novelraw Chapter 193: Dragon’s Demand
Chapter 193: Dragon’s Demand
Why did this person have to keep involving himself with Lian?
From the voice alone, it was clear this was the same person who had kidnapped them earlier.
And yet, that carefree, teasing tone came from below them, somewhere near Lian.
"So, you really are a dragon," Qiong Xing remarked.
"Oh? Didn’t I say?"
"No, we didn’t hear that. Well, I’d asked Albe, and he guessed, but I hadn’t heard it from you directly," Qiong Xing said.
Since he hadn’t heard it from the dragon himself, he had no real confirmation.
But given who it was, he figured it was fine to leave it at that.
"You really are big," he added.
Qiong Xing wondered how someone could shrink such a massive body down to human size.
It was... like dried seaweed? No, that wasn’t right.
"You’re the first one I’ve carried, do you know that?"
"That’s not something a kidnapper should be saying," Qiong Xing muttered.
Even so, he tapped the hard scales lightly with his hand.
Riding a dragon for the first time was not exactly comfortable.
"I’ve never heard of anyone else doing it. Most people can’t even ride a dragon," the voice continued cheerfully.
"Wait, is there some kind of qualification for it?" Qiong Xing asked, half-joking.
Since dragons could be considered a kind of living vehicle, maybe there was a special permit to ride one.
The answer came with a laugh: of course, no such thing existed.
"No, see, dragons are... uh, like, proud creatures. So nobody just lets anyone ride them," the dragon explained.
"...But you’re a dragon too, aren’t you?"
Qiong Xing thought.
If he was also a dragon, why was this one carrying Lian and the others?
"Eh, isn’t it obvious just by looking?" the dragon said with a little teasing.
Qiong Xing who is annoyed by the slightly mocking tone tapped the scales repeatedly in protest.
"Are we there yet? Everyone must be worried about Lian and me, and honestly, I’m sleepy. I just want to go back and sleep," Qiong Xing said, his tone firm but tired.
The last reason was the main one.
He hadn’t cried yet, but it was about time to feed and settle Lian so she could rest.
"You can sleep if you want. It’ll take a little longer, and I don’t plan on taking you back anytime soon," the dragon replied casually.
"Huh?"
"I wasn’t planning to bring that kid along. She’s in the way... though, for you, I guess she makes a good little hostage," the dragon said with a careless laugh.
"What are you—"
"If that kid’s important to you, you’d better behave. I’m not planning to kill you, but her? That’s different. If she gets in the way, I’ll kill her."
The playful and drawn-out tone the dragon had used before disappeared.
Now, his voice was cold and sharp and Lian felt something icy crawl down his back.
"You’re going to carry our child. Whether it turns out a dragon or not is a gamble, but with my brother around and me, the odds are pretty good," the dragon continued casually.
...What is he saying?
Qiong Xing froze, utterly confused.
Their child? Who? Me? Why?
"I thought about taking a human woman too, but they’re noisy, and very few can handle our magic. Good thing you have magic yourself," the dragon said while smiling like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"...Good thing?"
Qiong Xing’s mind reeled.
What exactly was good?
The dragon seemed happy, almost playful, yet Qiong Xing could not comprehend a word.
He tightened the arms holding Lian and focused only on protecting him.
"Oh? Nervous? Don’t worry, it’s fine. Those beastmen from before... they are your mates, right? If you could survive them, you can handle my brother and me, too," the dragon teased.
"...You’re not my mates," Qiong Xing said firmly.
"So what? Do you think you can only do it if it’s your mates? That’s nonsense."
"I... I don’t want to have your child!"
"Whether you want to or not doesn’t matter. I said you’re having it. Your feelings aren’t part of this," the dragon said casually.
Don’t matter? Why?
Qiong Xing’s head spun.
He had no idea what to say or think.
All he could do was cling tighter to Lian and holding himher protectively, while trying to make sense of the words that made no sense at all.
Why did he have to bear their child?
Why him? Why was it him?
"Why are you not doing it with your mates?"
"...We don’t have it. We’re the last dragons. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even be telling you this," the dragon replied.
Was this about increasing their numbers?
Wanting a family?
But that was their concern, not his.
It had nothing to do with him.
"No. I don’t want to have it," Qiong Xing said firmly.
Even giving birth to Lian had been extremely painful.
He had endured it because of the love his mates and because it was the child of those he loved.
"I don’t love you. And you don’t love me either, right?"
A child is a parent’s treasure.
Even if one can bear a child without wanting to, Qiong Xing had only chosen to bring Lian into the world because he wanted her.
If he already had the one he loved and his beloved child, why should he bear a child for someone he did not love?
"That doesn’t matter! You just do as you’re told and bear our dragons!"
The dragon’s shouting carried irritation and anger.
His flying speed then increased which forcing Qiong Xing to use magic to counter the wind resistance.
He considered trying to escape, but the dragon was too powerful.
For Lian’s safety, he remained still and held Lian tightly.
Elias and the others were surely searching desperately even now.
Until they arrived, he would endure it.
"...We’re here. This way," the dragon said.
After what felt like a long flight, the dragon set them down.