After flying across the moonlit skies for a while longer, the group eventually returned to the Vinson Estate.
The landing was smooth.
Though Emma still looked emotionally overwhelmed afterward.
"I am never recovering from this experience," she declared dramatically while stepping off Ebruhan's back.
"I touched clouds."
"I flew with dragons."
"My life is complete."
Leo laughed tiredly while yawning.
"It was just a birthday flight."
"JUST?" Emma looked personally offended.
Meanwhile Mia had already wandered toward her barn.
The exhaustion from the day was finally catching up to her.
She circled once inside before curling into her usual resting position atop blankets and portions of her tiny hoard.
A few gold coins clinked softly beneath her claws.
Outside, Leo and Emma said their farewells before heading back toward the estate.
Meanwhile, Ebruhan remained nearby for a moment longer.
His large blue form rested silently beneath the night sky.
Then finally:
"Sleep well, Mia."
Mia lazily lifted her head slightly.
"Mhm…"
Satisfied, Ebruhan spread his wings once more before taking flight into the night.
Soon afterward—
his form gradually vanished.
Invisible.
Only faint distortions in the air remained as he crossed the skies above the capital.
Everything seemed peaceful.
Until—
Ebruhan noticed movement near one of the upper palace windows.
His eyes narrowed immediately.
A fox.
Small.
White fur.
Red eyes.
And strangely…
a tiny satchel strapped across its back.
The creature peeked carefully through a palace window while glancing around suspiciously.
Ebruhan's expression sharpened instantly.
No normal fox could:
climb that high
sneak through royal structures
carry equipment
or move with that level of awareness
Without hesitation—
WHOOSH.
A massive invisible claw suddenly snatched the fox directly off the palace wall.
"ARRGH! WHAT?!"
The fox flailed wildly in Ebruhan's grasp.
Ebruhan's invisible form slowly shimmered back into view as he hovered in the night sky.
"Grrah…"
His deep dragon voice rumbled quietly.
"So you can speak."
The fox immediately froze.
Ebruhan's eyes narrowed further.
"What is a fox doing near the royal palace?"
The fox instantly attempted innocence.
"…Mm."
Then weakly:
"Yip?"
Ebruhan stared silently.
"…Do not insult my intelligence."
The fox stiffened.
"You are beastfolk, are you not?"
"…Yip?"
Ebruhan's patience visibly evaporated.
"Well then."
"You refuse to speak?"
Without warning—
he released the fox.
"YAAAHHHH!!"
The creature screamed while plummeting toward the city below.
Only for Ebruhan to casually catch it again moments before impact.
The fox nearly looked spiritually separated from its body afterward.
Ebruhan spoke calmly:
"Now."
"Speak."
The fox glared angrily despite trembling slightly.
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Phet!"
It crossed its tiny paws stubbornly.
"You will never make me talk."
Then dramatically:
"Go ahead! Drop me to my death!"
Ebruhan simply yawned.
"I believe you."
The fox blinked.
"…What?"
A short while later, Ebruhan landed quietly atop one of the isolated palace towers.
He opened his magic inventory calmly.
A black collar and chain leash floated outward from the dimensional space.
The fox immediately widened its eyes.
"WAIT WAIT WAIT—"
CLICK.
The collar locked around its neck instantly.
"THIS IS ILLEGAL!"
The chain magically tightened before Ebruhan casually tied the end around a nearby stone pillar.
The fox immediately tried pulling away.
Nothing happened.
Not even slightly.
Ebruhan looked completely unbothered.
"You are fortunate I am tired tonight."
He folded his arms calmly afterward.
"We shall continue this discussion tomorrow."
The fox growled quietly while attempting to claw at the collar.
Then Ebruhan added one final thing before leaving:
"And yes…"
His golden eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
"You may attempt escape if you know how to unravel dragon magic."
The fox froze immediately afterward.
Because both of them already knew—
that was not happening anytime soon.
-------------
Morning sunlight slowly spilled across the barn windows of the Vinson Estate.
Inside, Mia remained curled tightly atop her blankets and tiny hoard pile.
Peaceful.
Warm.
Absolutely unwilling to participate in reality.
Meanwhile Leo crouched beside her with the dangerous curiosity of someone about to become annoying on purpose.
Poke.
He tapped her snout lightly.
