After leaving the Black Market, Jody had already prepared the carriage and was waiting at the street corner. Ever since Andrea left the Magic Space, she had remained silent, up until she got into the carriage.
With the carriage moving slowly, Andrea raised her head to look at Ailaira Green sitting across from her.
The dim evening sun shone in through the window, casting its glow on Ailaira’s crystalline cheeks.
They looked like the most beautiful gems in the world, making it impossible for Andrea to look away. Yet, she also knew deep down that this gem she fell in love with at first sight wasn’t truly pure within.
If, one day, she could peel away the false shell named Ailaira with her sharp claws, would she be able to glimpse the indescribable chaos wrapped in that warm, orange light?
Andrea was never good at pondering the future; to her, living each day well was far more meaningful.
But after witnessing Ailaira’s ruthless domination over Yukla, Andrea—rarely one to worry—couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Was it really wise to stay by Ailaira’s side like this?
Would there come a day when she’d end up like Yukla is now?
“If you have something you want to ask, just say it.”
Perhaps sensing the questions hidden in Andrea’s silence, Ailaira gazed at the dwindling street scenes outside the window and spoke calmly.
Andrea’s fingertips trembled as she gripped the stockings on her thighs, hesitating before she spoke: “You… How were you able to defeat Yukla? Her magic was clearly so much stronger than yours.”
The moment she said it, Andrea regretted it. That wasn’t what she truly wanted to ask, but the real hesitation in her heart still didn’t dare to be voiced.
Ailaira glanced at her. Since they met, this was the first time she’d seen the proud Red Dragon so flustered. Apparently, that little show of killing the chicken to warn the monkey had worked a bit too well and ended up scaring her.
Ailaira sighed lightly. “You want to start from there, do you… Fine. Did you know, in this world, besides possessing magic, some special individuals are granted unique talents called [Traits] by the gods?”
Andrea shook her head vigorously. All the knowledge she had about magic and the world was eavesdropped from others. There were indeed such lessons in Dragon Valley, but she, as a defective one, was never allowed to participate.
Ailaira wasn’t surprised. Seeing the pure, untainted look in the Red Dragon’s eyes, she could tell Andrea had never been ‘corrupted’ by knowledge.
“It’s said that those with [Traits] are the gods’ favorites, as if they received a Divine Gift from their patron deity. But according to my experiments, [Traits] and gods aren’t directly connected—they’re more like a manifestation of one’s potential.”
“For example, Yukla’s Trait is [Spatial Perception], which makes learning space magic much easier for her. That Magic Space was created thanks to that talent; no other Sixth Tier Mage could forge such a stable illusory space.”
Andrea nodded in sudden realization, but looked even more confused at Ailaira. “But you still managed to break through it, right? Then what’s your Trait?”
Before Andrea could get an answer, Ailaira flicked her on the forehead, cutting off her wild guesses. Ailaira chuckled, propping her face on her hand as she leaned against the window, her gaze sleepy yet fixed on Andrea. “If I told you everything, would you be preparing to run away from me?”
“Don’t forget, you still owe me for destroying the Ranch. One job isn’t enough to pay off that debt, oh great… Red Dragon?”
Andrea pressed her knees together, her delicate bare feet resting on the edge of the seat after taking off her shoes. She buried her face between her knees and mumbled, “I’m not going to skip out on the debt, it’s just that I’m a bit…”
“Uneasy?”
“Mm.”
Ailaira pulled down the window shade, plunging the entire carriage into darkness, as if cutting off all the chaos from the outside world.
Now, only their breathing intertwined in the confined space. Andrea didn’t dare look up at Ailaira; she felt like her own rapid heartbeat was unbearably loud in the silence.
Before long, Andrea felt a pair of hands forcefully peeling away her disguise, making her raise her head to meet those mesmerizing eyes. Ailaira gripped Andrea’s arms, admiring the Red Dragon’s radiant face in the dim light, clearly pleased.
Honestly, aside from her physical worth, this Red Dragon’s beauty alone was enough to make Ailaira want to collect her.
Unbeknownst to herself, Ailaira’s thoughts were gradually aligning with Andrea’s. She emphasized word by word: “I know what you’re worried about, but don’t expect me to offer some hollow words of comfort.”
“The only thing I can tell you is that, as long as my passion for you hasn’t faded and your value hasn’t been squeezed dry, our partnership remains valid.”
“Of course, as long as you don’t break the contract early. Otherwise, I promise—”
Ailaira leaned in close to Andrea’s ear, her breath hot: “The rest of your life will be spent in my basement.”
Whether it was the intimacy of the gesture or the terrifying outcome, Andrea shuddered violently. She kicked Ailaira in the stomach, pushing her away, and snapped in embarrassment and anger, “You really are an out-and-out bastard! All you think about is value and money—don’t you have any normal feelings at all!?”
Blocking Andrea’s kick with her palm, Ailaira allowed herself to fall back into her seat, waving her hand nonchalantly. “Feelings? What a profound word. It’s like the last chip of a gambler on the verge of bankruptcy.”
“Some people might quit at that point, but unfortunately, I’d rather go all in.”
Andrea truly couldn’t understand it. No wonder they said humans were the most complicated beings created by the Mother Goddess—her own emotions as a Red Dragon were so simple she just couldn’t comprehend Ailaira’s madness.
But that aloof, dismissive attitude actually fueled Andrea’s competitive spirit, so much so that her urge to make Ailaira suffer even surpassed her earlier gloom.
At this moment, Andrea’s resolve was stronger than ever—absolutely! Absolutely, she had to break this woman’s composure at least once!
Just you wait, let’s see who ends up locked in the basement in the end!
One woman and one dragon, in that cramped carriage, began a deeper contest of wills, though neither was aware of it yet.
Clearly, Ailaira still hadn’t learned from her past. Perhaps she hadn’t realized the consequences of toying with emotions. Her hints and warnings hadn’t made Andrea more afraid—instead, they helped her grow, teaching her patience and how to bide her time.
Her outward cooperation now only wrapped her growing competitiveness, and beneath the banter and arguments, she hid a truly fatal strike. Andrea waited for her chance, whether created by herself or by someone else’s hand.
She believed the day Ailaira faced retribution would come, sooner or later.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.