Finally, the two girls arrived at the meeting spot for Alte.

After Liko calmed the nervous girl beside her, she checked the time and said,

"Favna, I’ll wash my hands quickly. Wait here a moment."

"Um…"

Hearing Liko was about to leave, Favna desperately wanted to stop her—but fear choked her words. She could only watch helplessly as Liko vanished into the crowd.

*What do I do now?*

Liko’s sudden absence made Favna seriously consider standing Alte up.

After agonizing silently, she whispered to herself,

"Liko won’t be long… She won’t be long…"

But before Liko returned, a casually dressed Dragon Knight Captain appeared—Alte himself, looking, in her eyes, utterly mischievous.

Noticing Favna’s anxious muttering, Alte smiled gently.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Favna."

"Eep!"

Startled, Favna flinched. She glanced at him once, then quickly turned her head away, avoiding his gaze, and stammered,

"N-no, not long at all."

*Please hurry back, Liko!*

Unbeknownst to her, that shameless cat Liko had zero intention of returning to be a third wheel. She’d already snagged a cozy spot to enjoy the show.

Alte watched Favna’s averted face, momentarily captivated.

He had to admit—this Dragonkin girl was genuinely beautiful. Adorably shy, too, as if perpetually wary of others.

"Miss Favna, you look lovely today. But it’s crowded here. How about a quieter place to talk?"

*Here it comes!*

*This mischievous captain really is up to no good!*

*Liko, you shameless cat—why aren’t you back?!*

*Help…*

"Miss Favna, you seem tense. Why don’t *you* pick the spot?"

Seeing her head bowed and silent, Alte offered kindly. They’d only just met; caution was natural.

*He’s letting me choose the duel location?!*

*This is straight out of those manga plots—knock me out and drag me off!*

Favna wanted to flee, but it was too late. She scrambled for a safe option.

Slapping her thigh, she declared,

"Right here is perfect!"

"Ah?" Alte glanced at the bustling crowd. "Isn’t it too public?"

"No problem at all. Come on~ Draw your weapon."

As a great dragon descendant, Favna cast spells barehanded—she carried no weapon.

"Draw my weapon? Very well."

Alte, here only to apologize, felt puzzled but produced his Enchanted Short Spear.

"And then?"

"Weren’t *you* the one who challenged me?" Favna blinked, confused. "Go on. Fight."

Alte let out a wry chuckle.

"I came to apologize. Since when was this a fight?"

"Ah?!"

Favna’s face flushed crimson. She finally understood his text. *Dig a hole and vanish!*

"Sorry! My mistake!"

She bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.

Alte gently lifted her up.

"*I’m* the one who should apologize. It was a total misunderstanding. If I’d known it was you, I never would’ve… ahem! To make amends—strawberry milk? My treat."

"Strawberry milk is fine. Here’s the coin—"

"No need."

He declined her gold and left.

Favna sighed in relief.

Just as she turned to slip away, she spotted the Enchanted Short Spear beside her—Alte’s weapon.

She picked it up. The shaft, barely 1.3 meters long, was etched with intricate magical arrays. Clearly priceless.

*No time to admire it—run!*

As she moved to set it down, white light erupted from the spear.

"Help… save me…"

A dragon soul—sealed within—had sensed kin.

"Ah… okay."

As a Silver Dragon, Favna channeled a trace of magic.

Empowered, the soul strained against its bonds. Cracks spiderwebbed along the arrays. In under three seconds, the spear shattered into scrap.

The freed soul turned to her.

"Thank you, child…"

Then vanished.

"Eh?"

Favna stared at the metal fragments, dumbfounded.

*Never mind the good deed—this was the Dragon Knight Captain’s weapon!*

*Mental image: Dragon Knights Order burning me at the stake.*

Her first instinct: flee. Her conscience: stay.

*Even selling myself wouldn’t cover this…*

"I’m back. Your strawberry milk, Favna."

"Eep!" She spun around. "I-I’m so sorry! The Enchanted Short Spear… I accidentally broke it!"

She chose honesty, hoping for mercy.

"Ah?" Alte eyed the wreckage. "How?"

"I just touched it… and it crumbled."

*How do I explain I freed a dragon soul?!*

Seeing his shadowed expression, she panicked.

"I’ll pay! Please don’t involve the authorities!"

She had savings hidden deep in her mountain lair. *Enough to avoid selling myself… right?*

Recalling her online snark toward him—and her current flustered state—Alte felt a teasing urge.

"This spear cost 120,000 gold coins. Quite steep. Miss Favna… your family isn’t wealthy, is it? Maybe just forget it?"

*120,000?! My heart’s bleeding!*

But relief flickered—her secret stash *should* cover it.

She almost agreed… then pride flared.

"Who says I can’t pay 120,000?"