However, just having a highway isn’t enough. While Nova’s journey would indeed be much smoother than the muddy path designed by Bal, the problem is that, despite the road change, the final destination remains the same: the vast group of demi-humans, equivalent to a very long distance in a straight line, still making it an incredibly long highway.
Continuing to walk this distance on foot, whether it’s tens or hundreds of kilometers, Nova’s fate is still predictable. Besides the consumption of power, it would cause irreversible wear on her body, leading to a loss in levels.
So how to continue solving this problem?
The answer is also very simple.
Lena’s method to help Nova “save effort” is to teach the dragon lady how to transform her power form, equivalent to constructing a “car” on the “highway”.
Thus, as a “dragon car”, Nova’s transformation rate of strength can leap qualitatively. Compared to before, she might only need one-tenth or even one-hundredth of the strength to achieve the same goal.
After all optimizations, with the highway and the dragon car ready, only one thing is missing.
A driver for Nova’s “dragon car” is needed.
That is, the auxiliary medium required for the ritual.
And this medium is very special, with two specific requirements. First, naturally, is to be able to drive this dragon car.
Second, the driver must also be a self-contained “oil barrel”.
This point is crucial.
No matter how ingeniously designed the car is, how rich in high-tech, or what high-end material the car body is made of, without “oil”, a seemingly ordinary, unremarkable substance naturally existing in nature, even the best car cannot start, let alone run.
And obviously.
The driver who can simultaneously be recognized by the dragon car, allowed to open the door to get in, and also carries an oil barrel, can only be oneself.
As described in the manual, what Renji needs to assist in the ritual, besides getting into the dragon car to drive, is to continuously refuel the car. He must pour the carried oil into the tank, refilling it time and again to keep the car constantly powered, speeding on the highway, and not stalling due to the long distance.
Regarding this, Renji looked solemn and serious, clearly understanding that he is a crucial part of the ritual. The challenge he faces, including the driving skills of the car, is secondary. The real difficulty lies in whether the oil he carries is sufficient to sustain the journey. The manual even specifically mentioned that due to the brand of the dragon species, the car’s fuel tank would likely be much larger than usual. Facing such a huge fuel consumption, even Renji began to waver and doubt himself, wondering if he could shoulder such a heavy responsibility.
“What the fuck is all this shit!”
Renji couldn’t help but curse out loud.
He was furious because Lena was seriously trying to explain the operating principle of this “new technique” to him, providing ample theoretical basis and technical reference. She even transformed these complex and profound technique operations into visual metaphors that he could understand in his mind.
This made it difficult for him to find a point to criticize, as Lena sincerely and genuinely provided a feasible plan to protect Nova to the greatest extent.
Although the “style” of the plan was very much like Lena.
Lena made it understandable for Renji, and naturally for Nova too, just changing the metaphor a bit. For example, the “car” became her “beast transformation” into a real dragon, and the “driver” was the Renji, her rider, who also had to bear the responsibility of “feeding” her, constantly nourishing her to replenish her energy.
Nova: “…”
“That is no good Master, let me handle this alone. Everything in the Dragon Nation now is the result of my past mistakes. It’s better for me to rectify these mistakes alone. How can I involve master in this danger?”
“In danger?”
Facing Renji’s confusion, Nova hesitated, then said seriously, “I am afraid that Master can’t hold on.”
It didn’t matter to her, but if it caused any harm to her master, that was something Nova could not accept and the reason for her refusal now.
Unfortunately,
This statement changed its meaning when it reached Renji’s ears.
‘Afraid I can’t hold on?’
Renji: “Heh…”
Especially seeing the dragoness’s serious demeanor, as if she was genuinely worried about him, Renji’s initial hesitation and unease were instantly replaced by a surge of anger.
Renji originally planned not to rush into using Lena’s method. He intended to take Nova to the Holy Kingdom to consult with Suthia. Although as a nun she might not have the specialized knowledge of the “Special Ability” in technique, at least as a fellow magic-based profession, it was worth seeing if Suthia had any other methods for comparison.
