Vol. 4 Ch. 89

Just as the Six-Winged Dragonhawk was about to vanish into the distance, General Leon was on the verge of deciding to go all-out and take it down with brute force.

At that moment, a silver figure soared into view. Leon and Noa looked up to see Sherry in her dragon form.

“Your Highness, Princess Noa, leave the dragonhawk to me. You both can rest,” Sherry said, her voice steady.

“No, Sherry, let’s handle this together,” Noa interjected firmly. “Some things need to be done personally to have meaning, right, Dad?”

Leon chuckled and nodded. “You’re quick to learn, aren’t you?”

“Then please climb onto my back,” Sherry said, adjusting her flight posture and tilting slightly to the side.

Sherry’s dragon form was much smaller than Rosvisser’s, making it easy for Leon to jump onto her back. Once secure, he extended a hand to lift Noa up as well.

“Hold on tight, Your Highness and Princess,” Sherry said before beating her wings and taking off, shooting into the sky with incredible speed.

---

The Silver Dragons’ natural talent for speed was undeniable. In a matter of moments, Sherry had significantly closed the gap between them and the Six-Winged Dragonhawk.

Air whipped past Leon’s ears as he crouched slightly to stabilize himself, keeping one hand gently on Noa’s back to ensure she didn’t lose her balance in the rapid flight.

As they closed to within about 100 meters of the dragonhawk, Sherry unleashed a barrage of fireballs from her mouth. Each fiery projectile left a burning trail in the air, hurtling toward the target.

The Six-Winged Dragonhawk, however, was no ordinary beast. As soon as it sensed the incoming attack, it deftly evaded the fireballs with sharp, agile maneuvers and accelerated further.

Though weaker in overall combat power compared to the group pursuing it, the dragonhawk was unmatched in aerial speed, allowing it to prolong the chase. Sherry attempted several more fireball attacks, but the dragonhawk dodged every single one.

“Sherry, your aim could use some work,” Leon couldn’t resist teasing.

The young captain of the guard looked slightly embarrassed. “Apologies, Your Highness. I’ve been neglecting my training lately.”

“Well then, watch closely as I show you the art of precision aiming,” Leon said confidently.

“I await your demonstration, Your Highness,” Sherry replied, half-amused.

Leon raised his hand, lightning crackling in his palm as he carefully took aim. With a flick of his wrist, he fired a bolt of lightning—the *Thunder Wolf Strike*—straight at the dragonhawk.

It missed.

Leon frowned and tried again.

Another miss.

“Tch…”

Sherry couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. “Your Highness, it seems your aim might also need a bit of improvement.”

“Next time we do target practice, make sure to call me,” Leon grumbled.

Noa chimed in, unable to resist, “Dad, you weren’t this bad at the carnival’s balloon-popping game when I was a kid.”

“Sweetheart, let me teach you a saying: ‘A hero doesn’t brag about past glories,’” Leon retorted.

To be fair, the Six-Winged Dragonhawk wasn’t an easy target. Its incredible speed and reflexes made it a challenge for even seasoned warriors like Leon and Sherry.

---

After several more failed attempts, Leon’s frustration began to show. “I swear, I’m plucking every feather off that bird if it’s the last thing I do!”

Finally, after more than ten minutes of chasing, Sherry managed to close the distance to a range where they could make their move. It was clear the dragonhawk was tiring, while Sherry still had plenty of energy left. The gap in strength between a danger beast and a dragon was beginning to show.

“Dad, this distance should work,” Noa said, signaling for Leon to jump down.

Leon complied, landing securely on the ground with a soft thud. Noa leaned in and whispered something in his ear.

“Are you sure? It’s a bit risky,” Leon asked.

“It might be dangerous, but it’ll look really cool,” Noa said, grinning.

“Cool like your old man, huh?” Leon’s heart swelled with pride as he tousled Noa’s hair. “Alright, I’ll give you a boost.”

Stepping back, Leon crouched slightly, interlocking his fingers to form a makeshift platform. Noa took a few steps back as well, calculating the distance before sprinting toward her father.

As she reached him, she planted her foot on his hands. Leon used all his strength to launch her into the air. With the momentum from the boost, Noa soared high above the dragonhawk, her hand crackling with lightning magic as she charged up her attack.

Timing it perfectly, she unleashed her signature move, *Thunder Wolf Breakthrough,* using the recoil to propel herself directly over the dragonhawk.

“I’ve got you now!” Noa shouted.

She gathered a concentrated burst of lightning magic in both hands and plunged downward, slamming the attack into the dragonhawk’s back. A deafening crack of thunder echoed through the sky as the beast let out a screech, its body convulsing as the electricity coursed through it.

The dragonhawk lost control, its massive form wobbling before plummeting toward the ground. Sherry swooped down just in time, allowing Noa to leap back onto her back as the beast crashed into the earth.

---

Sherry landed gracefully, shifting back into her human form as Leon dismounted with Noa in his arms. The trio approached the fallen dragonhawk cautiously.

The beast was sprawled beneath a massive tree, struggling weakly to stand. Noa’s attack hadn’t dealt significant damage, but the electric shock had paralyzed it, leaving it unable to maintain flight.

The dragonfruit tree it had stolen lay nearby, the two precious fruits having rolled onto the ground. Leon walked over, picked them up, and turned to the dragonhawk with a smirk.

“You greedy little thief. Learn your lesson, will you?”

The dragonhawk let out a low growl, not in defiance but something softer—almost remorseful. It seemed the beast understood its predicament.

Leon wasn’t one to kill needlessly, especially since the dragonhawk had only stolen fruit and caused no real harm. Seeing it now, battered and subdued, was punishment enough.

“Let’s go,” he said, turning to Sherry and Noa.

Just as they were about to leave, a rustling sound came from the forest. Leon immediately stepped in front of Noa, lightning magic crackling in his hands.

Out from the trees emerged another dragonhawk, smaller in size and with a faint purple tint to its wingtips. It approached the fallen dragonhawk, using its wings to shield it protectively. It raised its head and let out a plaintive cry toward Sherry, almost as if begging for mercy.

Sherry looked to Leon, waiting for his command.

“Let it go,” Leon said after a moment.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Sherry replied, stepping back.

The smaller dragonhawk lowered its head repeatedly, seemingly in gratitude, before turning to nudge its fallen companion. The two beasts exchanged soft calls, their gestures full of affection and reassurance.

“Are they… communicating?” Noa asked.

Leon nodded. “Yes. Super S-Class danger beasts like these have intelligence and can communicate with their own kind.”

Sherry observed the smaller dragonhawk closely. “Your Highness, this one appears to be female. Judging by her build and the sheen of her feathers, I believe she’s… pregnant.”

Leon’s eyes widened. “You’re saying she’s carrying eggs?”

Sherry nodded solemnly. “Yes, likely several.”

Leon sighed, glancing down at the two dragonfruits in his hand. After a moment of contemplation, he stepped forward and placed one fruit gently on the ground before the pair of dragonhawks.

The beasts seemed to understand the gesture. Bowing their heads repeatedly in thanks, they carefully picked up the fruit and retreated into the forest.

---

As Leon watched them disappear, he felt a small hand slip into his. He looked down to see Noa holding onto him.

“Dad?”

“Yes, Noa?”

“All life is connected, isn’t it?”

Leon smiled, nodding. “That’s right.”

After a moment, he added with a smirk, “But stealing is still wrong, you know.”

“I get it,” Noa replied, then grinned mischievously. “But Dad… with only one fruit left, are you sure you’ll survive Mom’s next tantrum?”

A chill ran down Leon’s spine.

“...I might have gotten a bit carried away with the good deeds.”