* * *
At the inn’s dining table, the group sat around together. When they left the temple, there were eight, but now they had a cute new addition.
“Hyung, the potatoes here are really plump!”
Like a true food critic, the young child assessed the food with both cheeks full. Despite claiming not to be picky, Malrang ate everything with gusto.
“Eat up. Seems like the farmer took good care of these potatoes. I’ve never seen such big ones before.”
“Yeah, you eat too, and drink some water.”
“Of course.”
Since they were a runaway dragon caught stealing, Woohyun didn’t expect much in terms of table manners, but Malrang handled their utensils surprisingly well.
They cut up their potatoes, which were baked with butter and seasonings, and neatly slurped the noodles tossed in a savory sauce.
“Staying with you, hyung, feels like I’ll get to eat lots of tasty things.”
Malrang mumbled quietly, sneaking glances at Erdian.
Now that they knew their family hadn’t abandoned them, they felt reassured.
If the gods themselves said so, there was no room for doubt. Being watched over from afar meant it wasn’t running away—it was just a trip.
‘It was an outing.’
With that thought, their heart felt lighter.
Though waking up to fresh forest air was nice, they preferred the scent of soap and sunshine on a blanket.
While chewing, Malrang glanced at the human sitting beside them, pouring them a drink.
He was the first person to hear their name without laughing and acknowledge it as a great one. Everything about him, from the warm hand that gently patted their head to his kind voice, was comforting.
‘But that person is so scary.’
Across from Woohyun sat a man barely touching his food.
Though he held his utensils, he rarely brought the food to his mouth. He was merely going through the motions. His skin, hair, and eyes were all brown, but Malrang knew it was a disguise.
They couldn’t forget the clear golden eyes and the overwhelming presence from when they were scolded in the lounge for stealing. The god disguised as a human slowly rested his chin on his hand.
“Hey, you soft little thing, want to keep traveling with us?”
As soon as the mockingly affectionate question was thrown out, Malrang’s cheek, which had been busy chewing, suddenly stopped. Though Erdian hadn’t directly called their name, it was clear the nickname was meant to poke at their complex.
‘Seriously, Lord Erdian… not while eating….’
Woohyun cautiously glanced at Malrang’s face. If they started crying, the entire inn might be filled with their wails.
But instead of tears, Malrang’s eyes sparkled. After swallowing the potato in their mouth, they answered.
“…Yes.”
Even though they were clearly nervous, the little dragon still expressed what they wanted. Woohyun, meanwhile, put down his water bottle, observing Erdian’s expression.
It seemed he had grown attached to the hatchling after spending just one night with them.
“Can’t I keep traveling with this hyung? I’ll be good, keep my promises, and eat everything. I’m also really good at hunting.”
Though the child barely reached his waist, Woohyun figured it made sense, considering they were a dragon.
Malrang’s gaze shifted toward him, waiting for his response, which would likely determine whether they would stay.
‘What should I do?’
Since the child had a home to return to, they could go back to their family when they grew tired of traveling.
Children were fickle, so the journey might not last long. Still, Woohyun hesitated, unsure about taking on the responsibility.
“We can afford to feed the little one. They don’t eat much anyway,” Erdian remarked nonchalantly, as if indirectly giving permission.
Woohyun had been worried about Erdian’s disapproval, but now something seemed to have changed.
“If you don’t want me to, it’s fine.”
Malrang pulled back, sensing Woohyun’s hesitation. Clinging to someone who didn’t want them wasn’t what a great dragon would do.
Even their friendly term for him subtly changed, which made Woohyun feel guilty.
“It’s not that. But sometimes we might have to sleep in a carriage. You’re not prone to motion sickness, are you?”
“I can sleep anywhere. Also, hyung, come closer for a second.”
It seemed like Malrang had another secret to share. Woohyun leaned in, and Malrang whispered.
“I’m a great dragon who can fly, so I won’t get sick in a carriage.”
Every time Malrang mentioned being a dragon, it was clear they took great pride in it. Woohyun couldn’t help but laugh at the small breath of whispers in his ear.
It was a moment when I couldn’t help but understand once again why this child’s parents had given them the name Malrang.
For the first time since the journey began, I could smile without any worries. Seo Woohyun held the child’s hand tightly. The warmth from our joined hands was comforting.
In the carriage leaving the carriage house, I could hear the gentle breathing of the child. The hatchling Malrang was lying comfortably on Seo Woohyun’s lap, resting its chin on his thigh.
I had asked the group if it was alright for the child to accompany us for a while, and the generous companions had willingly agreed to Malrang’s inclusion.
They would have agreed even if the child was ordinary, but Malrang was a rare sight as a hatchling.
