"Huh? What do you mean? Wake me up from what?" said Ryutaro.
Charlotte then answered,
"Of course, from the brainwashing influence of the Demon Queen, Grace," said Charlotte.
Hearing that, Ryutaro immediately burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Brainwashing, you say? There's no such thing!" said Ryutaro.
As Ryutaro laughed, Aurelia suddenly spoke up.
"Sigh... Humans are always so narrow-minded. They never seek the truth first," said Aurelia.
"And who are you?" asked Charlotte.
Hearing Charlotte's question, Aurelia answered with a proud tone.
"Hmph, as if you don't recognize me. Very well, I shall introduce myself. My name is Aurelia Snowmourne, a member of the Dragon race," said Aurelia.
"The Dragon race? Isn't that one of the rarest races to find? Especially a common dragon like you," said Charlotte.
"Watch your words, human. I am no ordinary being—I am the Dragon Queen. Are you impressed now?" said Aurelia.
After that introduction, Charlotte was visibly shocked.
"The Dragon Queen? What are you doing here?" asked Charlotte.
"I'm here for a reason," said Aurelia.
Hearing Aurelia's words, Ryutaro could only facepalm.
"A reason? You mean the reason you were being chased by Ashen Fang, then as soon as you arrived here, you immediately started eating the fruits in my garden?"
Aurelia's face turned red upon hearing that.
"That... was because I panicked, and when I got here, I was hungry," said Aurelia.
"Alright, as long as you're willing to take responsibility. If not, you know what will happen, right?" said Ryutaro.
"Yes, I know," said Aurelia.
As I argued with Aurelia, Charlotte began to doubt herself.
"Was he really brainwashed by that demon? He doesn't seem like someone who has been brainwashed," Charlotte thought to herself.
Her uncertainty made her speak up.
"But... King Albert said you were brainwashed by the Demon Queen, Grace, so that you would obey her every command," said Charlotte.
"Sigh... Look at me. Do I look like someone who has been brainwashed?" asked Ryutaro.
Charlotte observed Ryutaro carefully.
"That's true... As far as I know, people who have been controlled usually lose their will to live," said Charlotte.
"See?" said Ryutaro.
As Charlotte hesitated, one of the commanders who accompanied her whispered to her, attempting to manipulate her.
"Don't trust him, Lady Charlotte. The Demon Queen, Grace, might have used high-level magic to make him appear normal. Remember, she is the strongest Demon Queen," whispered the commander.
"But the one with him isn't ordinary either. She is the Dragon Queen," said Charlotte.
"She might be lying to him to make you doubt yourself," said the commander.
"You're right," said Charlotte.
Charlotte then pointed her sword at Grace.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked Grace.
"Don't pretend you don't know, you lowly demon! Do you think tricks like these can shake me?" said Charlotte.
Seeing Charlotte's actions, Ryutaro could only facepalm.
"Sigh... This woman is so easily deceived," said Ryutaro.
"And you too, Aurelia! Stop pretending to be the Dragon Queen," said Charlotte.
"Huh? I really am the Dragon Queen," said Aurelia.
"Then prove it," said Charlotte.
"Alright, if that's what you want," said Aurelia.
Aurelia then transformed into her dragon form and released an overwhelming aura of suppression, making the soldiers tremble in fear.
"What is this?"
"Why is she so strong?"
"Could she really be the Dragon Queen?"
Aurelia then retracted her aura and returned to her human form.
"So, human, do you believe me now?" asked Aurelia.
"You may have released that aura, but that alone doesn't prove you're the Dragon Queen," said Charlotte.
Hearing Charlotte's stubbornness, Ryutaro could only facepalm again.
"Seriously? Even after Aurelia released that aura, she still doesn't believe it? She's really stubborn," said Ryutaro.
As Ryutaro watched Charlotte's foolishness, Grace stepped forward.
"Alright, since words alone won't convince her, let's settle this with a fight," said Grace, shaking her head.
"Oh? So this is round two? Fine, I won't lose to a demon," said Charlotte.
Seeing Grace's actions, Ryutaro asked her,
"So, what should I do?" asked Ryutaro.
"Just stay here with Aurelia. I'll handle this," said Grace.
"Alright, just don't get hurt," said Ryutaro.
"Don't worry, I won't make you worry, my dear," said Grace.
Meanwhile, Charlotte addressed her soldiers.
"Oh, so this is a one-on-one fight? In that case, none of you should interfere without my command," said Charlotte.
"But, Lady Charlotte, we can't let you fight alone, especially against someone as cunning as her," said one of the soldiers.
"This is an order," said Charlotte.
"Understood, my lady," said the soldier.
Charlotte prepared herself while Grace remained relaxed.
"Why aren't you getting ready?" asked Charlotte.
"Because to defeat a fool like you, I don't need to waste my energy preparing," said Grace.
Hearing that, Charlotte was furious.
"Don't underestimate me, you demon!" shouted Charlotte.
In an instant, the two clashed at high speed. Watching them, Ryutaro asked Aurelia,
"By the way, Aurelia, who do you think will win?"
"If you ask me, I'd say Grace," said Aurelia.
Ryutaro was surprised by Aurelia's answer.
"Why?" asked Ryutaro.
"Physically, Charlotte may be stronger, but when it comes to magic and combat experience, Grace has the upper hand. Look at her movements—they belong to someone who has been fighting for a long time," said Aurelia.
"Hmm... You're right," said Ryutaro.
Meanwhile, in the battlefield, Charlotte was panting, exhausted from fighting Grace.
"Huff... huff... As expected from the Demon Queen... You're so strong," said Charlotte, breathing heavily.
"I already told you, didn't I? You're too weak," said Grace.
"But I won't lose to you!" said Charlotte.
Meanwhile, on the soldiers' side, the commander was anxious seeing Charlotte struggle. One of the soldiers asked him,
"What should we do, Commander? At this rate, Lady Charlotte might lose!"
"In that case, we proceed with Plan B," said the commander.
"Plan B? What is Plan B?"
"We attack Ryutaro in secret," said the commander.
"But isn't that disobeying Lady Charlotte's orders?"
"Forget the orders. It's better to finish this mission and go home," said the commander.
"But what if he notices our attack? What will we do?"
"There's no way we'll lose. He's just a farmer," said the commander.
"And what about his women, Commander?"
"That's easy. If we eliminate Ryutaro, his women will become ours," said the commander.
"But—"
"Enough questions," said the commander.
"Understood, Commander."
They then prepared their secret attack, but they were unaware that Alex, who resided within Ryutaro, could sense their ill intent.
"Hey, kid, you better be careful. Those soldiers are planning something nasty," said Alex within Ryutaro.
Ryutaro immediately looked toward the soldiers.
"Hmm... So they're up to something. Well then, let's see what they have prepared," Ryutaro thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Aurelia, standing beside Ryutaro, was confused by his expression.
"What's wrong?" asked Aurelia.
"Oh, nothing. But soon, we're going to get a little surprise," said Ryutaro.
"Huh?" said Aurelia, still confused.
What secret attack are the soldiers planning? How will Ryutaro respond? And what will Charlotte say about her soldiers' actions?
Find out in Chapter 12!
*If I made any minor mistakes that might be distracting, I sincerely apologize. I have done my best for this novel, and if you enjoy it, please consider giving it a like and sharing your feedback, suggestions, or criticism so I can learn and improve. Thank you for reading, and see you in the next chapter!*