#746 The (Imposing) Cupid Dragon

Continuing this story is the demoness, Batemy.

“Huh, L-Lady Bloody Mary...?!”

Why is Lady Bloody Mary, the Graugrinzel Dragon, here?

Among the regulars at the farm, Lady Mary is one of the most formidable, ranking highly.

As a member of the dragon race, the mightiest species on earth, she is in a league of her own, far surpassing typical demons.

You could say she’s a being... no, a dragon above the clouds.

We’ve never really spoken before, so why this sudden visit?

“No, that’s not right.”

“Huh? What’s not right?”

“I am no longer a Graugrinzel Dragon, but a Gwynn Dragon... The Imperial Princess Dragon has evolved and advanced to the rank of Imperial Consort Dragon! Make sure you get that right!”

“Wha...?!”

Right now, Lady Mary has taken a human form, appearing as an astoundingly beautiful high society lady.

Fitting for a high-ranking dragon, her human form embodies ideal beauty.

Her proportions are striking without being vulgar, maintaining a delicate balance.

Her face is naturally gorgeous, combining a maiden's grace and a mature woman's charm.

This uncanny beauty, which is neither childlike nor adult-like, could only be achieved through the immense magical power of a dragon.

And her skin is so finely textured that it’s shockingly perfect to the point of asking, “Can humans replicate this?”

Seeing a woman who encapsulates all forms of human beauty would make a tailor’s heart race!

Yet, Lady Mary always wears black clothes! What a waste!

With such fine skin, she could pull off even a very bold pattern without appearing cheap. I would love to try designs I haven’t been able to experiment with before!

“Are you listening to me?”

“Huh?!”

Oops, I was so immersed in picturing what clothes would suit her that I zoned out...!

This must be a kind of occupational hazard...!

“I’ve especially come to your aid today as the Gwynn Dragon! You, a mortal, cannot make the first move despite being in love. Such a feeble creature. I’ll blast you with my breath to the other shore!!!”

Please, no. I’ll die from that.

“You came all the way here to... meddle like a nosy old woman...?!”

“Did I disturb you?”

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!!!”

I can’t possibly tell the mightiest dragon on earth, “You’re bothering me; leave me alone, dumbass.”

But why would such a dragon intervene in the love affairs of a mere demon like me?

There must be numerous such cases around the world, right?

“Hmph... I have been reborn!”

What does she mean?

“Once, I was a dragon intoxicated with my own power and cared for little else. Why? Because I could overpower anyone at will. There was no need to consider others, right?”

“Y-Yes...!”

Should I be agreeing to this?

“But after encountering numerous beings who surpassed me in power and status, I had a change of heart. All living beings must live in harmony, cooperating. Even dragons are no exception.”

“You just fell for Lord Ardheg and had a change of heart, didn’t you?”

“Shut up, or I’ll burn you.”

“I’m sorry.”

That’s right; this mightiest dragoness has a love interest: the Dragon Emperor, Lord Ardheg.

They’re usually inseparable as if they’re a set, so it’s rare to see her without her other half today.

“That’s why I decided to use my unrivaled strength to aid the weak! And you’ve been chosen as the first one to receive my assistance! You should feel honored!”

“Huh? I’m the first one you’ve decided to help?”

It’s been quite some time since you’ve been with Lord Ardheg.

So if I’m the first one, it makes me wonder what you’ve been doing all this while.

“S-Shut up! Aren’t you happy to receive my help?!”

Well, I suppose it would be quite an accomplishment to be aided by a dragon...

But this isn’t war. It’s love.

How exactly are you planning to help me?

“I’ll threaten your man with, ‘Marry her, or I’ll burn you.’“

“Good heavens.”

Please stop with the threats.

Why are you resorting to threats when you should be nurturing our love?!

Even a hundred-year love would falter from such an approach!

“Huh? You mean I can’t? Any mortal will submit if I use my dragon power, right?”

“Don’t assume that it’ll sway his heart as well!”

Maybe mortals and dragons are truly incompatible creatures after all?

But why do I, a not-so-important figure even on the farm, have to deal with a dragon?

It’s too much of a responsibility, don’t you think?

“Hmm, mortal love is quite intricate, isn’t it? I thought it would be beneficial to me, but it’s not.”

“Huh?”

Beneficial?

What do you mean, Lady Mary?

I didn’t think it was purely out of kindness, but was there a hidden motive behind her seemingly supportive actions for my love?

“Well, that’s... um...!”

See that? Lady Mary stammers at my suspicion.

So, there was some sort of scheme after all?

Out with it!

“Ardheg has... agreed to be with me...!”

Oh, right.

Such an event happened at some point.

I witnessed it too as one of the farm’s residents.

“But there’s been no progress since then! Life as a couple remains unchanged, just as it was before! Is this what mortals rave about, calling it a dream honeymoon?! It can’t be! I’m absolutely certain of that!!!”

I see...

Dragons, having lived in solitude since ancient times, are the ultimate powerful creatures.

For such dragons, the concept of marriage, of being a pair of male and female, is quite foreign and largely unknown.

They’re at a loss about what to do even after getting married...

Perhaps both Lord Ardheg and Lady Mary are feeling the same way.

“Why isn’t he doing anything?! Isn’t it typical to be affectionate and flirtatious after marriage?!”

In Lady Mary’s case, it seems that isn’t so.

She seems quite familiar with mankind’s culture, doesn’t she...?

“I know! I’ve observed it enough during my visits to this farm! After all, Ardheg himself has attended his best friend’s weddings, so why can’t he at least emulate that?!” Lady Mary vents her frustration.

I see.

Irritated by the slow progress in her marriage, Lady Mary is meddling in someone else’s love life...

But why?

“Of course! By helping you, I plan to gain your assistance to progress my marriage with Ardheg! Once you manage to get married splendidly with my help, you’ll then assist me with my own marriage! Understand?!”

“So, in the end, it’s all for your own benefit?!”

“Obviously! Why on earth should a dragon like me, the superior species, assist mankind for no reason?! Conversely, it’s against my pride as the superior species to be helped, so first, I’ll do you a favor! Be grateful!”

What a nuisance!

The pride of the superior species is such a nuisance!!!

“Furthermore, you’re capable of creating those splendid dresses women wear at weddings, aren’t you? I want to owe a favor to someone skilled!”

So, my profession comes into play here?!

And out of the many people involved, I was chosen?!

“Listen, if this goes well and I can successfully get you married, I’ll have you create my marriage dress!”

“It’s called a wedding dress!”

“Right, I want it in black! Completely black! As the dark dragon Bloody Mary, wearing black is a part of my identity, so it’s fitting for me to get married in black too!”

Who on earth wears a black wedding dress?!

Is that some kind of rebellious phase?!

If you arrive in a completely black dress, people will think it’s a funeral, so just stick to the traditional white!

You’re going to regret it, I’m telling you! It’ll become your haunting past!!!

“Now that we’ve settled this, let’s get to work! Your lover is in the capital of mankind, isn’t he? In the city of the dark-skinned species!”

“What?!”

“Then, let’s head there right away! As a dragon... we can get there at a speed faster than sound!”

Gyaaaaaaaah!

Lady Mary has transformed back into a dragon! Please don’t scoop me up and whisk me away!

If we fly at super high speed, the air rushing against my face will feel like it’s ripping off my skinnnn!

Where on earth is Lady Mary planning to go?

From her previous comments, is she heading to the demon’s central city, the Demon Capital?

If a dragon flies directly into such a place, won’t it cause a huge commotion? 

What is she planning to do, going to such extremes...?

Don’t tell me she’s planning to carry out what she said earlier...

Blackmail?!