Chapter 21: Blackmail

Airelina Frembell

The morning was already underway, yet Amphy remained peacefully asleep, showing no signs of stirring. Reina had already visited earlier and recently departed with Emy. Thus, it was just the two of us once again, alone in this room, sharing the same bed.

Gently, I cradled his head and placed it tenderly upon my lap. It was said that Amphy enjoyed this gesture, finding comfort in it. Moreover, my legs, shimmering with a captivating sheen, seemed perfectly suited to appease his particular interests. However, my intention wasn't to seduce him; rather, I aimed to regain his trust, which had been wavering ever since our encounter with the enigmatic Black Phantom, or rather, Alder Windstrafe, in his true form.

Amphy's eyes gradually fluttered open, greeted by the sight of a serene morning. The first thing that caught his attention was my enchanting smile, radiating warmth and affection in that tender moment.

"Good morning, Amphy~"

"U-Uwaaaa!" he yelped, swiftly delivering a forceful karate chop to my forehead. The impact caused me to emit an odd yet endearing sound, a mix of surprise and discomfort. Unfortunately, this action only intensified his displeasure, further aggravating his already perturbed state. "What on earth are you doing, desu!?" I exclaimed, puzzled by his unexpected reaction.

Cradling my reddened and swollen forehead, I summoned the utmost cuteness in my expression, projecting a pitiful face. "I-I was genuinely attempting to regain your trust, totally!" I pleaded, my voice filled with sincerity and determination.

"Well, that approach certainly didn't succeed in earning any of my trust, desu," he retorted sharply, fixing me with an intense glare while crossing his arms. However, a sudden realization dawned upon me—something was amiss, and it became evident in his demeanor.

"Desu?" I tilted my head in confusion, attempting to grasp the puzzling situation unfolding before me.

Suddenly, Amphy rose abruptly from the bed, distancing himself from its confines. Clad in his pajamas, he exuded an energy and vitality that surpassed my own. I couldn't help but wonder about this dramatic shift in his personality. What could have caused such a remarkable transformation? The change left me utterly bewildered.

"Well, I just realized that my 'Metal Rocks' T-shirt won't add some personality on me so I decided to change my speech pattern and start the morning hyperactively, just like what you do!"

I found myself at a loss for words in the face of his endearing foolishness. A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I observed his persistent discontent with his perceived lack of excitement and individuality. He continued to exert tremendous effort in transforming himself, even if it meant adopting unconventional methods. Yet, amidst the absurdity, I couldn't deny that this very trait, his unwavering determination to change, was part of why I cherished him so deeply. Truly, he was an extraordinary person. Totally.

"Stop blushing like that; we're going to be late for class, desu!" he admonished with a scrunched expression, his tone indicating a sense of urgency.

Indeed, it was a typical school day for us. The upcoming round of the tournament, which followed the elimination phase, was temporarily pushed to the back of our minds. Our focus shifted to our studies, recognizing the significance of these classes in our journey towards advancement. Presently, Amphy held the rank of a Dragon Knight 2nd Class, and with just one more year to go, he would be eligible for promotion to 1st Class, marking his graduation. Upon reaching this milestone, should any of the esteemed Pentagram Knights retire, Estoff would vouch for him and recommend him to the royal family as a potential successor to fill the coveted position.

Undoubtedly, winning the tournament would bypass all those intricate processes. Achieving the esteemed title of the Princess' Guard would grant Amphy the privilege to have the bill signed by the princess herself. While there is an element of chance involved, pursuing this path is the most fitting and peaceful approach to attain our goal.

If we were to fail, the unfortunate consequence could be the outbreak of a war—an outcome we earnestly wish to avoid. That's precisely why Arcadia has maintained a state of inactivity for years, to prevent the escalation of conflicts and maintain peace. Our collective efforts are aimed at finding peaceful solutions and ensuring the safety and harmony of our land.

The day progressed smoothly and tranquilly, and as usual, I waited for Amphy by the front gate of the academy. Our routine typically involved meeting up with Kyrie and Rudolf in the afternoons, but today it appeared that the other two were preoccupied with their own matters. In a stroke of luck, this worked in my favor, as I had planned to surprise Amphy with a visit to a café. It provided the perfect opportunity to discuss the concerns weighing on his mind and earnestly regain his trust, all while keeping my secret carefully concealed.

"How was your class?" I inquired of Amphy as soon as we finally reunited.

"My classmates often mistake me for a weaboo," he admitted, wearing a weary smile upon his face. "I've decided to stop using 'desu' from now on..." His sigh carried a sense of heaviness and exhaustion.

I mustered a forced smile in response. Deep down, I couldn't help but acknowledge that his classmates were somewhat justified in their perception.

"Well then, shall we go?"

"Waiiiiiiit!!!" There was someone shouting from a distance. It was Rudolf and Kyrie, running towards us. "Amphere! You have to look at this!"

