I Raised a Black Dragon - Chapter 42

“….”

“How many minutes left until we arrive at Lunazel?” Park Noah coughed, attempting to change the subject.

“We’re not even halfway there. Now, are you doing this just three seconds after you swore to tell me everything? Answer me, two years ago, when you transmigrated into the body of Eleonora Asil, you said you immediately went down to Sorrent. How did you know about the existence of Lenia Valtalere, then? And why do you think she’s the mastermind behind the disappearance of the egg?” Kyle Leonard peered at her, bombarding her with questions. Park Noah squirmed under the investigator’s piercing gaze.

“I saw it in my dreams! In my dreams!” Park Noah blurted out. 

“You dreamt of Lenia Valtalere imprinting with the dragon? You really think I’d believe something-”

The train shook tremendously, a rattle vibrating throughout every compartment. Park Noah jolted from her seat and quickly grabbed Muell who almost fell from her lap. The wind blew and the newspaper cascaded to the floor.

“This train… What a terrible ride. Lunazel’s railways are too outdated.” Park Noah grumbled, placing Muell back on her lap and held him tightly. Looking up, she noticed Kyle Leonard’s strange expression. 

“Sir, what’s wrong?”

“Miss Noah, wear your hood. Cover your face.” 

“Huh?” Park Noah frowned, but nonetheless followed the investigator’s order, quickly covering her face with her robe.

Knock. 

Their heads turned to the door in a snap. Someone was smiling behind the window of their cabin — a woman wearing a bright blue handkerchief wrapped around her head and an apron of the same color. Her hands held a large tray filled with different things. The woman knocked again on their door. 

“She must be an employee, distributing newspapers and food.” Kyle Leonard muttered, glancing at the woman.

‘Oh, really?” Park Noah placed Muell beside her and rose from her seat. Good timing. I was beginning to get hungry. We still have about an hour or so to get there, so I’d like something to drink…

She grabbed the handle of the small window in their compartment, and lowered it. Suddenly, a hand stopped Park Noah. Kyle Leonard placed his foot behind the door, shaking his head at the vendor. The woman smiled in return and walked away from their room.

It wasn’t until she was completely out of sight that Park Noah sighed, turning to the investigator who was still looking intently outside the window, gripping a silver revolver in his hand.

“Why did you block me?” Park Noah asked.

Kyle Leonard removed his foot from the door and spoke calmly, “You shouldn’t be seen. Haven’t I told you to be cautious? You stood up without warning.”

“….” Park Noah peeked through the window and muttered softly, “She didn’t stop. She kept going.”

“Yes.” 

“Our room is right in the middle of this train, and there’s an old couple in the next cabin.” 

“That’s right,” Kyle Leonard confirmed.

The woman disappeared into the frontmost compartment of the train, passing several rooms without knocking on their doors. Park Noah gulped, “How long have you known?”

“Since I heard her approaching. Meals aren’t served in trains during short travels.”

“You said she was an employee.”

“I meant she was disguised as an employee.”

Park Noah glanced at Kyle Leonard. He was still looking outside the window, twirling the revolver in his fingers. His expressionless face made it difficult for Park Noah to guess what was on his mind.

“I told you, Miss Noah. There will be a lot after you. Not because you are the master of the dragon, but because you are in the body of Eleonora Asil.”

“….” 

“Eleonora’s killer, who managed to assassinate the strongest witch in Laurent without leaving any scratch in her body… It’s that person you should be most wary of, or best, never meet.”

 Park Noah remained silent.

“In fact, I don’t know if it’s right to say ‘person’. We don’t know how many are behind her death.”

“I’ve been fine so far, but… Well, nothing has happened in the last two years.” Park Noah sighed, comforting herself.

“Until now, you’ve been dead in Sorrent. You were safe back then, but now, when you suddenly emerge to the world, the story changes.”

“….”

“Anyway, I believe you already know that. Now, where were we?” His violet eyes flashed, peering at her blue orbs intently. 

“So, how did you know about Lenia Valtalere?”