No Way She'd Come Back
No way she'd come back, right? "My sleep's all ruined now."
It had been five days since that weird human showed up. I was still in polymorph form, arms crossed, lounging against the nest wall. My original plan had been to sleep for about five years before heading to the Fairy Kingdom, but that strange human had woken me up. I could go back to sleep, sure, but it wouldn't be a proper deep slumber like this.
"Damn human."
If it hadn't been that Haring girl, I could've slept like a baby! Tap tap. I idly drummed my fingers on the nest and closed my eyes quietly.
"...It was kinda impressive, though."
A human—no, a puny-looking rookie mercenary—climbing this towering Red Mountain. Even seasoned mercenaries or tough dwarves and barbarians would struggle with that. Yet Haring pulled it off. It made me feel a bit proud of her grit, but to think she used that persistence just for theft. What a ridiculous waste.
"What was her real goal, anyway..."
I'd pegged her as a thief, but her behavior and reactions didn't quite fit. For a mercenary, her face was oddly innocent, and though she trembled, she didn't seem terrified of death. 'More like uneasy than outright scared?' Even veteran mercenaries wailed like kids in the face of death.
Flap. Flap.
"Flame Dragon Lady! Flame Dragon Lady!"
"Oh, Tiria."
"Yup! It's me, Tiria!"
Lost in thought, I suddenly noticed fairies gathering around me one by one. They were a bit bigger than my hand, resembling elves with glowing butterfly wings on their backs.
Giggle~
"We didn't come while you were sleeping, Flame Dragon Lady~ We did good, right?"
"Yeah. But some other visitors beat you to it."
"Ehh~? Who? Who'd dare disturb your sleep?"
"Bad! Naughty! They need a spanking!"
The fairies chimed in, swirling around me. I chuckled at the one tapping my shoulder.
"Yup. So I gave 'em a good scolding."
"You did great! But who was it?"
"A human."
"A human? How'd a human get to the Flame Dragon Lady's nest?"
"Maze! It's super high up here..."
"Dunno. Must be one persistent punk."
Otherwise, no one climbs this high. After knocking her out, I'd just tossed her at the mountain entrance without further ado. 'She didn't die, right?' I'd cleared out all the dangerous beasts, but a few feral animals lingered. She climbed up in one piece, so she could probably handle herself.
As our casual chat wound down, Tiria—their leader—clapped and looked up at me.
"Hey, Flame Dragon Lady. Know what?"
"Hm?"
"Lately, tons of outsiders have been flooding into the kingdom below. From another continent, I guess."
"Outsiders?"
"Yup~"
"Humans?"
"Humans and other races too, apparently. Pretty wild, huh?"
"Hmm..."
Another continent? I'd traveled the world far and wide—no such thing as a "new" continent to me. Cultural or racial differences didn't make anyone true outsiders. Plus, the Legion Kingdom at the base of Red Mountain was one of the most open to trade with other kingdoms and non-humans.
"...Nah."
"Huh?"
"When was the last time I went down there..."
I scratched my head. About thirty years ago, maybe? We'd had some contacts since, but my last official visit was thirty years back. Things might've changed.
"Did the Legion King die? He didn't look that old."
"Nope! He's alive and kicking."
"Yeah~ He seems even spryer lately~."
"Huh. Guess not, then..."
Probably just more immigrants from the eastern continent. That innocent-looking mercenary Haring might even be one. Either way, none of my business.
No way she'd come back? Unless she was crazy or had nine lives, she'd heed my warning.
"Flame Dragon Lady~ When're you coming to the Fairy Kingdom this time? The Fairy King misses you tons~."
"In five years. Wanna sleep some more."
"For real? I'll tell him that!"
Giggle~ Tiria chattered on for a while before leaving with the others. Alone again, I yawned and reverted to my true dragon form. Polymorph wasn't uncomfortable, but dragon form felt cozier for sleep—like pajamas versus day clothes. Day clothes are fine, but pajamas are best for real rest.
If I just closed my eyes for a month like this, I'd drift off again...
Knock knock.
"Anyone home...?"
"...?"
Again? ♢♧♢
"Ehehe... Hi there!"
"......"
She came back. Five days later—must've climbed right after waking up. 'Not a mountain a human scales in a day or two.' Why come back? The height alone should've deterred her, and even with few active dragons these days, no rookie mercenary should be this bold...
I glared down at Haring with utter disdain, and she looked sheepish.
"Well, it's like..."
"Didn't get the message?"
"N-no! I wasn't really here to steal!"
"Liar."
"For real! See, you're super amazing, mysterious, legendary... totally OP, right?!"
"Mm."
True enough.
"So?"
"Y'know those legends? Like, 'Great dragon trains hero, becomes ultimate knight' or whatever...?"
"Yeah."
I nodded at her eager face. A few non-dragons had trained under dragons like that—Ice Elf Princess influenced by the northern frost dragon, southern earth dragon's ogre berserker... even the retired former emperor of Legion got "trained" by dragons. 'More like force-fed lessons, but still.' I'd done it myself once, though I barely remembered.
"So, teach me?"
"Sure! If you do, I'd be—"
"Nah. Too annoying."
Yawwwn...Flop. I sprawled deeper into the plush nest. Too lazy to move, let alone teach.
"Too late... way too sloooow..."
Should've come a century ago. I was half-retired then too, but I might've considered it based on talent. 'Sleeeepy...' Living thousands of years was exhausting. I waved Haring off dismissively.
Whoosh~ She fluttered like a candle in the wind from my gesture.
Too much hassle to toss her down again...
"Get lost while I'm nice... And be grateful for life."
"Wait."
"Tch."
"N-no! I'm going! Obviously! But can I ask one tiny favor? Like, permission to ask?"
"Spit it out."
Wordy. Tiresome. I'd just hear her out anyway—what's the diff? If she drags it, I'd yeet her to the other continent...
"Th-that transform mode, just once..."
"Huh?"
"Y'know, the human girl form. When you flicked my forehead."
"...?"
Why that? Just polymorph—nothing special. Weaker and squishier than dragon form, not super tough. 'Not human-fragile, though.' Most begged to see dragon form instead. Rare to want the human look.
"Just wanna see it once. Pretty please?"
"......"
"For real, just once! Promise I'll leave. Real talk, no cap."
"...Fiiiine."
Annoying, but one shift's whatever. Tossing her down was like a convenience store run; transforming was changing clothes. Latter's easier, so do it and boot her. If she still lingers, I'd haul her to the mainland's edge like a restaurant delivery.
Fwoooosh...!!
My body shrank endlessly, wings unfurling skyward. No dress this time—just comfy red pajamas, more pinkish, a gift anyway. I'd worn fancy for the flick to intimidate; no need now. 'Lazyyy...' Picked the comfiest option.
Transformation done, Haring shuddered like she'd been shocked.
What's her deal?
"Happy? Now scram. Sleepy time."
"...No pic, huh? No other way..."
"?"
Haring gritted her teeth, charging like she'd decided something. How'd that mana-less weakling move so fast? I just watched. No threat—she couldn't scratch me. Even with a good weapon, it'd backfire on her.
She closed to nose-touching distance...
"Hya!"
"?"
Click. Click. Click!
She struck poses beside me, then bolted out of the nest.
"Huh?!"