Evil Dragon Chapter 45: Fluffy

Chapter 45: Fluffy

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: CaiCai

 

Lin Nuo stood straight, suppressing the tension within. Looking up with utmost sincerity, he said, “I realized it too late. I’m sorry!”

“Hmm?” Rennes furrowed his brow.

“Don’t worry! I’ll work hard!” Lin Nuo’s eyes sparkled.

“No matter how tough it gets, I’ll strive towards this goal!” Lin Nuo pledged once more.

“No matter how tough?” Rennes pursed his lips, a hint of unknown meaning in his eyes. “Is this really hard for Your Highness?”

“Ah…” Hearing Rennes’ question, Lin Nuo scratched his head, a slightly troubled expression on his face. “Well, there are many things I don’t really like, but if they’re necessary, I’ll still try to adapt.”

Dealing with slippery ministers, deciphering hidden conflicts behind smiles, balancing various interests and demands… Just thinking about it was exhausting. But if these were the paths he had to tread, if this was Rennes’ expectation, he would do his best.

Rennes’ slender fingers lightly touched his lips as he coughed softly. “Your Highness… you don’t like those things, huh.”

Wondering if he had misread something, Lin Nuo felt there was a hint of disappointment in Rennes’ expression. Could it be… Rennes was worried that Lin Nuo wouldn’t excel? No, Lin Nuo had a strong learning capability! Hastily, Lin Nuo said, “Teacher, don’t worry! Even though I don’t like it, I’ll study seriously! I learn quickly—and, and, you’ll always help me, right?”

Rennes fell silent for two seconds, leaning against the wall before slowly speaking, “If Your Highness truly dislikes it, there’s no need to rush.”

Sighing, Lin Nuo said, “But I am in a rush. The time I’ve had for learning before was too little. Teacher, I was just thinking, since I have good stamina now, I can utilize my evenings to study more. Even if Count Kaunitz and the other teachers can’t have classes at night, I plan to ask them for more assignments…”

Lin Nuo continued, outlining all the efforts he intended to put in. Gradually, Rennes’ face lost its barely noticeable blush.

Listening to this diligent student’s “study schedule,” Rennes’ gaze lowered. When he looked up again, it was with his usual cold, profound eyes. “Your Highness wants to set becoming a ‘qualified successor’ as your goal because it’s my wish, is that right?”

Lin Nuo nodded vigorously. “Of course!”

Only that way can you avoid punishment from the system! How severe could the punishment be to render you speechless! I won’t let you suffer that pain because of me again!

After a brief silence, Rennes said, “Your Highness has recovered magical strength and has agile thinking; naturally, you should set that as your goal. Your Highness, rest assured, I’ll support you wholeheartedly.”

Lin Nuo thought Rennes would approve enthusiastically or at least pat his head and praise him for his passionate proposal. But Rennes’ tone was calm and devoid of any special emotion, without a hint of “finally, someone noticed my long-hidden wish.” Unsettled, Lin Nuo tentatively asked, “Teacher… though it might be shameless to ask, is this really your wish?”

At this, Rennes showed a faintly amused expression, lips curving slightly. “Indeed, it is my wish.”

Phew, that’s a relief. Even though Rennes didn’t react strongly, he was generally composed and rarely got excited about anything, so this response was quite normal. Anyway, for Lin Nuo, after making things clear, he felt a weight lifted from his heart. He just had to proceed in this direction from now on.

Of course, there was still something else.  There was something even more important that Lin Nuo had to apologize to Rennes for. Standing up straight once again, Lin Nuo solemnly bowed to Rennes. “Tonight, the ‘incident’ in the garden, I promise you, it won’t happen again!”

Learning to control his yawning and not letting it influence him was also a very important quality, Lin Nuo thought.

Rennes, who had been leaning against the wall with crossed arms, twitched slightly at those words. He shifted his posture, seeming as if he hadn’t understood what Lin Nuo was saying.

