Chapter 21 – Human Friend
“Rumble—!”
Along with the roar came scorching flames.
Flames erupted from Erika’s small mouth, the searing energy forming a massive beam, blasting straight towards Dervick.
The blaze forcefully pierced through the air, creating concentric ripples in the night sky. Its destructive power seemed capable of annihilating everything, even distorting the surrounding space.
…
“What… what was that sound!?”
A hundred meters away, everyone who heard the roar showed stunned expressions, their faces stiff, eyes fixed on the flames that pierced the sky—an almost comical sight.
“That’s not Dervick’s power, is it…”
“My God, who is he fighting? Why are people like this appearing in Luka Town!”
“This is terrifying… It’s a disaster!”
…
This was the power Meladin had previously given Erika.
It was said to be a Dragon Core Crystal of a Crimson Lotus Calamity Dragon, possessing the power of the Hellfire Lotus.
At that moment, Erika didn’t think too much. She only wanted to protect Gladys from harm. With that thought, she instantly unleashed all the power in her body.
The flame strike surged with incredible speed, heading straight for Dervick’s face.
Even Gladys in the sky was dumbfounded. She had never imagined that Erika, without a Dragon Core Crystal, could suddenly unleash such a terrifying attack.
But the one even more stunned was Dervick.
The flames grew larger in his pupils, and his widened eyes were filled with horror he couldn’t calm.
What was going on?
That little girl appeared?
She wasn’t dead?
And after appearing, she possessed such horrifying power…
Could it be…
She had encountered the Evil God… Meladin!?
Countless doubts flooded his heart. Facing the direct blast of flames, Dervick gave up on attacking Gladys.
His gaze remained solemn as he suddenly erupted with energy, darting sideways to shift his position in mid-air.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, the flame eventually burned his shoulder.
“Ah! Damn it!”
Feeling as though his entire arm was nearly incinerated, Dervick let out a miserable scream.
But a Paladin was still a Paladin. Even though he was labeled a traitor, his strength was far from ordinary.
As the power of the flame strike diminished, he wore a grimace and slashed his lightning-clad longsword at the flames.
“Hiss—!”
In a clash of light and steel, the raging blaze was forcibly cleaved in half.
Afterward, Dervick cast a fierce glance at Erika. If not for Gladys by her side, he would have charged immediately.
Unfortunately, knowing his situation, after a moment of thought, he turned and fled.
“Awoo~ Awoo… huh?”
In contrast, after unleashing such a terrifying roar, Erika seemed to fizzle out completely.
The once furious roar became soft and tender.
The flames vanished, and her whole body went limp. Just as she had stood up, she collapsed weakly toward the ground again.
What was happening?
Why did her body become so exhausted after using that power? It was as if all her strength had been drained…
“Erika.”
Just as her small body was about to hit the ground, a pair of fair jade-like hands caught her waist.
Gladys gently picked up the little one, holding her tenderly in her arms. Their beautiful faces brushed gently against each other.
“Gladys…”
Feeling the softness on her cheek, Erika clearly felt Gladys trembling, so she softly called her name.
“Erika… I’m just glad you’re safe…”
Even her voice trembled. Gladys began to hold Erika tightly, as if afraid she would disappear again.
“Gladys… it hurts…”
With a soft voice, Erika opened one weak eye. Her delicate body was already powerless, and with Gladys hugging her so tightly, she felt she could barely breathe.
“Sorry…”
Gladys quickly loosened her grip. Without thinking, she gently took Erika’s earlobe into her lips.
“Hiss~”
In an instant, Erika’s little tail appeared. She instinctively inhaled deeply, her tail standing up like an antenna.
“D-Don’t do that…”
Blushing furiously, Erika was helpless against the stimulation of her ears.
Every time Gladys did that, she would become completely weak.
Her body was already soft, and now with this added, she felt like she was melting into a puddle.
But Gladys ignored her, continuing to gently suck on her earlobe—as if showing affection, or expressing her gentleness to Erika.
“It’s… it’s you two!”
Suddenly, a large group of soldiers arrived from the outskirts, surrounding Gladys and Erika.
The leading captain naturally recognized the “mother and daughter,” but now, seeing their current appearance, his eyes widened in shock and fear.
Because now, Gladys was half-dragon, and behind Erika, a small tail was also visible.
Clearly, the two were not human!
“Damn it! What are you! What’s your relationship with Dervick!”
The leading soldier roared. He wasn’t sure who they were, but he could imagine that the one who just fought Dervick was likely one of them.
Gladys ignored him. She let go of Erika’s earlobe and whispered softly into her ear.
“We can’t stay here, Erika. Let’s go somewhere else.”
“Mm…”
Erika naturally understood too. She nodded, cheeks slightly flushed, and whispered, “I want… to go to this country’s Imperial Capital.”
“Alright.”
Gladys agreed immediately. “I was thinking the same thing.”
She was too? Why?
Before she could ask, Gladys spread her wings and flew up with Erika in her arms.
“Wait! Stop!”
The soldiers below, naturally unable to fly, and without long-range weapons like bows, could only watch helplessly as the two departed.
Gladys’s speed was incredible. In less than half a minute, the two vanished into the sky.
…
…
After quickly escaping with Erika, Gladys slowed down to shield her from the cold wind.
While flying, Gladys lowered her head, her sapphire eyes gazing directly at the little girl in her arms.
“Erika… where did the Dragon Core Crystal inside you come from?”
“You… noticed?”
Erika was a bit surprised.
Gladys nodded. “Without a Dragon Core Crystal, you couldn’t have used such power.”
Hearing that, Erika bit her lip, hesitating whether to tell her about Meladin.
She didn’t want to hide anything from Gladys, but if she told her, would Meladin be angry? He had warned her before leaving not to tell anyone about becoming a believer…
Feeling conflicted, Erika remained silent.
“It’s alright.”
Gladys smiled and gently rubbed her cheek against Erika’s anxious face.
“Having a Dragon Core Crystal is a good thing. It’s okay if you don’t tell me. But now, you need to train yourself.”
“Train? Why?”
“If you don’t train your body, the next time you use the Dragon Core Crystal’s power, your body will break down.”
“Ah…”
Hearing this, Erika’s expression turned grim.
No wonder she became so weak after using that power. Her body simply couldn’t withstand the power of the Dragon Core Crystal.
Such a loss—!
She began to complain inwardly.
If she had known, she wouldn’t have asked Meladin for a Dragon Core Crystal. Wouldn’t it have been better to just ask for Saint-level power?
“Let’s find a place to rest, then head to the Imperial Capital.”
Gladys continued gently, “I have a friend in the Imperial Capital. I can ask her to help you train at a human academy.”
Gladys had friends?
Erika was a bit surprised. “Is she a dragon too?”
“Silly, I’ve told you many times—right now, we’re the only ones who are family.
That friend of mine is a human.”