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Chapter 36

"Peep?"

(Is that so? Why?)

"Caw-caw!!"

(They say the atmosphere is ominous for some reason! Even the owl grandmother who only comes out at night said the same—so it's definitely strange!)

As the crow spoke, a pigeon cut in.

"Coo-coo? Kururu…"

(From what I heard, they say it's all because of the Crown Prince, coo? That little Crown Prince turns into a monster every night and catches birds to eat, they say…)

At that, a magpie who had been quietly listening suddenly got angry.

"Kkaek-kkaek!"

(Hey, you! Talk some sense! The Crown Prince is a yellow dragon! If he's going to transform, he'd turn into a dragon, not a monster!)

Then the crow commented coolly.

"Caw, caw."

(That pigeon probably hasn't even been near the imperial capital, I'd say. Just filter it out, Elder.)

Aran shook her head.

The yellow dragon bloodline passed down through the imperial family had become so diluted that they could no longer transform into a dragon's true form.

So the Crown Prince wouldn't be able to turn into a dragon—or anything else, for that matter.

Still, it was clear that the atmosphere in the imperial capital was very bad.

That's why such absurd rumors were circulating.

The more she heard, the more anxious Aran became.

She needed to get to the imperial palace quickly and snuff out the embers of conflict.

Aran flapped her small wings and gave orders.

"Pipi? Pit."

(Winter is coming soon, so the geese and swallows will be migrating south, won't they? When you see them, tell them to stop by the imperial capital.)

"Caw-caw."

(The geese are too timid, so I doubt they'll go… but I'll definitely tell the swallows if I see them!)

The crow answered cheerfully, then was quiet for a moment before glancing at Aran and adding.

"Caw?"

(Elder, could you show us our baby just once? It's been a while.)

"Pit. Pi?"

(I've told you many times—seeing it won't do you any good. Haven't I said that again and again?)

"Caw."

(Still, Elder. It's just… like having a good dream—it makes you feel good. It's not like I really believe our baby is alive. I just want to see it.)

Aran had no choice but to approach the crow and rest her head on its shoulder.

Soon, a small baby crow appeared in their vision.

The crow's offspring from last year was happily eating red berries.

In reality, the chick had been killed by a wild animal a few months ago.

It was a crude illusion, not yet seamlessly rendered—the chick simply floated awkwardly in the air without a shadow.

Yet the crow smiled brightly within it.

"Caw-caw."

(Thank you, Elder. Our baby looks well.)

Aran slowly erased the illusion and lifted her head from the crow's shoulder.

Her ability was still weak, so she could only show illusions to others through physical contact.

"Pii."

(Don't get too used to illusions. They're not real.)

Though Aran spoke with concern, the crow only seemed happy.

"Caw! Cawk!"

(Of course, I understand well! Then I'll bring news again!)

Just as Aran was watching the crow's retreating back and swallowing a sigh—

"Young miss!"

Startled by someone calling her, she turned to find So-rim standing there.

How long had she been watching?

Thank goodness the Training Master couldn't understand beast-speech.

Aran, who had been perched on a high branch, fluttered down toward So-rim.

"Peep-peep."

(Training Master, when did you arrive?)

Whenever Aran spoke in beast-speech—which So-rim couldn't understand—she always spoke informally without any pretense.

So-rim, unaware of that fact, looked at the chick settling into her arms with eyes full of adoration and answered.

"The master is looking for you, young miss. I think it might be a letter from the Black Tortoise Palace."

---

Meanwhile, at the Black Tortoise Palace, Taeo had been sulking all day.

Because his father had refused his request to deliver his letter to Aran in person instead of sending it.

He could summon a six-eyed turtle at any time and go whenever he wanted. Even without ability training, he was already the most outstanding in the Black Tortoise Palace. There was nothing left to learn in the library.

Yet he couldn't go see Aran without permission.

When he'd told Aran that it didn't matter what form she took, Taeo had been sincere.

But after Aran obtained human form last year, he'd had a great revelation.

