The Adventures of Rose Hood

Chapter 50: The Dragon Kingdom

I landed in a nearby clearing and shifted before entering the line at the gate. This nation outlawed slavery eons ago, so I kind of liked it.
This is the nation my nest was in. My family used to rule it, until Saliad killed our parents.
So, I was unaware of how 90 years affected its opinion of us. So, I decided to hide myself. Better if no one recognized me.
When I heard I would head here, I got Mammon to make me a fake ID as a C rank adventurer named Grace. It would allow me to move without getting killed if they didn't like dragons. C ranks are respected but not known, so it wouldn't be too much of a shock for a random C rank to show up.
I entered the city with no problems, but I saw a lot of people giving me odd looks. It made sense. Most residents were dragonkin, so they were confused by the catkin that was walking through. Especially with the rumors that these dragonkin ate beastkin, but as a former princess I knew that those rumors were false.
Most dragonkin, scared of my confidence, avoided me, but one came up.
"Excuse me, but this isn't quite the place for a small catkin like you. You have heard the rumors, right?"
"Yes, but I also know they are false. I used to live near here."
"Oh, I see, it's rare to see a local that isn't a dragonkin. Where do you live now?"
"I moved to Selethon only a few years ago."
Upon hearing I used to be a local, their worry lessened, and some gave me directions to the guild.
I entered the guild and saw a familiar face. A dragonkin named Gerard. He was my caretaker when my parents were hunting. He saw me and his eyes widened in recognition. They went to normal quickly.
"Hello, are you an adventurer?"
"Yes, here is my card."
I handed him my fake ID and he looked at it.
"Ah yes, I heard you were coming here for diplomacy from Darthen. Could I talk to you for a moment in my office?"
"Sure."
I followed Gerard and then he went into the office and cast silence.
"Hello Cat."
My old nickname.
"It's Rose now, Gerard."
"So, I've heard."
"Does the nation hate dragons?"
"No, in fact Onyx is now the king, but he has a kill warrant out for you."
"Me?"
"Yes, he only put up a drawing of your dragon form, but he told us the truth of you."
"That I'm..."
"Yes, but I know you are good, so I will let you go, you need to get out of the nation, or they will kill you."
"I can't I need to speak with Onyx about sending a force to aid Selethon."
"I'm sure you can handle it."
"5 shards are invading it in less than a month."
His eyes widened.
"No... they want you, don't they."
"They do, King Dalis sent me as a diplomat to gain support for it. He also figured me out though things are different now."
"What do you mean? 5 of your kin are coming to destroy a nation."
"The others are on my side though."
"What?"
I released a small force of my aura so only he could feel it.
"I am not the evil god. I am the good god. If Onyx seeks to kill me then I will show him this. He is my brother. I can't just hide from him."
Gerard looked in awe.
"Then I will set up a meeting with him."
"Thank you."
"And I can tell you that I will send a force to Selethon."
"Thank you."
"Alright, stay in the guild inn, I will make sure no one bothers you. I will say that you are tired from your long journey."
"Thank you."
I turned to leave.
"And Rose."
"Yes?"
"Please don't die. I would not be able to face your parents in the afterlife if I let you die."
"Don't worry. No one will die tomorrow."
"Thank you."
I left the room and got a room in the guild inn.
I decided to wander the city and walked around the block.
"Hey, you."
I turned and saw someone in an alley. It was a catkin.
"Yes?"
"Come here."
"Okay?"
I entered the alley, and a collar was put around my neck before I could sense the others.
"I knew planting that eavesdropping device in the guildmaster's office would work out."
I realized that these weren't slavers, but guards.
"This you, Rose?"
They held up a wanted poster with my name on it. It had a drawing of my old dragon form.
"The name is, but that looks nothing like me."
"Don't pull crap, evil god. I don't know how you tricked Gerard, but we have no fear of you."
"If you know I am a shard, then why would you think that collars work."
They blanched.
"No fear, huh? You are lucky I realized you weren't slavers, but if you did have an eavesdropper on Gerard, you'd also know that I plan on meeting my brother tomorrow, so there is no reason to try catching me."
"I guess..."
"Besides I didn't trick him, he is simply an old acquaintance that knows I'm a decent person."
"R-really?"
"Yeah, for example, I could've easily killed each one of you, but I didn't even attempt to yet."
"But the collar- *Gasp*"
I handed him the bent off collar.
"Yeah, that doesn't affect me."
"Oh..."
"Can I go now and relax before I meet my brother tomorrow? Or are you going to send the whole guard to fail to bring me in?"
"You c-can relax."
The catkin and the dragonkin with him were terrified, but they let me go, so I entered the blacksmith to get my armor checked on.
"A catkin? Oh, you were at the guild. Diplomacy, right? I can't get you any fancy wear."
"I just want a check up on my armor."
"That's high quality. Who gave it to you?"
"The fire dragon's a friend of mine."
"Incredible, I would love to meet her one day."
"Maybe I'll bring her my next time here."
"That would be incredible, but I don't see any scratches even."
"Alright, thanks."
"If you want, I could recommend a good dress shop."
"Sure, I could use more clothes. I usually just use cleanse on this."
"Ah, like a true adventurer."
"So, where is it?"
"It's just down the block."
"Thanks."
I left and headed over to the clothing store and saw such beautiful dresses.
"Excuse me, do you do customers trying on clothes?"
"Of course, young cat."
I looked at a dress that I liked.
"Do you have any dresses that would fit me?"
"Hm, I don't know, let me check."
The lady looked in the back and came out with a beautiful dress that was red and had a floral design.
"Could I try it on?"
"Of course, dressing room is over there."
I tried it on, and it fit so well. I checked it in the mirror and I looked adorable.
I exited the room with it on so she could see. She gasped.
"You are so adorable!!!"
She was gushing, so I went back and changed into my armor and bought it.
I went to the inn and got good sleep, readying myself for what the next day would bring.