The Warm Welcome
Rune pulled out a golden box tied with a blue ribbon and handed it to Christina.
The box was elegant and sealed with a magical insignia.
It looked far from ordinary.
Christina’s white hand accepted it, and she said softly,
“What could this be? The scent is wonderful.”
A light floral and fruit aroma greeted her.
Christina took a gentle sniff and smiled with delight.
Rune answered,
“Aromatherapy oils and incense set. They were on special sale for the festival. I checked with Rand first.”
The natural blend of the ingredients created an aroma unlike any perfume.
Christina looked back and forth between the box and Rune and let out a delighted cry.
“How thoughtful! It smells exactly like my favorite scent.”
Oils and incense made by elves were considered rare treasures even on the continent.
Even if you brought a cartload of gold, you couldn’t obtain them so easily.
“Rune, where did you get this from?”
“I was just lucky.”
Even though the words were light, the elves were famous for never showing off their own creations.
‘Thank goodness the elves saw me as their savior and let me have this.’
A set of incense and oils made from flowers and herbs they had personally grown using a secret recipe!
It was a valuable product that had to be asked for.
Watching Christina’s pleased reaction, Perdikion quietly took out his own gift.
“Actually, I prepared something too.”
“Me too, Lady Christina!”
Perdikion and Heungmi each handed their gifts to Christina.
The red dragon hatchling had made incense for the ceremony using magic stones.
Heungmi presented a small accessory box.
Inside were handmade earrings she had personally designed.
Jed could not stay silent and exclaimed,
“Hah! As a dwarf who knows how to repay favors, I lent a hand in the craftsmanship!”
Heungmi smiled brightly and added,
“That’s right! Mr. Jed recommended the jewels and helped me decide on the perfect shape!”
A sudden memory surfaced in Rune’s mind.
‘Come to think of it, the snowballs I gave Amelia back then were also Jed’s work.’
He had a good sense. The judgment was quite useful.
Oils and incense. Magic matches. Accessories.
The gifts were thoughtful and matched Christina’s interests perfectly.
Christina accepted each gift from the children and thought to herself,
‘They’ve all grown up so much already.’
Even Perdikion bought gifts at the festival.
That was not the usual way for a red dragon hatchling.
Her gaze shifted to Rune.
“Rune, you suggested this, right?”
Rune nodded.
“Yes. But each of them prepared their own gifts.”
Just as expected.
It was not obvious, but anyone could see it quickly.
Rune had guided the children perfectly.
At that moment Heungmi spoke up.
“Rune-nim said that if you never express gratitude, you’ll regret it later!”
“Pii-yaak!”
Baekya chimed in too.
Rune watched them and thought,
‘It was just a simple lesson.’
The start of the return journey was walking past the stalls.
Elf vendors shouted about eating and dying, but most were simply selling ordinary festival goods.
Dried herbs and flowers. Carved wooden statues. Toys and masks for children.
Edible herb bunches like bouquet garni. Bathing supplies and daily oils or cosmetics.
Even medicines and elixirs.
The popular shops and stalls mainly sold processed natural ingredients.
Rune spoke calmly.
“After looking at all these shops, something came to mind.”
He continued his thoughts from that moment.
“Christina could not come to the festival like us.”
The young hatchling’s words made Christina’s heart ache without her realizing it.
She was a being who could not be shaken by anything in the world.
Yet these small hatchlings’ thoughts often surprised her.
‘Where did this child learn such thoughts?’
Christina had helped with the royal ceremony and other large matters.
The famous Gold Dragon Elder had chosen not to attend the elves’ festival.
To an ancient being like her, the warm heart of the young hatchling was touching.
Of course, Rune had simply thought of it naturally.
‘Christina must have been upset yesterday because of us. She always worries about us. So this much is only fair.’
If anything, he had simply shown a bit of adult awareness.
And he had only told Heungmi the reason when she asked.
‘I didn’t think they would all want to buy gifts together.’
Thinking back, it was actually a good thing.
Christina would like them, but he had not expected her to look so deeply moved.
With eyes full of gratitude, Christina said,
“Everyone, thank you so much.”
The warm words made Rune feel a little awkward.
“It’s nothing. Christina always does so much for us.”
‘Cause and effect.’
The past causes and effects are repaid in the future with fortune or misfortune.
Gratitude received must be returned, and those who do evil must face harsh consequences.
At least Rune had lived his Imugi life believing that.
‘It is right to give unconditional love to young creatures, but hearts are not one-sided.’
Perhaps Christina would have taught him the ways of repayment once he grew older.
Rune had already understood that.
‘Even if it weren’t, I’m glad I prepared them since she’s so happy.’
