CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 80. A CUTE DRAGON?

Vivianne spent most of the journey asleep in Roxanne’s arms. She was secured snugly against her with a wide leather sling strapped across Roxanne’s chest, keeping her safe no matter how rough the horse’s movements became.

The steady moves of the horse and the warmth of Roxanne’s body lulled her into drowsy peace more often than not, her head resting just beneath Roxanne’s chin. Pregnancy had made her easily tired, and Roxanne didn’t mind; she held her gently, adjusting her whenever the path grew uneven.

When Vivianne isn’t asleep, she’s eating. Normally, she preferred fresh fruits and crisp vegetables, but lately, her cravings had shifted toward meat. She nibbled constantly on dried meat, roasted strips of jerky, or smoked sausages Roxanne had packed away in her dimensional bag before they left. Roxanne would occasionally glance down at her and smile, handing her another piece of jerky whenever Vivianne’s sleepy hand reached for it.

Their journey to Gorhal would take about two months, crossing rivers, forests, and rugged mountain trails that led deep into the beastmen’s territory. It’s a long, grueling route, but their pace was steady. Every night, they stopped by clear streams or in quiet meadows to rest the horses and tend to Vivianne’s comfort.

Meanwhile, three days after Roxanne’s envoy departed, Anton and Sarah Wyndham finally returned to their estate, only to find Morwenna waiting for them. There was no time for pleasantries; the moment they arrived, Ian and Rose briefed their parents on everything that had happened in their absence.

Ian, who often took command in his father’s stead, immediately began issuing orders. Between him and his younger sister, Rose, he’s the more dominant alpha, calm, sharp, and used to taking charge. He had dispatched two thousand Wyndham knights to reinforce Eisenwald, fulfilling Roxanne’s earlier request.

The South, though underestimated by the emperor, was far from weak. Their armies were smaller, but their lands were rich, and their soldiers were fiercely loyal. With the combined strength of Wyndham and the elite Borgia knights, the Southern territories stood a good chance against the empire’s knights.

While the empire was stirring with tension and movement because of the emperor’s wrath, between the resignation of the empire’s best chancellor, the emperor’s trusted man, and the emperor’s words about the North rebelling for the crown. Roxanne’s envoy traveled in peace.

The road to Gorhal is quiet, but everyone in Roxanne’s envoy knew the reason why. Dozens of faint, glowing spirits drifted through the air around them, shimmering like fragments of moonlight. To ordinary eyes, the road seemed empty and still, but to Roxanne and Marvessa, the spirits were clearly visible, guiding, watching, and protecting them with unseen power.

Normally, this path was one few dared to take. The wilds leading to Gorhal were infamous, crawling with monsters strong enough to wipe out an entire imperial battalion. Even the most seasoned mercenaries avoided these routes, for it was said that the beasts here were born from the fury of the mountains themselves—ancient, territorial, and merciless.

That was why no war had ever erupted between the beastmen and the werewolves. The path dividing their lands was a battlefield of nature itself, where even kings and generals would rather bow to survival than ambition. To cross these mountains meant gambling with death, and most knew better than to try.

But now, as the envoy moved through those deadly woods, the forest remained still. The air shimmered faintly, the scent of damp earth and wildflowers mingling beneath the sound of rustling leaves. The monsters that once haunted these lands stayed deep in their lairs, sensing the ancient power that surrounded Roxanne’s group.

Undine stayed close to Vivianne. The spirit’s cool, rippling magic wrapped around the omega like a soft embrace, soothing her nausea and easing the weight of her fatigue. Whenever Undine brushed a hand over Vivianne’s forehead, a soft mist followed, carrying the scent of rain and calm waters. Vivianne slept more peacefully in Roxanne’s arms.

Above them, Tempest and Afrit circled unseen through the clouds, their elemental energies intertwining. Gusts of wind swept the path clear of dust and leaves, while faint heat shimmered across the air, warding off hidden predators that dared approach. Between wind, flame, and water, the envoy moved untouched, shielded by forces older than any empire.

By week two, suddenly the earth shuddered, and Roxanne stared at a green energy glisten around the envoy, then the brightest energy stopped in front of Roxanne’s horse. The horse stops immediately, and Marvessa pulls Maxim to stop the horse, while the rest are staring at what happened.

"So, this is her?" The voice rang in Marvessa’s ears, while Vivianne slept soundly.

Roxanne is staring at the figure in front of her; she can see the spirit but can’t hear the voice. The towering figure looks a lot like a dragon, but it’s not a dragon; it’s a living embodiment of the soil, the mountains, and the pulse of nature itself.

