Without any way to contact Alte, getting this message to him was clearly no easy task.

Maybe she could hack into the Dragon Knights Order and have someone else pass it along.

But that was illegal!

If she did that, Alte would definitely settle the score with her sooner or later.

After much deliberation, Favna pulled out a brand-new black robe and wrapped herself tightly in it.

This might help hide her tracks.

Favna couldn’t promise it would work—but one way or another, she *had* to warn Alte about the high-yield Mana Crystal Bombs hidden in the casino.

Securing the robe, she hurried toward the underground casino in eastern Naro City.

Thanks to her dragon wings, she was confident she’d arrived faster than anyone else.

After all, ground travel could never beat flying, right?

Intel placed the casino inside a three-star Navia Hotel in Naro City’s east district.

From a nearby rooftop, Favna watched police officers and guards rushing toward the scene.

But judging by the numbers, not many had come.

Clearly, the bureau didn’t take a dozen slave traders seriously.

Only Favna knew the truth: three Fullmoon Tier Brutal Demons and a stash of Mana Crystal Bombs were waiting inside.

The underground casino had become a massive trap, lying in wait for its prey.

“They’re here…” Favna paced anxiously. “But how do I tell Alte? And *they* haven’t even arrived yet…”

Alte’s Dragon Knights Order was highly conspicuous—and having set out later, they were still en route.

Meanwhile, the police had already surrounded Navia Hotel, preparing for a forced assault.

Watching the clash on the verge of erupting, Favna hesitated, unsure how to step in.

Just then, a playful voice chimed behind her—followed by a light pat on her shoulder.

“Yo~ Miss Favna, you’re pretty quick, huh?”

Favna turned to see the white-haired catgirl, Thief Liko, smiling cheerfully.

“I thought after delivering the message, you wouldn’t bother showing up for the fun.”

“I just got new intel—the casino’s packed with Mana Crystal Bombs. I need to warn the Dragon Knight Captain, but I don’t know how to approach him… That’s what’s killing me.”

Liko’s eyes lit up. Even through the robe, she playfully poked Favna’s cheek while laughing.

“Worried the Dragon Knight Captain will catch you?”

“How could I *not* be?” Favna swatted her hand away with a sigh. “You know trading intel on the dark web is illegal…”

“True enough…” Liko withdrew her hand, musing, “But if you go meet Alte like this in a black robe? You’ll be exposed instantly.”

“…Right.”

Favna felt helpless. Alte had seen her in this robe before. Height, build—nothing would stay hidden.

That’s why she was so torn about stepping in.

But at her words, Liko’s eyes sparkled. She grabbed Favna’s shoulders.

“I’ve got a fix! Wait right here~”

Under Favna’s puzzled gaze, Liko pulled a chaotic pile of items from seemingly nowhere.

Only then did Favna notice the Spatial Ring on Liko’s ring finger.

*A Spatial Ring?* Such a rare item—where had this thief gotten it?

Before Favna could react, Liko surveyed the scattered makeup tools and nodded contentedly.

“Favna, come here…”

Liko approached with an eager, almost mischievous smile.

That spine-chilling look nearly brought tears to Favna’s eyes.

“Wait! Liko, what are you doing? Nooo!!”

Moments later, Liko packed her tools away, satisfied.

The timid, otaku-like girl before her was utterly transformed.

Liko held up a mirror.

Reflected was a delicate-faced girl with silver-white hair—two strands braided into rings atop the silvery cascade. Paired with an elegant gown, jewelry, and heels, Favna now looked every bit a noble lady.

(If you ignored the faintly disheveled, terrified aura clinging to her.)

Still—she truly looked like someone else.

“This outfit? I wouldn’t dare step outside, let alone face Alte!”

Favna shrank behind a rooftop storage box, peeking out with half her face hidden and eyes squeezed shut.

Liko sighed, shaking her head at the stunning girl too shy to show herself.

“Alright, I did my best.”

Then—Favna’s eyes widened.

“Wait! Miss Liko… couldn’t *you* just deliver the message?”

“Uh…” Liko’s expression turned awkward. She stared at Favna, deadpan. “If *you’re* caught by the Dragon Knight Captain? No big deal. But if *I’m* caught? Total disaster~”

She dabbed imaginary tears from her eyes with theatrical sorrow.

“Why?” Favna asked, baffled.

“If the Dragon Knights catch me,” Liko whimpered, voice trembling, “they’ll drag me to the royal bedchamber to be… *thoroughly* mistreated. Surely, Miss Favna… you wouldn’t be *that* cruel?”

“Ah…”

Seeing her pitiful act, Favna’s heart softened. As a dragon with conscience, kindness, and responsibility, she stepped out and whispered,

“Um… okay… I’ll go. I’ll go.”

Then, under Liko’s stunned gaze, Favna yanked the black robe back over herself.

“Hey! Why are you putting it back on?!”

“I can’t face anyone with *this* face…”