Accel14
patreon
Dryadic Dragon Chapter 15: The Dragon Prince & Lion King
🕑 Added 2025-06-10 04:27:59 +0000 UTCChapter 15: The Dragon Prince & Lion King
With exceptional curiosity looming over me, I turned around to face the customer, or as it turned out—customers that had entered the store.
One, a photogenic blonde woman with a pair of striking blue irises, sporting a finely done bun that had a considerably more easygoing atmosphere to it compared to the one Thora usually wore.
Her figure was without a doubt—exquisite, but even curves of such magnitude couldn’t sway me while I had Thora beside me. Moreover, I couldn’t sense my preferred air of an older woman wafting around her. Bringing together the memories of both my lives would nearly make me a forty-year-old man, after all.
On second thought, scratch that, I’m not ready to become an old fogey like Sebastian.
I’ve still got a lifetime’s worth of youth to burn!
She wore a dark-purple costume that was alarmingly revealing around her bust area, and somewhat open around her abdomen. Sheesh, talking about a daring choice of ensemble.
I can’t imagine Thora ever wearing something so adventurous, although now that I’ve started to visualize such a sight, I doubt I’d be displeased to see such a thing, per se. Although suggesting such a thing to her would probably result in an immediate trip to the emergency room.
I’ll have to progress Thora’s “route” a lot more before I can unlock that option.
“Yo, I hope we’re not bothering you.”
My eyes drifted to the man she had referred to as “Saira” beside her, my eyes widening considerably upon viewing his physique that stuck out like a sore thumb.
Put simply, I thought I was looking at the Underworld’s very own Hercules for a moment. If Sebastian’s behemothic strength actually matched his muscular structure, I imagine he’d look something like this dude.
He had wild, jet-black hair shaped like a lion’s mane, violet irises that radiated a very noticeable sense of intensity—and wore a black sports shirt with bright pink stripes running down its fabric.
“No, not at all,” I replied calmly in a dull, indifferent tone of voice.
My ability to read the auras of other people, courtesy of Senjutsu, has made one thing crystal clear to me, these two are strong.
Especially the lion-looking guy, I’d actually go a step further to call his aura eerie. I can hardly sense so much as a trickle of demonic power emanating off him, even so, there’s still this overbearing expression of ferocity brimming within him.
The most important thing for a Senjutsu practitioner is to trust their gut, and my gut is telling me that he’s formidable.
However, I don’t sense any hostility. So there’s no need for me to display any in turn.
“The name’s Sairaorg,” he offered me a handshake. “I just came here to do some shopping, since an acquaintance of mine’s got a birthday on the horizon. Haha, I’m not all that good at picking out gifts though.”
“Don’t I know it?” The woman at his side exhaled wearily.
“What a coincidence, I happen to be doing something similar.” I responded to the gesture.
Clench!
Oh?
To my shock, he decided to tighten his grip—a knowing look in his eyes as he blatantly chose to test me entirely out of the blue.
I’m not a fan of these kinds of things, but I don’t particularly seem to have a choice in the matter. Since that’s the case, I might as well reply in kind.
“Does something seem to be the matter?” I raised an eyebrow, choosing not to acknowledge the action.
His emotions are constantly changing, it’s making it hard for me to get a good read on him.
“No, not at all.” He returned my words right back at me, earning him a faint chuckle as he released his clasp. “Sorry, you just reminded me of someone I knew for a second, I wasn’t trying to start anything.” He scratched the back of his neck, my senses confident that he was being genuinely apologetic.
Phew, I’m seriously not in the mood to get into any trouble on an occasion as rare as this.
Who knows how long it’ll be before I’m let out of our territory after this? Well, I suppose it’d be more accurate to say after Sona Sitri’s birthday is over.
Thud!
Abruptly, we all heard the sound of a hard cover hitting the store’s wooden flooring.
Reginald had dropped one of the books he was carrying, his eyes so wide they looked like they were about to pop right out of their sockets, and his face smitten as if he had just seen a ghost.
“Y-y-your Highness!” He performed a perfect ninety-degree bow, treating Sairaorg with immense reverence. “I’m honored that someone of your caliber would take an interest in my meager shop!”
“Don’t sweat it buddy, there’s no need for such formalities around me.” He gave the shopkeeper a light, reassuring pat on the shoulder.
This situation certainly took an unexpected turn…
I glanced at Thora, hoping she could offer me an explanation.
“Young Lord, that’s Sairaorg Bael. The family’s current Heir.”
Oh, the Bael Clan’s the one everyone’s supposed to tread lightly around isn’t it? I believe Sebastian even had a saying for them, if there’s a Bael then it’s time to bail.
Honestly, I’m surprised I haven’t met this guy before at the few social gatherings I was allowed to attend. Especially considering how attention-grabbing his appearance is.
Although, I could’ve sworn the Bael Clan’s Heir had a different name not too long ago. Of course, I’m not 100% certain since I wasn’t the most attentive learner back then.
“Young Lord?” Sairaorg lifted an eyebrow, noticing how she just referred to me.
Damnit Thora, couldn’t you just have let the professionalism drop for a while? This guy clearly doesn’t seem to carry the usual haughtiness most nobles do.
“That’s just her pet name for me,” I said with a stone face.
