Kato froze in place upon seeing Rio, like a rock suddenly cracking. His face was motionless, but his black eyes, like two deep pits, were filled with immense shock that seemed to shake his entire being. His silence was so heavy and unexpected that even the forest breeze seemed to pause for a moment. Ayhan, standing beside his father, cleared his throat, as if trying to break the deadly silence. In a low, cautious voice, attempting to hide his surprise, he said:
"Master William, we… we didn't know you had a son as well."
William nodded in acknowledgment, casting a brief glance at Rio, and said in a calm but profound voice:
"My son was ill for a long time. From the moment he was born, he had a frail body and could barely move for years. I kept his existence a secret because I didn't want the unwarranted attention of other dragons to trouble him."
Hearing these words, Rio felt his heart stop for a moment. He had expected William to follow his idea—that he would say Rio was his cousin—but his father had another plan. William's gaze fell on him, and a subtle smile curved the corner of his lips—a smile that seemed to say:
"Trust me."
Rio held his breath but said nothing. He only nodded in agreement, as if surrendering himself to the flow of this dangerous game.
Kato, still immersed in shock, snapped back to reality with a gesture from Ayhan. He brought his hands behind his back, as if trying to contain the turmoil within. With a cold, emotionless stare, sharp as a blade ready to cut, he looked directly at Rio and said:
"Boy, who do you think is the strongest dragon in the world?"
The question struck like lightning in the forest. Everyone, from William to Adrina and Nadia, held their breath for a moment. Kato, without any preamble, without congratulations or greetings, had asked such a question—a question that seemed not just curious but a deadly test. The forest's silence grew heavier, and even the elf soldiers, who had been motionless until then, fixed their gazes on Rio.
Rio sank into his thoughts. His heart beat faster, but he didn't want to put his father in a difficult position or force him to constantly justify his actions. He had to give an answer that would not only protect himself but also shield his family from these suspicious stares. After a moment of reflection, he spoke in a low but resolute voice, as if the words came from the depths of his being:
"The Grand Lady Valentina."
Kato glanced at William for a moment, his eyebrows raised, and a cold, mocking smile formed on his lips. In a voice laced with hidden venom, he said:
"Wrong. The strongest dragon in the world is Great Setrog."
Then, with his eyes still locked on William, he continued: "Just like you William. Only looks ahead, never behind."
His words were like a dagger, striking not just Rio but William as well. Kato clenched his fists behind his back, as if locking away anger or a secret within himself. Then, with a sudden movement, he stepped aside and said:
"Very well, shall we go?"
William let out a sigh of relief, as if pleased by the change of topic. With dignity, he walked beside Kato, and the group moved toward the stone-paved path through the forest. But Rio still stood in place, his heart pounding from this unexpected confrontation. Ayhan, who had been silent until then, approached him. His brown eyes softened for a moment, and he extended his hand toward Rio. In a polite but warm tone, he said:
"Ayhan Kalimor. Pleased to meet you, Rio."
Rio, still with anxiety surging within him like waves, pulled his hands out of his coat pockets and gently shook Ayhan's hand. Ayhan's hands were strong and firm, and in that moment, Rio felt this was the first step into an unknown world. In a voice he tried to keep steady, he said:
"Pleased to meet you too."
Rio and Ayhan walked side by side, following William and Kato, who strode like two kings negotiating. The brown cobblestones, dusted with snow, crunched under their feet, and the towering forest trees watched them like silent guardians. Kato cast a disdainful glance at the elfs moving around them—archers and spearmen cautiously trailing the group. Without turning his head, he muttered in a mocking tone:
"Filthy pigs. Whenever they can't handle something alone, they seek alliances."
William shot him a sharp look, his voice calm but cautionary. "Watch your words, Kato. We're in their territory."
Kato smirked, his teeth glinting in the morning light. "Cut it out William. We both know why you're here."
William paused for a moment, as if weighing his words.
"Do you?"
Kato nodded, his smile now darker. "Whenever there's a chance for profit, you're there. Isn't that so?"
