Hearing Nolan greet her so calmly, the Dragon Maiden hovering in midair looked genuinely surprised.
"Oh? You don't seem surprised at all. How interesting. So when did you realize I was there?"
The scales covering her body gradually receded, fading like stars dissolving into the night sky.
The corners of her delicate lips curved upward into an unreadable smile, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"From the very beginning," Nolan replied. "My intuition's always been sharp. Next time you want to watch, you can do it openly. No need to sneak around."
"What an unfair ability."
She blinked, clearly taken aback.
Ever since she had witnessed him unleash that strange power to bring down a Flying Dragon in that small village, her curiosity had been stirred. She had hidden herself in the shadows and followed him all the way here.
She had thought her concealment flawless. Yet she had been caught by nothing more than a vague instinct.
"Now's not the time for small talk," Nolan said, glancing down at the ship beneath his feet as it continued to sink, nearly swallowed by the sea. "We need to figure something out. How about you help us with a small favor first, and then we can keep talking?"
"And how exactly would you like me to help?" the Dragon Maiden asked with a smile.
Nolan hesitated for a moment, then lifted his left hand and pointed at the two pairs of massive, magnificent wings behind her.
The gray-white wings gave a sudden beat, whipping up a violent gust that howled outward in all directions.
There was no room for pride when lives were on the line. Nolan forced himself to be direct.
"Take us to the Haligtree."
"Ha."
She threw her head back and laughed, the sound bright and clear as silver bells. But the laughter quickly cooled into a mocking smile.
"We don't know each other. I don't even know your name. Why should I help you?"
She narrowed her eyes and looked him up and down, like a dragon from a fairy tale considering whether to swallow her prey whole.
Nolan didn't flinch.
He met her gaze steadily.
"You've been hiding nearby watching me from the start. If you were only here to enjoy the spectacle or wait for me to fail, you would've left already."
He could see it in her eyes. She was genuinely interested in him.
He paused, then added,
"And if I stop here, you might miss something far more interesting."
"Hm. Not bad. You're quite to my taste." She smiled. "Fine. I'll help you once. Let's call it payment for letting me watch you for so long."
Her body shifted, and she dove.
Midair, her form expanded rapidly, swelling in an instant into a colossal dragon.
She stretched over twenty meters in length, with thick, powerful limbs and two pairs of vast wings unfurling from her back.
"I'm Nolan Bethel. What's your name?" Nolan asked as he climbed onto the Ancient Dragon's massive body, only then remembering to introduce himself.
The dragon turned her head. Her large, bell-like eyes shone with intelligence, and her voice rang out, clear and proud.
"As for me… I am Lansseax."
Before the Promised Consort could even recover from his stunned silence, the Ancient Dragon spread her immense, rock-like wings and shot into the sky, vanishing from sight.
...
"So your plot has failed. Even the Ancient Dragon bows before Her Highness Malenia!"
On the seaside cliff, Marais was forced back several steps by Ansbach's strike.
Yet there was not a trace of fear in him. On the contrary, he seemed invigorated, his Claymore swinging with even greater force.
"Yes, it failed. But tell me, head of House Marais—"
Ansbach withdrew his gaze from the Ancient Dragon and the three figures riding on her back. He turned to Marais, Castellan of Shaded City, standing not far away, his expression tinged with helpless disbelief.
"How can you be so sure that dragon came for Lady Malenia? I can't shake the feeling that the one it truly cares about is someone else."
Marais let out a cold snort, his face full of disdain.
"Hmph. If not Her Highness Malenia, who else would be worthy of riding an Ancient Dragon?"
His eyes shone with admiration. Such a feat—commanding an Ancient Dragon—had only ever been accomplished by the late Golden Lord.
If anyone dared question Her Highness Malenia's capability or standing as a ruler, Marais would be the first to reject it.
"You scheming wretches, skulking in the shadows, dare oppose Her Highness Malenia? You're courting death!" Marais shouted, eyes blazing.
Ansbach smiled faintly and shook his head.
"I can see how deeply you revere Lady Malenia. But have you ever wondered… whether she would return that devotion?"
He lifted a finger toward the sky, where the vast silhouette of a dragon streaked across the heavens.
"I don't need anything in return," Marais replied. "I only admire Her Highness. That alone is enough."
His hand rose to touch the mask on his face. That was his conviction. He simply wished to follow that beautiful figure who stood against corruption. Nothing more.
"How steadfast. Admirable, truly."
Ansbach placed a hand over his chest, as if offering sincere respect. Yet his gaze lowered slightly, a hint of regret surfacing.
"If you would come to the Dynasty and stand at my side, I believe we could have been friends."
"Enough! Plotting against Her Highness Malenia is an unforgivable crime. I will execute you here and now!"
"What a pity. I would gladly have fought you to the very end. But I carry an important mission, and I serve a lord to whom I must remain loyal."
"So, esteemed Castellan, we cannot accompany you any further. We'll be taking our leave."
Ansbach spoke calmly, gently brushing the insignia pinned to his chest.
The emblem suddenly emitted a strange, sinister glow.
A heavy, metallic stench filled the air. From beneath their feet, a pool of vivid crimson blood began to spread, blooming outward like a flower of death.
Marais immediately sensed something wrong and lunged forward with a powerful push.
Two sharp metallic clashes rang out as two Pureblood Knights sprang up from the side, blocking the Castellan's path.
"Don't you dare run!" Marais roared, swinging his Greatsword and knocking them back.
Ansbach remained poised, standing gracefully as he and the knights slowly sank into the spreading blood.