After the minor commotion, Richard, carrying a listless Aurina, pushed through the crowd that parted on its own and found Sophia, who was holding the warhorse.
They were traveling light.
A large pile of cargo had been sent off by wagons to a church-affiliated merchant guild, where someone would handle selling it.
Sophia, meanwhile, carried a plethora of interdimensional space bags, stuffing all her numerous belongings inside.
Even so, Sophia hadn’t kept a close eye on Aurina, who vanished in the blink of an eye.
Richard said, “Don’t put her on the warhorse again. It’s irresponsible to the citizens’ property. I’m not exaggerating when I say that if I’d been five minutes late, I wouldn’t doubt she could’ve swallowed the entire herd of cows.”
Sophia felt a pang of guilt—this was already the third time Aurina had escaped.
Just try harder and carry Aurina on your back.
But Aurina was too warm.
Though light, Sophia was already wearing heavy chainmail under her priestly robes, and adding anything to her shoulders made her uncomfortable.
So uncomfortable that only the big pillow and mattress in her third interdimensional space bag could soothe her.
“How about just—”
“Carry me, Richard!”
Aurina, realizing her tough approach wasn’t working, raised her head and used a cutesy, childlike tone, wielding the little-girl spell.
“I’m still a little girl, you know.”
Before Richard could respond, Sophia’s gaze sharpened.
“Richard, do you want her to sit on you?”
“Uh.”
There were still claw marks from Aurina on Richard’s polished shoulder armor.
Earlier, Aurina had clung to him like a facehugger, scrambling to climb onto his shoulders as if reclaiming her throne.
He hadn’t seen the “affectionate” look in Aurina’s eyes because his gorget blocked his downward view.
“Alright, this way she won’t run off.”
Sophia asked, “Is it because she’s more obedient?”
“Yeah.”
“Fine then,” Sophia said.
“You’re still recovering, so I’ll take on this burden for you.”
“Gah, no way!”
Aurina complained. .
“That’s this king’s throne!”
Richard was holding Aurina by the scruff of her neck, about to hand her to Sophia.
Sophia said, “You’re still holding her. What are you clinging to?”
Richard’s movements suddenly sped up, lifting Aurina to Sophia in a flash, so fast that Aurina dangled in his grasp.
Aurina grumbled, “Gah, a dragon in distress, bullied by bugs!”
Sophia took Aurina in her arms, and Richard let go.
Aurina settled down, like a kitten, nestling against Sophia’s soft yet firm chest, her hands unabashedly clinging as she said, “At least the world still has this softness to comfort this king.”
Her neck was red and taut, showing no sign of the chunk of flesh one might expect, looking much like an ordinary little girl.
How did Richard manage to grab such a chunk of her neck?
“You’re so rough,” Sophia said, gently patting Aurina’s back.
“Be good, Aurina. Unfaithful, fickle men are the worst. Come to your big sister instead.”
“Sophia, you’re so soft.”
“Call me big sister.”
“Big sister Sophia,” Aurina said. “I want to sit up high.”
“You’re feeling insecure, aren’t you?”
Sophia didn’t object. “Come on, then.”
Aurina clambered a bit on Sophia and settled on her shoulders.
Looking around, Aurina saw many faces—some curious, some surprised, some smiling kindly at her.
So many bug faces.
Then she thought, My steed below is Sophia—short and not strong at all, nowhere near the strongest little bug.
In short, the great Dread Dragon was thoroughly dejected, sighing like a shriveled bug.
Aurina looked around.
Gold coins were everywhere, her gold coins, temporarily held by a bunch of weak, timid little bugs.
How I want to scoop them into my belly, let my stomach guard these lovely, charming gold coins.
Tch, that approaching carriage.
It held five hundred thirty-two gold coins, if only… the strongest yet foolish little bug didn’t notice.
Thinking this, Aurina sneaked a glance at Richard with the corner of her eye.
From the slit in Richard’s helmet, his gaze pierced like a sword, as if saying, “I know what you’re thinking.”
Aurina immediately turned her head to stare at the sky, pretending nothing had happened, whistling a rhythmic tune.
A while later, a carriage worth seven hundred thirty-two gold coins passed by.
Aurina couldn’t bear it.
Glancing at Richard, their eyes met again.
Aurina repeated her trick, turning to stare at the sky.
The beast of burden definitely noticed my grand ambition to collect gold coins.
Honestly, how do I make this fool smarter?
“Richard,” Sophia, the steed beneath her, said. “You’re sneaking glances at Aurina. You really care about her, don’t you?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah!”
Aurina chimed in.
“Always locking eyes with this king. You must be sneaking peeks at me!”
Sophia’s eyes narrowed to slits, sharp as a blade.
Richard quickly explained, “I’m just keeping an eye on Aurina, worried she’ll sneak off and do something bad.”
Sophia said, “So you don’t trust me?”
“Uh… yeah.”
“Hmph.”
Sophia, miffed, held up Aurina’s socked foot.
“I think you’re just missing the feeling of carrying Aurina.”
“Yes, definitely!”
Aurina eagerly seized the chance to flaunt her little-girl spell’s control over Richard, like someone showing off a leash on a dog.
