“I see. I would keep that in mind if we faced any other dragon. But don’t expect me to run.” Arad lowered his wings for Alcott and Ginger to get on his back. “I will use gravity magic to keep you in place. But hold tight. I’m worse than a horse, it seems.” Arad referred to how both Nina and Mira found riding him painfully.
“I’m wearing armor,” Alcott smiled, “And I can use magic. Just don’t go overboard.” Ginger smiled as they sat on his back, holding the rope.
“If it’s you,” Arad turned his head to Alcott, “Can you find someone to make me a saddle? I would like to start carrying Aella and Mira around without them being unable to walk afterward.”
Alcott smiled, “You can count on me. I can get it done,”
Arad looked forward, Thud! Thud! He took a few steps, trouting like a horse as he picked up speed.
In the last step, Arad’s front and hind legs compressed, and his knees bent as his muscles bulged. He needs space to flap his wings, and the trees around don’t allow him.
The solution was simple, to jump over the trees. BAM! In a single push, Arad’s body accelerated over the trees, causing Alcott and Ginger to gasp at the scary move. FLAP! The moment Arad’s body was in the sky, he opened his wings and started flapping, taking over the sky.
“I’ve fought dragons before, and I saw their terrifying speed when they lung in for a bite. But this was my first time riding one at he lunged.” Alcott laughed, looking down at the forest fading as Arad flew to the clouds.
“At this speed, we can reach Rita in a few days rather than a month.” Ginger looked back. Arad is several times faster than her with flight magic. And she is already faster than horses.
With a carriage, the trip can take a month. But a carriage is slower than a horse. Which only meant Arad’s speed is far than they expected.
“I heard the vampire managed to escape from you for an hour straight.” Ginger looked at Arad.
“He was faster than me.” Arad replied, “Do you know anything about it?”
“No, I can use the spell [Fly]. I shouldn’t be able to fly faster than you. It suggests he is better with utility spells than anything else.”
“I can fly even faster. But I doubt you two will take it painlessly,” Arad looked at them.
“Please don’t.” Ginger glared at him. “Chuzuke was a master at utility spells. Let’s go with that.”
Alcott laughed, “Ginger is a good blaster. She is an expert at using the elements to send people to the afterlife.”
The day quickly passed without any event as they flew above the clouds, “It’s dangerous for you two to sleep on my back. Let’s land and make a camp.”
“I agree.” Alcott nodded, and Arad dove down, landing beside a river edge. The two of them set the camp while Ginger cooked dinner, some roasted meat.
After the camp was set, Arad sat with Alcott watching Ginger grill the meat. “Alcott doesn’t like food when it gets complicated, especially meat. Salt and pepper, and then throw it on the flames. Nothing more.” She said with a smile.
“It’s the same for anything green. Chop it, add salt and olive oil, and he’s happy.” She looked at Arad, “How about you?”
“I’m a dragon. As long as it moves, or grows from the ground, I can eat as it is.” Arad smiled.
“When you become like me, the simple things start feeling better.” Alcott tapped his chest. “My body burns a lot of energy, so it requires a lot of food. Those fancy noble dishes can’t fill me up.”
“I wonder if I would have a problem with that when I become a noble,” Arad mumbled, looking at the flames, ^My house is smaller in comparison to the other nobles. Something started turning in his head.^
“I have to build something bigger, larger, and better.”
“What are you talking about?” Alcott looked at Arad’s face. “Alcott is right. What got you serious all of a sudden.”
“I can’t let the other nobles have a bigger house than me. I have to build something bigger, or smash their houses so they are smaller.” Alcott looked at the flames.
“Don’t do it, even as a joke. Leave their houses alone,” Alcott smiled, but that wasn’t a joke if it came from a dragon. 𝘦𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝗇𝓔t
“You can build a bigger house. How about a manor or a castle?” Ginger smiled.
Arad’s eyes lit up, “The mountains, I can build a magnificent castle at the top, to oversee the land.” He could imagine that stone-like massive castle, arching between the mountains peaks with magnificent bridges.
“Just make sure to invite us to your noble party.” Alcott stared at Arad, “I’m sure you will have a lot of food lined up.” He patted Arad on the shoulder.
“Noble party?”
“You will have to throw one after receiving a title. It’s a costume.” Ginger smiled, handing the two their roasted meat.
“That means I have to hunt. A lot of meat will do it, but who will cook?” He looked at Ginger.
“If you become a noble, you can take some of the city lord soldiers depending on your rank. For a baron, that would be ten, and you can also higher maids without needing to pay taxes over their wages.” Ginger explained.
“I would rather choose the people who walk around my house.” Arad scratched his head, “Can I use monsters?”
“There is no law that says you can’t. But wouldn’t that be weird?”
“You’re right…” Arad sighed.
The conversation kept going until late at night, and everyone retreated to their tent to sleep. By dawn, Arad opened his eyes, feeling multiple presences approaching their camp.
^Loci, who are they…^ Arad didn’t get an answer, and he remembered that he flew outside of her back.
Arad stood, waking out of his tent shirtless. PEW! CLING! An arrow flew at Arad’s neck, and he caught it with one hand. “Bandits? Did the fire smoke lure you in?” He smiled.
[You planned this,]
^I have to top up on blood before the quest.^