Mia immediately groaned without opening her eyes.
"Ughhhhh…"
Her tail flicked lazily.
"…Too early…"
Leo grinned.
"I thought you would already enter your growth phase."
Mia made a sleepy dragon noise somewhere between a growl and a complaint.
"Grrah…"
Instead of moving, she simply curled tighter into herself while Leo continued patting her scales.
Honestly?
She looked more like an oversized grumpy puppy than an Abyss dragon at the moment
Then footsteps approached the barn entrance.
Emma stepped inside while carrying a cup of tea.
"I came to check if she already entered her grow—"
She stopped.
Blinking.
"…Hm."
Emma tilted her head slightly.
"That IS strange."
Leo looked toward her.
"What?"
Emma crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"Based on her age and mana condition…"
"She honestly should have entered her growth phase already."
That statement made Leo slightly more nervous again.
Meanwhile Mia was already halfway asleep once more.
"Zzzzzzz…"
Poke.
"Ow!"
Her eyes snapped open instantly.
"LEO!"
She lifted her head dramatically.
"Stop poking my nose!"
Leo immediately defended himself.
"It is scientifically entertaining."
Mia narrowed her dragon eyes suspiciously.
"You just enjoy annoying me."
Leo grinned proudly.
"That too."
Mia let out an exhausted dragon grumble before dropping her head back down again.
"Grrah…"
Emma watched them both quietly for a moment afterward.
Then despite herself—
she smiled slightly.
Because regardless of growth phases, politics, or looming dangers…
the estate still somehow felt normal whenever Mia was around.
-----
Deep beneath the royal palace of Kingdom of Lumeris, the prison chambers remained cold and quiet.
Torches flickered against stone walls while distant dripping water echoed faintly through the underground halls.
Inside one reinforced cell—
a small white fox beastfolk sat tied to an iron restraint ring by dragon-forged leash.
The magical collar around his neck glowed faintly whenever he tried moving too far.
Absolutely humiliating.
King Cedric stood inside the cell alongside Ebruhan.
Cedric looked uncertainly toward the fox afterward.
"Are you certain about this, Ebruhan?"
The dragon's golden eyes remained fixed on the prisoner.
"Who are you?"
His voice echoed heavily within the chamber.
"Speak."
"Who sent you?"
The fox crossed his tiny paws stubbornly despite clearly being nervous.
"Phet."
"My name is not something you may freely say."
He tried maintaining dignity.
"You are merely wasting your tim—"
BOOOOM!!
CRAAACK!!
Without warning—
Ebruhan's fist slammed into the prison wall directly beside the fox's head.
Stone exploded outward instantly.
Cracks spread violently across the reinforced wall while a deep crater formed beside the prisoner.
The entire prison chamber shook.
Dust rained downward.
The fox froze completely.
His red eyes slowly moved toward the massive hole beside his face.
Then toward Ebruhan.
Absolute terror instantly replaced all attitude
Ebruhan calmly lowered his fist.
"You were saying?"
The fox's ears flattened immediately.
Tiny tears already formed in the corners of his eyes.
"MY NAME IS IYAS!!"
He practically screamed it.
"I AM A SPY!"
Ebruhan did not react.
"Who sent you?"
Iyas trembled visibly now.
"…I…"
His voice became smaller.
"I cannot speak about that…"
"Please do not kill me…"
Ebruhan slowly clenched his fist again.
"Who sent you?"
His voice dropped lower.
Dangerously lower.
And as Ebruhan slightly raised his arm again—
Iyas completely broke
"PRINCESS SELENE HIRED ME!!"
The words exploded out instantly.
"She sent me to investigate your kingdom!!"
Silence filled the prison afterward.
Even King Cedric narrowed his eyes slightly at that revelation.
Meanwhile poor Iyas sat there shaking violently while trying not to cry.
Because from his perspective—
he had just experienced:
dragon-flavored interrogation.
Meanwhile, Ebruhan stood calmly before the cell in human form.
Too calmly.
That somehow made him even more intimidating.
Ebruhan folded his arms.
"How long have you been spying on Kingdom of Lumeris?"
Iyas hesitated.
His ears slowly lowered.
"…About…"
He looked away nervously.
"…3 years?"
Silence.
Even King Cedric looked surprised.
Ebruhan remained motionless for several seconds.
