“So!”
Before Richard could finish reading, Aurina’s head dropped from above, staring at the words on the letter: “I want to eat bipedal wyvern-flavored octopus head!”
The black-bearded bard said: “I recommend cold-tossed octopus strips, a delicacy from my hometown.”
Far away, the potato-faced shapeshifter sneezed.
“At least let me finish reading.”
Richard said: “Hmm… She warns us that the emperor is mobilizing troops, likely to tear off the mask directly. In exchange for this intelligence, she hopes we won’t hold her accountable.”
“Since you’ve decided.”
The black-bearded bard shrugged: “Run to the forest then. That’s what we all do.”
“The trial verdict hasn’t come down yet.”
Richard said: “By procedure, I must be present.”
“Whatever is written on the paper, must be done?”
The black-bearded bard said: “Justice resides in the heart, not in words written by the emperor’s slaves on toilet paper.”
“My mission isn’t complete yet.”
Richard said: “Besides, I still need to discuss with the Grand Master.”
“Yes, yes.”
Aurina’s tail snatched the letter from Richard’s hand: “We haven’t rushed into the emperor’s treasury yet to take what’s due.”
That very night, while Richard anxiously awaited orders from the Grand Master of the Hand of Tyr Knight Order.
Noises of commotion came from the street. Climbing up for a distant view.
Teams of fully armed, dark-skinned soldiers roared words like curfew on the streets, with bows and arrows hanging at their waists.
A local priest familiar with the Yanting Empire said: “Those are border troops.”
“Just as the intelligence said, the emperor has called in the border defense forces.”
Richard said: “To replace the city guards? They are indeed more elite.”
Aurina pointed at the distant palace: “Then let’s go straight to the treasury.”
Richard shook his head.
“Report to Lord Richard.”
Someone rushed to the rooftop: “The Grand Master has arrived.”
“Good, I’ll meet him immediately.”
Richard patted Aurina’s small leg: “So, can you get off my head now?”
Aurina finally “graciously” gave Richard face, not riding on his head to meet the Grand Master, and ran off to stay with Sophia.
Now, looking at Sophia, Aurina no longer had a strong urge to corrupt another’s wife or daughter—it was boring.
In the room, Aurina squatted on the table, Sophia sat opposite her, the two women staring wide-eyed at each other—plains glaring at peaks.
Perhaps the silence made the room too quiet, or perhaps to break some awkwardness.
“Aurina, don’t be afraid.”
Sophia said: “Richard will solve the problem. He’s always been like that.”
“Afraid?”
Aurina asked: “This king is only thinking about how to make him give me a bigger share of the gold coins. Hehe, they must be discussing how to grab more gold right now. I used too much little girl magic, so they won’t let me listen.”
“Uh, little girl magic?”
“Yes.”
Sophia decided not to pursue the matter to the end, lest her mind become chaotic.
Last time teaching Aurina math, she almost doubted that twenty was the largest number.
She thought of something and said: “Actually, I could join the discussion.”
“Then why don’t you go?”
“I trust Richard.”
Sophia said: “We’ve known each other for a long, long time. The first hand-holding, the first eye contact, the first kiss.”
“Is that called mating?”
“No!”
A smile appeared on Aurina’s face.
That’s perfect. Once this king restores that majestic, virile form, I will surely make your jade shatter and bloom—right in front of Richard.
Although virginity was a demerit in Aurina’s view—perhaps only the matter with her sister was a bonus—but for Richard’s sake, it could become a plus for Aurina.
But this smile took on a different meaning in Sophia’s eyes.
Thump thump thump, like alarm bells ringing.
Sophia looked at Aurina’s innocent face and asked: “Do you like Richard?”
“Like? I’m clearly planning to enslave him and take revenge. What is ‘like’?”
“It’s wanting to be with him forever and ever, best if only the two of you remain in the world.”
For some reason, Aurina thought of her own sister.
Ever since pulling out her horns, the once inseparable siblings had gradually drifted apart.
Growing up, she even rejected her requests, each flying their separate ways.
Occasional meetings were mostly her falling into overambitious traps, but unfortunately, she couldn’t catch up to plant her dragon seed in her.
“There’s one, but only the first half.”
Aurina said: “Thinking about only two left in the world—that would be so boring.”
“Is that one Richard?”
“No.” Aurina said: “It’s a pretty… little slim one.”
Sophia breathed a slight sigh of relief.
“Right, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I’d have forgotten.”
Aurina clapped her hands: “There’s Richard too! This king really likes the strength he uses to serve this king.”
“Ah?”
“Thump thump thump.”
The door knocked, and Richard’s voice came from behind: “It’s me.”
Sophia said: “Come in.”
Aurina commanded: “Hurry and carry me!”
The door pushed open, revealing Richard’s worried face, closing behind him.
Sophia stood up and asked: “How did it go?”
“It’s very difficult.”
Richard said: “After curfew, it’s hard for the priests to mobilize the faithful. If the emperor turns hostile, crossing the streets would mean killing many soldiers.”
“May the Lord have mercy on them.”
Aurina climbed onto Richard’s body, her horns nearly touching the ceiling:
“Then what are we waiting for?”
Richard: “Aurina, fly then.”
“Fly where?”
“Fly outside the city walls.”
Richard said: “The ranger is right—justice is in the heart. No one says we must wait for the verdict with you present.”
“No.” Aurina said: “I want gold coins. I want to take the emperor’s treasury.
This king won’t slink away in disgrace.”
Richard said:
“Don’t be willful, Aurina. This isn’t simply replacing one mortal army—it’s far from that simple. The Grand Master says many nobles have come. And those nobles who originally promised support… something unexpected happened; they’re watching. But the leaders of the city’s various guilds and representatives certainly won’t want to see it—they’ll persuade the emperor, even with swords if needed.”
Aurina hesitated.
As the saying goes, haste makes waste—even for true gold.
As a dragon who can fly, she could wait for the optimal moment to claim her due: “Then what about you?”
“Me? Staying in the city.”
Richard said: “The Grand Master and commanders have decided to remain in the imperial capital. This matter actually has nothing to do with you anymore, Aurina.”
Sophia said: “Then why can’t we just leave the city now and fly far away?”
“Then we wouldn’t have needed to come to the imperial capital in the first place.”
Richard said: “Sophia, what do you plan to do?”
Sophia said: “I originally thought it was just a simple tour of the imperial capital, then we could go home and get married, but… I feel that dragon has always been by our side, unresting.”
Aurina’s tail tip tensed sharply, looking at Sophia. Could this female have sensed something?
Richard said: “There’s no helping it. After Zhen… died, it’s been one wave after another.”
Sophia said: “I want to go home, Richard. Can you come back with me? I miss the big bed at home. The Yanting Empire’s army can’t reach Haisha Port.”
Richard said: “I can’t abandon my brothers and sisters.”
Aurina’s heart stirred.
Perhaps if Sophia leaves, I can fully use the ‘research fiancée’ spell to thoroughly enslave Richard.
She immediately raised her hand: “Stay! This king stays. Sophia, you can go back home and sleep well for now!”
Then wait for this king to steal you.
“No!”
Sophia immediately grew serious: “I’ve suddenly remembered the Lord’s teachings—to bravely face heresy.”