
—"Well, you have the Hero, so you should be able to easily subjugate a monster of that level, right?"
Easy to say, but I remember being wiped out by Wilhelm at least five times.
This was the moment of competition Asella had mentioned.
And I could clearly see that her words had been mere bravado.
Asella's appearance from a distance was quite different from the description of her ten years later, boasting of her might and telling tales of her exploits.
Crouched legs, both hands gripping her staff tightly, teeth clenched as if about to break.
Her muscles, frozen in terror, refused to move.
Her unconscious mind had created an awkward posture, hunching her upper body and protecting her abdomen.
It was an instinctive position taken due to the considerable pain she felt in her stomach.
'End its life? You were lucky to survive.'
[No. 101: Mana Overload 4% → 71%]
[Fluctuating]
The probability of the mana overload ending caused by Asella's death was increasing exponentially.
It was clear that the dragon was currently posing a grave threat to Asella's life.
'I can't just watch.'
If she dies before I can treat her condition, her mana will go berserk. The explosion would be powerful enough to easily destroy the entire arena.
I certainly wouldn't escape unharmed either.
So this was purely self-defense.
I wasn't offering cheap sympathy like, "Let me help Asella who's trembling alone before this threatening dragon."
Even if all her imperial relatives were busy protecting themselves and abandoning Asella, it was none of my business.
After all, she was the woman who had killed me countless times.
If anyone deserved sympathy, it was me.
With my limited combat abilities, I had no means to directly defeat the dragon.
'Still, well.'
It's a physician's duty to look after their patient.
Since my regression, I had received considerable support from Asella.
Thanks to becoming the imperial physician, I'd enjoyed various privileges that made my medical work easier.
So for now...
No, until our contract ends, I should assist Asella as much as possible.
It's payment for what I've received.
"Your Highness!"
I called out as I nearly reached her, but she didn't seem to hear my voice.
She was extremely tense. A kind of panic state.
In times like this, external stimulation is needed.
Slapping her cheek would be most effective, but I couldn't bring myself to do that, so I grabbed her wrist and pulled her.
"Princess."
Only then did Asella look up at me.
Golden mana swirled in her eyes.
"Lars."
"Yes, it's me."
"...What are you doing here?"
Her voice was thick with confusion.
"I told you to take this when you're in pain."
I took out a medicine bottle from my chest and rattled it, picking out a painkiller.
"...No. It's bitter."
"Listen to your physician."
I brought the painkiller near Asella's mouth.
I could tell from my fingers—her breathing was rough and hot.
She was struggling much more than I had expected.
I was prepared to force it in if she refused.
But Asella accepted the medicine I placed between her lips without much resistance.
She swallowed the painkiller with a dry gulp.
"...Phew."
Her breathing gradually stabilized.
I dabbed the beads of sweat on her forehead with my handkerchief.
"Feeling a bit better?"
"...My head feels foggy."
"It's partly the painkiller's effect, and partly because your mana is depleted. I happen to have a mana replenishment potion. It's single-use, but it should allow you to use that recall spell about three more times."
I took out an injectable potion from my chest.
Asella seemed dazed and didn't recognize the syringe, instead asking an irrelevant question.
"...You saw my magic?"
"Of course. I watched clearly from the stands."
"How was it?"
"Elegant, powerful, and magnificent."
"...Right?"
Asella smiled vacantly with eyes that looked ready to fall asleep at any moment.
"A bit disappointing as a final spell, though."
"Final? What do you mean?"
—CRASH!
A black sphere exploded in the audience stands. It was the dragon's attack.
Knights caught in the curse were sent flying through the air.
Some impatient ones had thrown spears at the dragon to draw its attention and paid the price.
The dragon turned its gaze toward us, its eyes gleaming.
It seemed particularly interested in Asella.
"Look at that dragon. Soon it will unleash massive curses on everyone here. You're unlucky too, Lars."
I smiled slightly and grabbed Asella's shoulders from behind.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
I gently pushed her forward, positioning her squarely facing the dragon.
