Chapter 374- Pure-Hearted Prince vs. Giant Dragon Boss (13)
“Here, it’s yours.” Mu Jin spoke casually, handing the dagger to Owen without a second thought. Owen, startled, quickly set down the packages he was carrying and scrambled to catch the dagger, his face lighting up with joy.
The dagger was clearly a high-quality item, something he could never afford with his modest savings. After the revelations about the goblins earlier that day, Owen had developed an instinctive dislike for Gardener. Watching Gardner’s gift to Mu Jin being casually dismissed and given away brought him immense satisfaction.
Gardner hadn’t anticipated this outcome. He had presented the finest weapon from the shop as a gift, yet Mu Jin showed him no regard whatsoever. Not only did Mu Jin give the gift to someone else, but he also left without so much as a polite word or even a second glance.
Staring at Mu Jin’s retreating figure, Gardner clenched his fists tightly. The arrogance in Mu Jin’s demeanor only fueled his competitive spirit.
Initially, Gardner’s interest in Mu Jin stemmed purely from a system-issued task. But now, seeing Mu Jin’s aloof and untouchable attitude, he became determined to conquer him. He fantasized about the day Mu Jin would be hopelessly devoted to him, humbled and at his mercy. Then, he thought, ‘we’ll see how cold and distant you remain.’
Gardner might have been indulging in grandiose schemes, but Mu Jin gave him no chance to act on them. The very next day, Mu Jin packed his belongings and informed the king that he would accompany Prince Norris on a journey, planning to return after some time.
The excuse, of course, came from Norris, who proposed the idea. Mu Jin claimed he was merely following the orders of the dragon to ensure the prince’s safety and had no choice but to remain by his side.
The king, seeing Mu Jin’s dutiful demeanor toward Norris, was somewhat reassured and granted their request. He even thought it might do Norris some good to venture out for a while.
Besides, with Owen, a capable knight, and Mu Jin, a powerful mage, accompanying him, there was no need to worry about the prince’s safety.
Once they departed, Mu Jin set their course for the Elven Forest, a significant distance from the human kingdom. Although it would have been far more convenient for him to transform into a dragon and carry Norris there, their journey also included Owen, making walking the more practical choice.
However, considering that their schedule wasn’t particularly tight, walking across the continent while sightseeing seemed like a delightful idea. This thought kept Mu Jin in good spirits. Even Norris found himself enjoying the journey, especially because Owen proved to be an extremely considerate companion.
One clear example of Owen’s thoughtfulness was how he arranged their accommodations. Without a word, he booked a single room for Mu Jin and Norris to share. When he wasn’t busy with tasks, Owen quietly followed them, making an effort to keep his presence as unobtrusive as possible, practically lowering his “wattage as a third wheel” to the minimum.
Although Mu Jin and Norris had departed, the impact of their earlier actions lingered. The dragon’s proclamation in the square had sparked widespread discussions, leading people to reconsider their preconceived notions about Norris.
During their journey, Mu Jin and Norris made frequent stops, doing numerous good deeds along the way. Thanks to Mu Jin’s guidance, Norris’s reputation underwent a remarkable transformation. Mu Jin even commissioned songs to spread tales of Norris’s virtues, turning him into a symbol of kindness and integrity. In a short span, Norris became so well-regarded that his popularity surpassed that of Princess Bernice.
When Bernice heard the news, she was consumed with jealousy and rage. No matter how hard she tried to fabricate lies to tarnish Norris’s reputation, she failed miserably. The dragon’s endorsement had left an indelible mark on public opinion, shielding Norris from further slander.
This turn of events filled Bernice with dread. If things continued as they were, public favor might completely shift to Norris, jeopardizing her claim to the throne and her dream of becoming queen.
‘Why is that foolish brother of mine so lucky?!’ Bernice thought bitterly. ‘Norris is nothing but a useless waste who hasn’t even awakened his magic. I, on the other hand, possess Light Magic, chosen and blessed by the God of Light himself. Even the Church supports me!’
Yet, despite her superior standing, Norris was now in the spotlight. People were already discussing the bright future of the kingdom if Norris inherited the throne, especially with the dragon as his advisor.
This outcome was unbearable for Bernice, who had always enjoyed a smooth path to success. After much deliberation, she decided to seek out the male protagonist, Gardner. After all, Gardner had once promised her that he could kill the dragon.
If the dragon were dead, Norris would lose his only advantage. Without the dragon’s support, he’d just be a powerless prince, someone Bernice was confident she could easily defeat.
Of course, outwardly, Bernice maintained her usual image of gentleness and virtue. She merely wept to Gardner, pleading that he kill the dragon. She explained that, while the dragon promised many benefits, it wasn’t human, and she couldn’t bear to see her brother bound to such a monstrous creature in her place.
