The Dragonheart territory, nestled on the slopes of Mount Avalon, bustled with life, much like a small city. It was a refuge for thousands and offered the perfect vantage point to watch the sunset over the Deiwa Sea and the sprawling horizon. This stunning setting drew many merchants, transforming the area into a lively hub for tourists in the western part of the empire. Over time, this vibrant locale gave rise to the bustling Wyrmport City.
Confined within the cold walls of Azure Hall, Ardiel couldn't resist the lure of finally seeing the beauty of his birthplace. He hadn't attended any social events yet, unlike his eldest brother Yuran, who had already made his debut in society along with the twins, so he expected that people wouldn't recognize him easily.
Despite this, Ardiel's distinctive blonde hair and blue eyes—traits closely linked to the direct descendants of Dragonheart—made him recognizable. Fortunately, the locals were too busy with their own lives to pay him much attention.
As Ardiel wandered through the lively streets of Wyrmport, he reveled in the excitement and charm of his surroundings, savoring every moment of his newfound freedom.
"Young man, try our new vegetable skewers!"
"Here, we have authentic Xiaozi dumplings from the Qinlan Food Commerce!"
"Sample our Sakura Tea from Nagano Teahouse!"
Vendors called out from every corner of Talon Street, a famous food avenue popular with both tourists and locals.
Tourists braving the chilling west monsoon filled the street with noise. Those from the south, unaccustomed to Avalon's cold climate, were bundled in layers of clothing, struggling against the biting wind.
Ardiel had only a few bronze coins with him. He hadn't anticipated needing them, and typically had little use for money, having lived like a bird in a cage.
He strolled around, checking every delicacy at each booth, observing the reactions of those who tried them, and remembering which ones he could afford.
His introverted nature emerged, causing him to take quite some time to decide what to buy. He debated with himself, pondering his choices.
Eventually, he approached a stall and shyly asked, "Um, hello? How much for the pork skewers?" His voice wavered slightly, and the vendor responded with a warm, encouraging smile.
"Oh, what a cute boy! I've seen you going back and forth. It must be tough to choose from so many stalls. Don't worry, you've come to the right one! That'll be 5 bronze for one skewer!" Ardiel's eyes brightened as he handed over 5 of his 7 bronze coins.
It was his first time buying something for himself.
As he took one piping hot, still smoking pork skewer, the juicy smell aggressively punched his nose. He thought this must have been the right decision.
His mouth watered as he prepared to take a bite, imagining the burst of flavor that was about to explode in his mouth. As he prepared to take his eagerly anticipated bite, something unexpected happened. A sudden jostle sent the pork skewer flying from his grasp. Time seemed to slow as he watched it arc through the air, landing with a disheartening splat on the cobblestone.
Ardiel stood there, dumbfounded, while the culprit glanced at the fallen pork skewer and muttered, "Five-second rule?"
Fury and frustration surged within him as he turned to confront the person responsible for this cruel twist of fate. His eyes narrowed in a mix of anger and disbelief, feeling as though his moment of joy had been savagely ripped away.
A girl, about his height, with hair as dark as midnight, stood before him with an expression that was a blend of amusement and mild mischief. Her dark eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, and her unapologetic smile seemed to mock his misfortune.
"Oh my!" the vendor exclaimed, witnessing the scene with a mixture of sympathy and helplessness.
Ardiel's frustration boiled over as he saw people stepping on his precious pork skewer, which had met its untimely demise. "Five-second rule? Not even a dog would eat that!" he yelled, his voice tinged with dramatic flair.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spoil your moment," the girl said, trying hard to suppress a chuckle because Ardiel was clearly fuming, his cheeks slightly flushed with anger.
Ardiel was a boy driven by intense emotions, which was why the Dragon Mark resonated with Exzhen earlier than expected—he could channel feelings that were usually beyond his age.
But he knew more than anyone not to let his emotions take control of him in this situation. The girl was obviously a tourist, and he didn't want to make a bad impression.
"Just replace it," he said, sighing in resignation as he accepted that what had happened was beyond his control.
"Kiera!!" someone called from the crowd, prompting the girl to glance toward the sound.
"I'm really, really sorry, but I have to go!" The girl slipped away, deftly weaving through the crowd with surprising agility.
Ardiel watched her disappear, still seething but unable to deny a flicker of curiosity about the girl who had unintentionally disrupted his day.
He couldn't get himself to say a word about the girl, he was just that speechless.
With a sigh, he resigned himself to the fate of his lost snack and decided, "I suppose I'll have to ask Father for pork skewers for dinner later." As he left the bustling street, he clutched a bouquet of white roses he had picked from the Grand Elder's garden for his mother.
Meanwhile, in the opposite direction, a woman in a thick black kirtle and cloak scolded Kiera, her demeanor exudes fierceness yet oddly calm.
"Where have you been?" the woman demanded.
"I was just looking at the snacks!" Kiera grumbled.
"I'll ask the butler for snacks later," the woman said, beginning to walk away after reprimanding Kiera. "You better stay obedient. We are not in our domain, so don't cause trouble for me."
"Why do we even have to act so polite? It's not like there are literal dragons here," Kiera protested, stomping her feet on the cobblestone.
The woman's eyes narrowed in a mix of exasperation and resignation as she responded, "Shush, enough. Just follow me." She then entered a popular five-story inn where nobles and wealthy guests from other territories temporarily stayed. She pulled Kiera closer, ensuring she wouldn't escape her gaze this time.
On the fifth floor, the woman carefully went into one of the rooms.
"What took you so long?" a voice from inside asked, its tone heavy with concern. "And why did you call for me, Silvanna?"
If Ardiel had been there, he would have recognized the man's voice immediately, its weight adding to the tension of the moment.
"We have a lead on who's behind the disappearance of former leaders," Silvanna said, her voice laced with grave concern. The shadows of the room seemed to close in, amplifying the seriousness of their mission.