* * *
The ordinary-looking mountainside fell away, revealing a stunning, ornate garden.
At the far end, where flowers were in full bloom, someone was approaching.
With flowing blue hair that cascaded to her chest, the woman was someone they all knew well.
“Welcome. I am Cecily, leader of the water dragons,” she greeted the party with a warm smile.
Standing beside her husband, she glanced down at her youngest son, the mischievous one who clung to her side.
Cecily slowly scanned the group, her gaze landing on a familiar face staring back at her.
He was a striking man with sharp, upturned eyes that accentuated a small tear mole underneath, and a tightly pressed mouth that hinted at nerves.
With soft brown hair and a fair complexion, Cecily took a slow, steady breath.
“…It’s a pleasure to meet such a distinguished guest. May I ask your name?”
As she addressed him, Seo Woohyun swallowed nervously.
‘Should I give her my real name? Maybe just use Ciel? I told Malrang my real name, but I didn’t share it with Habios…’
Erdian may see Habios as a rival and childishly jealous, but to Seo Woohyun, Habios was nothing more than a young royal he had to look out for without wanting to get too entangled.
He didn’t feel the need to share his real name as easily as he had with Malrang.
Debating which name to give, Seo Woohyun smiled politely and introduced himself.
He recalled that Malrang had figured out he was a holy figure, so perhaps Cecily already knew his true identity, considering she’d specifically referred to him as an “honored guest.”
“Pleased to meet you. My name is Seo Woohyun, but I go by Ciel while traveling. Please feel free to use whichever is easier for you.”
Just when he thought he’d given a proper introduction, Cecily’s expression turned slightly perplexed.
‘Does my name sound strange to her…?’
Since last names are customary in this world, Cecily’s reaction made sense.
Seo Woohyun wanted to leave a good impression.
As the leader of the dragon clan, Cecily wasn’t just any figure; she was family to Malrang, who had traveled alongside him.
“Oh, my family name is Seo, and my first name is Woohyun. You’re welcome to call me Woohyun or just Ciel.”
“I see. Did you come up with the name Ciel yourself?”
“No, I was given several options, and I picked the one I liked best.”
“It suits you beautifully, which is why I asked. Nice to meet you, Ciel.”
Cecily smiled warmly and led the group further into the garden.
As they walked through the fragrant garden, Seo Woohyun was struck by a strange sense of familiarity.
There had been someone—a God, in fact—who’d once told him that the name Ciel suited him.
‘Erdian had said this name fit me well, too.’
Before creating his public identity, Sihero had asked if he had any name preferences.
When Seo Woohyun hadn’t been able to think of any pseudonyms, Sihero had compiled a list of names with good meanings.
After deliberating for days, Seo Woohyun had chosen the one that was simple and easy to remember: Ciel.
When Erdian unexpectedly appeared one day, he had taken a glance at the document Seo Woohyun held.
“So, you spent days choosing a name…and you ended up with that one?”
In case he’d chosen something strange, Seo Woohyun asked if it was a good fit.
Erdian had smiled gently and replied,
“No, you picked the name that suits you best.”
Erdian had said that, plain and simple.
Back then, Seo Woohyun hadn’t thought much of it, as Erdian’s odd behavior was nothing new.
Now, though, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there had been a subtle undertone.
‘Is there something about the name Ciel that I don’t know?’
When they reached the Duchy of Soznian, Seo Woohyun decided he would look for any records of Erdian’s past that might shed light on the name Ciel.
In gratitude for taking care of her youngest son, Cecily offered to prepare a meal.
It didn’t seem polite to refuse a dragon’s hospitality, so they accepted.
While waiting, Seo Woohyun was guided to rest in the dragon’s garden, a sight so lavish it almost hurt to look at.
“Never thought I’d get to see a dragon’s garden.”
As Seo Woohyun wandered, taking in the garden, Cecily approached, Malrang by her side, his eyes red from crying.
“I tried to leave him behind, but he insisted on coming along…”
“Sniffle… Big bro, I got spanked by Mom. Can you kiss it better?”
Malrang, sniffling and rubbing his eyes, let go of Cecily’s skirt and ran straight into Seo Woohyun’s arms.
Reflexively, Seo Woohyun hugged the sobbing child and patted his back, comforting him.
Just then, Cecily’s body began to emit a soft blue light, and a translucent barrier enveloped the area.
It didn’t seem hostile.
If it had been an attack, Erdian, sitting right beside him, wouldn’t have stayed calm.
