"That's a dragon!"
Even Fujimiya Sumika, who had seen all kinds of strange creatures along the way, was utterly astounded at the sight of the Fire Dragon.
"Rei Ao-kun, isn't this dangerous?"
From her perspective, dragons were unimaginably powerful.
"No danger at all. It's only a mixed-blood lesser dragon,"
Rei Ao answered calmly.
But Marcille, nearby, could not stay calm.
"A...a lesser dragon? That's a Fire Dragon! Are you sure we're safe?!"
"If you're uncertain, check what the others in the chat say,"
Rei Ao replied, tapping the interface.
He had turned on livestream mode, so several who were still awake in the chat saw the so-called Fire Dragon firsthand.
Tohru: "Fire dragon? A giant dragon? Pshh—seriously?"
Tohru: "They're underestimating dragons if they think this is formidable! I could smash it to bits with a single fingertip!"
Akame: "It doesn't have as much menace as the 'dragon-type danger beasts' we have."
Frieren: "It seems not all dragons across worlds have apocalypse-level power like Tohru or the ones in Shizue's world."
Izawa Shizue: "Uh… Velzard-senpai's group says that calling them dragons is an insult and a sacrilege."
Hiiragi Shinoa: "It's more like a big red flame-spewing worm than a true dragon, if I'm honest—am I allowed to say that?"
Marcille: "Eh?!"
She gaped. Did everyone see a dragon in such a casual manner?
Just then, Rei Ao rubbed his chin and asked:
"Sumika, I can tell it's a female dragon—wanna keep it as a pet?"
"A pet?!"
Sumika gasped, eyes wide.
"I—Is that even possible?"
Riding a dragon or something… that would be so cool! But she hesitated, not wanting to inconvenience Rei Ao.
He laughed.
"If you want it, there's no reason you can't have it. After all, you're my girlfriend."
"Rooooar!!!"
The Fire Dragon let out a thunderous roar, spewing flames. Yet Rei Ao simply took Sumika by the hand and, to Marcille's astonishment, walked forward. The dragon flames dissipated before even touching them. They didn't stop until reaching the lava lake's edge. Rei Ao looked up at the huge dragon, his voice still unruffled:
"Kneel."
Of course, the beast did not comprehend human speech. Its jaws gaped, about to breathe scorching fire on them.
"No—!"
Marcille squeezed her eyes shut, recalling the scene where Falin had been devoured. She braced for the worst. But the expected inferno never arrived. Opening her eyes, she saw Rei Ao still standing there.
Boom!
With a loud thud, the Fire Dragon's colossal body dropped to the ground, lowering its head before Rei Ao—almost as if bowing?!
"???"
Marcille was utterly confused by this abrupt change. She didn't know that Rei Ao's True Crimson Dragon God aura made the Fire Dragon surrender instantly.
"Sumika, hold out your hand and place it on its head."
he prompted the stunned Sumika.
"O-okay!"
Trusting Rei Ao absolutely, she reached out and laid her palm on the dragon's scaley head. The next moment, a filament of red energy emerged from Rei Ao's fingertips, wrapping around the dragon's body. The massive form shrank into a glowing red orb that merged into the back of Sumika's hand.
"Wh-what is…?"
Sumika felt a wave of heat. On her hand appeared a small crimson dragon sigil, glowing briefly before fading away.
"I've made a servant pact for you. Now you can summon and command it however you like,"
Rei Ao explained.
"It's not that strong, but it'll be decent as transport and such."
"Th-thank you, Rei Ao-kun."
As the contract bearer, Sumika already understood its function. She gazed at Rei Ao with eyes brimming with affection. Being cared for so attentively warmed her heart.
Meanwhile, Marcille finally shook off her shock. A bolt of realization struck her.
"Wait a minute!"
She remembered why they came—to kill the Fire Dragon and retrieve Falin's corpse to resurrect her! Now the Fire Dragon had become someone's pet…
"How can we resurrect Falin now?!"
"Hm?"
Rei Ao raised an eyebrow.
"We can resurrect her anytime. Like this."
He reached out and, with a simple pull, drew a translucent figure forth from the air.
"Falin!!!"
Marcille cried in alarm upon seeing it—a soul with familiar features. Indeed, it was her friend Falin. Hearing her name, the soul opened its eyes.
"Marcille?"
She blinked, bewildered.
"Why are you here? Wasn't I eaten by a Fire Dragon?"
"Yes, you were,"
Rei Ao calmly interjected.
"So right now you're just a soul."
"Eh?"
Falin stared at him, confused.
"Uh, w-who are you…?"
"I'm Rei Ao, here at Marcille's request to save you."
"Wait, wait, don't just stand around talking!"
Marcille cut in anxiously.
"That's Falin's soul— to resurrect her, we still need her body. Make that dragon spit her out or something!"
She was practically flailing. Bringing Falin back was her utmost priority.
"Let me summon it—!"
Sumika offered, but Rei Ao stopped her with a gesture.
"No need."
"Resurrecting someone is not that complicated for me. Location doesn't matter."
Looking at Falin, he asked:
"Ready?"
"Um, I guess…?"
Without waiting, he put his palm on her head. A soft white glow expanded, enveloping her spectral form. The glow intensified, soon revealing a human skeleton that swiftly grew flesh, nerves, and skin. Within seconds, a fully-formed, naked human girl stood before Marcille.
"Falin!"
Falin's chest rose and fell as she took a breath, gradually opening her eyes in confusion.
"Where…is this? Marcille?"
"Falin!!"
Marcille could no longer hold back. She lunged forward, hugging her once-lost friend, tears dampening Falin's shoulder. Falin, still disoriented from the resurrection, looked around in a daze.
"W-wasn't that all a dream?"
"It's fine now, it's all over… You're back."
Marcille said, choking back sobs.
"Amazing!"
Fujimiya Sumika had witnessed this miraculous revival with her own eyes; they practically shone like little stars. In this moment, Rei Ao seemed utterly godlike in her eyes.
Which meant…she, Fujimiya Sumika, was loved by a god? Her heart soared at the notion, filling her with bliss.
~~~
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