“Because I’m still a white-stockinged little girl!”
Richard panicked. “Listen, it’s not like that, Sophia.”
“What? I didn’t even ask anything, and you’re already explaining?”
Sophia gave a cold smile.
“The great dragon-slaying hero, explaining himself like a criminal?”
Richard shut his mouth immediately, looking away to avoid suspicion.
Sophia added, “That head turns fast.”
Aurina asked, “So, can Richard carry me?”
Sophia: “No.”
Richard: “No!”
“Gah.” Aurina let out a feeble sound.
Having to look at so many bug faces.
When can I sit on the strongest little bug steed again?
Not far off, a golden light shone like the rising sun—Aurina’s appraisal talent kicking in.
An unbelievable treasure is coming my way. One deep breath.
A familiar yet strange scent filled her nostrils.
Though she didn’t recognize it, Aurina couldn’t help but say, “The smell of the weak.”
“Clang!”
“Clang!”
“Make way! Make way!”
The sound of plate armor clashing rang out, along with the gong of a copper bell.
Black-armored knights pushed through the crowd, shouting, “By law, everyone must make way for the noble!”
The bustling crowd soon cleared a wide path.
Four snow-white steeds, stepping gracefully, pulled a pristine porcelain-white carriage.
The carriage was adorned with exquisite enamel patterns, accented with silver threading that made the designs striking.
Its frame was meticulously polished, every inch inlaid with pure silver, reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling display.
Eight black-armored knights rode warhorses, guarding and isolating the carriage.
Their armor and horse barding bore intricate patterns as well.
Passersby couldn’t help but stop and stare at the carriage’s luxury and refinement.
The carriage stopped, and the door opened.
A gorgeously dressed maid swiftly opened the door, pulling down a transforming step with practiced speed.
A porcelain-white high heel stepped onto the stair, followed by a white silk stocking embroidered with silver thread, wrapping a sleek calf, and finally the hem of a skirt.
A single horn dipped slightly as it passed under the carriage’s roof—it was Frostsilver, the Countess of Champagne.
“My old, penniless teammates,” Frostsilver said, her gaze sweeping over the trio.
“I assume you were prepared for my arrival. After all, my ship, worth enough to cover half your debts, is docked at the harbor, adding a touch of brilliance to this humble dock.”
Richard blinked.
“Is it?”
Frostsilver’s expression remained unchanged.
Aurina turned to Richard.
“I didn’t see it either.”
Frostsilver’s fingers tightened around her tall staff.
“You didn’t see it?”
Sophia exclaimed.
“I saw it, Frostsilver. I heard you were wealthy, but I didn’t realize you were that wealthy.”
Frostsilver didn’t even seem to hear, as if Sophia were a buzzing mosquito.
Sophia asked, “Are you here to help us with our just cause?”
“Help?” Frostsilver said.
“Friendship isn’t earned; it’s bought. My terms are simple: hand over Aurina. No one in the world understands dragons better than I do. I’ll help clear your debts. As for the conflict between the secular and the divine, I’ll consider it based on your performance. Think about it—it’s better than giving Aurina to someone with a daughter fetish.”
Richard said, “Considering the Hellknight Order’s headquarters is in the County of Champagne, handing Aurina to you would either produce another evil dragon years later or turn her into a tool for you to harm others.”
“Heh, how laughable—wait, where’s the dragon?”
“Dragon?”
Richard snapped to attention.
“Where’s Aurina?”
“Isn’t she on my back? Still warm.”
“That’s just a ball of fire.”
“What?”
Sophia turned to see a low-temperature flame burning on her back.
The Hellknight Order shouted, “Something’s darting over!”
“Is it a rat?”
Frostsilver’s carriage tilted to one side—it was Aurina, her mouth wide open.
Richard shouted, “No! Aurina!”
Aurina didn’t stop, her tongue lolling out, her stomach assuring her it could handle this challenge.
Her mouth opened wide.
Frostsilver’s pre-prepared trigger spell activated: “Dragon Cage!”
Aurina froze in place, motionless.
The Hellknight Order grabbed her, but Richard rushed over, snatching her back.
Seconds later, Aurina returned to normal.
“Hmph,” Frostsilver said, not moving an inch, her tone calm.
“Aurina, it seems this is your limit. You can’t resist my arcana. Richard, I regret to inform you that the dignity of the Remifasolasiastariyanos family cannot be violated. I’ll side with the Emperor, and there will be no further dealings. Good luck.”
Sophia couldn’t accept it.
“How could you? Weren’t we comrades through hardship?”
Aurina burped, and hearing the family name, she recalled a song.
“Do rui mi fa…”
But Frostsilver was faster.
After reciting her family name, she snapped her right fingers.
The carriage window opened, and four maids leaned out with brass trumpets, blowing a tune that drowned out Aurina’s song.
Frostsilver turned.
“Goodbye.”
“Wait—”
Frostsilver ignored them, boarded the carriage, shut the door, and rode off.
Richard said, “Where’s your staff?”
“It’s with this king!”
Aurina said proudly, hands on her hips.
From the not-so-distant luxurious carriage came a piercing scream: “Where’s my staff?”