116. The Battle Maiden is Raising a Black Dragon (6)
The rank of a dragon was determined by the color of its scales. The reason why Rho was found to be the highest-ranking dragon in existence after the Dragon God was because not only were his scales black, his eyes were also gold. Hence why, Rho stood out.
Therefore, if his scales werenāt black, there wouldnāt be a problem if he were exposed to the public.
āLook, thatās the training ground. Itās huge, isnāt it? Itās where the Imperial Army trains.ā
āUkkyu.ā
Rho, whose back had been painted with yellow, green, and brown, give a cheerful replied. Camila, who followed them from behind, laughed drily.
āWell, we managed to avoid making the mess out of the paint, somehow~ still, was covering the Dragon King with polka dots truly alright…?ā
āIt can be washed off with water, anyway, so isnāt it fine? He seems happy, too. Besides, youāre the one who painted him.ā Said Zeke.
āIf I were to leave it to you and Jill-chan, heād end up looking like utter garbage~!ā Said Camila.
āIām so happy for you, Rho. Not only you can go outside, youāve also become fashionable.ā Said Jill.
āUkkyuāā
In Jillās arms, Rho wagged his tail in a good mood. Jill thought heād hate it, but from the beginning, Rho was curious about the paint. He even poked it with his front paws and tried to apply it to his own face.
By the end, he was checking his own back using a mirror, and he seemed to like the paint adorning his body. He was truly Hadithās heart.
ā…On the contrary, it makes him looks like a new species and now he stands out even more? I mean, both his head and limbs remain black.ā Said Zeke.
āNo problem. Everyone was surprised, but they didnāt say anything.ā Said Jill.
ā…They just donāt want to get involved in something strange, Jill-chan~ Nobody would believed that youād paint a dragon.ā
āItās a vast world we live in! Iām sure one or two spotted dragons exists!ā
āāHey, did you hear it? It seems that the Imperial Army has suffered another loss. Everyone decided to quit.ā
At the sudden conversation, Jill stopped.
āāAgain? Well, it canāt be helped. After all, the side that quit is higher than the side that didnāt.ā
āI wonder if I should quit, too. The Rave royal family isnāt a royal family. Not to mention, our emperor is that kind of person…ā
āHe doesnāt participate in the military congress. Whether heās the actual Dragon Emperor or not, what is he doing, seriously?ā
āRho, donāt listen to them…ā
Jill closed Rhoās mouth and eyes.
āBut the one who decided not to fire us was also the Dragon Emperor.ā
āSo, it seems. Besides, Her Highness Elynsia is a competent commander. Sheās exactly the person this Imperial Capital needs.ā
āMost importantly, weāre not going to run away anymore. We have to stay here and do what we can.ā
Rhoās eyes were still and calm as he stared at the soldiers and kept listening. He didnātā seem to be sad. He was both collected and calm.
Therefore, she rephrased it for him.
ā…Everyoneās different, but itās alright. There are good people, and above all, Iām here for you.ā
āUkkyu.ā
Rho responded firmly. She was relieved to see that.
But… as I thought, people say A LOT of things about you, Your Majesty…
Hadith would prepare Jillās breakfast, go to work while arguing with Listeard, and return in the evening to prepare dinner. Therefore, the image Jill had of Hadith was mostly of him in his apron. Despite that, imagining that he secretly received a lot of criticism wasnāt difficult.
Regardless, Hadith kept smiling and cooked delicious meals for Jill.
āHeās kind, delicate, and strong.ā Was what Jill though all the time
It was frustrating that she couldnāt convey the same to her surroundings.
ā…Soon, youāll be able to fly. Youāll be very strong and cool, Your Majesty.ā
āUkkyu!?ā
As if astonished, Rhoās gaze swam. Seemingly upset, he hid his faceāor, maybe he was bashful. Zeke made a fed-up expression.
ā…I think flight training isnāt the only thing he needs.ā
āItās His Majestyās heart, after all~ Cāmon, Your Majesty, get a grip. Does Rho-chan also want to drink water~?ā
Rho, who shook his head, suddenly leaped from Jillās arm. He seemed to want to walk on his own.
Ohā!
Jill felt impressed.
āGreat, Rho, you can walk on your own!ā
āUkkyun.ā
āMaybe if I were to throw you from a roof, youād master flying?ā
āUkkyukkyuā!!!ā
ByunāRho escaped in the blink of an eye. He despised that idea. Looking at his small back, which was disappearing, Jill grumbled.
āEven though he canāt fly, his speed at escaping is top notch! As expected, thatās His Majestyās heart!ā
āNowās not the time to be impressed, Jill-chan~! You have to give chase~!ā
Thatās rightā!
Jill, who was told so by Camila, ran immediately.
āLetās split up! Camila and Zeke shall be cutting him off from different directions!ā
āI understand~!ā
Jill also started running after Rho. There were footprints halfway through, but because he had jumped into the garden, not a trace of him could be seen.
āRhoā? Rhoā?ā
Although she called out to him, there was no reply. Jill went straight through the garden of trees.
Is he in the backyard? But which side…?
The imperial castle was wide. Sheād like to learn its layout, but wasnāt allowed to because as of the present, she was an outsider. Feeling a bit depressed, Jill decided to stop thinking about it.
Rhoās my priority!
āI donāt think heād approach anything dangerous looking, but… Iām still worried.ā
āUggyuuuā!ā
Suddenly, she heard a scream. The scream was easy to understand. Jill rushed towards the cry in a hurry. As she passed through the bushes, her view suddenly spread. Before her was a large pond surrounded by trees. As Jill raised her head, she quickly saw Rho.
āUkkyuā!ā
It seemed that he couldnāt get down from the big tree he had climbed. As such, he was desperately clinging to the tip of a branch that was hanging down towards the pond. It was about to break.
Jill shouted while running.
āCan you fly!? Do your best!!ā
āUkkyukkyu!ā
BunbunāRho shook his head.
Perhaps because of the swaying, the tip of the branch broke.
āAhāā
āUkkyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuā!ā
As he fell into the pond, Rho screamed. Jill clicked her tongue and leaped towards the pond. Rho was rampaging on the surface of the water. If he stayed like that, heād sink.
Sure enough, Rho sank before Jill could reach him. Jill took a deep breath and dived under the water. She desperately chased after him and firmly embraced his body.
She hurried to the surface and tapped his soft nose.
āHey, Rho! Are you okay, Rhoā!ā
āUkkyuu…ā
She was relieved that he answered. He didnāt seem to have swallowed any water, either. The moment she felt relieved, the weigh of her clothes sank in. It wasnāt surprising. After all, she did jump into the water while still dressed. Half of her magical power hadnāt returned yet. If she were to stay as she was, both her strength and temperature would drop. The pond in early spring was still cold.
The same went with Rho. If she didnāt dry him up quick, he might get sick.
His Majesty entrusted Rho to me, if something were to happen to this child, Iā
Fending off the bad thoughts that arose, Jill ran as soon as they reached the shore.
***T/N: Accident was quick to happen to Jill’s new son.
Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa
…
Paint that washes off with water…
A dip into the pond…
face meets palm
Jill publicly running like the absolute madwoman she is with a wet, increasingly black, golden eyed dragon and wet clothes increasingly bleeding every color but the black…
groans
Nevermind her supposed inability to keep him safe during the first outing, she’s also blatantly forgetting to at least try and be discreet?
P—polka dots? Never mind, I retract my earlier comment…she’s thinking with her stomach again…