Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 666: A Stubborn Dragon

”Flitza Copperhide,” raising her hand in the direction of Raven and his party, the half dragon-half–half harpy, beckoned the group closer. ”Paladin of Asmareth and Meimei’s guardian. Now, introduce yourselves.”

With an eye roll, Melenai tried to step up and calm down the agitated paladin, but before she could take even a single step, the dragoness reached for the hilt of her sheathed blade.

”Don’t try me...” Scoffing in frustration, Melenai, the advisor, turned towards Raven.

”Go ahead, introduce yourselves to her.” Glancing right back at the dragoness, the warlord stared at her for a spell. Her horn, burning red like heated iron, exuded smoke and distorted his vision beyond them. Her fingers and light scales on her cheeks were no different as they too let out smoke and a distortion of vision all over her body.

While humanoid for the most part, her legs sticking out of what appeared to be a battle gown made to seem like a servant’s clothes, were those of a harpy standing upright.

’Mixed blood ancestry, her family must’ve been an impressive bunch.’ Lifting his gaze, Raven matched the golden eyes of the dragoness. Staring right back at her, he explained to her who he was as well as introduced the rest of his party. Adding the part about the royalty’s request, he expected her to calm down, but instead, upon realizing, who she was standing against, the dragon’s rage burned brighter.

”So you’re the ones who killed one of our ranks. Another paladin sent to protect the city to the southwest!” Reaching for her sword, she drew out a flaming blade burning brighter than any fire the party had ever seen, even in the hells.

”Flitza, calm down, okay?” Slowly moving closer to the dragoness, the advisor tried to talk reason to her. ”We need their help, so why don’t you put Scorcher away, huh?”

”As if–”

”What’s happening?” Interrupting the duo, the disabled girl finally turned to the ruckus. Lost in her work and her own melody, she hadn’t heard a word of what had been happening. But now, with things getting too loud, she had to look across the room and try to figure out what had happened just now. ”Mel, who are these people?”

The elf raised an eyebrow for a moment before realizing that it was Melenai whom the girl was referring to.

”I’ll explain, but first, can you ask Flitza to put her blade away?” With a hum, the girl glanced over to her guardian and, without saying a word, she moved her magic hand in the air, making the sword that she had created sheath itself.

”This is insane that we’re entertaining an alliance with these people,” Flitza complained, but her words fell on deaf ears.

The smiling blacksmith instead focused on the situation as Melenai explained to her everything that had been happening. At first, she wasn’t sure how to feel since the group had sunk one of their cities, but upon realizing that those people were brought back unharmed, her tone changed to a melodic hum again.

”Call me Mei, I’m Meimei–a Caladrius, although I lost my feathers to a wolf when I was just a baby.” Smiling, the girl hopped off the table and began walking closer to Raven. With a pep in her step, she jumped about like a rabbit. ”And I’m a conjuryaaahhh~ Ahahaha~”

Reaching no more than Raven’s hips, she twirled on her axis and chuckled while facing him.

”A mage then?” Getting on his knees, Raven offered the girl a hand for a handshake. ”I used to be one, nice to meet someone that I can relate to in this city.”

Nodding her head once, the girl shook Raven’s hand.

”I’m happy to meet new people as well, always a new story from a new place!”

And with that introduction, Raven glanced sideways at the dragoness. Still huffing and puffing in anger, he decided to calm her in the only way someone stubborn like her would listen.

”Since we’re working together, how about we test each other’s abilities?” Getting off the ground, he gestured for the girl to come closer to him. ”A fight, you and me–take your frustration out for what happened, but after that, you have to let go. I’m not taking a disobedient soldier into a fight to the death.”

”Deal!” Without wasting a single breath, Flitza was ready. In her mind, it was merely a matter of beating someone’s ass whom she was severely underestimating. If she could take down Raven, then the others would fall under her command and be forced to repent for what they had done to their city–or at least that’s what she thought, because Raven had no plans to be losing against someone like her.

”If that’s what it takes for you two to work together, then whatever, just follow me to the training ground...” Heaving a tired sigh, Melenai led the group out of the workshop and towards the back of the castle–cum-mansion.

While making their way there, Mei eyed each and every one from Raven’s group as she tried to figure out what kind of equipment would suit them. While doing so, her head carelessly bumped against everyone’s legs. Each one of them asked if she was okay, but the blacksmith conjurer was quite busy admiring their toned body upon which she could put on her custom armors.

Bumping into Amedith, however, her head slipped under his skirt for just a moment. Glancing up, she was the first to realize that although he wore feminine clothes, even frilly panties, he wasn’t a she but a he. Blushing, she quickly got herself out before anyone realized. The magus did turn to her to ask if she was okay, but too bashful after what she’d seen, the blacksmith kept her lips sealed.

’Why is a boy wearing girl’s clothes?!’ She asked herself, but of course, the answer wouldn’t come as the situation with the magus was quite...interesting. ’Wha-whatever! I can’t judge other people if they don’t judge me!’

Having been seen as a burden for far too long, however, Mei knew better than to question others on their choices too much.