We were driven out that way.

I was told what punishment would be given if one’s claim of being a companion was revealed to be false.

The countless possibilities Melphis had told me about flashed through my mind, making me scared and tremble, but surprisingly, the situation ended quietly.

I thought being expelled from the village was a given, but we were merely being escorted out of the palace gates.

Unable to tell what Lord was thinking, my anxiety only kept amplifying.

Could it be that he was going to overlook it once because Melphis was his great-grandson?

However, that would be troublesome.

My sole reason for coming here was to find the Holy Sword.

Without Lord’s help, I might just be wasting time without any results.

‘Every minute and second is precious now……’

As I was pondering what to do, Melphis spoke first.

“Vivian, could you wait here for a moment? I want to have a conversation with Lord, just the two of us.”

“Alright. Then, could I be sent to the village? The information about the temple doesn’t necessarily have to come from Lord. I’m thinking I could try to get information from other dragons.”

“Hmm…… Actually, I already investigated while you were sleeping last night, Vivian. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anyone who knew the information. So please just wait a bit for now. It won’t take long.”

“Okay, I’ll stay here then.”

Even though Melphis has no particular reason to help me, he’s trying so hard to assist me.

‘Once I return to the human world, I must repay this debt somehow.’

While I was lost in light thought, Melphis headed back to where Lord was.

Meeting Lord again, Melphis asked bluntly without any greeting.

“How did you know?”

A question skipping the context. However, Lord answered without showing any signs of being flustered.

“Melphis, when you live as long as I have, there are things you come to know even without trying to.”

“I’m curious about the exact reason, not such a vague answer.”

“The way that child looks at you, and the way you look at that child. The two are clearly different, so how could I not know?”

At Lord’s simple yet definite answer, Melphis was momentarily at a loss for words.

He knew his feelings for Vivian and her feelings for him were different, but having it confirmed through someone else’s words was quite a painful experience.

“……You mean you noticed from the beginning.”

“That’s right.”

“Then can’t you grant the first request of your only great-grandson? I’m not asking for much help. Just a small piece of information. With just that, we can leave satisfied.”

It sounded more like whining than a request.

Lord was inwardly surprised.

Even though he had watched Melphis since he was born from the egg, this was the first time seeing him act this way.

‘Does he like her so much that uncharacteristic behavior naturally slips out……’

Meeting Melphis’s eyes that seemed to slightly resent him, Lord spoke coldly on purpose.

“But in the end, isn’t that an action to help your fake companion? Yes. What you said isn’t entirely wrong. If I want to, I could help as much as you want.”

Lord sat up straight as if to start a serious conversation.

As his mountainous body moved, there was an illusion of the building shaking.

“However, Melphis. I also have my position to consider.”

“……”

“I am the Dragon Lord. The one with the duty to lead and protect all dragons. That means I cannot help those who are not our kin.”

Pausing for a moment, Lord continued.

“To put it differently, it also means I could help if that child truly becomes one of our kin. Not just giving information. I heard the demons are preparing to invade the human world? If that child just becomes your companion, I’m even considering personally stepping forward to aid in humanity’s victory.”

“Are you telling me to form an imprint?”

“Now we’re on the same page.”

Melphis pressed his brows as if frustrated.

“You’re not usually this rigid, are you? This is a request from your only great-grandson. I heard there is a temple hidden in the Dragon Realm. Just tell me its location.”

Lord was just as frustrated. He let out a deep sigh.

It was a reaction hard to find from him these days.

“Melphis.”

At the voice calling his name, Melphis raised his head to look up at Lord.

“I explained it as the Lord’s position, but actually, there’s also the aspect of me saying this as your family.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Lord’s voice, which had felt strict to the point of being stern, softened.

Melphis slowly began to listen.

“It’s been over 1000 years since you were born. And during that time, I have never once seen you show interest in others.”

No, how could it stop there?

Even knowing that deceiving a potential companion could lead to severe punishment, he readily accepted that and brought that child to the village.

