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Chapter 144: The Princess’s Reward (3000 words, this volume ends)

“No matter if it’s the Cult of the Evil Dragon or the Seven Heavenly Dragons, I will never let anyone harm you!”

The girl’s sincere words flowed like a warm current, inevitably stirring something within Roy, leaving him frozen in place.

However, Charlotte, who had managed to catch him off guard, began to feel shy as she noticed Roy’s dazed expression.

“Ahem, don’t be too proud of yourself. You’re the last on the list. Besides, you’re my Oath Knight; as your queen, protecting you is only natural.”

The cute way the girl forced an explanation brought Roy back to his senses, regaining his composure.

“Is it just protection?” Roy leaned slightly closer, raising an eyebrow.

“Eh?” Charlotte’s gaze began to dart around.

“It’s going to be a long while before Charlotte becomes queen, right? Until then, shouldn’t I expect some other kind of reward as your Oath Knight?”

“A reward, a reward…” Charlotte’s eyes wavered before finally landing on Roy’s lips.

Although she had been interrupted earlier, this time…

The passion that had not yet cooled suddenly ignited hotter under this thought.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow: “A reward is not out of the question.”

Roy was somewhat surprised and hadn’t expected her to be bolder than he imagined.

In the next moment, like the breeze following the sunset, that reserved and haughty princess pounced forward, shamelessly stealing away his right to speak with her fiery, beautiful lips.

The awkward and inexperienced brush of lips was fleeting yet so soft, causing Roy to momentarily forget to breathe, drowning in the warmth of jasmine.

After a brief kiss.

The princess’s face flushed a shade more beautiful than the evening glow, shy yet lovely as she smiled at the still-stunned young man: “This is my reward.”

The red-haired girl’s smile was as beautiful as a poem, making the once-lauded sunset panorama in front of the Ruby Castle pale in comparison.

The kiss from the future queen was indeed a rather precious reward.

Yet the sentiment had truly been conveyed.

“This little bit seems insufficient.”

Roy took hold of the girl’s hand, his gaze growing heated.

Realizing his intention, the girl felt a wave of shyness wash over her, but in the end, she only struggled a little before stopping her movements.

The air was still, filled only with their shared breaths.

“Can I ask for more rewards?”

“You treacherous vassal, you really are greedy.”

“Doesn’t Charlotte want that?”

“I really can’t do anything with you.”

After some bashfulness, Charlotte gently closed her eyes, raised her head slightly, and on tiptoes, pressed her delicate, supple lips against him once again. This time, Roy didn’t hesitate, caressing her cheek and responding with the same kiss, fully sharing their fiery feelings.

The last trace of sunlight blurred the silhouettes of the knight and the princess.

In the corner, a blonde maid watched the heated scene between the two, speechless for a long time.

————————————

In the tranquil night, amidst the lush forest, fireflies danced in the air, turning this place into the most beautiful and dreamy paradise in the world.

This was the very heart of the Elf Forest, the capital of the elven race, the Verdant Council.

Unlike other Extraordinary Beings, the descendants of the elves had rarely inherited the mythic beings of the First Era directly, with a bloodline concentration that was still quite rich. They lived secluded in the forest, avoiding worldly conflicts, content to enjoy their peace.

Every elf descendant possessed a pure and sweet appearance, and among them, the most remarkable was the chief daughter of the Verdant Council, Nia Molly.

At the edge of the dining table, the elven girl sat gracefully, her emerald hair cascading down her shoulders as her light green dress flowed elegantly. Her refined features were as if sculpted from the world’s finest essence.

Quiet and aloof, she appeared like a dream that could only be admired from afar.

Even pureblood elves from a thousand years ago couldn’t compare.

But alas, this was merely an exterior.

When her mother informed her about the upcoming marriage, the girl could no longer maintain her facade.

“I’ve told you a million times, I don’t want to get married!”

Nia slammed her palm onto the table, shattering the moment of beauty.

She wasn’t actually angry, but she unleashed a terrifying move that could be deemed anger.

The once elegant and serene girl now leaned over the table, weeping uncontrollably: “Mom! I’m still young, I don’t want to get married! They say marriage is a tomb for women; please have mercy on your daughter! Waaaah…”

The other elves at the table were left with complicated expressions at this unbearable scene, while the elven matriarch seated at the head of the table, Nia’s mother, Janthea, felt a severe throbbing in her temple.

Indeed, for a descendant of the elven race, Nia was terribly inadequate.

You must understand, elves may not be noble but they cannot be uncouth.

They smile gently without showing teeth during happiness, shed silent tears during sorrow, and even rangers on the battlefield are seldom chatty.

Despite Nia’s flawless looks, her overtly lively personality resembled that of an orc.

The girl’s wailing was a dreadful cacophony to the usually quiet elven descendants.

“Enough!” Under this relentless torment, Janthea finally couldn’t hold back her reprimands.

“Not old enough? You are already of age this year!.”

