Several days later, Randon and Velteer found themselves traveling in a luxurious airship, staying in a first-class suite. They didn't leave the cabin for the entire journey. Meals were brought to them by attendants, and they spent their days reading together.
The reason for this self-imposed seclusion was Velteer.
The airship was the fastest, though most expensive, way to travel. Only high-ranking adventurers, nobles, senior military officials, or wealthy magnates could afford it. And Velteer, in her human form, was breathtakingly attractive, radiating an aura of enchantment that would captivate any man who saw her.
If she were to wander around now, it would no doubt stir up chaos among the other passengers. Even if Randon was confident that no warrior on board could match Velteer, the issue wasn't whether they could win in a fight.
The real problem was that they were surrounded by high-profile individuals. If Velteer ended up injuring someone, it would lead to serious diplomatic issues. Especially now, maintaining her true identity as a secret was the utmost priority, which was why Velteer was confined to their shared room.
"Ah... this is amazing," Velteer's eyes sparkled as she flipped through a women's fashion magazine brought in by one of the attendants. She kept turning the pages, clearly fascinated.
"Why does a piece of paper captivate me so much? I don't understand."
"What you're captivated by is what's printed on the paper. These are fashion items. Human women love them, and they're quite popular. That's why humans keep coming up with new fashion styles."
"Ah... it shines so brightly. I want it. How do I get the things in these pictures?" Velteer asked, pointing at a black dress decorated with sparkling sequins, a delicate shawl, and a five-pointed star-shaped gemstone necklace that looked incredibly expensive.
"Humans use something called money. You could also sell gold or gemstones to get money," Randon explained, and Velteer's expression soured. She used to have a mountain of gold and jewels, but now all of it had been taken away.
"And how can I get money?"
"You work for it. That's what humans do. You'll have to live among humans for quite some time."
"Hmph, not like I have much of a choice. What kind of work do I need to do?"
"There are many options. The lower-tier jobs pay less, but if you do something challenging and high-ranking, you get more. For you, joining me to hunt dragons is probably the best fit."
"And when does this first job start?" Velteer's eyes bore into Randon, eagerly waiting for an answer. Randon couldn't help but wonder how women's fashion could tame even a legendary dragon—an amusing proof of the power of femininity.
"Calm down. It won't be anytime soon. I need to be officially appointed as the Dragon Slayer before we can take on high-level missions."
"How long will that take?"
"That depends on the king's mood. Humans are unpredictable—it could be tomorrow or it could be next year. But before we talk about my appointment, we should make sure you get through today."
"What do you mean?"
"The deal between you and me isn't quite what the kingdom wanted," Randon sighed, sipping his coffee and gazing out of the window as the view began to reveal more buildings, indicating they were approaching the capital.
A few hours later, the airship docked. Randon handed Velteer a black cloak, covering her from head to toe. They walked off the ship and made their way safely to the rendezvous point where a group of adventurers, carrying a sign with the secret code "DLX," was waiting to welcome them.
Randon smiled faintly and joined the group, consisting of one female mage, one male knight, and one male ninja, each dressed distinctly.
"Congratulations, Dragon Slayer," the ninja grinned, elbowing Randon's stomach, though Randon remained unfazed.
"Ah."
"Is that her? Don't tell me, it's Velteer?" The knight eyed Velteer, who had been walking behind Randon, pointing at her. When Randon nodded, the three adventurers immediately grew serious.
"Don't worry, she's tamed," Randon reassured them. "Velteer, meet my companions—Rosen the ninja, Jacob the knight, and Amanda the mage."
"Hmm," Velteer muttered disinterestedly, nodding just enough to acknowledge their presence. Despite Randon's reassurance, the trio kept their distance, not yet comfortable around her.
"Velteer, if you want that fancy dress, you should behave yourself."
"Y-you can't threaten me! I'll get it no matter what!" Velteer said, agitated. The trio fell silent, amazed by how fashion seemed to have the power to tame the White Dragon.
"Guys, make sure to keep all of this a secret, okay? From now on, she'll be my partner."
"Got it. Let's get moving," Rosen nodded, leading the group toward today's destination.
---
The Royal Court of the Kingdom.
The court where all matters of national importance were tried, regardless of whether the accused was a monster, a human, or even a foreigner. If the crime was significant enough, they would all face justice here.
Velteer was dressed in a plain white garment, the mandated uniform for the accused, while Randon, the Dragon Slayer, followed close behind her, clad in full armor. The atmosphere was tense, giving the impression that every move was being closely watched.
As they walked through the red iron doors, the symbolic gateway to a judgment that knew no racial boundaries, white light flooded the area, revealing hundreds of individuals in black and white robes gathered as witnesses.
"Ah... she's exquisite."
"Her body is incredibly alluring."
"But she's a dragon; we could never overpower her."
"Such a shame, truly a shame."
