The Demon Dragon Returns (Happy New Year)

Cough—

When Lothar woke from his stupor, the first thing he felt was thirst. His throat felt as though he had swallowed burning coals.

Before he could speak, sugarcane juice from Texas plantations, chilled for a long time beneath an icy peak, was brought to his lips. He took small sips, his heart warming.

Prajna was like the lamp that was always lit when you came home late at night. Whenever you needed her, she would be waiting silently in the shadows.

"How did the battle go last night?"

His voice was somewhat hoarse as he instinctively reached for Prajna's cheek.

Compared to when he had first revived yesterday, his mind was much clearer now. At the very least, it was no longer a complete muddle. Still, his eyelids felt terribly heavy, as though he had gone half a month without sleep and simply could not lift them.

Prajna did not answer, which surprised Lothar. Then he realized something felt off. Though the skin was equally smooth and delicate, the contours of the face were different.

When he opened his eyes, he saw, beyond the rolling peaks, Miss Judge wearing gold-rimmed glasses. She seemed a little embarrassed, yet forced herself to appear unconcerned. "Miss Prajna went to try summoning the dead. I took her place and looked after you for a while."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Lothar hurriedly withdrew his hand.

"Not at all."

Miss Judge humbly brushed it aside, then asked, "How are you feeling physically?"

"Much better. This injury was never physical to begin with. What happened after yesterday's battle?"

Yesterday, after a brief rest, Lothar had intended to take to the skies again when the enemy Floating Airship Fleet approached. But the moment he prepared to use True Dragon Transformation, intense pain nearly shattered his will.