Chapter 28: The Ill-Fitting Armor and a Dragon’s Gift

“Huh? That’s odd.”

Eileen Calibot felt a pang of frustration. Why couldn’t she put it on?

It shouldn’t be like this. The leg and shoulder armor were quite loose, so why was the breastplate the only piece that wouldn’t fit?

“Have you gained weight over the past five years?” Faltis Calibot asked.

“Impossible!” Eileen Calibot immediately denied it. How could she possibly have gotten fat?

Her daily food intake was meticulously calculated, and she measured herself both before bed and upon waking every day.

Yet, over those five years, Eileen Calibot’s weight had indeed increased slightly. She just hadn’t noticed where this sudden gain had actually settled.

“It seems I really can’t wear it.” Eileen Calibot decided to take the armor off. Just being able to see it again was enough to satisfy her.

“Shall I help you?” Faltis Calibot offered.

“Huh? If it doesn’t fit, then never mind.” Eileen Calibot had no idea how Faltis Calibot intended to help.

‘…’ Well, she certainly knew now.

A pair of soft, boneless hands cupped the two heavy mounds on her chest.

“Lady Faltis?!” Eileen Calibot finally understood why she hadn’t been able to put it on.

“Deep breaths. It’ll be over soon.” Faltis Calibot did not stop her actions.

She even had the presence of mind to press down on the armor with her tail, preventing Eileen Calibot from backing out.

With things already at this point, Eileen Calibot had no choice but to continue trying.

“Pfft!”

With Faltis Calibot’s ‘help,’ Eileen Calibot successfully donned the armor.

“How does it feel?” Faltis Calibot asked, a smile playing on her lips.

“It would be even better if Lady Faltis’s hands weren’t wandering.” Eileen Calibot’s face was flushed, and a burning sensation lingered in her chest.

“Then tell me, did you or did you not put on the armor?” Faltis Calibot countered.

‘Forget it.’ Eileen Calibot knew deep down that she was no match for Faltis Calibot; she simply couldn’t win an argument against her.

“So, what do you think? How do you feel after wearing this armor again after five years?” Faltis Calibot inquired.

To be honest, for a fleeting moment, Eileen Calibot felt like she could conquer the world again. However, this terrifying thought vanished as quickly as it came.

She certainly didn’t want to be confined to bed for several days again.

“It’s quite good, but… it feels a bit stuffy around the chest.” This was probably the only drawback.

“That’s my fault.” Faltis Calibot suddenly declared.

‘Please don’t say any more!’

“I thought you’d show a more embarrassed expression,” Faltis Calibot observed the satisfied smile on Eileen Calibot’s face. “But this is nice too.”

“Embarrassed? Why would I feel embarrassed seeing my own things?” Eileen Calibot asked.

Looking at Eileen Calibot’s innocent demeanor, Faltis Calibot felt a pang of guilt.

“It’s nothing.”

Eileen Calibot glanced around, but there was no mirror in front of her. While one could be conjured, this place was too special, and it was best not to use magic unless absolutely necessary.

“Durandal!” Eileen Calibot clenched her hand, but Durandal did not appear.

“Ah, I forgot. Durandal is gone,” Eileen Calibot murmured, a hint of sadness in her voice. “But still, thank you, Lady Faltis, for the gift. I really like it, even if it’s a bit ill-fitting now.”

Faltis Calibot wondered if Eileen Calibot would actually try to cleave her with Durandal if she could summon it.

However, this armor wasn’t the gift Faltis Calibot intended to give Eileen Calibot. At most, it was merely an accessory.

“I never said this armor was a gift,” Faltis Calibot stated.

“Oh? Then what is the gift?” Eileen Calibot was surprised. This wasn’t the gift?

“Come with me.”

“Okay.”

Eileen Calibot slowly began to take off the armor. “Um… Lady Faltis, help me…”

“You’re hopeless.” Faltis Calibot stepped forward to help Eileen Calibot remove the breastplate.

As she pulled it off in one swift motion, the violent jiggle made Faltis Calibot unconsciously take a second look.

‘Indeed, this armor is better off displayed.’ “I originally thought of wearing this armor to complete that mission.”

“Are you an idiot?” Faltis Calibot tapped Eileen Calibot’s head. “Do you think that even after five years, no one would recognize your iconic armor?”

‘Would anyone truly remember this armor of mine? I rarely interact with others.’

‘Even if I did interact with them, they wouldn’t necessarily come here.’

However, Eileen Calibot merely thought about it. After all, she truly couldn’t wear this outfit anymore.

“I know,” Eileen Calibot said, placing the armor aside. “Let’s go, Lady Faltis.”

Faltis Calibot placed her hand on a rack, which slowly moved aside, revealing a hidden door behind it.

“Whoosh!”

Eileen Calibot heard the sound of flowing water even before she reached the end of the passage.

‘This cave is so well-hidden?’

“Hmph.” Faltis Calibot exhaled, and the surroundings slowly brightened.

Eileen Calibot saw a small patch of land in the center of a lake.

Strange objects were embedded around it, but Eileen Calibot couldn’t quite make them out; some kind of barrier seemed to be obstructing her view.

“Go,” Faltis Calibot instructed.

“To the center of the lake?”

“Yes.”

“May I use magic, Lady Faltis?” Eileen Calibot inquired, given the unique nature of the place.

If she couldn’t use magic, Eileen Calibot would have to swim across.

“Of course,” Faltis Calibot nodded.

Eileen Calibot stepped onto the lake’s surface, and sheets of ice formed beneath her feet.

She reached the small patch of land and gently touched it with her hand, causing the barrier to disappear.

She could now clearly see what the objects embedded in the ground were.

Though shattered beyond recognition, Eileen Calibot instantly recognized them as the remnants of her destroyed Durandal.

‘Why was it here?’

“Lady Faltis, is this…?” Eileen Calibot asked.

“My gift to you. Do you like it?” Faltis Calibot had appeared beside Eileen Calibot at some point.

“It’s… it’s alright.” Eileen Calibot found it difficult to feel happy about a broken weapon.

“I can repair this weapon,” Faltis Calibot suddenly announced.

“You really can, Lady Faltis?” Eileen Calibot’s dragon tail, which had been resting on the ground, suddenly wagged excitedly.

Whether in her human or dragoness form, Eileen Calibot always preferred to use a sword as her weapon.

“Of course. When have I ever lied to you?” Faltis Calibot chuckled.

“Good…” Eileen Calibot suddenly realized that while Faltis Calibot was indeed very kind to her, there had to be a catch. “Then, what’s the price?”

“A weapon naturally follows its master. Since the master has become a dragon, the weapon must also take on a dragon’s form.”