Mila was out gazing up at the fruit trees. The bitter scents were turning sweet. It was almost harvest time.
She felt the familiar mana of her son and the distinct feeling of teleportation magic. Her son must be visiting today.
As dragons, they lived separately. The younglings, usually around the age of two, preferred to move into a lair of their own. It wasn't unusual for an adult dragon to not see their child for years at a time, even if at all.
Mila had decided to take the mortal approach. She had allowed her son to move out like all dragons but made sure he still visited her. He was such a young, daring thing that she knew he would get into trouble if not properly taught. She was especially worried that he now had an interest in human heroes.
She didn't mind humans. She watched and learned from them because she found them so fascinating at times, and even tried to teach her son like a human mother would their child. She didn't even mind heroes. Fighting for the people you cared about and protecting them was an honorable thing in her opinion. What she did not like was that every mortal hero's story ended in tragedy. Losing the lives of the people you tried to protect and one's own life was unacceptable in her opinion.
Mila did not want her son to learn from or admire those kinds of heroes. Sacrificing your life was a foolhardy decision in her mind.
She hummed a tune as she continued walking through the fields. It was a little surprising when her son didn't come to her straight away. She needed to knock some proper manners into that boy.
Changing the grip on her scythe, she headed back toward the house. She was contemplating on the best way to teach her son manners when a strange scent flitted past her nose. The scent belonged to a Swordmaster with a wind attribute power.
Releasing a growl low in her throat, she ran toward the new scent. Humans were nothing to be alarmed about but a Swordmaster with an Ancient Power was no scoffing matter.
She slowed down. Within her sights was a blue haired man with glasses. Raised to his lips was a flask and Mila could smell the alcohol from where she stood. It smelled delicious for human-made alcohol. The human certainly had good taste.
She came out from where she hid from the man's sight. The stranger whirled around to face her with wide green eyes. Strange. His eyes were completely clear.
"What are you, friend?" The man asked.
A wide, predatory grin spread across her face. Using her natural speed, she came to stand in front of the intruder and brought her scythe to a stop at his neck. "Who are you?"
The man held up his hands in surrender. "I am Bud Illis. I mean no harm in asking this, but are you a dragon by chance?"
Mila let her eyes turn reptilian-like as the need to hunt arose within her. "Why do you ask?"
The man visibly gulped, and a small trickle of blood formed on his neck. "My secondary task included finding information on the whereabouts of any possible dragons, though I didn't expect to find one."
Someone was purposely looking for dragons? Was it the Slayer that had disappeared before she was born? No, that couldn't be it. How could a human be alive after a thousand years?
"You found one. Now, is your boss looking for us?"
The man, Bud, frowned. "He isn't my boss. . .though I guess he is paying me for my services." Mila pressed the blade of her scythe closer to the man's neck. "He didn't tell me why he was looking for one!"
"Do you have a way to contact him?"
"Yes."
Mila removed her scythe so that the man could, though it was impossible for him to try anything. "Do it."
"Yes ma'am!"
. . . .
Cale leaned back and let the hot water soak his bones. The milky scents of honey and sweet orange blossom surrounded him. Oh how he had longed for this.
The relaxing hot water and delightfully sweet scents did wonders for his aching body. This was a much deserved luxury after all that work to gain the restorative power that will hopefully help keep his other powers in balance once he obtains them.
He wouldn't have even dreamed of gathering Ancient Powers of different elemental attributes if it weren't for that damn White Star. That bastard had shown everyone just how possible it was to stay alive with all five element attributes.
A knock sounded from the closed bathroom door.
"Young Master, you have a call from the Mercenary King," Ron informed him.
Cale absentmindedly waved his hand even though no one could see the action. "I'll take it once I get out."
He leaned back further into the tub, sinking lower into the water. His eyes fluttered shut as a form of euphoria washed over him.
Another knock came from the door, and this time, Ron entered. Cale's eyes opened and he looked over at the butler with a quip on his tongue. One look at Ron's face told him that something had happened.
"What is it?"
Raon, who had been behind Ron, let his mana flare to activate a recording that had been left for him from Bud's device. The voice of a woman flowed out. "I have your subordinate. If you wish for him to live, contact me immediately."
Fuck! The whole point in hiring Bud was to keep the man a live, not get the fucking idiot killed!
Cale stood up. Ron handed the communication device to Raon before draping a robe over him.
He looked down at himself. He would have preferred to be decent but the urgency of the matter would not allow for it. At least his body was covered.
"Connect the device." He stepped out of the bathroom and took a seat in a chair in the bedroom.
Raon's mana swirled around the device. The screen flickered before connecting. A woman with long, beige-colored hair tied in a loose braid appeared on the screen. She had sunkissed tan skin and was draped in dirty farming clothes. She was surprisingly beautiful despite her unkempt attire.
The woman flashed him a predatory smile. "Well, if it isn't the boss man." Her eyes raked over his form in displeasure and a frown was plastered on her lips.
"Please excuse my lack of formalities and indecentness. I was previously enjoying a nice bath when I received your call." Cale wouldn't have even bothered with being this respectful except for the fact that the woman was currently holding Bud Illis hostage. . .or at least according to the message she had left him.
The woman's lips tugged downwards into a frown. "A man who will risk humility to save their underling." Her eyes turned sharp and Cale felt like that cold gaze could pierce right through him. "Why are you searching for dragons," her voice was reasonably guarded and absolutely menacing.
Cale forced his features to remain the same and to not let any shock leak through. He had expected Bud to fail but the man exceeded his expectations and managed to do the impossible.