"Human, just how did you..."
The dragon widened her eyes, looking at Haruto in confusion. But Haruto simply tossed the golden sword casually into his Kamui Space.
Then, he waved at the dragon.
"That's a minor detail. Come on, stand up. Don't move, I'm taking a photo."
Dragon: ?
At that moment, Haruto had already taken a picture in midair and uploaded it to the Multiversal Chat Group.
Candle Dragon, Fates Master, Lord of Knowledge: Went out today, picked up a dragon.
Candle Dragon, Fates Master, Lord of Knowledge:~Dragon_Pic.JPG
Pain Magnet: You can just randomly pick up dragons? As expected of you!
Hall Master of Wangsheng: Huh? So this is what dragons look like? In my impression, Lord Rex Lapis' true form isn't like this.
Spoilers Are Fun: This is a Western dragon, it's different from Eastern ones. Also, as expected of the big shot!
Big Sister is Supreme: you idle away every day chatting. Aren't you too free? Also, as expected of the big shot!
Blonde Defeated Dog: Why does this dragon seem a bit confused?
After flexing for a moment, Haruto closed the chat panel and turned back to the dragon.
"Alright, can you shrink a bit? Even though it's nighttime, your size is too conspicuous. Cleanup is a hassle, so please be considerate of the Foundation's PR department. Thank you."
Dragon: o.O
Although she still couldn't fully grasp Haruto's words, she nonetheless transformed in a flash.
The massive dragon vanished.
In its place stood a girl clad in a black robe, with silky golden hair, crimson-gold slit pupils, and two horns on her head. The girl wore only a black robe, her fair skin faintly visible, enough to make one's blood boil.
Behind her, a green-scaled tail rested on the ground, making a heavy thud.
"Human, is this acceptable?"
She asked.
Haruto, however, had been utterly stunned the moment she transformed.
Seeing that he didn't respond, she grew puzzled but, considering he had saved her life, she began recounting her story.
"I lost in a battle against the gods. At the moment of my defeat, I tore open space and fled to this human world. I don't know how you did it, but human, you saved me. I can grant you three requests to repay this debt."
After she finished speaking, she quietly gazed at Haruto.
In response, Haruto simply stepped forward, grabbed her arm, and declared,
"Little Chef, get!"
This action made the dragon girl flustered.
"Human, what do you mean?"
Haruto instead asked,
"What's your name?"
"Tohru," she replied. "I belong to the Chaos Dragon Clan."
Upon hearing this, Haruto was now completely sure of his thoughts—
He had drawn a wild little chef!
(T/N: Frankly did not expect that.)
"Anyway... how about a drink first?"
Haruto casually retrieved a bottle of alcohol from his Kamui Space.
However, faced with Haruto's eager gaze, Tohru sensed something was off and promptly refused the offer.
Haruto reluctantly put the bottle away.
"Human, three requests."
Tohru emphasized again.
Haruto just shook his head.
"After I make my three requests, where will you go? Back to your world?"
At his words, Tohru fell silent, her crimson-gold eyes dimming slightly.
The vast world seemed to have no place for her.
If she returned, she would have to continue the endless war against the gods—that was the fate of the Chaos Dragon Clan.
Winning wouldn't mean anything. Losing, like this time, would mean barely escaping death.
Next time, she might not be so lucky.
Haruto snapped his fingers, pulling Tohru's attention back.
"If you have nowhere to go, why not stay with me?"
At that moment, Tohru's heart wavered.
But she couldn't shake the feeling that this human had ulterior motives.
"Human, what exactly are you after? I am a Chaos Dragon, a being that easily brings calamity."
From her understanding, humans feared dragons deeply.
Yet Haruto simply waved his hand dismissively.
"Dragons or whatever don't matter. I think you'd make a great little chef. So, come stay with me. If you agree to be my little chef, I'll grant you three wishes, so long as they don't involve world destruction or human lives."
Thoru: !?
Being granted wishes instead?
Was this reasonable?
"Human, you—"
"My name is Haruto. Just call me Haru."
"Uh... Haru—no, wait! Human, what gives you the right to grant me wishes? I am a dragon! What can you do that I can't!?"
Thor questioned.
Haruto simply pointed at his eyes.
"Didn't you just ask how I removed that sword? This is the answer. It's also why I can grant wishes."
When Thoru looked into Haruto's eyes, she saw dazzling colors like a rainbow emerging within them.
In that instant, an overwhelming sense of dread struck her—far greater than when the golden sword had pierced her.
"Root Mystic Eyes!? A mere human... how can you possess the power of the Root!?"
Thoru shouted in shock.
Haruto raised an eyebrow.
"You actually recognize them? That's surprising."
In that moment, Thoru understood—
This human had no reason to scheme against her. With those Root Mystic Eyes, anything he desired, he could take by himself.
A dragon's power was nothing but an illusion before him.
So... his invitation wasn't a trap or deception.
"Give me the alcohol."
Thoru suddenly said.
Haruto blinked, then immediately pulled out various liquors and two glasses from Kamui Space.
Beneath the vast night sky, before the massive crimson gate, the two sat on the ground, clinking their glasses together.
The scene was one of pure freedom.
Unfortunately... it didn't last long.
A few hours later—
"Chaos Dragons are so boring! If we're not fighting gods, we're on our way to fight gods! And we always get slandered! Why do people force the image of a lolicon onto dragons!? What the hell!?"
Thoru had terrible alcohol tolerance!
Once drunk, she began venting all her frustrations to Haruto.
She even clung to him, ranting endlessly, not caring that she was only wearing a thin black robe, going as far as to breathe lotus flames (in the form of exotic fire) in his face.
And Haruto?
He simply sat there, listening quietly, occasionally nodding, becoming the perfect listener.
------------------
Morning
"You seriously want me to stay with you?"
Tohru suddenly stopped her drunken rambling and, still drowsy, asked with uncharacteristic seriousness.
Haruto nodded.
"I'm serious. Become my little chef."
Tohru smiled brightly at that but then curiously asked:
"What's a little chef?"
Haruto thought for a moment before replying,
"Someone skilled at cooking, responsible for preparing meals, and bringing delicious food to others."
Tohru tilted her head in thought.
"That sounds a lot like a maid."
Haruto was momentarily stunned.
"A maid? Well, they are kind of similar... But I didn't expect a dragon like you to know about maids."
Tohru hiccupped, releasing a small, dazzling flame before reminiscing.
"I once met a human who, like you, wasn't afraid of me. We had a short conversation. She said that once she was free, she wanted to become a maid, wearing a cute uniform and making people happy with her smile."
Haruto nodded thoughtfully.
"That's a wonderful dream."
A perfect assist. Deep gratitude to that maid lady.
"So, will you stay with me?"
"Yeah, I will!"
This time, Tohru answered without hesitation.
Haruto took out the Absolute Contract Codex.
Tohru placed her palm on it without hesitation, pressing down her mark.
Unlike others, Tohru could recognize the contract's power—just like she had recognized the Mystic Eyes.
Her swift agreement was proof of her resolve.
Thus, after a fated encounter, Haruto successfully "abducted" Tohru and made her his little chef.
The first rays of dawn spread across the sky, illuminating the forest in a misty glow. Under the morning light, Tohru wore a genuine, heartfelt smile.
From this moment on, at least, she was no longer alone in the world.