Isa could've slipped free from the princess's hold, fled, and vanished for good, but her desire for the 4-star item promised at this stage of the story held her back.
She knew securing it would give her a major advantage in the early phases of levelling up. In reality, Prince Maximus was supposed to receive it from the dragon king.
Actually, she was just past the opening chapter of the story. In the story, Maximus and his guards were in the forest with the excuse of 'hunting'.
However, they 'coincidentally' ran into princess Claudia and defeated the filthy monster when it was on the verge of killing her. Then he was rewarded with the special item by the dragon king.
Isa tugged Claudia toward the lake partly to avoid the manipulative prince, who would likely have arrived at their location if they'd kept talking there. She wasn't ready to face him so soon in the story.
However, now she had the horrid chance to encounter the game's villainess, the demon queen!
Now walking beside princess Claudia with a rope made out of light connecting their wrist together, Isa let out a deep sigh.
"Princess, do you really need to do this?"
"Yes."
"You know, I seriously won't run away..."
"Tis for safety's sake." She said, smiling widely.
Isa raised an eyebrow at the weird Princess.
"You know, if I really wanted to run away, I would've already, considering I beat that monster while you ran away from it." I deadpanned.
A tint of pink spread across her cheeks but she quickly brushed it off.
"I grant your argument, but you needn't dwell upon it so..."
In other words, don't rub it on my face. Isa laughed.
"So that's how you treat someone who saved your life."
Claudia let out a sigh before having a stern look.
"I'll only if you wish to cooperate."
I smiled in satisfaction.
"Could've asked me earlier."
Princess Claudia looked at the smug demon one more time before dispersing her elemental rope around their wrists.
They both then walked without any haste, however, the dragon princess did eye her from time to time, making sure she was still there.
"You, what's your name?"
"Why? Want to get to know me?" Isa replied in a teasing tone, making the beautiful dragon roll her eyes.
"Answer my query first, and perchance I shall enlighten you thereafter."
"It's Isadora."
Claudia thought for a bit.
"So Isadora, I chanced to observe a scale-like mark upon your left arm during your exertions. It brought to mind thoughts of a dragon, though the horn upon your head further piqued my curiosity. Would you, perchance, permit me to view your left arm?"
After hearing the princess, Isa stopped frozen on her tracks. She bit her lips as she cursed herself silently. She had totally forgotten she was a hybrid, with a bit of every race's appearance.
She scratched her neck nervously. She was dead if it was revealed she was a hybrid.
'Right, I made the bed and now I have to sleep on it.'
She cleared her throat.
"You see I'm a wandering demon, not really staying in one place. I've visited countless kingdoms and picked up their various traditions." Isa thought for a bit, frantically racking her brain to come further with an excuse.
Claudia only stared at her, wondering where she was leading the conversation.
"I came around a kingdom that had a special art called Tatto. They would permanently design on skins with magical colours. I happen to think Dragons had mesmerising scales, so I had them design such on my arm."
Isa praised herself on the inside for lying without stuttering. Maybe she was born for manipulation.
Claudia squinted her eyebrows before uttering,
"Most concerning. Reveal the name of this kingdom you speak of, and I shall see to it that soldiers are dispatched to suppress such arts that mimic a Magnificent's scales, lest they provoke dangerous misapprehensions if not properly understood." She said, with seriousness lacing around her tone.
"No, no need for that anymore! It was ages ago when I got it. The last time I visited, I heard they stopped doing such designs that might disgrace a race. Even so, if I had been a dragon, why would I be blue-scaled? Only dragon Magnificents such as you only have such ethereal scales hahah."
Isa rambled before ending it with a loud laugh to shake off the nervousness in her voice.
Claudia stayed silent for a bit, squinting her eyes at the nervous woman. She crossed her arms.
"Very well point you have there. However, my request still stands."
The princess intently stared at Isadora, patiently waiting for her to show her arm as if it were no request but an order.
In the end, the hybrid woman rolled the cuffs of her shirt to her shoulder. Claudia examined it with her fist under her chin, just like how a medical student examines a dead body.
"Very fascinating, I would say so. Whoever made it surely has an eye for detail. May I touch it?"
"I'd prefer if you may not princess. I don't quite like having others touching me."
Claudia nodded thoughtfully.
"Understandable. Ah, however, I might have another thing to question."
Isa looked at her with a deadpan expression but nodded nonetheless.
The dragon princess looked her up and down, and suddenly Isa felt a bit self-conscious.
"Behold, we are near the gate. Do you intend to proceed in such attire?"
"What?"
Isa quickly looked at herself and her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
Her clothes were tattered from the fight, with her leggings having ripped on thighs, shoulder and abdomen, with particularly nothing hiding it. Also, there were a few cuts here and there.
'I look worse than a beggar!'
"Uh um, may I trouble you to create a dome of light around me?"
"Do you have a proper change of clothes?" Claudia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I might."
Nodding, the dragon princess, using her element created a wide dome of light around Isa.
Isa quickly opened her inventory to take out the outfit she had gained from the completion of the quest earlier.
The outfit featured a high-neck black top revealing cleavage, paired with black leather shorts, sturdy combat boots extending to her knees with black straps, and a practical red leather military-style coat adorned with a harness and pouches.
In one word, it was cool and hot at the same time.
[Name: Fit Of Resistance
Type: 5-Star Outfit
Details: Forged from a star that could resist the God's powers, which surpassed any other. Upon its destruction by the biggest destructor, The Time, its remnants were forged into the outfit of the God's weakest warrior of strong will.
Enchanments:
#Resistant to poison
#Increases defence up to 70% of the overall DEF. Regeneration takes 5 minutes. Cool down might slow once levelled up high.
#Whatever damage the opponent deals, it is halved.
#Attraction++]
"Oh my lord....
'IF I LEVEL UP FAST, I MIGHT JUST BE INVINSIBLE!'
Isa's eyes lit up in happiness. She quickly went to the character details only to see her DEF was at 45.
"Bummer." She whispered.
But, it was another reason why she definitely needed to obtain the 4-Star item from the Dragon King.
She wore the outfit and instantly felt a boost. She was now more pumped up to go to the Court of Dragons.
"Princess Claudia. Please withdraw the dome." She requested and the princess obliged.
When Isa got out of the dome, the princess widened her eyes, checking her up and down.
A sudden tint of blush spread across her face as she looked anywhere but at the demon/hybrid woman in front.
"How come you look..."
TO BE CONTINUED...