Evil Dragon Chapter 23: Stingy?

Chapter 23: Stingy?

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: CaiCai, Kris

The next morning, even though there was a journey to prepare for, Lin Nuo didn’t need to lift a finger when it came to packing luggage and such. As usual, Lin Nuo attended classes. After class, he ran off to swing on the swings with Nana, play hopscotch, and kick the ball around.

Unlike Lin Nuo, who had been absent-minded, Nana was unusually cheerful today. The little girl had combed her usually messy hair neatly, braiding it into two twisted brands on her head, making her face even more lovely and adorable. Additionally, her old, worn-out ball had been replaced by a brand-new one, beautifully decorated with patterns of flowers.

After playing for a while, Nana held the ball and said to Lin Nuo, “Big brother, I have to go home first today! Dad is coming to have lunch with me today!”

Suddenly understanding why the little girl was so ecstatic today, Lin Nuo gently smiled and said, “That’s great, then you should go home quickly.”

With her big eyes blinking, Nana took out a small handmade bracelet and handed it to Lin Nuo, saying, “Brother Linno, Nana made this with beads herself, take it as a thank-you gift for being like a bear to me!”

Seeing the expectant look in Nana’s eyes, Lin Nuo immediately put on the bracelet and praised, “It’s so pretty! Thank you, Nana!”

Nana giggled and then happily ran off like a little bird. As she ran away, she turned back to wave at Lin Nuo. Lin Nuo smiled and waved back continuously. Once Nana had gone far away, Lin Nuo strolled back to his own suite.

As soon as he entered the room, he felt discomfort on his wrist, so he had to remove the bracelet. After taking it off, Lin Nuo noticed that two black beads were missing from it. Also, perhaps due to the rough material of the bracelet, there were two small blood spots left on his wrist.

Lin Nuo wasn’t bothered by the two little blood spots; he was just wondering where he might have dropped the beads. Throughout most of the journey, he had been lost in thoughts about Rennes and hadn’t noticed the beads falling off the bracelet. He sighed, displeased with his wandering mind, and put the bracelet in a drawer.

During the political class, Lin Nuo found it extremely hard to concentrate. Luckily, Count Kaunitz didn’t criticize him; instead, he kept comforting Lin Nuo, telling him not to feel too much pressure about transporting the crystals, which made Lin Nuo feel even more embarrassed. Towards the end of the class, with a gentle smile, Count Kaunitz asked Lin Nuo if he was willing to continue doing assignments during the mission.

Looking at Count’s kind smile and being lost in thought throughout the lesson, Lin Nuo couldn’t bring himself to refuse and obediently noted down a pile of small essays.

After Lin Nuo finished jotting down the titles, Count Kaunitz added, “By the way, Your Highness, if you have any questions about the assignments during this time, you can always consult with Sir Rennes.”

Lin Nuo was surprised, “Hmm? Can Sir Rennes help me on these political assignments?”

Count Kaunitz chuckled, “Of course. Sir Rennes is quite knowledgeable in many aspects. Your Highness can definitely take advantage of this opportunity to seek advice from him.”

Lin Nuo responded with an “Oh,” but in his mind, he was thinking: Seek advice? These next few days might be too awkward to even speak…

At three in the afternoon, it was time for their departure. Lin Nuo carried his sketchbook & assignment book to meet Rennes outside the stable. Upon seeing this person from afar, Lin Nuo inexplicably felt a little flustered, quickly turning his gaze away and not daring to look directly at him.

Rennes appeared exceptionally calm, as if nothing had happened. Watching Rennes look completely normal, Lin Nuo felt even more uncomfortable.

Perhaps, for him, not having to teach a student like me was a form of relief? Ah, maybe he wanted to get rid of this burden a long time ago! Lin Nuo thought to himself with a huff, deliberately avoiding looking at Rennes and focusing instead on watching the attendants load luggage into the storage compartments of the carriage.

Unlike the black carriage Lin Nuo had ridden in before, this one was entirely beige, with the royal emblem outlined in gold thread on the body and a magnificent pure gold crown set on top. Before boarding, the attendants covered the carriage with a specially made black cloth, disguising this luxurious royal carriage as an ordinary four-wheeled carriage.

Why was that? Lin Nuo was curious.

“Your Highness, this is a request from His Majesty the King. This disguise conceals the royal identity and minimizes disturbance to the public. The royal identity is only revealed during the final part of the return journey to accept blessings from the people,” explained one of the attendants, anticipating Lin Nuo’s inquiry.

