Bud shifted in his seat. It was starting to become extremely uncomfortable. Not the plush couch he was currently confined to but the pink haired boy who was glaring daggers at him while raving about heroes. Bud would normally find the kid cute with the way he was passionate about his favorite hero. But he could not in this situation because the kid was an extremely dangerous dragon with a very scary mama.
It was eating away at him. He, Bud Illis, was a swordmaster and the Mercenary King but he was utterly powerless in this situation. He wasn't so much worried about his current predicament but was fearful of the outcome of his new friend. . .and current employer. While he was stuck here as a prisoner, mama dragon had teleported to where Cale Henituse was and she looked pissed.
And that was three hours ago!
His imagination was getting the better of him, eating away at his heart and soul. His mind was coming up with various horrendous scenarios of torturous death for his new found drinking buddy against his will. There was a lot that an adult dragon could do in just three hours. What could a spoiled son of a wealthy Count do, even if the boy had knowledge of the future?
A soft glow of light appeared. Bud sat up straighter and settled his nerves, readying himself for a fight. The pink haired boy twirled his bow before placing it in his spatial dimension, a smile on his deceivingly handsome face.
The light grew brighter before fading. The beige-haired woman stepped aside to reveal three other companions. Bud's jaw dropped.
Reddish-brown eyes narrowed at him. "How unsightly," came the elegant young voice of Young Master Cale.
"Ho-how?" Did the dragon bring the Young Master and his butler here to torture them? And who was the black dragon hanging onto Young Master Cale's shoulder? Was the dragon guarding him so that he couldn't escape?
The beige-haired woman turned warmed, amused-filled eyes onto her son. "I've found you a hero and not one of those self-sacrificial ones that you like to read about."
"I am no hero," Young Master Cale sighed, ignoring the wide eyes of the pink-haired boy.
Hero?
Young Master Cale must have told the dragon about his regression. That certainly qualifies him as being labeled as a hero, especially if he pulls off all of his plans. But how did the Young Master convince the dragon that he was telling the truth?
Bud pulled out his flask and took a big swig, figuring he was free to do so now.
"Are you sure, mother? There could be no better hero than the Guardian of the Boulder!" The pink haired boy glanced at Young Master Cale with an incredulous gaze, his narrowed eyes doing nothing to hide his doubt. "And who is the kid?" He asked, pointing at the black dragon.
The black dragon puffed up his chubby cheeks and pointed a claw at his chest. "I am not a kid! I am Raon Miru! And I am two years old!"
"Dodori, Young Master Cale rescued Raon Miru from some humans who really needed to be fu-uh, some bad humans. He is someone who will be a good teacher for you, a true hero. Isn't that right, hero?"
"No," Cale scoffed in an instant reply. "I am not trying to be a hero, nor am I someone who will be a good example for anyone to follow."
"Hmm?" Mila cocked her head to the side. "I do not see it that way."
"She's right, human!" Little Raon shouted, his little black wings flapping. "You are good! Just like those humans from goofy human's stories!"
Bud slouched back into his seat and let his body loosen up as he continued to drink. He was still watching for any signs of an attack, but so far, the dragons seemed amicable. Young Master Cale was truly remarkable, but when was Bud's task going to end? He wanted to return home to where the good alcohol was, and Glenn was surely worried.
The room became quiet. "Did you locate any Ancient Powers?"
Bud looked into reddish-brown eyes. "Sure did friend," he took a drink from his flask before continuing, "though it may be a bit difficult to obtain."
"Doesn't matter."
A smirk formed on Bud's face at the short answer. His young friend was certain to cause a ruckus and Bud had sideline seats to witness the changes and fun things that the kid was sure to bring.
. . . .
The salty air put a wrinkle in Cale's nose while the gentle rocking of the ship lulled him into a peaceful state of mind. The honey and milk base facial mask and the freshly cut cucumbers covering his closed lids also helped.
Raon let out a peaceful snore. The young dragon was resting beside him with an oil lathered on his scales.
They were on their way to the Whipper Kingdom to grab the Ancient Power that the Mercenary King had found. Lady Mila was going to teleport them there, but Raon wanted to travel there the human way at least once so that he could see the world.
Cale wasn't going to deny the young dragon of his request even if it did take time out of their schedule. And Lady Mila found it cute that Raon was so eager to see the world and told them that traveling by ship would give her plenty of time to teach the young dragon.
Raon shifted in his spot from beside Cale, no doubt enjoying this small amount of freedom called a break.
"What are they doing? Skincare? A hero shouldn't care what kind of state their face is in."
Cale scoffed at Young Master Dodori. The young dragon still had much to learn.
"There is nothing wrong with what they are doing," Mila told Dodori, placing a hand on his shoulders. "Taking care of one's looks is a part of the finer things in a noble's life. And we dragons also enjoy the finer things in life."
Mila walked over to the empty seat beside him and sat down. "It isn't needed, but I will take one as well." Ron, ever at the ready, came over and brushed the leftover facial mask onto Mila perfectly smooth, bronze skin.
Lady Mila was right in saying that she didn't need facial care. Her and her son were both blemish free and already naturally attractive in their human forms. Cale couldn't say for sure, but he was beginning to believe that that was a trait amongst dragons. He wouldn't know for sure until Raon transformed into a human or until they met another dragon.
"I think I'll practice some more," was all Dodori said before shuffling away.
After a while, Ron came over to wash the mask from Cale's face before moving onto Raon, where he gently patted Raon's body with a towel. The black scales glittered in the sunlight, looking the healthiest they had since Cale had first met the black dragon.
Next was Mila's turn. She tapped a finger to her face. "That certainly was refreshing."
"You are certainly surprising, Lady Mila," Cale smirked at the adult dragon.
Mila really was surprising to him. She was someone who dressed like a farmer and acted a bit rough and thuggish sometimes. She definitely didn't fit the type of character who would willingly try out beauty products or know the ways of nobility. He should learn to expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to dragons.
"Human."
"Hero."