A journey that temporarily belongs only to each of us

As shadows cast by the world, each person has a journey that is uniquely their own.

Li Yin’s rule for herself was simple: never pry into another’s scars. She preferred to be the silent wind, or a quiet traveler passing by.

Facing Lian, who seemed weighed down by thought, Li Yin could feel his emotions but chose not to ask. After all, everyone harbors secrets in the depths of their hearts.

In the darkness, the glow of the ‘Little Sun’ painted Lian’s deep green scales with a touch of gold. He lowered his head, staring at the emerald gem on his chest.

For a moment, through that tiny jewel, he thought he saw his wife smiling back at him.

The two of them fell silent, as if the entire world had plunged into stillness.

Perhaps it was Lian’s mention of his wife that stirred something in Li Yin as well.

She missed Li Luo—the one who always clung to her side.

It hadn’t been that long… but why couldn’t she calm her heart?

‘Luoluo, where did you go? Why did you leave without telling me?’

An inexpressible gloom spread through Li Yin’s heart, like oppressive dark clouds covering the sky, making it hard to breathe.

Unlike Li Yin, Li Ya, dozing on her shoulder, was still at an innocent age. Unaware of her mother’s mood, she felt drowsy, crawled back into the front of Li Yin’s clothes, curled up, and fell asleep.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of rustling footsteps approached. Two dim figures emerged from the distance: the Lizardman Shaman had brought their tribe’s chief.

From the start, Savi’s gaze had been fixed on Li Yin, who stood in the light.

‘This girl, who looks no different from a human—is she really a dragon?’

It was unexpected. Savi had already doubted the Lizardman Shaman’s words when he heard them, but the reality made him even more skeptical.

A dragon, yet so petite? Even if she stood up, she probably wouldn’t reach his waist.

Suspicious, Savi glanced at the Lizardman Shaman, his eyes asking, ‘Are you serious?’

Seeing the shaman nod, he exhaled and walked straight toward Li Yin.

Sensing the movement, Lian looked up. The moment he saw Savi, he immediately stood.

“Chief, why are you here?” Lian asked, surprise evident in his voice, but just woken from sorrow, it sounded weak.

“Nothing, just came to take a look.” As he spoke, Savi arrived in front of Li Yin. His burly figure stood like a fortress, towering over her. His expression was stern.

Their eyes met. Li Yin temporarily set aside her longing. Just as she wondered what he wanted, Savi suddenly bowed.

“Please forgive me for not hosting you properly right away,” he apologized, a hint of guilt in his tone, afraid she might misunderstand his intentions. “I am Savi. May I ask your name?”

“Li Yin.” She slowly rose, brushing off some dirt from her skirt.

“Hmm… Lady Li Yin seems rather free. Would you like to stay for a few days?”

‘…’ For a moment, Li Yin didn’t know what to say. She was indeed free, but was it really appropriate to say that outright? And she had just been feeling sad!

Not just Li Yin; even the Lizardman Shaman nearly face-palmed. He had to admit, their chief’s social skills were seriously lacking.

“No need.” Without much thought, Li Yin refused. She had come here just to avoid being discovered by Stein’s people.

As for staying here… She glanced at the surroundings and decided it was best not to.

“Are you sure you won’t reconsider?” Savi urged, unwilling to let her leave so easily.

Lately, the unruly and arrogant members of the Fang Tribe had been causing trouble every now and then. Their formidable strength made them bold and reckless, as if they intended to annex the Stone Tribe.

But what if a dragon stayed here? Then those Fang Tribe bastards would surely be wary and dare not act rashly.

If he could even find a way to make her take action, using the dragon’s might to bluff, the Fang Tribe would probably never dare to provoke them again.

After all, those fellows couldn’t withstand the fury of a dragon.

So Savi had to find a way to keep Li Yin here.

“Really, no need.” Frowning slightly, Li Yin felt he was plotting something.

“Really…?” Savi wouldn’t give up.

‘…’ Before their muscle-brained chief could annoy Li Yin further, the Lizardman Shaman quickly stepped in from behind.

“Lady Li Yin, if you’re not in a hurry, please stay. We’ll provide food and lodging, and your child clearly needs nourishment. We’ll even assign someone to attend to you, ensuring your comfort.”

“This Misty Swamp is always shrouded in fog—it’s easy to get lost. After you’ve stayed long enough, I’ll guide you out myself. How does that sound?” Rubbing his hands, the shaman’s every word sank into Li Yin’s mind.

Perhaps seeing that Li Yin hadn’t simply turned into a dragon and flown away, the shaman guessed she was the kind of dragon without wings.

If so, the ‘guide’ card was enough to make her stay.

After all, the deeper one went into the Misty Forest, the harder it was to find direction. Those unfamiliar with the path could wander for months without finding their way out.

He had to admit, the Lizardman Shaman was very thorough. His words even tempted Li Yin.

She had been worrying about food for Li Ya and how to leave this godforsaken place.

“Hmm… fine then, but you’ll need to prepare plenty of food.”

“No problem!” Savi excitedly ran behind Li Yin and pushed her forward. “Let’s go see the lodging first!”

“Hey! Stop pushing! I can walk by myself!”

‘…’ The three gradually disappeared into the distance, leaving only Lian standing there, utterly bewildered.

A strong wind swept away the thin clouds. Beneath the azure sky, a silver-haired girl in a white dress stood atop a mountain peak.

Her eyes glimmered with a faint golden light as she gazed toward the Misty Forest. A golden human-shaped silhouette deep within the forest caught her attention—it seemed to be pushed along.

‘Yinyin, take good care of our child…’ She pressed her lips into a slight smile, talking to herself, her loving eyes seeming to hold nothing else.

‘Once I finish all this, I’ll come back to be with you and the baby. Then I’ll make up for all the time I’ve missed, with interest.’

She continued watching until she was satisfied, then let out a breath.

If it weren’t for the fear that seeing her would make her unwilling to leave again, she would have rushed over right now and held her in her arms.

‘Well, time to go…’ she murmured. The golden light in her eyes faded. She extended her hand, and a golden ‘teapot’ materialized in her palm.

As she poured magic into the ‘Wisdom Spring,’ a stream of blue light, like water, flowed from the spout, slowly pointing the way ahead in the air.

Once she had the direction, she waved her hand and the Wisdom Spring dissolved into shimmering light, returning to her body.

Before finally leaving, she couldn’t help but glance back toward the Misty Swamp.

‘Be sure to wait for me.’ After saying this, she vanished, and a silver dragon spread its wings in the sky.