Reborn as a DRAGON

Chapter 465: Sneaky

I waited two days for things to calm down before I approached Essie. She was sulking on the roof of a small palace in one of the floating gardens. I quickly scanned the area and did not see Immy. I could sense her presence in the underwater palace. 'Good.'

I teleported and appeared right before my little sister. She raised her head, her eyes shone briefly before they dimmed, and she lowered her gaze again.

I awkwardly coughed as I landed before her. "Hey, you."

"Hmph," Essie harrumphed in response and turned the other way.

I smiled and shook my head, "Oh? What's wrong with you, ignoring your older brother?"

Essie rolled her eyes and replied, "Y-You left me alone back there!"

"Oh, that," I scratched my head with a forced chuckle, "You know Immy just cares about you, right?"

Essie turned away and ignored me.

Undeterred, I calmly walked onto the uneven roof and sat down next to her. "And besides, you have to admit, she does hold a valid point."

"I don't care," Essie mumbled under her breath. "Now I'm not allowed to leave this area, and I am not allowed to transform either."

My eyes shone as I leaned in closer and whispered, "Your transformation is similar to Grandma's, right?"

Essie's ears perked. She didn't turn her head to face me but still answered with a hint of pride in her tone, "Hmm, yes, it is. Grandma personally taught me how to control it!"

"That's great! Good, good," I nodded repeatedly and glanced back in the direction of the underwater palace.

Essie seemed to have caught on to my strange behavior, so she lowered her head and whispered, "Brother?"

I faced her with a wide grin and asked, "Then does that mean you can transform me too?"

Essie's eyes widened in understanding before a wide smile bloomed on her face. She hurriedly nodded, "I can! I can! I have been training, and my control over mana is perfect now!" She patted her chest reassuringly.

"That's good!"

Essie hesitated for a second before she asked, "Brother?"

"Hm?"

"Are you planning on doing something bad?"

A chuckle escaped my mouth, and I lovingly patted her head, "What bad would I do," I shook my head, "I'm just planning on sightseeing."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Sightseeing?"

"Yes, the mortal realm sounds fun, now that I don't have much to do but wait."

Essie seemed to hesitate once more, "B-But sister Immy said-"

I quickly interrupted her, "I won't tell if you don't. Besides, don't you want to go visit your friend?"

My words were the final motivation she lacked. Essie then resolutely nodded, "I want!"

"Great! So here's how we're going to do this..."

****

Laying in a dark corner overlooking the massive open hall, Sidus yawned and opened his eyes. He looked at Immy sitting next to the see-through window, admiring the various sea creatures that could be seen swimming about outside.

"Are you okay with that?" He asked with a raised brow.

"Okay, with what?"

Sidus scoffed, "You know what I mean. They will be leaving soon."

"And? Brother Aether is with her this time. Even Breta is there, I'm sure they won't make a mess."

Sidus clicked his tongue in annoyance and closed his eyes, "You ought to be more honest with your feelings."

Immy turned toward him with a glare, "What does that mean?"

Sidus did not bother to open his eyes, "We both know you wanted to visit the mortal realm as well. What's the use in hiding it."

Immy's opened in shock, and she hastily shook her head in denial, "I do not!"

"Sure you don't. You'd prefer to stay here watching fish through a window instead."

His words earned him another glare from Immy, after which she took a deep breath and chose to ignore him. Sidus didn't mind and continued with his nap.

BANG

The floor shook as he opened his eyes with a frown. Before him was a massive chessboard. A familiar one. The black pieces were on his side, and the other were Immy's white pieces.

The white Dragoness grinned, "Since you don't have anything to do, either. Play with me."

"Huh? Can't you see I was sleeping? Why would I-"

His words were cut short by Immy, "Oh, are you afraid you'd lose, by any chance?"

Her question ignited his competitive spirit, and he quickly sat up. "Lose? Even with you cheating like last time, I would still win!"

"Hmph, we'll see about that. And I never cheat!"

"Shut up and make your move."

****

In another part of the palace, Sa Wa's figure could be seen walking through a field of flowers when suddenly he stopped. A sigh escaped his mouth before he fell to his knees.

"My King," his voice was solemn.

No response came, but the air before him reverberated as invisible waves reached him.

"He is well. All of them are well."

"...."

"I will keep them safe. You do not need to worry about that."

"...."

"He is still waiting for you to reach out to him. Perhaps it would be best if you did?"

"...."

"My apologies, I have stepped out of bounds."

"...."

"No, I will not join the fight. I will keep the young ones safe, and that's all," Sa Wa lowered his head, but his eyes were calm.

"...."

"With all due respect, my King. I'd rather die."

"...."

A faint shadow of a laugh resounded across the hall. The laugh seemed like it was coming from a place far, far away.

"...."

"Thank you. I will protect them when the time comes. But what choice they make is up to them. I hope you can respect that."

"...."

The otherworldy presence disappeared, along with the pressure it brought to the garden. Sa Wa stood up and glanced at his flowers with a pensive expression before a final sigh escaped his mouth.

****

"Okay, you guys ready?" I asked.

Essie excitedly nodded, while Breta had a calm passive expression on.

Taking a deep breath, I teleported us away from the floating gardens. We reappeared in the sky a far distance away from Sa Wa's territory. I quickly scanned our surroundings and spotted the barrier Essie talked about.

The massive dark clouds, the constant sight of lightning, and the sound of thunder. It was an impressive sight that was enough to shock any mortal. Alas, none of us were normal.

"Remember the plan, Essie?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Yes!"

"Good, do it!"

With a final nod, Essie closed her eyes and reached out to her mana. The wind began to surround us gently. I stopped flapping my wings and allowed myself to be carried. Soon after, another type of mana appeared a familiar one.

It reminded me of when I first transformed into a human form with grandma's help. A strange feeling of nostalgia overtook me.