“I also don’t want to stay in your body for too long.”

“…Alright.”

Reunite nodded.

And as he mumbled something, Reunite’s floating body gradually disappeared.

Eventually, Nelia felt as if her body moved involuntarily.

Reunite was moving her body.
Soon, an unintended voice burst out.

“Hey, you guys!”

Nelia couldn’t help but be surprised by the powerful voice that came out of her own throat.

‘Please, if he’s inside me, at least imitate my way of speaking…!’

Nelia shouted internally, but it seemed like Reunite couldn’t hear her.

However, even with this strange way of speaking, the two men still didn’t pay attention to Reunite, who had entered Nelia’s body.

Reunite thought, ‘These guys…,’ furrowing his brow, and confidently walked between them as if blocking their way.

“Stop saying nice things.”

Finally, both of them seemed to notice Reunite. Reunite clenched his fist.

“These crazy guys. There’s even a weak human here, where are they trying to unleash their power?”

Nelia hoped that Reunite would please close his mouth.

Isn’t there any way to stop them quietly?

However, it seemed that Carlos, who had a sharp gaze, wasn’t bothered by Nelia’s strange way of speaking.

“Move, Nelia. I have to settle things with him today.”

Reacting to Carlos’s words, Duke Hart also silently turned his gaze toward Carlos.

Once again, the air became heavy.

“There’s nothing we can do.”

Reunite shook his head regretfully.

And just as the two were about to step toward each other, Reunite released his energy.

A fierce aura spread out from Nelia’s body, engulfing Carlos and Duke Hart.

Carlos, pushed back by Reunite’s energy, couldn’t support himself and slammed forcefully into the wall.

“Ugh!”

Carlos let out a painful sound.

Duke Hart was the same. Thrown by Reunite’s energy, he hit the wall and fell to the ground.

Watching this scene, Reunite clicked his tongue and said.

“Now you’ve calmed down a bit.”

Reunite walked toward Carlos. As Carlos, who had fallen to the ground, looked up at Nelia as if seeing a stranger.

“You… You’re not Nelia.”

Carlos seemed to realize that the changed expression and tone of voice meant that she wasn’t the usual Nelia.

“Yeah, right now, I’m like Nelia’s guardian or something.”

Reunite didn’t seem to have any intention of pretending to be Nelia, giving a suitable response. Soon, Reunite opened his fierce eyes.

“So remember. Since I’m always around Nelia, if you try any nonsense again, at that time…”

Reunite spat out his chilling words.

“I might be really disappointed in you.”

Disappointed…?

Nelia thought Reunite’s words were peculiar. As if dealing with someone they had known for a long time, like the last time Carlos got a snack from him…

Could it be because of that? For that matter, the depth of emotion in the voice seemed quite profound.

Carlos’ sword was broken, and he probably thought he couldn’t win against the overwhelming difference in power. He didn’t try to resist.
Reunite turned away from the now subdued Carlos and walked towards Duke Hart this time.

Duke Hart raised his head to gaze at Reunite.

Fortunately, the Duke’s focus had returned to his eyes. Not only that, but the pungent odor had disappeared, and the scales that had protruded from his skin had returned to a more human appearance.

“Where is Nelia…?”

Likewise, Duke Hart seemed to have noticed that there was another presence in Nelia’s body.

“You almost put Nelia in danger. I don’t understand why you’re talking like a kidnapper.”

Reunite grumbled.

Duke Hart, with his messed-up body, barely managed to lift his upper body. Although he was conscious, his eyes still looked ominous.

“Tell me, where is Nelia?”

“Nelia’s soul is safely inside this body. Don’t worry about unnecessary things.”

Reunite squatted down and brought his face close to Duke Hart.

“The temperament is still the same.”

Tsk, Reunite mumbled something incomprehensible and stood up.

Reunite alternately looked at the fallen Duke Hart and Carlos.

“If you make things difficult for Nelia one more time, I won’t let either of you off. Remember that!”

“…….,”

“…….,”

Nelia was grateful to Reunite for what he did for her, but her tough voice was still something she couldn’t get used to.

Reunite, whether he was going to turn his body around now or not, mumbled something as he did before.

Nelia soon felt that Reunite had left her body.

Her hands and feet moved as she wished now.

As soon as she regained her senses, she ran to the place where Duke Hart had fallen.

Nelia embraced Duke Hart.

“Your Grace!”

Duke Hart, with a weak smile on his lips, embraced Nelia back.

“It seems like Nelia I know has returned….”

Carlos, who had been staring at Nelia and the Duke, closed his eyes.

Upon returning to the mansion that day, Tone couldn’t help but be astonished at the sight of Duke Hart.

It was because Duke Hart looked a mess.

His clothes were covered with dust, and his usually neat hair was disheveled.

“Tone, could you please help put the Duke on the bed for now?”

Having left the Royal Palace, Duke Hart seemed to have used a lot of his strength, and he looked as if walking was difficult.

Nelia supported Duke Hart and helped him walk, but her stamina was gradually reaching its limit.

Tone seemed to sense Nelia’s difficult situation and quickly took over the Duke, lifting him up.

The Duke, after changing his clothes, fell asleep frighteningly quickly once lying on the bed. His breathing seemed steady, as if he was sleeping well.

Only then did Nelia lift her head and look at the small dragon that had transformed from Reunite.

“Reunite… Thank you for today.”

[Today, I did go through some trouble.]

Reunite had his neck held high.

“But why did you weakly bounce off the magic barrier earlier, acting as if you had no strength?”
[As I mentioned, there are limits to using abilities with this small body. It was quite a powerful magic barrier, so I couldn’t enter until the Duke broke the barrier.]

Reunite looked down at the sleeping Duke and licked his lips.

[Anyway, he broke the barrier quite recklessly. I was worried that his body might break first.]

Nelia gazed at the Duke with a gloomy expression.

[You don’t need to feel so sorry. You’re a victim too. The mistake was made by that Crown Prince earlier.]

Even with Reunite’s blunt comfort, Nelia’s eyes became red.

Seemingly surprised by her reaction, Reunite flapped his wings.

[Don’t cry! I didn’t say that to see you cry!]

Nelia sniffled quietly and hugged Reunite tightly.

“Reunite is really my protector.”

“A, a protector, what…!”

“Earlier, you said that to Lord Carlos. ‘Think of me as Nelia’s protector, at least.’ That’s what you said.”

Seeing Nelia imitating his speech, Reunite awkwardly flapped his wings.

[Don’t be ridiculous! When did I ever!]

As Nelia didn’t let go, Reunite remained silent as if giving up.

While hugging Reunite, Nelia didn’t notice the fact that he closed his eyes, looking at her with a briefly affectionate expression.