Chapter 120
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Chapter 120: She Returns Like A Regal King
Hipper had a long dream.
She dreamt of ancient times, of those shattered remnants of the past.
She dreamt of the bitter history of the tiny human race struggling against the proud dragon race. Knights clad in silver-white armor, bathed in the blood of dragons, their radiant figures disappearing amidst the mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
As the sun set, the figure of the knight collapsed.
She dreamt of a time when the vampire race ruled over humans, washing every kingdom and city of humanity in blood, making humans livestock to be herded, seen as blood slaves producing fresh blood each day.
Then, someone raised the flag of rebellion from within the prisons.
Countless ruined scenes flashed through her memory.
She saw the indomitable spirit of humanity, reviving devastated lands time and again. She saw God extend a hand to touch the first human who successfully traversed the false starry sky. She saw the first human ascend to godhood.
That human changed the destiny of humanity, allowing their race to stand proudly upon this land.
“Mmm…”
The dream shattered, and Hipper let out a soft, lazy hum.
“Hipper, you’re awake!”
Hipper heard a clear, sweet voice and opened her eyes, surprised to find Illya’s face close by.
The little pink dragon girl was grinning at her.
“Illya…”
“How are you feeling now? Do you have a headache? Any other discomfort?”
“Discomfort? A little. I feel like the blood in my body is burning, like there’s a fiery sensation inside. My head hurts a bit too.”
A surge of memories had flooded Hipper’s mind, causing a bit of overload, but now that she was awake, she couldn’t recall any of it clearly.
All she remembered were some hazy images.
“Wait a moment then. I’ll go call my mother.”
Illya quickly got out of bed.
She slipped on her slippers and ran out of the room.
Hipper looked out the window; it was already dusk.
The dim glow of the setting sun cast shadows into the room.
Two maids, one dressed in purple and the other in white, sat by the dining table, watching Hipper intently.
Before long, the Dragon Queen and the Dragon Queen’s consort entered the room.
Iris sat by Hipper’s side, raising her hand to press it against Hipper’s forehead. Warm magic flowed from Iris’s hand into Hipper’s body.
Soon, Iris gave her diagnosis.
“There’s nothing serious. Your body temperature is normal. The burning sensation in your blood is because you’re still not fully adjusted to the fresh blood in your system. You’ll adapt gradually on your own.”
“So… does this mean Hipper is already a dragon?!”
Illya asked excitedly.
“No, Hipper is neither a dragon, nor a blood race, and certainly not a human. However, she still retains the appearance of a human, and her bloodline is mostly dominated by human blood.”
“Huh? What do you mean, Mother? Then what exactly is Hipper?”
Iris looked into Hipper’s emerald-green eyes.
“A multi-race hybrid.”
“Then… then… Hipper…”
Illya wanted to ask if Hipper could mate with dragons and produce dragon eggs, but it seemed inappropriate to ask at this moment, so she stammered and didn’t finish her question.
“Then… is it possible for Hipper to still become part of the vampire race?”
“Yes.”
“Alright…”
Illya lowered her head in disappointment.
“Illya, now that we’ve confirmed Hipper is fine, isn’t it time for you to come back with me?”
Since early this morning, Naya hadn’t had the chance to hug, kiss, or lift Illya in her arms even once, and a hint of longing lingered in her heart.
“No, I still have a lot to talk about with Hipper.”
“What else do you have to say to Hipper?”
“A lot, just… a lot. I want to talk with her about our dragon clan, so that when she returns to our Dragon Kingdom, she’ll be able to adapt faster.”
Iris stood up and gently held Naya’s shoulder.
“Naya, let Illya stay here a while longer. Let’s head to the next room—I have something to discuss with you.”
Naya cast a wistful glance at Illya.
Reluctantly, she followed Iris out of Flanna’s room.
Noticing Naya’s gaze at Illya, Iris commented casually.
“I’d say you’re 90% responsible for why Illya looks to you as her model for choosing a partner.”
