Whether it was a curse or an affliction, the evil dragon showed no fear, swallowing it in one gulp, instantly transforming it into nourishment for Patunasankus's power.
It was merely a curse targeting humans, having no effect on an evil dragon soaring in the sky.
Just by sensing the intensity of the curse, Patunasankus understood that the culprit wasn't targeting her specifically; it was simply that she, as an evil dragon, happened to appear before others in the form of Latifa Flandoya.
Clearly, they wanted to kill the fragile princess, definitely not a fire-breathing evil dragon like herself.
However, Patunasankus was somewhat surprised that she hadn't immediately seen through the assassin's disguise.
The opponent must have been wary of the hero's formidable strength, not daring to confront them directly, and instead deliberately concealed their aura to facilitate poisoning.
Was it a mist spirit, a shapeshifter, or perhaps a magical mimicry?
Patunasankus's curiosity was piqued.
Since the target was her in the guise of the princess, such attacks would certainly not stop here.
There was only one thing Patunasankus really wanted to clarify.
—Who exactly wanted to kill Latifa Flandoya.
"Ah-! There are dead people!"
As Patunasankus was pondering, she heard a hoarse and weak scream from behind. It was the trembling old woman who had come downstairs and also seen the gruesome corpses of the attendants.
That sounds nice, I like it, want to hear more.
Patunasankus thought with malicious delight.
As an evil dragon, she had always enjoyed the terrified cries of others. Whenever she heard them, she couldn't help but want to breathe more dragon fire, sometimes deliberately scaring people just for fun.
Very wicked, very enjoyable.
But who could blame her for being such a simple and mischievous evil dragon?
Before Patunasankus could fully appreciate the fearful expressions, she heard a conversation from the doorway.
"...Then I thank the village chief. I will take good care of this, the best sword of your village. If there's nothing else, I'll return to the inn to rest now."
"Then this old man won't disturb the great Hero's rest. If you need anything, just let me know anytime."
One of the voices was very familiar, undoubtedly Loranhir's.
The hero had returned.
Patunasankus instinctively scanned her surroundings.
In such a scene, if she reacted with complete indifference and showed no response, it would seem somewhat odd, wouldn't it?
What would an ordinary person do?
Patunasankus instinctively turned her head, looking at the terrified old woman, examining her expression with the rigor of a scholar studying social science specimens.
Ohhh... so this is how ordinary people react to fear.
Patunasankus nodded, staring intently for quite a while.
Well... I still don't know how to do it.
Loranhir, having dismissed the village chief, secretly sighed. Dealing with enthusiastic villagers had exhausted her both physically and mentally, yet she still had to maintain a stern facial expression, only wanting to return to the inn for a good rest.
So, she pushed open the door.
What she saw was this scene:
Attendants with gruesome deaths, polluted blood, scattered fruits, a fearfully whimpering old woman, and closest to the corpses... looking small, pitiful, and helpless, seemingly frightened into a daze, was Patunasankus.
"..."
Loranhir said nothing, just standing there expressionless, her gaze still unusually cold.
Thump!
Thump-thump!
Thump-thump-thump!
It was only the dull yet powerful heartbeat that made Patunasankus realize what everyone called the Heart of the Red Queen was beating.
Already preparing to enter battle mode?
How cautious, hero.
Patunasankus thought.
Loranhir was completely stunned by fear.
She wanted to say something, but she was so nervous inside that her heart kept pounding endlessly, and for a good while, she couldn't open her mouth to speak.
...God, what's happening here now? Please, spare her.
Loranhir was absolutely terrified.
Her first instinct was to run far away, but her feet wouldn't obey her brain's commands. Her entire body was rooted to the spot like a stake, her heart shamefully pounding wildly, yet the words she spoke were perfectly steady.
"What happened?" Loranhir asked without changing her expression.
"They ate the fruit for me... and were poisoned to death."
Patunasankus tried to mimic a shocked expression, telling the hero what happened with embellishments, particularly omitting the part about the evil dragon letting them eat it. Feeling that her expression wasn't practiced enough and might even seem awkward, she simply hugged the hero, burying her face tightly against Loranhir's clothes.
Perfect, now no one can see my face.
"Poisoned?" The hero gently embraced Patunasankus, stroking the princess's long hair, her tone sounding very calm.
Poisoned!!?
Loranhir was even more panicked inside. If someone dared to use poison now, she didn't dare imagine what they might do next.
Heaven knows what else might emerge. Perhaps the culprit was still nearby. There was an old saying in her hometown, something about "where you rest, there is an evil dragon."
Loranhir now just wanted to run away, but she remembered she was holding a fragile princess.
Having endured the torment of an evil dragon, only recently rescued from the fearsome dragon's lair, now to encounter something like this.
When she finally had someone to save her, finally had a bit of security...
If she abandoned her here, wouldn't the princess be afraid?
Surely the princess's heart must be even more terrified than her own right now?
Loranhir's hand accidentally touched Patunasankus's long hair. The sunlight, filled with her soft, warm breath, gently brushed against her palm.
The evil dragon frowned with some objection to this but held it in.
Loranhir closed her eyes to think for a moment, then nodded slightly.
—She had to take the princess and run together.
...As for the deaths of the attendants.
Sorry!
She was just an ordinary person, completely powerless and with no idea how to avenge them.
It would be good enough not to get herself killed!
Besides, they were the ones who insisted on following her, even when she told them she was just an ordinary person.
Apart from carrying a fire-poker holy sword, she couldn't do anything.
She'd make their funeral offerings extra lavish. If they became ghosts after death, hopefully they'd leave her alone.
When you can't win, retreat!
Loranhir looked up and declared confidently:
"In just this short time, I carelessly almost let Princess be harmed. Don't worry, I'll keep you by my side and protect you. Go and pack your belongings. We're about to set out to catch the real culprit!"
Patunasankus raised her head and tilted it slightly.
Why pack luggage to catch someone?