Chapter 6: Let’s go home and talk later

The heroes hailed from the Xaska Kingdom, ruled in turn by three major factions:
the Snow Crystal Church, the Purple Star Royalty, and the Elven Forest.

When Charis opened her eyes again, the white pillars of light surrounding her had faded.
Her feet suddenly felt heavy, but her tail instinctively braced against the ground, countering the slight disorientation from the teleportation.

Before her stood a glistening tower piercing the clouds, its walls white as salt.
The plaza supporting the tower shimmered with massive, diamond-shaped sky-blue crystals rising from golden bases.
The porcelain-white tiles beneath her feet glowed with faint specks of light.
An indescribable holy aura lingered in the air.

“This is…”

“Stay quiet.
A demon like you shouldn’t speak in a place like this.”

Talos’s voice echoed in her mind, and Charis felt a chill down her spine.
It was the first time the Demon King had spoken with such a warning tone.

‘If I don’t talk, what are they planning to do with me?’

Charis glanced ahead.
Aisha and Luline had walked a short distance away, each greeted by separate groups.
Aisha approached a mature woman in a black-and-purple robe, while Luline met an elderly man in white-and-gold robes, his face kind and gentle.

Ophelia, however, stood still.
There were only two welcoming groups—none for her.

Ophelia’s senses were sharp.
She turned, catching Charis’s gaze as she sized her up.

“Keep quiet.
If you cause trouble here, I guarantee several powerhouses could slice you to pieces in the blink of an eye.”

Ophelia’s warning mirrored Talos’s tone.

‘What? Are you and the Demon King secretly on the same side?’

Charis was baffled, while Talos mused leisurely to herself.

“This must be the Snow Crystal Tower, the sacred ground humans claim demons can’t set foot in.
Heh, touring the enemy’s territory like this feels pretty good.”

“Demon King, you’re really in the mood to joke, huh?”

Charis was exasperated.
Talos hadn’t been helpful at all so far—her empty promises were hard to trust.

“Hey, I’m limited by my current state.
Once you get a chance to act alone, I’ll tell you how to break the ice chain and undo that potion.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely. We’re tied together, Charis.
I’ll always be on your side.”

As Talos spoke, Charis’s attention was suddenly drawn to a commotion ahead, seemingly caused by Aisha.

“They’re coming.
Tuck your tail under the skirt, fix your hat, and hide those dragon horns.
Don’t speak—play dumb.”

Ophelia warned again, stepping back slightly to shield Charis.

‘Seriously, sister? You don’t want me to run, but you’re hovering this close?’

“Idiot Charis, she’s protecting you, worried you’ll mess up.”
Talos explained.
Charis stayed silent, her thoughts clear as a mirror.

‘Protecting me? Wasn’t she the one shouting about killing me earlier?
She’s just worried her little pet will cause trouble.’

Charis glanced at Ophelia, who towered over her, but said nothing.

Aisha approached, hand-in-hand with an elegant black-haired woman.
The woman’s black-and-purple robe complemented her mature figure perfectly.
A light purple veil covered her face, but her bright violet eyes were gentle, much like Aisha’s, though their personalities felt worlds apart.

“Mother, this is Charis, the one we caught.
I’ve scanned her—she can stay in the Xaska Kingdom as my research subject.”

Aisha introduced Charis with a smile.
Her mother nodded slightly, turning her gaze to Ophelia first.

“Miss Ophelia, congratulations on your triumphant return.”

Aisha’s mother smiled, her beauty and elegance shining through the faint purple veil.

“You’re too kind.
It was thanks to Aisha’s sneak attack and Luline’s support that we defeated the Demon King.”

Ophelia lowered her stance, showing deep respect to Aisha’s mother.

‘Someone even the sword saintess respects so much? I’d better not cross her.’

Charis thought to herself, planning to bow slightly to play the part of a “captive.”

“Dragon, Charis.
You’re the one who stripped my daughter’s clothes?”

Aisha’s mother’s sudden question made Charis freeze, her half-bowed head stuck in place.

‘What? Aisha ratted me out to her mom? I’m dead!’

Charis was beyond nervous.
Imagine stripping the clothes off someone’s precious daughter—even without doing worse, a parent’s expression would scream murder!

But Aisha spoke up to help.

“That’s right, Mother, but she’s young and naive.
Her nature isn’t as corrupt as most demons.
She just needs to work on her manners and receive kingdom education.”

“Oh? She can talk?
Why’s she so quiet then?”

Aisha’s mother grew curious, showing no signs of anger.

“Uh… I didn’t dare speak.”

Charis slowly raised her head.
Her pure, clear blue eyes seemed to captivate Aisha’s mother, whose violet eyes widened.

“My, Charis is such an adorable child with a lovely voice.
No wonder Aisha wants to keep her.”

“Right, Mother? Can I keep her?
Luline and Ophelia are in on it too.
We three defeated the Demon King—taming a dragon should be a breeze.
It’ll be a historic achievement for the Xaska Kingdom!”

Aisha clung to her mother’s arm, openly acting spoiled.

‘What’s with her personality? So unpredictable.’

Charis wasn’t sure how much she understood Aisha.
She might know Ophelia better, which only gave her a headache.

“Alright, since Aisha’s so keen on raising a dragon, you three work hard, Ophelia.”

“Of course, Lady Empress.”
Ophelia bowed again, maintaining her respectful demeanor.

“Come on, Ophelia, let’s head home with Charis.”
Aisha suggested.

“Mm.”
Ophelia turned, lightly touching Charis’s neck.
The ice chain retracted, no longer pulled along.

“Don’t wander off. Follow me.”
Ophelia’s voice was soft, far quieter than when she spoke outside.

‘Does Aisha’s mother’s presence make Ophelia more polite?’

Charis followed but never stopped thinking.
She noticed Luline leave without a farewell, as if unattached to the team.

“A hero party that seems united enough to defeat me, heh, quite interesting.”
Talos remarked casually.
Charis found her useless.

“Not just seems—they did defeat you, Demon King.
Beaten so badly your soul fled to my body.”

“Cough, that was just an accident, Charis.
Let’s just say I let the heroes win on purpose.”

“You’re pulling my leg.”

Charis found Talos increasingly unreliable.
The chain on her neck was supposed to be gone in half a day—yet it was still there!

Looking at Ophelia’s back, Charis clearly recalled her vow to “train” her until she was satisfactory.

The heroes’ home awaiting her—how was it not a den of demons for Charis?