It was quite fortuitous that we all made it to the café as originally intended, even with Rudolf and Kyrie joining us. While a double date was not an issue for me, I realized that it would hinder my plan to discuss Amphere's thoughts in their presence.

As we sat at the table, four teacups were arranged, one for each of us. Kyrie and Amphere were engrossed in savoring their tea, but I couldn't help but notice the displeasure etched on Rudolf's face. His intense gaze toward me was filled with contempt, leaving me with a distinct feeling that something was amiss with him.

A realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. Rudolf was a member of the Chevalier Unit, led by the infamous Kyle Leviticus, a man who had ties to Alder and Reina. Kyle likely knew about my crucial role within Arcadia, and it was possible that he had divulged this information to Alder, explaining his uncanny knowledge. Uncertainty loomed over the fates of Alder and Emy, but Rudolf's gaze spoke volumes. I sensed a brewing storm, as if he harbored intentions to unleash chaos upon us all.

"Um, Amphere... I've gathered some information that I think you should see," Rudolf finally spoke up, capturing Amphere's attention.

"Information? About what?" Amphere inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"It's regarding the Crimson Dragonfly," Rudolf replied, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation. He reached into the pocket of his jacket and produced a photograph, presenting it to Amphere for examination.

My expression froze, a mix of shock and fear overtaking me. It felt as though they had discovered my secret, and the realization struck me like a devastating blow. If Amphere were to learn the truth, all my dreams, as well as those of the Dragonoids, would be shattered irreparably. I needed to put an end to Rudolf's revelation, but resorting to violence was not an option. Kyrie's watchful gaze didn't escape me; despite her apparent calm while sipping her tea, I sensed a dangerous intent emanating from her. Any sudden movement on my part would likely trigger a fierce battle. I had to find another way to prevent the truth from being revealed.

"This is…" Amphere looked closer at the photo. "The Crimson Dragonfly?"

In the photo, an image of a colossal dragon emerged, its body adorned with an intricate arrangement of steel plates resembling those of a Futuretech Dragon. However, a peculiar distinction caught my attention—the presence of four resplendent red crimson wings that resembled blazing fire, unfurled majestically on its formidable back. The sheer size of this creature defied any comparison to a conventional Futuretech Dragon, surpassing the height of even the tallest structures, potentially reaching a staggering seventy meters in height. It was undeniably an awe-inspiring and formidable sight.

"It's a Monolith Dragon," Rudolf grinned, confirming the identity of the awe-inspiring creature in the photo. "I'm willing to disclose a wealth of information about the Crimson Dragonfly, but there's one condition."

Amphy's gaze shifted between me and Rudolf, his expression transitioning into a grave and contemplative one. As Rudolf's lips began to move, it seemed as though time slowed down, heightening the intensity of the moment.

"Join the Chevalier Unit," Rudolf's words finally materialized, hanging in the air with a weighty proposition.

"I'm sorry, but I have no interest in joining the Chevalier Unit," Amphere responded without hesitation. The rejection seemed to hit Rudolf like a rejected confession, his demeanor faltering momentarily. "I have no fondness for General Kyle whatsoever," Amphere added, solidifying his stance.

As Kyrie and Rudolf rose from their seats, my senses heightened, preparing myself for an imminent clash. However, before the tension could escalate further, Rudolf's words echoed through the air, carrying a weight of wisdom and caution.

"I've known you for a lifetime, Amphere," Rudolf spoke, his tone laced with a mix of resignation and concern. "I understand that you will steadfastly hold onto your decision until the very end. But let me impart this to you... Exercise caution in choosing whom you place your trust in. From my perspective, you're aligning yourself with the wrong side."

With those cryptic words lingering, the atmosphere grew heavy, filled with an undercurrent of doubt and uncertainty.

Amphy's response took me by surprise as he mustered a forced laugh. "I apologize, but I was just on the verge of making a solemn oath to Airi that I would no longer delve into the topic of the Crimson Dragonfly. It has been detrimental to our relationship and has caused significant distress for both of us. I've come to realize that I desire peace above all else. I hope you can understand and respect my decision..."

With those words, Amphy conveyed his determination to prioritize his relationship with me and distance himself from the turbulent subject at hand.

With the departure of Rudolf and Kyrie, a sense of relief washed over the atmosphere. Amphere serenely sipped his green tea, finding solace in the tranquility of the moment. As for me, I released a long breath, expelling the tension that had built up within me. It was difficult to fathom that this encounter had ended without any dramatic confrontation.

However, deep within, I knew that our paths would inevitably cross again with Rudolf and Kyrie. Only then, it would be on the battlefield, where the clash between our conflicting forces would finally come to fruition. The prospect loomed ahead, a daunting reminder of the impending struggle that awaited us.