Volume 2 - CH 13

Volume 2: Red Girl

“I won…”

When I saw the Flying Dragon fall down, all my strength drained out of me, and I fell right then and there.

But just before I completely collapsed, Master came and caught my body.

“You did well, Callus.”

“Hehe…”

I managed to stand up with Master lending his shoulder.

I took a deep breath and put some strength into my legs. I was able to stand up and I’ve still got some magic left in me, so I think I can walk home.

“Thank you, Serena. You saved my life.”

“I did what I had to do. But look, it’s still not done.”

“Eh…?”

On the ground, I saw the Flying Dragon was glaring at me.

It seems to be saying that it could still fight as it is.

“What do you say, Callus, do I finish him off?

“Wait, I’m a little concerned about something. Can I approach it?”

“Well, that’s a hard thing to ask… But I can’t help it if my little disciples asks for it.”

I went over to the Flying Dragon’s side, with Master helping me. All the while, the Flying Dragon glared at me and snarled, but it did not attack me. It seems that it really didn’t have any strength left.

When I was about one meter away from the Flying Dragon, I stopped and looked at it closely.

Then Master asked me.

“Callus, what is going on?”

“When I was fighting the Flying Dragon, I felt that its power was getting weaker and weaker. But it doesn’t seem to be hurt that much.”

“Hmmm, the Dragon’s Breath uses a lot of energy, but I also don’t think that it will be exhausted to the point that it can’t fly anymore. There could be a reason for this.”

Master also observed the Flying Dragon.

Then, Master suddenly said, “Mhmm.” He seemed to have found something.

“There’s something stuck at the base of its right wing. My vision is blurry so I can’t see it clearly.”

“The right wing is around there. Let’s see….”

I looked over where Master said it was and saw that a thick arrow was stuck in its body.

The arrow was embedded so deeply that I didn’t notice that it was there when I was fighting it.

“Master, there is an arrow stuck in it.”

“Let me see… Hmmm, indeed.”

Master, now with his glasses, also found it.

“Is that why it became gradually weaker, because of the pain?”

“It’s certainly painful, but judging from the way this Flying Dragon was weakened, I think it was most likely poisoned.”

“Poisoned… It means that this Flying Dragon has been hunted?”

“Judging from the thickness of the arrow, it’s a reasonable assumption.”

The scales and fangs of Flying Dragons could be sold for a high price.

That’s why it’s often the target of hunting, but there are restrictions on hunting Flying Dragons.

The reason is simple: Flying Dragons are smart, and their friends would often come back for ‘revenge.’

Hence, it’s strongly prohibited, especially in areas where people live. If a Flying Dragon came to a city, it would cause a lot of damage.

The area around this mansion is also supposed to be a forbidden area for hunting, but someone broke the rules. The worst part is that they let it go.

“Master, actually,…”

“I don’t need to you to tell me, I already know. You want to cure this Flying Dragon, don’t you?”

“Eh…? How do you know?”

I thought Master would disagree with me, but instead he’s already a step ahead.

Is there some kind of magic that reads people’s thoughts?

“You don’t need to be so surprised, I know that much. You feel responsible, don’t you? For this Flying Dragon.”

“Ha-ha…. You’ve found out?”

“The one who should take responsibility is the hunter who broke the rules. You don’t have to take responsibility, but I know you won’t listen to me. So do as you please.”

“Thank you!”

I thanked Master and was about to approach the Flying Dragon when my arm was grabbed firmly.

I looked over to see Kris grabbing my arm with a worried look in her eyes. The grazes on her was gone and her legs have stopped shaking. It looks like Master has healed her.

“No, Callus, you’re going to die. I apologize. I’ll tell everyone I’m sorry… Don’t hurt yourself any more.”

Kris said in a trembling voice with tears in her eyes.

She might be selfish at times, but she’s really a kind girl. I don’t want to make her cry any more, but there was a reason why I couldn’t give up on the Flying Dragon.

“Kris, the blue Flying Dragon Saia Species are docile creatures. But this Flying Dragon attacked us. Why do you think that is?”

“Huh? Isn’t it because it was shot?”

“Of course, I think that’s part of it. But I think it is strange for it to continue to threaten us even when it has been weakened to the point where it cannot move.”

The Flying Dragon doesn’t even show any signs of running away, and just keeps on threatening us. But it’s not just because it has a grudge against us, rather I have a strong “feeling” that cannot be explained by any other reason.

It was as if there was a reason why it had to fight even if it meant sacrificing itself.

Having studied about Flying Dragons, I had an idea why.

“It’s during this time of the year when the Saia Species raise their children… which makes me think that this Flying Dragon is protecting its offspring/s.”