It wasn’t just Illya who needed a change in perspective; Naya’s own habits also needed some adjusting.
Illya and Naya’s attachment was mutual.
Naya had grown accustomed to revolving around her child every day and grew restless if she didn’t see her for even a moment.
“Hmph, now you’re pleased. Illya spends all day with her new friend, doesn’t even think about her Mama, and sits with Hipper for an entire day. I’ve never seen her invested in anyone outside our family.”
Iris opened the door, leading Naya inside by the hand.
“After all, Hipper is Illya’s first true friend, and she’s a girl—a princess, even, just like the ones in the fairy tales you tell her. That princess title is a big plus in Illya’s eyes.”
She closed the door.
Naya sighed.
“True.”
She sat at the dining table, propping her chin up with one hand, looking at Iris.
“So, what did you want to tell me?”
Iris took a seat across from Naya and explained the arrangement she had made with Hipper the previous night.
“I need your protection, Naya.”
“Huh?”
“I need you to help protect Hipper. Without you, she has no chance of pulling this off. Not everyone in the palace will just stand still and let her make her moves. Besides, her father—one of Hipper’s creators—won’t be without some countermeasures.”
Naya crossed her arms, her expression serious as she looked at Iris.
“Can I refuse?”
“You can.”
Iris smiled gently, as if she had expected Naya’s response.
Of course, Iris knew that no matter how much they circled around the topic, Naya would ultimately agree to her request.
And after a few seconds of thought, Naya gave Iris her answer.
“I agree. Even if I refused, Illya would beg to help Hipper. I really don’t have much choice.”
Naya was right.
With Illya’s affection for Hipper, there was no way she’d sit by and let Hipper return to the palace to face danger alone.
If Naya tried to stop Illya from helping Hipper, Illya would likely think her a coward, and over time, it would create a rift between them.
“Thank you, dear. You’re the best.”
The sudden affection made goosebumps rise on Naya’s skin.
“You always make decisions first and inform me later. But at least you learned from last time, telling me beforehand has eased my anger.”
This time, Iris was following a plan that Naya preferred—one where everything was set up so that Naya had no choice but to help.
Even so, if she’d had the choice, Naya would still support Iris. She didn’t want to drag Illya into any risky ventures, it’s true, but she also didn’t want to become a burden to Iris. She couldn’t let Iris constantly compromise for her sake, as Iris still had her own ambitions, not just their family.
“As long as Miss Naya’s Divine Shield of Protection is around, no one will get hurt.”
“Such a flatterer.”
Naya’s stern expression softened into a smile.
Sometimes, going along with Iris’s plans wasn’t so bad.
She was the strongest shield, while Iris was the strongest spear. As long as they joined forces, no difficulty in the world was insurmountable.
…….
On the other side.
Illya was happily telling Hipper all kinds of love stories about Naya and Iris, sharing amusing details of their married life.
As Illya animatedly painted a picture of the wonders of the dragon clan, Hipper couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of longing in her heart.
“Hipper, did you know? If I become the Dragon King someday, I’ll have the ability to help girls have babies too.”
“Huh?”
Hipper looked at Illya in surprise.
Also?
Could it be that Illya isn’t adopted but actually biologically related?
Hipper wasn’t very familiar with the dragons, but from what little sex education she’d read, girls with girls typically couldn’t have children—only a man and a woman could do that.
“How does it work?”
“Well, you just kiss, eat buns, and then… you go flower-picking…”
“Your Highness!”
Flanna interrupted Illya’s nonsense just in time.
“What’s wrong, Flanna?”
“It’s time for you to return to the Queen. Bella and I need to go out and get dinner.”
“Oh…”
Illya hadn’t had her fill of chatting yet.
“Sigh, time flies. Let’s go to my Mother.”
Illya took Hipper’s hand. Hipper lifted the blanket, got out of bed, and followed Illya out of the room.
She looked at Illya’s back, feeling an unexplainable sense of peace.
Illya was so adorable, and genuinely kind.