Then finally:
"…I should have noticed."
His voice was quieter now.
Almost thoughtful.
"I focused too heavily on military counts, patrols, and citizens…"
His golden eyes slowly narrowed toward the fox.
"…not small creatures."
Poor Iyas visibly shrank under that gaze.
Ebruhan spoke again.
"How many spies like you currently operate inside Lumeris?"
Iyas immediately answered:
"…Just me."
CRACK.
The sound of Ebruhan slowly clenching his fist echoed sharply through the prison chamber.
Iyas nearly ascended from fear on the spot.
"IT'S TRUE!"
He panicked instantly.
"I SWEAR I WORK ALONE, I DON'T KNOW OTHERS IF THEY HERE!!!"
Ebruhan stared silently.
Meanwhile Cedric stepped forward slightly.
"What information did you send to your master?"
Iyas lowered his head slightly afterward.
"…Everything I could gather."
Ebruhan then look at the small satchel taken from the fox earlier.
The bag itself looked tiny.
Ordinary.
But the moment Ebruhan overturned it—
an absurd amount of items spilled across the prison floor.
Candy.
Dried meat.
Snacks.
Maps.
Documents.
Reports.
And finally—
a small glass orb rolled across the stone floor before stopping near Ebruhan's boot.
Iyas immediately panicked.
"No!"
He lunged desperately toward the scattered belongings.
"My stuff!"
CLANK!
The dragon-forged leash yanked tight violently around his collar before he could move more than a step.
"ACK!"
Iyas collapsed dramatically onto the floor afterward while clutching his neck.
Ebruhan glanced across the spilled items calmly.
"…A spatial storage bag."
There was faint approval in his voice.
"Quite impressive."
Then his gaze shifted toward the fox.
"I will give you credit for that."
Iyas looked oddly proud for half a second despite literally being imprisoned.
Then Ebruhan picked up one of the reports while continuing casually:
"Do you know anything regarding Princess Selene's future plans?"
"No!"
Iyas answered immediately.
"I really don't!"
"I only gather information!"
"That's all I do!"
Ebruhan studied him quietly for a moment.
Then his attention shifted toward the glass orb lying nearby.
He picked it up slowly.
The surface faintly shimmered with mana.
"A communication artifact?"
Iyas immediately froze.
His tail stiffened.
Silence.
Ebruhan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Used for communicating with Princess Selene?"
Iyas stared nervously at the glass orb in Ebruhan's hand.
"…It is."
Ebruhan examined the artifact silently for several moments before channeling mana into it.
A faint blue glow spread across the orb.
Then immediately dispersed.
Nothing happened.
Ebruhan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Hm."
He tried once more.
Still nothing.
The orb remained sealed.
King Cedric frowned slightly from nearby.
"A blood-locked artifact?"
Ebruhan nodded once.
"Most likely."
Then he looked directly toward Iyas.
"Open it."
Iyas instantly crossed his arms stubbornly despite still being chained to the wall.
"Never."
The answer came surprisingly fast.
Ebruhan slowly clenched his fist afterward.
CRACK.
The sound of his knuckles tightening echoed sharply through the prison chamber.
Iyas' ears immediately flattened.
"…Never mind."
His entire attitude collapsed in less than two seconds.
"I will open it."
Cedric genuinely looked mildly impressed by how quickly the fox abandoned resistance.
Ebruhan calmly handed the orb toward him.
The fox carefully accepted it with both paws.
But before Iyas could move—
Ebruhan spoke again.
"Do not even consider attempting anything amusing."
His voice remained calm.
Which somehow sounded far more dangerous than shouting.
Iyas swallowed nervously.
"…I was not planning anything."
The fox sighed dramatically afterward before placing both paws onto the orb.
Soft mana slowly flowed outward from his body.
The glass surface immediately began glowing faint crimson.
Soft crimson light spread across the glass orb as Iyas activated the communication artifact.
The prison chamber dimmed slightly.
Then—
a projection slowly formed above the orb.
Elegant golden eyes.
Long flowing hair.
Royal posture.
The illusion of Princess Selene appeared calmly before them.
"At last," Selene said smoothly.
"Any new information, Iyas?"
Then her gaze shifted downward.
She noticed the black collar around the fox's neck.
A brief silence followed.
"…Oh."
Her expression barely changed.
"Well."
