That "New Bird" Cracked the Seal? The Disguised Elf and the Festival
“For a mere bird like this to break the barrier... Maybe it wasn't that impressive after all.”
“Peep!?”
Perdikion's words—"a mere bird"—made Baekya narrow its eyes sharply.
“Peep peep peep!”
The little white bird was clearly angry.
It huffed through the tiny nostrils above its beak, then let out a loud, protesting cry.
“Yeah, yeah! Really?”
Heungmi's fox ears perked up as she listened to Baekya.
She blinked, then turned to Rune.
“Rune-nim, Baekya's amazing! It felt something super weird here while flying around the castle, so it came pecking whenever it had time!”
“Peeep. Peep peep!”
As if it had a lot to say for a bird, Baekya hopped out of Rune's arms and flapped its wings while chirping away.
“It heard signs of someone waking up inside. Hmm... Ah! No, Baekya, slow down. Speak a bit slower.”
“Peeeep.”
Baekya deflated in an instant.
It drooped its wings and plopped down on top of Rune's head with a pong.
“Peeeep... Peep.”
“There was this sister inside, and flowers. A really huge tree too?”
“Peep!”
Thanks to Heungmi's lively conversation with Baekya, the group got the rough picture.
And Perdikion's gaze sharpened like a blade.
“Rune. You went off alone again, didn't you?”
“...Well, it just kinda happened.”
Rune could almost hear Perdikion's inner scream.
His eyes practically shouted, 'That troublemaker!'
“...Think you could keep it a secret, bro?”
“You think that's gonna fly?”
Rune clicked his tongue inwardly.
But he knew Perdikion was softer than he let on.
'Kinda sneaky, but...'
Rune glanced sideways and put on a pitiful pout.
“Yeah... You're right, bro. Guess I'm in for another scolding today.”
They'd already gotten an earful last night over Amelia.
Two nights in a row would spell real trouble.
Sure enough, the fire dragon boy averted his eyes, looking guilty.
'He must be torn. He was the one hyping it up most in the fight with Amelia yesterday.'
And last night, things blew up because he'd brought back Rune's note.
Sensing Perdikion's hesitation as he recalled that slip-up, Rune waited with his sulky face.
“Ahem.”
Perdikion cleared his throat and stared at Rune before softening.
“No need for back-to-back scoldings... Just don't do it again.”
“For real?”
Rune's face lit up with a gentle smile.
Behind it, Perdikion glimpsed the hatchling's true form.
Gazing at his one and only little brother, Perdikion spoke in a firmer tone.
“But if Christina asks, I'll tell her depending on the situation.”
At least he wouldn't snitch first.
“Got it. Thanks, bro.”
Rune expressed his relief gratefully.
“Don't forget. No next time.”
“Yeah.”
Though the threat hung in the air, Rune had dodged it well enough.
He beckoned to Baekya a moment later.
“You've got more grit than I thought. Good job.”
“Peep!”
With the praise, Rune pulled a hefty potato chip from his pocket.
“Here's your reward.”
“Chomp!”
Baekya snatched it eagerly, chirped once at Rune as if to show off, and gripped it in its beak.
Whoosh!
The bird dipped its head low, then snapped it up.
The potato chip, flung like a boomerang, split cleanly.
Crack!
It broke perfectly in half, as precise as a knife cut.
'It twisted its beak to score it first.'
But the bird's antics didn't stop there.
“Peeeep...!”
Baekya timed the fall and launched upward.
“...Peep!”
Top!
It caught one half twice in its beak and tucked it away, then deftly snagged the other.
Rune was equal parts baffled and impressed.
'This thing's beak angle is pro-level.'
If beaks counted as weapons, he'd call it swordmaster material.
'Why does it have that talent?'
True waste of potential.
A bird training beak strikes? All it amounted to was pecking.
'Swordmasters exist. Beakmasters? Not so much.'
But Heungmi's eyes sparkled, charmed by the display.
“Baekya, that was so cool!”
“Peep!”
Baekya's cheeks bulged with honey-glazed potato chip.
It loved the cheer, standing tall atop Dullahan's helmet with legs spread wide, beak raised proudly.
“What the hell is that pose?”
Perdikion sounded utterly baffled.
Rune echoed the sentiment.
“Must be impressive from a beast's view.”
“Huh? But Baekya was really cool!”
Heungmi beamed and waved at Baekya.
Flap flap.
The bird glided over with elegant, stylish wingbeats.
Heungmi cupped her hands; as Baekya settled in, she grinned and nuzzled the white bird against her cheek.
“You know, Baekya, Rune-nim and Perdikion-nim both think you're super great. I know it.”
“Peep peep peep.”
Heungmi looked delighted by the soft white feathers.
“What.”
