novelraw Chapter 102
Chapter 102
The slits of Aiden's crimson eyes stretched into thin, horizontal lines. The price wasn't just satisfactory; it exceeded all expectations.
“We are most pleased,” he rumbled, his voice taking on a formal, regal tone. “You have done well, contractor. Open the portal. When it turns red, send the payment through.”
…
In a room in the Valerius estate, a dopey grin spread across Isolde's face. He praised me, she thought, a warmth filling her chest, a feeling of pure, unadulterated happiness.
Seated beside her, Thea watched her friend's giddy expression, a knowing smile touching her lips. She's so happy. The red dragon must have complimented her. And why not? House Valerius had acquired the magical weapons at their resale value, making no profit and even absorbing the labor costs. But Thea considered it a sound investment in a long-term, and very powerful, relationship.
…
A shimmering portal materialized before Aiden. He lifted his head, and the crimson mana threads he had prepared shot forward, plunging into the gateway. It shuddered violently, then stabilized, its color now a deep, swirling red.
“It is ready, contractor. Send it through.”
“Of course, Mister Aiden!” her cheerful voice replied.
Does being ordered around truly make her so happy? he wondered. What a strange girl.
Thud.
A chest the size of a common travel trunk tumbled out of the portal. It was immediately followed by a second.
THUD!
CRASH!
The second chest landed atop the first, then rolled onto the floor. The latch broke on impact, and the lid flew open, spilling a river of glittering, golden darlings across the stone.
Aiden's eyes widened, his pupils dilating to their absolute limit. Little darlings. So many little darlings.
He cut the mana connection without a second thought. His body lunged forward, and he plunged his head into the pile of gold. The glittering color, the beautiful scent… so lovely, aow.
He was lost to the world, a dragon in the throes of gold-fever.
…
“Mister Aiden? Do you have any other instructions?”
The searing heat on Isolde's hand vanished. She looked down, and her happy expression froze. The red mana thread was gone. Mister Aiden had cut the connection. A wave of disappointment washed over her.
…
Sssss…
The acrid smell of burning flesh filled the air. Aiden's large nostrils twitched. Hmm. Something is burning.
His pupils snapped back from horizontal bars to vertical slits. He was no longer in his gold-crazed state; his mind was clear. Aow… the roast!
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He turned. One of the drumsticks, hanging slightly lower than the others, had caught fire, the rendering fat feeding the flames. He scrambled to the rack, snatched the burning skewer, and batted at the flames with his free claw until they were extinguished. He looked at the drumstick. Its surface was charred black. A failure, without a doubt.
Damn it. How did it catch fire? he grumbled internally. Oh well. This one is for Bianca. She's not a picky eater.
...
Scrabble, scrabble.
A sound came from deeper within the cave. Aiden turned his head.
The white wyrmling was pushing herself up. She stretched her forelegs out, lowered her chest to the ground, and arched her back in a perfect, satisfying stretch.
Haaah…
She closed her mouth and looked down. Something felt wrong. Something was missing. Her white eyes stared at the ground beneath her for several long seconds before the realization hit.
Her treasure! Her treasure was gone, aow!
Her pupils snapped into sharp, vertical lines. She spun in a circle. Nothing.
Aow! Where is it? Where's my treasure?
A misty film clouded her eyes, and she began to frantically dig at the stone floor, her claws sending sparks flying.
Aiden watched the frantic, panicked display. He stood up, then sat down, his two thick hind legs splayed out. He picked up one of the perfectly cooked drumsticks from the rack, took a large bite, and began to chew. The delicious, savory meat and rich fat filled his mouth. His splayed hind claws began to waggle back and forth contentedly. A fiery glint of amusement shone in his eyes.
Watching the fool panic while eating a delicious meal… it was high entertainment, better than any show.
After digging a dozen shallow holes in the stone floor, Bianca stopped. She lifted her head, her teary, shining eyes scanning the lair. Her gaze fell upon the two wooden chests near the entrance.
Aiden stopped chewing. His tail and claws went still.
“AIDEN! DID YOU STEAL MY TREASURE, AOW?!”
He watched the white blur charge toward him and calmly placed the half-eaten drumstick back on the rack. He rose to his full height. As she closed the distance, the red dragon before her seemed to grow larger and larger.
This feels… wrong, aow.
Her claws dug into the stone, and she skidded to a halt just before him.
Aiden lowered his massive head until his snout was inches from hers. His crimson eyes, swirling with what looked like liquid fire, stared directly into her white ones.
“Bianca,” he rumbled, his voice low and dangerous. “What, exactly, did you plan to do?”
Memories of past punishments flooded her mind. Oh no, aow. I can't beat Aiden-rawr.
The white dragon's head began to shake back and forth in denial. No, wait. He stole my treasure!
She stopped shaking and mustered her courage, looking her tormentor in the eye. “You… you stole my treasure, aow! Th-that's not fair!”
“Treasure?” Aiden feigned ignorance. “Are you referring to these two chests of lovely gold coins?”
“Yes!” she squeaked, a hint of confidence returning to her voice now that the subject was broached.
Aiden's eyes narrowed. “Hmph.” Two jets of hot smoke shot from his nostrils. “First of all, your ‘treasure' was mostly silver coins and a pile of scrap iron.” His long tail snaked into the chest and coiled around a single gold coin. He opened his claw, and the coin dropped into his palm. Bianca's eyes were glued to it, shining with desperate longing.
He held the coin up between two claws. “Now, look closely. What is the seal on this coin?”
In the firelight, the emblem was clear: a cruciform sword. Not a beast's head.
Bianca's eyes went wide with shock. A moment later, she threw herself to the ground and began rolling back and forth.
“AOWWW! MY GOLD COINS ARE GONE, AOW!” she wailed. “THEY'RE GONE!”
He stared at the writhing, wailing white dragon on the floor. This fool… He was torn. Hitting her again seems cruel, but her tantrum is incredibly annoying. Tsk.
“I know where your gold coins went,” he said suddenly.
The rolling instantly stopped. Bianca lifted her head, her shining white eyes streaked with tears.
A strange pang went through the red dragon's heart. Damn it… he thought, a flicker of something soft stirring within him. She's… cute. He ruthlessly crushed the thought and looked away, toward the roasting rack.
“It was Azure,” he said, his voice flat and certain. “She took your treasure. She was already gone when I awoke.” His tail snaked out again, picked up the Imperial gold coin from his palm, and extended it over the chest.
“She must have stolen your hoard.”
Clink.
The coin dropped into the chest with a sound of finality.