Rune looked at Christina.
She wore an elegant smile like lilies blooming under the moon.
Christina blinked once and spoke.
“In such moments, I often think that my little ones are more intelligent than many adults.”
Christina smiled and placed the gifts neatly into her spatial pocket.
‘With all these various experiences, the perspective broadens.’
Experiencing other races’ cultures expands one’s view of the world.
Rune had not thought it strange that he experienced the world so young.
Christina looked at each of their faces one by one after packing the gifts.
“I truly hope you can grow even stronger together with Perdikion on his trial.”
Rune shouted with joy inside.
‘Better than I thought. She is supporting us, not just allowing it.’
‘Good deeds do bring blessings.’
Rune praised himself with a warm heart.
‘I thought of it well.’
Not letting his expression show, Christina continued.
“It is time to return. I have drawn the teleportation circle. Follow me.”
Rune followed Christina with the group.
In the backyard, Rand and Belianus waited to see them off.
Rand looked at the moon with a languid gaze.
And Belianus, now dressed as king, stood ready to bid them farewell.
Belianus spoke first.
“Visit whenever you wish. Not only I, but all elves will welcome you.”
Behind his serious tone, Rand continued.
“You worked hard, little ones. I… thank you.”
He would continue living as a brown dragon, but his position had changed.
His green eyes turned to Rune.
The silent gaze reminded Rune of the promise he bore as the bearer of the Forest Seal.
Rune read the meaning and nodded.
‘I won’t forget. Don’t worry.’
Rand closed his eyes and nodded slightly.
At that moment Christina raised her glowing long wand and announced to those who had seen them off.
“Everyone, thank you for your hard work. May the light’s protection always be with you.”
“Lady Light. Many thanks for your help. Please take care.”
“……We will meet again. Christina.”
Belianus finished his greeting first, and Rand replied simply.
“Everyone, take care!”
“Pii-yaak, pii-yak!”
Heungmi waved both hands with a smile, and Baekya also let out a light chirp, sensing the moment.
“As a potential elder of the Fire Clan, I pray for the prosperity of the elves.”
Perdikion followed with perfect manners.
“As a potential elder of the Dark Clan, I pray that the elves’ kingdom will become even better without fearing the darkness.”
Christina looked at Perdikion and Rune with kind yet stern eyes.
“It is a large-scale teleportation, so the mana flow will be immense. Do not be startled.”
Crack!
The light from the magic circle formed a pillar of bright light.
So bright and thick that every elf living in the elf kingdom could see it.
Then light particles from Christina’s mouth spread instead of words.
Huaaaaah!
The dazzling pillar disappeared, leaving an empty courtyard.
***
Rune was swept away by the swift river of light.
How much time had passed?
When the blinding light faded and he opened his eyes, he felt familiar energy on his skin.
The Gold Dragon’s Lair.
More precisely, the place he had visited about a hundred years ago when he first met Perdikion.
“This is the guest reception hall.”
Perdikion looked around at Rune’s words.
The red dragon hatchling had used warp magic to enter then, so the memory remained.
[。°?(＞Ｏ＜)?°。]
Rai, the light spirit, had already been waiting and approached with a cheerful expression.
“It’s been a while.”
Rune’s words made Rai quickly form glowing symbols in the air.
[????(?∀)???? ????]
Rai did his best to welcome them.
Heungmi reached out and touched a cluster of petal-like light.
“It’s pretty. We’ve been away, Rai.”
“Pii-yaak! Pi-pi-yak!”
The bird flew straight toward the light spirit Rai.
[ ( °?°)]
The light spirit avoided Baekya and drew a picture to express its feelings.
“Piiit! Pi-i-i!”
But Baekya was now skilled at flying.
The fluffy white bird puffed its chest feathers and looked ready to peck at Rai at any moment.
If left like that, the two would start a chasing game in the air.
Then.
Clap clap!
Christina lightly clapped to clear the air.
“Pii?”
[(´?ω?｀*) ?]
When the gazes met, she spoke in a kind yet firm voice.
“Come now. It is late. Sleep well and clear your worries tomorrow.”
“Pii-yak.”
[（?ω?）?]
Baekya and Rai answered respectively.
Christina turned her gaze to Rune and asked naturally.
“Rune, how do you plan to do tomorrow’s cooking training?”
Rune, who felt a rest day was needed, answered.
“I was thinking of resting tomorrow.”
Christina nodded at the words and added.
“A good idea. Above all, guests will arrive tomorrow.”
“Guests?”
“That is correct.”
Christina opened her mouth with a gentle smile.
“You know this guest. Aren’t you curious who it is?”