Chapter 7: The Dragon Girl Shatima

“I don’t know what to do either. It seems you don’t want to accept my advice. Is there still something attractive about the Caucasus for you?” Komer shook his head, thought for a moment, then added, “It’s not impossible for you to stay in the Caucasus. As the lord of the Caucasus, I can afford to pay for someone—well, a human-shaped dragon. It’s just…”
“What is it? Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any trouble. If you need my help, I’ll do my utmost.” By now, the dragon girl had completely forgotten that she used to be a mighty dragon. She now resembled a lonely and vulnerable woman in desperate need of support.
“Help? Well, I doubt I’ll need your help for now. I’m thinking about how to explain your identity to outsiders. It seems you know nothing about our human customs, which could easily expose us. Moreover, a few of my friends are magicians and magic knights who are highly sensitive to dragon energy.” Komer frowned deliberately.
“I’ll be careful to control my dragon magic aura. Or, I’ll try to avoid your friends. As long as I stay by your side, there’s probably no need for dragon magic, right? Is that not enough?” The dragon girl grew frustrated.
“Hmm, I need to think. Although my territory isn’t densely populated, Ugru is the capital of the Caucasus, with a fairly high population density. If you stay here, you’ll be surrounded by humans. Can you adapt? You also need to learn our human customs and etiquette. Otherwise, it might lead to embarrassment, and if someone suspicious notices, it could cause trouble.” Komer was deliberately trying to temper her attitude. If she really caused him problems, it would be entirely her fault.
Hearing Komer’s words, the dragon girl perked up. “No problem. I’ll be careful. I’m not the kind of dragon who likes to cause trouble. Well, human. Can’t I just stay at home and sleep?”
“Hmph, I’m afraid even your sleep might cause trouble,” Komer replied irritably. “Let me reiterate our Caucasus principle: we don’t tolerate idlers. Although you have to stay here for various reasons, I can provide you with basic living support for now. But remember, it’s not free. If I need your help, you must assist me without hesitation.”

“Lord Baron, do you really think we dragons are like you humans? We dragons keep our promises. Once I have promised you something, I will definitely do it. There’s no need for you to remind me repeatedly. If there’s anything you need help with, just tell me. As long as I can do it, I’ll take care of it without your urging,” the dragon woman retorted irritably at Komer, her tone filled with displeasure, clearly unamused by his constant reminders.

When this ice dragon appeared before everyone in human form, Komer initially thought he could hide from everyone’s gaze. But he soon realized he was wrong. Rebrí and Mihajović’s suddenly narrowed pupils and the sharp changes in their magical auras were detected by Komer. He knew that if he didn’t warn them soon, a major battle might break out immediately.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a friend I met during my exile—Miss Shatima. She is very familiar with the Cordillera Wasteland, the Great Swamp, and the Catalonia Channel. That’s why I’ve invited her as my advisor to help me handle matters related to the barbarians, the jellyfish people, and the Catalonia Channel. I hope everyone will be willing to assist her,” Komer said, giving Rebrí urgent eye signals while also asking the dragon woman, who had noticed the anomaly in Rebrí and Mihajović and was equally alert, to stay calm.

Under the puzzled gazes of everyone, the dragon woman Shatima politely greeted the crowd with noble etiquette. Rebrí and Mihajović remained vigilant, but at Komer’s signal, they realized there must be some secrets that couldn’t be revealed yet, so they pretended to nod in agreement. Although Sorenberg and Vladkov also sensed something strange about Miss Shatima intuitively, their sensitivity to magic and analytical skills couldn’t compare to those of magicians who dealt with magic regularly. With Komer’s introduction, they merely showed a hint of curiosity.

Eve and Grace both had a hint of envy in their eyes. Eve remained much calmer, but Grace’s hostility only grew. Lome was the only one who already understood the situation. She was pleased that Komer had treated her specially by considering her one of his own and informing her first. The others were confused and hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

Seeing Newman’s expression shift from confusion to surprise and then to fear, Komer inwardly cursed. Before he could stop him, Newman suddenly shouted, “Lord, where did this Miss Shatima come from? She’s not…”

Before he could finish speaking, Mihajic’s stern voice interrupted Newman, his intense gaze fixed on Newman’s nearly distorted face. “Newman, I know Miss Shatima resembles your missing sister to some extent, but she isn’t your sister. Look carefully—how could your sister be so tall? Stop indulging in memories of the past; they only bring pain.”

“My sister? Memories?” Newman stared at Mihajic in shock. When did he get another sister? What did she have to do with this Miss Shatima? This woman was clearly a dragon in human form. How could Lebri and Mihajic not see that? Not even the lord could tell? Realizing this, Newman seemed to understand something. After glancing at Lebri and Mihajic, who blinked twice, he suddenly got it.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I lost control for a moment. Miss Shatima, you look too much like my missing sister. It is said that she was captured by the Inquisition of the Church of Light as a heretic. It’s been seven years, and I’ve been searching for her, but I can’t compete with those Inquisition members. She must have been burned to death by those madmen. Oh, I’m so suffering.”

With a face full of sorrow and despair, Newman’s deep pain moved everyone present. Kommer, Lebri, and Mihajic were obviously impressed by Newman’s performance, while the dragon woman Shatima, Eve, Grace, and Javier felt sympathy for his misfortunes.