Chapter 376

But before long, deep within her dormant mind, she seemed to have arrived at a strange and quiet space.

The surroundings were serene, with dark gold walls in sight and calm water beneath one's feet.

Noa was standing on the water, and the clear water beneath her feet rippled outwards in circles with her breathing.

It was so quiet here that Noa could only hear her own heartbeat and the dripping sound of water in the darkness.

"Is it... a dream again?"

But I had never seen such a sight in my dreams before.

And Noa knows what it feels like in a dream.

Emptiness, etherealness, powerlessness—everything is so close, seemingly within reach, yet so illusory, as if it were at the ends of the earth.

But the sense of reality at this moment far surpasses the feeling in the dream.

She walked deeper into the dark gold corridor.

But after walking for a long time, the surrounding scenery did not change at all.

This forced Noa to stop. She stood still, closed her eyes, held her breath, and tried to escape this dreamlike place by concentrating her mind.

However, when she opened her eyes again, she was still in the same place.

"Where am I...?"

Noa murmured to herself, then slowly squatted down.

She reached out her hand, her fingertips lightly touching the water at her feet, then brought it to her nose and smelled it.

It has no taste, so it must be just ordinary water.

But she had never learned the skill of standing on water, which is a type of magic that requires precise control of Magic Power and is quite difficult to master.

Just as Noa, the once calm water surface suddenly trembled.

She suddenly stood up and cautiously observed her surroundings.

But all around were still dark gold walls and deeper darkness.

Noa frowned, and in an instant, she seemed to realize something.

"The epicenter originated... underwater!"

Just as Noa realized what was happening, the water suddenly burst open, and a torrent of water surged forth.

Noa retreated swiftly, creating distance between them. Once she regained her footing, she gathered Lightning magic in her right hand.

She stared intently at the water curtain in front of her, patiently waiting for the other party to appear.

A few seconds later, the water receded, and the 'creature' that had emerged from the water revealed its form.

Noa's eyes widened slightly, because the other person was—

The White Dragon in her dream.

"The Primal Dragon King... Noah."

However, the Primal Dragon King before them was much, much smaller than the one in their dream.

Noa dared not be careless, and the Thousand Birds in her hand kept emitting explosive bird cries.

The White Dragon looked down at the little creature in front of it.

After a brief exchange of glances between the two, one tall and one short, a majestic and ethereal voice emanated from the dragon's mouth.

"Noa K. Melkwy, I'm so glad to finally meet you."

Noa's heart stirred slightly, and she was somewhat surprised.

The legendary Dragon race hero is actually... female dragon?

But what bothered Noa even more was, "You know me?"

"Having been hidden in your consciousness for a full half month, this King course I recognize you."

"My... consciousness space?"

"That's right. Look around. This quiet, dark, yet fraught with danger golden palace is your consciousness space."

The White Dragon paused briefly, then added, "Although I don't know how other people's consciousness spaces are constructed, yours... truly surprises me."

Surprise?

Noa pondered the dragon's words—

'This tranquil, dark golden palace harbors endless dangers.'

Noa, however, could see through the tranquility and gloom.

But what does it mean to be "lurking with endless crises"?

However, before Noa could ask anything, she heard the other person continue speaking.

"Choosing you in the Northern Ruins back then might really have been the right decision."

"You chose me in the Northern Ruins?"

These words seemed to have a wake-up call for Noa.

This wasn't the time for idle chatter with this old charlatan and riddle teller, so Noa quickly asked the question that concerned her most.

"Why are you in my consciousness? Have you been playing tricks on me in the dreams I've been having for the past few days?"

"Watch your tone when you speak to this King, little brat. Who do you think you are standing before? The Dragon ancestor, the first Dragon King in history, the hero who ended the Dragon civil war, and—"

"And the old bastard who sneaks into other people's minds without their consent and then rambles on and on."

"... How dare you! Don't think that just because I haven't recovered this King strength I can't do anything to you. If this King want to, I can still control your body."

Upon hearing this, Noa seemed to have grasped a crucial clue, "Controlling my body? Could it be that the fact that I always felt exhausted when I woke up before was also related to you?"

The White Dragon let out a disdainful snort, "Scared, aren't you, brat?"

"Don't call me a brat, and answer my question: why are you in my head?"

