Chapter 192: The planned journey

The fourth day of the Primordial Legacy Festival preparations.

In the morning, Julian received a summons to Cleenah’s study. It seemed the girl had already begun preparing for the journey they had discussed earlier.

But compared to that matter, Julian had something far more troublesome to think about.

’...Seriously, what is that girl thinking?’

After hearing Felicya’s explanation of Cleenah’s real plan, Julian finally understood why the girl was so eager to make him leave the Qiezhuran with Garph.

And honestly, Julian felt that the plan was completely insane.

No, maybe extremely, extremely insane.

’...Has she stopped caring about herself?’

Julian felt a little irritated when he remembered it.

He had already known that Cleenah had a strong resolve to protect the Qiezhuran. But that didn’t mean Julian could accept the method the girl had chosen.

All the more so after seeing how Cleenah had cried in front of him.

Julian had no intention of letting her carry out that plan just like that. The problem was, he also couldn’t tell her right away that he already knew everything.

If Cleenah realized that, the girl might start hiding things from him again.

’At the very least, Julian felt there was still something he could do. And for now, he had to make sure Cleenah didn’t suspect anything.

***

Cleenah’s study turned out not to be very different from the other parts of her residence.

The room was fairly spacious, with stone walls decorated with a few carvings and crystal lamps. A large work desk sat on one side, piled with various notes that seemed to concern the Qiezhuran’s affairs.

Julian took a moment to look over the stacks of documents. He felt once again that being a Clan Leader was not a pleasant job.

Fortunately, Julian had no desire to become someone who had to handle so many problems every day.

"Ah, Lord Julian!"

A cheerful voice made him turn his attention.

Cleenah was sitting behind her desk. When she saw Julian arrive, the little girl welcomed him at once with an adorable smile.

"Good morning! Thank you for coming."

"Good morning, Lady Cleenah."

Julian nodded.

Seeing how cheerful the girl looked, Julian had some difficulty believing that Cleenah was the same person who had cried in the garden before.

’...At least she looks better.’

But when Julian turned his gaze to Garph, who sat not far from Cleenah, he immediately noticed something different.

The old Dragon didn’t look very happy.

Garph still greeted Julian respectfully, but his manner seemed far stiffer than usual.

"Good morning, Lord Julian."

"...Good morning, Garph."

Julian was a little curious.

’...What’s wrong with him?’

But he didn’t have to wait long for the answer.

"Lord Julian, I’ve already discussed our travel plans with Garph," Cleenah began. "But it seems there is still a slight difference of opinion."

"Slight?" Garph turned to her at once.

Cleenah flinched a little and turned her head toward the opposite wall.

"Oh, umm... Maybe not so slight."

It seemed Garph didn’t like Cleenah’s plan at all.

"Lord Julian, my apologies in advance," Garph began. "I have heard Lady Cleenah’s entire explanation, but I still feel this journey is too risky."

"...Risky?"

"Correct. We would be visiting several Clans located quite far from the Qiezhuran. The trip could take days, and the support we would gain isn’t even certain."

Garph then turned his attention to Cleenah.

"Lady Cleenah, I understand your wish to seek help. However, I don’t think now is the right time to leave the Qiezhuran."

"...But, Garph."

"We are preparing for the festival. More and more Clans are arriving, and relations between the Clans aren’t good at the moment either."

The old Dragon spoke in a tone that remained polite, but this time he didn’t give way right away.

"If something happens while I’m not here, who will be at your side?"

Cleenah was silent for a moment.

"There are still the other elders, aren’t there?"

"That’s true. But that doesn’t mean I can hand over all my responsibility to them."

Garph sighed.

"What’s more, you yourself know that the Qiezhuran’s situation is not very good right now."

Julian chose to listen to the conversation without interrupting.

’...He has reasonable grounds.’

Garph was one of the strongest Dragons in the Qiezhuran. Even if there were a few other Rank-S elders, his presence clearly offered Cleenah a different kind of protection.

And now the girl was asking him to leave for several days to seek support that might not even be obtained.

If Julian were in Garph’s position, he might refuse too.

"Garph, I truly understand your concern."

Cleenah leaned forward slightly.

"But precisely because the Qiezhuran’s situation isn’t good, I want us to get as much help as possible."

"Lady Cleenah..."

"If we only wait, won’t things possibly get even harder?"

Garph didn’t answer right away.

Cleenah then continued in a gentler voice.

"And I believe that if you go to meet them yourself, some Clans may be willing to consider our request."

"...You put too much trust in me."

"Umm. I do."

Cleenah nodded innocently.

Hearing that answer, Garph seemed to find it even harder to argue.

But the old Dragon still wasn’t willing to accept the request.

"Lady Cleenah, what if I send some of the other elders to carry out this task? I could stay here while they go to seek support."

