Alex lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The wooden beams above seemed ordinary, the dim light of the lantern flickering faintly, casting shifting shadows across the room. Everything was too quiet, too peaceful.
An illusion.
I've infiltrated the Dragon Kingdom.
It hadn't been easy. If not for Luck's quick thinking, things might have turned disastrous. That cunning bastard had spun lies as easily as breathing, weaving words with a silver tongue that even Ember couldn't immediately refute. But she was no fool. She had pried too much, asked uneven questions, and held her searching gaze for just a second longer than necessary.
"Even now, I can sense the doubt lingering in her head."
She doesn't believe that I am just a wandering traveler. No, she is already watching me but that much I expected from the daughter of a king.
This place was not what Alex had expected.
Dragons. They were not like the beasts of Murim, not massive creatures whose mere existence bent the heavens and earth. These dragons mostly stayed in human form; their appearances were indistinguishable from mortals, except for a heavy, suffocating presence like an ancient, unavoidable decree.
But power was not necessarily determined by outer appearance. Power was hidden in silence, in patience, in the unseen currents that shaped the world from the shadows. The dragons here carried themselves with ease, as if ruling was their birthright. That alone spoke volumes.
Despite that, his goal was simple.
Steal the artifact and break through to the Nascent Realm as fast as possible.
Still, a place like this would not fall easily. Its history stretched far beyond Leventhas, its walls built on the backs of countless sacrifices. There was no time to waste.
Dawn.
A golden light seeped through the curtains, casting shifting rays across the wooden floor. Alex opened his eyes.
A knock. Lars's voice followed.
"Sir, we need to meet the king. Hurry!"
Alex rose, washed up, and stepped into the hallway. Flowing lightly around him, his black robe was pristine, as always. His long white hair cascaded over his shoulders, strands swaying as he moved with quiet precision.
He stepped into the lounge.
Luck, Shelly, Ember, and Mischel sat around a table, voices light, laughter spilling into the air. The atmosphere was relaxed. Too relaxed.
Alex's gaze swept over them before landing on a man seated across from Luck. He wore tinted glasses, holding a teacup in one hand, his posture almost lazy.
Luck gestured toward him.
"Sir, meet Uncle Fafner. He is the king of dragon kingdom ."
Alex's gaze sharpened.
This is the king?
Fafner's features balanced sharp masculinity with an almost feminine elegance. Were it not for his broad shoulders and the weight of his presence, Alex might have mistaken him for a woman. His silver hair shimmered under the dim light, flowing effortlessly behind him. He wore a simple dark blue suit, unassuming. No unnecessary jewels, no grandiose displays of power.
This is not a man who needs to flaunt his authority.
Fafner set his cup down. The faint sound of porcelain against the saucer broke the silence.
"Aha, so you are that traveler friend of Luck?" His voice was thick with curiosity. "A traveler interested in our culture… don't you find that unusual?"
The words were lighthearted, but the undercurrent was unmistakable.
Alex said nothing. In his eyes, silence was the best choice-not
out of fear, but because he believed that in moments like
these, words only served to intensify the tension.
Fafner leaned forward slightly, amusement flickering in his gaze.
"We have strict laws here. Humans, aside from merchants, are not permitted to stay. However…" He let the word linger, stretching out the silence. "But since my nephew vouches for you, I might make an exception."
His fingers tapped the table once. The sound was quiet, yet deliberate.
"Traveler, what can you offer us in return?"
Alex met his gaze evenly. "I can teach your knights," he paused, "or, if you prefer, I can offer a favor. A deal for a deal."
The air grew cold with Alex's independent words.
Luck and Shelly remained composed, but Ember stiffened. Her eyes flashed with irritation, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"You should watch your tone if you wish to remain here," she said sharply.
Alex ignored her.
Fafner, however, chuckled. He raised a hand lazily.
"Relax, Ember. Let the man speak however he pleases."
His gaze flicked back to Alex, unreadable.
"A man of deals, is that right?"
He leaned back as if weighing his next words. Then, with a flick of his wrist—
"Everyone, can you leave us alone for a while?" his voice was soft, almost a purr, but it sent a chill down their spines. They knew this was it.
The moment of truth.
They left, closing the door behind them. Firion leaned forward, his eyes glinting in the dim light.
"Now," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper, "let's talk about your… offer."