That Elusive and Mysterious Male Protagonist (22)

Surviving the calamity left everyone shaken for a long time, and the cries of “Your Highness, Princess!” and “Divine Dragon!” echoed endlessly. It wasn’t until the black dragon, growing increasingly impatient, suddenly breathed a burst of fire that the crowd realized the dragon god found the noise bothersome and hurriedly fell silent.

The king’s excitement surpassed that of anyone present.

The origins of Valenriel’s worship of the black dragon—deemed evil and ominous by most—had long been lost to history, as had the beginnings of the sacrificial rites. Each king of the realm had merely followed the royal traditions and doctrinal rules, generation after generation, but deep down, none had truly believed that such a black dragon still existed in the world.

Yet now, the king had not only witnessed it with his own eyes, but the dragon god’s earlier promise implied support for Jian Yu in protecting the kingdom of Valenriel. With such an ally, the king thought, there would be no need to fear the invasions of the Harman Kingdom; indeed, they might even possess the strength to strike back.

The thought stirred him all the more.

“Hurry, bring the princess here,” the king said to the guards beside him.

“At once.”

“No, I’ll go myself,” His Majesty declared, stopping the guards, and carefully straightened his robes.

The royal guards immediately closed ranks around the king, escorting him as he made his way toward Jian Yu.

“Oh, Jian, my dear child!” the king exclaimed in a deliberately theatrical tone, “You’ve suffered so much.”

He moved to approach Jian Yu.

At that moment, the black dragon gave a thunderous roar at the king and tightened its grip around Jian Yu, shielding her more securely in its claw.

Why was this old man smiling so revoltingly at his treasure?

Did he intend to steal his precious?

Roar!

The king nearly had a heart attack, and even the guards behind him were so frightened their legs went weak. Stared down by the black dragon’s now-vertical pupils, brimming with displeasure, the king’s knees shook and cold sweat soaked his back.

Watching his pitiful display, the High Priest of the Temple of Time, who had accompanied him, cast a disdainful glance at the king and stepped forward, stopping at a respectful distance, and addressed the black dragon, “Divine Dragon, we mean you no harm. We merely wish to express our gratitude.”

The black dragon remained unmoved, its fierce pupils showing no sign of softening. It was clear he intended to give no face whatsoever.

The atmosphere grew inexplicably tense.

Jian Yu patted the dragon’s claw. “Don’t be so fierce. You ought to be a courteous dragon.”

Surprisingly, the black dragon actually reined in some of its aggression at her words. However, it still did not release Jian Yu, only loosening its grip a little, remembering that his treasure didn’t like being kept in the dark.

Though the High Priest couldn’t see Jian Yu, he could hear her voice and easily discern the influence she held over the black dragon. This discovery, mingled with surprise, stirred new schemes within his mind.

Outwardly, he remained calm, his voice warm and friendly. “Your Highness Jian Yu, here is the matter: It appears the Divine Dragon is wounded, and this is hardly a suitable place to rest. Might I suggest that you and the Divine Dragon retire to the temple? The sanctuary is spacious, with a lofty dome—perfect for the Divine Dragon’s recuperation.”

Jian Yu knew this old man surely harbored his own motives. Despite his kindly and righteous appearance, his beady eyes gleamed with cunning.

Besides, after hearing the system’s report on the history of dragon-slaying, and what the temple had done to Dahei—both as an egg and as a youngling lacking the full inheritance of dragon blood—Jian Yu harbored no goodwill toward those of the Temple of Time.

Still, Dahei’s injuries truly were severe.

Though the victory had seemed effortless, the might of a dragon’s flesh was beyond compare—even a mere skeleton was formidable. The black dragon had already been wounded, and after the fierce battle with the three skeletal dragons, its wounds had torn open even further.

She could not help but feel for her own dragon.

So Jian Yu consulted Dahei, “The High Priest makes a fair point. Would you like to go? If you do, please set me down first.”

The black dragon complied, setting her gently on the ground. Yet its wings immediately unfurled and swept around her protectively, like a mother shielding her young.

The gesture made Jian Yu chuckle softly, and she stroked its wing in reassurance.

She failed to notice that each time she touched or kissed the black dragon’s wings, its gaze deepened with an unfathomable emotion.

To dragons, wings were a sensitive and vital part of their bodies, rarely touched by anyone—let alone caressed.

Except, of course, by a mate.

A mate’s willing touch upon one’s wings was a candid invitation to intimacy.

Unfortunately, she didn’t know this.

No, it was fortunate she didn’t.

Jian Yu had no inkling that the black dragon she treated as a beloved pet was far from the naïve, simple creature she imagined him to be—nor could she possibly picture just how “harmonious” the scenes playing out in his mind were at that very moment.