But now,
Renji had completely abandoned that idea.
Because he felt a great humiliation from Nova.
‘What does that mean?’
‘Doubting my capabilities?’
After taking a deep breath, Renji said, “Nova, you know what? Let’s just go to the altar now.”
“But, Master…”
“No buts!”
Seeing that she seemed to have inadvertently said something wrong again, angering her master, he didn’t give her any chance to speak further. He directly took her hand and walked towards the depths of the forbidden zone.
Whether as a Vanguard at her peak 500 years ago or as the Empress 500 years later, she who only brought a sense of dominance to others now seemed to become a submissive lamb in front of the more dominant Renji. .
When they arrived at the deep part of the forbidden zone, in front of the altar left by Bal, and were about to step into the pool water together, Nova stopped again.
“Master, I’m still a bit worried.”
Seeing that the young man opposite her seemed about to get angry again after she spoke, Nova quickly shook her head.
“No, Master Ashen, what I mean is, I had promised Sister Suthia before, and we had a pact. I, I can’t do these things with you.”
“Now, if Sister Suthia finds out about us doing that, won’t she be angry at me?”
Nova asked cautiously. After a fight with the nun in the Sealed City, Nova realized that Suthia “disliked” her very much. And now, having just reconciled through the “Alliance”, Nova didn’t want to be disliked by Suthia again due to her own “selfishness”.
“Rest assured, Nova. You’re doing this for the entire Nation, for the future of the Demi-Human races. Even if Suthia finds out, she won’t blame you. Moreover… forget it.”
What Renji didn’t say was that he wished the damned “Alliance” would break apart and end as soon as possible!
Comforted by her master, Nova’s uneasy heart settled somewhat. But the sense of immorality was still present, as this wasn’t like the “training” in the tent that night. This time it was a real “betrayal” of the Alliance.
Although,
‘Suthia had already “betrayed” me first, hadn’t she?’
Continuing this line of thought, if she also “betrayed” the Alliance, wouldn’t it mean that she and Suthia were back on the same starting line, as if neither of them had “betrayed” the Alliance? This realization brightened Nova’s eyes, and the last of her reservations vanished.
“Master Ashen, I am ready!”
Now in Nova’s heart, all that remained was the desire to make amends to the Demi-Humans and to take responsible actions for the entire Dragon Nation. Together with Renji, she stepped into the altar’s pool.
As they prepared, Lena’s manual floated to the center of the altar, where the skeletal claw used to be.
The manual first emitted a pink flash, sucking in the cursed jadeite that had been the core of the altar but was drained of power and shattered into pieces by Renji, making it disappear into the manual.
After this step, the manual replaced the cursed jadeite as the new core of the altar. Streams of obscure magical runes and symbols projected from the manual onto the altar, causing it to flicker with light and initiating the ritual.
Nova let out a muffled groan as she felt her strength begin to flow out under the ritual’s influence. Correspondingly, the altar’s pool water around them began to boil and, as if ignited, turned into roaring flames.
The flames enveloped both Renji and her in the pool. It was unclear whether the red glow was from the flames around them or from Nova’s face blushing deeply. Remembering the part in the manual, which stated the faster she entered the required state, the more strength she could save, Nova was determined.
Renji was unaware of this segment of the manual; obviously, it was Lena’s special “guidance” for Nova.
Thus, Nova decided to let go of her inhibitions, not only for the better outcome of the ritual but also to avoid degrading and to continue staying by her master’s side.
Demi-Humans are different from humans; each Demi-Human race has its own sensitive spots. Touching these spots brings about intense stimulation, several times higher than usual, instantly sending the body into a highly agitated state. Of course, even within the same race, these spots vary slightly from individual to individual.
However, in the eyes of most Demi-Humans, these sensitive spots are considered deeply private and shameful secrets, never to be disclosed. Only some peculiar Demi-Humans would secretly tell their partners about these spots, seeking greater stimulation.
———-
Next chapter will be delayed a little, as I will release all the r18 chapters together.
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