Chapter 39: I’m so upset, I want to take revenge on you

Dragon’s Roar Valley, Lucia’s Cave

The massive boulder at the cave’s entrance had been moved aside, and a graceful figure stood within.

By day, under the Church soldiers’ watch, she hadn’t entered the valley. Only under the cover of night did she come alone.

Her violet eyes gleamed like gems in the darkness.

Surveying the hall’s decor, Bianca squinted. “She really left, huh.”

She walked to Lucia’s seat, trailing her slender fingers along the armrest, then glanced at them. “Gone just a few days. Bad timing, I guess.”

Shaking her head, she headed to the guest room. “Whatever, I’m just here to check in. I’ll rest one night and leave.”

Pushing open the first guest room’s door, she froze.

“Did I decorate it like this? Or did Lucia mess with my room after I left?”

Stepping inside, she opened the wardrobe. Noticing several missing garments and the neatly folded clothes at the bottom, she sensed something off.

She sniffed lightly. The scent wasn’t hers or Lucia’s—it was a stranger’s.

Her expression darkened, displeasure evident. “Lucia, you let someone use my room and wear my clothes?”

The air seemed to chill around her.

“I was just going to say hi, but now I need to have a serious talk with you.”

With that, she left the room. She didn’t like her space tainted by a stranger’s presence—it was time for payback.

She strode to Lucia’s room, threw open the door, and flopped onto the bed, rolling around vigorously. Then she slipped into the wardrobe for half a minute before emerging.

Still unsatisfied, she wrapped herself in Lucia’s blanket for a full half-hour before folding it neatly back.

“Let’s see how you handle this when you return.”

Bianca snorted.

But recalling the daytime rumors, she couldn’t believe it. “I’m no demon, and I don’t expect you to uphold dragon pride forever, but… going off with a human Hero?”

A mere Hero, one of those dime-a-dozen figures popping up every few decades—what was so special?

“As a fellow dragon, I might need to teach you a lesson.”

Fueled by her room’s violation, Bianca stormed out, resealed the cave, sprouted wings, and soared into the night sky.

Soon after, a patrol reached the cave.

“Did this boulder… move?”

“Did it?”

“I heard a noise from the mountainside earlier…”

“Probably just rocks falling. No one could move this thing.”

The valley was a restricted zone. Entering required passing outer checkpoints, inner patrols, and the base camp. Any slip-up would be noticed.

Unless someone flew in, sneaking past was impossible.

On the Road

“Where are we going, Fratina?”

The carriage rolled along a country path. Lucia, inside, opened the front door to chat with Fratina, who was driving.

“I’m heading back to Elan City.”

“Elan City? Didn’t we just leave there?”

“Yeah, but the biggest Adventurers’ Guild nearby is there. I want to check for quests.”

“I see…”

Lucia realized Fratina was returning to her old Hero life—traveling, taking quests, slaying monsters, and settling disputes.

“Lord Lucia, if it’s too much trouble, we can rest somewhere first.”

“No need.”

Lucia shook her head. “I’m used to staying in the mountains. A crowded place now and then is fine.”

Hearing this, Fratina slowed the carriage to keep it steady.

A half-day ride on horseback stretched into evening as they reached Elan City’s outskirts.

With the city gates closed for the night, they had to camp outside.

The spacious carriage meant no extra gear was needed—just climb in.

“Lord Lucia, will I disturb your rest here?”

Inside, a single oil lamp illuminated the compartment. Fratina sat near the front, looking at Lucia nervously.

It was their first time in such a tight space.

The church room had been larger, less cramped. As a Hero under a dragon’s command, Fratina worried her presence might offend Lucia’s pride.

But Lucia shook her head. “It’s fine. Stay in here.”

It was early spring, chilly at night. The front half of the carriage, though crowded with seats and a table, had room for a floor bed.

Lucia pulled a blanket and quilt from her bed and handed them to Fratina.

Fratina spread them out, lay down, and felt a wave of nostalgia. Sleeping on hard surfaces reminded her of her adventuring days. Her month at Lucia’s was just a brief interlude; this was her true life.

But as she pulled the quilt over her, she noticed a faint fragrance.

Is this… Lucia’s scent?

She glanced at Lucia on the bed, her pupils trembling.

Who’d have thought? A big guy like Lucia using perfume.*

And the scent felt oddly familiar.