The Heart Beats Strongly as Always
Amelia clenched her small fists tightly and beamed with a radiant smile.
Rune! I—I managed it!
Her sparkling blue eyes, brimming with admiration, fixed straight on Rune.
The sense of accomplishment that had surged from deep within her like warm waves—the thrill of having seized the chance and succeeded on her own.
Rune gazed back at Amelia and lifted his thumb in approval.
Good job. We’ll be exploring together soon.
Amelia nodded vigorously at Rune’s words.
Yeah…! I, I’ll try it.
Her eyes crinkled as she winced slightly, pain flaring anew from an old injury she had forgotten.
She had received treatment, but the scar left by the Word of Power’s force would take time to heal fully.
Yet a smile never left the face of the blue mermaid.
It hurts, huh… Haha.
Rune watched her tear-glistened eyes while laughing softly and replied.
Really, it suits you.
R-Really…?
Her tail wagged cheerfully from side to side despite the minor movements.
With that, Rune finally felt a little of his worry lift.
‘Amelia’s solo training has its limits, so it was the perfect timing for her to get the chance she needed.’
It was fine to aim for something quick, easy, and quick to finish now.
But that would undoubtedly lead to regret later on.
The widening gap between dragons would be just a minor issue in comparison.
The real problem would arise when building a rare and manifesting the Word of Power.
‘Having a problem with the Word of Power would be too dangerous, even during rare building.’
The achievements or power gained through tasks—if insufficient—would make it impossible to create or maintain a strong rare.
‘That’s why Christina had to perform her balancing duty and accumulate strong achievements and power.’
A spark ignited in Rune’s eyes.
While he was lost in thought, Amelia shook the sand from her body and finished tidying herself.
B-By the way… When are we heading on the task?
Perdikion answered Amelia’s question.
I’m thinking of around six months from now, including the preparation time.
Amelia let out a sigh of relief, as if the timing was truly fortunate.
A-About that… I-It shouldn’t be too late.
During that period, Christina had occasionally come to help with treatment.
Thanks to her, the blue dragons had been recovering on their own after the fatal wounds began to heal.
But complete recovery was not possible, so Amelia wanted to estimate the preparation period ahead of time.
Amelia’s grateful gaze turned toward Rune.
Thank you… Rune. Thanks to the… world tree fruit you gave me… I-It seems like time won’t be a problem…
Don’t mention it.
Amelia gave a small smile and took a deep breath.
Hah…
Her skin still felt tingly and warm.
The wound had healed, but the lingering sensation from the recent encounter remained prickling.
The water mermaid opened her mouth with a dazed expression.
Somehow, I feel refreshed… Fighting you… was really scary. It’s so… strange.
Rune replied appropriately to that.
I heard somewhere that kids grow by fighting each other a little at a time when they’re young.
Of course, the real meaning was quite different.
Precisely, the incident of accidentally fighting seriously when young had turned out to be nothing major upon closer inspection.
Until the hatchlings fully understood the meaning, more time would be needed.
‘Words are like that—whatever you hang them on, they become a hook.’
Amelia looked at Rune with a slightly lowered eyelid and smiled.
Pufu.
Perdikion finished checking his status and spun his arms while speaking.
Good words, Rune. Yeah, struggle is something that must be faced in life.
After a fierce battle, Perdikion seemed in a quite good mood.
But that was one thing, and this was another.
Rune pointed out the part he wasn’t on board with.
Big brother… Even if it’s struggle, it can’t be kids fighting each other.
Perdikion immediately snorted in response.
What kind of nonsense is that? Struggle is the fight to seize and overcome. That is exactly the struggle of life. Rune, doesn’t your heart skip a beat just thinking about it!
It was a claim typical of Perdikion.
Rune looked at Perdikion with hazy eyes and said without a single inch of retreat.
You don’t have to know that either—the heart beats strongly as always.
Perdikion shot back without much regard, as if it was nothing.
This brat, acting like a rebellious teenager.
Even if Perdikion was giving off a rough vibe, Rune was not one to flinch at a single glance.
It’s not like that. I didn’t want you to get hurt, big brother.
‘Working hard is good, but you need to tone it down a bit. What are you doing scraping off all your scales?’
Just recalling it now, the wound looked truly hideous.
He had felt that the previous fierce battle was something he should have avoided a little more.
That kind of wound must have been quite shocking for such a young kid. Well, be careful from now on.
Rune’s concern made the fire dragon boy smile faintly.
It’s not that.
‘After roaming the dungeon together and fighting, what kind of talk is this.’
Rune felt frustrated.
He had only said to be careful with the body, but because of the childish appearance, words weren’t getting through at all.
‘He doesn’t even know that rolling your body like that since you were young leads to suffering in old age.’
Rune tried to protest, but a small laugh erased the chance.
Kukuk…
Amelia swallowed her laughter quietly and spoke.
The two of you… really seem like great older brothers.
Watching them made it somehow enjoyable.
There was surprise, but the way they poked at each other fit perfectly.
And even when they seemed to be arguing, a strange trust lingered.
‘Amazing. So that’s how guys are.’
Amelia thought to herself to avoid accidentally bringing up the topic of Rune and Perdikion again, who might get into another fight.