Oh, that’s quite reasonable, Lin Nuo thought.

Inside the carriage, there were two sections. One area had a regular sofa chair for sitting or lying down, while opposite the sofa was a specially designed cage.

It was said that this cage was made specifically for transporting crystals. Due to the unstable nature of these ceremonial crystals which could cause them to easily explode, a custom made magic-warded cage was necessary to minimize the chances of accidental explosions. Consequently, despite the spacious interior of the carriage, the passengers could only sit on the one sofa on the side.

Thinking about having to sit on the same sofa as Sir Rennes made Lin Nuo nervous. Even though the sofa was wide enough, if the carriage swayed, there might be a chance their bodies would collide. After boarding the carriage, he immediately took the window-end of the sofa, trying to leave as much space as possible for Rennes.

Rennes didn’t enter the carriage at all. Instead, he sat next to the carriage driver and knocked on the compartment, saying, “Your Highness, please take a seat. We’re about to depart.”

He doesn’t even want to sit next to me? Well, fine then! I’ll enjoy this big sofa all to myself! So comfortable! I could even lie down and sleep! Lin Nuo consoled himself while pouting and leaning against the silk-embroidered backrest of the sofa.

The carriage didn’t move particularly fast. Swinging and swaying through the afternoon, they hadn’t managed to pass through Faro City by dinnertime. They got off and found a restaurant. Lin Nuo had thought he would at least sit at the same table with Rennes for dinner. Rennes mentioned he wasn’t hungry and stood outside the restaurant, waiting for Lin Nuo to eat alone.

With a despondent expression, Lin Nuo tried to cut through a lamb chop, but each bite seemed stuck in his throat, making it impossible to swallow.

By nightfall, the carriage had swayed for a while longer and finally arrived at the edge of Faro City, stopping in front of an inn. For Lin Nuo’s protection, his room was adjacent to Rennes’. If anything happened at night, Lin Nuo could shout loudly, and Rennes would hear.

Before entering the room, Rennes finally spoke up, “Your Highness, rest well. I’ll wake you up at half-past seven tomorrow morning.”

Lin Nuo wanted to say something, but Rennes swiftly entered his own room. Lin Nuo stood still for a few seconds, feeling quite aggrieved. What’s wrong with him being so petty?! Did I just speak a little too much earlier?! Does he have to avoid me like this?!

He felt like storming over, smashing open Rennes’ door, and then—

And then what did he plan to do?

Lin Nuo had no idea. Perhaps clarify things and then sincerely apologize to each other?

After taking a shower, Lin Nuo paced around in his robe within the room. He opened his small essay book but couldn’t focus on a single word. After giving up on writing the essay, Lin Nuo lay down on the bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, devoid of sleepiness. But, for some reason, he felt extraordinarily tired and sleepy, unable to lift his eyelids. Moreover, the inconspicuous wound on his wrist started to ache, radiating discomfort from his arm to his heart.

This feels terrible… Is it because I’ve been too tired these past few days? Just sleeping and holding onto the gold coin should make it better… Tonight, I absolutely can’t turn into a dragon… Sir Rennes is in the next room… He kept reminding himself. He secretly placed the gold coin under his pillow and grabbed onto it.

Then, as if losing consciousness, Lin Nuo fell into a deep sleep.

Seven hours later, Lin Nuo blinked his eyes and woke up. Hmm… Is it morning already?

Soon, Rennes would come and knock on the door, asking if he had woken up.

Lin Nuo got up from the bed, trying to step out onto the floor—

“Thud!” He slipped and slammed his face onto the carpet.

“Huh?!” Lin Nuo was shocked, shaking his head in confusion, looking at his short little paws: When did I turn into a dragon again?! No, I have to turn back!

He struggled hard, his round face turning red, trying desperately to turn back into a human—

To no avail.

He was still a little creature, less than 10 centimeters long, looking incredibly foolish. What’s going on? I’m not even feverish; why can’t I transform back again?!

[Warning! Warning! Current coin magic depleted, current coin magic depleted! Host temporarily unable to maintain human form! If host’s identity is revealed, it will directly lead to the BE! Directly lead to the BE!]

In Lin Nuo’s mind, large red words and a blaring alarm appeared.

At that moment, there came a gentle knock on the door, “Your Highness, it’s time to get up.”

 

 

 

 

 

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