Chapter 447: New and Old Friends

"Ah, I apologize," I quickly spoke, "I didn't mean to offend you," I added. 

There was no need to antagonize the strange Dragoness. Besides, the fact that she managed to bypass my senses implied that she was dangerous. 

My eyes subconsciously drifted to where I had left Immy. The idiot was still standing in the middle of the road, her aura calm and steady. That could only mean she couldn't sense the stranger in front of me, either. 

"That's alright," the Dragoness spoke with a smile, "I am well aware of how strange I appear," she chuckled. 

"Ah, not strange," I hurriedly replied, "I was startled, that's all," I added. 

The smile never left her face as she nodded, "I get that a lot," she said, the fire wisps fluttering lightly around her. 

"I see," I nodded. The stranger stood there, her gaze empty, not quite looking at me. Instead, It appeared as if she couldn't even see me. But that's impossible, right?

"Well, please, don't let me keep you," she said and gave me a slight nod before she turned to leave. 

"Uh, yes," I moved to the side and watched her walk away. The wisps of fire mana floated before her, creating a strange but beautiful scene. I shook my head and turned around, ready to leave. 

But part of me was still curious, "Excuse me," I called out. 

"Hmm?" The Dragoness paused and lightly turned around. She wasn't looking at me but was instead staring in my general direction. That somewhat confirmed my suspicions. 

"May I know your name?" I asked. I wasn't sure why I did, but I was curious. Perhaps It was not a very smart thing to do, especially not when we were in an unknown territory, but I couldn't help myself. 

The Dragoness smiled, "Emily," she said and turned to leave. 

"E-Emily?" Confused, I muttered in surprise. That didn't sound like a Dragon's name. If anything, It sounded like that of a mortal.

Emily didn't wait. She was already close to leaving the alley. 

"I'm Sidus!" I yelled out. 

"Bye, Sidus," she replied, her sweet voice fading as she disappeared around the corner. 

I stood there blankly, staring at where she went for a few seconds. What just happened? I wondered. Was I bewitched? I frowned. No, I didn't sense any mana from her, except for the fire wisps. I quickly shook my head. 

"Emily?" I muttered. Her name was just as strange as she was. 

Why in the King's name did I have to shout out after her like that? The sudden rush of embarrassment hit me all at once, causing me to cringe inwardly.

I quickly took a deep breath and pushed the uncomfortable memory out of my mind. I was definitely bewitched, perhaps some invisible mana even I couldn't see. Yes, that makes more sense. 

Although I tried to convince myself, my eyes couldn't help but look back toward where the strange Emily had just left. 

"Dangerous," I mumbled. 

*****

POV: Aether

"What are you doing?" Breta asked with a groan. 

"Hmm? Was I loud?" I tilted my head. 

Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Breta stood up from her comfortable chair and stretched her limbs before she walked toward me. "Loud is an understatement," she replied. 

My gaze subconsciously glanced at Ynos, who was dead asleep. 

"He doesn't count," she retorted before I could even speak. 

A slight chuckle escaped my mouth, "I guess that's true. He can sleep through everything." 

Breta nodded as she approached the table and scanned the documents I was studying. 

"Do you really have to use mana for that?" She asked. 

I rolled my eyes and replied, "In case you haven't noticed, I don't exactly have thumbs now, do I?" 

Breta didn't answer. Instead, her gaze drifted to the map first. "What's the point of all of this?" she asked. 

"Well, It doesn't hurt to understand the map of the city," I said before pointing to another batch of documents, "Those over there explain the structure of the city," I said and motioned to another batch, "That one is about the districts," I paused. 

"What?" Breta looked at me in confusion. 

"I still can't find anything about that tall pillar we saw when we just came," I answered, a sigh escaping my mouth. 

Breta shrugged, "Since Yrvai and Qhalta were the ones that sent us here, that means all of these," she said, motioning to the map and documents, "Are theirs," 

I nodded in agreement. 

"So, If there is nothing regarding that pillar, tower, or whatever, then that could only mean they don't want us to know about it," she paused, "Or they didn't deem It necessary to tell us," she added.

"Hmm." 

"If you are that curious, why didn't you ask them about it earlier?" 

"In case you haven't noticed, I was busy worrying about bigger matters at the time," I answered sarcastically. 

"Well, you can always ask next time," she said nonchalantly. 

"Aren't you curious about it?" 

"No, and I wasn't curious about what I saw in that cave either, and look where that got me," she sighed, "I knew I should have stayed in the Gods' realm," 

"Oh please, you would have been dragged off to the war against the Shades regardless," I rolled my eyes. 

"At least I wouldn't be scared of turning the King into my enemy," 

"True," I couldn't refute that, "But, think of It this way, It's an adventure!" I said.

Breta's cold gaze seemed to penetrate my soul, "Okay, Okay, I was joking," I hastily replied. 

"But yes, sorry about that," I added. 

"About what?" she asked as she began to read one of the documents about the difference between the houses of Gods and Dragons.

"You know, all of this. I didn't mean to drag you into this mess," I answered. 

It was the truth. I liked Breta. She was my first and only friend, and I enjoyed her company. But like she said, now that all of this involved the King, It felt like we were in over our heads. But in my defense, who could have known? 

Breta dropped the small book she was reading and turned to look at me. Her gaze was sincere, "Don't be stupid," she said.

"Ah?" 

"I chose to follow you. It was my decision, and I don't regret it." 

"But-" 

She raised her hand to stop me from speaking, "You have already saved my life once, and I won't be satisfied until I return the favor. So don't make this awkward, you stupid lizard," she said.

A chuckle escaped my mouth, "Thank you," 

Breta rolled her eyes before she turned to leave. "Stop pretending to be asleep. I can see you fidgeting," She said and left the hall. 

Ynos stirred on his bed and looked at me with an awkward expression, "Umm, I'm sorry, Brother. I didn't want to interrupt," 

-----A bit of a calm chapter today. Gotta give the group a small break before throwing them into the fire!-----