Help! I'm in Another World and the Dragon Man Want Me To Get Pregnant!
Chapter 74: The Mountain Pass

Chapter 74: The Mountain Pass

He had never imagined himself in such a desperate state, yet here he was.

Finally, they left human territory behind and reached the most difficult part of the journey—the mountain pass.

The forests that stretched at its base were home to large monsters.

Ignatius took the whistle that was hanging around his neck and handed it to Shen Xinghui.

This was a special whistle, one that only members of his kind could hear.

It served both as a call for help and as a mark of connection.

The whistle itself was crafted from his own condensed magic, and possessing it signified a deep bond—either as a lover or someone of equivalent importance.

Even if something were to happen to him, as long as Shen Xinghui held onto the whistle, he would be safely escorted to Ignatius’s estate, where he could live in comfort.

Shen Xinghui held the whistle up to the sunlight, examining it with curiosity.

The sight was so endearing that Ignatius couldn’t help but smile.

"There may be others of my kind nearby. If anything happens, blow this whistle. They will come to your aid."

"But if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better if you used it instead, Ignatius?"

"If I need to call for help, I can simply return to my dragon form and let out a single roar. Our voices carry over an entire mountain range."

"I see..."

His companion clutched the whistle tightly, as if it were something precious.

That night, they were able to set up camp without any incidents.

In a forest like this, avoiding an encounter with monsters was nothing short of a miracle.

The one sleeping beside Ignatius, Shen Xinghui, had gradually grown accustomed to life in a tent.

While he no longer expressed excitement like in the beginning, there were still moments when his steps bounced slightly with amusement.

Ignatius found himself enjoying the time spent listening to Shen Xinghui hum unfamiliar tunes.

He had worried that the mountain pass would be too difficult for Shen Xinghui’s stamina.

They had already left human territory behind.

Ignatius could easily transform into his dragon form and carry him, but Shen Xinghui had a fear of large creatures.

Among the Black Dragon family, Ignatius was particularly large.

His close friend, Gabriel, was also big, but his species was naturally of a larger variety.

Black Dragons, despite being classified as a medium-sized species, grew to rival large dragons when transformed.

If Shen Xinghui saw him in that form, he might become frightened.

The thought of being looked at with fear was something Ignatius could not bear.

The path was rough, and Ignatius led the way, guiding Shen Xinghui forward.

He considered carrying him on his back, but he had recently come to realize that Shen Xinghui was more stubborn than he appeared.

Instead, he walked ahead, offering his hand whenever Shen Xinghui struggled.

Even then, Shen Xinghui looked apologetic about accepting help.

By the time they had climbed less than half the mountain, they stopped for the night.

Shen Xinghui’s stamina had reached its limit.

Ignatius cast a healing spell on him, checked for any injuries, and began preparing their meal.

Instead of setting up a tarp, he layered two protective barriers and they ate inside the tent.

Shen Xinghui had made something called "onigiri," a food that was surprisingly convenient to carry.

While rice existed in this world, bread was the more common staple, making this dish an unexpected novelty.

The balance of salt and grilled salmon was delicious.

"What are you eating, Xinghui?" Ignatius asked.

"Ume," Shen Xinghui replied.

"Ume?"

He noticed a red filling inside Shen Xinghui’s rice ball.

It was unfamiliar to him, as he had rarely seen anything like it among the Dragon Man.

Sensing his curiosity, Shen Xinghui held out his onigiri, offering him a taste.

The idea of an indirect kiss briefly crossed Ignatius’s mind, making his heart race slightly.

He hesitated before biting into the red filling—only to reel back in shock from the intense flavor.

"Are you okay!?"

"It’s so sour!" Ignatius exclaimed.

A strong, sharp sourness spread through his mouth, making his eyes water.

It was far too intense for a Dragon Man’s palate.

Still, he refused to spit it out.

He struggled to swallow it, exhaling deeply once he managed.

Shen Xinghui quickly handed him some water.

"Are you alright?"

"That was unexpected..."

"You really don’t like it, huh? Sorry."

"N-No, it’s fine," Ignatius assured him.

It was true that he had been curious and had asked for it himself.

Yet Shen Xinghui still looked guilty.

Seeing that expression, Ignatius forced a smile and grinned at him.

"It was delicious," he said.

Shen Xinghui’s face immediately flushed red, and he pouted. "You don’t have to force yourself!" he scolded with an adorably angry expression.

The next day, their journey went smoothly.

As expected of a human, Shen Xinghui had a talent for turning ordinary objects into useful tools.

He picked up a sturdy fallen branch, and to Ignatius’s surprise, he began using it as a walking stick to climb the mountain.

Clever—this method would reduce the strain on his legs.

Even so, Ignatius remained watchful, occasionally glancing back to make sure Shen Xinghui didn’t fall behind.

Eventually, they emerged onto a scenic cliffside path.

The summit was near.

By the time they reached this area, there were fewer monsters.

Though the forest stretched along one side, the presence of Dragon Man here made the creatures hesitant to move.

Sensing the presence of stronger beings, they typically hid.

Shen Xinghui, fascinated by the landscape, knelt by the cliffside, peering down.

Below was a sheer drop, with a river running far beneath them.

"Don’t walk too close to the edge," Ignatius warned. "If you fall, it’ll be serious."

"Okay," Shen Xinghui responded.

His face had gone pale, and he cautiously backed away, seeming to understand the danger.

The path was wide enough, so Ignatius took the lead while occasionally glancing back to check on him.