After leaving the village, the three began their journey through the quiet forest path toward the Azel kingdom.
The sunlight flickered through the tall trees, and the scent of wildflowers wafted through the air.
As they walked, Raphael leaned closer and whispered, "My Lord, I feel something suspicious about this girl."
SinRung glanced at her. "Why is that, Raphael?" he whispered back.
"Because, my Lord." Raphael replied in a low voice, "She's a red dragon―and not just any dragon, but one with royal blood. Why would someone like her decide to follow mere travelers?"
SinRung nodded slightly. "You're right."
Seraphina, who is walking a few steps ahead, cheerful and smiling, suddenly turned around, puffing her cheeks.
"Hey! That's not fair. Why are you two whispering without me? Tell me too."
SinRung smirked, "Alright then, Seraphina―why did you join us?"
Seraphina froze for a moment, her tail twitching nervously. "Ah, ah... actually, because you forgave me. That's why I accepted your proposal." (Truth is, I want to know who these people really are.)
Raphael narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, giving her a sharp, intimidating stare. "Haa... really?"
Seraphina's face turned pale. "P―Please don't kill me! The truth is... I sensed immense power from both of you―especially from my master. That's why I join you."
Both SinRung and Raphael looked at each other—then burst into laughter.
SinRung smiled warmly. "You're really an innocent little girl, aren't you?"
Seraphina pouted and puffed her cheeks again. "I'm not a little girl! Hmph, I'm actually older than both of you."
Raphael chuckled softly, then stopped walking and pointed ahead. "See, my Lord―that's Azel's kingdom."
SinRung looked toward the city walls shimmering in the sunlight. "You're right, Raphael."
He turned back with a gentle grin. "Hey, we said we're sorry. Don't stay angry, Seraphina."
Seraphina folded her arms, pretending to be mad. "Hmoh...fine." But the corner of her lips curved into a small smile.
After a while, Raphael spoke again in curiosity. "My Lord, may I see your aura?"
SinRung raised an eyebrow. "I thought you could sense it. Please, just for a moment?"
SinRung smiled. "Alright then. You may see it."
Raphael's eye glowed faintly blue as a magic circle appeared over her pupils. She gasped, her expression turning pale in awe and fear.
"L―Lord SinRung...your aura... It's massive; it's overflowing everywhere!"
"Really?" SinRung looked around casually as if unaware of the divine aura storm swirling from within him.
"Yes, my Lord," Raphael said, still stunned. "I suggest you suppress it immediately! (Now I understand why no monsters or beasts appeared nearby. Even villagers must have felt terrified—yet they still approached because Lord SinRung saved them."
He looked at Raphael. "Then what about you?"
Raphael smiled proudly. "I kept mine slightly stronger than that of dragons earlier, just in case any approached. I made sure to scare them off before they got close."
"Smart as always, Raphael." SinRung nodded with a faint smile. "So, how do I suppress my aura?"
Raphael looked around the forest and said, "My Lord, first close your eyes and focus on your heart. Feel the energy flowing through your body."
SinRung followed her words and slowly closed his eyes. The air around them started to move as his divine energy began to react. The trees nearby shook, and the wind got stronger.
"Now imagine it returning inside you," Raphael said calmly. "Let it rest deep in your heart."
SinRung took a slow breath. The wind calmed, and the forest grew quiet again.
Raphael smiled. "Perfect, my Lord. You did it."
SinRung opened his eyes. A soft blue aura shimmered for a second before disappearing. "It feels lighter now—like my power is asleep."
Seraphina, who was watching with her mouth wide open, clapped her hands. "That was amazing, master! The air was blowing like a storm, and then it stopped in a second!"
"Hahaa, it's nothing," SinRung said with a small laugh. "But thanks."
The three continued walking, and soon the forest path opened to a wide road; in the distance tall walls and towers came into view.
"Finally, we reached it," Raphael said.
"Yeah, it's bigger than I expected." SinRung replied, looking at the city walls filled with guards and travelers.
Seraphina's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I have never seen a human kingdom before!"
"By the way," SinRung said, turning slightly. "Raphael, you should lower your aura too."
Raphael nodded. "Understood, my Lord."
Then SinRung looked toward Seraphina. "You too, Seraphina. Lower your aura."
"Eh!? But that's boring," Seraphina pouted, her cheeks puffed like a child.
"Haha, then keep it boring for today," SinRung said with a smile.
As they approached the city gate, a pair of guards stopped them. One look at Seraphina clearly sensing something unusual. "State your names and purpose of visit."
SinRung bowed slightly. "We are travelers, seeking to enter the Azel kingdom for a place to stay."
The guard looked suspiciously at Raphael's elegant white dress and Seraphina's strange red eye and horns.
"You don't look like normal travelers."
Raphael stepped forward politely. "We mean no harm; we only seek a safe rest for tonight."
The guard sighed. "Alright, but any trouble and you're out. Welcome to the Azel kingdom."
The massive gates creaked open, letting the trio into the kingdom. Merchants shouted, children ran between stalls, and nobles passed in horse-drawn carriages.
"Wow...so this is how the human kingdom looks." Seraphina said with her eyes sparkling as she looked around.
Seraphina's horns made a few people stop and whisper, but most assumed she was some kind of beastman.
SinRung smiled faintly. "Stay calm. We're just travelers."
As they walked, SinRung sensed a faint, unusual aura from the kingdom. He frowned slightly. "There's something...off here. Someone in this city is very strong, but be careful."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed, her dragon instincts sensing it too. "I feel it too, master. Someone dangerous is hiding."
