Is This Something You Really Like?
Rune pulled a small anklet from his subspace pocket, perfectly sized for Baekya's slender leg.
"Kyuu."
He waved his front paw at Baekya, beckoning her over.
The bird understood at once, showing off her skilled flight as she landed gracefully on Rune's paw.
"Kyu."
'It's time to use this.'
It was the bird anklet he'd won as custom gear for Baekya at the artisans' tournament long ago.
Enchanted with three magic effects, especially flight speed increase—with just a light flap, she could glide much farther with ease.
'The other effects are nice too, but they were useless when she couldn't even fly. I've just been holding onto it. Now it'll come in handy.'
"Peep?"
As Rune fastened the anklet, the bird tilted her head and pecked at it curiously with her beak.
She hopped around lightly a few times to test it.
Rune patiently explained the magic effects to her, repeating until she got it.
Soon, realizing what it did, she activated and deactivated the magic several times, then lifted her head and blinked, seeming accustomed to it.
"Ah! Baekya's wearing an anklet! So cute—it suits you perfectly!"
"Piiik! Peep peep! Piiik."
Whether taking Heungmi's words as praise or seeing it as a gift from Rune, Baekya rubbed her beak affectionately against his paw.
'Good thing Baekya isn't the type to hate accessories.'
Heungmi loved dressing up and pretty things, but Baekya was a free-spirited bird.
Rune had worried it might bother her.
But the dwarves had measured her carefully, crafting it just right, so she felt no discomfort.
"Pii! Peep. Peepipeepipeepi!"
'...Isn't she liking it a bit too much?'
The excited bird would glance away for a moment, then peer back at the anklet.
Each time, her eyes sparkled up at Rune.
Come to think of it, Heungmi had received piles of clothes and accessories from the dwarves, which Rune stored and gave her from time to time.
But this was the first accessory for Baekya.
'If I'd known she'd love it this much, I should've given it to her sooner.'
For some reason, it felt like he could hear the nagging from his past-life friend, the gumiho Baekmi.
"Aigoo! You idiot, you really have no eye for jewelry! I wondered why it took you so long when all you needed was a pretty jade ornament to make those ears perk up in bliss—then I see you've prepared something comically huge!"
"How was I supposed to know that ghost's tastes? Isn't it weird that an exorcist has to know stuff like this?"
"Sigh. Fine, I'll pick one for you—try this!"
Recalling that memory for a moment, Rune gently scratched under Baekya's beak with his index toe.
'Performance specs I can judge easily, but this...'
He'd improved since then, but having lived so mildly, he still lacked flair for such things.
'Everyone has their own talents and tastes, after all.'
Wanting to pamper Baekya a bit more, Rune pulled out some butter-honey potato chips from his subspace pocket and placed them on his paw pad.
Baekya somehow knew it was her share and flew over, landing neatly.
Peck peck!
The bird, who sometimes trilled happily, looked especially blissful today.
Then Heungmi, beside them, clasped her hands together in plea.
"Rune-nim, give me some too, pleeease."
Rune handed over the whole bag for her to share with Baekya.
"Kyu."
'Here.'
"Waaah! Thanks, I'll dig in!"
"Peeeep!"
Delighted, Heungmi and Baekya snatched up the chips and munched away.
"Yum! Look at Baekya—chips all over her face from pecking!"
- Man, there was a time I schemed just to snag some of those chips.
"Pii? Piiiik!"
Heungmi giggled wildly while Baekya chirped merrily in rhythm. Jed chimed in now and then, riding the vibe.
Then space twisted, and Christina appeared with Perdikion in tow.
Sensing the time had come, Rune slipped on his transformation gold bracelet.
"Everyone ready to go?"
"Yeah."
"Heungmi's all set!"
- Of course! Ready anytime, milord!
Clank! Clank!
"Peep? Peep peep!"
Christina smiled warmly, having caught even Baekya's startled chirps.
"Somehow, I'm looking forward to this. I have a feeling you'll be loved there too. Come back safe."
Whoosh.
A blessing of light enveloped the travelers warmly.
A rush of dry, rasping air.
Scorching sand searing their paw pads.
The group had arrived not in the elves' forest, but in the midst of an endless sea of dunes.
- Huh? Did we come to the wrong place? I thought forest elves lived deep in jungles under massive trees that block the sun.
Heungmi glanced around, then gasped "Ah!" and pointed to one side.
"Look over there!"
A round tent of canvas stood in view.
White smoke wafted lazily from it, as if someone were cooking.
