Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

"Stab the dragon, and hold on tight," William instructed.

"What? What are you talking about?" Victoria asked, her voice tinged with confusion and apprehension.

"I can use my demonic energy to dominate its mind," William explained. "It's not a guaranteed success, but it's our best shot."

That was his plan. Just as Asura could dominate beasts, William intended to do the same. Since he was essentially Asura at that moment, he believed it was possible. The only obstacle was the dragon's strength. According to the vendor, the creature was powerful, which could make domination difficult.

Victoria's hands trembled as she gripped Asura tightly, her knuckles white from the force. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and did as William instructed.

"Don't aim for any vital points, and it doesn't need to be deep," William added. He didn't want Victoria to harm the creature too severely, as that could jeopardize their escape.

With a swift motion, Victoria drove the sword into the dragon's back. Blood gushed from the wound, and the creature let out a deafening roar, thrashing violently in an attempt to throw her off. Victoria clung to the dragon's scales, her muscles straining as she fought to stay on.

Below, the vendor watched in confusion. "Why is the dragon acting like this? What's going on?"

Now it was William's turn. He focused, channeling his demonic energy through the sword and into the dragon's body. The energy spread like a web, intertwining with the creature's vital essence. To his surprise, the dragon responded—not with resistance, but with words.

"Creature, what are you trying to do?" the dragon's voice echoed in William's mind.

The communication was mental, just like William's connection with Victoria. The dragon couldn't speak aloud, but its thoughts were clear.

William ignored the question, focusing instead on dominating the creature. His energy surged, taking control of the dragon's wings first. The thrashing stopped, and the creature stabilized in the air. It was a promising start.

But then, the dragon's own vital energy surged, clashing with William's demonic energy and overpowering it. William's control slipped, and frustration bubbled within him.

"Are you trying to dominate me?" the dragon asked again. "We can talk about this. I have a proposal."

William hesitated. He hadn't expected the dragon to negotiate. "What is it?" he finally replied.

"You use your energy to free me from that blasted whistle, and once we're out of here, I'll remove your energy from my body. But I'll help you with whatever you need. A win for both of us. Or…" The dragon's tone turned threatening. "I could always breathe fire on your little friend."

William weighed his options. The dragon was clearly powerful, and brute force wasn't working. Cooperation might be their only way out.

"Fine," William agreed. "But if you betray us, I'll make sure you regret it."

"Fair enough," the dragon replied.

This time, when William channeled his demonic energy, the dragon didn't resist. The energy spread quickly, taking full control of the creature's body. William directed the dragon to fly away from the city, putting as much distance as possible between them and the vendor.

Below, the vendor blew the magic whistle furiously, but nothing happened. The dragon was no longer bound by its control. It was now under William's command—or so it seemed.

Victoria let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "It worked! You did it!"

"More or less," William replied. "I'll explain later."

The dragon soared through the sky, its speed breathtaking. The wind whipped through Victoria's hair as she marveled at the landscape below. The forest stretched out like a lush green carpet, rivers glistened like ribbons of silver, and waterfalls cascaded with breathtaking beauty. For the first time, Victoria allowed herself to enjoy the flight, her earlier anxiety melting away.

From their vantage point, they could see the city they had left behind, as well as distant villages and the sprawling desert beyond. They were covering vast distances in mere moments.

Then, the dragon spoke again, its voice deep and resonant. "Well, where are we going?"

William hesitated. He wasn't entirely sure the dragon would keep its word, but for now, it seemed cooperative. "We're looking for some slave traders. Think you can handle them in a fight?"

"Probably," the dragon replied. "They only captured me because they brought a mage from another continent."

"Good," William said. "Head toward the desert. We're going to the forbidden zone on this continent."

"The Black Zone?" the dragon said, its tone thoughtful. "I lived there for a while. It's a harsh place, but nothing I can't handle."

William was surprised. The dragon's knowledge of the forbidden zone could be useful, but he reminded himself that their alliance was temporary. Once the dragon fulfilled its end of the bargain, it would likely leave. Still, for now, they had a powerful ally—and that was enough.

