"Wait… is that a train?" Orion asked, pointing at the painting.
Lilian blinked, confused by his reaction. "Yeah. Why?"
Could this just be a coincidence… or—
Orion stopped himself.
"Nothing," he said casually. "It's just that where I'm from, trains look a bit different."
"Ohhh. Are you from Sandonia?" she asked, her eyes lighting up.
"Well… maybe," Orion replied with a faint smile. "It's a secret, remember?"
"Oh, come on," Lilian sulked. "That country is so secretive about its culture. I'm really curious." She pouted.
So cute, Orion thought.
"By the way," he quickly changed the subject, "what kind of business do you have with the baron?"
Lilian hesitated before answering. "I guess it's not that big of a secret. The bandits we encountered earlier belong to a group called Ironclaw. They've been terrorizing this region for years."
She continued calmly, "The baron here claimed that he had wiped them out completely. That's why I chose that road. In short… I'm here to complain."
"Ohhh, I see," Orion nodded.
But Lilian suddenly narrowed her eyes at him.
"Wait. If you're from Sandonia, how did you even come across that route? That path shouldn't be on the way if you were traveling to Mecadobia."
Orion reacted instantly. "I've been traveling all around the world. So I somehow came across that place," he shrugged.
The excuse was flimsy—Lilian caught it immediately—but seeing that pestering him further would only irritate him, she chose not to press the matter.
I'll investigate him later, she decided.
A few minutes later, a middle-aged man entered the room. He was short, bald, and sported an oversized mustache. Judging by his luxurious attire, Orion guessed he was the baron.
"Welcome to my humble abode, Lady Lilian," the man said, bowing deeply.
Lilian rose and returned the bow.
Orion stayed seated.
Every servant in the room turned toward him with sharp glares.
What did I do? Orion wondered, confused.
"Forgive my friend, Lord Riverclaw," Lilian said smoothly. "He is from a foreign land and unfamiliar with our customs."
She then turned to him, her voice low. "Hurry and bow."
Orion stood up—but suddenly stopped.
What am I doing?
Why the hell am I bowing to this short, pathetic human… when I'm clearly the superior one?
He should bow to me.
The thought surged through him, filling his chest with overwhelming pride.
He didn't understand where this sudden ego and pride came from. Then he remembered—he wasn't human anymore. He was a dragon, and dragons were creatures of great pride.
He didn't want to cause trouble, but no matter what he did, he couldn't bring himself to bow to this puny-looking human.
Seeing him frozen, Lilian frowned. "What's wrong? Why aren't you bowing?"
"I must apologize, Lord Riverclaw," Orion said firmly, "but in my culture, bowing is considered a sign of weakness. I cannot do so."
The baron's face darkened.
"May I ask where you are from?"
"I'm afraid I can't disclose that either."
The baron was now furious. He had never been disrespected like this—especially not by a boy.
Lilian intervened immediately. "Please forgive him, my lord. I would have punished him myself, but… he saved my life from the bandits you claimed were already dealt with."She spoke the last words with unmistakable authority.
It was a dangerous move.
The baron froze.
"What are you implying, Lady Lilian?" he asked carefully.
"When I was traveling from Andoria," she said coldly, "along the road near the Primordial Jungle, those same bandits attacked us. In the process, I lost my carriage driver—someone who served my family for over twelve years."
The baron's eyes sharpened.
"Lady Lilian, you must be mistaken—" the baron began.
Her aura exploded outward.
"Are you suggesting," she said slowly, "that my eyes—blessed by the Goddess—are wrong?"
Even Orion broke into a sweat.
Dammmn…
"P-Please calm down, Lady Lilian," the baron stammered. "I will look into this immediately. RONALD!"
The butler rushed in. "Yes, Master?"
"Lady Lilian claims the Ironclaw bandits are still active near the Primordial Jungle," the baron said sharply. "Didn't I order you to wipe them out completely?"
"The Hunter's Guild handled that area," Ronald replied cautiously. "As you know, Lady Lilian, that place is extremely dangerous for anyone to stay in. Perhaps they didn't investigate thoroughly."
Lilian sighed. "I understand. Still, I expect better results, Lord Riverclaw. I will report this matter to His Majesty."
The baron lowered his head. "I understand."
After further negotiations and after giving the carriage driver a proper burial, they resumed their journey. When Orion asked Lilian if they shouldn't give him a burial at his home, he learned that the driver had no family. Apparently, because he was gay, her father had chosen him to be her carriage man.
Max and Axl, who had been in the stable all this time, looked utterly bored, both lying on his shoulders as if they were dead.
"Do you think he'll actually deal with the bandits?" Orion asked as they rode.
"Who knows?" Lilian shrugged. "People rarely use that road anyway."
"Why?" Orion asked.
She gave him a look—as if he'd just asked something incredibly stupid.
"It's near the Primordial Jungle," she said flatly, assuming that alone would explain everything—after all, everyone in this world knew about that jungle.
Orion wisely chose not to ask any more questions; he didn't want to seem even more foolish.
Soon, they arrived at what looked like an old train station. The moment a steam-powered train rolled in, it became obvious.
Whoa…
I never thought I'd see something like this in real life.
To Orion, it looked far better than modern trains.
This is how trains should look.
At the counter, the receptionist immediately recognized Lilian.
"Two VIP lounges," Lilian said to the receptionist.
"Right away, Lady Lilian."
Orion was impressed.
Damn… she's really sexy when she's all bossy.
Workers took care of the horses in the cargo, and the two retired to their lounges.
A while later, Lilian came to check on Orion.
She stopped dead.
Orion was sitting there, casually munching on something.
"What are you doing?" she asked sharply.
He turned around, startled.
She stared at him in horror.
"Is that… a magic stone?" she whispered. "You ate it?"
Then her concern shifted into suspicion.
"How are you still alive? You should be dead."
Oh… you're not supposed to eat these? Orion realized.
Shit.
He had been caught red-handed.
Think. Think. THINK.
Then—
A light bulb went off in his head.