Chapter 73: Opening the Fire Dragon Canyon Dungeon

Aria's POV

Serena led Draco and me into the estate, got us settled, and said, "We've been on the road for two days. Let's freshen up and get some rest."

Draco, dissatisfied, hung around in my room. "Aria needs care right now. Why are we in separate rooms?"

Serena shot him a look and teased, "Draco, you know I love you. I couldn't bear to send you off to another woman's room."

Draco went quiet, looking down.

Both Draco and I felt guilty towards Serena; technically, Serena and Draco were engaged. I was the one who stepped in for revenge.

To save Draco from the poison, Serena took all the toxins into herself and even sacrificed her own body. But emotionally, Draco didn't love Serena at all. All of this is utterly unjust for Serena. Yet, for Draco's sake, she put up with everything, even willing to help me out.

I sat on the bed, turned back into human form, and grabbed Serena's hand. "Serena, I don't know whether to thank you or apologize. I..."

"If you don't know what to say, then don't say anything," Serena cut in. "Actually, things have been weird between us these past two days. It's my fault for not talking to you sooner."

Serena sighed, as if trying to compose herself, before finally speaking, "Aria, the first time I helped you was because I didn't want to see Draco upset. As a woman, you get it; when you love a man, you can't stand to see him sad."

I nodded. But to be honest, I couldn't ascertain if I had ever truly loved any man. Thus, I was even less certain whether I would ever compromise myself for the sake of loving a man.

Serena added, "But since you came to me to borrow someone to lure Jason, I found your way of doing things pretty interesting. Therefore, the assistance I provide to you henceforth is purely a recognition of your personal charm. I believe you are a friend worth having. This has nothing to do with Draco."

I was surprised she considered me a friend after just a few encounters. Compared to my constant scheming, Serena's sincerity made me feel ashamed.

"Thank you, Serena." I couldn't help but hug her, sincerely.

"Alright, no need for thanks. By the way, what's up with your leg?" Serena pushed me away, pretending to be grossed out, and pointed at my leg.

Draco rushed over, looking at my leg nervously. "What's wrong with your leg?"

Before I could answer, Serena sighed. "Draco, you say you like Aria, but you don't pay attention to her at all! You're really an unqualified man."

After scolding Draco, Serena continued, "Didn't you notice that since you reunited, Aria has always been in wolf form? And now, she only transformed after sitting on the bed."

Draco suddenly realized and squatted down to check my leg, even trying to heal it with a magic energy ball. "There's no injury, and the bones are intact."

I patted Draco's hand, signaling him to stop using magic. "Don't waste your energy."

Draco turned to Serena for help. "Serena, your healing magic is powerful. Can you help her?"

Serena didn't even check, just shook her head. "I've already looked into it secretly. The conclusion is the same as yours. Her leg has no external injury. I think it's because of psychological issues."

"Psychological? How can psychological reasons cause her to be unable to walk?" Draco asked, not ready to give up.

Serena just gestured for me to explain.

I smiled bitterly and answered simply, "I lost a dear friend, and when I sought revenge, a powerful force stopped me. Heartbroken and filled with sorrow, that's how it ended."

I left out the emotional entanglements with Noah, which Draco couldn't know about.

"Is there no way to treat it?" Draco looked at Serena for help.

With that, I also looked at Serena.

The physicians of the werewolf clan and the vampire clan couldn't find a way to heal my leg, maybe because their methods relied solely on medicine. But Serena was different; she belonged to the dragon clan, and her healing art lay in magic. Maybe what medicine couldn't fix, magic could.

Although I could walk in wolf form, it was never as convenient as being human.

Feeling our intense gazes, Serena thought for a moment but still shook her head. "I can't do it either. The doctors should have told you that your leg can only walk normally if you resolve your psychological issues."

Exactly, the doctors had said that. So if I wanted to stand and walk, I had to eliminate all my enemies. However, the myriad of revenge plans I had originally devised have now been reduced to just one; I could only rely on Draco for my vengeance.

I looked at Draco, who was standing nearby, frowning, and wondered whether he would help me kill Jason just because of the child.

"Actually, there's a method with a low success rate that might be worth trying," Serena suddenly said hesitantly.

Draco and I almost simultaneously looked at Serena with hope.

Serena said directly, "The magical energy contained in the Dragon Ball is unimaginable. Having the Dragon Ball might help you walk again."

The Dragon Ball was now nowhere to be found. So as Serena said, the success rate was indeed low.

As I suddenly remembered Draco was looking for the Dragon Ball when we met, I immediately looked at him.

Receiving my gaze, Draco shook his head. "I just sensed a strange power in that location, but it wasn't necessarily the Dragon Ball. But whether it is or not, I've arranged for people to continue searching there. I think there will be results soon."

I must admit, experiencing that repetitive cycle of nurturing hope, only for it to be crushed, was profoundly dispiriting.

Suddenly remembering something, I quickly reminded Draco, "Among the people you arranged to search for the Dragon Ball, some want to defect to Michael."

Draco nodded, seemingly unsurprised. "I know; it's those two who almost attacked you."

Serena and Draco exchanged a knowing look, then both smiled mysteriously at me.