“I’m very sorry! I won’t ever put you in such an awkward situation again! I’ll take care of myself! I can do it!” Finishing his words, Lin Nuo didn’t wait for Rennes’ response. He turned to leave, but in his mind, the system’s cold, mechanical voice suddenly sounded:

[“Because the host’s behavior deviates from Rennes Clement’s wish, a deduction of five gold coins as punishment will commence. Punishment countdown starts. 10, 9…”]

Huh?! Hey, hey, hey! Not yet out of the room, Lin Nuo stopped in his tracks, arguing with the system in his mind, “This isn’t right, he clearly said it’s his wish, how can you deduct my gold coins! You aren’t playing fair, system!”

Rennes, behind Lin Nuo, had no idea about the mental turmoil in Lin Nuo’s mind. He only saw the young prince inexplicably stopping, as if waiting for a response.

Rennes sighed, saying, “Your Highness. I didn’t feel embarrassed or awkward. On the contrary, I will cherish such moments.”

Lin Nuo, who couldn’t focus on Rennes’ words, vaguely heard the words “awkward” and “cherished.” He was puzzled about what Rennes had said when the system’s announcement changed, [“Rennes Clement, through his own actions, adjusted the deviation of the host’s behavior. The system will reduce the punishment accordingly, deducting only one gold coin. Punishment countdown restarted—Punishment has been executed.”]

Uh… Did Rennes adjust my behavior? What did Rennes just say? Turning his head, Lin Nuo dared not say he didn’t hear Rennes’ words. Instead, he tentatively asked, “Teacher, I didn’t quite understand what you said just now…”

Rennes squinted his long eyes and calmly said, “Your Highness doesn’t need to understand now. Just know that what you call an ‘accident’ is not an ‘accident’ for me, but a necessity.”

Uh… What does that mean? Lin Nuo was even more bewildered.

Looking at Lin Nuo’s puzzled expression, Rennes sighed again. “It’s getting late, Your Highness. Go back and rest. You did plan a lot for the day, didn’t you?”

“Oh, right!” So this time, Lin Nuo truly ran away.

Left alone in the room, Rennes rubbed his forehead, sighing deeply once more. After Lin Nuo’s footsteps had completely disappeared, Rennes activated his personal crystal and contacted Roy.

As expected, the sociable blond youth was still indulging in nightlife somewhere.

“Roy,” Rennes asked concisely, “About our family rules, especially the last one, you didn’t reveal it to Your Highness Linno, right?”

Finding a secluded place, Roy hurriedly denied, “No, no, of course not!”

“Good.” After getting a positive answer, Rennes was about to end the call.

“Wait, Rennes! Bro!” Roy was too anxious, even changing his address, “Rennes, even though you told me not to say, I have to ask. Do you really have feelings for Your Highness…?”

Rennes frowned, “Of course.”

“But! The level of pain from this punishment… It’s too terrible. What are you planning to do? Keep enduring it until the ‘Sword Bestowal Ceremony’?”

Rennes didn’t want to explain further, just saying, “I have a plan.”

Sighing deeply, Roy found a corner and leaned against the wall, speaking softly, “Rennes, since you’re so serious, should you let Your Highness know? At least, it would make Your Highness understand your intentions and respond to you, so you won’t be in so much pain?”

“A response?” Rennes smiled bitterly, “His first response would be to run away and avoid me, so I don’t have to suffer.”

These days, he had learned how tender Lin Nuo’s heart was and how unwilling he was to hurt others. Perhaps because Lin Nuo had been raised outside and had not experienced normal expressions of affection, this fellow’s comprehension of “love” might be even less than that of a pet.

Speaking of which, when Lin Nuo maintained the appearance of a little demon, he was surprisingly honest, openly accepting the affection for the “little demon.” In his human form, Lin Nuo seemed completely unaware of how cute and lovable he was. If Lin Nuo knew his true feelings before clearly recognizing his own emotions, his first reaction might be: Ah? So liking me will make Rennes suffer? Then I must not let him like me anymore! I have to keep my distance!

As for whether keeping his distance would make Lin Nuo himself sad, Rennes doubted that it was within Lin Nuo’s consideration.

Just like in the courtyard just now, after some comforting, Lin Nuo, with red eyes, insisted on having people acknowledge that this was just a very common behavior with no special meaning. Just like this guy rushing over inexplicably, apologizing profusely for his “inappropriate behavior” and promising it won’t happen again.

