Chapter 24: Qiaolun’s Departure and the Dragonkin’s Request

Gurgle, gurgle—

Yunajin, with half her face submerged in the water, was idly blowing bubbles.

She had lost track of how long she and Qiaolun had been locked in their silent contest, noting only the flush on his skin as he stubbornly leaned against the pool’s edge.

“Oh, really now?! You actually meant it when you said you’d outlast me in the water, didn’t you? Funny how you weren’t so bold when it came to parrying my sword during our fight,” Yunajin grumbled under her breath, a hint of displeasure in her tone.

The water temperature here was far from low; while Yunajin’s constitution rendered her impervious to it, Qiaolun, being human, could not possibly endure it for long.

By all normal measures of endurance, Qiaolun should have given up ages ago.

Do not ask why, for the reason was simply—the indomitable will of humanity!

“You detestable Demon Lord, do not underestimate us humans.”

Though outwardly appearing fearless and composed, Qiaolun was, in truth, on the verge of overheating.

‘Which imbecile heated this water? Is this a bath, or an attempt to boil someone alive?’

It seemed this bath was never intended for human use to begin with.

“Hmph…” Yunajin let out a helpless sigh, and as the water rippled, she rose and stepped onto the bank.

“Keep soaking like this, and someone’s going to be thoroughly cooked.”

“Excellent, I won, woohoo—”

As Yunajin’s fair skin emerged from the water, Qiaolun squeezed his eyes shut like a child.

Nonetheless, he couldn’t resist peeking through a tiny slit.

Clad in the gray bath robe conjured by Vivi, Yunajin cast an unamused glance at Qiaolun.

‘A man should be more straightforward! Wanting to look but not daring to—how utterly dull.’

‘Still, I am a reserved young woman; I wouldn’t stoop to using my succubus nature to entice you.’

In other words, Yunajin secretly wished Qiaolun would be more proactive; even the slightest hint of initiative from him would be a victory!

‘Never mind. I’ll slowly build up his favor. At least he’s now willing to accept my goodwill.’

Yunajin, however, had forgotten that her time was limited; the impending conclusion of the battle between the Demon Lord and the Hero meant Qiaolun would soon depart the Demon Lord’s Castle, returning to Aldelit.

****

Back in his room, Qiaolun once more packed his belongings.

Although Meredith had once suggested he extend his stay at the Demon Lord’s Castle, implying a desire for him to understand the demon race, the initial fervor that had brought Qiaolun here had gradually waned.

As he sobered, he became increasingly aware of his own insignificance.

Whether by status or by strength, he was merely an ordinary human.

Even if his perception of the demon race and the Demon Lord had shifted, it was solely his personal view.

Qiaolun knew full well that, given his identity, he could not alter the hatred and prejudice held by humanity—indeed, by the entire human race—towards demons.

Rather than engaging in such futile endeavors, it was better to make an early escape.

The longer he, a human, remained in the Demon Lord’s Castle, the more likely it was to spark rumors; should the Demon Lord ever disapprove of him, his demise would be certain.

“Damn it!”

A rose thorn pricked his hand, and Qiaolun, suppressing a cry of pain, nearly tumbled from the garden fence of the Demon Lord’s ancient castle.

The railings here were low and antiquated, seemingly neglected over time; Qiaolun had noticed this detail during his very first stroll here with the Demon Lord.

Back then, Qiaolun had harbored no thoughts of escape—or rather, of leaving—instead, he was fueled by fervent passion, eagerly anticipating the day of his decisive battle with the Demon Lord.

Qiaolun cast one last, lingering glance at the small pavilion nestled within the fence.

“Yunajin, your black tea is truly delicious.”

****

Although Yunajin still wished to seek out Qiaolun and spend some time with him, the unfinished tasks of the day compelled her to head to her office first.

“Hmm, Lord Meredith, what are you doing here?”

“Your Majesty…” Meredith stood at the entrance of the office, as if having waited for a long time, and upon seeing the Demon Lord approach, bowed respectfully.