“Uh-huh.” He crossed his arms, evidently unamused.
Tch, I was hoping he was just a plain musclehead like I used to be.
“As a matter of fact, it’s my middle name as well.”
“Sure.”
“She calls me that in the bedroom actually—”
Thwack!
“Young Lord! Behave yourself!” She chopped me on the head, staring me down with fierce, spine-tingling levels of indignation.
Wait a minute, I think that chop may have just jolted my memory!
Sairaorg!
Now I remember!
“You’re Ladora’s King!” I pointed at him, a sigh of relief escaping Thora’s breath as I finally realized who I was talking to.
The Bael Clan used to have a different Heir whose name I can’t seem to remember, but he was defeated in an official duel by the living incarnation of muscle standing in front of me—allowing him to take the previous Heir’s position for himself.
He’s also apparently the strongest devil of the current generation, and he’s certainly got the presence to match that moniker.
Ladora’s the Rook of his peerage, which is a pretty good fit for someone with Dragonification if you ask me.
Well, there are a few issues with Ladora’s Dragonification—but Sairaorg clearly doesn’t plan on giving up on him. Therefore, there’s no excuse for me not to do so either.
“That I am,” he affirmed proudly. “And it seems my hunch about you was right, Alduin Buné.”
He knows who I am? That's surprising, especially since Ladora and I have never been permitted to physically meet one another. Granted, he is a member of the highest-ranking noble family; their intelligence network is probably a lot stronger than ours.
“Eh? Isn’t House Buné’s second child just a tall tale they made up to cover for Ladora’s… situation?” I noticed her hesitate, despite her words, she doesn’t seem to have any malicious intent regarding Ladora.
Good, I’m not interested in starting an incident here.
“I thought that too,” he nodded. “However, Magdaran told me that he met him during his fifteenth birthday.”
Magdaran! That’s the name I was looking for! He was the Heir before Sairaorg.
It’s a real shame, that guy apparently has quite the reputation as a successful botanist. If it were the current me, I’d have loved to develop a closer relationship with him so we could exchange gardening tips with one another. Maybe that’ll still be a possibility if I play my cards correctly.
It’s all much easier said than done though.
“Despite common belief, I assure you I am most certainly real.” I chuckled lightly, quickly realizing an opportunity to take a jab at my parents had been laid right before me.
Thora was even looking at me with “don’t you dare” written all over her face, as if she knew exactly what I was about to do.
Muda Muda! Nothing can stop me once I’ve made up my mind!
“My mother and father are just extremely clingy. It wouldn’t even be a stretch to say that they have… abandonment issues… so much so to the point where they get panic attacks when I’m out of their line of sight even within our own estate.”
I wiped a fake tear from my eye, feigning a distraught expression.
“They had to muster up all their strength simply to let me come here to Lilith, hugging me for hours before my departure to lessen the toll on their mind because it helped them remember my scent.”
“My word… I wasn’t aware that Lord and Lady Buné were undergoing such emotional hardship.” He covered his mouth, clearly pitying Sebastian and Martha’s lamentable situation.
“Indeed, as their child, my heart weeps for them day in and day out.” I sighed, clutching my chest tightly. “Since I’m not able to leave the territory as much as I’d like to, I’d deeply appreciate it if you could spread the word to the other nobles. I think it’d be nice for them to know that they have the support of their peers.”
He put his hand on my shoulder, his eyes sparkling with determination.
“You can count on me! I’ll ensure that your parents know that they aren’t alone in their plight!”
And just like that, Sairaorg Bael had unknowingly become my partner in crime in helping me give my parents a little taste of their own medicine. They gave me the reputation of an “urban myth” among the other nobles, so it’s only fair that I give them a fun reputation of their own.
All according to Keikaku.
“Thank you Sairaorg, it’s reassuring to know that Ladora’s in the care of someone as empathetic as yourself.” I performed a truly appreciative bow of respect.
“Don’t mention it, it’s the least I could do.” He said contentedly.
Thora on the other hand, had been left wholly and utterly speechless in the wake of my actions—her mouth agape in sheer disbelief.
Is this going to bite me in the ass later down the road? Yeah, probably.
Do I regret it? Not even a little. It’s not my fault if they can’t handle a bit of backlash.
“Anyhow, I’m presuming you’re here to pick up a present for Sona Sitri’s birthday, just like we are?”
“Yeah, but I’m a little uncertain about buying her a chess set if you’re going to be doing the same thing. It’d be a little awkward if she received two of the same present, wouldn’t it?” He sheepishly scratched the back of his head.
“That it would.” I agreed, another plan seeping through the cracks of my mind as I glanced at his blonde companion. “Although I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little guilty for pulling a fast one on you here. How about Thora and I help you find another gift as recompense? Lilith’s bound to have something else that’ll make the cut.”
“Oh please, there’s no need for you to go so far.” He waved his hands.
“No! I insist!” I pumped my fist, catching him off guard. “You decided to graciously help me out with my family situation, so it’s only fair that I offer you some help in return.”
Of course, my true goal is to enact Operation Double Date.
Kekeke!
Comments
Accel14
Maybe he'll get a welcoming "hug" once he gets home. 👀 Perhaps even a spine-crushing one.
Son-Of-Scorn
Ahahaha wonder how that little rumour is going to develop
