Chapter 80
Chapter 80
“Wow!”
The children riding on Dylan’s broad back let out cries of excitement. They gently patted his glittering but not slippery scales and sniffed at them curiously.
Compared to when they first saw Dylan’s true form, they looked much more comfortable now.
Erina, who was seated next to the triplets, also cautiously stroked Dylan’s back as it slowly rose and fell with his breathing.
“I’ve cast a protection spell. You won’t fall, so please relax and make yourself comfortable.”
Dylan said, turning his head to look at his own back. Erina gave a big nod to show she understood.
Was it time to depart now? Then again, what about Meian?
As Erina looked around to find her, she heard deep, rumbling growls—‘Grrr’, ‘Grng’—and red and black dragons appeared on either side of Dylan.
Meian, whom she had been searching for, was riding on the back of the black dragon.
“Meian! Are you okay?!”
“Yes, yes! I’m fine! Lady Hael picked me up and placed me here with her mouth!”
Meian waved brightly with a big smile. Her hem was soaked, probably with Hael’s saliva. Even so, Meian looked extremely pleased not to be traveling with Mitzu, squeezing water from her wet clothes while still beaming.
“Dylan, I’m heading off first!!”
Mitzu, excited for his first flight in a long time, shot up into the air in an instant.
His speed was so fast that by the time they opened their eyes after the gust from his wings, only his red tail was seen swaying leisurely in the distance.
Not to be outdone, Hael also kicked off the ground.
“Waaah!!”
Meian screamed from her back, but her voice was quickly swallowed by the wind.
Erina silently hoped Hael had placed a sturdy protection spell on her. Hopefully she hadn’t forgotten to cast any spells at all?
As unease crept up inside her, a gentle voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Shall we go as well, then?”
Dylan asked kindly as a strong wind blew around them. Erina quickly held the children close.
Unlike last time when they were too scared to open their eyes, the children excitedly turned their heads, enjoying the changing scenery.
“Erina!! The forest we were in is already gone!”
“Wow! The castle looks tiny like a fingernail!”
“Mama, I can touch the clouds!”
Resen recalled the map he had studied with Meian during their camping trip. This was a perfect chance to see how accurately the map reflected the real terrain.
Lia, having lost interest in the shrinking houses and castle, began watching birds flying around them. None had reached as high as Dylan, but being closer now than when she was on the ground, they were big enough to observe their flapping wings in detail.
Poi was the only one standing and swirling his hands through the clouds. Normally timid and easily scared, he never hesitated when it came to physical action.
While the triplets each enjoyed the flight in their own way, Erina clasped her hands in prayer.
Please, let us arrive safely. Please, let this time pass quickly…!
She had never been at such a high altitude before and was now discovering she had a fear of heights.
The thrill of flying lasted only briefly—soon, her face turned pale as the world around her turned entirely blue. Cold sweat trickled down her back, her limbs went weak, and her vision swam.
The sheer terror of having her feet off the ground led to a flood of horrifying thoughts.
“Ugh…”
Erina swallowed a sound that wasn’t even a proper word. Poi was the first to notice her change.
He had been jumping to catch a cloud to give Erina, but when he failed and tried to cuddle up to her for comfort, he found Erina trembling with her head bowed low.
“M-Mama!!”
Poi cried in alarm, clutching Erina’s hand tightly. His expression quickly turned to one of distress.
Resen and Lia also stopped what they were doing and rushed over to Erina.
Seeing her looking unwell, the children didn’t know what to do and stamped their feet in worry.
“Erina! Are you sick?!”
“Erina, your face turned all dark!”
“Waaah!”
Eventually, Poi burst into loud sobs. Erina weakly reached out and patted his back, but it wasn’t enough.
Realizing how bad Erina’s condition was, Poi wailed like an unstoppable train.
Finally, even Dylan realized something was wrong. Frowning at his nephew’s loud crying, he descended to a wide clearing.
After gently letting Erina and the children down and returning to his human form, he witnessed a shocking scene.
“E-Erina?!”
Dylan called out as he saw her covering her mouth with one hand, face deathly pale.
“Just a moment…!”
She gasped, then stumbled behind a tree to retch. This time, all three children started crying.
They wept, asking what to do, and even patted Dylan angrily, demanding he save Erina.
Of course, children’s fists didn’t hurt much, but things like this were all about feelings. Though Dylan wanted to lightly bop them back, he held back, silently glaring instead.
“Wait here, I’ll go check on her.”
“I want to go too!”
“Sigh.”
Dylan bound the triplets in place with a simple spell and carefully approached Erina.
The children yelled something behind him, but he let it pass through one ear and out the other.
“Erina, are you all right? Are you feeling very unwell?”
Only after she had steadied herself upon touching solid ground did Erina turn to face him. Seeing that she looked much better now, Dylan let out a sigh of relief.
“Dylan,” she said.
“Yes, Erina?”
“I think… I have a fear of heights. And I might have gotten airsick too.”
Erina looked on the verge of tears. Dylan froze in place.
‘A fear of heights—okay, understandable. But airsick? Did she just say she got airsick… while riding me? One of the most renowned dragons in the world?’
Dylan’s pupils wavered, full of confusion. He had never given anyone a ride before. No one had dared to ask, and he never allowed it anyway. But he had willingly become a ride, without conditions, for Erina. And now… airsick?
A wave of disappointment crushed Dylan. What was he supposed to say? ‘Sorry for the bumpy ride’? Or ‘How dare a mere human get motion sickness while riding a dragon, the greatest honor of your lifetime!’?
No good answer came to mind. Silently, he cursed inside. This was a nightmare.
“I’m so sorry, Dylan. You were being so considerate… I didn’t know I had this fear,” Erina apologized.
“No, not at all. Are you feeling okay now? We can rest if you need,” he said.
“No! I’m better now!”
Of course she was. She’d thrown up everything. She had to feel better.
Dylan grumbled internally but quickly caught himself and replaced his frozen expression with a kind smile.
“Then let’s teleport the rest of the way. I’m sure the children will understand.”
“Yes, I’m so sorry. Please take care of us again.”
“Don’t say that. Your health is what matters most to me. Kids, you understand, right?”
Dylan said, expertly masking his bruised pride, pretending to be the kindest dragon and uncle in the world.
Considering the unexpected situation, his composed response was remarkably mature. Erina’s opinion of Dylan rose even higher, admiring his thoughtfulness once again.
