[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dragon-lord-s-aide-wants-to-quit-bl":3,"chapter-the-dragon-lord-s-aide-wants-to-quit-bl-the-dragon-lord-s-aide-wants-to-quit-bl-chapter-3":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Dragon Lord's Aide Wants to Quit [BL]",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1530213,1987,"Chapter 3: Welcome Back","the-dragon-lord-s-aide-wants-to-quit-bl-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>Deep breath. It’s just work. Just stupid work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one’s going to eat you alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley stood at the front desk of the HR office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held a folder in one hand and the bitter taste of irony in his mouth as he cleared his throat. \"Hi. I’d like to cancel the aide replacement request I submitted last week.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The HR clerk, a cheerful elf named Mina, blinked up at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, hello! Do you mean the irrevocable resignation form you filed under ’Final Freedom: No Take Backs’?\" she asked, pulling up his file.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes. That one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at him. He smiled. She stared harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I ask why?\" she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t think I’m allowed to say,\" Riley said, and that was not a joke. \"It might be classified. Possibly... magically enforced.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mina slowly closed the file. \"Oh. I see, so... still working for the Dragon Lord, then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley nodded ever so slowly, as if trying to convince himself as well. \"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She offered him a single sympathy chocolate from her drawer, which he could only accept with a pathetic \"Thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the office, Riley passed through the hallway like a returning ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispers followed him like perfume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He came back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe it was a counteroffer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard he tried to burn his contract, and it just laughed at him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He entered the main workroom and tried to keep a low profile. Which, of course, didn’t work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome back, Riley!\" chirped Alden from Accounts, popping out from behind a pile of scrolls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley jumped. \"Thanks, Alden.\" Though really, it would’ve been more fitting if Alden said something along the lines of \"My condolences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn’t quit after all? Wow. I lost a bet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bet on my resignation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alden nodded. \"Yep. Five gold on you for leaving and joining a human rights group.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From two desks away, a dry voice piped up. \"I said he wouldn’t leave. Said the boss had him soul-bound or something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley coughed. \"Haha. Wild imagination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right?!\" someone added. \"Hey, how much of a raise did he give you to stay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley blinked. \"Raise?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps. Whispering. One person wrote something down with suspicious speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At lunch, Riley sat in the break room with a microwaved lunch and a deep sense of denial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra, the receptionist, poked her head in. \"Hey, glad you’re staying! I almost had to cover for you. Which is terrifying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because I don’t know what you do, but everyone says if you leave, we all die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley shrugged. \"That sounds about right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the table, Dennis from Inventory gave him a thumbs-up. \"Welcome back to the pit, man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks. It’s good to be...owned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the hallway, Riley overheard two interns whispering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think he’s in love with the boss?\" one asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t be ridiculous,\" the other replied. \"No one’sthatemotionally unstable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley kept walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was not going to cry in the stairwell today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would have to be scheduled for tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, his trip to the HR netted him a headache, a new nameplate, and a sparkly \"Loyalty Award Certificate\" printed on enchanted paper that shimmered when tilted sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It read: \"To Riley Hale, for bravely returning to work after attempting escape. We appreciate your renewed dedication to eternal service.\" There was a golden sticker of a smiling dragon in the corner that practically mocked his entire being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t sure if it was meant to be comforting or threatening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder if he really deserved the certificate. Technically, he wasn’t even employed here. He was just here, because his boss was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t even a point in his giving HR his original resignation letter. No wonder Mina’s expression looked weird when he initially handed over the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe the poor woman thought he was trying to make a point. That’s why she was like that earlier when he returned with his non-existent tail tucked between his legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, is there anything else that I have to do?\" Riley asked if there were other things to rescind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Technically, no. But just in case you need a reference for it, we noted it down as ’emotional turbulence’ instead. So, it’s now marked as a mental health break.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Thanks? Didn’t think you’d have to do that too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We really don’t have to, but no one would really get a chance to explain when asked, so we might as well make a record. We can always just opt not to show it, anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh! And here’s your award. Please hang it somewhere visible. Preferably over your desk, under a camera orb.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was how he ended up with a certificate tucked under his arm as he returned to the Dragon Lord’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breathed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breathed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regretted everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, there was really no running away when the door just opened by itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael was already there, standing by the window, wearing his usual black-on-black ensemble that probably cost more than Riley’s entire life savings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good morning, Hale,\" Kael said without turning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back from your little... walk?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley ignored the dig.Walk. Ha. More like a public mental breakdown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, my Lord. HR has welcomed me back. I’m now officially...loyal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the certificate on Kael’s desk with theatrical flair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael raised one elegant brow. \"You seem proud.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m glowing,\" Riley replied flatly. \"Also, other employees from HR said I don’t get cake unless I complete another ten years. But would that perk even apply to someone of my lowly status?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael let out a short laugh. Not sarcastic. Not cruel. Just amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But well, for someone who was still mending his broken heart, he couldn’t really help but take it as a maniacal laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley stood straighter. Might as well shoot his shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Lord, since we’re being honest with magical contracts and eternal service...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael gave him a curious look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do I get hazard pay for being bound to your service forever? Or like, eternal dental care?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rubbed the back of his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe a raise? Or a nice private room without cursed wallpaper?\" Kael studied him for a long moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley almost took it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Kael smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A raise,\" he repeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For someone who cannot legally leave?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. Think of it as investment protection. High morale leads to high productivity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yay.\" Riley gestured vaguely, a small cheer, and a smile that looked a tad too sour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well,\" Kael said finally, leaning back in his chair. \"You may negotiate. A little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley blinked. \"Wait. That worked?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Modernizing labor practices.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll take that as a yes,\" Riley said, pulling out a piece of parchment labeled ’Totally Reasonable Demands’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he had bullet points.\u003C\u002Fp>",1131,"2026-06-06T06:06:55.419Z",1,"novelbin.me","d0e10fd09249cdc6268bf3fdfa5e367126834d66bb2bb8c758f5b4fb9d14a3c6","the-dragon-lord-s-aide-wants-to-quit-bl-chapter-4","the-dragon-lord-s-aide-wants-to-quit-bl-chapter-2",406,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dragon-lord-s-aide-wants-to-quit-bl-cover.jpg"]