Chapter 66: I Came for You

“Your Highness, the militia is getting tired now. I think we can set up camp here and rest for a while.”

After checking the status of the militia following their march of about fifty li in the direction from which the bandits on horseback were most likely to attack directly, Vera suggested this to Anke.

Although compared to being conscripted by other nobles, the militia conscripted by Anke were fortunate.

The treatment they received was even better than that of regular troops—not only were their wages never delayed, but their daily rations were also sufficient.

But after all, human stamina has its limits. These militia had already marched continuously for fifty li since departure, which was a commendable marching achievement.

Now most of them were starting to tire. If they continued marching and fell into complete exhaustion, it might backfire.

“Then let’s set up camp.”

Anke glanced at the militia and agreed with Vera’s suggestion.

“Very well, Your Highness.”

Vera immediately conveyed the orders on behalf of Anke and began looking for a suitable campsite.

The militia, upon receiving orders, began unloading supplies and tents from the carriages under the command of their squad leaders, and then set up temporary tents at the campsite Vera had found.

Before it got completely dark, the temporary camp was successfully erected.

The militia also started fires to make soup, which they used to dip their hard black bread.

As the night deepened, the campfires with meat soup slowly went out.

Except for the sentries on duty, the soldiers who had marched hard for most of the day, after filling their stomachs and crawling into their tents, mostly fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.

Of course, considering the need for easy marching and to free up more transport space for the dangerous explosives Anke called hand grenades, the number of marching tents was also cut under the premise of reducing unnecessary supplies as much as possible.

Thus, with the shortage of tents, Anke and Vera had to sleep in the same tent again.

However, considering the need to accommodate the most noble lord Anke and also to look after the only ‘female’ in the bandit suppression team, Vera, this arrangement was oddly reasonable.

“Sorry, Vera. I calculated it clearly—we each should have had a separate tent. But I didn’t expect the tents to still be not enough… Next time, if a similar situation arises, I’ll definitely set aside a tent just for you.”

Anke said to Vera awkwardly.

“It’s fine, Your Highness, I don’t mind. It’s not like this is the first time. Let’s rest. Tomorrow we still need to march or deal with the bandits on horseback right here.”

Vera shook her head, then pulled the blanket over herself and lay down, turning her back to Anke.

“True, I keep forgetting you’re a dragon, Vera. To you, humans like me are probably similar to how I see little cats and dogs—pets.”

Anke said, looking at Vera’s back.

“Mm.”

Vera buried her head in the blanket and replied softly.

“But it’s fine that you’re not modest around me in a man-woman sense, since I won’t take advantage of you. However, with others, especially strange men, you must keep your distance. They might see that you don’t have the usual feminine reserve and try to take advantage of you!”

Anke lay down, then after a moment’s thought, warned Vera.

“Mm.”

Vera responded again.

“Did you remember, Vera?”

Anke turned his head toward Vera, who had her back to him.

“I remember, Your Highness. You said you won’t take advantage of me, but other men will.”

Vera answered, still with her back to Anke.

“That’s not entirely true. If— I mean just if— if I fell in love with you, Vera.

Then I might lose control and want to get closer to you.

But, but that’s only if— if I liked you!

Under normal circumstances, I would still control myself and keep a proper distance from you!”

Anke rubbed his hands under the blanket.

“So, Your Highness, do you like me?”

Vera was silent for a moment, then said.

“No, no, no! I said ‘if,’ just ‘if.'”

Anke’s voice sounded like a frantic little tomcat with its fur standing on end.

“Okay, I understand. It’s an ‘if’ scenario, and Your Highness likes me.”

Vera said calmly, but her face inexplicably felt hot.

“Never mind, let’s drop the topic. The more I talk, the hotter my face gets.”

Anke muttered to himself.

‘Why is my face hot too? Is this what humans call shyness?’ Vera thought silently, listening to Anke.

“Vera, can you answer some questions for me? I’ve wanted to ask you ever since you actively revealed your identity and saved me from that water dragon’s claws. But I never had the right opportunity.”

“What does Your Highness want to know?”

“You are a powerful white dragon, Vera. Why did you use transformation magic to become a female knight and enter the human kingdom? And that day in Grey Wolf Forest, after you saved me, why did you say you wanted to become my chief knight and then guard me until now? Clearly, my reputation and circumstances weren’t that good back then.”

Anke’s voice carried a hint of insecurity.

“Does Your Highness want to hear the truth or a lie?”

Vera thought for a moment and then replied.

“What’s the lie?”

“I was impressed by Your Highness’s heroic bearing and want to spend my life guarding you.”

“Heh, Vera, so you can tell jokes too. Then, what’s the truth?”

Anke was amused by Vera.

“I came here for you.”

‘To make you help me fulfill my mission of reviving my race.’

Vera told the truth, but only silently recited the second half in her mind.

Anke was silent for a moment, then said with a smile:

“Haha, Vera, you must be teasing me again. Come on, tell me the truth.”

“I’m not teasing you. I’m telling the truth.”

Vera replied bluntly.

Anke didn’t answer for a long time. To feel Anke’s presence, the temperature near his cheeks rose rapidly.

“No, no, Vera, that’s too unfair! How can I sleep after you said that?”

“Can’t sleep? But tomorrow we might have to march or even fight directly. Not being able to sleep won’t do! How about I sing you a lullaby, like I did in the cave last time?”

Vera sat up directly.

“No, I really don’t want to be Junior Wa this time. I can just stay up all night.”

Anke wrapped himself tighter in the blanket.

“What if—I use the dragon girl form you asked me to transform into last time? I’ll sing you a lullaby and coax you to sleep.”

Vera’s voice changed from a mature woman’s voice to a cute little girl’s voice.

“Then I’ll take it (mommy).”

Anke turned around, saw Vera transformed into a white-haired, blue-eyed little girl form, and agreed with a serious expression.

“Hey! Then put your head on my lap. This position is more comfortable than holding you.”

Vera scooted closer to Anke, placed his head on her lap, and began to sing a lullaby from the Northern Ice and Snow Empire.

“I want to become a white cat.

Hide inside the cradle.

I go to find you, my lovely little baby.

I will play for you.

I will crawl into your cradle.

And sing you a lullaby.

So that the little bell goes ding-a-ling.

So that the beer flowers bloom.

Hmm~ hmm~ hmm~”