"A sense of déjà vu," Smolder mused internally.
Then, placing the three golden scales behind its head, something miraculous occurred. The scales merged into its body, replacing three of its red dragon scales. They briefly shimmered before turning red, blending seamlessly with the surrounding scales.
Smolder was grateful for the golden dragon's assistance, feeling the warmth of kinship dispelling the shadows and chill brought about by Blight's death. Taking a deep breath, Smolder managed to calm its excitement.
"Thank you, elder. May I make a presumptuous request?"
"Of course, speak," the golden dragon's voice was as gentle as ever.
"May I hug you?"
The golden dragon's fearsome maw twisted into what humans might consider an ugly smile, "Of course, child, come here."
Granted permission, the excited little red dragon approached, spreading its forearms and hugging the massive chest of the golden dragon. Due to their size difference, Smolder couldn't even reach the golden dragon's shoulders, resembling a mouse hugging an elephant, unable to even wrap around the elephant's forelimb.
Having never seen another of its kind until now, Smolder found unprecedented happiness in this moment.
Hils looked down at the uniquely shaped little red dragon embracing him, feeling a surge of emotions. He wondered about the difficulties and confusions the wingless dragon had faced, his expression growing even more tender.
Days later, Smolder left Lorisque City, embarking on its own adventure.
Let the past be the past!
However, a dragon walking the roads alone inevitably drew high attention, nearly 100% in the absence of companions. Whether nobles, mercenaries, tourists, or peasants, all stared unabashedly. Had it not been for its standard armor, Smolder mused, a few would-be "dragon slayers" might have emerged.
After a few unpleasant encounters, Smolder decisively took a less-traveled path, donning a necklace given by the golden dragon. This artifact reduced its presence in the eyes of ordinary folk, making Smolder appear as mundane as a cow or horse, thus avoiding unwanted attention.
Traveling along the backroads for several days, Smolder eventually reached another city, thankful for its decent sense of direction.
The city gates were bustling, but the guards merely glanced at Smolder, not bothering with interrogations or city taxes to encourage adventurers' influx, resulting in a diverse populace.
Feeling a mild hunger after days without food and continuous travel, Smolder sought a spacious tavern for information and rest.
"...Money's good, but you've got to be alive to spend it. Heard a whole team of upper-rank hunters died already," Smolder overheard as it entered, catching the tail end of a conversation by a group of fully armed individuals near the door.
One was about to respond when the sight of a giant dragon entering silenced him, choking on his words in shock.
Wearing the presence-minimizing necklace, Smolder was oblivious to their astonishment, now accustomed to normal interactions. Curiously, it inquired, "What were you discussing?"
The hunters exchanged glances before one replied, "The recent uproar about dragon attacks. Duke's manor outside the city has been plagued by a dragon, and the Duke offers 150 gold coins for its elimination."
"Is that dragon particularly formidable?" Smolder asked. The described "fireball dragon" wasn't a true dragon but a lesser drake, challenging for adventurers due to its flight and fireball capabilities, yet not too difficult to handle given its low intelligence.
"Witnesses say it's over ten meters long, quite a challenge based on its size."
"Thank you, I won't disturb further," Smolder politely nodded, heading to an empty table. The 150 gold coins seemed a difficult bounty.
Ordering several pounds of meat and counting coins to pass the time, Smolder had counted sixty-eight by the time the food arrived. The aroma instantly whetted its appetite.
"Any recent events or tales in the city?" Smolder asked the server while munching on roasted meat.
"Uh... a few days ago, Duke's manor outside was attacked by a dragon..."
"Again with the dragon. Anything else?"
"Not really..."
"That'll be all, then. Thank you," Smolder said, somewhat frustrated. "If only I could fly, I'd try for those 150 gold coins. Curse that dragon, can I just pluck its wings and attach them to myself?" Smolder grumbled, returning to its meal.
Crunching a piece of the plate by accident, Smolder quickly looked around, swallowing the evidence before anyone could react.
After ensuring no one continued to stare, Smolder sighed and resumed devouring its feast.
Leaving behind empty plates and forty-odd silver coins, Smolder exited the tavern. The server, coming to clean up and seeing the neatly bitten plate, was left in disarray.
Continuing westward to the Kote Empire, Smolder glanced back at the city walls, deciding future travels would avoid cities. Despite not being fully grown, it had to conceal its draconic essence to not overwhelm the necklace's effects.
As evening approached and the roads emptied, Smolder noticed a manor in the distance, seemingly recently scorched.
Blinking, Smolder wondered if this was Duke's manor just as a roar sounded. Soon, several disheveled mercenaries fled towards Smolder.
Ek, a lowly mercenary, had lived a life of hardship. Today, fooled by the cunning Fox, he'd ventured to the Duke's manor for dragon-slaying.
Was the enormous dragon before them, barely knee-high to a human, the "little fire dragon" Fox had mentioned?
Their captain was dispatched with a single blow, another brave soul's sword barely scratched the dragon before being crushed underfoot. Fox, the first to flee, was incinerated by a fireball, quickly falling to the ground. The remaining mercenaries, devoid of any will to fight, turned and ran.
Not far off, Ek saw another dragon ahead. Panicked, he didn't stop to distinguish its type, fearing it was an ally of the terrifying beast behind them. But this dragon, clad in armor and not as large, stepped aside, allowing the fleeing mercenaries to pass.
As the dragon's shadow loomed, Smolder hesitated, an unusual scenario for real life, not just fiction. The mercenaries, brushing past Smolder, seemed to ignore both it and the dragon behind.
Touching the necklace, Smolder pondered its effectiveness. Had those mercenaries really not seen the dragon behind?
Turning, Smolder was met with a rapidly enlarging fireball.