Misunderstanding (Part 2)

"Metalicana, look, that guy keeps staring at Grandiere. Could he be up to something?"

"It's really hard to say. Grandiere one of the most beautiful women among the dragons. She attracted countless male dragons back then. Didn't we follow in her footsteps to come here?"

Thanks to Vyseria's reminder, Metalicana finally locked onto the seraphim Kaldiz, but Skiadrum had a different opinion about it.

"Impossible! Didn't Igneel just say that the beautiful woman lying on the ground ran away from her arranged marriage and was being chased? Of the two people who have arrived, only that guy is male, so that beautiful woman must be his wife. Although Grandiere is pretty, she's not quite as beautiful as that woman. Why would he be interested in Grandiere?"

Hearing Skiadrum's explanation, Metalicana and her companion were finally able to relax and enjoy themselves as 'spectators'. Of course, the three of them didn't completely take their eyes off Grandiere, ensuring they could appear promptly if she needed help. And so, with three spectators and four main characters, this melodramatic soap opera among the dragons began.

"What should we do with Diphiya now?"

Faced with such an awkward situation, Kaldiz was the first to break down and sent a distress signal to Diphiya. Although Diphiya arrived furious and wanted to give Sordil a good beating, she hesitated when she saw Sordil lying unconscious on the ground. As for seeking justice from Grandiere, she had no evidence, and even if she did, what grounds would she have to accuse Grandiere? Therefore, Diphiya was at a loss for how to resolve the situation. Faced with Kaldiz's question, Diphiya could only say:

"Don't rush. Let's wait until the guy lying on the ground wakes up, find out the details, and then decide what to do!"

"Miss, please let me explain. There might be some misunderstanding between us. Things aren't as you imagine! Actually..."

Igneel had intended to explain to Diphiya that he hadn't abducted the seven-colored dragon on the ground, to avoid being used as a shield later. Besides, there were three idiots behind him who knew the 'truth,' and he feared he wouldn't be able to explain himself no matter how hard he tried. Although Igneel had no experience helping old ladies, he could imagine the trouble he would face. Unfortunately, Diphiya forcefully rebuked him as soon as he opened his mouth, completely confirming his 'crime.'

"Igneel, don't try to explain. Everyone knows the truth, and we won't believe your explanation anyway! When that guy on the ground wakes up, we'll confront him in court, and the truth will be clear then."

After Diphiya finished speaking, Igneel, Metalicana, and the others were completely dumbfounded. If Metalicana had previously been somewhat skeptical about Igneel's alleged abduction of women, after Diphiya called out Igneel's name, they had no more doubts. A moment later, the three of them, having recovered their senses, repeatedly gave Metalicana a thumbs-up. Igneel himself, however, was on the verge of tears; now Igneel, he couldn't wash away the stain on his reputation no matter what he did.

"Um"

Just as everyone was about to reach their breaking point in the awkward and delicate atmosphere, a soft hum broke the silence. Sordil, under Grandiere's care, finally regained consciousness. After taking a few deep breaths of fresh air, Sordil felt alive again. To his surprise, a faint orchid fragrance filled the air. Curious, Sordil took another deep breath; this time the orchid scent was stronger. Instinctively, Sordil followed the source of the fragrance, which grew ever more intense. Grandiere had finished treating Sordil, was about to get up and rest when he saw Sordil following his scent, and his cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment.

The people on the platform, witnessing the scene before them, felt as if countless bolts of lightning had struck them, turning them to ashes. Metalicana and his two companions glared angrily at Igneel with eyes demanding the truth, their meaning unmistakable. "Is this the beauty you picked up?" But Igneel himself was petrified; what answer could he possibly give them? Kaldiz was also utterly stunned by the sight. If circumstances allowed, he would have sincerely praised Sordil: "Kid, you're something else! Flirting with someone else right in front of your girlfriend!"

"Young Master, do you like Grandiere's scent? Have you had enough?"

"It smells wonderful! I could smell this scent for a lifetime and never get enough!"

Upon hearing the question, Sordil blurted out his feelings without hesitation. However, as soon as the words left his mouth, Sordil realized something was amiss. What did he mean by saying Grandiere's body odor was pleasant? He hadn't even reached the Dil'dixiu Mountain Range yet! How could Grandiere be beside him? And who asked that question? Wasn't this just trying to sow discord? That girl, Diphiya, would probably throw another inexplicable tantrum, and he'd be in for a beating again. Whoever said that was going too far! Thinking this, Sordil immediately opened his eyes, wanting to see who had tricked him like this!

When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Grandiere, whose cheeks were flushed and who looked beautiful. Sordil was instantly stunned.

Is she beautiful?

"Of course it's beautiful!"

"So, who's prettier, her or Diphiya?"

"Diphiya? How can Diphiya be compared to Grandiere? Grandiere is one of the most beautiful women in all of Ishgar!"

Hearing this conversation, Grandiere's face flushed even more, while Diphiya's cheeks were also strikingly red. However, unlike Grandiere's shyness, Diphiya's face seemed to be on fire at any moment. Looking at the incredibly shy Grandiere, Igneel and the other three had long forgotten to pick up their jaws from the floor and put them back in their mouths. Kaldiz sighed deeply, then began searching the area around the mountaintop for a place to dig a pit, to make it easier to collect Sordil's body later. After all, they were friends; they couldn't just leave him to rot in the wilderness, could they?

Sordil, who was staring blankly at Grandiere's shy beauty, suddenly realized that the voice that had just asked him the question sounded familiar. He instinctively turned his head to look in the direction of the voice. Upon seeing what he saw, Sordil felt a chill run down his spine. After fully understanding his surroundings, Sordil felt that his ashes were already seven-tenths cooked.

Even so, Sordil's survival instincts wouldn't allow him to give up so easily. Besides, there were still 30% of the ashes that hadn't been properly prepared. So he decided to use all his remaining strength to try and save himself. Maybe he could still be saved? In this situation, as long as he hadn't been put into that little box, there was still a glimmer of hope, wasn't there?