Chapter 20: My House Is Quite Big

It’s strange.
This world has no electricity, or rather, the technology for electricity is not yet mature and cannot be widely popularized.
But the classical chandelier hanging from the ceiling is lit by some unknown energy source.

The warm yellow light hits the white walls, creating a cozy atmosphere.
The fruit juice in the glass reflects my beautiful and charming face in the light.

I brought the glass to my lips and took a sip.

The fruity aroma was rich, and the taste was sweet and sour, very delicious.
The only drawback was the taste of alcohol.

I didn’t like alcohol in my past life either.
I can’t say I just tasted it and stopped, but rather that I kept it at a distance.
This kind of drink is very strong, and the taste is not good.

And there’s the classic business dinner and toasting ritual.
The fat-headed, big-eared client sits at the head of the table.
If he’s not happy with his drink, the project can’t be discussed.

Why don’t they just drink themselves to death?

Compared to that hypocritical drinking culture, I prefer the atmosphere here.

Peters and the burly Witt chatted with each other, clinking glasses from time to time and downing their drinks.
In a corner of the room, three gnomes formed a circle and danced a comical dance.

Little Nia was quietly enjoying her food beside me.
A look of enjoyment spread across her cute little face, and her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster’s.

This scene was lively, warm, and not without its charm.

I didn’t hate it, but I felt a bit unable to blend in.
It wasn’t that I was being cold and pretentious.
How should I put it?
I felt that I wasn’t that naturally sociable.
Keeping a distance from people has long become a habit, and I rarely confide in others.

Lost in thought, I propped my hand on the table and let my mind wander, my fingers lightly tapping on the tabletop.
My bored appearance caught Nadiesse’s attention.

She had been watching me for a while.

“Is the food we prepared not to your liking?” Nadiesse asked.

“No… it’s quite good. It’s my own problem.”

“The greedy witch is playing the profound one, is she?” Nadiesse moved her chair closer to mine.
“Let me guess, you’re thinking about that companion of yours?”

I didn’t answer Nadiesse, just looked at her as if she were an idiot.

“It seems I guessed wrong.
Then let’s change the subject.
Verona, tell me, how many truths have you told me since we met?”

At this moment, Nadiesse was really like the fox of folklore, clever and cunning.

“You witches are really strange.
A personality that’s warm on the outside and cold on the inside is not uncommon, but you also have a kind heart, which is quite contradictory.
A witch like you is frighteningly rare.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I replied nonchalantly, swirled the glass, and took another sip of the fruit juice.

“I treated you to a meal and even gave you a twenty-five percent discount.
Can’t you be a little less distant?
I actually find you quite interesting.”

Nadiesse was right.
This party was held to thank me, and I was being a bit of a wet blanket.
This is a flaw I need to change.
At least in the face of others’ kindness, I should put away my thorny disguise.

I raised my glass and clinked it against Nadiesse’s.
I downed the fruit wine in my glass.
My throat instantly felt warm, and my cheeks began to slowly heat up.

“You can’t hold your liquor, can you,” Nadiesse teased.
“From now on, you’ll definitely be sitting at the kids’ table.”

“That’s not bad either.”

Under the rule of religion, a small party for the other races was held in secret and quietly ended.
Mundane rules can restrict people’s behavior, but lively thoughts will leap out of their predetermined cages, challenging so-called fate and toppling the throne of divine power.

After the party, it was almost midnight.
As agreed beforehand, I left Little Nia in the city.
The child was very reluctant to see me go, but she obediently stayed.

Walking on the quiet, deserted streets, the lampposts on both sides were neatly arranged, extending to the other end of the city.
At first glance, they looked like the iron bars of a prison.

Nothing happened along the way.
No reckless hooligans, no ill-intentioned robbers, and no perverted stalkers.

I was originally thinking of bringing some food back to feed the dragon, but where could I find any trace of a vendor?
I couldn’t even see a bird.

Helpless, I returned to the deep forest very smoothly.
But unexpectedly, Elvira was still awake.

She sat quietly at the entrance of the cave, looking very much like a lonely empty-nester in need of much care.

The corners of her lips twitched, and Elvira looked at me with a triumphant expression.

“I knew you wouldn’t leave me alone.”

“I just have something to tell you. Don’t be so sentimental.
I don’t care if you’re alone or not,” I retorted casually, then continued,
“I’ve never asked you, do we have a specific destination for this trip?
We can’t just wander around after we get to the other continent, right?
Little Nia and the others are going to the City of the Sea of Trees.
Should we go together?”

“I’ll listen to you.”

Hearing this, I rolled my eyes at Elvira in annoyance.

“Don’t use that doting tone with me.
I don’t know that continent, and you’ll still listen to me?
Then if I tell you to go back to Norn City, will you go?
…Speaking of which, what is this City of the Sea of Trees?”

“It’s the most famous trade city on the other continent, located at the border of the human kingdom and the other-race kingdom.
Many imported and exported goods between the two countries pass through there,” seeing that I wasn’t joking, Elvira also became serious.
“It’s a good place to go.”

“A good place? Why?”

“I live there.”

Ever since Elvira first sucked my blood, I’ve felt that her attitude towards me has changed greatly.
At first, her affectionate gestures were still restrained and she knew her limits.
And now?

To say she’s insatiable would be an understatement.

Moreover, this dragon seems to be smarter than I thought.

The City of the Sea of Trees.
We had heard this term from Little Nia long ago.
Since it was Elvira’s home, why didn’t she react when she first heard it?
And why did she try so hard to keep me when I suggested I would take Little Nia and leave?

Because she wanted to take me back with her.
She was acting.

Then why is she being honest now?

Because she knows I have no other choice.

Elvira has an information advantage over me, bullying me for being a newcomer who knows nothing.
Damn it, playing dirty, are we?

From now on, she can’t even dream of touching me!

I took two steps back with a look of disgust and said righteously.

“Alright, since you’re willing to be honest, I won’t say anything.
But from now on, don’t come near me, or I’ll punch you in the face.”

After saying that, I didn’t want to discuss this matter anymore and turned to a more practical question:
“Are you going to take the boat with us then? How’s your wing recovering? Can you fly across the ocean by yourself?”

“By myself? No, I won’t be by myself.
As for how I’m recovering, Verona, you can experience it for yourself,” Elvira walked towards me with a mischievous smile.

“Wait, what do you mean! Don’t come over!
Let’s talk this out properly.
Communication is the bridge between souls.
It’s much more dignified than violence…
If you come any closer, I’m going to hit you!
I’m really going to hit you!
I hit very hard, I’m telling you!”

Thump, thump—

I swung my left and right hands alternately, but she caught them with ease.
In the face of absolute strength, a weak person’s resistance is no different from a tantrum.

The jade-like hand that clamped my wrist was like cast from bronze and iron.
No matter how hard I struggled, it didn’t move an inch.

With a whoosh, her pitch-black dragon wings spread open.
Elvira held my hands and moved them down to my waist, slowly applying pressure.

“When… when we take off, can you be… a little gentler?
That feeling, I really can’t… ahhhhhhh—————”

“El—vi—ra! You—bul—ly—me!”