Miss Black Dragon Refuses to Be a Mount

"It's fine. You can leave now."

Moke waved the City Defense Force soldiers away. He felt like he really ought to get some proper rest. This inexplicable headache was seriously annoying...

PS: Beep beep beep~

That Winter, Year 0 014: The Witch

Ailolin lay sprawled in the cave, bored out of her mind as she recalled the Human language vocabulary she had learned during the day. The area around the cave was utterly silent. The beasts of the forest kept far away because of the Dragonkind aura Ailolin gave off.

That fruit-eating wolf had not returned since then. Ailolin found that somewhat regrettable. After all, the little thing had been pretty interesting.

Rustle, rustle~~

Footsteps sounded outside the cave, drawing closer and closer. Ailolin immediately became alert.

It was nighttime. The visitor definitely was not Likaro.

"Don't be afraid, little dragon."

A gentle young girl's voice reached her ears. Ailolin froze. She realized she was hearing Human language, yet she could understand every word!

A figure appeared at the cave entrance. By the bright moonlight, Ailolin saw what the person looked like.

She was a girl who looked only sixteen or seventeen, with long brown hair falling over her shoulders. She wore a loose black robe resembling a mage's robe, and her features were so exquisite that even Ailolin found herself staring.

"Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you." As she spoke, the girl walked toward Ailolin.

"Don't come any closer!" (Dragon language)

Seeing how wary Ailolin was, the girl stopped where she stood and began studying Ailolin's body with keen interest.

Ailolin was extremely surprised. This girl could understand the Dragon language she spoke as well.

"It's only with magic that I can understand you."

The girl smiled at Ailolin, then sat down on the ground.

Before Ailolin could ask anything, she introduced herself first. "My name is Xiya. And what's yours, little dragon?"

"Uh, little dragon..."

Ailolin thought for a moment before telling her, "My name is Ailolin."

As for her family name, it was better not to tell people that casually.

"Mhm, mhm. It's a very cute name. And you're a female dragon, right~?"

"Who are you?" Ailolin asked.

"Huh? I just told you my name."

"No, I mean, you..."

"Alright, alright, I know what you mean. I'm actually a witch who lives in this forest," Xiya answered.

A witch?

This was Ailolin's first time hearing the name, but it was not unfamiliar to her. Witches existed in plenty of works back on Earth, though their settings varied from work to work. Besides, she was now in another world, so the things Ailolin knew might not be useful at all.

"I actually noticed you a long time ago, but relax. I won't hurt you."

Ailolin felt that this witch was unfathomable. "Then what did you come to see me for?"

"I just came to talk to you."

"Talk about what?"

"You did very well. You didn't hurt that child."

"Uh?"

"The child named Likaro."

With the help of "magic," Xiya used Human language that Ailolin could understand to tell her a great deal.

The reason Likaro was not attacked by beasts, and instead made them fond of her, was because Xiya had given Likaro Forest's Blessing. With that blessing, animals would naturally feel close to Likaro. This way, Likaro would not be attacked by beasts in the forest.

Just as she had suspected, Ailolin was now certain that Likaro possessed some special ability.

"Then what is your relationship with Likaro?"

Xiya answered Ailolin's question with a smile. "That's a secret."

Then Xiya continued, "Have you ever wondered why no one has discovered you for so long?"

Of course Ailolin had considered that question, and she truly had found it puzzling.

A forest was not some absolute forbidden zone. If humans lived nearby, people would come into the forest to gather firewood, hunt, or do other things. It was impossible that no humans besides Likaro had appeared before Ailolin until now.

"Because I set up a barrier around the area where you move about, and I also erased some people's memories."

"Why did you do all that for me?"

"Not just for you. More importantly, for Likaro."

"..."

Ailolin did not understand.

"Likaro needs a friend, especially one who will not abandon her and will become very strong in the future."

"Then why do you think I'm suited to be her friend?"

"My intuition."

Xiya was speaking in mysteries again.

"I don't understand. Why are you so good to Likaro? Are you her friend too?"

"No, no, I'm not..." Xiya denied it, then avoided the question. "I know you'll leave this place someday, but I want you to spend more time with Likaro before you leave. Try to give her more happy memories."

"Um..."

"You have to agree. Consider it thanks for helping you hide your tracks!" Xiya's tone was firm and forceful, leaving no room for argument.

"This... alright, I promise."