Her body, a blend of deep moss green and rich earthen brown, glimmers faintly under the light, as though every scale holds the memory of forests and ancient stones. Veins of gold ripple beneath her skin like flowing magma, pulsing with life each time she moves.

Her armor isn’t forged but grown, made from a breathtaking lattice of vines hardened into crystal-like bark, woven with veins of emerald light that pulse with the rhythm of the earth’s heartbeat. Long drapes of silk the color of fertile soil and soft moss flow from her shoulders, dusted with fine particles that shimmer like pollen in sunlight. Each step she takes leaves behind faint traces of roots and sprouting grass before fading into the air.

"Terra, you’re late," Undine said with a frown, her cool voice rippling like disturbed water. Droplets hovered in the air around her, trembling with mild irritation.

Terranova’s deep, melodic laugh rolled through the clearing like distant thunder. "Better late than never," she replied, her tone calm and unhurried. As she stepped closer, the ground beneath her feet bloomed with fresh green moss, tiny flowers opening in her wake. Her amber gaze drifted toward Roxanne. "Her mate?" she asked slowly, her voice carrying both curiosity and the weight of ages. "A demon?"

"This one’s chill," Tempest interrupted before Undine could reply, his stormy form flickering with sparks of pride. "She killed a demon."

Terranova tilted her head, a faint smirk curving her lips. "And Afrit, of course," she said dryly, her eyes flicking toward the fire spirit who hovered nearby, clearly enjoying the exchange.

"Just bond with her already—you talk too much." Undine sighed, her patience thinning. Roxanne, watching the exchange, couldn’t help but glance at Marvessa, silently asking for confirmation.

"That’s... Terranova," Marvessa whispered, her voice barely audible. Awe softened her usually steady tone. "The Spirit King of Earth." Her eyes were wide, reflecting the faint glow of Terranova’s aura. "She doesn’t appear easily. The last time she showed herself was five centuries ago... and now she’s here."

Terranova’s gaze shifted back to Vivianne, the air around them humming with energy. The spirit’s golden eyes glowed brighter as the earth beneath the envoy’s feet pulsed once, alive, aware.

Terranova is the first of the Spirit Kings to awaken after the world’s birth, her form emerging from the first mountain that rose from the sea. She’s not just the guardian of the earth but also its will—steady, nurturing, and fierce when provoked. To anger her is to face the wrath of avalanches and quakes, but to earn her favor is to gain the blessing of all things that grow and endure.

The spirit king then reached forward, her massive clawed hand moving with gentleness. Her fingertip, glowing faintly with green light, touched Vivianne’s forehead. As soon as she made contact, the air began to ripple. The earth around them pulsed like a living heart, stones shuddered, soil stirred, and faint tendrils of light crawled along the ground.

Vivianne gasped, her eyes snapping open as if waking from a deep dream. Her breath hitched, pupils dilating as she stared at the towering figure before her. The dragoness glowed like a living mountain, her emerald and bronze scales shimmering in soft waves of power. Despite the overwhelming presence, Vivianne didn’t feel fear, only awe.

"Oh, the princess awakens," Terranova said with a warm tone. "And her mana is tremendous. Even after binding three of my kin, she still has more than enough to welcome me. What a magnificent creature."

Vivianne’s body stiffened, unsure what to say. Her lips parted, but no words came out. "Uh..." she breathed softly, her body trembling under the glow.

Terranova smiled, her fangs glinting in the light, but her eyes were gentle, proud, and almost affectionate. "The name is Terranova, dear master," she said, her voice lowering into a reverent tone. "From this day onward, I shall be at your service."

A radiant green light burst from the point of contact, spreading down Vivianne’s neck and chest, curling into elegant markings that shimmered like veins of crystal beneath her skin. The symbol pulsed once before fading, leaving behind a faint, earthy glow that slowly merged with her heartbeat.

Then, as if the immense power of her true form was no longer needed, Terranova’s massive body began to shrink. Her wings folded inward, her horns shortened, and her scales softened to a lighter shade of green. Within moments, the towering spirit king is replaced by a small, cute dragon, barely the size of a cat, with emerald eyes and a tail that swishes proudly.

"Much better," she said, her tone playful now. "This form is easier for mortals to handle."

Vivianne blinked, watching as the tiny dragon hopped onto her lap and curled against her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Wife, a dragon." She said as she touched Terranova.

Roxanne, still holding Vivianne close, could only stare in disbelief before letting out a quiet, awed laugh. "That small dragon is a spirit king, sweetheart."