Chapter 185: Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (49)

༺ Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (49) ༻

The crackling of a campfire broke through my consciousness as I awoke.

Trivial thoughts flitted through my hazy mind until I rubbed my eyes, clearing my vision and bringing the surroundings into focus.

I was currently inside an old-fashioned tent.

Though it was only a temporary shelter, the tent reflected the majesty of the imperial family. It completely warded off the biting wind and created a warm and cozy space.

The desert, known for its harsh climate, underwent extreme temperature shifts from day to night. While the sun blanketed the land in a shimmering heat haze during the day, the desert transformed into a frigid expanse under the moon’s gaze.

So, the fact that a fire was burning inside the tent when it was already scorching hot during the day suggested that it was around dusk or that night had already fallen.

At that moment, steam wafted from the liquor filling up the glass in front of me.

It was a traditional fermented liquor from the west that was served hot to warm up the body on cold nights. It apparently served as a silent toast to the people for their hard day’s work.

Lifting the glass, I wordlessly downed it in one shot.

What we were doing here at the outpost was definitely not an easy task. Countless soldiers toiled tirelessly, battling the relentless onslaught of demonic beasts.

And looming on the horizon, the audible breaths of the monstrous serpent echoed ominously, a constant reminder of the danger that was coming.

If that monster were to ever awaken from its slumber and start thrashing around, humanity would swiftly be reduced to nothing more than a pool of blood on the ground.

And that very threat was right before our eyes.

Fighting off demonic beasts in such close proximity to that monster wasn’t something anyone could do with a clear mind.

A touch of sadness clouded the man’s weary expression as he thought of the bleak future, mirrored by the woman seated across from him, her eyes shut tight in bitterness.

With a flick of her finger, her glass floated up before filling up with liquor.

Breaking the silence, she parted her lips.

“As time passes, I find myself reminiscing about the past rather than thinking of the future.”

“You’re not even thirty yet.”