A faint amused smile appeared afterward.
"I thought you once described yourself as uncapturable?"
The moment Iyas heard that—
his composure shattered instantly.
Tiny tears formed again as he dramatically bowed toward the orb.
"PLEASE, PRINCESS!"
"I HAVE FAILED YOU!"
"FORGIVE ME!"
The prison guards nearby looked genuinely confused by how theatrical the fox was.
Meanwhile Ebruhan calmly took the orb from Iyas afterward.
Selene's eyes shifted toward him immediately.
"…Dragon-nim."
There was noticeable interest in her voice now.
"I see you captured yourself a rather capable spy."
Ebruhan's eyes narrowed.
"Grrah…"
Even in human form, the low growl carried heavy pressure.
"What is your goal, Selene?"
"If you intend to attack Lumeris…"
His voice lowered dangerously.
"…you will regret it severely."
Surprisingly—
Selene smiled slightly at that.
"I know."
Her answer came far too calmly.
Then:
"But where is the excitement if there are no challenges?"
Even King Cedric frowned slightly at her response.
Ebruhan continued:
"Why continue conquering?"
"Is your current territory not enough?"
Selene's golden eyes softened briefly.
Almost distant.
"…Oh."
"You truly have no idea."
The way she said it carried old weight behind it.
History.
Pain.
Ambition.
Then she smiled again before continuing lightly:
"But let us not spoil too much yet, shall we?"
Her gaze shifted toward Iyas afterward.
"And since our spy has been captured…"
She gave a graceful shrug.
"I suppose he now belongs to you."
Iyas' soul nearly left his body.
"PRINCESS?!"
He lunged toward the projection desperately despite the leash holding him back.
"PLEASE!"
"I AM SORRY!"
"DO NOT ABANDON ME!"
Selene ignored him beautifully
Then Cedric stepped forward slightly.
"Selene."
His voice became firmer.
"You do not wish for war with Lumeris."
"You will gain nothing here except blood and ruin."
Selene met his gaze calmly through the orb projection.
"How confident, Your Majesty."
A faint smile crossed her face.
"…I would quite enjoy seeing your moves."
Then—
the projection flickered.
And vanished.
The crimson light faded completely from the prison chamber.
Silence returned.
For several moments, nobody spoke.
Then Ebruhan finally looked toward Cedric.
"My king."
"What shall we do with the spy?"
Iyas immediately stiffened.
Cedric looked toward the trembling fox thoughtfully.
"I originally intended execution."
Iyas' eyes widened instantly.
His entire body started shaking.
Tiny tears returned at frightening speed .
Then Cedric sighed quietly afterward.
"But unlike monsters…"
"…I possess restraint."
The fox immediately looked emotionally reborn.
Cedric turned toward Ebruhan.
"Keep watch over him."
"He is yours now."
Silence.
Iyas slowly looked toward Ebruhan.
Then toward the dragon collar.
Then back toward Ebruhan.
Realization slowly dawned across his face.
"…What do you mean by mine?"
As King Cedric departed from the prison chamber, silence settled heavily across the underground halls once more.
Only the sound of chains lightly rattling echoed through the room.
At the center of the cell, Iyas continued uselessly tugging against the dragon-forged leash around his neck.
No matter how much he pulled—
the chain did not move even slightly.
Meanwhile, Ebruhan stood calmly with his arms folded.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then finally:
"So."
His voice echoed quietly through the chamber.
"That means your life now rests entirely in my hands."
Iyas immediately froze.
Ebruhan tilted his head slightly afterward.
"How would you prefer to die?"
The fox's soul visibly left his body.
Ebruhan continued calmly, as if discussing dinner options.
"I could drop you from the sky."
"Eat you."
"Or perhaps simply end it quickly with one strike."
Iyas' ears flattened instantly.
He swallowed hard.
"…Please."
Then immediately exploded into panic:
"PLEASE HAVE MERCY!!"
"I THOUGHT YOU WERE MERCIFUL!"
Ebruhan's expression barely changed.
"I am."
A brief pause followed.
"But not toward enemies."
"I AM NOT YOUR ENEMY!"
Iyas shouted desperately.
"I am just doing my job!"
Ebruhan studied him silently for several moments afterward.
Then unexpectedly said:
"You know…"
"Most spies carry poison for situations like this."
