RED DRAGON CLAN CASTLE
Tia sat on one of the sofas, crossing her legs as she chatted warmly with Lilith, Cecilia, and Mika.
Just a few hours ago, they had been enemies, glaring at one another with cold hostility.
Aven blinked several times, both confused and feeling slightly forgotten. He let out a sigh "Tia… I still have a few questions…"
Tia, who had been laughing with the others, glanced at him briefly.
"Oh right. I almost forgot about you."
Lilith giggled softly "Forgive us, Aven~"
Tia crossed her arms "So, let's continue our earlier conversation. I've already told you everything I know about what's happening inside Eidolan. So now… what kind of help do you want?"
"Please keep giving me information whenever you enter Eidolan."
"Alright, but…" Tia played with her fingers.
Aven's eye twitched slightly, already understanding what she meant.
"I'll give you pocket money later."
Tia smiled brightly "Now that's more like it!"
Aven rubbed his forehead "You're rich. Why are you asking money from me?"
Tia fiddled with her fingers again.
"My mother is stingy! She never gives me allowance if she finds out I'm only using it to buy snacks." She puffed out her cheeks.
"Your mother isn't wrong. She doesn't want you eating carelessly. And most importantly… she doesn't want you getting fat."
Tia's mouth fell open "I'm not fat…"
Aven raised an eyebrow "Oh really?"
His gaze drifted toward her stomach, her thighs, and her hips, which were noticeably wider than the last time they met.
Tia's cheeks turned red.
"WHERE ARE YOU LOOKING, PERVERT!"
Cecilia immediately stepped in front of Tia, blocking Aven's view "I didn't expect you to be such a pervert" she said with disgust.
"So you're a pervert after all~" Mika added.
Aven clicked his tongue.
"I'm just proving my point. Tia has gained weight."
Lilith quickly tried to stop them.
"That's enough…"
Tia cleared her throat, still irritated.
"Leave the scouting and information gathering to me."
Aven nodded "Thank you."
Tia sighed, then smiled sweetly.
Cecilia watched their gentle interaction with annoyance burning in her eyes.
Lilith only smiled, but deep inside her chest, something felt like it was quietly catching fire.
Meanwhile, Mika scratched her head, looking at her sisters.
"What's wrong with you two?"
Tia snapped her fingers.
"Oh right, I just remembered. Aren't you going to Arcadia? Lord Cain seems to be struggling because Eidolan has started targeting his kingdom."
Aven straightened in surprise.
"Lord Cain? Struggling? Isn't Arcadia strong enough to withstand Eidolan's attacks?"
Tia sighed "They can endure, but that doesn't mean they can fight back."
Aven shrugged "I'll go there tomorrow."
Tia nodded "I already told Lord Cain that the situation is getting worse, and they won't be able to hold on forever. He just needs to contact me, and I'll mobilize troops from the Red Dragon Clan to help."
VAMPIRE CASTLE
The four of them walked together through the corridor toward the family gathering hall.
Lilith entered first, followed by Cecilia, Mika, and Aven behind her.
"Papa! We're home!" Mika shouted.
Claude, who had been reading a book, lifted his gaze toward them.
"Where have you been?"
"We went with Aven to the mountains where the Red Dragon Clan lives" Cecilia replied casually, as if it were no big deal.
Lilith nodded.
"More precisely, we accompanied him there."
Claude's eyes shifted toward Aven "And why did you go there?"
Aven scratched his head hesitantly.
"I met an acquaintance there, the daughter of the clan leader. I asked for her help in providing me information about Eidolan."
Claude closed his book.
"Impressive. You even managed to become acquainted with the dragon race."
He cleared his throat.
"But next time, don't take my daughters out without my permission. Do you understand?"
His sharp gaze carried heavy pressure.
Aven immediately felt killing intent in that stare and bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry, Lord Claude. I will ask for your permission next time."
Lilith quickly tried to calm him.
"Father, this isn't Aven's fault. We were the ones who insisted on coming along!"
Alice smiled as she approached them.
"That's enough, dear. As long as they're with Aven, there's no need to worry so much."
Claude sighed.
"Fine. I trust Aven as well. But you still must ask for my permission if you plan to take all three of them outside."
"Yes, Lord Claude!" Aven answered firmly.
Claude smiled.
"No need to look so frightened. I was only joking. And if you ever need help, just tell me. Why go all the way to those lizards?"
Lilith frowned "Father, don't call them lizards. The Red Dragon Clan is kind. Tia was friendly to us."
"She's right" Cecilia added.
Claude tilted his head "Since when are you all on the dragons' side?"
Aven simply smiled innocently, not wanting to cause more trouble, but then a thought crossed his mind.
"Excuse me for interrupting, Lord Claude. I have a suggestion… though you might not like it."
Claude glanced at him "What is it?"
"Why don't you form an alliance with the Red Dragon Clan?"
"Since the three of them have already become friends with Tia, it would be much easier for you to speak with the clan leader."
"Besides, it benefits both sides, doesn't it? Strengthening military power and improving cooperation in other areas as well."
Mika's eyes sparkled.
"That's a great idea! Right, Father? Then we can visit Tia more often too!"
Claude thought for a moment.
Alice gently massaged his arm, trying to persuade him.
"That's an interesting idea, dear. We've isolated our race from the outside world and other races for far too long. Perhaps it's time we grow, for the future of the vampire race."
Claude sighed, then held Alice's hand tightly "I will try."
"Aven, you will be responsible for delivering this alliance message to them."
"Yes, sir."
Lilith smiled, glancing at Aven as she winked.
Aven returned the smile, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks.
NIGHT
After dinner, Aven teleported back into Tia's room to deliver the news about the alliance.
Tia was lying on her bed, reading while eating sweets. She glanced toward the magic circle that appeared on her floor.
Aven emerged from it.
"What? Do you need something again?" she asked, still chewing her snack.
Aven stared at her.
"Seriously… you're going to get even fatter if you eat like that at night."
Tia clicked her tongue in irritation.
"I didn't ask for your opinion! Hurry up and tell me what you want, coming here so late!"
Aven sighed "I just wanted to tell you that Lord Claude wants to form an alliance with your Red Dragon Clan."
Tia's mouth fell open, and she immediately stood up "Seriously?"
Aven nodded.
"Just tell your mother. If she agrees, send me a message about when the meeting can be held."
Then Aven vanished in an instant.
"Hey! Wait–" Before Tia could finish her sentence, Aven had already disappeared from her sight.
Tia rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Must be nice, being able to teleport anywhere without distance limits."
She got up from her bed and walked toward her mother's room, still carrying the bowl of snacks, ready to deliver the news Aven had just brought.