RHFTY chapter 67

* * *

Once inside the entrance, the dragons reverted back to their humanoid forms.

For a moment, Chaeyi worried their clothes might have turned to tatters, but it was an unnecessary concern.

As they transformed back, their outfits swiftly restored themselves, with even the torn parts mending automatically.

Clothes that can repair themselves?

It was quite a marvel.

When Chaeyi asked about it, Silviet explained as they walked down a passageway deeper into the lair.

“It’s because these are special uniforms made for dragons using the vitality extracted from the roots of the World Tree.”

“Special uniforms for dragons?”

“Yes. Nowadays, dragons spend a lot more time polymorphed into human forms than in the past. But every time we change forms, our size shifts dramatically, which can be problematic. So, we asked the Dwarves to make durable clothes that could last. These outfits were specially crafted for that purpose.”

“I see. That’s incredible.”

Clothing with self-healing properties—it was certainly an impressive technology.

If utilized well, it could greatly benefit human society too.

‘The roots of the World Tree, huh.’

As a commoner, Chaeyi had never had access to such advanced knowledge.

It made him realize just how vast and developed this world truly was.

“Oh, we’re here!”

Silviet suddenly looked up and pointed ahead.

Lemuel and Ramud, who had been leading the way, had reached the end of the passage and were opening the single door there.

Chaeyi and the others followed them inside.

“Wow!”

Enoch exclaimed in amazement, and Chaeyi couldn’t help but feel equally wide-eyed.

The single, modest door had given the impression that the room beyond would be small, but that assumption was completely wrong.

They entered a massive lobby that appeared to be a living room, flanked by staircases on both sides, with several doorways leading to what seemed like separate chambers.

The atmosphere felt like being inside a bright, luxurious cave, making it seem almost like an upscale, exotic hotel.

While Chaeyi eagerly took in the sights, Lemuel and Ramud stepped away briefly to prepare refreshments, and Silviet led the group to sit on the living room sofa.

“Mom and Dad are bringing some snacks and drinks, so just relax and take it easy.”

“Thanks.”

Chaeyi’s expression softened in gratitude, and Silviet giggled before sitting across from him.

Soon, Leonard and Enoch took their seats beside Chaeyi, and Silviet, as if eager to get to the point, broke the silence first.

“So, what’s the favor you wanted to ask?”

Chaeyi was startled.

He hadn’t even mentioned that they were here to request something, yet Silviet already knew.

He chuckled lightly and leaned back against the sofa.

“I overheard when I came to meet you.”

“…You heard that?”

Chaeyi recalled mentioning the favor when trying to speak with the red dragon earlier.

He looked back at Silviet, surprised, and he nodded in confirmation.

The hearing of dragons truly defied common sense.

‘…So Ramud must have heard all the remarks about his temper too.’

But there was no need to worry about that now; it wasn’t relevant to the current situation.

“The lifespan of the World Tree root in the Dwarven territory has reached its halfway point sooner than expected.”

Seeing an opportunity, Leonard started explaining the situation on Chaeyi’s behalf.

Silviet glanced back at Leonard, signaling him to continue.

“That’s why the Elves are mobilizing, to manage the root’s aging process.”

“Well, that’s their duty, isn’t it?”

Silviet muttered indifferently.

Though she understood the Elves’ concerns, he didn’t seem overly interested in their actions.

“It’s always been like that, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, but this time, the issue isn’t just the aging. The vitality depletion is happening faster than anticipated, and the next generation of roots hasn’t emerged yet.”

“Oh.”

Silviet nodded, grasping the gravity of the situation.

“So, you want my help to negotiate with the Elves?”

Leonard nodded in affirmation.

Chaeyi, who had been quietly listening, glanced at Silviet as their conversation paused.

He was looking down, seemingly lost in thought, but soon lifted her gaze to meet his.

It seemed he had made up his mind.

“Alright. Since you’re not asking me to fight for no reason, I have no reason to refuse. But I have a favor to ask in return.”

Everyone turned to Silviet in surprise just as Ramud and Lemuel returned, placing the snacks and drinks on the table.

Silviet took a sip before resuming.

“Chaeyi has to grant it.”