This display made Rennes suspect that Lin Nuo might have learned something. So, Rennes decided that until other obstacles were cleared, until he guided this fool to understand his true feelings, he couldn’t disturb him, couldn’t let him fly far away like he did before, leaving only a seemingly obscure note.

Lin Nuo rushed back to his room and quickly opened his treasured coin box, shaking as he checked: Ah! It was missing! Truly missing! Over the past two months, he had tried his hardest, utilizing every trick—from various places, or rather, from tricking and deceiving Rennes—to gather 11 gold coins. He remembered every minute detail of each coin distinctly.

But now, really, one coin was missing! The system, this heartless system! Lin Nuo covered his face, looking completely distraught.

So what did I guess wrong? I confirmed with Rennes that becoming a king was his wish. Wait, the system didn’t punish me just now. The system suddenly imposed punishment after I apologized to him, saying I would control myself and prevent such incidents in the future. Then Rennes said something about all the accidents being a necessity, and the system acknowledged it again… 

All the accidents being a necessity? What does that mean? Could it be… Rennes believes that if I don’t eliminate these evil thoughts, such behavior will naturally occur? He’s hinting that I need to get rid of these thoughts to fundamentally avoid such accidents?

Speaking of which, why do I exhibit such strange behavior? Is it somehow related to the dragon’s mating season? How is the dragon’s mating season going now?

After ensuring no one would disturb him, Lin Nuo used magic to sense around and then transformed into a dragon.

Hmm, how to test this…? The little dragon closed his eyes and started thinking about Rennes… Oh no, I’m going to breathe fire! 

Lin Nuo hurriedly dashed into the bathroom and spewed a burst of flames into the filled bathtub.

Phew, phew. Oh no. It seems like it didn’t improve at all; if anything, it got worse?

Regretfully hovering in the air, Lin Nuo suddenly noticed his reflection in the large mirror: Huh? This appearance?! I’ve grown up?! I’m finally not a tiny little guy of 10 centimeters; now I’m at least as big as a rabbit! And indeed, just like the ancient book described, I’ve really become fluffy? Uh, although I’m bigger now, I still lack presence and look more like… a flying rabbit or a fluffy toy axolotl dragon…

This appearance is still far from the “evil dragon” I drew at that time; it’s completely unlike the same creature. Fluttering his much larger wings, Lin Nuo stared blankly, thinking: It seems like even though I’ve entered the “hidden route,” my character design remains in the realm of “children’s literature”? Can’t I look more awe-inspiring! according to the stages delineated in that ancient book, I’ve successfully entered the stage where I can freely spew fire and roar, right?

With this thought, Lin Nuo aimed at the bathtub again, “Breathe fire!”

And then, he indeed spewed flames! Moreover, the flames were quite powerful, turning all the water in the bathtub into vapor! Wow, I’ve made progress! Whether it’s due to a successful transition after the mating season or the magic watch absorbing enough magic, in any case, I’ve leveled up! I’m no longer the pitiful one who couldn’t even beat a crow!

Lin Nuo was so thrilled that he did several somersaults in the air.

Lin Nuo spent quite some time in the bathroom, struggling with the fire-breathing game until it was almost dawn before reluctantly giving it up and returning to his room, reverting to his human form. Surprisingly, this time, when he transformed back, he was wearing clothes! No more worries about running around naked!

Overjoyed, Lin Nuo spent some time organizing his “treasure” again. He had 10 gold coins left, of which three had lost their luster, indicating their depleted magical energy. He decided to leave these three behind to save space for the new coins.

As he attempted to place the three coins in a drawer, a surge of aggressive magic hit him, prompting him to reflexively slam the drawer shut. The source of this magic seemed to be the bracelet he had placed in the drawer before leaving the palace—a bracelet that Nana had handmade, missing two beads and leaving two bloodstains on Lin Nuo’s hand.

Several days ago, Lin Nuo wouldn’t have sensed anything unusual about the bracelet. But now, even just opening the drawer, he could see a black vortex, resembling a snake with bared fangs, hovering over the bracelet.

Lin Nuo hesitated to open the drawer again. Previously, he had been solely focused on leaving the place as quickly as possible, ignoring any hidden dangers. He didn’t have the ability to detect what was concealed within the bracelet back then. But now…

Lin Nuo subconsciously touched the pocket watch Rennes had given him. His thoughts and capabilities had changed.