"To avoid interrogation."
His golden eyes shifted toward the fox's scattered belongings resting atop a nearby table.
Among the items—
a small purple vial hung visibly from one of the satchel straps.
Ebruhan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Arr."
"So you DID carry poison."
He looked back toward Iyas.
"Yet you chose not to use it."
The fox lowered his ears slightly.
"Why?"
Iyas became quiet afterward.
For the first time since his capture—
the dramatic attitude faded slightly.
"…I…"
His voice softened.
"I do not want to die like that."
Ebruhan remained silent.
Then calmly:
"Then why become a spy in the first place?"
"You understand how captured spies usually end."
His voice lowered slightly.
"Some far worse than your current situation."
Iyas looked away afterward.
The prison chamber grew quiet again.
Then finally:
"…You would not understand."
Ebruhan's eyebrow lifted slightly.
Iyas slowly curled his tail closer to himself.
"What it means to owe someone your life."
That line made Ebruhan pause briefly.
Because unfortunately—
he understood that feeling perfectly.
Years ago, he himself had survived because King Cedric chose to save an injured dragon instead of abandoning him.
A rare kindness.
One Ebruhan had never forgotten.
The dragon's gaze softened slightly afterward.
"…Selene saved you?"
Iyas slowly nodded.
"When I was younger…"
His voice remained quieter now.
"I was starving."
"Hunters captured me."
"They planned to sell me."
His ears lowered further.
"She stopped them."
Silence lingered briefly.
Then Iyas gave a weak laugh.
"So…"
"I became useful for her."
Ebruhan remained silent for a moment after hearing Iyas' explanation.
Then finally:
"…Someone like Selene saved you?"
There was clear doubt in his voice.
"I find that difficult to believe."
The reaction was immediate.
Iyas suddenly bared his teeth despite still being collared and chained.
"Grrah!"
His tail fluffed aggressively.
"You can kill me if you want…"
"But NEVER insult my master!"
That outburst echoed through the prison chamber.
Even the guards looked surprised.
Ebruhan slowly narrowed his eyes afterward.
"…You do realize Selene herself declared you belonged to me now."
His voice became quieter.
Far quieter.
"So."
"If you truly desire death…"
CRACK.
Ebruhan slowly clenched his fist.
Instantly—
all of Iyas' bravery evaporated .
"WAIT WAIT WAIT!"
The fox nearly tripped over himself trying to back away despite the leash preventing escape.
"I TAKE IT BACK!"
"PLEASE!"
"I CAN STILL BE USEFUL!"
"I WILL DO ANYTHING!"
Ebruhan looked completely unimpressed.
"…I have no use for you."
"You are a foreign spy."
"There is no reason for me to trust you with sensitive matters."
Then calmly:
"And I have no intention of employing you."
Iyas looked emotionally devastated by the workplace rejection .
Ebruhan continued:
"So for now…"
"You will remain here."
Then, without another word, Ebruhan picked up the communication orb from the table.
CRRSHH.
The artifact shattered completely within his hand.
Fragments of crimson crystal fell across the stone floor.
Iyas stared in horror.
"…Princess is going to kill me."
Ebruhan ignored him.
The dragon turned toward the exit.
Then behind him came a much smaller voice:
"…Can I at least have my candies back?"
Silence.
Ebruhan glanced over one shoulder slightly.
"They are on the table."
"Retrieve them yourself."
Iyas looked down dramatically at the leash,
"…I would if I was not tied like a criminal dog."
Ebruhan stared at him for several seconds afterward.
Then sighed quietly.
Honestly?
The fox was exhausting.
He walked back toward the confiscated belongings and inspected the small spatial bag carefully for hidden escape tools.
Nothing dangerous remained.
Afterward, Ebruhan casually placed:
the candies
dried meat
and jerky
back inside the bag before tossing it toward Iyas.
The fox caught it instantly.
His eyes actually sparkled slightly.
"…Thank you."
Ebruhan pretended not to hear that.
Instead, he looked toward the prison guards nearby.
"Keep watch over him."
The guards straightened immediately.
"Yes, Sir Ebruhan."
Then the dragon finally departed from the chamber.
His footsteps gradually faded into silence.
Meanwhile—
inside the prison cell—
Iyas quietly sat against the wall while eating candy with visible emotional recovery speed.
---------------