William suddenly flashed a mysterious smile, one that seemed to hide a deadly secret. Without responding, he continued walking, and Kato stayed by his side, his eyes still fixed on him. But farther back, Rio was staring around like a child seeing the world for the first time. The massive trees, their branches stretching to the sky, were like living castles. Atop some of them, large wooden cabins stood like defensive towers, and elf archers with sharp eyes watched the group from above. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden patches on the cobblestones. To Rio, these scenes were like pages from Olivia's scrolls come to life. The anxiety that had consumed him moments ago was now buried under a wave of wonder and excitement.
Ayhan, walking beside Rio, looked at him with surprise. In his mind, William Kalimor's son should have been a complex and mysterious figure, but Rio's childlike enthusiasm, his shining eyes fixed on the trees and elfs, caught him off guard. A small smile formed on Ayhan's lips as he thought to himself:
"What am I doing? He's just a kid. Was I really trying to analyze his character?"
His gaze fell on Elian, who marched behind William with heavy armor and a raised cloak. Elian's tall stature, heavy steps, and aura of constant readiness for battle were like an open book to Ayhan. As a skilled swordsman himself, he knew what a true warrior looked like. He whispered to himself:
"I've heard of him. Elian, protector of the Kalimor family and the Sun Tribe. Just how strong could he be?"
Then his eyes landed on Adrina, walking beside Nadia. Adrina kept glancing at Rio, like a guardian unwilling to take her eyes off her treasure for even a moment. Ayhan paused for a moment and thought:
"I can't even imagine what illness he had. It seems they still have to watch over him even now."
But suddenly, his eyes locked on Nadia. Her fiery red hair danced in the forest breeze, and her crimson eyes gleamed like two living flames. Ayhan's heartbeat quickened, as if something in Nadia's presence drew him in—not just her beauty, but a silent, dangerous power that seemed to ripple with every step. He stared at her so intently that he didn't notice her threatening glare, which pierced his heart like a dagger. Ayhan quickly turned his head away, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
To distract himself, he looked at Rio and asked with a friendly smile: "Rio, what kind of dragon are you?"
Rio, who had been lost in the forest's wonders until that moment, was caught off guard by Ayhan's question, his mind racing. His family had been cautious around Kato, so perhaps he should be cautious with Ayhan too. But Ayhan's friendly face, warm smile, and gaze that seemed to hold only childish curiosity put Rio at ease. For a moment, he thought about Ayhan's smiles and demeanor and realized that to Ayhan, he was just a little kid—someone not worth fearing. But the question was still dangerous. He had to give an answer that left no room for doubt.
Taking a deep breath, he flashed a friendly smile and said: "I'm a sky dragon, just like my mother."
Ayhan nodded in approval and said with a soft laugh:
"I'm a dark dragon."
Rio stared at him in surprise. According to Olivia's teachings, dark dragons were arrogant and self-important, dragons who belittled others and saw themselves as superior. The thought rang like an alarm in his mind, but before he could say anything, Ayhan smirked and said with an embarrassed expression:
"I know what you're thinking, but trust me, I see everyone as equal."
Rio let out a sigh of relief. For a moment, he'd feared he was dealing with a lunatic, but Ayhan's friendly demeanor reassured him. A genuine smile spread across his face, and the two continued walking side by side, their conversation like a light breeze amidst the forest's weight.
Some time later, the group reached a vast clearing in the heart of the forest. Giant trees, like living walls, surrounded it, their branches forming a green and golden canopy over the sky. Golden cobblestones gleamed in the center of the ground, and amidst this splendor stood a grand hall of white and gold stone. Its tall columns, adorned with intricate elf carvings, stood like ancient guardians, and sunlight streamed through its high windows, making it seem like a living jewel. Rio was so awestruck that he could barely feel his legs. He walked unconsciously, his silver eyes filled with wonder and excitement. This hall, this forest, this world—it was all like a dream he never wanted to wake from.