If Illya really did become the Dragon King someday, would that mean…
Picturing such a fantastical future, Hipper couldn’t help but blush.
Upon reaching Naya’s room, Illya refrained from talking about anything too intense with Hipper.
Since drinking fresh blood the night before, Hipper had satisfied her vampiric bloodlust. Now primarily governed by her human bloodline, she could eat normal food and actually taste it.
That night, Hipper lay awake.
Having fainted for an entire day, along with her thoughts lingering on the deal with Iris, her mind was a tangled mess.
Excitement, fear, and restlessness mingled together.
Struggling in this inner turmoil, morning finally arrived.
Flanna and Bella assisted Hipper in getting up, brushing her teeth, washing her face, and getting dressed.
After breakfast, Iris entered the room with Naya and Illya, finding Hipper seated at the dining table.
Iris raised her lips in a small smile and asked Hipper,
“Are you ready, Your Highness?”
“I’m ready.”
Hipper clenched her fists, looking as though she were preparing to face death itself.
“Ready for what, Mother?”
Illya looked at Iris blankly.
“Today, Hipper will return to the palace to take revenge on her father. She’ll rely on her own hands to break free from his control, once and for all.”
“Huh?”
Illya’s eyes widened as realization dawned.
“Yes, Illya. I’m going to completely sever my ties with my father and avenge my mother.”
“Something this important, and you’re only telling me now?!”
Illya wailed.
————————
“High Priest, how is it?”
The King had summoned the High Priest yesterday.
After a night of work, using the King’s blood and a strand of hair from Hipper’s room, the High Priest had finally crafted a Blood Relic Compass.
“It’s finished, Your Majesty.”
The High Priest, robed in black, held out a device resembling a compass with both hands, offering it to the King.
It was a black disk with a single silver needle floating above it.
The King carefully cradled the compass.
As he turned, the needle always pointed in one direction.
“As long as she’s within a hundred kilometers, the compass will sense your blood relative’s presence and guide you toward her. Just follow the needle, and you’ll find where the princess is.”
“Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!”
Even though the King had dark circles under his eyes, his emerald gaze shone with unconcealed excitement and delight.
“Once we find the princess, High Priest, I shall reward you with an entire city!”
“May your wish come true, Your Majesty.”
The king handed the compass to the officer who had accompanied him.
“Baris, take this and set out immediately to find the princess. Make sure she is brought back today!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Baris carefully accepted the compass.
The king looked up at the azure sky.
“Hahaha! The sun rises at dawn! I await your good news, Baris.”
At last, he could sleep well.
The king had gone without rest for two days and nights because of this matter.
He took unsteady steps back toward his palace.
Meanwhile, the officer named Baris gathered soldiers to search for the princess. But just as he led a hundred-strong search team to the palace gate, he spotted a familiar figure approaching.
It was a silver-haired girl wearing a black eyepatch, accompanied by a silver-haired woman. They looked like mother and daughter.
But Baris recognized the silver-haired girl as Princess Hipper. After all, who else would wear an eyepatch in such a dramatic way?
“Your Highness! You’ve returned?”
Hipper walked toward Baris. Baris glanced at the woman behind her and instinctively gripped the sword at his waist.
According to the paladins, a silver-haired dragon was among those who had taken the princess.
Was the woman with silver hair behind the princess one of those dragons?
Was the princess being held hostage by this dragon?
Hipper removed her eyepatch.
“Kneel before me, Baris!”
Blood trickled from Hipper’s eyes as her vampire bloodline activated, with her dragon bloodline amplifying her mental dominance.
In an instant, Baris’s gaze went vacant.
“Tell me, where is my father?”
“His Majesty is currently resting in the grand hall,” Baris answered weakly.
“Go fetch him.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Lord Baris, this…”
The soldiers behind Baris were baffled. They hadn’t seen Hipper’s eyes change, but they could see blood streaming from them.
“Disband. I’ll inform His Majesty that the princess has returned, and there’s no need to continue the search.”
“Yes.”
The soldiers dispersed, and Baris began to walk back in a daze.
