Chapter 7

There was a blush on the face of the woman who introduced herself as Beatrice, while he glared at Ursula, who did not notice his gaze. How could his sister flirt with a stranger? Besides, it was not a human being affected by her seduction but another creature that was difficult to describe, whether a figure was a ghost or a demon.

“So, what do you want to ask?”

“We’re looking for a dragon.”

The woman’s face suddenly turned pale, and she stared alternately in horror at him and Ursula. Her expression was not like before. The woman growled, showing her sharp teeth, preparing to attack them.

“Why are you looking for His Majesty!?”

Ursula turned towards him, not looking panicked at the woman’s reaction. In fact, his younger sister smiled broadly, looking so proud.

“See, Brother. What did I say? There is an actual dragon here!”

“Ursula, we better get out of here. Let’s just say that our plan to find and kill the dragon doesn’t exist.”

“How can we do that, Brother? This is a golden opportunity for both of us! Do you want to give up, depend on your destiny forever?”

“It’s not like that, Ursula. But ...”

“You want to kill His Majesty?!”

The woman ran towards Ursula and threw her fist at Ursula. To his surprise, he found out that his younger sister dodged her attack easily.

“No need to worry. I’ve faced something scarier than this at the academy.”

Ursula gripped Beatrice’s wrist, locking the figure’s movements in an instant. It made Raphael question the curriculum taught at the academy where his younger sister was currently studying.

“Well, I said that we were going to kill a dragon. But I think there are other ways we can use it besides following the legends. We don’t need to kill the dragon.”

“Why didn’t you talk from the start, you idiot?!” Raphael took advantage of the situation by flicking Ursula’s forehead. “Don’t make me misunderstand! I thought I had to get my hands dirty to slay the dragon. “

“Yes, that’s if the dragon attacked us. Didn’t I tell you while we were in the chariot?”

Ursula tried to remember their conversation while releasing her grip on the woman’s wrist. Ursula’s handprint was apparent there, as was some black blood seeping out of the woman’s wrist, who was now screaming in anguish.

“Absolutely not,” said Raphael. “You only said to find the dragon and then kill them.”

Ursula laughed, looked guilty. “Oops, my bad.”

“What’s going on?”

That woman’s movements stopped, terrified, when she heard the source of the voice behind Raphael. He spontaneously turned around to find a cold-faced man figure who was staring back at the two of them in astonishment.

“Who are you?”

“Your Majesty! They intend to kill you—”

“I didn’t ask you, Beatrice!” The mysterious man yelled. His long blonde hair fell down, moving toward the wind that was blowing hard around him.

The mysterious man’s eyebrows furrowed, staring at him in astonishment with his green eyes.

The way he looked at him seemed somehow familiar to him. His figure reminded Raphael of the way Isaac had looked at him the other day.

Strange.

Why did he feel familiar with the mysterious man’s figure he just met today?

“You two! Follow me. Right now,” the man said in a stern tone, walking ahead of them. The man’s hand touched something in front of him that looked like a water bubble, waving his hand in a graceful motion, causing the water bubble to open completely, revealing a completely different scene from the forest they were in now.

Behind the water bubble, they could see a town that was like where they live. A little farther from there, he saw a red-dominated castle on a hill near the city. The man turned around, facing the three of them, especially Beatrice, who tried to protest.

“I’m not asking your opinion, Beatrice. Go back to your post. Now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The woman did not dare respond to the man’s words, quickly disappearing from their sights. The man motioned for the two of them to go inside first. Ursula shouted happily, about to run towards the place, when he held his sister’s hand, shaking his head quickly.

“What’s the matter, Brother?”

He pulled Ursula away from the man and took him behind him while he faced the cold-faced man, who did not seem bothered by his gaze.

“Why do we have to come with you?”

“I’ll explain to you later.”

“Just explain it now. Why should we need to wait later?”

“Should I tell you now?”

In fact, the way the man asked was exactly like Isaac always did. The familiar feeling came back to him. How could he be familiar with the figure he met for the first time? There must be something wrong with him.

“Of course. What kind of stupid question is that!?” he answered curtly.

He felt Ursula’s hand pulling on his arm collar.

“Brother? Why are you so irritated when we met the legend we were looking for?” whispered Ursula.

“The legend? You mean the man standing in front of us is a dragon?”

“You heard it yourself earlier, didn’t you? The way Miss Beatrice addresses that person?”

“But it doesn’t mean he’s a dragon, right? It could be another demon.”

“Not. I’m pretty sure he’s a dragon. You know, according to legend, only dragons can be addressed in that way since their status is higher among all supernatural beings in folktales and legends, as well as because of their wisdom. Maybe we can say their position is like that of a king in the human world.”

“Have you finished discussing?” The man looked annoyed to see them keep whispering at each other. “I don’t have time to explain everything to you. Especially you. Come along with me, or not?”

The man’s sharp gaze managed to make him shudder in horror.

“Just follow him, Brother. It’s fine.”

“But what if he killed us after that? Think in that way!”

“That won’t be happening, Brother. Even if he did, I would definitely attack him. Don’t worry about it.”

“Your words aren’t comforting me at all,” he snorted in annoyance, disliking the fact that his younger sister was trying to calm him down so he would not be afraid.

Ursula clicked her tongue, frustrated, removing her hand from him. “You’re really hopeless. Hmph! I better go in first.” 

“Raphael! Ursula! Wait!”

He turned to find Isaac, who jumped off his horse, looking relieved to see the two of them. Isaac’s scream managed to stop Ursula, who was about to enter the gate. His eyes blinked when he saw the man running over to him.

“Finally! Thank goodness I made it in time!” Isaac immediately hugged him so tightly that he could barely breathe. Then Isaac let go of his hug and grabbed Raphael’s hand, glowering at the cold-faced figure.

“You don’t mind if I come along with them too, right?”

“Suit yourself,” the man turned his back on them, said nothing, and walked into the gate.

“I’ll go in first, Brother. Don’t make me wait too long,” Ursula said, pointing her thumb at Isaac, who replied with a wink.

He looked alternately at the two people before Ursula’s figure disappeared because he had entered the gate.

“You knew the man earlier?”

“I’ll explain to you later.” Isaac took off the coat he was wearing and put it on him.

Then Isaac lifted him up before he could protest, running through the closing gates.

***