Evil Dragon, Without a Princess, I Had to Transform Myself!-Chapter 26 : She Is Right Here

Latifa never discouraged the evil dragon from making friends.
The evil dragon would always firmly express opposition, saying it was out of the question.
She was an evil dragon, an evil dragon perched on the lonely highest throne, enjoying the fear of all living beings.
Everyone who knew the evil dragon was waiting to see when her pride would cease.
To see who would be fortunate enough to tame her terrible temper and enjoy her extreme beauty.
Only Latifa would try from time to time, and Patunasankus would always insist that she was simply too nagging.
But nagging is sometimes a special form of expression.
Latifa wasn't stupid; she understood that even evil dragons sometimes need someone to talk to.
She hadn't had such a person for a long time, a very long time.
Many people think living with someone who enjoys solitude is boring.
This makes those who cannot endure loneliness by themselves uncomfortable.
But Latifa rarely complained.
"However you are, I accept it all."
The dandelion girl would always say so.
And she meant it.
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"...La...ti...fa!!"
Evelyn used her last voice to call her, as gentle as those days when the wind and dandelions lightly touched, raising umbrella-like flowers with dew.
Although the cursed Evelyn's voice was so hoarse, Patunasankus could still hear the nostalgic warmth in this call.
That voice seemed to be calling Latifa's name.
In the abyss of pain, Evelyn softly called the pure dandelion-like name to the brutal evil dragon, as if seeking an impossible redemption.
Patunasankus had no interest in responding to her pain, none at all.
Being able to appreciate the suffering of mortals, the evil dragon was more than happy. She had no compassion to patiently endure others' pain.
Like all her dragon kin, Patunasankus had a clear self-awareness.
She was greedy, sleeping on the highest mountain of gold.
She was lustful, stealing away the most beautiful princess.
In any case, Patunasankus was just such an evil dragon.
She had already decided to ignore this so-called Evelyn.
But...
Hearing Evelyn's call.
Patunasankus could hear echoes from her abyss-like chest.
That was a voice coming from deep within her.
The dragon's heart was echoing with a girl's name.
—The day before yesterday I saw a rabbit, yesterday I saw a deer, and today, I met you.
"...I'm such a pathetic dragon," the evil dragon sighed, muttering to herself. "Just think about it, this really has nothing to do with me."
Patunasankus stood up, her dandelion-colored hair swaying gently. The ferocious beast before her was as hideous as everyone's nightmare.
If it were Latifa, she would find a way to help even if she had to force herself. Thinking of this, the dragon shook her head again.
She might as well handle this troublesome matter herself.
After all...
The evil dragon had always been indifferent.
Just as Patunasankus was about to take some action, she saw a figure blocking her way.
It could only be Elaphia.
For some reason, Patunasankus instinctively thought that if Loranhir were present, she would definitely be the one standing there.
The moonlight was still bright, just enough for Patunasankus to see clearly the several scratches on Elaphia's back, obviously marks left from her earlier battle with Evelyn.
But in such a short time, the wounds had already begun to heal, with flesh slowly growing back. Patunasankus finally detected that faint bloody smell.
"...Vampire?" Patunasankus muttered softly.
The evil dragon now understood why she had felt familiar when first seeing Elaphia.
One of Grand Duke Dreka's people?
But if she was that person's subordinate, why was she blocking the way?
"Wait, we haven't finished our fight yet," Elaphia stood in Evelyn's path to the princess. She took off her tattered coat, flexed her shoulders, adjusted the position of her glasses, and finally put on her gauntlets again. "Halftime break is over, second half."
The sudden interruption made Evelyn extremely angry. The entire courtyard echoed with the ferocious beast's roar.
Elaphia wiped her sweat, clearly feeling the pain of her wounds reopening.
She was beginning to regret stepping forward.
But...
Elaphia turned her head.
At that moment, the princess's face flowed with a faint light under the moon's illumination. Those blue eyes of hers were even brighter.
Yes, her actions were purely personal grudges.
Just passing by and being beaten up without explanation—Elaphia had to get even no matter what.
...It definitely wasn't for the princess!
Though angry, Evelyn was not eager to launch an attack. She approached inch by inch, showing her sharp teeth to Elaphia, from which disgusting saliva constantly dripped.
Elaphia slowly retreated, carefully selecting where to step, making a half circle.
With her alternately fast and slow movements, she successfully disrupted Evelyn's rhythm, making her hesitate about the right timing for attack.
Just as Elaphia tensed, preparing to meet the attack, she noticed someone gently tapping her shoulder.
It was the girl with dandelion-colored hair.
"This is enough, I'll handle it," Patunasankus said, then without further explanation pulled Elaphia behind her. Her hand was white, slender, and warm. "I've read the curse written on the wall. I should know how to break it."
It was the first time Elaphia had seen such a serious side of the fragile princess.
"...Are you sure you'll be alright?" she asked.
"I don't need protection from an injured person," the girl said expressionlessly. "I can handle it myself."
She nimbly ran to Evelyn. Elaphia instinctively wanted to hold her back, but the girl easily evaded her hand, as agile as a breeze.
"Are you looking for Latifa?" Patunasankus stood on tiptoe and lightly knocked on Evelyn's head, like knocking on a door, without the slightest fear.
"...La...ti...fa..." Evelyn whimpered, saying words that were completely incomprehensible.
"I think, she is right here." In front of the filthy, ugly monster, the evil dragon imitated the girl from her memory, revealing a smile that seemed to blow away all the dark atmosphere.
For a moment, Elaphia was entranced.
"You've tried bringing people here, persuading them to bathe with you, right?" the girl said. "Now, I am your guest, and I am willing."
She walked away, lightly jumping to the edge of the bath.
Mist swirled around, murky water splashed against her calves, and the girl was as nimble as a white deer wading across a river.
Her dandelion-colored hair danced in the wind.