Chapter 237 - Reunion with the Dragon Maiden

Limited by the Soul Totem, she was very sensitive to Gaven’s scent, so much that even though he was clad in a sealed full-body armor, she recognized him at a glance.Shanoba had always thought that time could erase everything, including pain, including fear.

During this time, she hadn’t actively reached out to Gaven; the old nun Stephanie was watching closely, which was one reason.

On the other hand, Shanoba’s control over Gaven was something her subconscious resisted.

Moreover, it seemed as though Gaven had forgotten about her as well, as he never tried to contact her.

But when they were reunited, that old fear overwhelmed her mind, suffocating and pervasive.

No, that wasn’t right.

The oppressive aura emanating from Gaven, compared to last time, had intensified.

In Shanoba’s eyes, Gaven was not merely a person but a towering tree that one could only look up to, and in front of him, she felt so insignificant, so helpless.

The courage for resistance that had built up in her heart dissipated with just one look from him.

In his cold eyes, Shanoba saw one word: "Run!"

That word directly translated into action for Shanoba, who, without hesitation, turned her head and fled.

This time, Gaven didn’t use the power of the Dragon Oak Mother Tree to control her, but her body reacted instinctively.

The Black Dragoness had fled!

Their leader had fled without a fight!

Without the Wyvern to constrain them, what could they use to fight against the Red Copper Dragon?

"The leader has fled, we can’t win, run!"

"Run, woof..." ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt

"Follow the leader, woof..."

The Gnolls were the first to react.

The intelligence of most Gnolls and Goblins was on par with one another; neither was particularly smart.

Which gave them a propensity for blind obedience, especially towards those with Giant Dragon Bloodline.

As Shanoba, their leader, took flight, they didn’t think twice, dropping everything in their hands and running after her.

Some Goblin fools, seeing the Gnolls running, also stupidly followed suit.

These two creatures made up more than half of the Monster Tribe, and when the majority of them had scampered away in a rush, only a handful of Hobgoblins, Orcs, and Jackalweres remained, unsure whether to flee or stay.

To flee meant victory was within reach, with piles of goods awaiting them, some of which were already exposed—shiny weapons and Armor, tantalizingly within reach.

Not to flee meant their leader had fled, the cannon fodder had fled, and a ferocious group of Hobgoblin Wolf Cavalry, as fierce as wolves and tigers, pounced upon them without any intention to negotiate.

No matter whether they were Hobgoblins, Orcs, Jackalweres, or the caravan’s coachmen or guards, anyone who dared to raise a weapon was cut down, one by one.

By the time the Hobgoblin Wolf Cavalry had charged through a third of the caravan, the rest of the Monster Tribe could no longer muster the courage to resist and silently turned tail, fleeing faster than they had come.

Seeing that he missed his chance to strike, Gaven turned to the Hobgoblin Warlord and said, "Blood Claw General, leave this place to you. Whether they are humans or monsters, as long as they do not resist, drive them away. Clean up the battlefield promptly and withdraw with the goods to avoid unforeseen complications. I’ll go meet an old friend."

Because of Undead Necromancy and Resurrection Magic, there was no point in completely annihilating these people. Any Transcendent Archmage could easily extract the information they wanted from them.

With a Fairy Step, Gaven jumped onto Aivensa’s back.

Without any need for commands, the Young Red Copper Dragon intuitively pursued in the direction where the Wyvern had fled.

After leaping over just three mountain peaks, Gaven and the dragon had caught up with Shanoba, who had reverted to her original form.

Perhaps she guessed that Gaven would inevitably pursue and, knowing she couldn’t escape, she stopped and waited for him, saving Gaven the effort.

With another Fairy Step, Gaven jumped down from the Young Red Copper Dragon and said to her, "Go stand guard behind me. If you notice those creatures following, notify me immediately."

"Yes." Aivensa’s recent attitude was surprisingly compliant, doing whatever she was told, meticulously, as if she had been stimulated by something.

Gaven was pleased to see this; at the very least, she was more convenient to use.

When Gaven landed, Shanoba was already kneeling on the ground and said reverently, "Shanoba greets the Master. I failed to complete the Master’s task, please punish me."

It was unclear if it was intentional or because she had transformed too hastily.

Shanoba was only wearing a loose garment, not even properly buttoned, which, as she bowed down, slipped off largely, revealing her smooth back with faint patterns of Red Copper Dragon Scales—a trait that detracted nothing from her beauty but, instead, endowed her with an exotic allure and irresistible charm.

Especially now, she radiated no fierceness or bravery, only vulnerability and helplessness, and everything about her—her words and her expressions—seemed to convey an acceptance of being at someone’s mercy—at Gaven’s mercy.

"Really, any punishment will do?"

Shanoba seemed to catch the implication in Gaven’s words, her body involuntarily shivering, her heart pounding uncontrollably, not with fear but with a yearning as the Giant Dragon Bloodline within her seemed to boil.

With a trembling voice, she answered, "Any at all."

Gaven’s gaze flickered, and he sat down on a nearby boulder, his Combat Armor retracting. He patted his knee and said, "Come sit here."