Arwin personally coming to see me was an unprecedented event. Wondering what kind of story this Black Mamba had in mind, I glanced at him nervously. It didn’t seem like good news.

“You don’t have to be so wary. I came to share a story that could be helpful to Lady Duke.”

“…A story that could help me?”

“Yes, it’s about… ”

Arwin trailed off, summoning a crystal vial in midair. In the small and transparent vial was a mysterious red liquid.

“This is my blood, Lady Duke.”

…!

Startled by the unexpected revelation, I widened my eyes, alternating between Arwin and the crystal vial. Following his gesture, the vial swayed, and the red liquid inside shimmered.

“As you may already know, the blood of a dragonkin contains its unique mystical power.”

“The blood of… dragonkin?”

Dragonkin? Did he just say dragonkin?

‘No, can’t be!’

“Yes, I am a Black Dragonkin.”

“I knew it!!”

I shouted without realizing it, slamming my knee and quickly coughing to compose myself.

Arwin, seeing my embarrassment, lifted one side of his mouth, smiling.

Glancing at Arwin, I secretly felt a sense of pride that my speculations had been accurate. Indeed, he seemed extraordinary, far beyond a mere serpentkin!

“It was quite enjoyable deceiving Lady Duke, pretending to be a simple Black Mamba. Well, you have to enjoy everything in moderation, right?”

‘Enjoyable…? Did he just say it was enjoyable? This Black Mamba—no, Black Dragon!’

Trembling, I glared at him, and Arwin responded with a slightly mischievous smile, as if appealing his harmlessness(?).

Of course, I wasn’t swayed even 1% by that smile and continued to stare at him even more fiercely.

Arwin put on a somewhat rueful expression and continued.

“I would be genuinely delighted if Lady Duke could view me favorably. It seems I made quite a mess from our first encounter.”

‘He knows?!’

Although he’s insane, he seems to be good at objectifying himself! Perhaps it comes with being a wizard.

“Anyway, today, I didn’t come just to reveal that I am a Black Dragonkin.”

Suddenly lowering his voice, Arwin placed the courtesy crystal vial on the table.

Thud. Along with a dull sound, the crystal vial stood firmly on the table. I glanced at the crystal vial, and a chill ran down my spine.

“As you know, dragonkin are significantly rare in number and rarely appear before people. The majority live hidden in places like deep mountains or lakes.”

“…”

“The reason is that the blood, flesh, bones, horns, scales, and the like of dragonkin contain mystical powers. Mature dragons can protect themselves, but young dragons are practically prey.”
Various knowledge related to him floated in my mind, and I nodded my head. I recalled the memory of reading about dragonkin in a book at the library of the Ainstan Kingdom. Of course, it must be Gloria’s memory.

“To prevent the descendants from being hunted by humans, dragonkin chose to live in seclusion. So, I also spent a lonely childhood.”

Arwin’s eyes, probing the empty air, deepened. As if reminiscing about the distant past.

A question that had suddenly come to mind, I asked subtly.

“Arwin, how old are you exactly…?”

The answer came surprisingly quickly.

“I stopped counting after a thousand years.”

“Ugh…!”

Shocked, I made a strange noise. My head stiffened in disbelief, then started to spin again. A thousand years… a thousand years…? This is beyond a mere ancestor; it’s like a relic!

‘There’s a walking relic in front of me!’

While it is a well-known fact that dragonkin live for a long time, seeing it in person goes beyond amazement to awe.

Perhaps I should refer to him not as a crazy person but as a sage…? And instead of calling him Arwin, should I address him as an elder?

“Elder…”

“Yes?”

“Oh no, I don’t know why…”

Inadvertently letting out the word “elder,” Arwin smiled faintly and looked at me with slightly strange eyes.

Avoiding his gaze while daydreaming, I suddenly came to a realization.

Arwin’s peculiar behavior was probably due to living too long!

‘Anyway, they say you go crazy if you live too long!’

“To me, your existence is a mystery, Lady Duke.”

Arwin calmly stated, lifting the edge of his mouth. There was a hint of discomfort in his gaze as he looked at me.

While avoiding his gaze, I couldn’t help but let out the word “elder.” Arwin chuckled slightly and looked at me with a somewhat peculiar expression.

His gaze, avoiding mine, made me ponder in silence. Suddenly, I had an epiphany.

Arwin’s strange behavior was probably because he had lived for so long!

‘They say you go crazy if you live too long!’

“I don’t trust you. I may agree that you are a good person contrary to the rumors, but…”

“…”

“So, I want to ask. Even if I hear any story, can you accept Graian just like before?”

“That’s…”

Isn’t it obvious?

With confidence, I nodded my head.

“I don’t take Graian lightly… It’s not like that. It’s sincere.”

“…It’s a good answer.”

Arwin, who smiled slyly, put the crystal vial back on the table. His words continued with a calm tone, like the silence before a storm.