｢We'll be reaching the city shortly.｣ Neia said through telepathy.

"Okay."

About time, because it's getting harder and harder to hold on. I really need to do something about this shit body.

｢Are you alright?｣

"I've been better."

Wait, how is she hearing my voice when we're travelling at supersonic speed? She must be using some kind of magic spell.

｢Just hold on for a bit more, and then it'll be like you were never hurt in the first place.｣

"I'll be counting on you."

I just hope that her confidence isn't unfounded. Would be a bruhh moment if I died after coming this far.

As the sun made its way to hide behind the horizon, thus dyeing the sky a madder red, we reached the city.

Quite interestingly, when we passed by the walls surrounding the city, no one even looked up in awe, let alone raise a commotion about a huge ass Dragon flying into their city.

"Illusion magic?"

That's the only thing I could think of.

｢Precisely. The Kingdom doesn't like it when I just barge into the city in my Dragon form.｣ She chuckled.

"Makes sense."

Flying Dragons- who are capable of levelling countries on their own- just barging into their city would of course be a huge security concern for them.

So instead of annoying them to the point that they develop and erect anti-air defences, just using an illusion to pass unnoticed is a better choice.

I looked around while wincing at the pain- this opportunity was too good to miss as one doesn't get to ride Dragons every day, after all.

The city was, in a single term, huge. It was circular in shape with walls erected around the entire city, which made sense given the vast forest I was just in.

Quite interestingly, a river divided the city into five parts, with one section at the centre and the rest facing each direction.

There was a large castle overlooking the surrounding city from the central area.

"Is this the capital of this Kingdom?"

Why else would there be a castle right in the middle of it?

｢No, but I can see why you would think that.｣

This isn't the Royal Capital of this kingdom? Given how developed this city seems from up here, one can only wonder what the actual capital would be like.

By the way, I got the chance to observe the city because Neia had greatly reduced her speed. After all, shockwaves originating from the sky from our previous supersonic speed would raise a lot of suspicions.

｢We're here.｣

She flapped her wings as she descended on the roof of a rather large building.

The moment her claws touched the roof, bright light burst out of her. The next moment, I was in the arms of her human form, in a Princess Carry.

Should I play the part of the Princess and blush?

"Welcome back, Lady Neia." Another man, who was probably already waiting for her, bowed.

"Have you prepared what I asked for?"

"Yes."

Hmm, looks like she contacted the Guild beforehand and asked them to prepare the Operation Theatre. Smart decision making at its finest.

"Good. We shall start right away."

"Is this the child- oh my God… what happened?" The man's jaw dropped to the ground after seeing my condition.

"We don't have time for questions. Saving him comes first."

"Right. My apologies."

Neia passed by him in a hurry, descended a flight of stairs and entered a room.

She gently laid me down on the Operating Table and covered my eyes, "You've done well to hold on until now. Leave the rest to me and sleep."

Hmm.

"Can I stay awake and watch the entire process?"

I'm kinda interested in how she's going to treat me.

"…" In return, Neia gave me a look saying 'What the fuck is this guy talking about?'.

"Is that a 'no'?"

"You were serious? Anyway, it's a big 'NO'."

A shame.

"Alright, then."

I don't think she's going to use a completely new method to treat me, so I don't lose much by not being awake. Besides, it also means that I don't have to witness the surreal scene of me being operated upon.

Hmm, now that I think about it, had she cut me open and witnessed my state while I was awake, she might have questioned me about how exactly I managed to make the situation so worse.

And let's just say it would have led to some really awkward moments.

"I will make you sleep now." She said while donning a pair of gloves.

Oh, so she values hygiene, which is a plus point for her as a doctor in my book. So, at the very least, I won't die from a septic infection.

"Alright."

As I nodded, she waved her hand in front of my face. A small amount of smoke appeared out of nowhere and entered my nose.

The next moment, my eyelids became heavy. The small number of sounds around me started to vanish and my vision turned hazy.

"I'll… save…" Neia said something which I couldn't properly hear.

And then I fell into darkness.

❄️❄️❄️

"Is… alright?"

Hmm?

"Y-es."

A mix of distant voices woke me up from my slumber.

"When… wake…"

Ah, shit, my head's still hurting. What the hell did Neia use to knock me out?

Or maybe she gave me more than the required amount? If true, Imma sue her so hard that she won't even dream of becoming a doctor in her next 50 lives.

"He should… soon…"

Oh, the sounds seem to be less distant now. Looks like I'm regaining consciousness.

Wait, now that I think about it, am I really waking up after a successful operation?

What if Neia botched the surgery in some way and sent me straight to my next life, and this situation is actually me in another life-threatening event?

That sounds unlikely, given her confidence in reassuring me. But then again, the men who send unsolicited dick pics to women they just got the number of are just as confident.

Anyway, I guess I won't know before waking up.

And so, after some effort, I managed to open my eyes. My vision remained hazy for some moments.

After it cleared up, what I first saw was a small chandelier hanging off a white ceiling.

"You're awake!"

"Yes." I eked out.

My voice was still weak and I still felt delirious, but I didn't seem to be in any pain.

And most importantly, I could now feel my arms.

I turned my head to look down, but the one I found wasn't someone I was expecting.

"…"

It was the Shadowlord.