"Bro?" Philo watched Alte pretending to order more food and couldn't help but ask, "Can you even finish all this?"

"It's fine. You know I skipped lunch today, so I'm kinda hungry."

Alte kept quiet about hiring Favna.

With all those rowdy Dragon Knights around, explaining would've been a hassle.

Besides, Favna rarely left her room, and her shifts at the Dragon Knights Order lasted only two hours a day—chances were slim anyone would spot her.

"Really?"

"Really."

Under Philo's skeptical gaze, Alte grabbed the food and left the cafeteria.

After he was gone, Philo muttered, "Two servings of food is one thing... but why two sets of bowls and chopsticks?"

Her voice was too low. The noisy Dragon Knights nearby didn't catch it, so no fuss followed.

Meanwhile, Alte carried two servings into his office.

Seeing Favna still tidying up, he said, "Eat first. You've got plenty of time later."

"Ah... thank you."

Favna had assumed she'd need to find a restaurant alone. She hadn't expected Alte to bring her meal too.

She took the tray, pulled a stool to a quiet corner by the wall, set the food beside her, and ate quietly.

"There's a stool right here," Alte said, noticing her crouched in the corner. "Why sit all the way over there?"

"Well..."

Favna hesitated, glancing at him. After a pause, she moved to the stool—but kept a careful distance from the table, balancing the bowl on her lap.

Alte frowned slightly. Not anger. Just growing curiosity: why was she so timid?

But now wasn't the time to ask. Eat first.

After the meal, Favna's bowl was spotless—clean as her face.

"By the way," Alte said, full and relaxed, "Can you cook? If yes, I'll get those idle Dragon Knights to set up a kitchen."

Favna shook her head.

She handled chores and cleaning fine, but cooking? Never tried.

In her past life, no chance. As a dragon in this one, no need. Even after joining human society, her tiny rented room had no kitchen.

"I see..." Alte chuckled lightly. "These days, cooking skills are a bonus for girls. Wanna give it a shot?"

"I... I'm not looking for a boyfriend," Favna replied meekly.

Too many reasons. Biggest one? The vast lifespan gap between humans and dragons. Add psychological weight—romance held zero appeal for her.

"Guess we're alike then." Alte tossed her a soda can from the fridge. "I'm not either."

Favna blinked, puzzled.

Alte's plain clothes made him seem ordinary. But his features were solid—just a little grooming, and he'd stand out. With his status? Girls would line up.

Seeing her thoughtful silence, Alte shrugged. "Honestly, living solo's comfortable enough. Why complicate things?"

He caught himself. "Ah—not that *you're* trouble, Favna."

"I know."

Favna agreed. *You can't read a heart from a face.* Trusting someone was a gamble.

Romance = gamble.

That was her truth.

"Seems we're on the same page," Alte said.

He almost set the empty can on the desk—then remembered Favna's hard work all day. He walked it to the trash instead.

After washing both trays, Favna said, "I'll finish the storage room so you don't have to sleep here tonight..."

"No need. It's late. Head home. Want me to walk you?"

Favna shook her head quickly.

*No way anyone sees that messy dragon's den of mine.*

"I'll manage... I'm heading out now?" she asked tentatively.

Alte just nodded—no hesitation, no pushback.

Relief washed over her. A whole day here, zero weirdness. He really was trustworthy.

"Take care on your way," Alte waved as Favna in her black robe slipped out.

Not long after, red-haired Philo stepped into the office.

She froze. Glanced outside. Checked the doorplate. *Did I walk into the wrong room?*

"This *is* your office? Since when's it this clean?"

"I hired help. Problem?" Alte sighed.

"No wonder you took two servings," Philo said lightly. She'd hired cleaners for his pigsty-office before.

But she wasn't here to chat.

"Bro, we found the mastermind behind the Tras Merchant Guild."

"Who?"

Alte sat up straight, expression sharpening.

"The Abyssal Demonkin."

No surprise—but his face darkened. *Slave trading's wildly profitable. What do they need that much gold for?*

Philo continued, "They're operating in Naro City's eastern suburbs. Exact spot? Intelligence Bureau couldn't pin it. But recent missing girls and children... all linked to them."

"Eastern suburbs?"

Alte skimmed Favna's file. *She lives there.* A knot tightened in his chest.

"Sis, I'm heading out."

"This late?"

"Exactly *because* it's this late."