Evil Dragon, Without a Princess, I Had to Transform Myself!-Chapter 85 : When You Doze Off, Someone Will Offer a Pillow

Patunasankus walked through the century-old marketplace, breathing in the fresh, moist air. Early-rising vendors were setting up their stalls while adventurers prepared for their journeys. The far end of the street gradually brightened in a leisurely manner.
"Freshly brewed potions here! Just arrived recently, absolutely pure. Red potions now only three silver galleons, certified by druids with significantly enhanced effects—capable of regrowing flesh on bones with ease..."
"Come take a look! Freshly captured orc slaves from the southern warfront. Male orcs are physically strong and excellent workers, while female orcs are slender, dexterous, and skilled—perfect for household chores. Plus, we have more slaves available for selection."
"What? You want a perfect half-orc hybrid? No, no, we run a legitimate business here."
Patunasankus shook her head, uninterested. Though she claimed to be searching for Elaphia's traces, the evil dragon was at a loss since she was new to the area—which gave her quite a headache.
She couldn't just start burning everything down, after all.
How annoying.
"If I'd known earlier, I would've broken Elaphia's legs first," Patunasankus muttered. "Then she wouldn't have been able to run away."
"Your Highness, what did you just say?"
Patunasankus's murmurs reached Loranhir's ears, surprising her.
Even after the Dragon Feast, this incompetent hero's progress was alarmingly fast—her hearing had become so sharp. It seemed Patunasankus would need to be more careful when plotting her next evil scheme.
"Nothing, just thinking about how to find Elaphia," Patunasankus explained.
"Oh, that?" Loranhir puffed out her chest proudly. "While Your Highness was sleeping, I gathered all the information at the tavern."
"You?" Patunasankus questioned.
"Don't underestimate my information network," Loranhir said smugly. "This year at the Wine Festival, Grand Duke Dreka himself will personally award the champion of the brewing competition. To find him, we just need to follow the trail during the festival. Plus, if we participate, Elaphia will notice us quickly. Once she sees Princess Latifa here, she'll show up no matter what."
"How did you get such precise information in such a short time?" Patunasankus asked.
"I wholeheartedly agree with Duchess Pascal's family motto," Loranhir declared solemnly. "It's definitely going into my personal creed from now on."
"What motto?" Patunasankus tilted her head, confused.
Loranhir deliberately imitated the Duchess's tone, speaking in an aged, ponderous voice:
"When you encounter difficulties and family isn't around, just take out some gold coins—then the other person will become your family."
She explained bluntly, "To put it simply, I paid way too much."
"No wonder you were setting up that fighting arena—trying to earn back all that money you splurged?"
"Exactly!" Loranhir lifted her chin slightly.
Seeing Loranhir's smug expression, Patunasankus considered whether to reward her. After all, the evil dragon had her own personalized system of rewards and punishments for subordinates who got things done.She gazed at Loranhir's raised neck, her eyes met with a pristine expanse of pure white.
Patunasankus pondered for a moment before extending her hand, her delicate fingertips gliding gently across Loranhir's skin.
The perfect technique, the tender touch—it carried a heart-fluttering magic. A pleasure exclusive to cats, yet surely universal for humans too.
"Good girl~, good girl~, you're doing so well~."
The rustling stimulation brought a slight itchiness, but it felt so incredibly pleasant that Loranhir couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly, wearing an expression of pure contentment. Every movement resembled that of a pampered pet.
Wait—pet?
Loranhir's eyes snapped open.
She froze momentarily, her thoughts sluggishly catching up.
At the same time, Patunasankus halted her motions, resting her chin on her hand as she contemplated.
If they were going to join the festivities of the Fine Wine Festival, they'd at least need to understand the basics of winemaking.
One could trust the Black Death's culinary expertise, but mastering the art of brewing was quite the challenge for an evil dragon.
But where could they find a wine master?
At this time, any decent wine master would already be preparing for the competition.
Patunasankus pressed her little index fingers against her temples, swirling them in circles.
Her soft lips pursed tightly.
Crash!
The sound of shattering glass erupted behind them, growing increasingly violent. Arguments and footsteps—rising and falling—shattered the orderly daylight into fragments.
Soon after, the door burst open, and a girl wearing a pointed hat dashed out, darting down the street like a rabbit while shouting behind her.
"Just you wait... when I bring back the master's trophy, let's see who dares call me a heretic..." The girl clenched her jaw, swinging her fist as if to psych herself up. "How is my brewing method heretical? Bunch of old fossils!"
Then she plopped onto the ground, too exhausted to move, as if completely drained.
"Ughhhhh—life outside the academy is so hard... I ran out of money half a month ago, and the pay for hunting monsters is pitiful. It's been almost two months since I left the academy. I wonder if the professor has cooled off yet.
No, no... with that old hag's temper, she's probably still furious. Tonight's dinner will probably be vegetable soup and dry bread again. I really want meat, but at least this city isn't too discriminatory against demi-humans. At least I haven't been chased outside the walls to sleep.
...Earning extra cash is so tough."
The girl stood up, dusting off her clothes unhappily before turning to leave. A gust of wind blew past, lifting her large hat and causing the delicate, fluffy ears atop it to tremble slightly.
She hurriedly clutched her hat.
Patunasankus, rarely intrigued, stared at her hat, tilting her head slightly.
Well, speak of the devil.
"What are you looking at? None of your business!"Seeing someone staring at her so intently, the girl immediately shouted at Patunasankus.
At that moment, Loranhir noticed the Princess smile.
It was a smile unlike any she had seen before—innocently adorable yet utterly wicked.