I rested comfortably after satisfying myself with the meal I had cooked. However, my peace was soon disturbed when I sensed movement, the man I had saved in the cave’s ir was attempting to escape. Carefully and silently, he moved, clearly making an effort not to wake me. But I was well aware of his actions.

  Deciding to put an end to his futile attempt, I confronted him, threatening to kill him if he dared to leave my dwelling. Faced with my warning, he had no choice but to obey.

  Curious, I asked him how he had ended up captured by the ants. He began recounting his story, introducing himself and his race. He expined that the disturbance in the Great Forest had armed the elven elders, as powerful creatures had been sighted dangerously close to their home. In response, the elders assembled a group of their strongest warriors to investigate and uncover the cause. However, while resting during their mission, they were ambushed by the ants, overwhelmed, and taken to the insects’ ir as prisoners.

  “That is what happened, Lord Dragon,” he concluded.

  “Hmm… I see,” I responded, contempting the information he had shared.

  Forest elves were the first human-like beings I had ever encountered as a dragon. Their appearance took me by surprise, pointed ears, tanned skin, and tight leather clothing. Their ash-gray hair further intrigued me, stirring my curiosity about their kind. However, I chose to set my questions aside for now. Solving our current situation took priority. Their reason for venturing into the forest was to uncover the cause behind the unusual movements of its inhabitants, why powerful monsters had begun straying from their usual territories.

  "I still don’t even know how it managed to save me," he muttered under his breath.

  I heard him clearly, of course. My sharp hearing let nothing slip past me.

  “So, in your opinion, the ants are the ones responsible for the disturbance in this forest?” I asked.

  “Y-yes, Lord Dragon,” he stammered in response.

  In truth, I had a strong suspicion that I was the true cause of the monsters’ dispcement. My overwhelming presence might have driven them away from their usual hunting grounds, forcing them to seek refuge elsewhere. But now that I knew other intelligent beings lived in this forest, I needed to be more cautious. I couldn’t afford to attract suspicion or risk being hunted.

  With that in mind, I pced the bme squarely on the ants. It was the simplest solution. Besides, having saved one of their victims, I now had a convenient excuse to avoid any accusations.

  "That's good," I sneered unconsciously.

  "Yes…" the elf responded.

  I steadied myself as I realized my thoughts had slipped out. Faul, the elf, might have misunderstood my musings, interpreting them as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.

  "Since you've regained some of your composure, can you tell me what that being is?" I asked, pointing at the unconscious leaf-like woman lying on the ground.

  "I believe that's a tree nymph, Lord Dragon," he replied uncertainly.

  "A tree nymph? What exactly are they?" I inquired, intrigued.

  "I'm not very familiar with them, Lord Dragon. This is actually my first time seeing one. I've only heard of them in the tales passed down by my ancestors."

  "Tell me what you know," I commanded.

  "Understood. According to my ancestors, tree nymphs inhabit forested areas and are protected by a powerful being."

  "A powerful being?" I echoed.

  "Yes… I'm not sure what kind of entity it is, but my ancestors warned that if you ever encounter a tree nymph, you must not provoke or harm them. Otherwise, you will incur the wrath of Mother Nature."

  "So, you're saying they're under the protection of nature itself?"

  "Yes, Lord Dragon," he affirmed.

  "Is that all you know?" I pressed.

  "Yes, that's the extent of my knowledge," he admitted.

  I took a moment to reflect on his words. If these tree nymphs were truly under Mother Nature’s protection, then helping this one could earn me her favor. However, one question lingered in my mind.

  "If they're safeguarded by Mother Nature, then why did she end up in the ants’ nest?" I asked.

  "That… I don't know, Lord Dragon," he murmured hesitantly, lowering his voice as if afraid I might scold him for not having the answer.

  But I wasn't that kind of person. I saw no reason to reprimand him, though I refrained from offering reassurance, I couldn't afford to show them my softer side.

  "Is there a way to treat her? If we leave her like this, she might die," I asked.

  "I don’t know how to treat her, Lord Dragon. In my vilge, we have a Verdant Healer who cures our ailments, but I don’t think they could help a tree nymph," he admitted.

  "Why?" I pressed.

  "Because… our bodies are different, and…" He hesitated, as if unsure whether to continue.

  "Speak," I commanded firmly.

  "Y-yes… I think she might already be dead?" he said cautiously.

  "No, I can still sense her faint presence. She's breathing, however weakly. Right now, she’s barely clinging to life—we must act quickly before she stops breathing entirely," I stated coldly.

  "I-I'm sorry, Lord Dragon… You're right. Oh! That reminds me, my ancestors once saw them near a river…"

  "A river?" I prompted him to eborate.

  "Yes, they were often spotted near kes. So maybe… water is the key to healing them?" he suggested uncertainly.

  "And how did you arrive at that conclusion?" I asked, seeking confirmation.

  "From my observations, Lord Dragon. Her skin is dry and cracking like tree bark, and her vine-like hair appears withered. It seems logical that she requires water, just as pnts and trees do to survive," he expined.

  "I see. You have sharp eyes, Faul," I said, impressed by his reasoning.

  "T-thank you, Lord Dragon," he stammered, clearly startled by the unexpected praise and the fact that I had addressed him by name.

  "If your deduction proves correct, I might consider taking you as my servant," I added casually.

  "Eh…" He looked utterly stunned, as if his entire world had just been upended.

  "Carry her carefully. There's a river nearby," I ordered, paying no mind to his reaction.

  "And if she dies, you die too," I added with a smirk.

  Startled, Faul sprang into action, lifting the tree nymph with utmost care, as though she were made of delicate gss that could shatter at the slightest touch, much like how he seemed to perceive his own life.