REFDL 7

It was a night when sleep eluded me. I finally drifted off just before dawn.

Then I had a dream I’d also had when I was very young.

Strangely, once I had it, the dream would repeat for at least a few days.

Come to think of it, there was a dragon in that one too.

The content and atmosphere were almost like a horror movie, so as a child, I often woke up crying.

At some point, I became a dry teenager and forgot about it.

Now, it just felt strange.

I wonder if that was a premonition…

Tsk

I clicked my tongue, shook my body vigorously, and stretched.

Maybe it’s because the bed was uncomfortable.

Though I couldn’t sleep I was still feeling uncomfortable, so I scratched the scales on the back of my head with my claws.

“Ahhh!”

What the hell?!

At that moment, a piercing scream echoed from somewhere.

I jumped up from the bed.

A dragon’s hearing was extraordinary; I could pick up screams from quite a distance. There was no time to hesitate. I flew out of the nest like an arrow.

I’d never flown so fast in my life. Fortunately, the screams continued.

“Don’t come near! Get lost!”

There was a small basin between the wolf pack and the village.

Familiar faces appeared in the place filled with cotton flowers, the main material for my bed.

That’s…!

Unlike the little ones who only played within the village, it was the trio who ventured deep into the forest to gather food.

The situation was urgent.

A girl holding a spear stood with her back to a low cliff, facing off against the wolves.

The two boys were on the cliff above. Their faces were pale as they looked down.

They were desperate to help the girl.

The boy with light peach-colored hair kept throwing stones at the wolves. The beasts hesitated, then retreated before closing the distance again.

The smaller boy was busily crafting something. It was a rope, clumsily woven from scraps of clothing.

“Aaah! Aaaah!”

“Rotol! Rotol, stay calm!”

Fortunately, perhaps having had a harsh encounter with blades somewhere before, the wolves remained wary of the crude spear and didn’t charge.

But that too was only a matter of time.

What should I do?

Honestly, I was scared.

I was always a cowardly sort. I hated pain and was a terrible whiner.

The only reason I’d ever managed to act calm was thanks to my dragon instincts’ influence.

You could say the monster’s blood and instincts diluted my human, cowardly soul.

If not for that, I’d have panicked and cried the moment I hatched, exhausted myself to death before the day was out.

Anyway.

Once I confirmed the alpha wasn’t there, I mustered some courage. The wild dragon inside me roared.

…Because ordinary wolves that couldn’t pierce my scales weren’t scary!

Just then, perhaps its patience had ran out, the wolf loitering at the front lunged at the girl.

“Rotol!!”

The boy atop the cliff screamed. I kicked off the tree trunk I stood on and jumped down like a hawk.

Thud!

I stomped on the wolf with my front claws, gravity adding to the force. The wolf’s spine snapped, killing it instantly. Standing over the dead beast, I raised my head and spread my wings wide. I took a deep breath, then roared.

GRRRR!

The basin echoed as if it were vibrating.

Back when I was palm-sized. I was the one who once moved the parent dragon’s heart with a single roar.

Now, bigger than then, I could produce a rather convincing roar, even though I was young.

The wolves flinched and retreated. Their reaction was different from when they dodged the boy’s stone.

Tails tucked between their legs. Bodies turned sideways, ready to flee at any moment.

Grrrrrrr!

I puffed my wings even wider.

I threatened the beast as I looked back at the girl behind my back.

I had rushed in hastily to save her first, without considering the girl’s reaction or feelings.

The appearance of a monster far more threatening than mere wolves. What if the child was even more terrified? It was a belated worry…

“…Whoa!”

Useless worry!

The girl was perfectly fine. In fact, her eyes were shining a bit too brightly…

Hmm, this is awkward.

She hesitated slightly, but didn’t move away from me. She seemed to understand I was trying to protect her.

I looked ahead again. How could I get her to safety without making her feel threatened in this situation?

Just as I was pondering, the wolves suddenly began howling.

Awoo!

‘…….’

