[Bonus chapter] The Ruby Crown

The air was thick with anticipation as the radiant dragon, Ignis, prepared to bestow its blessing upon Ethan and Helena. The grandeur of the moment filled the atmosphere, and a sense of awe settled over the gathering.

Ignis stood tall and majestic, its scales shimmering in hues of fiery red and gold, reflecting the light of the sun. Its immense wings spread wide, casting a magnificent shadow over the ground below. The air seemed to crackle with energy as if charged by the dragon's presence.

"I, Ignis, doth proclaimeth that Helena and Ethan art mine allies," spoke the male dragon, declaring that Helena and Ethan were now his allies in an ancient language. His voice resonated with authority and wisdom.

Ethan and Helena, kneeling before Ignis, wore expressions of both reverence and curiosity. Their eyes were fixed upon the dragon, their faces illuminated by a mixture of anticipation and wonder. They could feel the weight of the moment, aware that they were about to receive a blessing from a mythical creature of immense power.

As Ignis extended its mighty claw towards them, a gentle warmth radiated from its touch. The air seemed to hum with a soothing energy, creating an atmosphere of tranquility. A soft, melodic voice resonated in their minds, carrying with it words of wisdom and encouragement.

A reddish oval-shaped ruby mark glowed brightly on Ethan and Helena's foreheads, a sign that a dragon from the Amber clan had blessed them. Slowly, the red glow on their foreheads faded, leaving a faint red mark that would only be clearly visible upon closer inspection.

"From this day forth, as long as I live, you both have my support," Ignis said to Ethan and Helena.

Helena was startled as she now heard the dragon's words too.

"You can speak?" Helena asked amazed.

"Surprised, are you? That's why I initially hesitated with this young man's request," Ignis replied, pointing his snout at Ethan.

"Then why did you grant it?" protested Helena.

"Because...," Ignis glanced at Ethan, feeling a desire to help him a little, "he seemed very eager to prove himself as a true man to you."

"What?" Helena's stern face suddenly turned crimson. How could Ethan share that with others? Helena clenched her fist, vowing to teach Ethan a lesson later.

"Initially, he only wanted me to bless you. But I believe you both deserve more from me," Ignis said again.

He wasn't lying. Though Ethan was weak and made no effort to hunt him down, he didn't expect Ethan to come peacefully. This meant that Ethan respected him as a dragon, a being with intelligence and wisdom. Not a ferocious beast or monster meant only for destruction.

As for Helena, she made Ignis feel seen and prioritized. When Helena's fear of the dragon's danger faded, she shifted her concern toward him. Helena believed that dragons seemed to deserve to be treated with love and care.

Deep in his heart, Ignis truly hoped that they would become future leaders of the human race. Although they were still young and inexperienced, someday they would surely become wise individuals.

'Do you want a ride?' Ignis asked with unexpected kindness. 'Helena needs quick treatment, doesn't she?'

"I would be delighted with that. However, I don't want to attract too much attention. It's not good for you either," Helena quickly responded.

"Helena is right," Ethan said. "Besides, Helena is not feeling well. Strong winds won't be good for her. Flying requires practice, it can't be done well on the first try. We also don't have proper saddles. What if your sharp scales injure Helena's delicate inner legs?" Ethan rambled on, leaving Helena and Ignis dumbfounded.

"What's wrong with you two?" Ethan asked, puzzled.

'You speak as if you've flown before,' Ignis commented.

"I thought you wouldn't consider it," Helena smirked.

Ethan laughed, scratching his non-itchy head. He forgot that in this era, people didn't experience flying. Whereas he, coming from the modern world, knew very well what it was like to fly with various equipment.

When Helena was busy washing his face near the river, Ethan fulfilled his promise by revealing the whereabouts of the Ruby Crown to Ignis. "I know where the Ruby Crown has disappeared to. It lies hidden within the Valley of Shadows."

Ignis, with his fiery gaze fixed upon Ethan, listened intently. The mention of the Valley of Shadows stirred a mix of curiosity and caution within the dragon's heart.

"The Valley of Shadows," Ethan continued, "is a place shrouded by eternal twilight. Legends speak of its treacherous paths and bewitching illusions, but since you are a dragon, possessing strong magic, you will easily find the lost crown."

Ethan paused for a moment. "One thing, close your eyes when you reach that place. Use your inner sight. Dragon's ruby has a glow that can be seen even with closed eyes, doesn't it?"

As the wind whispered through the mountain peaks, Ignis rumbled deeply, contemplating Ethan's revelation. The Valley of Shadows had long been regarded as a forbidden realm, feared by many for its enchantments and the darkness that lingered within its depths. It was a place dragons deliberately avoided, not wanting to be trapped in eternal illusions.

'No wonder it has never been found,' Ignis said. 'It seems that's where it is.'

In truth, it was Ignis's ancestors who had discarded the crown there to ensure no dragon would find it. Ignis's ancestors, who harbored a deep hatred for humans at that time, spread false accusations to make the Amber clan, which still sought friendship with humans, despise them unconditionally. The most effective way was to claim that humans had stolen their precious treasure. Ethan deliberately kept this information hidden, allowing Ignis to prepare mentally and come to the realization himself one day.

Suddenly, a question arose in Ignis's mind. 'How do you know all of this?'

Ethan didn't answer. How could he explain that he learned it all from a fictional novel he had read?

"Does it matter?" Ethan asked instead.

'You know how to navigate through that dreadful valley. Why don't you retrieve it yourself?' Ignis pursued, wanting an answer. 'It may not be easy for a human, but the rewards gained will be far greater, won't they?'

Ethan smiled. He understood Ignis's implication. If he were to possess the crown, he could even subdue the dragons and demand a hefty ransom.

"Don't you see how troublesome my wife is? I'm busy with her," Ethan replied with a smile. "I'll be torn to shreds if I disappear for days without a clear reason."

In his heart, Ignis grew even more impressed with the man before him. 'Ethan, I have no regrets about meeting you. May you and your wife find happiness.'

Ethan and Helena bid farewell to Ignis, but there was a look of longing on Helena's face.

'Do you want to say something?' Ignis asked her.

"I ... may I touch your scales for a moment?" Helena asked. Her face turned beet red.

Ethan couldn't help but stifle a laugh. He never expected Helena to have such a cute and feminine side to her.