"Looks like that's the spot."
- Let's hurry! You all look ready for a sand bath.
Rune surveyed the surroundings at Perdikion's words.
"No welcome party's a bit odd."
That was when it happened.
A sand rat monster, a Jibillmon, poked its head out with a "Chit!" then boldly charged toward them.
Patpatpat!
As Heungmi's eyes sparkled oddly, the Jibillmon reared up on hind legs and waved its front paws.
Chit!
"Piiik!"
Chit chit!
"Peep! Peep!"
Watching the bird and rat exchange cries like signals, Heungmi spoke up.
"It says follow it!"
Chit!
Off it dashed.
As if fearing it'd be eaten, the little rat took the lead.
The group followed side by side.
Its light paw prints vanished quickly in the desert sand.
Mindful of that, the rat frequently glanced back to check on them.
Rune eyed the mana traces around the Jibillmon.
'A familiar?'
Those adept at bonding with animals used them like limbs.
A tamer's mark.
The more affection and care the tamer invested, the more loyal the familiar.
True enough, as they reached the tent, presences of beasts and monsters stirred within.
Sniff sniff!
A desert wolf rose warily.
But it only watched—no hostility.
The other beasts and monsters calmly greeted the visitors.
Chit!
The Jibillmon scampered up Rand's leg and waist to perch on his shoulder, standing on hind legs.
"Welcome."
Languid green eyes, perhaps weary.
A male elf with long reddish-brown hair greeted them.
He lowered the turban covering his mouth.
Perdikion frowned slightly, looking displeased but holding his tongue.
Heungmi spoke first.
"Hi! I'm Heungmi."
She bowed politely.
Rune followed suit.
"I'm Rune. You're Rand, right?"
Rand's eyes widened slightly at Heungmi's proper manners.
With lazy yet oddly elegant motions, the elf brushed sand from his hem.
"Come in. The desert's fickle—gentle breezes turn to sandstorms."
His voice carried a cynical edge as he ushered them inside.
The tent floor was carpeted in luxurious silk rugs.
Faint incense burned, and a long water pipe called a gilla sat neatly aside.
Thankfully, no tobacco stench inside.
"Sit wherever's comfy."
Rand lounged amid pillows and cushions, habitually reaching for grape wine—then paused.
His gaze flicked to Rune and Perdikion.
"Hatchlings, huh. Mind if I drink?"
"No thanks."
Before Rune could reply, Perdikion cut in.
Green eyes rolled to the red-haired boy.
"That kid's the next Red Dragon elder, Perdikion?"
"...Got a problem?"
"Nope."
Rand shrugged and shook his head, pouring for himself alone.
Sweet fruit aroma filled the tent.
He tilted his head; clear purple liquid swirled in the glass.
"Your eyes gleaming like this red wine... just found it mildly intriguing. Loosen up. Overpowering me would be a breeze anyway, right?"
Tamed monsters or not, challenging a near-adult-dragon hatchling was folly.
And even if he could, it'd earn enmity from Christina and Pasiyas—nothing good.
As Perdikion twitched to retort, Rune poked his side lightly.
Perdikion's eyes snapped to Rune.
'What?'
His fierce glare asked.
Rune met it calmly, then slowly shook his head.
"......"
Something told Perdikion not to defy his sworn brother.
He looked unsatisfied but grumbled and looked away.
Meanwhile, Rune was quietly impressed—Perdikion holding back with just a head shake.
'Is the Dark-stained Scent Box effect still lingering?'
Rune puzzled over it.
No artifact lasted over a century.
'I've heard repeated exposure can sustain effects.'
Past experiences shaping the present.
Someone drowned once recoiling from a full bath.
An abused child averting eyes from adults even as a teen.
Tying a string to a pup's ankle so it never escapes implants the idea—even grown, it flees not from a mere cord.
'Instinctive fondness and loyalty might work similarly.'
Not his vassal Dullahan, but a Fire Clan like Perdikion showing such potency nagged at him.
'I tested the scent box on him back then... but figured it wasn't long-lasting. He snapped out of it in minutes.'
As Rune pondered, Rand watched them closely and smirked.
"Sworn brothers, huh..."
"?"
The mutter was soft, but clear.
Bitter, unlike the sweet wine scent.
Rune eyed Rand warily.
The elf, wine in hand, gazed as if seeing something else.
'Reminds him of Lize?'
Rune's guess hit true.
But soon, Rand's lips twisted in self-mockery, downing the glass in one gulp.
As if it all meant nothing.