Chapter 70: Your Mom Is So Weird
“Gladys…”
Erika spoke first. She blinked her large red eyes, moved closer to the other woman, and gently tugged on her skirt.
Gladys understood immediately. She reached out her fair hand, pulled Erika into her embrace, and gently stroked her soft hair as always—tender and doting, with no trace of scolding.
“Say what you want, or don’t—it’s up to you. I’m just worried. Were you hurt?”
“I’m fine…”
Erika shook her head and hesitated for a moment. Her red eyes looked up at Gladys.
Then she told her everything, without hiding a single detail.
…
After hearing it all, Gladys’s expression darkened slightly. She understood the crux of the issue.
“Erika, those people have been watching you all along.”
“I didn’t know… but probably…”
“That’s exactly it.”
Gladys confirmed it. “You said that ratman named Jesse was seated next to you the whole time—and he knew who you were. His objective was clear. He was prepared from the beginning.”
“But why?”
In Gladys’s arms, Erika looked up. “I don’t know that ratman. And didn’t Jocelyn already take my Dragon Core Crystal? Why would he come after me?”
“I don’t know either.”
Gladys took a deep breath and thought for a moment. “He’s from Cage. That organization isn’t as simple as you think—there’s a lot behind it.
They’ve always been ruthless, cutting down anything that threatens their goals. Maybe they think your presence in the Imperial Capital could interfere with them.”
Hearing that, Erika fell into thought.
Maybe Gladys was right—maybe the people from Cage feared she’d try to take back the Dragon Core Crystal.
If that was the case, Erika was increasingly curious: what exactly made her Dragon Core Crystal so valuable to them…?
“Gladys, is my Dragon Core Crystal… really that important to them?”
“I don’t know. I don’t understand their objective.”
“Gladys…”
Calling out again, Erika tugged at Gladys’s collar. Her soft voice sounded like she was pleading… or maybe whining.
“Didn’t you say you picked me up? I remember Jocelyn saying she was indirectly involved in creating me… You must know something. So…Stop hiding it from me…”
At those words, Gladys paused noticeably. The hand that had been stroking Erika’s hair froze in midair.
…
The atmosphere turned strangely silent as they locked eyes.
…
But soon, Gladys resumed her actions. She pulled Erika tighter against her and leaned close, her red lips brushing against Erika’s ear.
Nnh~
As her earlobe was teased, Erika’s little tail popped out. Her whole body tingled and went limp in Gladys’s embrace.
“Gladys, you…”
“Erika.”
Gladys interrupted softly. Her eyes gleamed, and she hugged Erika a little tighter, her voice warm and gentle.
“We’re family. Believe me. Everything I do is for your sake.
It’s okay. If they want your Dragon Core Crystal, let them have it. As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.
Besides, don’t you already have a Dragon Core Crystal inside you? Forget the rest. I just want you to grow up happy and healthy.”
“Mm… Gladys, too tight…”
“Let me hold you, just for a little.”
She relaxed her grip slightly, still as tender as ever.
Held in her arms, Erika was still full of questions, but she didn’t press further. She knew Gladys wouldn’t give her answers anyway.
Still, her curiosity… continued to stir.
“Erika.”
Gladys softly called her name again.
“Mm?”
“I want to take you somewhere else to live.”
“Go… where?”
“Anywhere. Wherever you want. Just not in this city. The world is so big—we could live somewhere else. It might be better.
Coming to Kaslania was a mistake. I regret it now. I’ll help you with the Dragon Core Crystal myself.”
“No.”
Erika flatly refused, looking up at her. “I was the one who wanted to come to Kaslania. I’m staying. I’m not going anywhere.”
“But those people might come after you again. I can’t always protect you. Let’s leave.”
“I’m not afraid of them.”
Her tone firm, Erika buried her head in Gladys’s chest and hugged her waist. Her little tail began to sway side to side.
“We’re staying here. I’m not scared of Cage. I’m really strong, Gladys—you don’t have to worry.”
