The Dragon Queen glanced at the two, then turned her attention back to her child, who was feeding calmly. "Hmph. At least you have some restraint. Perhaps you aren't as much of a fool as I thought."
Asher sighed, rubbing his temples. "So… what happens now? You're not just here to feed him and leave, are you?" The link to the origin of this information rests in Novel~Fire. (n)et
The Dragon Queen's crimson eyes flickered with amusement. "No, I am not. My son recognizes you as his father—whether you like it or not. That means you will be involved in his upbringing."
"So… it means?" Asher asked cautiously.
The Dragon Queen replied with a smirk, "I will be traveling with you all from now on." She then looked at the baby in her arms. "Cua, it's time for you to leave with me."
Asher twitched but sighed in resignation. Not like he could say anything against her decision.
"But wait… what exactly are you feeding the baby?" Serena asked, her curiosity piqued.
The Dragon Queen glanced at her before replying, "It's not ordinary milk. I produce it using my own heart's mana essence. It ensures he can drink endlessly without issue."
Serena nodded slowly, processing the information. "So that's how a dragon can produce milk…"
Asher looked at her but didn't say anything, mumbling under his breath, "She's not like what I've heard about dragons…"
The Dragon Queen's sharp gaze turned to him. "What exactly have you heard about us?" she asked, her voice carrying authority.
Asher paused, realizing he had spoken aloud. He sighed, deciding to be honest. "I meant that you're not as prideful or arrogant as I was told. Most say dragons look down on everyone like mere ants, unworthy of their attention."
The Dragon Queen smirked slightly. "I suppose you humans have a misconception about us," she said, pausing for a moment before continuing, "But in reality, you are ants to us. We simply don't care enough to bother correcting what you all think."
'yep, I have what I have heard about them is right' Asher inwardly said maintaining a smile on his face.
"By the way, where are we?" Serena asked as she looked around.
Asher frowned, scanning the unfamiliar landscape before turning his gaze to the Dragon Queen.
"You are on an entirely different continent from the one you originally belonged to," she stated matter-of-factly.
Serena's eyes widened slightly, but the Dragon Queen continued before she could react. "This is a place where there are no gods ruling over the lands. The kingdoms here do not follow any divine beings, nor do they seek blessings from them," she explained, stretching slightly before adding, "Instead, the power here belongs solely to Kings and Emperors."
Asher crossed his arms. "So, no gods interfering... just mortals fighting for control?"
The Dragon Queen smirked. "Exactly. This land thrives on power alone, and those who seek to rule must take it with their own strength."
"In this continent, there are many kingdoms but only one empire… well, I guess no empire anymore," the Dragon Queen corrected herself casually. "I destroyed it just a few minutes ago. The so-called Emperor tried to claim my child as his slave."
Both Asher and Serena stared at her, dumbfounded.
"So that was the 'trivial matter' you were dealing with earlier?" Asher asked, raising an eyebrow.
The Dragon Queen nodded nonchalantly. "Yeah. One breath of mine was enough to erase the entire imperial family and every single human who shared even a drop of his blood."
Asher and Serena gulped, exchanging nervous glances. This wasn't just any dragon they were dealing with—this was an absolute force of destruction.
"Hmm, he's done," the Dragon Queen murmured as she cradled the sleeping dragon baby in her arms. "I guess he's full and is sleeping peacefully while instinctively activating his magic circuits."
Asher nodded in understanding.
"Let's go then. I have my lair not far from here," she said, making a small gesture with her hand. In an instant, the space around them distorted, and they found themselves standing inside a massive hall.
The sight was overwhelming—mountains of gold, precious gems, and artifacts piled high, reflecting the dim ambient light like a royal treasury. At the center of it all was a throne of pure obsidian, encrusted with celestial crystals, as if it was meant for a ruler above all.
Serena took a hesitant step forward, her eyes scanning the vast riches. "Now that we're here, can I finally ask… why do dragons love sleeping on gold? I mean, isn't it uncomfortable?"
The Dragon Queen, now shifting the baby in her arms, chuckled as she gracefully stepped onto a shimmering pile of golden coins. "Our scales make us immune to any discomfort. Besides, we dragons have an instinctive attachment to hoarding shiny things. Waking up surrounded by gold and treasures is simply pleasant." She yawned before her form shifted back into her full dragon self, her majestic black-and-red scales glistening under the light.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned her gaze to Asher. "By the way, my name is Valeris A. Nihiliys. At the very least, allow me to formally introduce myself to you, the father of my son… even if only in name."
Asher swallowed hard, nodding slowly. It wasn't like he had a choice.
"My name is Asher Magnus," he introduced himself, and beside him, Serena followed suit.
Valeris nodded in acknowledgment before using her tail to push open a grand golden door. "There is a room for you two. From now on, you'll live here," she declared.
She gestured toward the lavish chamber beyond the doorway, its interior lined with elegant furniture, fine silk drapes, and a large bed fit for royalty.
"There are all the essentials a human might need inside," she continued. "So feel free to engage in whatever human activities you desire." Her gaze sharpened slightly as if she found amusement in the implications.
"My son will only be awake for one or two hours a week since he's in his growing phase. Dragons sleep a lot during their early years," she added.
Asher gave a slow nod, processing everything. It seemed like their situation had officially taken another unexpected turn.