Ed didn't know where Xiaobai was. The leopard was free to run around, and no one cared about it. When Scott was still in Stonebug, he spent most of his time by Scott's side, even obediently like a real pet, but when Scott disappeared into the shadows, he became a wild leopard that did whatever he wanted.

It had helped Ed and the elves in Grivar, though Ed thought it was most likely for the leopards' sake. It followed him when he returned to Stonebutch from the forest, but it disappeared before he could go to Neo, and was never heard from again.

Ed didn't think anything would happen to him, and it never seemed to be too powerful, but no matter what kind of enemy faced it, he would have an indescribable fear of it, and he couldn't help but avoid it as much as possible.

If it's willing to take care of Nana...... Maybe it's a good fit. After all, this little dragon actually can't stop anyone, and the unknowable and uncontrollable danger for its sake is not cost-effective for anyone with a little brain.

“...... I'll look for it. He said.

Like a human toddler, the little dragon, which is still a little drunk after having had enough of playing, begins to get sleepy. It yawned with its mouth open, and the way its little paws curled up made Ed's heart soften, and suddenly he understood the urge of Tess to scream at the cute animal to take it home.

It's a pity that this little guy already has a name.

As Nana was huddled in Is's arms, the tall paladin, Quinn, strode out of the dimly lit corridor.

His steps were fast and firm, but the sound of landing was soft. The dwarves walking behind him were covered tightly by him, and when the fire fell on the dwarves' faces, Ed noticed that his face was a little heavy.

He nodded to Ed, his brow not furrowed. Ed realized guiltily that he had brought the dwarves here to help him find the three Black Rock dwarves who had disappeared into the forest, but had almost completely left him aside.

But Mock wasn't the one who needed to be taken care of and had everything arranged for him, and he had already gotten some news from Quinn before Ed could take care of it. It was very close to Grivar, and the clerics had been carefully observing everything around them, and the three Black Rock Dwarves who suddenly appeared at the edge of the forest were actually quite striking - even when they were most active, the Black Rock Dwarves would only enter Staple Butch and not approach elven territory.

"They did enter Grivar. As he flew into the dark forest in the night on the back of an ice dragon, the dwarf told Ed, "He was once stopped by an elven guard in the forest. There was no conflict between them, and it seemed that they were preparing to get permission before making a formal visit, and the priest of the water god who had secretly followed them left. But the next day, men sent by the Elven King appeared at the temple and asked them about the situation...... The three dwarves, as well as the elves that guarded them, were gone, leaving not even a trace behind. ”

Ed's heart sank uncontrollably—it didn't bode well.

He had to think through Sean's plan from the beginning. The old man didn't let him make a decision right away, and he did need more time to think...... But he felt more and more that there was not much time left for him to hesitate.

He was terrified, but the slightly cold scales in his palms gave him a little comfort. Nana shrunk into his arms, sleeping soundly, occasionally glaring at her legs and babbling twice, as if she had some good dream.

This little life...... It was never born to witness the destruction of this world.

.

The huge shadow of the ice dragon did not cause much commotion in the forest. The elves of Grivar had been ordered that the dragon was not their enemy, and that they must not attack it unless it attacked first.

Many pairs of eyes looked at the sky from the forest, looking at the cloud-like white shadows under the starlight. The dragon's scales, glowing with a hazy glow, glided leisurely across the inky blue night sky, dream-like beauty that was too real - if hostility and fear were to be put aside, the elves might appreciate the beauty of strength and grace more than any other race.

When the ice dragon landed in the clearing, Payne was already waiting in the glade of the woods. He looked a little tired, and he didn't try to hide it, and a smile on his lips condensed into surprise as he watched Ed jump off the dragon's back.

His gaze fell on the tiny dragon in Ed's arms, and he couldn't take his eyes off it for a moment.

Ed didn't have time to show off - Iss snatched Nana as soon as he turned back into human form.

The ice dragon actually hesitated for a long time before deciding to take the sleeping little guy with him. He instinctively didn't want too many people to know about its existence, and if he wanted to keep it safe, it might be best to hide it. But when he watched it unscrupulously in the territory of the god of water...... Stumbling around where a dragon should be disgusted by nature, without the slightest discomfort, and as if everyone took it for granted that he should be pampered in his palm, he suddenly realized that the dragon's memory was a blank slate.

It is a miracle of the old and a real rebirth. It doesn't have the resentment and unwillingness that it needs to carry and has accumulated for thousands of years, and it can have a different way of living...... And such a life should not start with imprisonment – even in the name of protection.

He hoped that it would never encounter the hostility it had to endure just because it was a dragon, and he hoped that even if he died, it would not feel as lonely as he was...... None of this can be done by "hiding it".

It was the most precious treasure he could not possess.

He held Nana in silence, not trying to distract from the elf's gaze, even if it tensed up involuntarily because it was against his instincts.

When the Elven King came to his senses, the dwarves had already walked up to him. He bowed his head deeply in apologies - for a brief moment he had indeed forgotten about this guest, who was in fact more important.

They actually met at last year's May Festival...... On that rainy night when Ed was called the Sage. But they barely talked.

He also knew why the dwarves couldn't wait even one night and were in a hurry to meet him. He had already thought of several ways to deal with it, but at this moment, he chose to be honest with this dwarven leader he didn't know, just as he chose to tell the truth to the priests of the water god when an accident happened, so as to find the truth as soon as possible, instead of hiding it as before.

"I know why you're here," he said, sparing the unnecessary pleasantries, "but what I can give you...... It's not good news. ”