We returned to the inn where I had reserved a room specifically for the child. No one but myself or Lyall was allowed inside. The boy needed a safe space to recover without interference.
While Lyall handled matters upstairs, I had taken the liberty of bringing Asher along during the kidnapping of the Pope. The so-called holy man was now confined in the underground torture room, shackled and awaiting interrogation.
Asher, on the other hand, was resting in the adjacent room. I had yet to heal him. For now, my focus remained on the child who lay in front of , his small fra rising and falling with each breath. The light from the burning oil lamp shimred over his blue scales.
His wounds had already healed, his innate healing magic working faster than expected.
I stayed in Ocean’s male form. With Mirielle no longer required, I could finally let her persona rest.
The child stirred, his body shifting uneasily before he jolted awake. His wide, panicked eyes darted around the room until they landed on . Instinctively, he pressed himself against the wall, chest heaving as if bracing for an attack.
"Calm down, child. It’s ," I said softly, keeping my voice steady and reassuring.
He froze for a mont, his breathing uneven, before recognition dawned on him. His tense body relaxed marginally. Slowly, he glanced down at himself, his expression clouding as he took in the half-transford state of his Lesser Dragon form.
I offered him a gentle smile. "I’ve taken you out of that horrible place, child. You’re free from the Temple now."
His lips parted, but the cursed blessing spilled from his mouth instead: "May your life be filled with the grace and blessings of our Holy Saintess and the strength of divine Dragons."
He covered his mouth in alarm, his Dragon-like eyes flickering with guilt and sha. The raw emotion reflected in them was far more vivid than anything his human form could convey.
"Don’t worry," I assured him, my tone firm yet kind. "I have the Pope here. I’ll get the answers I need about that curse, and I’ll see it removed—no matter what it takes."
The child’s hesitance wavered, and he crawled closer to on the bed. His scaled fingers trembled as they reached for , and I took them gently, holding his small hand in mine. His touch was tentative, his need for comfort palpable.
I smiled again and leaned forward to embrace him, his fragile form lting against my shoulder. His quiet sniffling was a heart-wrenching reminder of the cruelty he had endured.
I patted his scaly back gently, letting him cry until he had no tears left. When he finally pulled away, his swollen eyes studied intently, as if seeking assurance in my every word.
"You rember what I told you about becoming part of my kin, child?" I asked, watching his head tilt in curiosity.
He gave a small nod, his gaze steady despite his exhaustion.
"Would you like to do it now?" I continued, my tone calm and persuasive. "You will gain enough power to maintain your human form and have a stable mana flow in your body."
He glanced down at his hands, his sharp claws catching the faint candlelight, before slowly shaking his head.
I sighed, though not with disappointnt, and placed a hand on his head, ruffling his hair with a warm smile. "It’s fine. I respect your wish."
He blinked up at , his surprise evident, and I chuckled lightly before standing.
"You’re safe here," I said firmly, moving toward the door. "I have so work to do, so I’ll be leaving for now. There’s food on the table—eat as much as you like, then rest. No one here will force you to pray or follow their rules. Just focus on recovering, all right?"
The boy nodded hesitantly, his small body still trembling slightly, and I gave him one last reassuring smile before stepping out of the room.
Asher’s room was right next to the child’s. I paused when I heard a faint groan from within. Concerned, I pushed the door open and found him half-sitting on the bed, struggling to lift himself upright.
The mont his gaze t mine, he froze, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for a weapon.
"Don’t move so much; you’re injured," I said flatly, stepping inside.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice gruff. "Where is the Saint?"
"The child is safe," I replied curtly. "As for , I’m that child’s guardian."
Asher’s expression twisted in confusion. "What?"
"Yes," I confird, watching him closely. His wounds had been dressed, but the deep injuries from the explosion were still causing him pain.
I sighed, walking closer. "Well, I was planning to do this while you were unconscious, but it seems you need it now."
He raised his hands defensively as I reached for him, his suspicion earning a sharp narrowing of my eyes. Ignoring his protests, I placed my hand on his head, channeling the Supre Healing spell.
His eyes widened in shock as blue spangles shimred in his irises—a clear sign of my mana coursing through him. His body visibly relaxed as the spell worked, his pain ebbing away like waves retreating from the shore.
Once I finished, I grabbed a nearby chair and sat down, watching as he inspected his now-healed injuries.
"You’re a healer too?" he asked, his tone cautious.
I humd in response.
He frowned, his gaze lingering on my unmasked face. "Are you really the Saint’s father?"
"Guardian," I corrected firmly.
"You don’t look too old," he muttered skeptically.
"I’ll take that as a complint," I replied dryly, shrugging.
His eyebrows twitched, but his suspicion remained. "Then... you were the one who abandoned the Saint?"
The accusation lit a spark of anger within , and my gaze turned icy. Each word dripped with venom as I sneered, "I did not."
"Then why was he at the Temple?" he pressed, his tone challenging.
"I’m not obliged to answer your questions, human," I said sharply, my irritation bubbling to the surface.
"Where’s the Pope? Did you kill him?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
"Not yet," I replied coldly. "He’s supposed to suffer as much as he made the child suffer."
"Where is the Saint?" he pressed.
"Safe with ."
"I need to take him back," he said, his voice resolute. "I promised soone that I would keep him safe at all costs."
"I know," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest.
"But I’ve also promised the child that he won’t have to suffer in that place anymore, so I won’t let you take him back."
"Bold of you to say that after letting him suffer for so long," he shot back.
Asher’s pointed accusations grated on my patience. My Dragon’s Presence flared instinctively, the oppressive weight of my aura filling the room like a brewing storm.
"Listen here, brat," I said icily, watching him flinch and stiffen under the weight of my power. "Don’t test my patience. You are here because I saved you. I can just as easily get rid of you."
"Then why—" he choked out, struggling against the crushing pressure.
"Because you still have work to do," I cut him off curtly.
His scowl deepened, even as he labored to breathe, his chest heaving under the strain. "What work?"
"You will return to the Temple and deliver the ssage I have for the kingdom."
"And why would I—"
"Because it’s Mirielle’s wish that you shouldn’t be killed," I interrupted bluntly.
His eyes widened in disbelief. "M-Mirielle? How do you know her?"
I eased the pressure slightly, eting his bewildered gaze. "Because she was a part of my plan."
"What do you an?" he asked, his voice sharp. "Are you Ace’s partner or sothing?"
His disdain for Ace was thinly veiled, clear even in the way he said his na.
"Yes," I replied. "Ace and Mirielle won’t be around anymore, so the rest of the work is mine to take care of."
His eyes widened in shock before he lunged toward . I increased the pressure, making him collapse back onto the bed with a grimace.
"Stay in your limits, human," I warned coldly.
"Where is Mirielle?" he demanded through gritted teeth.
"Back ho," I replied, my tone calm.
"You’re lying!" he shouted, and I sighed.
"That’s why it’s a pain to take care of people in love," I muttered.
His eyes widened briefly before narrowing with suspicion. "Just... who are you?" he demanded.
I tilted my head, maintaining an impassive expression. "Do you think a weak human like you is in any position to demand my na?"
He glared at , teeth clenched against the weight of my presence.
"Then why are you doing this?" he wheezed.
"Because the Temple made a grave mistake," I said, my voice laced with unshakable authority. "They dared to sully the nas of the Saintess and the Dragons, thinking they would escape unscathed. I am here to remind them of the consequences and take back the child to his rightful place."
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