Please Bully Me, Miss Villainess!

Chapter 251 : Methods of Dragon Taming

"Mama... is your hand okay? It seemed to bleed a lot just now..."

Although she had been told to cover her eyes earlier, she still caught the scent of blood from the wound.

It's truly difficult to conceal anything from a Pelo tribe's nose.

"It's fine, look, it's already healed."

"Doesn't it hurt?"

Seeing her daughter blinking her big, dark eyes with concern, Elsa could only smile:

"I'm alright. This level of injury is nothing for me."

"But... I think I saw something black go inside..."

It seems this child, like herself, can also see unusual things.

"That little thing is nothing. Mama once dealt with an even more powerful entity."

"Really? How powerful?"

"...Let's just say it was extremely powerful."

She couldn't possibly tell her daughter that the last time she accidentally released it, it nearly overturned an entire town.

And that was only a partial release...

Thinking of this, Elsa felt a bit fearful.

If she had released the complete form of the 'Nightmare' that had absorbed her magical power at that time, it's unimaginable what might have happened.

Thankfully, Yvonne saved her.

Every time she recalls that feeling of her body gradually sinking into darkness beyond her control, it still feels terrifying.

But then she remembers the warmth of Yvonne's tight embrace, pulling her from the abyss, and the trembling stops.

Why—

She was never a brave person. She felt small and weak. But—

Thinking back, every time she fell into crisis, Yvonne was always by her side.

Gurgle gurgle...

Her stomach growled.

"Hungry."

"Indeed... Alright, let's eat something now—I bought some ground meat and millet in the village, it should make a tasty soup."

Elsa lightly clapped her hands, skillfully using magic to create a constant-temperature cooking fire, and began to cook meat porridge.

After grinding some rock salt into the pot, she noticed that the young dragons that had been playing nearby were all attracted by the aroma and gathered around.

These little dragons were surprisingly bold, not afraid of fire or humans.

"Mama, the little dragons seem to want to eat too!"

"Are you willing to share with them?"

Elsa smiled wryly at her daughter, who was nodding excitedly.

It seems the dinner portions would have to be reduced.

"This is a bit hot—Let it cool before eating! Wah—Little Radiance, don't nuzzle me, everyone gets a share!"

...She's already named them, huh.

Calling it 'Radiance' because it has golden horns, isn't that a bit exaggerated?

Children's thinking is always so simple.

Happy to have made new friends, the little one forgot she was hungry herself, using leaf-folded bowls to share some of her food with the young dragons.

Probably because it was their first time eating human food, these young dragons were a bit confused at first. Although they could tell from the aroma that it was delicious, they were all a bit timid, not daring to eat. They looked at each other, appearing quite comical.

In the end, it was Little Radiance who showed a bit of big sister spirit. She stepped forward, lowered her head and tentatively tasted it with her tongue. Upon tasting the rich meat flavor enhanced by the spices, she lowered her head and began to eat heartily. Seeing this, the other young dragons followed suit.

Sphinx just sat coiled to the side, quietly observing this process without intervening.

...It seems we've gained their initial trust.

Taking advantage of the break, Elsa wrote some messages on the runic paper she carried, then folded it into a magical bird.

This simple puppet magic can operate within a limited range.

Elsa left a message on the magical bird, telling the villagers waiting at the foot of the mountain not to enter the mountain without permission, to avoid disturbing the dragon pack again.

The fact that the young dragons were cursed was somewhat strange.

She hadn't detected any magic users in the village powerful enough to cast curses before.

Thinking of this, Elsa fell into contemplation.

Considering it reasonably... Is it more likely that the demon race is behind this mischief?

Just over this mountain, the Eris Forest known as the "Land of No Return" is nearby—and beyond the forest lies the domain of the demon race.

The Land of No Return is home to many high-level dangerous magical beasts. Few who set foot there return safely, hence its name.

Although Elsa didn't think she would lose to mere magical beasts, if she had to engage in multiple encounters in a short time, considering the drain, it would certainly be taxing.

For safety's sake, the best method would be to gain Sphinx's acknowledgment as its master.

Sphinx's skill 'Mist Concealment' can hide one's form in created mist. In the Land of No Return, teeming with magical beasts, this is a convenient and useful skill.

With its help, she could safely traverse the Forest of No Return.

But now... how to gain its trust?

"Um... Sphinx?"

Elsa tentatively approached.

This creature is so intelligent, it should understand human speech to some extent, right?

I wonder if I can negotiate with the current Sphinx, ask for its help—

Elsa felt she must be having mental issues to think of conversing with a dragon.

But Sphinx seemed unwilling to pay her any attention, turning its head to the side as if one could hear it snorting through its nostrils.

...Damn it!

No matter which world, this creature just doesn't get along with me!!

So what should I do?!

Elsa was at a loss.

She had 100 ways to use magic to teach this insolent creature a lesson.

But it's well known that dragons are very proud creatures. Trying to subdue a swift wind dragon by beating it into submission would only backfire.

To tame a dragon, one must make it sincerely acknowledge you as its master.

But judging from Sphinx's attitude, it completely disdained her approach, let alone allowing her on its back.

No... Even if I might be thrown off, perhaps it's better to prove my determination through perseverance?

In many adventure novels, brave heroes gained their loyal mounts through such methods.

Just as Elsa made up her mind, she saw a familiar figure climb onto Sphinx's back, instantly turning pale.

"Big dragon~ Are you Little Radiance's mama? Wow—Your horns are so beautiful, will Little Radiance grow such cool horns too?"

Watching Bebe touch Sphinx's sharp dragon horns with her little hands, Elsa felt her heart nearly leap out of her chest.

"Come down quickly, it's very dangerous!!"