"…The beauty of the inner self is truly trivial."

Aran had transformed into a girl so cute that it was unimaginable in the cold north, where only pitch-black Black Tortoises and snake beastmen existed.

Eyes like black stones, lashes like piled snow. Plump cheeks, cherry-like lips.

Even her warm body heat, felt when holding her small, adorable hands—not a single thing was unpleasant.

As was his habit, Taeo recalled Aran as he held a teacup.

He tossed the tea into the air—it scattered slightly, then froze into ice before hitting the table.

Crunch!

The sound of ice shattering was unsatisfying.

Speed was the key to the ice ability, and his training had been progressing slowly.

Just then, a small knock came, and Hyeon Ui-cheon entered.

He looked down at the ice fragments scattered on the table and chuckled.

The broken ice shards hadn't melted at all, sparkling like crystals.

"You only come to visit your mother after being told to, yet you miss the Cheong family's youngest that much?"

Taeo didn't bother to answer his father.

He probably wasn't asking because he didn't know the answer either.

In front of his silent son, Ui-cheon opened his mouth with a resigned tone.

"I came to tell you that a decision you'll like was just made at the clan meeting."

Taeo asked reluctantly, his voice flat.

"…What is it?"

"I've decided to take you to next year's Divine Beast Festival."

"Divine Beast Festival?"

If it was the spring festival in the imperial capital, that was half a year away.

Only then did Ui-cheon smile at his son, who was finally showing interest.

"I heard the White Tiger Palace's only child finally obtained human form not long ago. Lord Baek must be itching to show him off. In the spring, you'll go with me and greet the other divine beast heirs."

Taeo had grown so fast that he already reached Ui-cheon's waist.

The White Tiger Palace's toddling youngest—or the Crown Prince—would hardly be a match. Among such middling youngest children, Taeo would surely stand out like a crane among chickens.

Just thinking about it made Ui-cheon's shoulders rise with pride.

Whether he knew of his father's expectations or not, Taeo asked what he was curious about first.

"Will the Blue Dragon Palace children also attend?"

Ui-cheon laughed, exasperated.

"I'll send a letter to Lord Cheong. Provided you don't cause any major trouble for the next half year."

At that, Taeo straightened his posture even more and lowered his eyes.

"When have I ever caused trouble?"

Ui-cheon had thought his son would suffer a fatal illness if he behaved well for even a single day.

The green eye that was always flickering with dissatisfaction was now serene, as if it had never been otherwise.

Ui-cheon frowned at his son's astounding denial.

"Surely you know the guards are always on edge, worried you might summon a six-eyed turtle and run off at any moment?"

"They're just doing their jobs."

Taeo answered shamelessly, then asked cautiously.

"But… the Cheong family's youngest… she'll attend too, won't she?"

He seemed curious whether the adopted youngest would also be allowed at the event.

Ui-cheon slowly nodded.

"Lord Cheong has more than enough room to bring his adopted daughter. Still, in case he hesitates, I'll send a letter in advance."

"Please do, Father."

For a treasured youngest son, he was remarkably brusque—showing no sign of the sweet "Father, Father" affection except when it suited him.

Ui-cheon wrinkled his nose deliberately to hide the smile that kept threatening to escape.

"So stop tormenting the spiritual creatures. In the entire history of the Black Tortoise Palace, no one has ever worked a six-eyed turtle as hard as you do."

"Obedience is its joy."

As Taeo answered matter-of-factly, his father's sharp glare made him quietly correct himself.

"…I'll be careful."

Ui-cheon rose from his seat, deeply satisfied.

"I'm curious about this child you hold so dear."

At that, a proud smile flickered at the corner of Taeo's mouth.

Ui-cheon shook his head at that expression.

The child who had climbed the stairs of Amcheon on his own, who had manifested the ice ability before his first birthday, who had recited every book in the library from memory—had always been composed and never knew how to boast.

"Cheong Aran. Her name is Cheong Aran, wasn't it…?"

He'd heard she was just an ordinary bird beastman—how adorable could she possibly be?

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