Chapter 391: Nidavellir (2)
Chapter 391: Nidavellir (2)
“Welcome. The Yarl extends his greetings to our guests.”
“Ugh….”
Fay instinctively flinched at the head attendant’s subtle sneer. It was a conditioned reflex, carved into her by years of disdain.
…No. I’m not the same as I was before. I acted so confident in front of my Junior; I can’t back down now.
Gritting her teeth and scowling, Fay forced her slouching back straight.
She had to say it. That she was a direct descendant of the Yarnshard family. She had to ask if a mere head attendant dared to disregard the Yarl’s authority.
It was at that moment, just as Fay was bracing herself to speak—
…
“SILENCE—————————!!!!”
“Hieek!”
An overbearing pressure erupted. It was a roar so thunderous it was impossible to tell where such volume could come from in that slender frame.
Perhaps because it was infused with mana, a shockwave radiated out from Yandel, sending hair and clothes fluttering wildly.
Fay, who had jumped at Yandel’s shout despite herself, stomped her feet in a panic.
T-This isn't how it's supposed to gooo… Wait, more importantly, what was that just now…?
It was an aura that triggered a creature’s primal fear. Even though she knew it wasn't directed at her, Fay knew this sensation all too well—the feeling of every hair on her body standing on end.
Dragon Fear.
Her lover was gradually ceasing to be human. Yandel’s fury was consuming the lobby.
The head attendant, who had seemed arrogantly polite just moments ago, had long since collapsed.
His thick dwarven legs, usually so sturdy, couldn't even support his own weight as he fell to his knees, and his stiff neck was now buried deep against his chest.
Fay realized, watching the attendant gasp for air as if even breathing was a struggle, just how quiet the surroundings had become. It was so silent that the sound of a single person’s breath felt deafening.
The master of this heavy silence spoke.
“Did you find me that amusing?”
His voice was closer to a predator’s growl than human speech. Yet, to Fay, it was the loveliest sound in the world, and she turned to look at him.
Yandel’s pupils had narrowed into vertical slits like a dragon’s, looking down upon the world with absolute disdain.
It was a terrifying gaze that made not only the head attendant but the other servants nearby—and even Baru, who had guided them here—tremble in fear.
But to Fay, it looked a bit different.
Ah… he’s so cool.
They really were two peas in a pod.
*
Since ancient times, dwarves have been the errand boys of dragons; it’s even depicted in the ancient murals of Subakdo.
…Still, isn't this a bit much?
“Heugh… wheeze….”
The head attendant was struggling to breathe, making choking sounds. Seeing his face turn blue, he looked like he was genuinely on the verge of suffocating.
I was pissed off by how he treated Fay, but I wasn't so enraged that I wanted to kill the man.
The heat in my head cooled down almost as fast as it had flared up.
However, that didn't mean my anger had vanished. The temperature of my rage had simply turned cold.
“Did you find me that amusing?”
My voice came out raspy, surprising even me. At this, the head attendant, who was clutching his throat and trying to suck in air, began slamming his head against the floor.
Thump! Thump!
“I—I apologize for my insolence… Please, have mercy….”
“Mercy, you say.”
I trailed off and looked down at him silently. It didn't feel like he was genuinely repentant; it felt more like his survival instincts were forcing him to apologize for now.
That was only natural. He wouldn't have the mental leeway for anything else in this situation.
I didn't intend to fault him for that, but… now was the time to set an example. I needed to make sure he would never dare treat Fay lightly again, even if it was out of pure terror.
For that reason, I activated Dragonification.
Cr-crack—
A gruesome sound of something breaking and reassembling echoed from within my body.
Curved horns sprouted from my forehead, and scales began to emerge on my skin. But it didn't stop there.
Thanks to obtaining the Dragon Heart and drawing closer to my Origin, my Dragonification had been enhanced.
Rip.
Wings unfurled from my back, casting a deep shadow, and a thick tail thrashed against the floor, reflecting my foul mood.
Finally, I projected the intensified pressure of Dragon Fear across the entire area, rather than focusing it solely on the head attendant.
“Why should I show mercy? Why should I tolerate the arrogance of a wretch who dares to insult my woman in my presence?”
“That is….”
His eyes shook like a leaf in the wind. What they held was vivid despair.
Right. Even you can’t think of a reason to be spared, can you?
Just as the corner of my mouth began to curl into a crooked smirk, Fay stepped in.
