Chapter 142
Draco felt a knot of unease twist in his stomach as he guided the carriage forward, the whispers and curious glances from passersby creating an unsettling atmosphere around him.
Although the attention was mostly positive, a sense of vulnerability washed over him like an unexpected tide.
It wasn't the first time he faced scrutiny, but this occasion felt distinct.
For the first time since arriving in Orario, he had decided to brave the outside world without his familiar cloak, a staple that had long shielded him from prying eyes and unwanted questions.
He was no longer hiding his identity, having decided it was time to reveal who he was, but shedding the cloak had left him feeling exposed in a way he couldn't quite articulate—a mix of liberation and anxiety.
Determined to ignore the attention, Draco soon arrived at the towering structure of Babel.
The area was alive with the energy of adventurers bustling about, some returning from the dungeon beneath the tower while others prepared to embark on new quests.
Amidst the throng of adventurers, a collection of gods and goddesses made their way toward the tower, their divine presence adding an air of importance to the evening.
Draco maneuvered the carriage, searching for a suitable spot to park.
He turned to his goddess, Bahamut, who seemed lost in thought throughout the ride.
“We’ve arrived,” Draco announced, his voice breaking the silence that had enveloped them.
“Oh, that was quicker than I expected,” Bahamut murmured, shaking herself from her reverie.
After securing the carriage, Draco stepped down, moving to open the door for Bahamut.
Her attire was intricately designed, leaving little room for missteps, and he knew she would appreciate a steady hand.
“My lady,” he said, extending his hand to assist her down.
Bahamut accepted his hand, a puzzled smile lingering on her lips.
Draco’s demeanour felt uncharacteristically refined, and though she found it slightly embarrassing, she chose to play along.
As she stepped down from the carriage, Draco guided her toward the entrance of the Babel tower, their presence catching the eye of many who had gathered.
Bahamut, the petite dragon goddess, was indeed a sight to behold, her charm enhanced by the delicate outfit she wore.
Beside her, Draco stood like a statue carved from stone—a handsome dragon kin with a wild yet elegant appearance.
His muscular build, striking red reptilian eyes, and golden accessories only added to the allure he exuded, making them quite the captivating pair.
Murmurs swept through the crowd as they walked together, but neither seemed to notice the attention.
Their focus remained on the path ahead until a familiar voice called out to them.
“Bahamut, wait!” It was Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, her voice soft yet filled with urgency.
Both Bahamut and Draco halted, turning to watch as Demeter approached, her expression a blend of surprise and delight at the sight of her friend.
“Good evening, Demeter. It’s been a while,” Bahamut greeted warmly.
“Good evening to you as well, Bahamut,” Demeter replied, her eyes flicking to Draco with curiosity.
“And who might this handsome young man be?” she asked.
Demeter already knew who he was, there didn’t exists any Dragon kin in the world besides Draco after-all.
However she couldn’t wrap her head the fact that, he grew so much in such a short time.
The last time she had see him was a few months ago, he looked like acute boy, but now stood before her a young handsome man, so she couldn’t help but be curious about what happened.
Draco recognized the playful glint in Demeter’s eyes, but he also sensed the underlying seriousness of her question.
“It is I, Draco, Captain of the Bahamut Familia. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again.” he introduced.
“Oh my, I had thought we were more than mere acquaintances after our last meeting,” Demeter teased, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips.
Unsure how to respond, Draco felt a flush of warmth creep up his neck.
They had indeed shared moments during Demeter’s previous visit, but it had not crossed his mind that it could be interpreted as something more.
Before he could formulate an answer, Demeter continued, “But truly, you have grown a bit too much since I last saw you. What happened?” she questioned.
“Not here, Demeter,” Bahamut interjected, her voice firm yet gentle.
She sensed the eyes of several deities upon them, each filled with a mixture of intrigue and wariness.
Draco, after all, was a being who shouldn’t exist.
“Hmm, you’re right,” Demeter conceded, her gaze scanning the area.
“But I must admit, I’m eager to see how Hephaestus will react. She missed the ‘cute’ version of Draco, it would be devastating not to see his handsome version too” Demeter said.
“Just what have you been telling her about Draco?” Bahamut muttered.
“Nothing too crazy, he just came up sometimes in meetings” Demeter replied.
‘Ugh, does this mean that the goddess Hephaestus knows of me. I can’t believe that I might meet her so soon. Wait, can’t I use the opportunity to place the one eyed black dragon scales in her hand. I feel like it would be much safer in her hands than mine right now’ Draco thought.
“That’s aside, what will you do, Draco? Will you wait here for me, or will you find something else to occupy your time until the meeting concludes?” Bahamut asked, pulling Draco from his musings.
Draco glanced around, weighing his options.
Initially, he had planned to stay by the entrance, tending to the horses while waiting for Bahamut.
However, given the mounting attention from various deities, he felt it prudent to take his leave.
“How long do you think the meeting will take?” he inquired.
“Hmm, about three to four hours, give or take,” Bahamut replied.
“Then I will return in three hours. Staying here might only invite trouble,” Draco decided.
“Good choice,” Bahamut acknowledged with a nod.
With their plans set, Bahamut turned to leave, and Demeter followed closely behind.
“See you later, Draco,” Demeter called back, her voice warm as she walked away.
Draco offered a slight nod in response before retracing his steps to the carriage. The air outside felt charged with energy, the anticipation of the gathering palpable in the atmosphere.
……………………………
Meanwhile, as Bahamut and Demeter entered the meeting room, the energy shifted.
The space buzzed with the chatter of gods and goddesses, their voices a cacophony of divine discourse.
As soon as they entered, attention pivoted toward them—especially Bahamut, whose beauty and grace made her a focal point amidst the crowd.
Some of the male deities began to approach her, eager to engage, but a single, fierce glare from the dragon goddess sent most of them retreating.
“You’re looking quite eye-catching today,” Hermes remarked, sidling up to them with his usual charm.
“Hermes, you’re not hiding from me today,” Bahamut replied, a teasing lilt to her voice.
“Ugh, when have I ever hidden from you? I was merely trying to keep my distance,” he replied, feigning innocence while avoiding her gaze.
“Not sticking your nose in my business, huh? Then why has one of your children been observing my children for so long?” Bahamut asked, her tone suddenly serious.
Hermes stiffened, his mind racing.
‘Did that Draco boy notice Asfi monitoring him?’ he wondered.
“What might you be talking about? I wouldn’t try anything sneaky around you,” he countered, maintaining a facade of ignorance.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. Draco determined that your child meant no harm, so he ignored her. I will trust his judgment,” Bahamut declared, her voice firm.
Hermes gulped, though he managed to keep a neutral expression.
“Then I will have to thank him in person for being so considerate,” he replied, relieved.
“Hmm, that aside, I trust you will be on my side today?” Bahamut asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed him.
“Of course, the boy has done nothing wrong or broken any laws, so I see no issues there. The real question will be whether you can hold onto him,” Hermes remarked with a sly grin.
Bahamut’s lips curled into a knowing smirk, her sharp canines flashing in the dim light.
“I would like to see anyone try to take him from me,” she whispered, a predatory edge to her tone.
A chill crept up Hermes’ spine, a sense of foreboding settling in.
‘She won’t go that far, right?’ he thought, a lingering unease clouding his mind as Bahamut and Demeter walked away.