"Then we should find a place to stay first. It's better to be prepared before we act." Raphael said while looking around.
SinRung nodded. "Good. Now let's find a place so we can stay tonight."
As they walked through the lively streets, SinRung suddenly stopped and scratched his head. "Wait...did we even have money? I mean...we came to this world empty-handed, as I remember."
Raphael looked at him, eyes wide. "Ohh...right. We didn't think about that."
Seraphina's ears twisted nervously. "Eh!? No money? Then...how will we eat or stay in a place?"
SinRung chuckled lightly. "Looks like our first lesson in this world is...surviving without money."
"My Lord, that guy is nearby; I can feel his aura. We should be alert." Raphael whispers.
Before they could continue, a sudden shadow moved quickly behind them. A tall man with the same horn as Seraphina with a serious expression blocked the path ahead. His armor gleamed under the sun, and a sword hung at his side.
"Looking for this girl," he said, eyes fixed on Seraphina. "Step aside, or I will take her back myself."
Seraphina stiffened, her horns bristling slightly. "W-What!? Who are you?"
SinRung steps forward, calm. "Hold on...tell me, are you here to hurt her?"
The man shakes his head. "No...but she must come with me. I am one of the princess's royal guards. She's reported missing, and my duty is to bring her back safely."
Seraphina stiffens, her horns twitching nervously. "Eh!? But I just followed them by my own will."
SinRung glances at Raphael, then back at the guard. "I see. You are loyal to the princess...but I cannot let you take her by force."
The guard narrows his eyes. "I must follow my duty...but I do not wish to fight someone of your strength." He senses SinRung's overwhelming aura and Raphael's presence. "If we go quietly, I can escort her safely to the castle without bloodshed."
Raphael steps forward. "Very well...but know this: any harm to my Lord or me will be your last mistake."
The guard bows sharply.
"Understood. We will proceed peacefully."
Seraphina lets out a sigh of relief. "Phew...so I'll be escorted to the kingdom...but I didn't want that!"
"But princess, it's a direct order from the king."
"Ehh...I will think about that later on; now at least let me enjoy."
"Got it, princess, but I will be following you."
"Fine, do whatever you want," Seraphina's cheeks puffed.
The trio walked through the wide streets of the Azel kingdom, behind the royal guard following the princess.
As they walked, children pointed at Seraphina and the guard, whispering exactly to each other.
Merchants giving curious glances at her deep red eyes and horns
Seraphina huffed, crossing her arms. "Hmph...humans are weird. They stare too much."
Raphael chuckled softly. "They're just not used to dragons walking among them. Don't mind them."
SinRung smirked slightly. "You look proud, don't you? Even if they stare."
Seraphina blushed slightly and flicked her tail. "I...I'm not proud! Hmph! I'm just curious."
The central square opened before them—a wide open space with fountains, statues, and the royal palace rising behind it. Guards and officials moved around, giving orders and keeping the city safe.
SinRung's eyes narrowed slightly. "Interesting...everything looks normal, but I still sense some energy. Someone is still hiding their power here."
Raphael whispered, "Yes...be careful, my Lord. We are not alone in this city."
Seraphina's horns twitched nervously. "Eh... I can feel it too. Hmph... I don't like people hiding from me."
"Don't worry, princess, I will protect you even if it costs my life." Said Seraphina's guard, who was following them from behind.
SinRung smiled faintly. "Let's just keep walking for now. We'll see who that is hiding. For now, let's just enjoy the city quietly."
As SinRung, Raphael, and Seraphina walked through the bustling streets, SinRung suddenly paused. "Wait...do you feel that?"
Raphael narrowed her eyes.
"Yes...there's someone watching us. But the energy...it's not dangerous."
From a distance, a tall figure leaned casually against a fountain. He wore simple clothes but had a calm, sharp gaze, following their movements quietly. He didn't move closer; he just observed.
SinRung chuckled. "Well, let him watch. Nothing to worry about for now."
Raphael nodded. "Yes, my Lord. Let's continue toward the gate. We can't waste time with mere curiosity."
The figure tilted his head, clearly amused, then disappeared into the crowd.
SinRung, Raphael, and Seraphina with her guard stopped at a hill looking at the palace. Its tall white towers and gleaming banners stretched across the horizon.
Seraphina's deep red eyes widened in awe. "Wow...it's even bigger than I imagined! Look at all those people moving around and the palace—it's huge!"
"You really seem to like this place, huh?" SinRung said softly, a gentle smile tugging at his lips as he watched her excitement.
From a distance, the mysterious figure appeared again, leaning casually against a wall, watching them quietly. His posture was relaxed, but SinRung could feel the faint curiosity radiating from him.
Seraphina frowned. "He's still following us. Why is he so interested in me?"
"Maybe he's just never seen an ugly girl like you before," SinRung teased, a mischievous grin curling on his lips.
"You're such a terrible master! I hate you!" Seraphina huffed, her cheeks puffing up like an angry kitten.
They slowly walked down toward the market area, observing the lively scene.
Raphael smirked, keeping her aura slightly higher than the surroundings to scare off the overly curious humans. "Let's continue walking. We need to get back to the village before it gets late."
SinRung nodded, looking toward the palace one more time.
"Soon...we will enter. But for now, let's see the city and its people and gather information quietly."
As SinRung, Raphael, and Seraphina with her guard behind them walking toward the main gate of the city, preparing to leave the city before the night, the mysterious figure suddenly stepped in front of them.
To be continue.....