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chapter 35
I felt a little embarrassed to say it, but I decided to be honest anyway. After all, the person I was talking about wasn’t here, so why not?
“That’s because Arban is just too handsome. If someone could look at that face and not get excited, they wouldn’t be human.”
“…I see. Your master is handsome, huh. Almost as handsome as Karsei.”
Yullen immediately agreed with me. Simple-minded, really.
Come to think of it, that good looks must’ve been inherited since the time of the first emperor.
“Really? Then Karsei must have been a total heartthrob too if Arban looks like him.”
No, wait. Arban is his descendant, so it would make more sense to say that he inherited Karsei’s looks.
“Yeah, Ariel was beautiful too. The most beautiful human I’ve ever seen.”
The most beautiful human, even acknowledged by a dragon… I’d love to see her. Maybe there’s a portrait in the imperial palace somewhere.
Just as my thoughts were wandering, Yullen asked again, bringing me back to the topic.
“Then why did you come to find me with your master? You said you’d come secretly. Why keep it a secret?”
“….”
I suddenly felt the exhaustion that comes from dealing with a child—something I didn’t notice when I was with Amon.
‘This question-murderer…!’
Even though I thought that, I answered Yullen’s questions dutifully. Ignoring this type would only make them more persistent.
“Well… I asked your master for a favor in exchange for telling him the location of the holy sword. The reason it was kept secret… is because if other people knew Arban had it, it would get complicated…”
“Complicated? Why?”
“Because Arban isn’t part of the royal family. Not Arban Sharus, but Arban Kanelowel. If someone outside the royal family becomes the dragon’s master, how would the royal family react?”
Even though I had only learned minutes ago that Arban inherited royal blood.
Then a strange feeling crept over me.
‘Wait… something’s off.’
In the original story, the sword was symbolic, but still—giving a relic of the first emperor to someone with royal blood and the emperor did nothing?
I thought the heir was only the crown prince—doesn’t this mess up the succession?
My mind spun with countless thoughts.
Just as I tried to focus on the reason, Yullen suddenly screamed, startled by something.
“What?!”
“Ah! Don’t scare me like that!”
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest!
But Yullen didn’t seem to care about my reaction, just pressing against my arm while trembling with short legs.
“…I thought the royal surname had changed because a lot of time had passed. Inheriting the holy sword means being chosen by the goddess… and someone chosen by the goddess naturally becomes emperor, right?”
It sounded like Yullen was thinking aloud more than talking to me.
“Karsei was also chosen by the goddess and became emperor…”
I sighed inwardly while looking at Yullen’s gradually drooping head.
“Arban is also a duke with a huge territory. Probably bigger than most kingdoms. So don’t be so disappointed.”
I meant it as comfort, but Yullen just kept hanging his head like a ripened stalk of rice.
“But he’s not the emperor… my master should be above all humans…”
Ah, so he can’t be satisfied unless he’s emperor? Truly dragon-scale thinking.
Yullen’s mood swings were exhausting, so I sighed and rambled, saying things I didn’t entirely mean.
“Even if he’s not emperor yet, you can help him become one when he regains his strength. Arban’s father is the brother of the current emperor. Technically, he’s still royal blood, just a different surname.”
As I talked, Yullen raised his head a little. Seeing that, I kept talking.
“Being of royal blood, he has a claim to the throne. And right now, the emperor has only one son. With the holy sword and you, a dragon, on his side, Arban isn’t lacking anything.”
“…….”
“Plus, Arban is a war hero and revered by the people. Who could be closer to the throne than him?”
Even I got goosebumps thinking about it. I had said it casually, but it actually made sense.
Unaware of my mixed thoughts, Yullen’s face lit up brightly.
“That’s right! If he’s not emperor now, he can become one from now on!”
“…….”
“I hope you regain your power and return to your true form soon. And now we have to go up, Rieli!”
I checked my watch—it really was time to go up.
“Time has flown. Let’s go then.”
“Yeah, I really wanted to go outside!”
“Alright, alright. Let’s go.”
And so began the grueling climb upstairs with cheerful Yullen and exhausted me.
Even while comfortably resting in my arms, the little dragon kept talking non-stop.
Having slept alone for centuries, he was quite the chatterbox.
“…I originally filled that entire underground area with my true form!”
“Wow, you were huge…”
Dragons are really massive. No wonder they’re often the strongest beings in their worlds.
Emboldened by my minimal response, Yullen continued even louder.
“Of course! Dragons are the largest and strongest creatures on earth. If I breathe fire, I could turn a small kingdom into a sea of flames instantly!”
I didn’t have the energy to play along with his boasting.
“Wow… incredible…”
“Really! When I return to my true form, I’ll show you too!”
He seemed disappointed that I didn’t believe him.
I thought, well, he is a dragon… but showing me? Where are you going to burn me…?
I wanted to say “don’t,” but I was too tired to open my mouth.
“Okay, I believe you… but I’m tired… Do you want to fly by yourself now?”
Yullen blinked his round eyes at my half-hearted words.
“Tired? We’ve only been walking? So that’s why my heart is racing.”
I didn’t even have the energy to argue with his curious, fascinated expression.
Ah! My stamina is terrible, climbing stairs tires me out… and trying not to get tired on these murderous stairs is unnatural!
I just nodded silently, and Yullen mirrored me and closed his eyes.
Then a gentle aura began to radiate from his small body.
I watched as my rapidly rising breath gradually settled.
When the golden aura surrounding Yullen spread to cover me as well, my body felt completely restored.
The soreness in my waist, thighs, and hips from days of riding disappeared, as if I’d had a full night’s sleep.
It was magical. I stopped in my tracks and looked down at Yullen.
“What? You healed me, Yullen?”
“Heal? This isn’t exactly healing, it’s recovery. Feeling better? You can stay in my arms as long as you want.”
“Wow… I really feel fine. Not tired at all. Weren’t you powerless before?”
“Powerless? My magic is low, but my divine power is still there. I can heal you anytime if it’s not a serious injury!”
So even if he’s lost his strength as a fighter, he’s still fully capable as a healer.
Suddenly, this dragon seemed so adorable.
Feeling energized, I petted Yullen gently.
And thinking about it, in the original story, people with divine power were extremely rare—even among the priestesses serving the goddess, only a few could wield it.
Even without magic, he was still amazing. I praised him.
“You’re not powerless. You’re amazing! You can heal without magic… Dragons really are different.”
“Exactly. I’m even more amazing in my true form. I’ll definitely show you then!”
“…Think about showing me your true form.”
“Why? I’m awesome! I’ll show you and your master for sure!”
“It’s not about being cool. If your true form is revealed, it’s going to be troublesome.”
“If I return to my true form, my master will become emperor, so it’s fine!”
“…….”
Sure, he said that, but if it actually happens, it won’t just be troublesome.
“…Let’s think about it when you can return to your true form. Look, we’re almost there.”
Pointing toward the light coming from outside, Yullen stretched his neck like a meerkat and shook his head excitedly.
So excited that his flapping wings blocked my view.
“Outside! It’s outside! Quick, let’s go!”
“Ah! Calm down! I can’t see in front of me. If you’re so eager, fly ahead!”
“No… I don’t want to.”
Frustrated, I scolded him, and he folded his wings again. He didn’t want to go alone either.
Watching his behavior closely, I worried.
Will I have to raise a dragon as childish as this, along with a childlike adult? A chill ran down my neck.
‘What kind of combination is this…’