It was a feeling on a completely different level from simple interest.

“I’m afraid you may never find such a person in your life again.”

The life of a dragon was far too long.

Even Melphis, who had already lived for over 1000 years, was considered very young among dragons.

Beings who could live endlessly if they wanted to. There was usually one reason they died. Suicide.

The reason human lives can be so colorful is because their time is limited.

During that fleeting time, they constantly strive to get closer to the life they want.

But what if time was infinite?

There’s no need to rush. No need to be impatient.

It might look good in fragments, but this ultimately means everything becomes meaningless.

The longer one lives, the more numb emotions become, and the concept of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure fades.

Dragons who couldn’t overcome the meaninglessness of time flowing away in vain would eventually choose death themselves.

The Dragon Lord nearly walked a similar path to them.

If he hadn’t been lucky enough to meet his current companion, he would have given up on life long ago.

Having experienced that pain the longest, Lord wanted at least his bloodline to walk a different path than him.

Companion. The only existence that gives meaning to life amidst the flow of futile time.

That’s why Lord had been waiting for Melphis to form an imprint with someone.

However, he knew how indifferent Melphis was to others, so he didn’t have high hopes.

Then, the one who appeared was a human who falsely claimed to be his companion.

Even if it was selfish, Lord didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

“Officially become companions with that child. Form an imprint and promise to spend your lives together.”

“You already noticed, didn’t you? She has no feelings for me.”

“But she’ll want to protect her fellow humans. Enough to seriously consider accepting my earlier proposal if you tell her about it.”

“Are you telling me to forcibly form an imprint using that as an excuse? Even if we spend time together like that, it’s nothing but oppression.”

“It’s not oppression. It’s a kind of deal. That’s all I have to say to you. Think about it until tomorrow.”

Melphis tried to continue the conversation somehow, but Lord turned as if he had nothing more to say.

Then he soon used magic to send his great-grandson outside.

Vivian, who discovered Melphis pushed out the door, quickly approached him.

“How did it go, ah……”

As she helped him up and asked hurriedly, Vivian soon sighed.

From his gloomy expression, she quickly realized things hadn’t gone as intended.

Melphis didn’t have the courage to face her, thinking she would be disappointed in him.

After all, he was the one who suggested going to see Lord first, and yet this was the result.

They wasted three days without obtaining any clues about the temple they wanted. In the Dragon Realm, not even the human world.

‘Will she resent me?’

But what she said next was unexpected.

“Thank you for trying.”

“……What do you mean?”

“To be honest, you’re in a position where it doesn’t matter what happens to the human world. But you still went through a lot of trouble to help me. Actually, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be in this situation now.”

Examining Melphis’s hair that had gotten disheveled in the process of being driven out by Lord, Vivian gave him an apologetic look.

“I guess……. it won’t work.”

“Huh? What won’t?”

Overhearing Melphis’s mutter, Vivian tilted her head.

Honestly, when Melphis heard Lord’s proposal, it wasn’t that he wasn’t interested at all.

This ‘love’ emotion he was feeling for the first time.

Vivian was precious to him, but he also wanted to obtain her by force.

‘If I tell Vivian about Lord’s proposal, she’ll probably agree to become my companion.’

Even if she didn’t truly love him, the life he would gain with her like that was sure to be quite enjoyable.

It was tempting. Because even now, when it was an unrequited love on his part, the moments spent together were this happy.

He had told Lord that he didn’t want a relationship formed through force, acting confident, but in truth, he was agonizing over whether to really do as Lord said.

If he just suppressed his guilty conscience for a very brief moment and conveyed Lord’s proposal.

If he just did that, she could remain by his side for life.

It was his honest feeling that it would be a shame to miss such a sweet opportunity.

However, the moment he heard her thanking him, Melphis changed his mind.

“It’s nothing.”

Showing his usual smile, Melphis evaded Vivian’s question.

Unlike usual, the corners of Melphis’s mouth were trembling slightly, but Vivian didn’t notice.