“A resident Dragonkin wishes to see you; they claim to have important matters to report.”

The Dragonkin maintained four outposts across the Karkunda Continent, three of which were located within the Demon Realm.

These outposts were responsible for relaying messages to their main nest far away in Therest, while also serving as a bridge for communication between the two races.

To prevent any unforeseen incidents involving the Dragonkin stationed in the Demon Realm, a decree was established as early as the reign of the Third Demon Lord: these resident Dragonkin would nominally belong to the demon race, abide by the Demon Lord’s laws, and, when necessary, obey the Demon Lord’s commands, including tasks of conquest and defense.

With the pact signed between the two races serving as proof, the demon populace finally felt a significant measure of relief regarding the dragons.

‘Troublesome people, troublesome matters…’

Yunajin’s expression soured, as she could likely surmise the nature of the meeting.

****

In the Demon Lord’s Grand Hall, upon the throne.

“This King recalls your name being something like…” Yunajin feigned remembering the name, then turned to Meredith with a look of appeal.

Meredith whispered a reminder: “Howling Dragon Wendy.”

“Ah, yes, Wendy, wasn’t it?”

At the foot of the dais, the Dragonkin named Wendy removed her gray hood.

Dragonkin possessed the ability to transform into the likeness of any race, a feat not achieved through mere shapeshifting magic, but rather owing to their remarkably pliable skeletons and exceptionally adaptive skin.

However, most Dragonkin were disinclined to do so, as only their colossal, powerful bodies could unleash their formidable strength.

Before Yunajin’s eyes stood a young woman, roughly her own age, with a slightly youthful countenance, who appeared to be in a complete human form.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Her sky-blue short hair cascaded over her shoulders as she performed her bow, and Yunajin’s gaze involuntarily drifted downwards, towards the body concealed by her coat.

‘Do Dragonkin who take human form hide their tails?’

“This King dispatched individuals to establish a magic array for your kind; has it proven useful, I wonder?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s gracious favor, all the hatchlings have successfully emerged.”

As communication between the Dragonkin stationed in the Demon Realm and the demon populace grew increasingly frequent, most Dragonkin chose to assume the forms of other races.

Over the long years, they grew so accustomed to their transformed appearances that, when it came to procreation, they felt utterly disoriented upon reverting to their original, colossal bodies.

The conditions required for Dragonkin reproduction were exceedingly stringent, with only the elder Dragonkin capable of overseeing it.

However, they too were affected by their transformed states, which is why last winter, when the Dragonkin’s millennia-spanning breeding cycle arrived, Yunajin specifically dispatched individuals to establish a magic array capable of simulating any environment to aid the Dragonkin.

“No matter. After all, you are considered subjects of this King,” Yunajin declared, observing the bowed head of her visitor, a knowing smile playing upon her lips.

Wendy’s pupils contracted.

Even though she was keenly aware that the Demon Lord before her, and the Eight Demon Generals by her side—the primordial demons—possessed unquestionable power that surpassed even the Dragon King’s, the inherent pride of a dragon still left a trace of resentment in her heart.

“Your Majesty, I have received a message from the Elemental Dragon King.

He is currently at the Demon Realm’s border and wishes to request your permission to enter.”

“Oh? He wishes to seek an audience with this King? Is this another matter concerning the alliance?” Yunajin unconsciously glanced at Meredith again, her questioning gaze seeming to seek clarification.

Noticing her look, Meredith replied, “The Roaring Wind Dragon King, when did this occur?”

“It was yesterday.

By now, the Elemental Dragon King should have already arrived.”

‘Heh, I thought it was something major.

Still, he’s quite courteous; it seems the Dragonkin approach this discussion with sincerity.’

‘Let’s see what leverage they possess.’

Yunajin mused.

“Lord Meredith, you…”

Just as Yunajin was about to instruct Lord Meredith to receive the Dragon King at the border, a Shadow Demon materialized from the shadows beside the throne.

Yunajin furrowed her brow and leaned her ear closer to the shadow.

“What?! He’s leaving!”