The Iudex's day off

Chapter 61 - His pain

 "Call for you? Will you be gone for long?"

 "No, just a little while."

 Though, that really depends on who is looking at it.

 "Please tell the rest of the girls too. I wouldn't want to have you in danger just because of my matters."

 "Alright!" She beamed.

 I stood up, standing by the edge of the bus.

 "Have fun with your friends, Aeval."

 "Good luck handling your matters, Dad!"

 She waved as I jumped over from the bus to the edge of the line.

 I watched for a while as the bus got farther away before turning towards the sea.

 It was then that I heard her shout.

 "How long will you be gone?"

 "I'm not too sure. At most a century?"

 I smiled at her and she smiled back.

 Just as the Aquabus was about to leave my sight, I heard another happy shout.

 "Be sure to be back by next Sunday, Dad! It's Sedene's birthday!"

 Ah...

 Perhaps she took my words as a joke.

 And...

 Birthday...

 I suppose I will miss quite a few of those.

 I will miss them.

 Or perhaps I won't.

 I will likely be too far gone to do so.

 I stepped towards the edge and allowed myself to fall.

 Into the sea.

 Into the depths.

 Cold water hit my skin as I plunged into the water, sinking deep.

 But not yet deep enough.

 Furina was right.

 At the moment I was a source of danger.

 A danger to her.

 A danger to Fontaine.

 A danger to the girls.

 A danger to-

 I cut off my line of thought right there.

 Stop!

 Stop it!

 Enough already!

 "Neuv. My dear dragon."

 That sweet voice echoed inside his head and the dragon inside him roared.

 It roared in pain.

 Roared for him to return.

 To return to his-

 No!

 His not!

 He can't be!

 I can't allow it!

 I won't allow it!

 "Do you consider him your mate?"

 "I'm glad that you've finally found yourself a mate, Neuvillette."

 "While I still think that he's a dirty-minded pervert, it's fine as long as you're happy, Dad."