"Your ice magic simply had poor compatibility. Dragon Wilhelm's weakness isn't that difficult to exploit."
While speaking, I secretly injected the mana potion into her neck.
"Ouch, that stings."
"You're ready to fight now."
Asella's eyes widened.
"Fight? You want me to defeat that thing?"
"Of course."
I answered confidently.
"Aren't you the greatest magician here, Your Highness?"
You need to defeat it for all of us to survive.
Show me what you can do, Asella.
***
After the magic demonstration, the first emotion that invaded Asella's mind was confusion.
Her head was a jumble of countless questions.
Why wasn't my magic acknowledged?
What am I to the imperial family?
Has Mother truly given up on me?
Will everything improve if I become Emperor?
...But above all, what puzzled her most was:
Why is Lars here?
Actually, thinking about it, the answer was obvious.
Lars had always been by Asella's side.
Ever since they first met in that flower garden blooming with yellow roses.
Was it because he was her betrothed, or because he was her physician?
Every morning when Asella woke up, she would see Lars.
Every night before sleeping, she would see Lars.
And now, too.
'...Why are you always...'
By my side at times like this?
She couldn't bring herself to demand an answer.
If she did, and his actions—whose intentions she could never quite read—were to change...
Somehow feeling that her relationship with Lars might be altered, Asella held back her question.
All her other subordinates were clear and easy to read.
Loyalty was followed by sweet rewards.
In this era, no one upheld honor without material compensation.
Servants followed regulations to gain belonging and stability.
Knights gained position and power as confidants of the future Emperor.
But Lars was different.
He seemed to offer loyalty to Asella while prioritizing himself, and while appearing absolutely obedient, he frequently irritated her.
He was good at flattery but wouldn't offer it unless instructed. At this point, it was like demanding prostration.
She didn't think he was hanging around her for the benefits—money or power—that might naturally come from her being a princess.
Then was he just a good-for-nothing rascal trying to exploit their betrothal?
If that were the case, it would have been easier.
She could have confined the stupid husband to the inner chambers while freely moving through social circles herself.
But he was far from being a layabout; he was always diligent. Almost daily, he would create something new with his medical knowledge and propose manuals.
What exactly was this man's purpose?
That was why Asella first became interested in Lars.
It was the first time she couldn't read someone's true intentions toward her.
His decent impression, contrary to rumors, made his true intentions even more inscrutable.
So if she asked the wrong question now.
For instance, why did you come here to die?
Why go to such lengths?
...Are you on my side?
If she carelessly asked, the delicate balance they had maintained might collapse.
Asella discovered that she had somehow become afraid of that.
Due to her inexperience, she didn't understand what she feared or why.
But contradictorily, because of that fear.
'I can fight.'
Before the dragon preparing its curse with ominous black energy, she could grip her staff.
Her mind was foggy from the medicine.
But Lars's voice seeping into her ears was clearer than ever.
"Are you in much pain?"
Asella shook her head.
It was pain that no healer had been able to cure.
Lars had made it disappear with just a tiny pill.
If this wasn't magic, what was?
His voice reached the furthest corners of her mind.
"Princess, listen carefully. Elemental magic has no effect on shadow dragons. Even among dragons, shadow dragons are a different type. They have extremely high elemental immunity and resistance."
Lars was spouting terms she'd never heard before.
"Other attribute magics will be more effective. Light attributes would be even better. It's still young. You can definitely subjugate it."
"With my magic, that dragon?"
"Of course."
Lars answered with a face full of conviction.
...Why?
Asella had lived her entire life as a princess, aware of everything around her without missing a second.
But in that moment, all she could see was Lars's face.
The face of her physician who believed in her without a shred of doubt.
"Phew."
Asella steadied her breathing.
Four golden magic circles appeared.
Penetrating to become one.
Rotating and glowing.
As she calmly chanted:
"Recall."
—FLASH!!
One of the dragon's massive wings suddenly disappeared,
—THUD!!
And fell behind the two of them.
The wingless dragon crashed simultaneously