Meeting Kashimir was their main objective for coming to Tikan. However, they struggled to find a way to meet him.

But to think that he would come straight to their doorstep. Quite the unexpected turn of events.

Whats this?

Naturally, Jin stepped in front of Gilly and Murakan.

Kashimir leaned on the doorway and shrugged his shoulders. It was hard to miss the scimitar on his waist. It was a curved blade that slaughtered hundreds of strong opponents before its owner was given the name Ghostblade.

Oh my. Did I disturb your peaceful break?

Murakanwho was amused by the situationsmirked. Jin thought about why Kashimir came to them.

Theres no way he knows about our business in Akin. It seems the chief of defense leaked our general location, and the inn owner saw our pass and contacted her.

But why?

They just arrived in Tikan and have only been in the city for a grand total of two hours. They didnt do anything in particularjust spent some quality quiet time.

There was no reason for Kashimir to be interested in them.

Then he remembered their encounter with Euria.

Unless? What if Euria told Alisa about Murakans transformation, and knowing that transformation is an ability only dragons have, Alisa reported it to Kashimir?

Certain of the possibility, Jin began to formulate the scenarios in his head.

If he was convinced by a 5-year-old who witnessed it and believes that we are dragons, it means that hes desperate. As a close acquaintance, the chief of defense probably knows this as well.

It didnt seem like a horrible situation, though.

The armoured knights outside dont seem to intend to threaten us. They were brought to prepare for a possible fight against a dragon. If not, theres no reason to keep them outside. They wouldve come into the room if they wanted to scare us.

Jin realized that Kashimir evacuated the people inside the inn for the same reason.

Probably evacuated not only the inn, but the surrounding area as well. Causing a dragons rage because of this encounter would devastate the vicinity.

It didnt even take a few seconds to evaluate the situation. Their short stay in Tikan easily narrowed down all of the possibilities.

At this point, Jin thought he could safely approach Kashimir. In addition to not knowing that Murakan was the dragon, he mobilized the troops outside and evacuated everyone. His preparation was immaculate.

However, he made one small mistake.

Oh my, my ass. You bitch. You talking like that to me? Do you know who I am?

Wh-what?

So fucking annoying. You think the world is so easy just because you have a cool weapon on your ass and some goons to drag around?

Kashimir didnt greet themmore specifically, Murakanrespectfully.

Murakan continued to spit swears and curses, and Kashimir was startled.

It was a widely known fact that dragons didnt have the greatest personalities.

Kashimir should have known this, but he just nonchalantly greeted Murakan anyways. Though he was the Fallen Prince, was his attitude because he had been part of the Vermont Imperial Family?

Regardless, Murakan was on the nicer side amongst the nasty dragons.

Who do you think you are, messing up the nice mood. Im asking you, you mongrel. Do you know who I am? Answer me.

I dont know.

Kashimirs handsome profile was ruined as he answered Murakan. He seemed to be very shocked.

At that moment, he was certain that Murakan was the dragon. Otherwise, he wouldnt stand still like a scarecrow after being brutally humiliated.

Oh, is there a lump of gold stuck in your throat? Youre still not talking, you dumbass dog. Cmere. Get your ass over here. People like you need a nice beating to get into the right mind

Despite telling Kashimir to come to him, Murakan stomped towards the other man.

Kashimir shivered in fear as he slowly backed away. Jin wanted to laugh at the sight.

Murakan, calm down. Relax. Dont worry about it.

Jin softly stopped Murakan. The dragon then stood still, eyes fixed on Kashimir. He wouldve spun the others jaw multiple times if he hadnt been stopped.

There were three reasons why Murakan was pissed.

The biggest reason was because he made his poor Strawberry Pie feel threatened, and then it was a split between him disturbing their peace and lacking respect.

Barely catching his breath, Kashimir cleared his throat.

Ehem! My apologies. It seems I was insolent. I did not intend to aggravate you, so please, I humbly request your forgiveness.

Sir Ghostblade Kashimir.

Uh, pardon me, but you know who I am?

How would I not? Ive been wanting to meet the glorious ruler of Tikan.

Jins demeanor was much calmer than Murakans. Kashimir cleared his mind and avoided Murakans gaze.

I didnt know that you would suddenly visit like this. Maybe because of a certain cat?

Hearing this, Kashimir regained his composure and the sharpness in his eyes. He overcame his trauma when he remembered what he originally came for.

And your name is?

Its Jin Runcandel.

Without hesitation, he said his real name. Gillywho stood behind himcovered her mouth. Murakan was also slightly surprised.

Someone identifying as a Runcandel heir was an occasion out of their control, but revealing his own identity shouldve been avoided at all costs.

Of course, the one who was surprised the most was Kashimir.

If you had attended the banquet not so long ago, then Im sure we would have met beforehand. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Kashimir.