“That proud Lionheart Princess Charlotte Reinhardt next door has an Oath Knight already, and you haven’t even held a boy’s hand yet! How long do you plan to drag this out?!”

The other elven council members looked on with sympathetic expressions.

After a thousand years, the elven descendants’ bloodline had thinned, no longer enjoying the exceptionally long lifespan of their ancestors. Nowadays, they live as long as humans and naturally adopted humans’ customs.

To continue the extraordinary bloodline and solidify their rule, young people are often better off marrying as early as possible.

Most noblewomen should have a betrothal before adulthood, and for someone like Charlotte to just announce her Oath Knight at the coming-of-age ceremony is already considered pretty late.

However, Nia seemed bent on breaking this record, no wonder her traditionally minded mother Janthea was losing her mind.

Seeing that Mom was truly angry, Nia dropped the act, straightened her face that hadn’t shed a single tear, crossed her legs, leaned against her chair, and quietly complained, “Tch, what does her getting married have to do with me?”

“Besides, I heard that Oath Knight was a useless scoundrel; isn’t this just a political marriage hastily thrown together? There’s nothing to be jealous of, right?” Nia grumbled, puffing up her cheeks.

Stuck with poor transportation conditions, news in Veszyra was notoriously delayed and often hard to discern as truth. Nia didn’t have a clue about the actual situation in the kingdom.

“Nia! Mind your language! And your posture!” Janthea paused before bringing the conversation back, sighing, “As your mother, I don’t want to sacrifice your happiness!”

“Mom, you’re the best!” Nia’s face transformed instantly, showering her mother with sweet praise.

“But don’t take it too far! It’s been so long, and you still haven’t found anyone you like; you’re clearly dragging your feet!” Janthea frowned, rubbing her temple in frustration.

Being caught red-handed, Nia was at a loss for words.

It was true; she just didn’t want to get married.

Nia gazed out at the stunningly beautiful valley forest, shadows flickering in her eyes.

Marriage means confinement. Once married, she would find herself bound to domesticity, a monotonous life. This elven paradise, which others viewed as a dream, felt to her like a closed cage.

Nia chuckled nervously: “Hey, I never said I don’t want to get married; it’s just that I haven’t found the right person…”

“There are plenty of males in the entire Verdant Council; not a single one is suitable?!”

Facing her near-despair mother’s questioning, the reluctant girl finally pulled out her final trump card.

Nia looked back at Janthea, pretending to be meaningful: “Isn’t there a possibility that your daughter actually likes cute and soft girls~”

This unexpected blow left Janthea speechless, sending the entire room into a deep silence.

Veszyra doesn’t reject same-sex relationships, but for the traditionally conservative elves, this was still a bit ahead of its time.

Nia wore a smug smile, thinking she’d outsmarted her mother.

Unexpectedly, Janthea shot her a dark look, snorting coldly: “You like girls, huh?”

Oblivious to the underlying tension, Nia continued her performance, dramatically declaring with an outstretched hand: “Exactly! Stinky men are so boring; I just want to cuddle with cute little sisters!”

Fueled by rage, Janthea responded with a smile that cut like a knife: “Alright, since that’s the case, starting tomorrow, I’ll arrange for you to go on dates with girls!”

Nia’s radiant smile froze on her face.

“…What?!!”

————————————

Under the grey clouds, deep within the countless dragon carcasses, a pair of burning black eyes slowly opened in the darkness.

Bound by innumerable chains, the pitch-black dragon awoke after centuries of slumber, racked by piercing agony.

It was the last king of the dragons, the deity of the dragon race.

【Demon Dragon King Nidhogg】.

Before him, the devotees of the Cult of the Evil Dragon humbly informed him of everything.

The pain that pulled at his bloodline and soul was more unbearable than the grievous wounds he had suffered long ago.

He could hardly believe it.

Balagas has fallen.

Following the shock came profound sorrow and fury.

The black dragon king, shrouded in hellish flames, suddenly raised his head and let out a shrill, murderous roar toward the leaden gray sky devoid of moonlight.

“Once again, once again…”

“My flesh and blood, once again harmed by the blood of the False King!”

“False King’s blood! One day, I will completely erase this filthy, despicable bloodline!!!”

The mad dragon spread its wings and roared, an overwhelming tide of fearsome magic flames erupted around him, causing the heavy chains wrapped around him to emit a hoarse wail.

The long-rusted chains, having endured untold years, finally began to crack ominously.

This roar from the bloodline and soul transcended the earth, the sky, and the seas, reaching every corner of Veszyra, resonating with all dragon kin and the followers of the dragon cult.

In this moment, whether newborn hatchlings or ancient dragons hidden among humans, even the cultists heading to the guillotine, all were infected by the surging sorrow and rage, glimmering with a hint of horrifying magic flames in their eyes.

“The false king’s blood must be utterly eradicated…”

The demon dragon king’s murmurs spread like wildfire across the world.