Moreover, Erdian had given his approval, so who could oppose the saint’s opinion?
“Didn’t you turn into a human during the day?”
Seo Woohyun slowly patted the warm child’s head as he asked.
“Actually, I can’t transform for long… Since it’s just big brother and that person in the carriage, it’s okay if I don’t change.”
“That’s true.”
Malrang seemed to live very rationally and efficiently. Impressed by the child’s concise answer, Seo Woohyun’s hand came to a sudden stop.
‘What if someone suddenly opens the carriage door?’
I briefly thought about that but then realized that such an event was unlikely.
The guards traveling with us wouldn’t do such a thing, and they wouldn’t allow anyone to do so either.
“It’s better to call you Francis rather than Malrang, right?”
“If the name is long, you can just call me Flang.”
The hatchling Malrang flicked its tail. It seemed pleased, as the purring sound grew louder.
‘Honestly, I don’t really see the difference between Flang and Malrang, but since Flang seems to make you happy enough to wag your tail, it’s only right to call you Flang.’
Seo Woohyun deliberately ignored the man lying opposite him. Although he had allowed Malrang to join us, he didn’t seem very welcoming.
‘If he’s going to be this indifferent, he should have just said no….’
I couldn’t figure out what he was thinking. Even if I asked, I wouldn’t get a proper answer, so I didn’t feel like asking.
“Flang, I should be called Ciel in front of others. It’s a pseudonym. My real name is Seo Woohyun, but as you know, I’m traveling while hiding the fact that I’m a saint.”
“Hmmm, Ciel is a very nice name. I’ll call you Ciel from now on. Don’t worry. I have a very good memory.”
Despite clearly sensing that Flang was being quite self-important, it was only endearing. It was amusing how even though Flang wasn’t a puppy, its feelings were so transparently displayed through its tail.
“You’re the first to call me cute, Ciel hyung.”
Being called by a pseudonym instead of the usual saint or Seo Woohyun made my fingertips tingle. It was hard to tell if it was embarrassment or awkwardness.
Maybe it was a bit of both.
“…Even though you’ve run away so many times and must have met many people, I’m the first?”
“It’s not running away, it’s going out, hyung.”
Malrang raised its head and corrected the words.
Yesterday, it had cried, asking what it should do if it was abandoned by its family, but now it says it’s not running away but just going out.
It was a relief to see it so spirited and its clear demeanor was endearing.
Seo Woohyun smiled softly, nodding and exchanging glances, when a sound of clicking the tongue came from across the room.
“How dare that cheeky one glare at someone with such eyes?”
Erdian’s gaze was sharp.
Although Seo Woohyun had initially tolerated its presence outside the shrine, it did not appreciate the excessive clinginess.
In terms of craftiness, it was remarkably so, not only taking up space on the thigh but also frequently glancing towards Erdian, showing off how it was adored by Seo Woohyun. It was quite exasperating.
“Hyung, it seems like Lord Erdian really dislikes me… I wasn’t glaring at him, though.”
Malrang’s sky-blue front paw, resting on Seo Woohyun’s thigh, twitched. Every time Malrang touched, Seo Woohyun’s smile grew deeper, as the claws were hidden away.
“Oh, it’s not that he dislikes you. Why would he invite you along if he disliked you?”
“Uh, hyung, did you just call me Malrang?”
“I called you correctly, didn’t I? My words are right, aren’t they, Lord Erdian?”
Seo Woohyun glanced subtly at Erdian.
It was the most enjoyable Seo Woohyun had looked since the journey began. He sighed deeply.
No matter how he thought about it, it wasn’t right to tolerate that cunning one in the lounge yesterday, or in the inn’s dining area today.
“See, hyung. Lord Erdian isn’t answering either. You were going to call me Malrang, right? Am I right?”
“Hey, you, the soft one.”
Erdian subtly addressed the annoying hatchling clinging to Seo Woohyun.
Malrang flinched and looked around Erdian’s chest, seeming not to have the courage to face him directly.
“Are you going to call me that even outside? I guess all the talk about having a good memory was a lie?”
Malrang’s eyes widened. Then it shook its head rapidly and mumbled.
“It’s not a lie. I called you that because I wasn’t told what to call you…”
As tears began to well up in its large eyes, Erdian finally relented and said curtly.
“Call me Lord Erdian. Understand, little mouse?”
“…Yes.”
Malrang sniffled in response and rubbed its face against Seo Woohyun’s thigh.
Before burying its fist-sized face, Erdian briefly saw the hatchling’s tongue stick out.
It was a sharp intuition that they had brought a very audacious one into the carriage.
* * *
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