The Kidnapping Turn
Various props and furniture bearing the marks of time.
Among them, Rune's gaze settled on a desk.
As he examined its surface, he noticed red stains that stood out against the wood.
'Paint, or maybe bloodstains...?'
That was when it happened.
Tap.
Rand, who had received the invitation first, tapped Rune's shoulder with his finger.
“?”
Rand mouthed words at the turning Rune.
Danger.
It was a clear warning.
'They can't guarantee our safety.'
Rand had sensed demonic power from the invitation and deemed it beyond his abilities.
He was the only dragon who could infiltrate the elves' culture, which shunned other races.
And the one Christina had entrusted with the hatchlings.
Forcing their way in now would put Rand in a tough spot.
'If Rand's okay with it, I'd want to go in and face them directly...'
Rune nodded slightly to Rand, signaling his understanding.
He pulled out the yellow magic stone Christina had given him, activated it, and casually placed it in the corner of the desk.
'Too bad, but this will have to do.'
Hiding his thoughts, Rune spun around toward the mask.
“By the way, I have a question.”
Rune approached the mask, lightly shaking the invitation in his hand to draw its attention.
“Baekya's a phoenix. A sacred bird embodying light and fire. With attributes like that, I'm not sure if it's safe for her to accept your invitation.”
The mask, about to guide them, tilted its face.
That bird is a phoenix? I didn't think it was ordinary, but... if true, that's quite intriguing.
With exaggerated gestures like a cheap theater performance, the white-gloved hand traced letters in the air.
Rune examined the invitation again and spoke up once more.
“Yeah. But if this is a space created by a demon, Baekya might suffer unnecessary damage if she comes along. Plus, Heungmi's true body is far away.”
Changing his tone to sound doubtful of its power, Rune probed casually.
“Even if the true body is distant, will it be okay?”
The white-gloved hand clenched into a fist, released, and clapped lightly.
Sneaky little thing. No problem. They just need to hold the invitation and activate their mana.
Rune nodded emphatically, as if impressed.
“I see. Is the Elf King there too?”
Of course. If I like what you have to say, I might even hand him over.
The white gloves touched fingertips together leisurely, exuding confidence.
Rune doubted they'd hand over the Elf King so easily, but to confirm, someone had to go in.
The gloves formed letters briskly again.
Come on, cross over. Teasing too long kills the fun.
Rune nodded and turned back.
He placed the invitation on top of the yellow magic stone.
“If you insist.”
Whoosh!
The magic stone and Rune's invitation vanished swiftly.
The white-gloved hand formed letters of bewilderment.
What are you doing?
The mask's crescent mouth flipped upside down.
It twisted into an unpleasant face born of false laughter.
“Nothing much. Someone's gonna tell me exactly what happens if I accept your invitation.”
Rune counted silently in his mind.
'How many seconds did it take for Christina to arrive after Dullahan showed up?'
That was when it happened.
!
The mask and hand stiffened as if struck, trembling rigidly.
Then, the white glove swelled as if about to burst.
Crack!
A crack formed across the mask, and a chunk broke off from the forehead.
White light erupted from the black crescent eyes and mouth.
As a damp, ominous creation, the bursting holy light within seemed excruciating.
Rune sighed inwardly at the sight of that white light.
'Christina's gonna scold me again when I get back. But since I'm turning myself in this time, maybe she'll go easy.'
At that moment, the invitations in everyone's hands lost form and vanished.
Belianus looked like he wanted to ask about the situation, but Perdikion was faster.
“Rune. Was that magic stone from Lady Christina?”
“Yeah. It's a communication and return stone. I've had it on since earlier, so Christina will handle the rest.”
The yellow magic stone was an artifact Christina always made sure Rune carried when he went out.
'She never asked for it back, so I kept it... didn't expect to use it like this.'
Rune had understood it as an implicit order to keep it and stored it in his subspace pouch—now put to good use.
Perdikion asked again.
“Hmm, wasn't your original plan different?”
Rune affirmed as he replied.
“I planned to use the key to the Water Lair to escape. But that only works if Rand thinks it's manageable.”
Perdikion turned to see Rand watching them loosely with arms crossed.
“Couldn't you have given us a heads-up?”
Rune gave Perdikion, grumbling curtly, an awkward smile.
“Sorry, bro. I didn't explain in detail because I thought that guy might catch on.”
“Hing. Heungmi didn't hear anything either.”
Heungmi, who hadn't been told a word, looked regretful too.
Belianus, grasping the situation from the conversation, asked.