"This is not in your mind, it is the space of consciousness. Please think carefully about your words before speaking to this King."

This guy is a charlatan with a language addiction.

Noa shrugged, deliberately feigning an unreasonable attitude, "Whether it's the brain or the consciousness space, it's mine, so I can call it whatever I want."

Her Dad had taught her some negotiation and game theory skills before.

The most important thing is to never let the other party lead you by the nose; you must always keep your own thoughts and initiative in your own hands.

Even if you're joking around or acting like a rogue, you can't follow the other person's train of thought, or you'll go further and further astray.

"You! -- Fine, I won't bother with a this King like you; it would be this King dignity."

"Answer my question, you charlatan." Noa pressed on, her tone no longer showing the patience she had displayed during the previous two inquiries.

Without a doubt, if this eccentric guy in front of her didn't give her a straight answer, she would have to resort to force.

After all, the old charlatan himself said that his power had not yet been restored.

"Why am I appearing in your consciousness...?"

The White Dragon slowly lowered its body, bringing its head close to Noa's face. Its vertical dragon eyes reflected her youthful yet determined face.

"This King think you are more suitable to be this King messenger than that red, fire-breathing mad dragon."

"Messenger?"

"Yes. This King need your body to accomplish a great feat, and you will be this King messenger."

"What great feat?"

No comment.

Noa hates the Riddler.

It's still more enjoyable to chat with my Dad.

However, Noa did not pursue the matter further. Since the old charlatan was not going to speak, she would not get anything out of him even if she pressed him for details.

So Noa tried a different approach. "Since you've been hiding in my consciousness for so long, why are you only showing yourself now?"

"Because of your parents."

"My parents?"

"Your father is very intelligent and vigilant. If this King continue to secretly use your body, he will likely find out."

The dragon slowly said, "Your mother has mastered the Primal Power. No matter how much power I gather in your body, as long as she discovers it, she can draw it out of your body, this King will have wasted my time."

"So instead of continuing to sneak around, it's better to meet with you directly; perhaps we can establish a cooperative relationship."

Noa was well aware of Dad Mom's capabilities.

From the other party's response, Noa also gleaned a crucial piece of information.

"Are you using my body to gather Primal Power?"

"Yes, this is a crucial step in helping this King restore my physical body and strength."

Noa's thoughts flickered, then she sneered, "Hmph, do you think I would agree to such an unfair cooperation?"

"You brat, it is your honor to be my this King, how dare you refuse?"

"Old Princess, it's an honor for you to live in my mind, so don't try to bargain."

"Hey you little brat!—"

Dad was right. Sometimes, a bit of joking and a little bit of shamelessness can keep you firmly in control of the conversation.

This trick really works.

But the question is, how did Dad know?

Hiss~~

Could it be that... this seemingly reliable married man was also a carefree and irresponsible person in his youth?

"Aren't you afraid that this King 'll take your body right now?"

"Oh."

"... What are you laughing at?"

Noa crossed her arms, her expression indifferent, even somewhat disdainful.

"If you could easily take my body, you would have done so already. There's no need to waste time negotiating with me here."

"Furthermore, I do not feel honored that the Primal Dragon King resides in my consciousness space."

"This is my body, my consciousness, and only I have the final say. I am not anyone's puppet."

"I don't care about your so-called 'great feats,' I just want you out of my head."

The Old King of Days was taken aback.

After a long while, it slowly raised its dragon head, looking down arrogantly at the small figure below.

"It's impossible, kid. We're an inseparable whole now."

"W-what..."

"Constantine stole all my power back then, but you stopped him at the last moment, which allowed me to attach my last remaining soul to your consciousness."

When Noah said these words, he changed his self-reference from "this this King" to "I".

"You saved me, and I am extremely grateful for that."

"But you must also know that when the primordial power falls into the hands of those with wicked intentions, the Samael Continent will inevitably be plunged into another bloodbath in the near future."

"Even worse... that 'ultimate fear' that existed since the beginning of chaos will return."

"At that time, you, your sisters, your mother, and your father will all die at his hands."

"And the only ones who can stop all of this are you and me—"

Noa took a step forward, splashing water beneath her feet, the sound of the flowing water interrupting the White Dragon's words.

"You're saying all this just to get me to give you my body."

"But I still stand by my original idea: my will and body are only determined by myself; I am not anyone's puppet."