The Long Journey After Becoming an Ancient Dragon

Chapter 44

After Aino's "protest," the adventurers relaxed slightly.

Of course, simply saying "I'm a good person" wasn't enough to win anyone's trust outright. However, when faced with the suspicion that Aino was a merciless killing monster, her emotionally charged words naturally reduced their fear and vigilance.

After all, a being capable of communication, with emotions and temperaments like humans, couldn’t be too terrifying—at least in theory.

"She’s probably just a friendly, powerful non-human."

This thought began to creep into the adventurers’ minds.

Before long, they passed through the outskirts of the town and entered the residential district, where the streets became noticeably livelier.

As they walked, Aino observed that many of the plainly dressed townsfolk carried faint traces of magical energy.

Weak, perhaps only enough to cast a small fireball to light wood or to enhance their swimming ability with water magic—nothing more than that.

But it was undeniable that they had been exposed to magic.

It seemed what Devon had told her was true: magic had become widespread among humans. Even commoners with a touch of talent or resources could now aspire to be adventurers.

Lost in thought, Aino followed the group to the entrance of a shop—clearly a restaurant.

“Well, well, Devon! You actually made it back alive!”

Before they could step inside, a booming voice rang out, and a burly man in his forties or fifties, slightly overweight, strode out to greet them.

With a hearty laugh, the man raised a fist and swung it towards Devon, who responded with a slight grin and met the punch with his own fist.

“The owner and Devon are close friends. I heard they’ve been through thick and thin together for over twenty years. He gave up adventuring a couple of years ago to open this restaurant,” one of the adventurers explained to Aino.

Aino nodded, standing politely outside with the others to give the two men time to catch up.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Devon said after their conversation, returning to the group. “Time to eat. Miss Aino, could you step forward for a moment?”

Curious, Aino complied.

“Heh, Pilof here isn’t a mage, but he has a special innate magic. He can sense someone’s favorite food—the recipe, flavor, and all.”

Devon introduced the burly, bearded man, who smiled warmly at Aino with an expression that appeared kind and sincere. However, his sharp, perceptive eyes betrayed a hidden edge.

This body of mine... its favorite food is humans.

No matter how much she resisted the thought, humans’ flesh was irresistibly tempting to her instincts. Their meat was tender, their blood sweet—it was a craving embedded in her very being, beyond her control.

Pilof slowly lowered his hands, his gaze complex as he looked between Devon and Aino.

“What’s wrong? Does Miss Aino have unusual tastes?” Devon asked, puzzled.

Unusual, indeed.

Old friend, what exactly have you brought here?

From Pilof’s perspective, when he activated his magic, he should’ve seen an image of a prepared dish along with its ingredients and recipe.

But this time, he saw living, breathing humans.

At first, he was confused, wondering where the food was.

But as the seconds passed and the image didn’t change—only showing robust, imposing humans standing there—realization struck him.

So that’s what it means.

Devon had already explained Aino’s origins to Pilof: she was a non-human brought from the depths of the Bandalrk Plains, one who seemed “friendly” and “well-disposed toward humans.”

And yet, her favorite food turned out to be humans.

Glancing at the “girl” who had lowered her head, her expression unreadable, and at Devon, who remained clueless, Pilof sighed internally.

After a long pause, he spoke in a hoarse voice:

“Heh. Miss Aino seems emotionally complex, almost no different from us humans. Who would’ve thought...”

“You’re undeniably powerful, but humans also have their share of strong individuals. Granted, with us this close, escape isn’t an option... Still, I hope you’ll restrain yourself and avoid unnecessary trouble.”

His tone carried a weariness, as if he had already accepted his fate.

Pilof assumed Aino knew exactly what he would see, yet she had allowed him to use his magic regardless, openly revealing her preferences.

The message was clear.

For Pilof and Devon, the outcome seemed inevitable: doom was certain.