Chapter 131
The sky was covered with dark clouds, and thick fog settled over the forest, creating an even more eerie atmosphere than usual.
Within this, Eila walked silently, her face tense with anxiety.
The path to the ruins was long and rugged, but thanks to Duke Argenta and the Kistal Knights accompanying her, the journey went relatively smoothly.
Eila was initially shocked to learn that the Red Dragon was residing in the Dark Forest.
“How has the existence of the Red Dragon remained hidden until now?” she asked.
The Duke of Argenta gave a brief smile and replied,
“The Dark Forest is home to countless monsters. It’s nearly impossible for ordinary people to reach its deeper parts.”
“But even so…”
“I’ll explain more as we go.”
At the time, she didn’t fully understand, but now she had some idea.
The Dark Forest was more than just a monster habitat.
It seemed as if every kind of monster in existence lurked here, as relentless waves of attacks came from all directions.
Shrieks!
Clang! Clang!
Duke Argenta and the Kistal Knights fought off the monsters with expressionless faces.
Within moments, only the corpses of monsters remained around them.
Eila asked Duke Argenta with a pale face,
“Why… why did the Red Dragon choose the Dark Forest as its territory?”
“Well, that creature doesn’t like humans much. So it probably chose a remote place where humans cannot reach.”
Eila nodded in understanding. Then, she suddenly recalled a passage she had read in a book recently.
“But according to ancient records, there was a time when dragons lived alongside humans…”
She wondered why the dragons had all vanished now.
Even Piyo, for example, wasn’t particularly hostile toward humans. In fact, Piyo seemed to be quite attached even to Pioni, who was not her owner.
“It seems each dragon has its own temperament… but in the past, dragons didn’t reject humans.”
Eila asked Duke Argenta seriously,
“They say the Red Dragon dislikes humans. Would it mind if I visit it suddenly?”
“Don’t worry too much. After all, only those who carry the bloodline of the Argenta Duke family can enter the ruins. Whether you meet or not depends entirely on the Red Dragon’s choice.”
“So…”
“Yes, if the Red Dragon doesn’t want to meet you, it will likely refuse the meeting itself.”
Eila bit her lip slightly and nodded.
Shortly after, they arrived safely at the dragon’s ruins.
The knights gently placed Piyo on the grass, and the Duke looked at Felix and said,
“It would be best if you enter and summon the Red Dragon yourself. Also…”
The Duke took something from a knight and handed it to Felix — a dark red cloak embroidered with the family crest.
“Take this.”
Felix looked up at Duke Argenta with a puzzled expression.
“Why a cloak…?”
The Duke smiled briefly,
“You’ll understand once you meet the Red Dragon.”
Without asking further, Felix quietly nodded and stepped into the ruins.
Maybe because it was his second visit, Felix felt less tense than before.
Upon reaching the underground chamber, he placed expensive jewels one by one on the altar, just as he had done long ago.
Soon, a blue flame began to burn atop the altar.
Along with it, the stone statue of the dragon trembled and emitted a massive resonance.
Roar—.
Cracks appeared on the surface of the statue, breaking apart as large pieces fell away.
From within emerged a colossal Red Dragon with massive red wings and scales.
The sight was always awe-inspiring.
The dragon’s closed eyes slowly opened, and sharp yellow eyes fixed directly on Felix.
Felix met the gaze with a nervous face.
He knew Devens (the dragon) was notoriously capricious and willful.
That meant it was highly possible that Devens would reject meeting Eila or that persuasion would not work.
“How can I lure this dragon outside…?”
He had pondered this throughout the journey but had no answer.
Felix decided to maintain a polite demeanor and spoke,
“Long time no see, Devens.”
However, the dragon ignored his greeting, turning its head to gaze into the distance.
[I sense a familiar aura.]
Soon, the yellow eyes turned back to Felix.
[You seem to want advice from me?]
“Uh? Yes. Actually…” Felix began.
[Very well. I will guide you to where the Black Dragon is.]
Felix was startled, looking up at Devens.
The dragon had mentioned the Black Dragon even before Felix could explain their purpose.
‘Does it already know why we came?’
But the surprise didn’t end there.
Almost immediately, light began to emit from the giant dragon’s body.
The red scales started to fade one by one, dispersing into the air like smoke.
Crack. Crack.
Sounds of bones twisting and flesh shrinking echoed vividly.
Felix held his breath at the grotesque transformation.
The dragon’s horns gradually shortened and disappeared, and its massive form quickly shrank.
After a moment, where the brilliant light had dispersed stood a beautiful young man with red hair and yellow eyes.
A perfect human form.
‘…So dragons really can transform into humans.’
Only then did Felix understand why Duke Argenta had handed him the cloak.
Trying not to look at the young man’s naked body, Felix held out the red cloak.
“…Please wear this.”
Devens took the cloak and silently draped it over his shoulders.
Then, he obediently followed behind Felix as they walked out.
Eila anxiously watched the ruins’ entrance.
Soon, two figures appeared at the entrance — Felix and the unfamiliar red-haired man emerged together.
‘Is that… no, it’s not a person. The Red Dragon?’
Though she had expected to meet him soon, her body froze upon facing the dragon in person.
Still, she felt relieved that the dragon did not refuse the meeting.
Eila curiously looked at the red-haired man.
From any angle, he looked like a perfect human — if not for the subtle sense of otherness and overwhelming presence.
‘Will Piyo become like that someday?’
She glanced again at Piyo, who was still asleep inside her cocoon.
It was hard to imagine that the young Piyo could transform into a human-like form.
‘Still, if it becomes humanized… it might be quite cute.’
As Eila entertained this pleasant thought, the red-haired man strode up to her.
“You are a woman blessed by the Gold Dragon.”
The deep voice ringing in her ears made Eila jump and lift her head.
“You’re a daughter of the Blanche family?”
“How do you know…?”
“It would be strange not to know, with the power of the Gold Dragon so strongly felt.”
Devens’s eyes gleamed meaningfully as he looked at Eila.
“Hmm, impressive. Among all the daughters of the Blanche family I have seen so far, your blessing aura feels the strongest.”
“…”
Eila could only wear a troubled expression without responding.
Argenta Duke and the Kistal Knights listening to their conversation were even more surprised.
‘Eila is the daughter of the Blanche family…?’
She had been known as a fake who was swapped with the real daughter of the Blanche family.
That gossip had caused quite a stir in noble society for a long time.
Yet now, the Red Dragon himself directly acknowledged that she was the real Blanche daughter.
Devens was capricious, but he never spoke falsehoods.
‘Then what on earth is going on…? Who is Rosia Blanche’s true identity?’
The duke looked at Eila with a bewildered gaze as she remained speechless.