Hipper led Naya, following Baris’s steps.
But at the palace entrance, two guards raised their spears to block Hipper.
“Your Highness, unauthorized persons are not allowed inside the palace.”
“Do you dare defy me?”
Hipper glared at the two guards.
Without even needing her eyes to bleed, she easily subdued them.
The guards instantly lowered their spears, allowing Naya to pass.
Naya felt her blood surge as if it were ablaze. This sense of absolute control exhilarated her.
Watching the guards’ blank expressions, Naya couldn’t help but mutter inwardly, This is terrifying.
The vampire race was certainly worthy of its reputation.
In all her years in this world, Naya had never encountered a vampire. It was said that there were few left, but each one was a formidable individual, one of the rare races that could rival dragons. Like dream demons, vampires were also a long-lived species.
As Hipper and Naya entered the palace, every soldier who attempted to block Hipper was sternly repelled by her power.
From the watchtower, guards, realizing what was happening, hurried to the king’s chamber and roused the king from his doze on the throne.
“Your Majesty, bad news! The princess has returned! And she’s brought along a stranger—a silver-haired woman.”
“What?!”
The king jolted awake.
“And Your Highness seems… odd. No one who encounters her dares to stop her. She’s just walking into the palace with that stranger.”
The king immediately understood.
“This… isn’t this a vampire’s skill?”
Hipper had actually learned to use it.
But with Hipper’s talent, how could she possibly control well-trained soldiers?
Before the king could ponder further, Hipper stormed in with Naya, with Baris, his eyes vacant, leading the way.
Hipper even control a human with beyond-advanced abilities?
The king’s eyes widened in horror, just as his gaze met Hipper’s blood-red eyes.
Hipper commanded harshly.
“Old man, kneel before me!”
The elderly king’s eyes became rimmed with red. Though his mind could still think, he was shocked to find his body uncontrollably rising from his chair.
His legs trembled, slowly bending.
But the next moment, the king regained his senses. He stood upright, the red faded from his eyes, and his expression was resolute.
“I am the king, I will not be subdued by a mere princess!”
“What?”
“Judging by this, have you sided with the dragons, Hipper? Are you prepared to betray your country?”
The king asked, his face grave.
“I don’t care about any of that! Kneel before me!”
Hipper’s eyes widened as she attempted her power again, her left eye glowing red.
But now her voice was tinged with panic, and she dared not call herself in the lofty “I” anymore.
After all, she was still a young girl, and this was her father. The natural bloodline suppression still lingered.
But she had noticed that, for a moment, she had managed to control him.
Hipper decided to leave the next step to the person behind her.
Even just a few seconds of control would allow Naya to act swiftly and capture the king.
The king smirked, his gaze filled with disdain for Hipper as he laughed arrogantly.
“Hipper, your power cannot affect the same person twice.”
“!!!”
Hipper took a fearful step back. Naya steadied her, and feeling the warmth from the person behind her, Hipper swallowed, trying to mask her fear.
“I don’t know how you managed to control someone like Baris, but your little game ends here, Hipper.”
Hipper heard the clinking of armor from outside the palace.
The palace soldiers had quickly responded and were preparing to apprehend the intruders.
“Baris, capture the king!”
With a quick command, Hipper planned to take the king hostage.
Baris drew the sword at his waist.
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
He charged toward the king, sword raised, but the king raised his hand with a wave.
Boom!
Baris was flung backward through the air.
The king stood firm, like an unyielding mountain.
The weariness he’d shown moments ago was entirely gone now, he seemed like a man in his prime, brimming with strength.
“Hipper, do you think I ascended to the throne without reason? Do you think I could create—give you the power of a vampire?”
“Enough bluffing!”
Naya raised her hand and called out softly,
“Credo!”
A crimson spear appeared in her hand, its sharp tip blazing with intense flames.
“Flame Spear, charge!”
Naya leaped forward, the flames on the spear tip erupting to engulf her in a fireball, hurtling straight toward the king.
Shino
Thanks for the chapter❤️