Lilitha Aurelianus.
Gudexia Aurelianus.
Rogue had felt Lilitha’s surname was familiar. Mallo’s hint jogged his memory—Gudexia was likely her biological father.
As a Young Dragon Princess with pure Silver Dragon blood, Lilitha would almost certainly inherit the title of Silver Dragon King after Gudexia’s fall. Realizing this, Rogue understood why Lady Aria wanted him to raise Lilitha as a pet.
Raising a future Silver Dragon King as a pet felt absurd even to Rogue.
That was just one challenge. Another was those who coveted Lilitha—like Mallo.
During their chat, Rogue used his divine favor to check Mallo’s stats and desires. Mallo showed intense longing for Lilitha.
Before knowing her identity, no one would dare covet an ordinary dragon under Demon King Aria’s pressure.
But what if Lilitha was the future Silver Dragon King?
Rogue took Mallo’s bag of gold coins and tossed it to the tavern keeper. "If possible, keep an ear out for news about the Silver Dragon King. This is your payment."
With that, he left the tavern.
Rogue didn’t return directly to the manor. Instead, he detoured to a spire surrounded by a massive magic circle—the Demon Lord Fortress library. It held Aria’s private books, accessible only to those who’d made outstanding contributions to the demon race.
Rumors said it even contained powerful Overlord Magic scrolls for study.
As someone specially favored by Aria, Rogue could enter freely. He borrowed two books on draconic language and left.
Communicating with Lilitha remained difficult. Teaching her human or demon tongue had failed. Rogue would have to learn draconic himself.
Back at the manor, Rogue found Puppet No.1 waiting at the door.
"Has something happened to Lilitha?" Rogue asked.
"Gurgle gurgle!"
Puppet No.1 handed him a loaf of bread and a waterskin—Lilitha’s usual lunch.
Rogue glanced at the nearly vanished red moon. Noon. Feeding time.
"Skip this one. She’ll eat tonight."
Puppet No.1 obeyed, stowing the food and rolling away.
In his room, Rogue prepared medicinal herbs for Lilitha’s evening bath. He then reopened her parchment journal.
"That pendant must belong to Silver Dragon King Gudexia. No wonder she clung to hope—she knew her father was down here too. A Silver Dragon King’s item isn’t mere decoration."
When Rogue had seized the pendant earlier, he’d sensed faint magic from its diamond-shaped crystal. It was enchanted, though its effect was unknown.
"As for raising her..."
Rogue recalled Mallo’s words: anything except killing Lilitha was allowed.
"Same as before. Raise her to be obedient, devoted, and utterly dependent on her master."
That master would be Rogue himself. He didn’t know how to transfer her to Aria later. With Aria absent, claiming her as master was impossible. He’d deal with that later.
Resolved, Rogue opened the draconic book and began studying awkwardly.
Near dusk, Rogue checked the time and headed to Lilitha’s warehouse an hour early. He worried about her state after this morning’s violence and the extinguished light.
Outside the warehouse, he sighed in relief. Lilitha huddled in a corner, clutching her thick tail while sleeping. Her body still trembled slightly. A day in that oppressive space had drained her recovering spirit, leaving her face weary.
Her broken half-horn stood out starkly, stirring an instinct to protect her.
She was just a little girl—a girl about to lose her father.
Rogue grabbed a nearby chair and sat before the warehouse, waiting for 8 PM. He wondered how Lady Aria would treat Lilitha once tamed.
Soon, 8 PM arrived. Lilitha still slept, but Rogue pushed the door open. Its creak jolted her awake instantly.
Seeing Rogue, her crimson pupils contracted sharply. She clutched the pendant tightly to her chest.
This morning’s brutality had left deep scars.
The filthy floor remained uncleared. Rogue signaled Puppet No.1 to clean while he pulled out a larger-than-usual bread loaf.
He waved it before Lilitha. Her eyes flickered with hunger, but she shrank deeper into the corner.
She couldn’t retreat further.
Not just her body—even her tail tip trembled faintly.
"Tch."
Rogue clicked his tongue impatiently and yanked her out.
Lilitha gripped the pendant with one hand, slapping at Rogue with the other. Her small feet and tail dragged on the floor. She refused to leave the corner or yield to him.
Rogue knew her resistance wasn’t just fear—it was instinctive rejection of what was coming.
But her weak body couldn’t fight him. Even as her tail dug into the floor, Rogue lifted her easily and tossed her aside. He then brought out a new wooden tub.
Chanting a spell, he treated water and herbs. Only then did he look back at Lilitha.
She inched backward, tears welling at the corners of her eyes.
Rogue called her name and gestured to the tub—bathing and feeding, as usual. He hoped she’d understand.
She didn’t. Lilitha covered her chest, shaking her head fiercely.
Rogue sighed inwardly. He grabbed her arm. Her struggles intensified. Her sobs grew hoarse and pitiful. Facing Rogue, she pleaded desperately, tears and snot streaking her frail face.
She feared he’d steal her father’s pendant again.
Rogue felt a pang inside, but his face stayed eerily calm.
Ignoring her struggles and feeble resistance, he lifted her and dropped her into the dark green medicinal liquid.
Released, Lilitha thrashed, splashing water. Then she froze. Tears slid down her chin. She looked up. In her fearful, resistant eyes, a trace of confusion flickered.
The water... was warm.
