Chapter 125
That’s quite a difficult request. Just as it would be hard to regain life force once it’s been taken, the same would apply to dragon power… hmm.
The Master of the Magic Tower furrowed his brows slightly and fell into deep thought.
Dragon power is a force that flows through bloodlines, and since Lady Jiana’s mother is still alive… how about trying to find your mother first?
“My mother?”
Yes. I think your mother might already know some information about your late father.
No matter how much Jiana ransacked her memories, her mother rarely spoke of her father, who had passed away first.
At the time, she didn’t think much of it, but looking back now, it seems her mother might have deliberately hidden it.
“You’re right, Master. I think you’re correct.”
“Jiana, what do you think? Do you want to regain your dragon power?”
When Nox asked me, I slowly nodded.
“Dragon power is part of my identity. If there’s a way, of course I want to get it back.”
“Good, then there’s no reason to hesitate.”
Nox, who had been listening to my answer, suddenly stood up abruptly and rushed outside.
“N-Nox?”
I called after him too late, as the door had already closed.
While I was flustered, unsure what to do, the door suddenly swung open again, and Nox walked in with a nonchalant expression, as if nothing had happened, and plopped down into his chair.
“I just gave the Beltein the order to prepare for departure. Tomorrow, we’ll set sail for the Pocket Island. And of course, I’ll be going too.”
“W-What? But you can’t leave the Lupellen Territory, can you?”
“You haven’t forgotten already, have you? That your hometown, Pocket Island, is also part of the Lupellen Territory.”
He straightened his chest proudly and gave a mischievous, boyish grin.
“Let’s make this quick, Jiana. Even the Emperor can’t stop us. Even if Snaud tries to stir up trouble, being on Pocket Island lets us respond faster. Geographically, it’s closer to Snaud.”
I was left dumbfounded by his unbelievable decisiveness.
Jiana, this is perfect. I’ve been worried about this myself.
Indeed. Go before Snaud—or rather, Ellarion—starts anything. We’ll also pray that you regain your dragon power.
The Master of the Magic Tower and Arines looked genuinely pleased and cheered for our trip to Pocket Island.
And just like that, quite unexpectedly, our trip to Pocket Island was decided.
Returning to Pocket Island after six months, the place was still peaceful.
The outside world was chaotic, with the Dream Quill, the war with Snaud, and other unsettling events, but here, it felt like a completely different, tranquil world.
Villagers gathered one by one at the harbor when they saw the grand duke’s flag atop the Beltein, and among them was my mother, Sophia Hertin.
“Well, who’s this? Isn’t this Jiana?”
My mother frowned deeply, hands on her hips, clearly displeased.
“I thought I told you to come after we finished harvesting the cabbage and radishes…?”
Yet, despite that, she couldn’t hide her delight at seeing me, and a gentle smile spread across her face.
“Well, you came safely. Did you miss your mom’s cooking? So, how’s it feel, achieving success like you said you would?”
“It’s amazing. Everyone calls me a hero now. I’ve earned a lot of money, too. I’m finally going to spoil my mom a bit.”
I buried my face in her arms, rubbing against her.
Mom opened her arms wide and hugged me tightly, patting my back with loud pats.
“Of course! My child is the best. I always knew you’d shine wherever you go.”
The villagers also wore expressions full of admiration.
“Wow, we never imagined the grand duke would visit Pocket Island again in just six months! And for our pride, Jiana, to become a hero?”
It seemed they felt honored that the Lupellen Grand Duke, who visited once every twenty years, had returned after only six months.
“So this is… the hometown where the Creator was born and raised?”
At first, Kari, who had been hiding behind me and peeking out shyly, quickly began greeting everyone and mingling.
“RAAAH! I am in the presence of the great dragon! The one who made the Creator a hero, or rather, the hero-maker!”
“Oh my, Dragon! You’re even cuter and more lovable in person!”
“Quickly offer cookies to the dragon. You must be hungry after traveling such a long distance.”
“Well, we don’t have fancy cookies here. But we do have a seafood pancake with clams and octopus. Would you like to try some?”
The man from the house across the mountain, the best cook on Pocket Island, eagerly stepped forward. Kari got excited, spinning around in the air, and quickly followed the man.
“Woooh, let’s go! To the place where we can eat this seafood pancake!”
“Of course, Jiana, you’ll come too, right? Today’s a village celebration to honor Jiana’s successful return!”
I couldn’t believe my plan to return home in glory was realized in just six months.
I temporarily forgot all the complicated matters and laughed brightly, mingling with everyone.
We ate dinner together, lit a bonfire on the beach for a campfire, and admired the stars in the dark night sky…
At night, I slept in the same room as my mother, resting our arms around each other.
I had no idea how long it had been since I last felt such peace.
The next day, I decided to tell my mother why I had come to Pocket Island earlier than planned.
“Mom.”
When I stopped her as she was heading out with a basket of clams, she turned around.
“Why, are you coming with me?”
“No, I just… I wanted to ask you something.”
Mom immediately sensed that I was about to say something serious and set down the basket.
She sat on the floor, gently nudging me to sit beside her.
“Sit here. Seems like you have something to say.”
“It’s nothing much…”
I sat next to her, took a deep breath, and asked my question.
“What was Dad like?”
Mom didn’t answer right away. She stared at me for a moment before gripping my hand tightly.
I could feel her hands, roughened from years of hard work at sea.
“Well, I never really told you properly, did I?”
Mom let out a small sigh.
“Your dad… was a truly good man. Words can’t even express it.”
“What was so good about him?”
“First of all, he was very handsome. Just that alone would earn him at least 90 points—he was an extraordinary man.”
I guess my liking handsome men comes directly from Mom.
“And?”
“He had so much dignity. At times, he felt like a king from some country. Even in his soft-spoken words, you could feel his authority… ah, and I suffered extreme anemia back then. I bled so much from my nose.”
Mom’s eyes grew distant as she recalled the past.
“The day I first met your dad, it was pouring rain. I found a handsome man collapsed on the beach and immediately carried him back and nursed him. If it weren’t for me, he would have died that day.”
“So Mom saved Dad’s life.”
“Yes! Those silver locks looked so luxurious, and his nose was so sharp… as I carried him, I thought his nose might scrape my back. When I laid him at home, he was sweating and rambling—my heart ached; I thought he might die.”
“Wow, you brought him straight to our house instead of to the herbalist’s?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Where else would I have seen such a handsome man to take him there?”
Mom waved her hand as if it were absurd.
“And you might not know, but I wasn’t too shabby myself back then. A very beautiful woman who saves lives, nurses, and gives shelter. Your dad couldn’t help but love me. I can guarantee that.”
“Hmm… fair. The villagers always say I remind them of Mom’s youth.”
“Then would I lie to you? Somehow, we ended up married hastily. And you came along quickly. He had delicate hands and couldn’t really gather clams, but he helped with the farming. Well, we were happy.”
Lost in her dreamlike reminiscence, I suddenly asked:
“But… Dad, he was a dragon, right?”
“Oh my, how did you find that out? Anyway, maybe it’s because you take after him, but you’ve got quite a sharp mind. Yes, he was a dragon. He once confessed it to me. And…”
Mom suddenly stood up and returned with something from the room.
“This… is yours.
