While I wait for her to wake up, I investigate the battle site. Among the carnage are pieces of broken dragon scales. I collect some of them and put them in my pack. You never know, they might come in handy.
I take one of the smaller pieces and place it in my palm, then I close my eyes and tune my magic sense to it.
Now, I wonder what this will let me detect. I spread my magic sense out as far as I can and try to detect the signature from the scales. I get two hits…the woman over by the tree, and another presence about 200 km away.
I swap to magic detection, and the most powerful presence is in the same place 200 km away. Okay, safe to say that's the wind-type Elder Dragon, so I can now track Elder Dragons. Good to know!
I walk back over to the woman and take a seat.
Eventually, the woman starts to stir. She opens her eyes, and then scans her surroundings. When she notices me, her eyes open wide. I take preemptive measures.
"Hey, before you freak out, I'll remind you that I just saved your life. Hopefully you listen this time when I say…I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT!" (Mizuki)
Her eyes narrow, and then she starts to…laugh!?
"Fufufufu…you are pretty funny human. Saving your enemy, I did not expect that! Also, should I even call you human? You smell human, but your strength was truly monstrous. No human could have done that to me." (Elder Dragon?)
I just can't with this woman. Also, do I smell? I guess I should investigate taking a bath back in town.
"I never considered you my enemy you damn dragon! That's why I saved you. Also, no, you should not call me human, you should call me by my name, Mizuki. Now, can you please confirm if you're the Elder Dragon of earth before I lose my mind? Do you have any idea how much of a pain in my ass you've been!?" (Mizuki)
The woman flashes me a dazzling smile.
"Very well then, Mizuki, you can call me Nina. I normally have no interest in being familiar with humans, but…you're different. Fufufu…I have not experienced this much excitement in millennia. I'd be interested in learning more about you, you know? Regarding your other question…yes, I am the dragon you seek." (Nina)
Okay, that's one problem down. Nina, huh, I thought it was supposed to be Nedonera? I guess dragons can have nicknames, too.
"In that case, you are welcome to consider us friends from this point forward. I have a couple questions, though, if you don't mind. First, why the hell are you human now? Second, why were you so determined to kill me at first?" (Mizuki)
Her eyes light up at the word friends. Man, this is one fickle dragon. After my questions, she lets out a 'hmm' sound like she's thinking.
"Elder Dragons can turn into human forms whenever they want, we just usually don't. I only did it so that you could heal my wound more easily." (Nina)
"Uh okay, sure…but why can you transform into a human in the first place? What reason would there be for transforming, and why humans?" (Mizuki)
"Oh! On the planet I came from, the first Elder Dragons were just humans that a god altered and granted power to. So, we're kind of taking our original form when we do this. I'm not sure why, but it's also easier to use magic in this body." (Nina)
Well, that's a lot to digest. Azazel didn't mention that the Elder Dragon's ancestors were originally human. Did he know? I wonder what the god who did that to them is like.
"As for why I attacked you…it was just because you're human. A while back some humans were supposed to stay out of the forest after our generous warning, then they came in here making a mess like they owned the place! So, I killed them." (Nina)
She says that all so nonchalantly! If that's the event I read about in the book, she wiped out a whole army! Also, 'a while back', wasn't it like hundreds of years ago? Just how old is she? Better not ask her, she's finally in a good mood.
Presumably seeing my annoyed expression, she quickly speaks up again.
"B-b-but I promise I won't attack you again! I swear!" (Nina)
Her eyes are kind of frantic, and she looks sincere. I'm starting to feel bad.
"I believe you, I'm not mad. I promise." (Mizuki)
This seems to calm her, and she nods gratefully. Then, something seems to occur to her, and her face brightens.
"Now I have two questions for you, Mizuki!" (Nina)
Oh? This ought to be good.
"Sure, go ahead." (Mizuki)
Her face gets serious, and she looks down at the blanket covering her.
"Did you see me naked?" (Nina)