It didn’t feel good.

As expected. An ominous howl rapidly approached from the distance. It was the alpha.

You bastards……!

Hearing the alpha’s response, the wolves spread out. They formed a semicircle around me and the girl and surrounded us. Their intention was to buy time until the leader arrived.

I have no choice.

I hadn’t wanted to use this method, fearing it would frighten her, but now there was no other option.

I turned my long neck around. Before the startled girl could react, I snatched her small body into my mouth.

“Ah!”

I braced for the spear (though it wouldn’t pierce my scales anyway), but surprisingly, the girl only flinched and gripped the spear tightly, she didn’t stab me with it.

She really is smart.

Feeling both admiration and relief, I put strength into my wings. The wolves, finally grasping the situation, charged forward.

I soared vertically upward with a fierce wind. The stupid beasts collided with each other below, yelping in pain.

“Whoa!”

The girl seemed convinced I wouldn’t harm her, she cheered while clinging to my mouth. It was bravery beyond boldness.

I scaled the cliff in one swift leap. The wolves refused to give up, repeatedly clawing at the wall before falling back down. 

The cliff was wave-shaped. Its upper edge faced the basin. Its structure was such that wingless quadrupeds could never climb it, no matter how hard they tried.

Kekeke!

I turned away, mocking the stupid beasts.

The two boys who had been pressed against the cliff had already retreated to the tree trunk.

The boy with the pale peach-colored hair aimed his wooden sword at me. The blond child hid behind him, clutching a stone with trembling hands and aiming it at me.

Like a large dog careful not to startle a kitten, I set the girl down on the ground with the smallest possible movement. She didn’t look back at the boys. Her sparkling eyes looked up at me.

It was fortunate she wasn’t afraid,

But this is a bit overwhelming.

I panicked, my eyes darting around. Then the boy with the wooden sword turned his head around. His eyes, as pale as his hair, widened. He shouted at the girl.

“Rotol! Wolves!”

The alpha reached the cliff. Though he could have jumped up alone, he didn’t. He knew one-on-one, he was now at a disadvantage.

Instead, he led his pack himself. They circled around the cliff, climbed up the lower crescent shaped section, and reached the upper tier.

It happened in an instant.

The savage beasts bared their teeth as they charged toward us.

We’re done for.

The tables had turned.

What do I do?!

If I were alone, I could just fly away. But now, there are kids.

I only have one mouth, but there are three kids!

Holding them with my front or back claws was also out of the question. I couldn’t be sure the kids would let themselves be caught, and a dragon’s clumsy claws weren’t suited for holding soft things.

I imagined grapes bursting open.

‘…….’

It was a truly pointless fantasy.

Unlike me, overwhelmed by the urgent situation, the girl remained calm and wise as ever.

“Mirim! The rope!!”

“Uh, ah!”

The girl held out her hand. The boys hesitated, then gritted their teeth and charged toward me.

She had them each climb onto my feet. She wrapped the makeshift rope they had made for the rescue around both their ankles and mine.

Handing each the end of the rope, she urged them.

“Hold tight! You absolutely must not let go!”

Then she raised both arms confidently overhead.

Like a cat stretching its body, she looked adorable even in that moment. She was impressive, cute, and doing it all alone.

I grabbed the girl by the waist with my mouth.

The wolves had closed in to within striking distance. It was a rare opportunity. They wouldn’t want to miss it.

The alpha, several meters ahead of the pack, lunged like a bullet.

Thud!

His teeth grazed my tail.

Cold sweat poured out. I’m a reptile!

I shivered and looked back. The alpha roared from the cliff’s edge, drool dripping from his mouth. That bastard has rabies.

That was dangerous.

I swallowed dryly.

Then my tongue brushed against the girl’s side.

The child shifted her body slightly. The sudden pause caused a brief dive. A scream erupted from both legs. The girl looked at me with eyes that sparkled even brighter.

I quietly averted my gaze and flew toward the village. I was careful not to accidentally bite the girl caught in my mouth.