Volume 4 Chapter 67

Volume 4 + Chapter 67: Riding A Dragon To The North 

“Apprentice Maid Elly of the Royal Maid Corps, step forward!”

“Here!”

In response to Xia Yi’s call, the little Green Dragon maid, holding her mop almost like a weapon, took a step forward. She raised her hand in a formal salute to Xia Yi.

“I command you in the name of the Dragon Royal Family, Elly, the task of accompanying me to the Far North Lands is entrusted to you!” Xia Yi asked. “Do you have confidence in completing this mission?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, I am full of confidence!” Elly declared. “I will definitely not fail Your Highness’s trust. I will overcome all difficulties and obstacles for Your Highness’s journey to the Far North Lands, firmly upholding Your Highness!”

“Then, Elly, what do you think you need to provide for yourself?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, of course, it is determination, courage, and—”

Elly took a deep breath, revealing a very resolute gaze, and emphasized loudly in a powerful tone:

“Loyalty!”

“Excellent!”

Xia Yi was quite satisfied with Elly’s declaration and patted the little Green Dragon maid’s shoulder.

“Then, Elly, get ready. We are about to depart.”

“That’s wonderful!!”

Elly almost wanted to pick Xia Yi up and spin around on the spot to celebrate.

After all, receiving a task directly from the Dragon Royal Family was an honor reserved for formal maids.

This opportunity was unprecedented for Elly.

If she could truly complete the mission, her chances of becoming a formal member, while not guaranteed, would be almost certain.

Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, Aunt, Uncle, Aunt, Auntie…

I’m going to be promoted!

She almost felt like popping open champagne to celebrate early. Her entire extended family would soon be proud of her for achieving an official position in the Royal Maid Corps!

“Your Highness, will there be anyone else accompanying us this time? Like Sister Lucia or Sister Serra…”

“No, Elly. This time, it’s just you,” Xia Yi replied.

“It’s… just me?!”

Elly was very surprised.

First came shock, then excitement, and great joy.

This clearly indicated the Princess’s recognition of her! She must repay this trust, even if it meant going through fire and water, even at the cost of her life!!

…

Xia Yi, riding on Elly who had released her true dragon form, set off. They left the Dragon Royal Palace, soared into the skies above the Northern Royal Capital, and headed towards the even more distant north.

Although Elly was younger than other members of the Royal Maid Corps, even in her true dragon form, her stature wasn’t small, she still fell into the category of a giant dragon.

Calculated by dragon years, Elly was nearly an adult.

Thinking of this, Xia Yi felt a bit depressed.

In human form, Elly wasn’t much taller than her, so why was there such a big difference in their true dragon forms?

“When will I ever…”

“Your Highness, what did you say?” Elly inquired.

“Nothing! Elly, focus on flying, don’t get distracted! What if you collide with another dragon and cause a traffic accident?”

“As you command, Your Highness. I will definitely concentrate!” Elly fell silent, focusing on flying.

“Phew…”

Xia Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

She couldn’t let other dragons discover what her own true dragon form looked like, especially those from the Dragon Royal Palace. If word got out, her dignity would be completely gone.

That careless complaint almost revealed the matter, thankfully, she reacted quickly and glossed over it.

Traveling from the Northern Royal Capital to the further northern regions required considerable time even for a flying dragon.

Long-distance flight was particularly draining.

An ordinary dragon would have needed to rest several times along the way.

However, Elly’s physical stamina was quite strong. She flew the entire way without stopping. Xia Yi even took a nap on Elly’s back and, upon waking, found Elly was still flying.

This kind of endurance was something Xia Yi definitely couldn’t match.

As the two journeyed northward, Xia Yi could clearly feel the climate changing.

From some point on, snowflakes began to fall continuously from the sky, and the ground was covered in a blanket of white snow, as if dressed in silver garments.

Just before reaching the border region of the Far North Lands, Xia Yi noticed something.

Elly seemed to be frequently gazing in a certain direction, as if preoccupied.

“Elly, you keep looking over there. Why?” Xia Yi inquired. “Are there suspicious individuals following us along the way?”

“Ah? Your Highness, no, there aren’t any suspicious individuals following us. Please rest assured on that point. I have carefully confirmed it several times during the flight.”

“Then why?”

“It’s just… Your Highness, it’s nothing!” Elly seemed to want to brush it off.

But Xia Yi pressed on. “Elly, report immediately! No withholding!”

“Alright, Your Highness,” Elly said reluctantly. “Actually… that’s the direction of my hometown. My home is over there.”

“Elly’s home?”

“Mhm… It’s actually not too far from the Far North Lands.”

“I understand. Elly is homesick, right?” Xia Yi concluded. “Missing Mom and Dad!”

“… Yes.”

“What’s this, Elly? You really are a bit like a child.” Xia Yi laughed.

Elly felt a bit embarrassed. “I… am not as mature and steady as Your Highness!”

“… Uh.”

Xia Yi suddenly remembered something. Actually, she was also…

Well, it seemed she didn’t have much right to laugh at Elly either!

She pondered for a moment.

“Elly, then let’s go straight to your home.”

“Your Highness?!” Elly was very surprised. “That won’t do! You have important business to attend to. How can it be delayed because of my childishness?”

“That’s not correct, Elly. This isn’t a delay. You’ve been flying non-stop for so long. Both your spirit and stamina are depleted. You need proper rest. The Far North Lands are so dangerous. We were already planning to rest at the border region anyway. So, let’s change course and head to your hometown now. It’s not too far, after all.”

“Your Highness… Wuwuwu! Thank you so much!!” Elly was deeply moved.

After that, Elly changed direction, heading towards her hometown.

Perhaps because the distance was short, or perhaps due to homesickness, in less than an hour, Elly carried Xia Yi to her hometown.

From afar, Xia Yi saw Elly’s hometown—a rather small village.

But as Elly flew closer and saw the sight of her hometown, the smile on her face froze. She could hardly believe her eyes.

Even Xia Yi was startled by the scene before her. This place… could hardly be called a hometown anymore.

“Why… why has my home become like this?!” Elly roared.