Chapter 22: A Few Things About Dragons

“You mean—last night, while you and your companion were… eh… playing your little emotional games, you ran into the church’s supply airships.”
Nadiesse stroked her chin, organizing the information I had just told her, a hint of amusement in her amber eyes.

Hah, I know what she’s thinking without even using my brain.

“And then, you two broke the airships’ power systems and flotation balloons, and all three airships were stranded on the other side of the mountain, right?”

“Mm, that’s right.”

“You did a great job, Verona!” Nadiesse clapped her hands and cheered.
“I’ve always wanted to mess with those damn priests, but I couldn’t make too much of a scene here. This is truly gratifying.”

“Alright, alright, I know you’re happy, but that’s not the main point I wanted to make.”

It’s a rare occasion for me to wake up early today, and I’m not here to show off my achievements.
Elvira didn’t act up last night.
It’s just that when I woke up, I found her tail wrapped around my leg.
She said it was her sleeping habit, and that wrapping her tail around something gave her a greater sense of security.

I’m not some pretentious, petty person.
So what if her tail is wrapped around me?
Compared to being tormented this way and that, having her tail wrapped around me is really nothing.
People always like to compromise.

I pulled my thoughts back.
Nadiesse in front of me was still immersed in joy.
I clapped my hands to wake her up and repeated what I had just said.

It’s so refreshing to talk to smart people.
Nadiesse knew what my so-called “main point” was referring to.

“I know, I know~ In fact, I’m just like you—we all want to get out of this damn place as soon as possible.
Don’t worry, the ship’s repairs will be finished today, and we’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

“That’s good. I’m afraid that the longer we wait, the more variables there will be.”

Nadiesse’s arrangements had not been affected by last night’s party.
I think she’s the kind of person who likes to have everything in order, but also knows how to be flexible.
And she’s very clean.

At this moment, the small house, which was a bit messy last night, had already returned to its spotless state.
The greasy smell of food was gone.

Is Little Nia awake?
I remember the second floor of this house is for resting.
I’ll go up and see.

I got up to go upstairs, but just as I started to move, Nadiesse called out to me.

“Don’t go. The child isn’t awake yet.
Besides, we haven’t finished talking.
The one you’re traveling with should also be of another race, right?
What race is she?”

I sat back down in my seat, but didn’t speak for a long time.

Logically, dragons should be a very rare species.
I don’t know what the dragon ecosystem is like in this world.
Will saying it directly have any impact on Elvira?

“No way, are you even going to hide her race!
You’ve already decided to take my ship back.
We’ll meet sooner or later.
There’s no need to hide her race, right?”

“No, no, Nadiesse, you misunderstand,” I waved my hand and explained.
On second thought, Nadiesse was right.
We’ll meet eventually anyway, it’s just a matter of time.
It’s just that…

“Don’t be scared by what I’m about to say,” I clasped my hands under my chin and said thoughtfully.

“Scared? Just saying a race can make me scared?” Nadiesse frowned slightly.
“Don’t worry, I’ve undergone strict training. No matter what happens, I won’t—”

“She’s a dragon.”

“Oh, a dragon. Alright then, I’ll go back and have the crew prepare a room.”

After Nadiesse finished speaking, she got up and walked unhurriedly towards the entrance.
With a “click,” the door hinge turned, and with a “clang,” the door slammed shut.
The force was so great that the whole house seemed to tremble.

But Nadiesse didn’t leave the house.

The sound of hurried footsteps came from far to near.
The fox lady ran back quickly, and as for the expression on her face…

I rarely use the phrase “in a state of utter chaos” to describe a person.

“What did you say??? A dragon?!?!”

Her hands slammed heavily on the table, and the small potted plant on it jumped up.
I was also startled by Nadiesse and couldn’t help but sit up a little straighter.

“Is… is there a problem?” I asked tentatively.

“Is there a problem? You, a witch, leading a dragon, are afraid of the church?
You two could rip off those inquisitors’ heads and kick them like balls!
Why are you running? Turn back and fight them!”

“W-well, there are still the Grand Inquisitors and stuff…”

“Didn’t you already kill one of them? Why are you pretending to be a weakling?
Don’t think I don’t know, you were acting when we first met and fought.”

The more Nadiesse spoke, the more excited and confused she became.

“Oh my god, Verona, why didn’t you say so earlier…
No, no, it’s very wrong for there to be a dragon in the Holy Nation…
Aiya! Right, right, there are dragons in the City of the Sea of Trees too…
No, no, can these two places be the same?
A dragon, what color is it! …That’s not the point…”

Witnessing Nadiesse’s loss of reason for the first time also caused a part of my own reason to drift away.
I wanted to say something, but my throat felt like it was blocked, and I stammered for a long time without being able to utter a single syllable.

Then, I did something that even I didn’t understand.

I picked up a glass of water from the table and threw it directly at the gesticulating Nadiesse.
With a “splash,” the water seemed to have some magical power.
The moment it wet Nadiesse’s fur, the whole fox froze, as if frozen in time.

Droplets of water fell from her face and hair, landing on the floor and making an almost inaudible sound.

After a moment, Nadiesse wiped her face, shook her head and ears, and shook the water droplets off her body.
Her movements were very much like a canine shaking off water.

“Phew~ thanks, Verona. I lost my composure just now.”

“It’s okay… but I didn’t expect your reaction to be so big.”

Nadiesse looked at me with a pair of dead-fish eyes and retorted, “Is it my fault?
Who knew you were traveling with a dragon?
Can you tell me the details?”

“…Alright.”

After that, I briefly summarized my encounter with Elvira and why we had to flee.
But I intentionally omitted details about my own origin and the purpose of Elvira’s journey.

I didn’t think it was a good idea to say it, and it wasn’t crucial information anyway.

During this time, the little blue dumpling was woken up by the commotion.
She sleepily walked down the stairs and stumbled into my arms.

Helpless, I had no choice but to talk to Nadiesse while holding Little Nia.

“In short, Nadiesse, we’re not strong enough to face the Holy Tribunal of the church head-on.
Even my own combat power is very unstable.
That’s why we need to flee.”

“Mm, I understand the general situation,” Nadiesse nodded.
“So, when is your dragon lady coming over?”

“At night. She’s pitch black, so the night will be a good cover for her.
And your ship is very conspicuous, so she won’t mistake it.”

“Wait!” Nadiesse’s face, which had just calmed down, showed signs of agitation again.
“You said she’s pitch black? She’s a black dragon?!”

“Ah, that’s right…”

“…………Verona, do you know what a black dragon represents among the dragon race?”

Before I could answer, Nadiesse directly gave the answer.

“Destruction and calamity.”

To this, I gave my own unwavering answer:
“I don’t believe in those rumors.”