Kashimir slightly smiled.

So hes Jin Runcandel After revealing that man as the dragon, the boy just reveals himself. Was there even a case where the Runcandels and dragons got along?

According to his knowledge, it was impossible. Since ancient times, dragons only formed relations with magicians who either contracted with gods or have special abilities.

That frivolous man is the dragon. His speech and tone was like a back-alley thug, but the momentary pressure and threat he gave off was immense.

Analyzing the crew in front of him, Kashimir naturally turned his eyes towards Gilly.

And isnt that woman Gilly McRolan?

Before being deemed the Fallen Prince, he had seen some of the McRolans at the Vermont Imperial Palace.

Although he didnt remember Gilly precisely, he had a vivid memory of a young Gilly displaying a claws potent power at a training academy.

And there was no doubt about it. The boy in front of him was a Runcandel. Though, he couldnt understand why Jin was being accompanied by a dragon.

Its a long story. Sir Kashimir, please take a seat.

Kashimir ordered the soldiers to clear the area. In his position, it was a dangerous move, but he acted out of pacifism to gain the favour of the dragon.

Murakan, however, was still annoyed.

Respecting Jins decision, Gilly set three goblets on the table. Murakan was forced to follow the kids agenda.

Glug, glug.

Jin poured some wine into Kashimirs goblet.

Young Master Jin, does your clan know of your whereabouts with a dragon? Ive never thought of a Runcandel and a dragon working together.

The clan does not know.

Youre telling me a risky secret like its nothing.

Because you just sent your soldiers away. If things dont go as I planned, and depending on the outcome of this conversation, we can just get rid of you.

Kashimir assumed that Jin was joking and awkwardly laughed.

I guess we didnt give Euria enough ice cream. If we knew this would happen, we wouldve bought her better stuff. I guess Sir Kashimir and Alisa really trust Euria? Seeing that you acted upon the childs seemingly fake story

And since Young Master Jin shared a clandestine secret, I will share one as well. Euria is my daughter. There is no reason for me not to trust her.

Kashimir looked robust, but he definitely was lacking compared to Alisa. However, picturing the two next to each other, they do look nice together

No, thats not important right now.

Jin nodded and continued to speak,

I have never heard news of Sir Kashimir having a daughter.

As if that information wasnt enough, Kashimir added to his words.

And my daughter contracted with Az Mil.

By Az Mil, you mean

Yes, the God of Sight, Az Mil.

Jin finally understood why Kashimir and Alisa trusted Eurias absurd story.

Anyone who contracted with the God of Sight would never be seeing things. There was no such thing as hallucinations for them.

I think my secret is of equivalent weight to yours.

My daughter contracted with Az Mil.

Revealing such truth required a great sum of courage. Az Mils contractor not only gained the Absolute Eye that enables them to see the truth behind everything, but also the All-Seeing Eye which allows them to see a vision of the future.

All of the rulers and leaders in the world searched for the one who contracted with Az Mil with the hopes and greed of avoiding the uncertainty of the future.

Which is why most of Az Mils contractors were abused and taken advantage of, living the rest of their life in misery.

Especially with the extremity of the Zipfels and the Vermont Imperial Familys actions. Everyone knew that they wanted to keep the contractor by their side by all means.

Wait, you mongrel. If that kid is Azs contractor, then wheres the dragon? I didnt sense any presence of a dragon in this city. Its well known that Azs dragons take really good care of the contractors.

Engaged in the conversation, Murakan sat in a chair, which settled the mood. Combining the dragons words with the image of Euria holding onto a dragon doll, Jin finally deduced why Kashimir came to them.

For some reason, the dragon disappeared. Thats why he urgently came here after hearing of another dragons presence.

Kashimirs face dimmed.

Eurias guardian dragon suddenly disappeared about a year ago. I think that either the Vermont Imperial Family or the Zipfels are at fault, but its just a hunch.

What kind of stupid dragon would get kidnapped just like that? At least speak some sense

Murakan paused, then his eyes widened.

Wait, its been a year? And your daughter is 5?

Indeed.

Kashimir dropped his head, holding a hopeless and melancholic expression as he thought of the day he lost his friend and creating a doll for his daughter to commemorate them.

But right now, losing an acquaintance was the least of Kashimirs concerns.

Then that means your daughter is constantly looking into the future! A young contractor cant control their abilities without their dragon. Holy shit, she probably saw my transformation from a vision.

Pardon? Euria is constantly looking into the future?

A measly human like you wouldnt understand. Witnessing the future inflicts so much mental straineven for a dragon. Right now, your daughter is so young. She cant differentiate between fantasy and reality.

Wh-What do you

At this rate, your daughter will go crazy and become bedridden forever. After one or two years, she will slowly feel exhausted, and it just snowballs from there. It becomes impossible to stop. We must find that dragon.