Chapter 23: Legend of the Dragon Clan

When it came to Elvira’s curse, I couldn’t help but become serious.

“Destruction? Calamity? No matter what others say, I don’t care at all.
Compared to legends and rumors of unknown authenticity, I trust what I see with my own eyes.”

I paused for a moment to adjust my posture, then continued, “No one can decide their own origin, but they can choose what kind of person to become.
Obviously, the black dragon I know did not choose destruction and calamity.”

‘Though she does have a good grasp of lewd thoughts and being lovesick.’

“But if her race makes things difficult for you, then fine.
We will find another way on our own.
No need to trouble you.”

The pressure in the room visibly dropped, and you could hear a pin drop.
The sounds of pedestrians and rolling wheels outside the window were frighteningly clear.

The little one in my arms shifted her body, looked up at me, and her large pink eyes blinked.
The little girl is quite smart.
She knows I’m susceptible to a soft approach and usually spoils her.

But I will not compromise on matters of principle.

I gently placed my hand on her fluffy little head, and moved her gaze away, then turned to look straight at Nadiesse.

My red and purple heterochromatic eyes met her amber ones, a tense atmosphere gradually spreading throughout the room like ink.
Time passed minute by minute, but Nadiesse still gave no reply.

Did I misjudge her?
Or are superstitious ideas deeply rooted in people’s hearts?

If so, there’s no point in talking further.

I closed my eyes in disappointment, took a deep breath, and was about to leave.
But who knew, when I opened my eyes, I saw a cunning fox’s smiling face.

“Aiya~ Verona, is that the kind of person you think I am in your heart?
I’m so hurt, really so hurt,” Nadiesse said, pressing her clasped hands against her left chest.
“Although my heart aches, the bond between you and her is truly deep.
Casting aside the world’s judgment, the combination of a witch and a dragon is truly irresistible~”

“Irresistible my ass! Believe it or not, I’ll rip off those fox ears of yours and stuff them in your mouth!”
I covered Little Nia’s ears.
It’s not good for a child to hear such violent words.

Before, I thought my moral standards had dropped a bit since I was reincarnated.
Now it seems they haven’t dropped low enough—I need some soul-striking curses to “bless” Nadiesse.

“It’s not bad to be the touchstone of your relationship.”

“Nadiesse, the relationship between me and that dragon is not what you think.
At most, we’re friends who get along relatively well.”

Nadiesse squinted her eyes and sized me up, seeming to want to catch a flaw in my expression or movements.
But she didn’t succeed.

“Alright, it seems I was really overthinking it.”

Although she said so, her pointed fox ears were twitching slightly, as if their owner was very pleased.

Tsk, this fox doesn’t believe me.

Well, if she doesn’t believe me, she doesn’t believe me.
At least… Nadiesse doesn’t care about Elvira’s race.
In the end, where do those rumors about black dragons come from?

Ask Elvira?
No, no, from our first meeting, Elvira was very concerned about the “curse” thing.
I can’t just bring up a sore subject.

Then I’ll just ask the one closest to me.

“Nadiesse, can you tell me about the rumors concerning black dragons? As detailed as possible.”

“Ah? You don’t know, Verona?” Nadiesse was slightly surprised.
“I thought many people had heard about this.”

“Should I have heard of it…?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine, I understand.
Eccentric witches are not unheard of, and there are those who don’t care about worldly affairs.
But since you’ve asked so sincerely, then listen up~”

Nadiesse sat up straight, coughed twice, and put on a serious air.
Then she slowly began to speak:
“The recorded legends about black dragons date back to a very, very long time ago, to a time that is now called the ‘Age of Chaos’ by historians.”

The world had not yet sprouted, and the kindling had not yet been born.

All things were trapped in a twisted spiral, experiencing the grace of death over and over again, witnessing the birth of suffering time and time again.

Even the beings known as “gods” could not protect themselves.
Under the shroud of darkness, no one could remain unscathed.

Until the hearts of heroes gathered, raising the sharp blade of rebellion, and breaking away from fate.
A golden spear pierced the eternal night, bringing the first, true light, and only then did all living beings glimpse a faint hope…

But… before the kindling could be ignited, it was extinguished by “darkness.”

A black dragon’s shadow shattered the earth and tore through the sky.
With a flap of its wings, it stirred up tsunamis and tornadoes.
Under the despairing gaze of all living beings, the giant black dragon charged towards the only remaining light in the sky—the “sun,” and shot it down at all costs.

In the end, the black dragon’s body was completely destroyed, its blood scattered across the land, and the “sun” was shattered as a result.

The world fell silent once more…

From then on, black dragons were regarded as the embodiment of destruction, calamity, and misfortune.

“The above is the general content of the legend about black dragons.
It’s laughable, isn’t it, Verona?
Don’t you think this story is full of loopholes?
It’s even filled with a strong subjective element.
I really don’t understand why anyone would believe it,” Nadiesse pursed her lips, a look of disgust on her face.

“Indeed…”

Putting aside the many mysteries in the story, just take the shattered sun for example… isn’t that thing fine now?
People aren’t blind.
Can’t they tell if it’s day or night?

“Verona, actually, black dragons are very rare, or rather, basically non-existent.
I’ve been to quite a few places, but I’ve only ever seen one in the City of the Sea of Trees,” Nadiesse said, propping her chin on her hand.

“If I hadn’t seen that black dragon in the City of the Sea of Trees, I would have thought that black dragons were just something made up by the dragon race.
And the legend just now also came from the dragon race.”

Wait a minute… the City of the Sea of Trees… only one black dragon…

“Nadiesse.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“I think… you’ll be shocked again tonight.”

“How is that possible? I’m not the kind of person who likes to make a fuss.”

At night, the tide surged, making a rushing sound.
The ships rose and fell with the rhythm of the waves, like rocking cradles.
The oil lamps hanging on the railings also swayed, like signal lights.

Holding a lantern, I looked around the ship, then up at the starless and moonless night sky, trying to find a familiar figure.

It should be about time.
Where is Elvira the dragon?

She can’t be lost, can she?

Whoosh, whoosh—

Suddenly, the sound of wind came from behind me, and it was getting closer quickly.
I looked back in the direction of the sound, and a black shadow was falling from the sky.

Diving, spreading its wings to slow down, landing—the movements were smooth and elegant, like a top-tier gymnast.
The black shadow was illuminated by the firelight.
A black dress danced in the wind, and a pair of golden eyes shone like the only stars in the night.

“You’re finally here. Let’s go, let’s go into the cabin.”

Elvira nodded silently and followed closely beside me.
We went down into the ship’s cabin one after the other.

We were greeted by Nadiesse and her group.
The rabbit-eared young man Peters, the burly bear-like man, but the gnomes were not here.

“She’s here, Nadiesse. Could you please choose a room for us?”

“It’s already been prepared! Why is your friend hiding behind you?
Let me get to know her too.”

Hearing this, I stepped aside, revealing Elvira to everyone’s sight.

And then…

There were three pairs of widened eyes.