Chapter 65
Chapter 65
“Urgh… gurgle…”
The captain’s breath came in ragged gasps. He was dying. If this continued, something truly horrific would happen.
What could I do? How could I calm him?
“Please, Cesar…”
All I could do was beg. I tightened my grip, tears streaming down my face and onto his fur.
Then, something shifted. Cesar froze, his body slowly relaxing, the taut muscles loosening.
“Ugh… hack! Cough, cough, cough…!”
His grip broke. Air rushed back into the captain’s lungs, and he erupted in a fit of coughing. The knights, hesitant but relieved, pulled him away.
I clung to Cesar, terrified he’d attack again.
“Damn it…!”
“That monster!”
The knights cursed at Cesar.
“Krr!”
He bared his teeth, a final warning.
“Go!” I shouted. I couldn’t risk another confrontation. They had seen their captain, their leader, nearly die. Finally, they retreated, dragging the captain with them, glancing back with unease.
“Huff… huff… Grrrr…”
We were alone. But Cesar was still trembling, his breath coming in ragged gasps. I watched them go, numbly, then began to stroke his back.
“It’s okay. They’re gone.”
“Huff… huff…”
His shuddering breaths gradually evened out.
“Good.”
The silence seemed to soothe him. I kept talking, stroking his fur, willing him to calm down. We sat there, clinging to each other on the ground, his agitated tremors slowly subsiding. It took a long time for him to fully relax.
Finally, his breathing became steady. Relief washed over me. He had calmed down without resorting to violence. It was progress, of a sort.
“Cesar.”
He flinched slightly at my voice, but the wildness seemed to have receded. I hesitated, then spoke the words I had been wanting to say.
“Thank you.”
I gently stroked the back of his head. Cesar, who had buried his face in my arms, finally looked up at me. His clear eyes seemed to question me.
“Thank you?”
There was so much to be thankful for. The words tumbled out.
“Um, thank you for listening to me…”
When the knights had approached, I had truly feared the worst. The captain’s look had been terrifying. He had looked ready to kill.
“And… thank you for being angry for me.”
“Mmm.”
This whole incident was my fault. I could still feel the lingering tension in my body.
“B-but you shouldn’t attack people like that.”
Cesar tilted his head.
“Why?”
“Why?”
Don’t kill people. Don’t hurt people. Did I have to explain such basic principles? ‘Project: Civilizing Cesar’ was proving to be quite the challenge, as evidenced by his innocent question.
But I had to teach him. I had to be firm.
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Why?”
“Why” again. He genuinely didn’t understand.
“Well, that’s because…”
I faltered. Why shouldn’t he attack people? I had to explain it clearly, but I wasn’t sure I knew myself. Seeing the captain suffer had been… strangely satisfying. No, no, that wasn’t right. But still…
I cleared my throat.
“I don’t want to see you hurt anyone.”
Cesar frowned, as if struggling with a complex problem. He tilted his head again, then finally answered.
“But he hurt Ren.”
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