Erika knew the real reason Gladys wanted to leave was because Cage was operating in the Imperial Capital.
But how could she leave? Her Dragon Core Crystal was still here!
Even if Gladys didn’t say it, Erika cared deeply about her crystal.
She’d already experienced its power—and Meladin had said she was special, capable of holding more than one.
So why should something that belonged to her be given away!?
That damn Jocelyn—if she came again, it’d be the perfect chance to take it back!
…
Gladys stared silently at the little girl in her arms.
After a while…
She gently patted Erika’s back.
“Fine. But promise me—next time you encounter someone from Cage, don’t fight them. Run first, then come find me. Understand?”
“Okay.”
Erika smiled and nodded. She didn’t want to keep talking about this. The more they discussed it, the more awkward it felt.
Wagging her tail, Erika rubbed her tummy.
She was just about to ask if there was anything to eat—when she noticed something strange about Gladys’s expression.
Her gaze had drifted toward the bedroom.
“Erika… you didn’t tell me you had a friend over.”
“Friend?”
At that, Erika suddenly remembered—Isana hadn’t gone home yet! She was still in the bedroom!
Ah—this was bad!
She was still in her half-dragon form. If Gladys found out about Isana, would she hurt her!?
Gladys’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Behind the door, Isana was peeking out.
Now exposed, her face turned red with embarrassment.
She stepped out timidly and mimicked Erika’s blinking expression—hoping it would make a good impression.
“Um… H-Hello. I’m Erika’s friend. My name is Isana Elfreid…”
Gladys didn’t respond. Her gaze grew darker, her pupils revealing a faint wariness.
Isana flinched under the intensity.
The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Isana’s small body fidgeted nervously, and she even looked a little scared.
She cast a pleading glance at Erika.
But Gladys ignored her and spoke softly to Erika.
“Erika, she knows you’re a dragon.”
“Ah… It’s fine! Really, it’s fine! She already knew!”
“How is that fine?”
Gladys’s brows furrowed slightly. Her tone became stern. “I told you before we came to Kaslania—you can’t let anyone know you’re a dragon.”
“I didn’t mean to… it’s just that…”
“Just what?”
Ugh—this was so frustrating!
Erika had no idea how to explain. She couldn’t exactly tell Gladys she’d been half-stripped by Isana when it happened!
That would only make things worse.
She wriggled out of Gladys’s arms, afraid she’d get mad. She grabbed Isana’s hand and pulled her back.
“Isana won’t tell anyone. She’ll keep it a secret. Please don’t be mad, Gladys…”
“Y-Yes, yes!”
Isana quickly nodded. “I-I swear on the name of the Elfreid Family—I’ll never reveal Erika’s identity as a dragon.”
“I don’t believe in anyone’s oaths. You don’t need to swear in front of me, little girl.”
Gladys’s tone was cold, her eyes fixed on Isana. But she didn’t make a single move.
“However…
Since Erika trusts you, I’ll trust you—for now.
But if I find out you’ve done anything to hurt my Erika… I won’t let you go. Understood?”
“Y-Yes.”
Isana’s small body trembled. It was obvious Gladys’s tone had scared her.
She no longer acted cheeky. She looked like a scolded child.
Seeing that Gladys didn’t harm Isana, Erika let out a sigh of relief.
She trusted Isana wouldn’t betray her. At worst, she’d just… demand to use her as a nude model.
Still shaken, Isana felt too uncomfortable to stay.
“I-I’ll be heading home now.”
“Wait.”
Startled by the call, Isana froze in place.
“Is… is there something else?”
“This is for you.”
Gladys pulled a red potion from her coat. “Your arm’s injured. That sloppy bandaging won’t do. Apply this. The wound should be gone by tomorrow—including any scarring.”
“Thank you…”
Isana bowed politely, accepting the potion. She glanced over at Erika and mouthed something silently.
Erika read her lips.
It looked like she was saying, “Your mom is so weird.”