Chapter 43
Arcian didn’t hide his displeasure and glared at him.
“I don’t use such lowly tactics.”
“Protecting the divine beast is my duty, so I hope you understand. Why did you call Asil here today?”
“You were the one who requested the meeting first, Duke.”
“I didn’t expect such a formal invitation when I made the request.”
Their gazes clashed in midair.
What do I do… The beastman uncle and my husband are fighting.
Asil, nibbling on the half-piece of cookie given by Edenber, kept stealing glances at the two.
“I understand you’re wary of me, but I didn’t invite you with any ulterior motives.”
Soon, Arcian softened his cold expression and spoke gently to Asil.
“Little divine beast, don’t you ever need a friend to share your heart with?”
“Pippi?!” (What?! I do!)
Asil, delighted, nodded enthusiastically with cookie crumbs around her mouth.
This uncle, since he’s also a black dragon beastman, must be suggesting we become friends!
However, Arsian’s next words were a proposal far beyond expectations.
“Then, would you like to meet my lizard divine beast?”
“Pippiya…?” (Lizard…?)
A lizard, all of a sudden?
Asil tilted her head in confusion.
Meanwhile, Arcian gave an order to a servant.
The servant stepped out briefly and returned with a black lizard the size of a forearm.
Carefully, they placed it on the sofa next to Arcian, across from Asil.
“Kkurrrrk.”
The lizard made a strange sound.
Asil stared at the lizard intently.
‘No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t resemble Asil at all.’
It was Asil’s first time seeing a lizard.
Its face, front paws, and even the lack of wings on its back were completely different from Asil.
Humans keep calling Asil a lizard, but I don’t know what they’re seeing.
Anyway, Asil started a staring contest with the lizard.
It was because the lizard kept staring at her provocatively.
‘Asil is the boss of Monlepe.’
I’ll win this fight no matter what. For Asil’s honor and fierce dragon image, I can’t lose!
But unfortunately, dust got in her eyes, causing her to blink.
“Kkurrrrk.”
The lizard let out a sound that seemed like laughter.
No, upon closer inspection, one corner of its mouth was curled up—it was definitely laughing.
What! Asil, indignant, shouted loudly.
“Pippiya!” (One more time!)
But the lizard made another “kkurrrrk” sound and leapt off the sofa.
Arcian, with a meaningful smile, explained the lizard’s behavior.
“As expected, being fellow lizards, they must have some connection. It says it wants to show its new friend some fun toys.”
“You’re not planning anything strange, are you?”
“How could I? I’m well aware that today’s meeting is purely personal, excluding my status.”
The two men, clearly at odds, locked eyes fiercely once again.
Without breaking eye contact with Arcian, Edenber spoke to Asil.
“Do you want to go?”
“Pippiya.” (Yeah.)
“…Alright. Be careful.”
“Pippi. Pippiya.” (Okay. Asil will be back.)
Nodding, Asil jumped off the sofa.
I don’t know what toys it wants to play with, but this time, I’ll show the ferocity of a black dragon beastman!
Arcuan’s lizard divine beast led Asil out of the reception room.
They climbed the stairs, passed through a long corridor, and entered an empty room before stopping.
Asil, tail raised high, looked around curiously.
Strange, there’s nothing here.
‘Why did it bring me to a place like this?’
At that moment, a voice suddenly called out.
“Asil.”
“Pippi?!”
Startled, Asil jumped in place.
The lizard friend, who could only say “kkurrrrk” earlier, was now speaking human language!
The lizard said,
“I’m your dad.”
“Pippi, pippippi pippiya!” (No, Asil’s dad isn’t a lizard!)
Stop saying weird things!
Then, the lizard seemed to be enveloped in swirling smoke before transforming into Arcian, who should’ve been in the reception room.
A spell that allowed one person to act in two places at once.
It was a doppelgänger spell.
Though it automatically dispels when the distance grows too great, it was perfect for situations like this.
“Finally, I’ve shaken off the Duke of Monlepe.”
Arcian wore an expression as if he’d just removed a leech.
But that lasted only a moment. His icy demeanor melted away, and he suddenly hugged Asil, rubbing her cheek.
“I’m your dad, Asil!”
“Pippi!?”
This beastman uncle is saying really weird things!
Startled, Asil’s tail shot up straight.
Pushing Arcian’s cheek with their tiny fern-like front paws, she shouted,
“Pippiyapippi!” (Asil’s dads are all in the forest!)
“When you were just born, didn’t one dad say goodbye with a wave?”
“Pippi….”
“That was me. You’ve grown so much since I last saw you.”
Asil, who had been pushing Arcian away, gave him a suspicious look.
‘Is this uncle really Asil’s dad?’
Sniff sniff, her nose twitched, and indeed, there was a familiar scent she’d smelled somewhere before.
Up close, his eye color was the same pink as Asil’s.
As for hair color, since Asil was bald, she couldn’t confirm if it matched…
Come to think of it, this uncle did say he was a black dragon last time.
“Pippiyappip?” (Is uncle really a black dragon?)
“Uncle?”
Arcian, who had been teary with joy, looked hurt.
“You should call me Dad.”
“Pippiyappip?” (Un.cle. Are you really a black dragon?)
“…Yes, Dad is a black dragon.”
Thinking that showing his true form might change how Asil addressed him, Arcuan released the humanization on one arm.
Soon, a majestic and powerful black dragon arm covered in black scales appeared.
“See, just like Asil, right?”
“Pippiyaa?” (Why not fully release the humanization?)
“If I did that here, the house would collapse. Dad’s really big, you know.”
“Pippihya?” (That big?)
“Yeah, that big.”
If Briana, their mother, wasn’t so tiny, Asil, who inherited his blood, would’ve been born much larger too.
Dragon beastmen, who rarely reproduce, cherished their bloodline deeply.
So, kissing the cheek of his precious chestnut-sized daughter, he spoke gently.
“Now do you believe Dad?”
“…Pippiya.” (…I don’t know. Uncle.)
“Why! Why am I still uncle?!”
“…Pippi.” (…Just because.)
Avoiding his gaze, Asil pouted.
It seemed like he might really be hrr dad, but since she hadn’t seen him since they parted ways long ago, it felt awkward and embarrassing.
“my good daughter, my pretty daughter. Just try calling me Dad once. Please?”
“Pippiyaa.” (Un.cle.)
“Urgh.”
Arcian, known as a cold noble in high society, looked like he might genuinely cry.
Being called “uncle” by his only daughter!
But since it was his fault for leaving a newborn behind, he reluctantly changed the subject.
“How did our Asil end up in the human world? And what’s this about being Monlepe’s divine beast?”
“Pippiya.”
Finally, Asil could talk about everything they’d been through.
Asil explained everything step by step.
From the summoning incident to becoming a divine beast, the civil war with Viante, and the friendly match with Starafit.
After hearing the whole story, Arcian asked,
“You haven’t been found out as a beastman by the humans, right?”
“Pippi.” (Nope.)
“Good, good. Well done, my daughter.”
Patting her bottom proudly, he rubbed her cheek again.
“It must’ve been tough surviving among humans, but you did well. No matter what it takes, Dad will make sure you get back home.”
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By Anna 💓
