The Understated Dragon Lord novel Chapter 684

The python hadn't really left; it had just sneakily hidden itself away. Smart grumbled under his breath as he collected the equipment scattered by the flood across the riverbank. Inside, he cursed Danny, wishing a bolt of lightning from Zeus would strike the country bumpkin into charcoal. But then he had a second thought: without Danny, what would he do if the python showed up hungry again?

If Danny were gone, the python might turn its hunger toward Smart. So, he hoped Zeus would strike both Danny and the python together, reducing them to cinders!

Belle approached Danny with a skeptical look. "Country boy, did you leave that python here on purpose?"

"No!"

"Then why is it here? How come it comes out whenever you whistle?"

"Because it wants to follow me! I figured it might be useful for keeping Smarty in line and to ward off other wild animals, so I let it stay."

Belle didn't buy it. With a knowing look, she said, "You kept it to bully Smart, didn't you?"

"Yes, so what? You have a problem with me picking on Smarty?"

"Whether you bully him is none of my business! Smart's not great, but you're no saint either, you deserve punishment too!"

Taking advantage that Victoria and Smart were preoccupied, Belle pinched Danny hard on his side.

Danny was in pain but he dared not cry out loud; he didn't want to draw Victoria's attention.

"What are you doing?" he asked Belle, wincing.

"Teaching you a lesson!"