Gardner was naturally swayed by Bernice’s sweet and sorrowful words. Besides, killing the dragon was already part of his plan. If the dragon lived, Bernice could never become queen.
Moreover, considering the system’s tasks, Gardner believed that eliminating the dragon would leave Mu Jin without support. Without the dragon, Mu Jin would just be an ordinary high-level mage. Even with his formidable strength, what could a lone mage do against the might of the entire Church?
Once the dragon was gone, Gardner could claim Mu Jin without hesitation or concern. Killing the dragon was clearly an unavoidable step in his plans.
With their respective motives in mind, Bernice and Gardner feigned affection for each other, playing along with each other’s schemes. Their pretense of intimacy made them seem like the perfect match.
…
Meanwhile, nearing the Elven Forest, Mu Jin asked Owen to rest in a nearby town rather than follow them into the forest. Mu Jin explained that elves were a notoriously xenophobic race, and having too many people present would only make them less accepting. Mu Jin had important business to attend to with Norris, and it was best if it were just the two of them.
Though Owen felt uneasy, Norris backed up Mu Jin’s decision, and Mu Jin reassured him repeatedly that he would ensure Norris’s safety. Ultimately, Owen relented, finding a lodging in the nearby town and preparing to respond at a moment’s notice if needed.
As night fell, Mu Jin and Norris shared a simple meal before venturing into the forest.
Norris couldn’t quite understand why they had to travel at night when visibility was so much better during the day. However, Mu Jin only gave him a mysterious smile, took his hand, and led him deeper into the forest. They finally stopped by a small lake.
Mu Jin had already extended his spiritual sense to survey the area beforehand. The Elven Forest was indeed breathtaking, especially under the cover of night. Mu Jin wanted Norris to experience its beauty, as humans were generally not allowed into the forest.
The elves had set up a barrier around the forest to keep outsiders out. However, such obstacles posed no challenge for Mu Jin. He effortlessly brought Norris to the lakeside.
As Norris gazed at the moonlit lake, with its shimmering reflections dancing on the surface, a faint blush crept onto his cheeks. It no longer felt like they were here for anything important—more like a leisurely romantic outing.
Could it be that Mu Jin sent Owen away just so the two of them could share a private moment together?
This thought made Norris both bashful and delighted. Looking at Mu Jin, whose emerald eyes gleamed softly as he admired the lake, Norris couldn’t help but lean in. He pressed a light kiss to the corner of Mu Jin’s lips and pulled him into an embrace, eager to let the enchanting surroundings amplify their intimacy.
But before he could take things further, Mu Jin suddenly stepped forward, slipping out of his arms. With a playful smile, he snapped his fingers. What happened next left Norris completely stunned.
In response to Mu Jin’s gesture, a swarm of fireflies rose from the bushes around the lake, illuminating the entire area. The scene was otherworldly, a mesmerizing display of light and shadow that Norris had never encountered before.
No wonder Mu Jin had been so secretive, insisting they wait until nightfall to continue their journey. He had orchestrated all of this just so Norris could witness such an unforgettable spectacle.
Norris felt deeply touched, his heart swelling with emotion. He grasped Mu Jin’s hand tightly, overflowing with affection. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to lay down under the open sky with his beloved and savor the romance of the moment.
But just as he was about to express his feelings further, something—unfortunately—appeared to ruin the perfect atmosphere.
The sound of rustling leaves came from around them. Even though Norris didn’t understand magic, as a warrior dedicated to body and sword techniques, he still had sharp instincts. He immediately realized that someone seemed to be lurking in the shadows, watching them from a distance.
Having been interrupted twice when trying to share intimate moments with his beloved, Norris’s expression darkened. He looked around the lake, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, ready to strike at any moment.
Seeing Norris’s reaction, Mu Jin knew that his man had sensed something unusual around them. He casually clapped his hands and called out to a certain direction, “Come out now, and tell your queen that I want to see her.”
“What makes you think you have the right to ask to see our queen?” The elves, realizing that Mu Jin and Norris had detected their presence, stopped hiding. One elf emerged from the tree canopy, shouting at Mu Jin.
“Tell your queen that I have a way to revive the treemen. If she doesn’t want them brought back to life, she doesn’t need to see me.” Mu Jin’s tone was relaxed, as if he didn’t care about the elves surrounding them with weapons.
The elf who had shouted immediately fell silent upon hearing Mu Jin’s words. Though he felt that what Mu Jin claimed was nearly impossible, a glimmer of hope arose in his heart, and he quickly ran deeper into the forest toward the Great Mother Tree.
As the elf left, the other elves came out from their hiding places, revealing their delicate faces.