Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!

A familiar voice in this foreign kingdom. Who could it be?

Nox's circle was relatively small. He didn't know many people, and even the ones he knew all lived in the Vermilion Kingdom.

Hearing his name, he was naturally curious and swerved his head in that direction. During the mission to acquire the elemental crystal, Nox had made quite the acquaintance with a particular group. That group was based in Valeria, but even then, he had never told them his real name. Therefore, he ruled them out.

Unbeknownst to Nox, the entire group had been wiped out by the red-skinned girl who had gone berserk in the Vermilion Kingdom, slaughtering students.

"You…"

Disappointment reflected in his eyes when he saw the person. For a moment, he had thought it was someone from the Barony or someone from the academy, but it was…

"Yes, me. Didn't expect to run into you again."

It was Commander Luthair.

And he was inside a luxurious carriage, which was heavily protected by Tristan soldiers. Nox recognized most of them from the battlefield in the northern region.

'Seems they've finished their cleanup,' Nox thought. It had been three days since he and Zara had left the battlefield.

"Where are you heading?" Commander Luthair asked. "I can give you a lift."
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Nox didn't hesitate to turn the offer down. "It's fine," he replied. "We'll just head to an inn. We only planned on staying a day here before continuing our journey."

"I see." Commander Luthair muttered to himself, stroking his chin with a thoughtful expression.

'Is he trying to run away?' Luthair mused internally as he studied Nox's expression. 'Was all that merely a facade? Could it be that now he's realized the consequences of his actions, he's trying to flee?'

Luthair felt a light migraine forming at the thought. In the end, he dismissed it and, after flashing a neutral smile, said,

"Bye then."

Nox nodded in acknowledgment. The horse pulling the carriage let out a sharp whinny as it continued its journey down the cobbled streets.

"There's something fishy about him," Zara muttered, a suspicious gleam shining in her eyes as she watched the fleet of carriages go by.

"What makes you think so?" Nox asked as they resumed walking.

"Just my dragon instinct." She replied coolly, trotting to catch up with him.

A perplexed look appeared on Nox's face. "Dragon instincts… what's that?"

Zara smirked at his question, tossing her silver hair back. "A little something unique to my kind," she said cryptically. "It's not as precise as your human logic, but it's never wrong either. That man, Luthair… something about him reeks of ulterior motives."

Nox hummed in thought, his eyes flickering as he processed her words. He wasn't one to dismiss instincts, especially when they belonged to an Emperor-Tier beast like Zara. Still, he needed more than a vague sense of unease to act.

"Let's find an inn first," he said.

They turned toward the inn district, where several establishments stood side by side. Most were packed with travelers, their entrances lively with chatter and the scent of good food. After scanning a few, they settled on one with a polished wooden sign and a well-kept exterior.

Inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. A fire crackled in the hearth, and the scent of spiced wine lingered in the air. A few people sat around, sharing stories over plates of steaming food.

Nox stepped up to the counter. "We'll be needing two rooms."

The innkeeper, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, frowned.

"Sorry, young master, but we have only one room left," he apologized.

"Hmm, is that so." Nox whispered to himself as he looked out the window, noticing the dark clouds. Night was approaching, accompanied by a heavy downpour.

"Sir, if I were you, I'd take this room. The city is currently filled with people from the northern region because of the portal break. As such, all the inns are jam-packed. It will be quite difficult for you to find another room."

Seeing the dilemma on Nox's face, Zara spoke with slightly flushed cheeks. "I don't mind staying in one room with you."

"I don't mind either. Just thought it would inconvenience you." Nox replied.

"Then it's settled." The receptionist beamed a smile, took Nox's coins, and handed him a key. "Second floor, last door on the right."

Nox and Zara headed upstairs. The room was simple—sturdy furniture, clean bedding, and a window overlooking the streets below. It was enough.

"Get some rest," Nox said, sitting on a chair by the window. "We leave at first light."

Zara stretched before settling onto the bed. "Yeah, yeah. Don't stay up too late planning."

"Zara," Nox called out, looking out the window.

"Mmm?" Zara sat up straight, looking at Nox's broad, lonely back from his seated position.

"Before we head to your kingdom, there's something important I have to handle first. And that is to evolve my pets."

Later that night, it rained heavily. The rhythmic drumming of rain against the window filled the room, the dim glow of a single lantern casting flickering shadows across the walls. Outside, the streets glistened under the downpour, the city growing quieter as night deepened.

Zara lay on the bed, her light blue hair fanned out over the pillow, her eyes half-lidded as she watched Nox sitting by the window. His posture was relaxed, but there was a weight to the way he sat—silent, deep in thought.

"You always do that," she murmured.

Nox turned slightly, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "Do what?"

"Sit there, staring into the night like some brooding warlord. What are you thinking about?"

Nox let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "A lot of things."

Zara shifted on the bed, propping herself up on one elbow. She stretched out a hand, patting the empty space beside her. "It's a big bed, and you look like you haven't rested properly for three days now... A good rest might be just what you need."

Nox raised an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting we sleep together?"

Zara smirked, eyes glinting in the low light. "Just sleep, unless you want something more?"

For the first time in a while, Nox was the one left momentarily speechless. He studied her expression, searching for a sign of playfulness, but there was an undeniable warmth in her gaze. It wasn't a challenge. It wasn't a taunt. It was an invitation.

The weight of exhaustion settled over him, and for once, he decided not to resist it. With a quiet sigh, he stood and moved toward the bed, lying down beside her.

Zara rolled onto her side, resting her head on her arm as she watched him. "See? Not so bad, is it?"

"Yeah." Nox smiled and proceeded to close his eyes. He thought back to the first time he had met Zara… She had been very distant and cold, but now…

"You're warmer than I thought."

"Warm? Tsk… I'm a Frost Dragon. How can I be warm?"

"I didn't mean warm like hot, fiery—damn it, you know what I mean."

"Yes, I know." She chuckled, clearly enjoying Nox's frustration.

That night, Nox slept, but he had a terrible dream.

In the dream, when he returned to the Vermilion Kingdom, he witnessed a horrific sight.

The entire kingdom was set ablaze. He saw most of his classmates and friends—dead corpses littering the ground, forming a mountain of bodies.

Atop one of those mountains, he saw a woman. But not just any woman.

That woman had dark hair and a pair of crimson eyes. Standing beside her was a skeleton butler with flickering green, orb-like eyes.