Unexpected Situation

Ah.
Black finally understood.

Of course—with Alice’s pursuit of strength—asking such a question wasn’t strange.
She’d even used the word “ask for advice.”

Black felt Alice was losing her princess demeanor around him.

Before—she’d probably press a sword to his neck—threatening:
“Lowly pirate—speak or die. Choose.”

Such a huge attitude shift—the “villainess” persona was crumbling.

“Before I answer—may I ask Your Highness one question?”

“Mm.”

“In your eyes—what is this Imperial Winged Dragon to you?”

Black cradled the hatchling—gently tugging its tail—as he asked.

“…A pet. Or a combat assistant.”

Alice hesitated—then spoke her mind.

She reached to stroke it—but the dragon bared fangs, hissed at her.

Seeing this—Alice’s expression dimmed.

“This is why you failed.”

Black said slowly.

“You always see yourself as master—forcing the Imperial Winged Dragon to submit with a superior mindset—not as friend or partner.”

“Thus—spirit link will inevitably fail.”

Hearing this—Alice’s delicate brows furrowed—teeth lightly biting her lip.

“But my instructor said—dragons are defiant, self-centered beings. If not forced into submission—we can’t guarantee their cooperation in battle.”
“And I’ve tamed other Winged Dragons before—using the same spirit link method. Just don’t know why it doesn’t work on the Imperial Winged Dragon.”

Sigh.

Black wanted to sigh. Alice’s biggest problem was here.

Lacking independent thought—too reliant on books and instructors.
Mind too rigid.

“Your instructor has a point—but has Your Highness noticed? The Winged Dragons you tamed—do they really assist well in battle?”
“Do they sometimes ignore your orders?”

Alice looked surprised.

“…How do you know?”

Once—she tamed a Fire God Winged Dragon—far weaker than Imperial, but still powerful. She was quite happy.

Yet in later battles—she found it only used half its power.
Finally—just quit—ignoring her commands.

So hearing Black say this—she was truly shocked.

“When you force them into submission via spirit link—even if successful—they’re unwilling. Naturally, they won’t cooperate.”
“Moreover—the Imperial Winged Dragon is king of all Winged Dragons—born proud. Would it willingly become a human’s subordinate?”

“That’s why you failed. Now—I can answer your question. The main reason I tamed it? I treated it as a friend—with equality.”

Black said slowly.

He used the hidden taming method.
Its core? Equality and respect.

Other details could vary.

Releasing it from the cage? Not important.
What mattered—the meaning behind the act: showing you don’t treat it as a pet.

But as a friend.

After all—no one locks up a stranger—forcing them to be friends.

This was the official game explanation.

“Friend?”

Alice’s beautiful face showed utter confusion—Black’s words shattered her worldview.

Treat a winged dragon as a friend?

If her instructor heard this—he’d harshly criticize Black as a heretic.

But seeing the dragon show no aversion to Black’s touch—enjoying it—

Alice didn’t know how to argue. After all—the Imperial Winged Dragon was the hardest to tame.

She believed it—partially.

“Then… how do I… become their friend?”

Seeing Alice ask this—Black was very pleased.

Good, good—young one is teachable!

He felt like a qualified teacher.

“Simple. Sire—try treating this hatchling as a human child. Be friendly.”

Black gently lifted the Imperial Winged Dragon—the little one flapped wings—nuzzling his chin affectionately.

Alice hesitated—trying to imagine it as a cute human child.

She slowly raised her hand—copied Black—palm up, fingers relaxed—approaching the dragon.

The dragon tilted its head—golden pupils flashing caution.

“Relax,” Black whispered. “Imagine playing with a child—not taming a dragon.”

Alice took a deep breath—softened her expression.

She tried to smile—a slightly awkward one.

“…Hello?”

She spoke softly—voice much gentler than usual.

The dragon’s tail swayed—seeming surprised.

It cautiously extended its head—sniffed Alice’s fingertips.

“It’s already accepting your scent.”

Black murmured.

Alice held her breath—fingers trembling slightly.

She felt the dragon’s warm breath on her skin—scales cool, smooth.

First time observing a Winged Dragon so closely.

Before—she only considered how to tame it, make it her weapon.

Now—she suddenly noticed—the hatchling had expressions. Its mouth twitched—licking her fingers—like smiling.

“It… seems to be smiling.”

She couldn’t help saying.

Black nodded.

“Because it’s not a tool, Sire. It’s a living being—with its own joys and sorrows.”

The dragon seemed to understand—suddenly spread wings—lightly landing on Alice’s head.

It treated her soft hair as a blanket—lying comfortably.

Alice froze—afraid to disturb it.

The weight was light—claws carefully retracted—didn’t hurt her.

“It…!”

Her voice trembled with joy.

“Congratulations, Sire—it’s accepted you.”
“If you meet another Imperial Winged Dragon—try this method. Treat them as partners—and you’ll succeed.”

Black said sincerely.

His honest opinion. With Alice’s talent—she just needed this one step.

Alice nodded—eyes shining with unprecedented light.

She touched the little dragon—softly: “Thank you.”

Hey—how many thanks today?

This girl’s gotten much more polite.

All thanks to my teaching!

Black was very pleased—about to modestly show his high moral character as a teacher.

Then—suddenly—disaster struck.

Pfft!

A subtle sound—then the dragon’s tail lifted up. Immediately—

Splash!

A golden, runny pile precisely landed on Alice’s white collar—still steaming suspiciously.

Silence.

A strange smell spread through the air.