In truth, that was already what Ailolin had been doing. And Likaro's daily visits had filled Ailolin's memories with laughter and joy as well.

"But how do you know I'll leave the forest someday?"

"Isn't that obvious? Do you want to live in this place for the rest of your life?"

"..."

Xiya was right. Ailolin truly did not want to stay here forever, because there were things she wanted to do.

This witch was really strange. Why was she so good to Likaro? What was her relationship with Likaro?

"Oh, right. Can you teach me that magic that translates languages?" Ailolin suddenly thought of something important.

As long as she learned the kind of magic Xiya used, she would not need to study any language.

"Sorry, but the magic I use isn't taught to others."

"Then is there any other magic that could replace it?"

"You should grow up first, little hatchling. You want to learn magic at your age?"

"..."

After thinking about it, Ailolin asked something else that had been bothering her. "Could you translate something for me?"

"Oh? What is it?"

"It's... what does 'Little Black Dragon' mean?"

Whenever Likaro greeted Ailolin, she always added a word Ailolin did not understand. Recalling Likaro's pronunciation, Ailolin told Xiya the word.

"Ah, that." Xiya reached out and touched Ailolin's dragon scales. "It means Little Black Dragon. It's a very cute nickname."

So that was it!

At last, Ailolin knew what Likaro called her. Still, compared to humans, even a newly hatched dragon was not exactly small...

"It's getting late. I should say goodbye now." Xiya suddenly bid Ailolin farewell.

"Um, you're leaving already?"

Ailolin still had a lot she wanted to ask.

"Mhm." Xiya nodded. "I'll be leaving the forest for a while."

"Where are you going?"

"That's a secret."

"..."

After saying that, Xiya turned and walked toward the cave entrance. However, she suddenly paused and turned back around. "Oh, right. I almost forgot something."

"What is it?"

"Let this wolf cub stay with you for a few days."

Xiya reached into her robe and pulled out a white-furred wolf.

Ailolin took one look. Wasn't this that Fruit Wolf?

PS: There's absolutely no need to worry about this book being dropped, because I write a lot every day and I also have chapters saved up (hands on hips). Also, thank you all for your support~~~~

That Winter, Year 0 015: Little Black Dragon's Name

The white wolf seemed to be in a bad mood. It looked reluctant to part with Xiya, clutching Xiya's arm tightly with its two front paws as if it did not want to be separated from her.

"Could this wolf be your pet?" Ailolin asked.

"Well, you could say that. But for now, I'm entrusting it to you for a while."

Xiya kissed the white wolf's forehead. It gave a reluctant howl, then jumped to the ground and slowly walked over to Ailolin.

Ailolin had never kept a pet before. How was she supposed to take care of this wolf?

As if seeing through Ailolin's concern, Xiya smiled. "This child doesn't like meat. Just feed it delicious fruit. Though it usually goes out to find food by itself too."

"I see... Got it."

Because of her physical condition in her previous life, Ailolin could never have kept a pet. This white wolf now counted as Ailolin's first pet(?), so she would take it seriously. But...

"How long do I need to take care of it?"

"Until I return. If I haven't returned by the time you leave the forest, just let it keep living in this cave. It can take care of itself."

"So I can just leave it here then?"

"Mhm."

Ailolin agreed to Xiya's request. Raising a wolf would not be troublesome for her.

"Thank you, little dragon." Xiya sincerely thanked Ailolin. "Now I have nothing to worry about."

"Where exactly are you going?"

Xiya shook her head. "Sorry, I really can't say."

"Alright..."

"Then I'm off. I hope you grow up healthy." Xiya turned around, then added, "Goodbye, Ailolin."

"Awwooo~~~"

The white wolf howled, but Xiya did not stop walking. She soon disappeared from Ailolin's sight.

There was still something Ailolin did not understand. Why had the white wolf come to stay in her den for a day before? Had it come in advance to build rapport?

Looking at the somewhat dejected white wolf, she said, "Please take care of me from now on, little wolf." (Dragon language)

"Awwoo~"

It was a listless response, and it could not understand Ailolin's words either.

With a companion by her side, Ailolin no longer felt as bored as before. The white wolf had been rather downcast at first, probably because it had been separated from its owner. But after Ailolin went hunting and brought it some wild fruit, its fondness for Ailolin grew considerably.

The fruit Ailolin picked only grew on the tops of very tall trees. Without flying, it was difficult to get up there.