The Smile at Parting

Over the past three days, Daisy followed the female adventurer-explorer Katie across mountains and wilderness, heading toward the nearest human town.

That town was also the base of Katie’s guild—Gran City.

Along the way, Daisy gradually grew familiar with Katie.

They became companions who could chat and laugh easily.

This was Daisy’s first time leaving the cave she had shared with Viola.

It was her first time traveling such a long distance.

Her first time seeing so many different landscapes.

And also the first time she formed a bond with someone other than Viola.

The boots and hat Daisy wore now were given by Katie.

They were spare items from Katie’s own gear.

The boots were meant to help Daisy walk along rough terrain.

Though as a dragon, Daisy’s skin was tough enough that even walking barefoot wouldn’t hurt.

The oversized hat, on the other hand, was meant to cover her dragon horns to avoid trouble when entering Gran City.

“Katie, um…”

After thinking about her relationship with Viola and failing to figure it out, Daisy hesitated before asking another question.

“When Viola killed the people who came with you…”

“Do you… hate her?”

Hearing this, Katie suddenly stopped walking.

She stood still, her back facing Daisy.

“……”

Daisy stood there awkwardly, feeling guilty.

She didn’t know if Katie would blame her for losing her companions.

“It’s okay, Daisy.”

Katie’s voice sounded bright.

She turned around and gave Daisy a completely unshadowed smile.

“This isn’t your fault.”

“And honestly, those guys weren’t really my companions.”

“They were troublemakers in the guild with bad reputations.”

“I didn’t usually associate with them.”

“They probably didn’t have good intentions inviting me along either.”

“And besides…”

“They were the ones who tried to hurt you first.”

“That dragon lady was basically acting in self-defense.”

“But…”

Daisy still felt uneasy.

Before she could say more, Katie reached out and gently patted her head.

“I said it’s fine.”

“If anything, I should thank you.”

“If you hadn’t stepped in back then, I wouldn’t be alive right now.”

“Thank you, kind little Daisy.”

Katie smiled brightly as she lightly patted Daisy’s messy white hair again and again.

Over the past three days, Daisy learned more about Katie through their conversations.

Katie came from a poor family in a small town near Gran City.

Since childhood, she had apprenticed under an old explorer.

She showed some talent in that field and eventually became an adventurer to make a living.

Daisy had heard from Viola that in this world—where gods, demons, and monsters coexisted—humans had a profession called adventurers.

They explored dangerous areas, searched for treasures, and took on missions to hunt or repel monsters.

Most adventurers were people with no other options.

The work was extremely dangerous.

Death was common, and even keeping one’s body intact after dying was rare.

Still, the pay was decent.

Katie used her earnings to support her family.

Recently, however, things had gone badly for her.

Her long-time teammates had all died in a battle with monsters.

At home, her father was seriously ill.

Her younger siblings depended on her.

After borrowing money from the guild, she had nowhere left to turn.

That was why she accepted this suspicious mission to investigate a dragon’s lair.

And so, by accident, she disturbed the peaceful life of Daisy and Viola.

Now she was stuck in a difficult situation, unable to move forward or back.

It wasn’t something she could simply blame fate for.

Under a clear sky, the sun climbed high overhead, casting warm light across the land.

After three days of crossing mountains, Katie had brought Daisy close to their destination.

The remaining distance wasn’t far.

They decided to stop and rest, eating lunch where they stood.

Over the past few days, Daisy’s large appetite had mostly been satisfied by the rations in Katie’s pack.

There were dry provisions made from wheat flour mixed with a bit of cocoa powder.

Peanuts that were easy to carry and store.

Dried sweet potatoes.

And small amounts of jerky.

“Crunch crunch… I’ve never… crunch crunch… eaten stuff like this before… crack crack… crunch…”

Though the food didn’t taste as good as Viola’s cooking, Daisy still found it novel.

As long as there was enough, she didn’t mind.

She devoured the supplies enthusiastically.

Katie, sitting across from her in the grass, couldn’t help but show a helpless expression just from watching her eat.

Because Daisy ate so much, the rations alone weren’t enough.

Thankfully, along the way they could gather wild fruits and berries.

Katie also had enough skill to hunt.

She could throw knives to catch rabbits or set traps for small deer.

She would roast the meat for Daisy.

That was the only reason they made it this far without running out of food.

“Once we get over that hill and walk a bit further, we’ll reach the carriage station we used before.”

Katie said this while holding half a piece of dry ration in one hand.

With the other, she pointed toward a nearby green hill.

“From there, we can take a guild carriage.”

“It’s less than half a day’s ride.”

“We’ll reach Gran City by tonight.”

“Gran City is a frontier hub of the Kingdom of Mirandel.”

“It’s pretty lively.”

“Merchants from all over bring all kinds of goods.”

“The streets are full of travelers.”

“It’s busy day and night.”

“You probably won’t get bored even after days of exploring.”

“Crunch crunch crunch…”

Daisy kept eating, only half-listening.

Food came first.

“Oh, right…”

Katie suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke again, slightly hesitant.

“Daisy, don’t get the wrong idea.”

“I’m not planning to trick you and sell you or anything.”

“I do need money right now, and I am in a tough situation.”

“But I’ll find another way.”

“And honestly, I wouldn’t dare offend that black-haired dragon lady.”

“She might flatten an entire city if she got angry.”

“So don’t worry.”

“I’ll take you around properly.”

“And I’ll bring you back safely.”

“You can just enjoy seeing the outside world.”

“Gulp…”

Daisy swallowed the food stuffed in her cheeks.

Then she smiled brightly, showing her small fang.

“I believe you, Katie.”

“You’re my first friend out here.”

Katie blinked in surprise.

Then she scratched her cheek a little awkwardly.

“Hearing that makes me kind of happy…”

“But I should still warn you.”

“Don’t trust people so easily.”

After lunch, Daisy and Katie rested under the shade of trees.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering patches of light across the ground.

The forest rustled softly in the breeze.

For Daisy, who had always lived in the cave, everything felt new and exciting.

She sat wrapped in her fur blanket, looking toward the distant hill Katie had pointed at earlier.

Her heart was filled with anticipation for the human city ahead.

But also… a faint sense of regret.

‘I really wanted to see the outside world…’

‘But I wanted to see it with Viola…’

She had always imagined they would go together.

In the warm afternoon, with sunlight and swaying shadows, Daisy leaned against a tree.

Sleepiness slowly crept in.

Then, without warning, she recalled Viola’s expression when they parted.

That slightly cunning, slightly lonely smile.

A sudden thought struck her.

It startled her awake.

Viola treasured her deeply.

That was something Daisy knew better than anyone.

So why…

Why would she let Daisy leave so easily?

It didn’t feel like abandonment.

It felt more like—

Viola knew danger was coming.

And deliberately sent Daisy away to keep her safe.

As if she herself would stay behind…

To draw that danger away.

That smile…

It felt like a farewell.

Like saying—

‘I can’t protect you anymore.’

‘Don’t worry about me.’

‘Run.’

Daisy’s heart tightened at the thought.

She sat quietly under the tree, staring at the peaceful scenery in front of her.

Trying to suppress the wild idea forming in her mind.

‘No… that can’t be it…’

‘I’m overthinking…’

‘Viola is so strong…’

‘She’ll be fine… right?’