“You don't mean Lady Christina, the Gold Dragon Elder, right now?”
“Yep. She's my guardian.”
Belianus couldn't hide his admiration at Rune's answer.
“To think... the Empress of Light.”
The Empress of Light—Christina's fame was renowned across races.
As Belianus shook his head in awe, the white glove near the mask floated up.
As if forced, it dangled limply, index finger writing letters.
Elf King. Taking him.
The tone differed from before, and everyone thought the same.
Christina had won decisively.
To Rune. Be good and wait. Coming soon.
Was it his imagination?
Rune felt like he should wash his neck and kneel in wait.
“……”
Rune, heir of darkness and a young hatchling.
He gazed with cloudy eyes at the white glove that dropped after delivering the final message.
Rand glanced around at the group and spoke.
“Well, looks like the adults need to hash things out.”
“Indeed. We still have underground matters to settle.”
Christina had even said she'd visit after rescuing the Elf King—they needed to discuss that.
The two began sorting out priorities.
Before leaving the room, Rune scanned the surroundings again.
Toys and a music box. Accessories. Decorative dolls little girls would love.
A desk small enough for Rune to use.
Red dots scattered on it.
Logically, it should be red paint, but the faded, splattered crimson kept drawing his eye.
'A child who owned something expensive like a crystal music box long ago.'
Even in a nook like this, it was inside the castle.
And only one child came to mind who lived in such a place.
Before exiting, Rune glanced at Rand's face.
If this room held traces of Princess Jenuar Mille as he suspected, what was Rand thinking?
But Rand's expression remained unchanged, serene.
“...So, report on the imprisoned elves' situation, then use this box.”
Rune explained the box's usage to Rand.
“Yeah. I filled it with materials. Using familiars means we won't have to go ourselves.”
Belianus sighed upon hearing that.
He'd just been shocked again learning Rune's age.
“It's too late to say this, but I feel ashamed. Still, it must be said.”
Perdikion was a hatchling nearing adulthood, but Rune was profoundly young.
The shock lingered; Belianus had kept his head down in embarrassment for a while.
Finally, flushing and sighing, he spoke.
“I'm sorry. And deeply grateful.”
“If you're sorry, tell Christina yourself when she arrives. Things moved too fast, but hatchlings visiting isn't usually a big deal.”
Belianus coughed awkwardly and averted his gaze.
“Well, tales of the Empress of Light are so grand, I doubt a mere High Chancellor elf has anything to say.”
He ended with I'll try, but it didn't inspire confidence.
Rune shook his head, feeling like drooping his tail and shoulders.
'Belianus can laugh it off, but I'm in trouble.'
Rune had just resolved the Water clan's issues and fully completed the Seal of Darkness.
He'd earned trust with achievements surpassing most dragons, yet felt like he'd caused unintended trouble again.
'I just wanted to help Jed get a body since he's my vassal, and in return get the Seal of the Forest and part of the World Tree.'
He'd worked hard for the big reward, but now worried about not getting it properly as things went awry.
His fretful state was pitiful.
'At least Rand's position improves. Small mercy.'
Rune eyed Rand, hoping to secure World Tree parts through him if needed.
Rand, turning by chance, met his gaze and smirked.
'Sigh.'
Soon after tidying castle affairs, they met Christina, her face stern.
“Rune?”
“Welcome, Christina.”
Arms crossed, she fixed him with a strict gaze.
After staring silently, her words were better than expected.
“I heard the details from Rand and Perdikion. Many thoughts come to mind, but first...”
Thud.
Christina's white hand rested on Rune's black hair.
“You did well, Rune.”
“?”
Rune, expecting a scolding from the start, blinked.
“Come here, dear.”
Seated on the sofa, Christina patted the spot beside her.
An invitation to sit and chat leisurely.
Rune sank into the sofa and looked up at her.
Then, Christina cast a spell.
'This is... a soundproofing barrier to keep voices from escaping.'
She seemed about to share something very important.
“The good and the bad. I'll talk about both.”
“Okay.”
As Rune replied, Christina smiled softly.
“At first, I thought you'd been kidnapped and rushed over in shock. Thank goodness that wasn't the case.”
'If she even thought kidnapping... no wonder she was startled.'
Fortunately, it hadn't happened, but from her perspective, it was understandable.
“Rune, from the knowledge I shared, have you seen what kind of demon Lepanon is?”
“Yes.”
Perhaps due to Christina's gentle, clear voice.
Rune felt enveloped in her light and warmth.