Faf is a dragon. And not just any dragon, but a divine dragon possessing true divinity.
As for why it resides in such a cold labyrinth, that took place so long ago that it cannot remember very well. It was probably asked by someone to guard this place. It has forgotten the details, but it feels as though someone told it something important back then. Faf thinks it was something very, very precious. That was why Faf continued to wait for a challenger to appear.
And then, that moment arrived. It was Master! With a single swing of his sword, Master completely melted the wall behind Faf into sludge. A special barrier had been placed around the area, something that should not have budged an inch against half-baked strength.
At that moment, Faf found Master very, very terrifying, but it suddenly remembered what someone had once told it.
—Someday, someone will arrive to grant you Release. When that time comes, go with them.
That was why Faf wanted to go with Master. That was its wish.
From then on, its life with Master began.
Eating meals together—.
Going out on adventures together—.
Practicing martial arts together—.
Reading books together—.
And sleeping together.
Especially—.
"Master, Faf thinks this is so delicious!"
The food Master cooks is so delicious that Faf's cheeks feel like they are going to melt.
"Is that so? I'm glad."
As always, Master patted Faf on the head. It felt so wonderful that Faf could not help but narrow its eyes in bliss.
After finishing breakfast and stepping outside the house with Master, Girimehkala was kneeling there alongside several beings who appeared to be his subordinates. Having never seen them before, Faf assumed they were new recruits.
"Great One, these individuals are the new kin who have joined my ranks."
To Girimehkala's subordinates, who bowed their heads nervously, Master offered his usual words of encouragement.
"Right. Keep at it!"
"We are unworthy of such immense honor!"
Tears welled in the subordinates' eyes as their bodies trembled, forcing out those words.
To Girimehkala and the others, Master was not merely their master, but an object of worship. He was equivalent to the god they believed in. Thus, Faf believed Master's words were truly akin to a Divine Revelation to them.
And seeing its beloved Master praised like that made Faf feel rather proud, too.
Today, Faf went labyrinth exploring with Master again.
Faf loved labyrinth exploring with Master most of all. After all, Faf was the only one Master currently allowed to accompany him.
Following behind Master, they arrived at the 750th floor.
The 750th floor was a vast swamp stretching out in all directions, and within it lurked a single giant salamander.
That salamander possessed an absurd regenerative ability, constantly restoring itself no matter how many times it was slashed. Master said it was annoying, but he also seemed somewhat pleased.
And when the salamander finally stopped moving—.
"I see. So it is over..."
Master muttered softly. His profile looked somewhat lonely and fleeting, making Faf's chest tighten so painfully that it clung tightly to him.
"What's wrong, Faf?"
Looking up timidly, Faf saw Master wearing his usual smile as he stroked its head.
"It's nothing."
Feeling a wave of relief, Faf buried its face into Master and murmured the words.
"Shall we return to the surface? Hm? What's that?"
Just as Master took Faf's hand and turned on his heel, countless squishy liquid masses emerged from the giant salamander's corpse.
"Slimes?"
As Master let out a bewildered sound, the slimes swarmed and clung to him.
"Get away from him!"
Master was being attacked. Feeling an intense, clawing anxiety at the sight, Faf prepared to pounce on the slimes—
"Faf, it's all right. I don't feel any hostility from them."
Master raised his right hand to stop Faf and began stroking the slimes at his feet.
Petted by Master, the slimes wobbled and jiggled with delight.
"Were you guys trapped inside that creature?"
As the slimes all wobbled in unison, Master pondered for a moment.
"You are free now. Live as you please from here on."
After telling them that, he began walking toward the surface.
Even after that, the slimes followed Master in a long procession all the way up to the surface.
Day after day, the slimes continued to trail behind Master, and before anyone realized it, they had become residents of the compendium. Faf suspected that initially, the slimes had simply followed him out of a desire to repay him for saving them. But eventually, they fell completely in love with Master.
In this way, Master was not merely strong. Everyone in the compendium loooooved Master, too!
Yet, alongside the happiness, there was a little anxiety. It was that lonely expression Master had made. For some reason, Faf could not banish that look from its mind.
Someday, Master might vanish from before Faf's eyes. Lately, Faf had frequently been haunted by such an impossible fear.
Therefore, while Master was stroking Faf's head in Faf's bed, it decided to ask him.
"Master?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Will you stay with Faf forever and ever?"
Master looked slightly surprised by the question, but he soon showed his usual smile.
"Yeah. We'll be together forever."
He declared it emphatically, as if savoring every word. That made Faf so happy, and feeling so very, very relieved, Faf closed its eyes. As it did, its consciousness softly faded away.
—Please, let this happiness continue forever...