Dragon King's Harem Chapter 124. The Nymph and The Dwarf (Patreon)

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 124. The Nymph and The Dwarf

After answering with a nod, Marissa tidied up what she needed. She didn't take much other than a bag containing some of her clothes and her family's mementoes. Since the rest was only made up of her father's Mana Manipulation, she left it there. Unlike when I first met Jyne, Marissa seemed to be more careful with me. She even decided to take a ride with Evelina on her own initiative. She said there was no safer place than with the healer.

Still, it didn't mean I didn't catch her curiosity. Since I could feel her gaze during our journey. But I didn't concentrate on it since I focused on the situation and the monsters around us. Moreover, we had no choice but to slow down a bit to keep up with Evelina's Yegaun's speed. Besides, the garden battle had managed to lure more monsters. So Eir and I had to concentrate if we wanted to arrive at our destination safely.

Amid that journey, Marissa's eyes fell on the man who looked like the Dragon King. She observed how he fought and led this group even though it was Eir who had the mark of Servant. Moreover, she had made sure that the mark was genuine. Even though it seemed odd, Marissa decided to hold her tongue since she knew they all had to concentrate on the battle in front of them.

After passing through half the forest and things were much safer, Evelina finally decided to make her voice.
"Lady Marissa, may I ask you something?"

"Say it," said Marissa.

"May I know the reason why your father opposed the queen's idea?"

"My father knew the war would not end well. Balance is important in Igixar. After all, the poison will only make our tribe public enemies..." said Marissa. Evelina couldn't deny what Marissa said. In war, even though the soldiers were allowed to kill their enemies, they should never kill children, women and the elderly. It was a war crime and everyone should avoid it. As for the poison... It would kill everyone within the Dwarf cities without exception, so it was worse than the war crime itself.

Marissa's gaze shifted forward and looked into the distance.
“The poison will only invite calamity to our tribe. The Nymph tribes scattered throughout Igixar will become other tribes' enemies. They will be slaughtered in retribution for what the Queen did. Unfortunately… The Queen doesn't want to let go of this opportunity.”

"Then what poison does the queen want to make?" asked Evelina again. It had been several years since Marissa had lived in this forest. It felt a little strange if the Queen hadn't taken any action during that time so she assumed the Queen still made the poison.

"The Queen wants to make the strongest poison that can kill all the tribes quickly. Without exception. This poison must be able to disappear without a trace. She wants to make her attack a mysterious incident. That way, no one would suspect that this was her attack and without any evidence, other tribes can't accuse her or the Queen can throw this at other tribes," Marissa gave a long explanation.

'Scary...' That was what came to Evelina's mind. It never occurred to her that someone would have such a frightening idea.
"But if things are that bad, why did your father send you to ask the dragon king's help? Wouldn't it be better to come directly to the dwarf Duke?" The Prince should have known that Argod was still asleep. But instead of sending Marissa to the Dwarf Duke, he decided to send Marissa to Draconis. Wasn't that a little weird?

"My father knew very little about the Dwarf Duke and as you heard about the Dwarf king before... My father wasn't sure he could put his hope in him. So the Dragon King was his only hope. The king was a nice person after all. A little cold though." Marissa glanced at Eir, making sure he didn't notice them before she drew closer to Evelina.
"I heard the princess of the healer tribe fell in love with the king and was willing to wait years for him. But I don't think a cold man like him could take someone to be his wife." Marissa's words managed to put an awkward smile on Evelina's face.

Then Marissa sighed and shrugged.
"Unfortunately, I haven't met her yet since the princess is always at the palace. And I usually met the king outside the capital. Otherwise, I would be happy to cheer her on."

Evelina wanted to thank her, but she knew she had to hold herself.

But this time it was Marissa who decided to ask.
"Um... Lady---?"

"Eve. Just call me Eve," Evelina replied. They went in a hurry, so they haven't had time to introduce themselves to Marissa.

"Uh... Yes, Lady Eve. May I know who that soldier is? Why does he have the same face as the king? Is he his double?" said Marissa with her gaze fixed on Argod. Actually, not only his face and body, but his aura was also similar to the dragon king. Fortunately, the dragon king's horns and his eyes couldn't be imitated by anyone.

Her words silenced Evelina.
"He is... His... His..." Evelina took a deep breath since she didn't know what to say to Marissa.
"It's a little complicated. But I think I'll let him say it himself later." Finally, she decided to leave it to Argod.

"That complicated?" asked Marissa, frowning.

"Yes. Besides, we've arrived anyway." Evelina turned her gaze forward. A large cave with an oval entrance was not far from them. The stalactites filled the entire cave and left a narrow space to walk. Greenish water flowed down both sides of the cave. Even though she had never been to the Black Grotto, it all accorded what Argod had said before.

Marissa looked at that place. Her jaw dropped in surprise.
"What do you want to do in this place?" she asked.

"The king asked us to take something here. After this we will take you to the capital," replied Evelina.

"The king asked you to take something here?" Marissa furrowed her brows in disbelief. It was clear, this cave was a dangerous place and she wasn't sure there was anything valuable in it.

"Yes. After this, we will take you to the king," said Evelina. And their surroundings turned darker as they entered the cave.