After setting up the tent, Vera came out and saw Bai still lying on Xiao Hei’s back, already starting to drift into sleep.
She approached quietly and called softly, “Xiao Bai, come back to the tent with Sister. It’s very cold at night.”
Bai didn’t respond, as if she hadn’t heard at all.
She continued lying peacefully on Xiao Hei’s back, while Xiao Hei lifted one tail to act like a blanket, covering her.
Vera wanted to get closer to wake Bai up.
After all, the forest at night was extremely cold, and Bai’s body was so weak—sleeping through the night like this would surely make her catch a cold.
However, as she took a step forward, Xiao Hei suddenly gave a warning grunt, as if saying—Don’t come any closer, or I’ll burn you alive.
“What’s wrong? I just want Xiao Bai to come back and sleep with me. What warmth can your big tail provide anyway? Just don’t crush her!”
Vera retorted fearlessly.
Xiao Hei grunted again, seemingly uninterested in arguing.
He lowered his head, blocking in front of Bai, shielding her from the cold night.
At the same time, he blocked Vera’s path, clearly staking his claim.
Vera frowned.
Hmph, how dare he ignore me!
Today I’ll definitely bring Bai back!
She rolled up her sleeves and strode forward with determination, pushing hard against Xiao Hei’s head, trying to shove him aside while grumbling aloud.
“Stupid dragon, move aside quickly! You’re just making Bai catch a cold like this!”
Xiao Hei remained unmoved.
He even leisurely took a breath, the warmth from his nose nearly knocking Vera off balance.
“Damn it! What’s with the attitude? If you really cared about Xiao Bai, you’d move! Her body’s already so weak. Besides, how can a dragon like you take care of a person? Do you even know what you’re doing?”
Vera said, hands on her hips.
Vera’s loud voice finally woke Bai.
She rubbed her tired eyes and murmured in a daze.
“What’s wrong, Xiao Hei? Why so noisy?”
“Roar roar roar ‘A pesky elf woman, ignore her,’” Xiao Hei replied in a low growl.
“Hey! Are you badmouthing me again?”
Hearing Vera’s voice, Bai opened her eyes and saw the beautiful face below, faintly illuminated by the campfire, looking displeased in their direction.
“Sister Vera? It’s already very late. If you don’t sleep, you won’t have the energy to travel tomorrow.”
“Xiao Bai, come back to sleep with Sister. It’s too cold at night,” Vera said.
“…Hmm.”
Bai hesitated for a moment, then softly responded.
She was about to get off Xiao Hei’s back, but he stretched out his tail, pressing her back down again.
“Roar roar roar ‘Sleep on me. If you’re cold, I can activate my Dragon Flame to raise the temperature. I won’t let you get hurt again,’” he said firmly.
Bai was stunned for a moment.
She smiled and gently patted Xiao Hei’s tail, comforting him, “Bai’s fine, Xiao Hei. Sister Vera is kind. She won’t hurt Bai.”
Xiao Hei was silent for a while, then reluctantly moved his tail away, tilting his body to let Bai settle safely on the ground.
Seeing this, Vera quickly stepped forward and held Bai, protecting her like Xiao Hei did moments ago, then cast a teasing glance at the dragon.
See?
Xiao Bai’s still on my side!
Unexpectedly, in the next moment, Xiao Hei suddenly stood up, his massive body shaking the ground as he moved.
He walked straight to Vera’s tent and laid down beside it with wide, sparkling eyes…
“Roar roar roar ‘I’m guarding here.’”
“Can’t you move even half a step?”
Vera sighed. Clearly, Bai’s injury scared him.
But what surprised her even more was that a black dragon could care so much about a human.
Dragons were monsters—powerful enough to be seen only in legends like the Hero versus the Dragon—and yet he was so worried about a human getting hurt that he was determined to stay by her side.
How could she not be suspicious?
“I warn you, don’t sneak off with Bai again in the middle of the night,” Vera said before leading Bai back into the tent.
Xiao Hei grunted once more and closed his eyes but didn’t intend to sleep.
He growled lowly, his voice filled with displeasure and irritation.
“You’ll keep watching for how long, you perverse woman.”
Meanwhile, deep within the manor, the silver-haired girl seated on the Ancient Chair revealed an unreadable smile.
She whispered softly, “Of course, until I am satisfied. Hehehe.”
***
The next morning, Bai woke early—earlier than many of the knights.
She stepped out of the tent and noticed Xiao Hei seemed to have sensed her already.
He looked over in her direction.
“Good morning, Xiao Hei,” Bai greeted with a smile.
Xiao Hei affectionately rubbed against her face.
“Already clingy this early? Are you a dragon or a dog?”
Vera appeared, stepping out of the tent with a hint of disdain.
“Good morning, Bai. Feeling better?”
Aurelia had also gotten up without anyone noticing.
She smiled and greeted them.
After a night’s rest, her complexion was visibly improved, and the blood on her armor was cleaned off.
Of course, that was just her habit of cleanliness—unlike someone like Uncle Skarn, who was much less particular.
“I’m fine. Where’s Uncle Skarn? Is he up yet?”
“The Captain is currently directing the tents and discussing the next mission objectives with Goda. We’ll be setting off in about half an hour,” Aurelia replied as she stretched, revealing the slender, graceful curves of her body.
After spending the night together, they had all lowered their guard toward Xiao Hei, at least not worrying he might burn them to ashes again like yesterday.
“Good, good morning! Lady Aurelia!”
Vera stood straight and bowed to her idol, who awkwardly smiled in return.
Clearly, she still couldn’t handle such enthusiastic fans.
Sending her to slay Vampire Beasts was one thing, but the thought of dealing with a large fan club back in the Kingdom of Novalia gave her a headache.
But Vera was actually the first to dare run up to her so fearlessly.
Aurelia wasn’t sure whether to praise her or not.
Just then, Skarn and Goda finally emerged from the tent.
Skarn looked much better, though compared to the powerful aura like a wild bull he had when setting off, he was still noticeably weaker.
He looked at those who had come out and flashed his signature smile, his rough voice booming, “Not bad! The whole day’s plan starts with the morning! Everyone’s looking sharp!”
“Yes, Captain Skarn!”
Miss Vera stood at attention once again.
Skarn cleared his throat, then his loud voice spread across the entire camp.
“Get up, you scoundrels! It’s time to rise!”