"...But, Garph, not all of them have relations with those Clans as good as yours."

"Even so—"

"...Please?"

Cleenah bowed her head slightly.

"I really need your help with this."

Garph fell silent.

Julian watched the two of them, then nearly sighed.

’...Good grief.’

Cleenah was trying so hard.

And what was more troublesome, Garph seemed to be having difficulty keeping up his refusal every time the girl pleaded.

But Julian couldn’t let the conversation drag on like this.

After all, he had already decided what he would do.

"...Garph."

The old Dragon turned at once.

"Yes, Lord Julian?"

"I think Lady Cleenah’s plan makes sense."

Garph was silent for a moment.

"...Lord Julian?"

Julian nodded.

"I understand your concern. But if some Clans really are willing to help the Qiezhuran, wouldn’t that be very useful too?"

"Of course. However, the success of such a journey can’t be guaranteed."

"True. But we don’t have to win the support of every Clan."

Julian considered his words for a moment.

"At the very least, we can learn how they feel about the Qiezhuran. If they’re unwilling to help, we don’t need to keep wasting time trying to convince them."

Garph listened seriously.

"Besides, the matter of Lumi has begun to spread, hasn’t it?" Julian continued. "If I go along, at least I can explain what actually happened from my side."

"...That’s true."

"And if I have to go, wouldn’t it be better to go with someone who can protect us?"

Julian turned his attention to Garph.

"Compared to an elder I don’t know, I trust you far more."

"...Lord Julian."

Garph looked a little moved on hearing that.

But Julian wasn’t trying to flatter him.

He really did trust Garph.

The old Dragon had helped him several times, even when doing so risked bringing trouble upon the Qiezhuran.

And if he had to take Felicya, Monk, and Lumi away from this place, Julian felt that Garph was the most dependable companion he could have.

It was only that Julian had no intention of following Cleenah’s entire plan just like that.

’...Sorry, Lady Cleenah.’

Julian already knew what the girl was actually planning.

And precisely because of that, he couldn’t refuse this journey outright.

At least, not before making sure of a few things he had been thinking through.

"Garph, I’m not saying we should ignore the Qiezhuran’s situation," Julian spoke again. "We’ll simply carry out the task that can truly help Lady Cleenah."

He then added something.

"And if circumstances change, of course we’ll have to reconsider the trip. I don’t intend to force myself to continue no matter what happens."

Garph was silent for quite a while.

The old Dragon seemed to be weighing all of Julian’s words.

And after a few moments, he finally sighed.

"...Very well."

"...Eh?"

Cleenah lifted her head slightly.

Garph turned to her.

"If Lord Julian also supports the journey, I will accept your decision, Lady Cleenah."

"...Really?"

"Really. However, I still want to make sure that all of the Qiezhuran’s security matters are properly arranged before we depart."

Cleenah nodded quickly.

"Of course! Thank you, Garph!"

A cheerful smile appeared on her face again.

Seeing that, Garph could only shake his head in mild resignation.

As for Julian...

’...She’s really happy, isn’t she.’

Julian didn’t know whether he should feel amused or even more irritated.

Cleenah looked so happy to have gotten Garph to accept her request. Yet Julian already knew what the girl was actually going to do after they left.

Truly, he couldn’t let that plan succeed.

Once the final decision was made, the conversation turned to preparations for the departure.

Cleenah had already considered a few Clans for them to visit, while Garph helped determine the most sensible order for the journey.

They also discussed Julian’s group, including Monk and Lumi, who would be coming along. Garph made sure the trip wouldn’t be too difficult for them, especially since some of the regions they would pass through might not be very friendly to foreign races.

And in the end, everything was agreed.

Julian’s group would depart with Garph tonight.

Cleenah looked very satisfied with that decision.

"Then I’ll have the last few preparations finished right away."

"Understood, Lady Cleenah," Garph replied.

Julian nodded as well.

"In that case, I’ll let Monk and Lumi know."

"Umm. Thank you so much, Lord Julian!"

Cleenah smiled at him again.

"...I’m truly glad that you’re willing to help me."

Julian looked at the girl for a moment.

"...It’s no problem, Lady Cleenah."

After the discussion ended, Julian and Garph finally left the study.

But they had only walked a few steps down the corridor when Garph suddenly stopped.

"...Lord Julian."

Julian turned.

"Yes?"

The old Dragon looked at him seriously.

"I would like to ask you something."

"...Go ahead."

Garph was silent for a moment, as if considering how he should put his question.

But in the end, he decided to speak directly.

"Lord Julian, why did you support that plan?"

Julian didn’t answer right away.

Garph continued in a lower voice.

"Don’t you also know that if I leave, Lady Cleenah may have to face all of the Qiezhuran’s problems without me at her side?"