She would quietly enjoy the time with them.
She thought it would be truly fun.
“……So.”
The beautiful woman, with golden threads gathered together, continued speaking coolly.
You didn’t even send a single message, causing me worry, and now you’ve come back at this hour, huh?
Christina stood with arms crossed, looking down at the two hatchlings before her.
Quyuuu.
Kya… u.
A sigh echoed as if blown across scales.
I can’t believe you. You can forgive Rune, but Perdikion—how can you, as a fully grown child, not take care of something like this?
Kyaa.
[I’m sorry.]
It was the feeling of being stuck on a bed of thorns, as if the words themselves were pricking.
A moment ago.
Rune and Perdikion had returned to their room.
Feeling an inexplicable uneasiness, they looked out the window at the same time, as if agreeing on it.
What greeted them was the night sky landscape.
Christina, sensing the tense aura of the two hatchlings, burst in immediately after.
She had commanded them with a stern voice, scaring away even the terror of the tiger threat as if it were nothing.
Kneel down right now.
It wasn’t that her tone was kind; it simply wasn’t scary.
After their immediate transformation into human forms and kneeling, a cold voice fell.
Your communication crystal ball isn’t working at all. Shouldn’t you have thought about how much others would worry? Both of you.
Quyuuu uuu.
[Sorry, Christina.]
Kyauuuu.
[I’m sorry, Ms. Christina.]
The black and red hatchlings bowed their heads repeatedly, apologizing.
Fortunately, the sincerity was getting through.
Christina suppressed her anger and spoke with a somewhat softened tone than before.
……It would have been better if you had said you were going to see Amelia.
Christina bent one knee and looked at the dark, young hatchlings.
And then.
She pulled them into her warm, sun-like embrace.
Quyuu k?!
[C-Christina?!]
Perdikion, like Rune, opened his mouth wide in shock and didn’t know what to do.
K-Kyauuu…?
[Uh, um, Ms. Christina…?]
Both were hatchlings with no immunity to such hugs at all.
They had no idea what to do.
Because of that, their bodies, including their tails, were stiff as stone, unable to even twitch.
Pat pat
Her gentle hands patted the backs of the hatchlings one by one.
Kids, I support you both building affection together. But please consider my worrying heart too.
Quyu…
Kyau…
It was almost like a punishment, yet far too kind.
The feeling of a knife pricking the conscience was overwhelming.
Perdikion was the same; his red pupils wobbled, unable to focus.
No matter what petrification or binding magic was brought, he couldn’t beat Christina’s generous embrace.
After a while.
By the way… aren’t you hungry?
Christina released the hug and asked while looking at each of them once.
Quyuk.
[I don’t know well about that…]
Rune answered, but the situation made thinking about hunger difficult.
Because of the strange tension and awkward feeling, the atmosphere was oddly strained.
Christina gave a soft smile as she met Rune’s eyes.
I see. Since you might not know, I’ll prepare something simple. I happened to bake orange madeleines.
Christina, assuming they would eat, asked about drink types.
Rune and Perdikion answered each other.
Quyukyu ku.
[Then I’ll have warm milk.]
Kyac. Kya u.
[I’d like hot chocolate or lemonade, please.]
Christina nodded after hearing the telepathic messages of the black and red hatchlings in order.
I smelled the scent of the sea when I hugged you… Since you’ve been to a cold place, I’ll prepare warm hot chocolate. Is that okay?
Perdikion nodded obediently.
Christina smiled brightly and continued.
Then both of you stay together in this room. I’ll reheat it in the oven.
To Christina, they were still just young hatchlings.
She gently ruffled their smooth hair and stood up.
I’ll be back.
Christina opened the door, and Rune offered his thanks.
Quyu.
[Yeah, thank you, Christina.]
Kyau.
[Thank you.]
After receiving Perdikion’s greeting as well, she closed the door and left.
Only then did the two relax, collapsing onto the spot with a thud.
Quyhuuu…
Kyahuuu…
They lay their bodies limp for a moment before lifting their heads and meeting each other’s eyes.
Perdikion had transformed into human form, and Rune used the golden bracelet.
As expected, Ms. Christina is the strongest.
The fire dragon boy was the first to speak.
I know.
Rune, who had agreed honestly, continued.
I didn’t think the story would take this long.
Perdikion nodded in agreement and continued.
I was surprised too that the mermaid looked so timid but talked so well. I’m shocked.
Perdikion had been talking about his task goals and direction when Amelia chimed in much more than expected.
Whether young or older, whether weak or strong.
Amelia had been deeply impressed by the words that she wanted to make a rare she believed was right and speak up proudly.
When people share the same values, even those who usually stay silent suddenly find their voice.
‘I thought if the two of them could someday talk about the same values, they would get along better.’
Rune had a nostalgic gaze.
During the long conversation, stories about Rune himself had come up.
When Perdikion was busy taking care of Rune, who didn’t stay still for a moment, Amelia added that Rune looked really busy and agreed.
‘I’m glad I cut it off appropriately. He was about to talk nonstop all day long.’
It would have been better to fix every misunderstanding one by one rather than listening to such a long story.
Or it might have been better to break an infinite dungeon full of monsters.