The Elusive and Enigmatic Male Protagonist (23)

The interaction between the Dragon God and the divine attendant left the onlookers utterly mesmerized. The king’s eyes gleamed with wild joy, while the high priest appeared deep in thought. Yet Charles, watching this scene unfold, felt a vague discomfort stirring within his heart.

“Since the Dragon God has no objections, let us proceed to the temple,” said the wine steward, turning to the black dragon. “What do you intend to do with your kin’s remains?” This was, after all, the reason it had come; the wine steward had not forgotten.

With a resonant roar, the black dragon stretched its wings, then turned to gaze at the massive pit. The wine steward immediately understood its meaning. “High Priest, the Dragon God needs to take these three sets of dragon bones back first. Once they are properly dealt with, we shall return.”

The high priest nodded. “Of course. Is there anything else the Dragon God requires?”

The wine steward shook her head and, glancing around, spotted Charles. His body was covered in blood, barely able to stand, yet he had not left nor allowed a healer to treat him—he remained at the sidelines.

“Charles,” she called, beckoning him, “let me look at your wounds.”

Now that she possessed the ability to heal the protagonist, and Charles had triggered his protagonist role, it seemed her power would work for him as well. Charles’s eyes brightened instantly, and he hurried over.

As she heard the sound of air being swept aside, she pressed firmly against the black dragon’s wing and turned to it with a stern gaze. “Stop it, or you won’t get any kisses from me in the future.”

The dragon’s possessive nature was a headache; she knew at once it intended to wrap her up with its wings. While she could indulge its whims occasionally, she couldn’t allow it to become too spoiled.

The black dragon, hearing her threat, ceased its movement, though its tail slapped heavily against the ground, cracking the earth. Charles, having approached, also heard her words. He paused for a moment, then continued over, his expression unchanged.

His most severe injury was three deep claw marks across his shoulder, inflicted by the bone dragon’s talons—flesh torn and bone exposed. Some dark element lingered in the wounds, making the gashes not crimson, but tinged with black; even the blood that oozed was darker than normal.

The wine steward placed her hand upon his wound. Charles hadn’t expected her to come so close, holding his breath instinctively. When her hand touched him, his entire body stiffened.

He was filthy and bloodied, his wounds gruesome and revolting, while the girl, aside from her loose hair, was pristine and beautiful. Her slender fingers were as pale as jade, so delicate one could hardly bear to see them stained.

Though his shoulder was numb with pain, Charles felt the softness and warmth of her fingertips. Sensing the tension beneath her hand, the wine steward teased him, “You didn’t seem so shy when you knelt before me and kissed my hand.”

Charles replied, “…I didn’t kiss it.”

He had only touched it with his forehead.

“Mm, didn’t kiss my hand, but kissed…” Before she could finish saying “forehead,” a roar erupted from the black dragon. Her waist tightened as its tail wrapped around her, dragging her away. In the next instant, darkness enveloped her as the immense wings shielded her completely.

She was left speechless.

Charles stared coldly at the black dragon, whose enormous vertical pupils glared back at him with murderous intent. The tension between them was palpable; a fight seemed imminent. Judging by their stature, Charles appeared to be the one who would be instantly vanquished, yet there was no fear in his face; his aura matched the dragon’s.

Everyone watched anxiously, certain the Dragon God would hurl Charles away or incinerate him with a blast of flame. But unexpectedly, the black dragon, as if disdainful, unfurled its wings, placed the girl on its back with its tail, and soared into the sky.

“Charles, I’ll come back for you. Get your wounds treated by the healer first,” her voice faded rapidly as the dragon ascended.

Charles looked up, watching as the black dragon seized the three sets of bones and carried the girl higher and higher, vanishing swiftly into the distance.