The nobles and soldiers whispered amongst themselves, commenting on Velteer's enchanting human form. Velteer let out a sharp breath, her eyes shooting daggers at them, dismissing them like the worms they were. She kept her head held high as she approached the circular wooden platform at the center of the room. A spotlight focused on her as she took her place.
Once the accused stood where they should, the judge and the jury wasted no time, banging the wooden gavel three times before beginning to list Velteer's offenses.
"White Dragon Velteer! You are accused of eleven counts of destroying towns, two of which were vital economic hubs, resulting in significant economic loss for the kingdom over decades. You took the lives of 2,742 innocent people, and burned 37 forests. The total estimated damages are one billion, seven hundred and five million kingdom coins. Do you acknowledge these charges?"
"I do, Your Honor," three men spoke in unison, affirming the charges.
"However! By the proposal of Dragon Slayer Randon Viteriat, White Dragon Velteer has been offered the chance to atone by assisting in hunting down other dragons alongside Randon Viteriat. The kingdom has agreed to this arrangement, but recently, we received a letter from the Royal Palace stating that Randon Viteriat has altered the terms of the agreement. Is this true?"
"?" Velteer's eyes widened, and she glanced sideways at Randon in confusion.
'What does he mean, altered terms?'
"Originally, Dragon Slayer Randon proposed that White Dragon Velteer would serve directly under the kingdom as a military asset. But now, he seeks to have Velteer serve solely under his authority. The military council and nobility do not agree with this, as it poses a potential security risk."
'So that's what it is,' Velteer thought to herself.
If she were under the kingdom's authority, she would be subject to whatever orders they gave—whether it be grueling military operations, being subjected to experiments, or even being molested by those with power. Despite her immense strength, she wouldn't be able to defy a blood contract.
But if she served directly under Randon, she would only be used for dragon hunting, not as a mere tool for anything else. It would be the only way to retain some of her dignity.
Understanding this, Velteer realized Randon was putting himself at risk to protect her.
"Your Honor, may I speak?"
"Permission granted."
"I, Randon Viteriat, subdued White Dragon Velteer on my own, without aid from the kingdom, adventurers, politicians, or military forces. Thus, I claim full rights over her. She is my prize, and I make this proposal myself."
"Nonsense! She is a criminal against the state, responsible for enormous chaos. You cannot claim her as your own."
"I do not intend to claim her for myself. She will still be working to atone for her crimes by aiding me in hunting down evil dragons. I will simply be her overseer."
"No! You have no right to any say in this. Bringing her here means she falls under the kingdom's jurisdiction. Only nobles, military officials, and the king himself have authority here."
"In that case... I see no reason to remain humble," Randon's voice grew firm, his aura filling the room with a pressure that made everyone shiver.
"If my proposal is not accepted, you risk losing your greatest dragon hunter."
"What did you say?!" The judge, nobles, and high-ranking officials erupted in outrage, while some of the adventurers merely smiled or chuckled. Even Velteer looked shocked by his audacity.
"I, Randon Viteriat, am the only one capable of taking down high-ranking dragons alone. Many kingdoms would gladly welcome me. I have no obligation to remain loyal to a kingdom that disregards my wishes."
"You! Do you realize what you're saying?! You'll be branded a traitor! Are you thinking of betraying your own kingdom, Dragon Slayer?!" Voices echoed in outrage, filled with insults, curses, and condemnation from all directions.
Velteer and the adventurers who knew Randon watched, waiting for his response, and when he finally spoke, silence fell across the hall.
"This kingdom has given me nothing but a nationality and a place to stay."
"!"
"I was born on the border. My hometown was turned to ash by a fire dragon. Before that, the dragon demanded tribute—wealth and livestock—in exchange for sparing us. My town sent pleas for help, but none came. How could a poor border town meet such demands without support? That was why my home was wiped off the map."
"You..."
"I survived, barely, injured and left for dead. No one helped me until foreigners found me and took me to be healed. The one who trained me, who taught me how to fight, wasn't from this kingdom. It was an exiled dragon."
'An exiled dragon?!' Velteer's eyes widened in shock. She never imagined that a dragon had trained the very one who hunted their kind.
"This kingdom has never given me anything worth being grateful for. I owe it nothing. Even if I am branded a traitor, I don't care. I can be from anywhere, as long as I can hunt dragons. That is my only wish, and no one will stop me."
The Dragon Slayer's determination and convictions echoed through the room. This was who Randon was—something that neither the soldiers nor the nobles had ever understood.
He was a man who had lost everything—family, friends, and home—yet refused to tie himself to anyone
A man who had lost so much since he could remember, unattached to prestige or power, drifting freely like a bird. Fierce and resolute like a lion, proud and willful like a dragon.
His weapon wasn't the strong body forged from the blood and bone dust of a Black Dragon, nor was it the dragon-slaying sword with its formidable destructive power. It was his character that was truly his greatest weapon.
If they did not stop pestering him, the next target might not be a dragon but humans themselves. Thus, they had no choice but to reconsider.