The next morning, Lin Nuo, as usual, strolled to the edge of the woods.

Nana, who was absent the day before, was now playing with a ball near the fountain. It was early June, and the palace’s ladies had already switched to summer dresses that bared their arms and shoulders. Nana, despite being a child, still wore a heavily covered high-necked dress, concealing her arms securely.

Lin Nuo, seemingly oblivious to the oddity, greeted Nana from a distance, just like before. Upon seeing Lin Nuo, Nana instinctively wanted to run over but stumbled a bit, stopping in her tracks with beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

Lin Nuo furrowed his brow but then relaxed it, choosing to ignore it, and cheerfully asked Nana what she had been up to these days and shared his own adventures. Nana, who usually bounced around incessantly, was unusually quiet today, attentively listening and occasionally attempting to speak before closing her mouth again, as if wanting to say something but too scared to.

Observing her behavior, Lin Nuo sat down and gently touched the child’s head, asking with a tender look, “What’s wrong?”

Nana looked at Lin Nuo and softly asked, “Brother Linno, did you stop wearing the bracelet I gave you? Don’t you like it?”

Lin Nuo chuckled bitterly, “No, how could I not like it! I’m just so clumsy. I accidentally damaged it shortly after putting it on, so I’m not wearing it now.”

“Oh…” Nana seemed relieved but also somewhat aggrieved, her eyes slightly reddened.

Seeing Nana’s expression, Lin Nuo said, “Nana, what’s wrong? Did someone ask about it?”

Nana’s eyes flickered, she lowered her head and shook it hastily, saying, “No, no one asked. It’s just me thinking about it…”

In fact, a couple of days ago, Nana’s father, Otto, abruptly barged into her room. She had initially thought he would play games with her and give her gifts, just like he did a few days ago, but he lashed out at her, striking her arm when she instinctively tried to shield her face. He continued to whip her while cursing her, saying why she couldn’t even give a simple gift to Linno, and that since Linno had returned alive, he was doomed.

As Nana cried out and tried to hide under the bed, Otto grabbed her and threw her to the ground, causing a loud crack. Nana felt excruciating pain in her leg; it was probably broken. Through the tears, she witnessed Otto talking on a communication crystal. He seemed angry, discussing something about Lin Nuo and his position as a prince.

Then, suddenly, he stopped the beating, changed his tone, and ordered someone to apply medicine to Nana’s wounds. He mentioned being angry because Linno didn’t wear the bracelet Nana had given him. He also promised to bring Nana’s mother back to the palace if Nana followed his instructions and took Lin Nuo to an abandoned side hall on the night of the fireworks event.

Kneeling on the ground, trembling, Nana remembered her father’s words and thought, Father wouldn’t lie to me, right? He might get angry suddenly, might suddenly hit me, but he loves me and treats me well, right? Besides my mother, he’s my only family!

So, Nana nodded blankly while her broken bones slowly began to heal.

Observing Nana’s clearly distressed expression, Lin Nuo chose not to press for more details and simply smiled, saying, “I forgot to take the bracelet out today. Next time, could Nana help me repair it again?”

Nana also smiled, very happy, “Of course! I’d love to!”

In her joy, Nana didn’t forget about the new task Otto had assigned her, so she asked, “By the way, Brother Linno, are there going to be fireworks at the palace tomorrow night?”

Still smiling warmly, Lin Nuo answered, “Yes, there’ll be fireworks. It marks the beginning of the summer festival.”

Nana blinked and repeated Otto’s instructions verbatim, “So, Brother Linno, can you watch the fireworks with Nana tomorrow night? At the small side hall in the northwest corner of the palace’s back garden, inside the artificial lake? Just you and no one else?”

Looking at the girl sweating profusely, Lin Nuo gently took her cold hand, quickly traced a few strokes on the back of her hand with his finger, and straightforwardly replied, “Of course. I will be there tomorrow night.”

Nana’s face brightened up, and she seemed relieved. With a grateful smile, she nodded, seemingly reassured by Lin Nuo’s commitment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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