“Ju-Junior? Let’s stop there. Okay?”
“Senior Fay….”
My voice softened instantly, as I couldn't possibly direct my edge toward her. I frowned for a moment, wondering why she was shielding someone who had just snubbed her.
How far are you going to take this! Wrap it up already!
Fay was mouthing words at me, her back turned to the servants so only I could see.
She was right. I’d started strong to set an example, but unless I planned to actually kill him, I had to end it at a reasonable point.
And right now was the perfect setup for an exit.
Isn't it always a beautiful maiden who calms a rampaging dragon?
Well, Fay isn't exactly a maiden anymore, but still!
I signaled my understanding with my eyes while continuing to growl with my mouth.
“But Senior Fay. You heard what that fellow was spouting. Even if the other dwarves ignore you, do I have to tolerate the head attendant acting this way?”
“Yes, I know. You’re doing this because you’re worried about me, right? You must have been angry that I was being looked down upon.”
“Then…!”
“But Junior. This is ‘my home.’ I don’t want to see blood in the home I’ve finally returned to.”
“…….”
Oh. That was a good one.
Treat me with the respect due to a daughter of this house. Otherwise, I will gladly see blood spilled… wasn't that what she meant?
To counter the head attendant’s attempt to treat her as a mere guest rather than a member of the Yarnshard family like that—impressive.
Perhaps she would have handled this just fine on her own even without my help.
…Actually, rather than "helping," I mostly just acted out because I was pissed off.
Anyway, since Fay had set the stage so well, it was my turn to play along.
I shifted my gaze to the head attendant once more before slowly scanning the room.
The servants who had been lined up to greet us were all trembling in fear or looking at Fay with pleading expressions.
Finally, I looked straight back into Fay’s eyes and let out a deep sigh.
“Haaa… Fine. If that’s what you want, Senior, I’ll stop here.”
“Thank you, Junior.”
With a small smile, Fay stood on her tiptoes. She began to gently stroke my hair as if praising a child.
I felt like this might be taking it a bit too far, but since her protruding chest was pressing firmly against me in the process, I decided to let it slide.
I deactivated Dragonification and withdrew the Fear that had been dominating the area.
Simultaneously, shocked gazes fell upon Fay. They were likely stunned that she had calmed me down with just a few words.
Though some people weren't in a state to be stunned.
“Heugh… haaa….”
The head attendant gasped for air, finally able to breathe. Fay ignored him as if he weren't even there and asked the nearest maid.
“I don’t need a guide. We’ll all be staying in my room anyway. Just prepare some extra bedding.”
“Um… My Lady, about that….”
“Why? Did you clear out my room or something?”
The usual timid Fay was nowhere to be seen; she stood with her back straight. However, if one looked closely, her clenched fists were white with tension.
She was trying her best in her own way.
Though… from the maid’s perspective, it probably looked like Fay was contemplating whether to beat her up.
The terrified maid shook her head vigorously and cried out.
“N-No, ma’am! We haven't touched a single thing inside! But… well… it hasn't been cleaned at all….”
“What? Is that all? Don’t worry about it. A Clean spell isn't exactly difficult.”
“Magic….”
The maid muttered blankly. While Clean is a common spell, it requires a level of difficulty equivalent to a lower-tier spell.
In other words, it’s something only a formal mage who has finished their apprenticeship can use without burden.
To a dwarf, who is far removed from magic, it must have sounded like a story from another world.
Did she finally realize that the Fay before her wasn't the timid child she once knew, but a genius who had studied at the continent’s greatest educational institution?
After a moment of looking dazed, the maid bowed deeply.
“I shall follow your wishes, My Lady. Please call for me whenever you need anything.”
“I will. Oh, right! Where is my father now? I should at least go greet him.”
“The Yarl is in his bedchamber.”
“His bedchamber?”
“Yes. His illness has worsened rapidly of late, and he hasn't been able to sleep for days. He only managed to fall asleep shortly before your arrival, My Lady.”
“…His condition must be quite bad. Let me know when he wakes up.”
“I shall do so.”
Fay nodded at the maid’s respectful reply. She took the lead, walking a few paces before turning back to our group with a faint smile.
“Welcome to my home!”
It was a smile befitting a noble lady, one I’d never seen before.
“Hieeeee… I thought I was going to die from the tension….”
“…….”
Though she melted back into a puddle the moment we entered the room.
Yeah. This is the Fay I know.