The earth dragon's footsteps suddenly slowed as it raised its head, scanning its surroundings with visible unease.
Ahead lay the territory of the Dragonblood Mountains.
No wonder the creature hesitated—the semi-dragon breeds within those mountains possessed purer bloodlines than its own… and none could be tamed.
"Keep moving forward. We're crossing the mountains," Aina commanded the earth dragon.
As if understanding her words, the beast tugged the carriage and marched resolutely into the range.
"Can it actually understand us?" Xia Lun asked, surprised.
"Of course not, Xia Lun. I didn’t expect such an adorable question from you," Aina replied, covering her mouth with a light chuckle. "This earth dragon isn’t that highly ranked."
Xia Lun frowned. "Then how?"
"A simple trick. I let it sense my intentions," Aina explained. "Language is just one way to convey my thoughts."
She licked her lips playfully. "Xia Lun… you actually know this trick too."
"Oh?"
Aina nipped at his ear. "At night, the strength of your pats tells me which position to switch to next."
Xia Lun coughed lightly—he’d never paid much attention to that before.
Still, it was a vivid explanation.
"Are we really crossing the Dragonblood Mountains?" Liyana’s voice drifted from inside the carriage. "I thought carriages couldn’t pass through there?"
"It’s been ages since we last came this way," Aina said. "People have built roads by now… though monsters still attack travelers occasionally, so few dare to take this route."
"Perfect," Liyana mused, eager.
If they encountered weaklings, she could handle them herself—no need for Xia Lun to step in. She’d finally get to shine.
But her plans fell flat.
Not a single monster barred their path the entire way through the mountains.
"Why aren’t there any monsters…?" Liyana grumbled, resting her cheek on her palm, thoroughly bored.
Once they left the range, Xia Lun quietly withdrew his aura.
Less trouble meant faster travel.
Olie City was still about two hundred kilometers away, but the earth dragon’s pace would get them there before nightfall.
A proper inn with a soft bed was far preferable to camping in the wild.
How far he’d fallen. In the past, Xia Lun wouldn’t have cared about such comforts.
Then again, it was all Aina’s fault. If he didn’t satisfy her at night, she’d spend the day teasing him relentlessly—a failure as her husband.
"Xia Lun, what’s on your mind?" Aina’s voice turned sultry. "So spirited… but now’s not the time."
He’d almost forgotten she was sitting right in front of him.
Blushing slightly, Xia Lun flicked the reins, urging the earth dragon faster.
---
Olifendor.
"Wolund, open up~ Wolund, open up~"
Mida pressed against the city’s defensive barrier, poking the invisible shield with a finger, her face blank. "If you don’t let me in, I’ll break through."
An entrance formed in the barrier.
Mida fluttered her tiny wings and flew inside.
She didn’t seek out Wolund. According to him, he was usually busy—no point bothering him. Not like they had much to talk about anyway.
Instead, she headed straight for her parents’ estate.
Yet something felt off. She couldn’t catch their scents.
Hiding their presence made sense, but masking their smell? Unnecessary.
Mida landed in the manor’s courtyard.
The atmosphere was strange, as if unseen eyes watched her.
Whoever it was, they were strong—strong enough to make Mida feel threatened.
It had been a long time since she’d felt this way. The last time was during a Demon King gathering, where the others had also been formidable.
Her mother didn’t count. Her mother’s power didn’t just threaten—it invoked despair.
"Who are you?" A childlike voice echoed from beyond space.
"I’m Mida," Mida answered in the same tone.
"Why are you here?" Yisi pressed.
"I’m looking for my mother," Mida replied, then added, "And father."
"You’re a dragon, aren’t you?" Yisi sensed her aura, and the wings were hard to miss. "They’re not here. Go look somewhere else."
"But they lived here before," Mida said flatly. "And who are you? Why are you here?"
"The two great ones ordered me to guard this place! It’s mine now!" Yisi sounded proud.
Mida frowned. "This is my parents’ home."
"Ugh, are you deaf?" Yisi huffed. "They’re not here. If you don’t leave, I’ll beat you up!"
Around her parents, Mida behaved. But that was the exception.
She was one of the mighty Demon Kings—prideful in her own right.
With such a challenge, she wouldn’t just slink away.
"Rawr~"
Mida let out a feeble roar.
"Rawr~!" Yisi shot back, emerging from the void now that a fight was inevitable.
Her duty was to protect this place. She wouldn’t let Mida cause trouble.
Mida’s wings flapped, rippling the space around her as she lunged at Yisi.
Yisi’s spider-leg appendages shot forward, stabbing toward Mida.
Boom—
Yisi was punched in the gut and sent flying, while Mida was flung back by the piercing strikes.
Both scrambled up and clashed again, fists blurring, shockwaves tearing through the air.
"You’re strong," Yisi admitted mid-battle.
"You too," Mida replied.
After another exchange, they broke apart.
Mida opened her mouth, unleashing a frosty dragon’s breath. Yisi tore open a spatial rift, swallowing the attack into oblivion.
"Both of you, stop!"
Wolund’s frantic shout finally interrupted the fight.
Mida and Yisi glanced at the panting newcomer.
Mida: "No."
Yisi: "Haven’t had a good fight in ages. I’m not done."
Wolund: "…"
He felt utterly ignored.