Victoria noticed something unusual as they flew. The dragon was moving smoothly, its wings beating with a natural rhythm, and there was no trace of the dark, demonic energy that had briefly taken control of its body. It was as if the creature had regained its autonomy.

"Is the dragon free?" Victoria asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of concern.

"Yes, it is," William replied. "But don't worry—it's agreed to help us for now. It even said it's capable of taking on the slave traders for us."

"Really? That's great!" Victoria exclaimed, her relief evident. For the first time in days, she felt a glimmer of hope. With the dragon's strength on their side, their mission seemed a little less impossible.

Things were finally looking up for them. However, William knew that the next step would be one of the most challenging: finding the slave traders. To do that, they needed information, and the best place to gather it was a large, well-known city—a hub of trade, gossip, and secrets.
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Days passed as they flew across the continent. To be precise, three days went by, during which they covered an astonishing distance. The dragon's speed was breathtaking, far surpassing even Jonas's enchanted flying carriage. It was a testament to the creature's power and stamina, and William couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

The city they decided to head to was located in the desert, but it was unlike any other desert city Victoria had ever seen. In fact, it was one of the most famous tourist destinations on the continent.

The reason for its fame was simple: despite being surrounded by endless sand dunes, the city itself was a lush oasis, teeming with greenery, towering mountains, and crystal-clear rivers. It was as if a piece of the continent's most fertile land had been magically transplanted into the heart of the desert.

As they approached, Victoria couldn't help but marvel at the sight. "They say powerful mages founded this city centuries ago," she explained to William, her voice filled with wonder. "They used their magic to transform the desert into this paradise. And the incredible thing is, it's stayed this way ever since. Can you imagine having that kind of power? To create forests, rivers, and mountains that last for centuries?"

William was silent for a moment, considering her words. That level of power was astonishing. It spoke of a mastery over magic that few could ever hope to achieve. For Victoria, it was a dream—a goal to strive for. For William, it was a reminder of just how vast and unpredictable the world of magic could be.

The city's beauty wasn't just for show, though. It attracted visitors from all over the continent—nobles, merchants, adventurers, and scholars. With so many influential people gathered in one place, the city had become a hub of information. If there was any place to learn about the slave traders' whereabouts, it was here.

They landed just outside the city's entrance, dismounting the dragon with care. Flying directly over the city wasn't permitted—a rule enforced strictly by the guards to maintain order and security.

As Victoria approached the gates, the guards immediately took notice of her. Her striking appearance, combined with the imposing presence of the dragon, made her stand out like a noble or a high-ranking adventurer.

One of the guards, a tall man with a polished helmet and a courteous demeanor, stepped forward. "Miss," he said, bowing slightly, "there's a secondary gate reserved for distinguished guests. Please, follow me."

Victoria was taken aback but didn't argue. She followed the guard, bypassing the long line of travelers and merchants waiting at the main gate. The difference in treatment was staggering.

Just moments ago, she had been just another traveler, but now, thanks to her appearance and the dragon, she was being treated like royalty. It was a stark reminder of how much perception could shape reality.

As they walked toward the secondary gate, the guard glanced back at the dragon. "Will your mount be entering the city as well, miss? We have excellent stables for magical creatures."

Victoria shook her head. "No, he'll stay outside. He prefers the open air."

The guard nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer. Meanwhile, the dragon communicated with William mentally. "I'll stay in the forest nearby. We can still communicate from a distance, so it won't be a problem. I've had enough of being locked up in stables."

William understood. The dragon had spent who knows how long confined and controlled by others. Now that it was free, it had no intention of returning to captivity. "No problem," William replied. "Stay close, though. We might need you soon."

With that settled, Victoria entered the city alone. The bustling streets were a stark contrast to the quiet serenity of the forest. Merchants called out to passersby, hawking their wares—exotic spices, shimmering fabrics, and intricate trinkets. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and the sound of lively chatter. It was a vibrant, chaotic place, teeming with life and opportunity.

Victoria's focus, however, remained sharp. She wasn't here to sightsee or shop. Her goal was clear: find information about the slave traders. She knew that in a city like this, information was a commodity, and she was willing to pay for it if necessary. But first, she needed to figure out where to start.