Chapter 34 – Returning Home

Satisfied after devouring the primary aura points of the serpent, Windor took to the skies, leaving the mutilated carcass behind for other animals to scavenge. There was no need to harvest its hide, fangs, venom glands, or other items.

"None of that will be of any use to you. Those are worthless items from a weak Aura beast," Nala remarked after noticing Edgar's interest in the carcass of the Crotalus Desertignis.

"I see... But having proof of the hunt would be nice. Windor deserves a trophy, don't you think?"

"And what about the girls? How would they feel about that?"

"You're right. I hadn't considered that."

Having a trophy from an Aura Beast that had nearly killed them would hardly be comforting. In fact, it would be humiliating for them to be reminded of this day of despair. Realizing his mistake, Edgar lost interest in the carcass and began searching for the girls.

"Send them home, please, Nala…" Edgar asked politely.

"And why should I?" Nala replied, refusing.

"Huh??" Edgar looked at her in surprise.

"Why should I?" Nala asked again, her expression indifferent.

"You're the one with spatial magic here… You just need to snap your fingers, and they'll be home," Edgar reasoned.

"My spatial magic is unique in this world, Edgar. But it comes at a price... I don't even use it often for myself because it's exhausting. Why should I use it now? You can take them on your useless bird just fine."

"Please, Nala…" Nearly pleading, Edgar grabbed both her hands.

Covering his grip with hers, Nala raised their hands until Edgar was on his tiptoes. Then, with an ironic smile, she whispered to him:

"And what do I gain from this?"

"!!!?? Aren't you ashamed of blackmailing a five-year-old boy?" Edgar protested, his face showing indignation.

"You're not a five-year-old boy, and you can give me what I want."

"No... Absolutely not. Last time, you took me to a gambling den and told the manager I was your lucky charm..." Pulling his hands free from hers, Edgar turned away, grumbling loudly.

"Don't be a hypocrite. I remember very well that you made most of the bets yourself. You even threw yourself at that White Oni attendant," Nala countered, poking him as he had earlier done to her.

"Humph. Just because I wanted to touch her horns doesn't mean you had to push me towards her. You only did it because you wanted to distract me and take my cards. At end, you took all the money I won!" Edgar retorted, stepping farther away from her to escape the pokes.

"You don't need money; you're a five-year-old boy, remember?"

"Saying that you sound like a beggar with no place to die!"

"Watch your tongue, boy. Did you forget who you're speaking to? I am a Great Dragon Lady with more riches and possessions than you can imagine."

"Oh, what a benevolent and majestic Great Dragon Lady you are... Taking the honestly earned money of a boy."

"Stop being insolent. Any common human would kneel and kiss my feet just to be in my presence. Besides, you're already in debt to me."

"I am not!" Edgar spun around, indignantly denying her claim.

"Yes, you are... You've already asked me for three favors today," Nala stated confidently, her smirk widening.

"WHAT? I don't remember asking for three favors..."

He approached her, staring closely as if daring her to explain. Unfazed, Nala leaned in, meeting his gaze with a teasing grin.

"Shall I refresh your memory, Young Lord?"

"By all means, Great Lady Nala," Edgar replied, feigning politeness in an attempt to provoke her.

"First, you contacted me and asked me to convince Inessa to let you leave the house. I agreed out of goodwill because I thought it would be a good chance for you to get some fresh air." Nala straightened and turned her back on him, raising one finger.

"Second, you decided to leave Typhoon at home and asked me to bring you here with my spatial magic. Following so far, Young Lord?" Another finger went up as she began circling Edgar.

As her words sank in, Nala moved until she was behind Edgar. Placing her hands gently on his shoulders, she said:

"And third, you asked me to protect the girls from the explosion caused by your command to your useless bird. Purely out of curiosity and against my better judgment..."

"…" Edgar couldn't respond. His face was a mix of shame and frustration as he silently endured the weight of her words.

"Have you no shame? Imagine the trauma they might have suffered. Mahara is still conscious even now. Imagine what she witnessed... The sea of fire, the toxic smoke, that lake of molten lava, her companions in such deplorable states. Just imagine how she might feel when she learns that you're the one who ordered that useless bird to do it..."

To Edgar, Nala's words were needles piercing his mind and tearing at his soul. Guilt, fear, shame, sorrow, and regret overwhelmed him.

"What will become of them after today? And what will they think of you when they know? The benevolent, kind, and caring Young Lord they so admire placed them in such suffering... I wouldn't know how to face that, and mind you, I have far more experience with tragedies than you can fathom. Tsk-tsk-tsk... Poor things."

"That's a low blow, Nala..."

"It's the truth, boy."

"You win. Satisfied? Let's go home, now..." Edgar muttered softly, lowering his head.

"Very well, boy. Very well. If it's any consolation, they're women. A little affection and care, and they'll come running back to you. Besides, Hendrina, Sonia, and Anya won't remember the explosion. Mahara might be more challenging to handle, of course, but I'm sure you can resolve that with a good, long conversation later."

"…" Edgar said nothing. His expression remained dark and somber.

"Let's go home."

With those words, Nala manipulated her aura, and several ring-shaped portals formed. Four small rings transported the girls first. A massive ring appeared in the sky, which Windor passed through without hesitation.

Finally, a large ring materialized in front of Edgar and Nala. Edgar, looking downcast and dejected, stepped through first, followed by Nala who had a smile on her face.

But before she entered, she sent a message to a group of hunters watching from a distance:

"The carcass of the Rock Scorpion is yours, as well as what remains of the Crotalus Desertignis. But half of the earnings must be donated to the orphanages in Cendris. Announce that this is a gift from the benevolent and esteemed Edgar Crimmont, Nexus Companion of the Dragon Lady Inessa Crimmont…"

With that said, she passed through the portal, which closed immediately after.

_______________________________

"WHAT the hell just happened here??"

A tall, strong woman with red hair, long, curved horns, glinting blue eyes, and gray skin exclaimed, utterly stunned.

"Sweet Aura… If that wasn't terrifying as hell, I don't know what is," replied another woman, even taller and more muscular, with the same gray skin and horns but blue hair and red eyes.

"You two have no idea what that was, do you?" asked a third woman, a brunette with feline ears atop her head and sharp claws on her hands.

"Now isn't the time for this. Let's grab the loot the Holy Dragon Lady left us and get out of here before another Level 4 Beast shows up," said the last of the group, a tiefling with red skin, black hair, and large, downward-curving horns. She was as tall and strong as the tallest of the others.

The women were lying under a massive, enchanted cloak of protection and camouflage. They had been on an expedition to hunt Fodinatrix Spiders, Level 1 or 2 Aura Beasts that specialized in digging tunnels and setting sand traps for their prey.

But while searching for signs of the beasts, the group had stumbled upon Anya's team battling the Crotalus Desertignis. They had thought of helping but were stopped by the same voice that had just gifted them the carcasses.

"The Holy Dragon Lady said it was a gift from the Nexus Companion of the Holy Dragon Lady Crimmont. So, the rumors were true…"

As they rushed to examine the serpent's remains, the feline-eared woman spoke aloud.

"I thought it was just the bard exaggerating, but I may have to reconsider my opinion of her," added the tiefling.