“…What’s the favor?”

Sensing a bit of hesitation, Chaeyi asked.

Leonard shot a wary glance at Silviet, as if he had a bad feeling about it.

In response, Silviet flashed a mischievous grin.

“Give me all of Chaeyi’s time today.”

“Huh?”

“For today, I want you to focus entirely on me. In other words, stay here with me. I want to spend the entire day alone with you.”

A voice from beside them abruptly interrupted.

“No way.”

Leonard was stern and cold, a complete contrast to Silviet’s approach.

Silviet pouted before suddenly yelling out.

“Why not?! And why are you, Leonard, the one deciding? I was asking Chae!”

“Stop acting like a spoiled child.”

“The one throwing a tantrum here is you, Leonard.”

“You still haven’t grown up at all.”

“Chaeyi said I’ve grown a lot!”

To Chaeyi, they both seemed like children, though neither seemed aware of it.

Enoch, as a complete third party, found it difficult to intervene.

Meanwhile, Lemuel and Ramud, acting like a couple, simply munched on snacks and watched the situation unfold, offering no help.

In the end, Chaeyi stepped in.

He couldn’t understand why a simple request had turned into such a heated argument.

“Alright, Silviet. Just for today, okay? I’ll do it. And Leonard, don’t start a fight over this.”

With that, Chaeyi’s answer leaned slightly in Silviet’s favor, and the reactions were polar opposites.

Silviet cheered, yelling “Yes!” while Leonard now had to convince Chaeyi.

“Chaeyi, I don’t like this.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m jealous.”

It was an honest confession, so straightforward that Chaeyi’s heart skipped a beat, making his face flush.

He couldn’t meet Leonard’s gaze and looked around nervously.

“I-I thought it was something else… But it’s not like Silviet feels that way about me. It’s fine, don’t worry.”

Though it was whispered softly, the sharp-eared dragons heard it clearly.

Naturally, Silviet, who already suspected the relationship between Leonard and Chaeyi, squinted his eyes.

‘The last time I was around, it was just Leonard being one-sided. When did they end up like that?’

Silviet felt a pang of jealousy, but it was different from Leonard’s.

He thought of Chaeyi more like family or a sibling.

‘I can’t believe someone like him gets to have Chaeyi!’

Though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was about Leonard that bothered him, he still found it unsettling.

So even after realizing their relationship, Silviet decided to act oblivious and continue teasing them a bit.

“Chaeyi, come to my room with me.”

Silviet stood up, urging Chaeyi, who was still being held by Leonard.

Leonard’s sharp glare was a silent warning, but Silviet brushed it off without a care.

“Silviet, where are we having dinner?”

“We’ll eat together in the dining room.”

“Alright, see you at dinner then.”

Chaeyi gently patted Leonard’s hand, which was still holding onto his, and stood up.

It seemed like Chaeyi had already made up his mind, so Leonard had no choice but to let him go.

“We’ll prepare a room for you two as well. Please rest comfortably here tonight.”

After Chaeyi followed Silviet upstairs to his room, Ramud and Lemuel also rose and led Leonard and Enoch to their rooms.

Once they arrived at Silviet’s room, Chaeyi admired how neat and tidy it was.

“You’re good at keeping things organized.”

“I’d get scolded by my mom if I didn’t.”

“Good habit. Do you usually stay in this form at home?”

“Yeah! My true form is too big to move around easily, so I had the bed made to fit this size.”

Chaeyi realized why the bed seemed too small for a dragon.

While he was sitting on the soft bed, enjoying the comfort, Silviet pulled the curtains closed and spun around with a grin.

Catching Chaeyi’s eye, he suddenly jumped into his arms, excited.

“It’s really you, Chaeyi!”

“Of course it is. Who else would it be?”

The sight was so childlike that Chaeyi couldn’t help but chuckle.

He gently ruffled Silviet’s fluffy hair.

Just then, Silviet suddenly lifted his head, his expression turning serious, and spoke in a lowered voice.

“I need to ask you something, Chaeyi.”

“What is it?”

“When did you and Leonard become… like that? You told me before you weren’t.”

* * *

*Summary page is only available for login users. Non-users can view the chapters on the chapter list.*