Perdikion crossed his arms, eyebrows furrowed in protest.
But Rune spoke first, in a neutral tone.
“Yeah. Not wrong.”
'Thanks to it, we wrapped up a big mess, and I scored some intriguing materials.'
World Tree roots steeped in perfect demon mana.
Of course, that was their little secret.
Baekya perked up fast, hopping onto Heungmi's head and chirping.
“Peep!”
“Yeah yeah, time to head back?”
Rune nodded at Heungmi's translation.
“Yeah, Christina must be worried with us all vanishing.”
Perdikion snorted at that.
“I already messaged her. Said we'd check out the festival too.”
“Smart move, bro.”
The fire dragon boy puffed up proudly at the praise.
“Obviously. A lord should look after his subordinates.”
He emphasized it again, as if it were crucial.
“If just one vanished, it'd be suspect, but all of us out? Should be fine.”
A subtle warning about Baekya's solo escape woven in.
'Fair point.'
Rune nodded leisurely.
“True, you're right.”
Perdikion eyed Rune's face slyly.
His compliant little brother's response pleased him; one corner of his mouth twitched up.
“No worries for you. You're doing great already.”
Rune chuckled at the praise for his well-raised brother.
'Speak for yourself.'
What if Perdikion had kept his old temperament until adulthood?
One thing was sure: red dragons got the same rap as demons.
'Deciding to change rough edges—and acting on it—that's all him.'
Most creatures coast on habit.
For him, nursing that dark, seething hatred, shedding fury at injustice? Tough road.
“Impressive, really.”
Rune tossed out his honest thought.
“? That cheeky bird?”
Luckily—or not—Perdikion never dreamed it was about him.
“Well, it's your subordinate too. Doing well.”
Rune offered a subtle smile, open to either yes or no.
“So, what do we do with this passed-out elf?”
Rune spoke up at Perdikion's question.
“Ah, I've got an idea for that.”
All eyes turned to him.
“Heungmi.”
“Yes?”
Rune addressed the girl blinking her pink rose-gold eyes.
“Among your teachers, there was one who got the most shoe stamps from me, right?”
“Mm, yes.”
She nodded innocently.
“What was their personality like?”
Heungmi thought for a sec.
“A bit strict, but they cared a lot about me.”
“Perfect.”
Heungmi wasn't elf or big beastkin—just a little one.
Amanda, the half-elf, would likely get fair treatment too.
'They took their pay, but evolved Heungmi's spirit in days. Skills are legit.'
That's right.
Rune planned to introduce Amanda to Heungmi's spirit teacher.
“Thinking of leaving her with your teacher. We're heading out soon.”
“Ah, I can take her! The spirit teacher’s on festival security duty!”
“Nice timing.”
Rune had been dreading the Christina explanation.
But handing a collapsed half-elf to security? That'd wrap it up clean.
With that in mind, he asked Dullahan.
“Dullahan, carry Amanda.”
Clank!
The sturdy knight sheathed Jed at his waist and hoisted Amanda onto his back.
Rune turned to Heungmi.
“Lead the way.”
“Yes!”
Heungmi strode ahead with Baekya.
Amanda stayed limp the whole way, no signs of waking.
'Possession means yielding control. Worked for good this time, but...'
Pulse was fine—Rune had checked.
No body issues.
The tree spirit said Amanda permitted it, so no forced takeover.
But housing another soul long-term? Big spiritual strain.
'Practice handling formless beings like spirits, and her vessel'll grow.'
He'd planned to let her grow normally, away from elf elite exploitation.
But with World Tree fragment? Extra training needed.
'Even yielding her body, she needs to reclaim control smoothly.'
Just in case.
Amanda might turn into a real asset.
Broader view: Prevent demon possession like the old elf king.
Jed's whining pierced Rune's thoughts—not quite whining.
-Heh heh! This hip ride's rough as hell!
Clank...
Creak...
As if aware, Dullahan walked more carefully.
-Kuhk. Rune-nim, grow up quick. Or make me a body already. Dullahan's cool and all, but those thighs are rock-hard!
Jed's gripes and chatter droned on the whole trip.
***
After dropping Amanda off, Rune and the group returned to the mansion.
Christina greeted them warmly, having been notified ahead.
“Did everyone enjoy the festival?”
“Yes!”
“Peep!”
Heungmi raised one hand; Baekya mimicked by flapping a wing.
“I told you to experience the festival, and you end up saving an elf. How admirable for young ones like you.”
The story of finding the fainted half-elf and handing her to security? Already sent via crystal ball by Perdikion and Rune.
'Stings the conscience a bit.'
Rune and Perdikion awkwardly rolled their eyes.
Christina mistook their embarrassment for shyness and chuckled softly.