Waking the next day, Caspian and Kala went to the inn's restaurant for breakfast.
After enjoying a hearty meal of meat and fresh vegetables, Caspian approached the carriage driver as they left.
"You can go. The carriage is too conspicuous and draws attention. Here."
He flipped the man a gold coin.
The driver beamed as Caspian and Kala walked off.
"Is it a good idea to walk around on our own?" Kala asked.
"Why wouldn't it be? I don't need a carriage announcing who I am to all of Drakonia. Anyway, let's take it easy today. The dungeon will still be there tomorrow. Let's explore the city instead. There's a lot to see, and you…"
Caspian smirked, then stretched his arms wide like a grand announcer.
"You're a walking guidebook, so be my tour guide!"
His theatrical display made Kala giggle.
"You really need to stop teasing me, Your Highness…"
But she looked more used to it now.
"And you need to stop calling me Your Highness. Use my name—or better yet, Cas. That's what my mother calls me."
Kala fidgeted and waved her hands.
"I couldn't call you that! Especially if Princess Sera already does!"
He laughed at her reaction, that familiar warmth surfacing again.
"You're cute, you know that? Come on, let's not stand around all day."
Left frozen in place, she tilted her head.
"Cute? Me?"
______
"Perfect. That half-breed really is an idiot," one hooded figure muttered.
"Walking around alone? Is he confident or just stupid? He kills a few nobodies and thinks he's untouchable."
The expert who had challenged Vorgath before—Kazzal—stood to the side.
Sickly green scales covered his limbs and neck. His yellow eyes gleamed with malice, and his black hair hung messily around his face.
His tail swayed slowly behind him.
After four evolutions, he had become a dragon capable of large-scale destruction.
His scratchy voice cut through the group.
"As much as I hate it, we follow the prince's plan. Tail them and wait for a chance to grab the girl before he can react."
One hooded figure laughed darkly.
"Can we have some fun with her first? Maybe in front of him?"
Laughter followed—until Kazzal shut it down.
"We are nobles. Do not speak like common bandits in my presence again. I don't care what you do to a nobody like her, but don't drag noble prestige through the mud like those buffoons at the bookstore."
His piercing gaze made even the Level 3 Evolved veterans tense.
"Remember—we act in the name of the next Dragon King. We can't behave recklessly until he ascends. We cannot fail him."
His composed words refocused the group.
Flipping his daggers idly, he ran his tongue along one blade.
"That doesn't mean we can't hurt them a little, though. All's fair in love and war…"
The group stirred eagerly.
______
Seated at an outdoor table of an overly luxurious café in the upper district, they watched merchants and nobles strike deals while servants carried purchases.
Kala quietly sipped tea while studying her spellbook with intense focus.
Caspian found himself wishing the moment would last forever.
People-watching was entertaining.
But watching Kala read was even more so.
Her brows furrowed at tricky parts, each expression a fleeting treasure.
Damn, if only I had a camera, he thought.
Reluctantly, he broke the peaceful silence.
"Let's head to the lower level and see the rest of the city."
He smiled as they stood.
"I can see why this café made your top-ten list."
Kala brightened at his praise, then remembered something.
"Oh! We can use the pulley lifts! They're an engineering marvel!"
Caspian stopped and looked down at her, then lightly pinched her cheek.
Kala puffed up and flailed.
"Hey! What was that for, Your Highness?!"
Her distorted voice made it funnier.
He looked at her seriously—like he always did in moments like this.
"You're just too adorable. Like how excited you get over lifts."
He laughed at his own joke.
She harrumphed dramatically.
I'm just glad she's more comfortable around me now. This identity helps, but sometimes it's a hassle, he thought.
A beat passed.
"Your Highness, you're still—"
Realising he was still holding her cheek, he let go and cleared his throat.
They headed for the pulley lift, Kala rubbing her cheek while watching his back with soft eyes.
_____
A nearby shadow rippled.
Vaxen observed quietly.
Ah… reminds me of Thalric and his wife. Those were fun days. Thalric was just like His Highness.
Amused, he slipped between buildings, keeping watch.
_____
As the pulley lift descended and the ocean horizon stretched before them, Caspian jolted at a sudden system alert.
[Mission: Ensure Kala is not kidnapped by the hooded group of dragons.]
[No time limit]
[Reward: 30,000 SP]