The Runaway Dragon's Tearful Past
From the village to the great plain, we walked the whole way. Once we reached monster territory, there was no time to snag horses. Besides, most of them could use magic anyway, so horses were just a comfy ride at best.
Even so, Natasha was the exception, rolling along in a little carriage. She wasn't completely magic-less, but it seemed like she could barely handle her own body with it—and being such a precious cargo probably justified the ride. But if that was the case, wasn't Ray even more valuable?
"Ugh. Just having her nearby makes my ears hurt."
"She's probably nagging from inside again?"
Kelly, who'd been leading from the front, swung back to our rear guard.
"Her mom's the princess of Hab Kingdom, right?"
"Yeah. Fucking sucks, but you can't just fuck around with a girl like that."
Even for Kelly, messing with royalty was a no-go. Mercenaries like her had to stay buddy-buddy with Hab Kingdom since they didn't stick to one spot.
"Saintess, why the hell do you look so pissed?"
"You really gotta ask?"
"Hmm. It's 'cause of those girls, huh?"
I figured she'd sort things out with Jed and come back alone, but nope—she returned with two new chicks hanging off my arms. Was I just that irresistible, or were women that easy? Either way, it had to be driving Ray nuts, equal parts baffling and frustrating. I'd planned to lay low for the rest of our time in the duchy, but how the hell was I supposed to hold back with a ripe dragon like this around?
"And that bitch Lilith... haa, let's not even go there."
I hadn't had time to explain properly until now. But as a saintess, Ray must've sniffed out the demon vibe. Seira timidly apologized to the fuming Ray.
"I'm sorry."
"At least you know you're sorry."
"But... Master Daron's just so charming, that's why."
"You trying to be funny right now?"
"Did I say something weird? S-sorry."
Ray flinched at Seira's pure-hearted nature. She wasn't brazenly demanding Daron with some mask on—no, her expression screamed genuine remorse. That innocence was too much; Ray couldn't stay mad. Any more, and she'd look like the bad guy.
Instead, Ray shot me a glare.
"You seduced another innocent girl like this?"
"Ahem."
I couldn't exactly yell "She's a dragon!" here. I coughed dryly and glossed over it.
"Yeah, my bad. What'd you girls do wrong?"
Seira, sure—but that bitch Lilith was definitely guilty.
"Sigh. Can't turn back now. You make women fall that fast anyway, before I can even stop you."
Ray comforted the suddenly downcast Seira, peppering her with questions. Maybe she'd remembered someone's offhand comment about my "wife plan" and was trying to bond first. Seira wasn't a perv like some or a scheming fox like others, so Ray warmed up quick.
"You're an adventurer, right? How'd that happen?"
"She ran away from home. From some secretive clan, super strict—"
"I didn't ask you."
"Got it."
Even I felt deflated. But Seira smiled faintly at me in thanks. No need to blurt out she was a dragon and cause a scene with slip-ups. I'd laid the groundwork on her backstory, so now we could mix truth and lies smoothly.
"So, you ran away?"
"Yes."
"Must've been pretty strict for that. Mind sharing details?"
"I'll tell you."
"Speak casually."
"O-okay."
I only knew the basics, so I was curious for the full story too. Seira opened up cautiously.
"Well, you can tell from my hair... I've had white hair and these eyes since birth. Mom's got purple eyes and hair."
She was born with albinism-like traits. In wars, you meet all kinds. I'd seen plenty of humans like that, colorless from head to toe.
"So my parents worried about me a ton. They'd always have one of them tag along if I went out, and no rough play ever."
Still, as a dragon—a tough race—she wasn't human-fragile. Weak for a dragon, maybe? Just from shoving Kelly earlier, you could guess her strength.
"So..."
Seira's heartbreaking tale continued. Her dragon dad died early from illness, leaving her mom to shield her fiercely. In that stifling environment, she shrank into this personality, trembling at her mom's word. That's how she ended up a dragon who listened to me so well...
Anyway, Seira ran away. A dutiful daughter who loved her mom, but even she needed to breathe as her own being. She left home, faced adventures: new foods, monster hunts, making friends... whose first friend happened to be that demon slut.
"Sniff."
Tears welled in Ray's eyes. I'd condensed it, but the real story was nonstop tragedy.
"Seira, you've had it rough."
"Ray, why're you crying?"
"No, no. Seira, you wanted lots of friends, right? I'll be one from now on."
"Really?!"
Seira beamed innocently. Ray meant it, so the joy was fine. Seira clicked perfectly with Ray, luckily.
"Friends starting today?"
"Yeah, friends! Eating together, chatting, going out. Ask anything you're curious about."
"Ray's so nice. Thanks! These days feel like the best ever. Meeting Master Daron... and Ray..."
"But you had to meet a guy with a harem like Daron..."
"It's fine. Strong males should have lots of females to bear their seed, right?"
"Wh-what?"
Ray glared at me again over Seira's innocent bombshell. Hey, I never taught her that. Dragons must just see things differently from humans.
"Speaking of, you're Daron's mate too, right? When his thing goes in, it feels so goo—"
"Ah... haha. As a saintess now, I can't talk about that stuff."
Rumors of a boyfriend were okay, but admitting full-on sex? Too risky. She'd get labeled a slut, unfit for saintess duties. Barely sealing Seira's lips, Ray switched topics. They chattered warmly again soon enough.
The closer they got, the better for me.
"Daron, you skipped training yesterday, huh?"
Kelly sidled up, hand on my shoulder. She wouldn't lose in sex, but this situation was scary as hell.
"Y-yeah?"
The nightly routine I'd planned. Last night, I was too busy pounding away to do it.
"Double today."
"Does it have to be double?"
"Won't make yesterday plus today double the gains, sure. But suffering like this might keep you from skipping next time?"
"Yesterday was unavoidable, seriously."
"Fucking around?"
Kelly boldly smacked near my cock. No eyes on us, but anyone paying attention might spot it... girl had no shame. Me neither?
Smack!!!!!
I walloped Kelly's firm ass. Heads turned at the sound, but no way they'd guess it came from her juicy cheeks. As attention faded, I whispered like a beast.
"After training tonight, I'll fuck you raw."
"You bastard. That cover just one day?"
Kelly wasn't offended. She clenched her fist and shoved it at me.
"Skip, and I'll jump you sleeping and fuck you like a dog."
"Pfft. You only beat me once back then. Since? You've lost every time, you broken bitch. Don't cry."
"Heh heh heh. Fine by me."
"Hey."
Someone'd overheard. Not Elinne glancing from Charlotte's side—right in front. Ray, chatting with Seira, kept peeking back.
"Shouldn't we get serious?"
"Monsters!"
Perfect timing—a horde appeared. Goblins and orcs. Bizarre seeing different intelligent monsters teamed up. Weirder still, they moved like trained soldiers.
"What're you waiting for? Kill 'em!"
At Natasha's order, her dedicated guard Fiz drew her sword and charged first.
"Chrk! Pretty bitches aplenty!"
"Kekekeke. That female's goblin turf."
They targeted Charlotte first. Pissed by that, Jed beat her to the punch. Impressive.
"Guess I'll stretch too?"
Thirty, forty strong—not light numbers. Bows too, and crude but real weapons. Reminded me of those goblins on the way to Lancelot Duchy. These were way deadlier.
Still, just orcs and goblins. Charlotte alone could've sliced them with a few swings. With Kelly joining, they hit the dirt in seconds.