“It’s been a long time, Lord Erdian.”
Unlike others who barely acknowledged Eridian in the group, Cecily greeted him warmly with a friendly smile.
Eridian turned to her with his usual grumpy expression and muttered,
“Putting up a soundproof barrier just to greet me. You used to be so clumsy, but you’ve gotten a bit more delicate with age.”
“Oh my, talking about the old days already?”
The opaque blue barrier seemed to be set up to keep their conversation private.
“And… greetings once again, Priest Ciel. I’m Cecily, Eridian’s long-time friend and the mother of that little rascal Malrang. His father, Tartalos, who you may have met earlier, couldn’t join us now—he’s busy cooking. I’m glad to finally meet Eridian’s cherished Saint.”
It was clear now that she already knew their true identities.
Ciel was glad he’d given his real name.
“Please take good care of our Malrang.”
Eridian’s eyebrow twitched at the request.
“You’re not expecting us to babysit him forever, are you? He’s cute, but he talks too much.”
“I was asking Priest Ciel. You’re not exactly the nurturing type, are you, Eridian? My Malrang may be a little wild, but he’s still my precious youngest.”
“Only your son is precious, I see—you have no regard for the Saint, do you?”
“Oh, but of course, I know how valuable Sir Saint is. I was simply asking for a little favor.”
“That cheeky backtalk… You really haven’t changed, have you? No matter how old you get, you’re still the same.”
“Weren’t you just praising me for becoming more refined?”
Their exchange was casual, fitting for old friends.
It was the first time Ciel had seen anyone speak so freely to Eridian, even knowing he was a god.
Ciel watched in fascination until Cecily turned and flashed him a bright smile.
“Please take care of Malrang, Priest Ciel.”
“Of course.”
Ciel responded with a smile and stroked Malrang, who was nestled in his arms.
As he soothed him, Malrang’s mood seemed to lift, and he suddenly perked up.
“Hyung, wait here for a bit, okay?”
“Where are you going?”
“To my room! I’ll bring a gift!”
Malrang quickly blurted out and dashed off somewhere.
Perhaps he’d been restraining himself during the journey.
Now, back home, he seemed far livelier, as if he finally felt free to relax.
Ciel absently touched his now-empty arms, thinking that Malrang’s earlier complaints about his sore bottom might have been an act.
“Oh, even though I asked you to look after him, feel free to send him back if he becomes too much. I don’t intend to spoil him entirely.”
Watching her son’s retreating figure, Cecily muttered as if resigned.
“No, I enjoy having Malrang around. He’s cute, and seeing his energy gives me strength. Eridian may complain, but he often keeps Malrang close when he sleeps, wiping his drool a few times. I even saw him overseeing Malrang’s hunting.”
Ciel decided to vouch for Eridian a little. It wouldn’t be right for a Saint to criticize him, after all.
“Oh, is that so?”
Cecily looked at Eridian, clearly unaware of all this.
Although she used to observe her runaway son from afar, she had stopped when Eridian offered to take care of him.
Her husband, however, occasionally kept watch from a distance out of worry.
“Well, Ciel seems fond of that little brat. If that’s what you want, I’ll keep him around a bit longer.”
Eridian’s tone softened as he met Ciel’s eyes, his face relaxing. Cecily turned her head away slightly.
‘He hasn’t changed. Even back then, he couldn’t hide how much he cared.’
Seeing Eridian smile so comfortably stirred nostalgic feelings in Cecily.
She watched her old friend, only to be distracted by the sight of her son running toward them, holding something.
Whatever he had in his hand was not something from his room.
There was only one place she could think of where he might’ve found such an item.
“Malrang! Did you sneak that out of my storage? You little rascal!”
“No, I didn’t steal it! I just took it!”
“When you take something without permission, that’s called stealing! Get over here! I’ll give you another spanking!”
As Cecily motioned him over, Malrang whipped around, tail streaming behind him, and fled in the opposite direction.
Ciel watched her chase after her son, muttering to himself.
“They seem to get along well.”
“Does it look that way to you? All I see are two immature dragons causing trouble. Running off like that in the middle of a conversation—what a mess.”
Eridian clicked his tongue disapprovingly, and Ciel couldn’t help but laugh.
This harmonious family scene, something he’d never experienced before, made him feel oddly light-hearted.
* * *
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Good chapter. There are more historias about Eridian.
oof Malrang be stealing again lol