PLML 35

Posted by Zahid, Released on August 4, 2025

CHAPTER 35

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. Please forgive me.”

“It’s all right. Levann, apologize to Lord Asins as well for your rudeness.”

No sooner had Jayna spoken than Levann bowed his head to Asins and apologized. Asins didn’t respond to Levann’s apology and instead strode toward Jayna. His expression was thoroughly annoyed, likely from being bitten on the arm and kicked in the shin.

“Are you an animal? Biting people like that.”

“If you’d let go in the first place, I wouldn’t have had to.”

Jayna looked up at Asins, who was much taller than her, without backing down. Her unwavering blue eyes glared straight at him, and Asins instinctively faltered.

No one had ever stood so confidently in front of Asins. Even members of the royal family who held the contract that bound him remained tense, never knowing when he might turn on them.

It was fear and awe of uncontrollable power. Asins was used to looking down at those who looked up to him. But Jayna’s gaze, sharp and unyielding despite her small frame, was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

“Did I treat you disrespectfully just because you look young and small, Lord Asins?”

Her clear, crisp voice asked directly.

“…No.”

“Then why are you treating me that way?”

“When did I ever treat you disrespectfully?”

“I asked you to let go, and you ignored me.”

“That was because that guy…”

Asins trailed off, about to blame Levann.

“Don’t try to shift the blame. You’re the one who didn’t let go.”

Asins fell silent. The smug look that usually rested on his lips disappeared. Like a child being scolded by a parent, he pouted in displeasure.

“I don’t like people who treat others poorly. I especially dislike those who use their strength to overpower those weaker than them.”

Dislike.

Jayna’s words made Asins flinch.

“Don’t you have something to say to me, Lord Asins?”

Asins’ lips moved hesitantly.

Having always stood above others, saying the obvious wasn’t easy for him. Jayna understood that. But she couldn’t let it go.

It didn’t matter if the other person was above or below her. Even if it were a child, if someone did wrong, they needed to apologize.

“…I’m sorry.”

Asins muttered briefly, avoiding her gaze.

It was a rare occasion for Asins to apologize to anyone. But Jayna didn’t let it end with just hearing the words “I’m sorry.”

“When you apologize, you should look the person in the eyes.”

Asins turned his head. His golden-brown eyes, hiding a radiant light, met Jayna’s gaze directly.

“I’m sorry for treating you poorly.”

This time, it was a proper apology.

Asins turned his head quickly, his face awkwardly flushed.

‘He really is like an elementary school boy.’

Jayna laughed inwardly, seeing him blush from embarrassment. She had no intention of mocking the courage it took for him to apologize.

“I forgive you. But in return, explain properly what’s inside and why you brought me here.”

Once he confirmed there was no one nearby, Asins opened his mouth.

“Inside is a hatchling of the Belligus Dragon.”

Jayna couldn’t believe her ears.

“The Belligus Dragon? The one that supposedly wiped out an entire knight order?”

Asins nodded.

‘Are you insane? You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?’

Jayna stepped back behind Levann. Asins gave her an annoyed look, but she didn’t care.

There was no need to hear more.

“I’m not going.”

“Don’t worry. With me here, there’s no danger—”

“No. I don’t want to. I won’t. Why should I walk into a place with such a dangerous beast?”

“To test the extent of your abilities.”

‘Two more of these tests and I’ll die.’

“No. If it’s just to test me, you could use lower-grade monsters.”

“This is exactly why I didn’t tell you beforehand…”

Asins pressed his forehead in frustration. His sighing tone irritated Jayna.

“Give me a valid reason why I have to meet a Belligus Dragon.”

Jayna thought he had brought her here without much thought. But she was wrong. Asins gave her two clear reasons:

First, since Jayna had already tamed Poppi and Cotton Candy—both monsters of at least B-rank—there was no need to test her ability to tame lower-grade monsters.

The Saius Wolves are ranked within their packs based on their role. Although Poppi’s exact rank hadn’t been confirmed, based on Saius Wolves’ traits, it was certainly at least C-rank.

Cotton Candy had demonstrated higher dominance over Poppi and showed perfect control over its strength, suggesting at least B-rank.

These reasons alone proved Jayna could already tame high-level monsters. The remaining question was whether she could tame those of A-rank or higher.

Second, if she could tame a creature as powerful as a Belligus Dragon, even Perus wouldn’t be able to make a move on her lightly.

Perus had been eyeing Jayna, who held the power of a monster tamer. Though he hadn’t made his intentions clear yet, there was no telling how he might act in the future.

After hearing Asins’ reasoning, Jayna had to admit it made sense.

‘Still doesn’t make it less terrifying, though.’

Jayna didn’t even know how her powers worked.

What if she failed to use them properly in front of the Belligus Dragon?

She shivered at the thought of facing a monster that even trained knights couldn’t handle.

“Are you all right?”

Levann asked worriedly. Jayna forced a smile and clenched her fists.

‘Well, Asins is here too. I’ve come this far—might as well go all in.’

“You’ll protect me if anything happens, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll trust you, Lord Asins, and go.”

As if waiting for those words, Asins opened the door.

Jayna took a deep breath and walked boldly into the darkness.

The iron door closed.

As the faint light from outside vanished, complete darkness enveloped the room.

Asins created a small light with magic.

A soft glow lit the space.

“Gasp.”

Jayna covered her mouth at the sight of the massive form beyond the bars.

‘You said hatchling. A dragon hatchling!’

The dragon inside was enormous—nothing like Poppi.

‘How is that a hatchling?’

She thought a hatchling would be small. She hadn’t expected it to be as tiny as Cotton Candy, but even something Poppi-sized would have sufficed.

She imagined the baby dragons from the game “Dragon Valorize” she used to play in her previous life…

The dragon opened its eyes, perhaps sensing her presence. Its inverted black-and-white pupils glinted, and its tightly folded wings spread wide.

“Kieeek—!”

Bound by chains and restraints, the dragon thrashed against the ground. Its unshackled wings beat the air, kicking up dust. The smooth scales covering its body bore signs of struggle from repeated escape attempts.

With a deafening screech, the dragon eventually collapsed, exhausted.

“Why so many restraints…?”

Jayna asked. Asins answered matter-of-factly.

“Because it can’t be controlled otherwise.”

“But even with all that, it’s not going to obey you.”

“True. If it grows any further, not even the restraints will hold it. It’ll likely be disposed of soon.”

Jayna couldn’t understand it.

Monsters attack humans. Humans and monsters cannot coexist.

‘But…’

If asked whether it was right to breed combat monsters just to slaughter others, Jayna would answer without hesitation: no.

The monsters she’d seen on the way here—and now this hatchling in front of her—convinced her. If coexistence is impossible, it’s better to take their lives cleanly than imprison them like this.

“Lord Asins, I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“If I manage to tame this one…”

Jayna didn’t finish her sentence but stepped closer to the bars.

She loosened the loosely bound chains and opened the gate. As she stepped in without hesitation, Levann tried to stop her, but Asins held him back.

The Belligus Dragon growled warily. Its eyes glared with a sharp vertical pupil glowing in the dim light.

Faced with the dragon’s intense killing intent, Jayna showed no fear. Closing the gate behind her, she turned to Asins with a calm smile.

“I’ll raise it.”

Though she spoke confidently, her heart pounded with anxiety before the massive beast.

‘Honestly, I still have no idea how my powers work.’

She just had to think it.

No chants, no formulas—just a thought. But that made it even harder.