After claiming two thousand talents for the upkeep of his Par from the management room, Zack brought Ico to the city. Two thousand talents was equivalent to a month's salary for a mid-tier government official—naturally, it was the first time Zack ever held so much money at once.
"This is… Roshar!"
Ico's eyes sparkled with awe the moment she stepped onto the bustling streets. Although she had prior knowledge of the city, nothing could prepare her for the vivid sights, sounds, and smells that now surrounded her. The number of people surged as they entered the main avenue, and since it was a holiday, the crowd was mostly made up of students enjoying their break.
Both sides of the street were lined with colorful stalls, each one releasing tantalizing scents into the air—roasted meats, sizzling sweets, exotic spices.
"Gurrrrr…" Suddenly, Ico's stomach growled, loud and proud.
The pedestrians nearby turned to look, startled. Of course, only a dragon could rumble like that. Ico flushed crimson.
"I-It's not like I could help it! I haven't even had breakfast!"
Zack raised an eyebrow. He couldn't understand how she could be shy about her stomach when she was walking around practically naked back home.
"Right… I almost forgot…"
Zack hadn't eaten either, thanks to Roderika's unexpected visit earlier. Now, with the street food smells swirling in the air, hunger hit him like a truck.
Ico puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms in indignation.
"A dragon must eat at least five times a day! Don't you know that?"
"I remember something like that back in Basic Class… But is it really a necessity?"
"Of course it is!"
Zack glanced at Ico's petite frame, trying to imagine where all that food went. The way her cloth wrapped tightly around her chest and hips made him wonder even more.
"...My expenses are going to skyrocket."
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Mmm… What's that smell? It's so nice…!"
Ico pointed excitedly toward a stall where a group of cheerful girls, about Zack's age, were gathered.
"That's a crepe stall."
"Crepe?"
"Huh? That's not in your Dragweiss database?"
"It's just a kind of food! There's no reason to access Dragweiss for every little thing—it costs mana to perform searches!"
"I see… Well, crepes are a really popular dessert in Roshar. Want to try one?"
Dragons were omnivores, so he assumed there wouldn't be a problem.
"Obviously!"
There were three girls ahead of them in line, so Zack and Ico waited behind.
"Is it our turn yet?"
"Patience. It's rude to cut in line."
"Hmph… Fine. But for making a dragon wait, this stall had better be worth it—or I'll crush it under my claw."
"Let's not threaten the dessert vendors…"
Just then, Zack felt it—that strange, prickling sensation on the back of his neck. Someone was watching them.
"Is something wrong?" Ico asked.
"…I thought I felt someone's gaze."
"Huh? Impossible. We're in a crowd."
"…I can't say that with confidence."
Zack's instincts had always been unusually sharp. He never would've sensed Dazno in the forest otherwise.
"Must've been my imagination…"
He shook off the tension.
At that moment, the girl ahead of them received her crepe—a Fansal-flavored one. A sweet, rose-like aroma filled the air instantly, making both Zack and Ico salivate.
"I think I'll have a Fansal."
Zack glanced at the price list. A Fansal crepe cost a hundred ocres, twice the price of the regular ones—but with the money he'd received, it was hardly a concern.
"What about you, Ico?"
She suddenly stood tall, thrusting out her chest proudly.
"Huhu… Of course it's Fansal. It's the elegant choice for a noble dragon!"
"…Of course it is."
Fansal was a rare herb native to Roshar—used not only as a spice, but also adored by dragons. For them, it was something like a mix between tobacco and strong liquor.
Finally, it was their turn.
"Two Fansal crepes, please."
The shopkeeper moved with dazzling speed, pouring batter, spreading it with practiced ease, and finally adding a pale green cream. The rich scent of Fansal filled the space around them like perfume.
"Uwaa!"
Ico stared at the shopkeeper's movements, utterly mesmerized. Zack's heart skipped a beat. Her wide eyes, filled with wonder… It was too cute.
Stop it, Zack. She's a dragon, he scolded himself.
.˳·˖✶𓆩𓁺𓆪✶˖·˳.༄
There was a public bench nearby, thankfully unoccupied. Zack and Ico sat together, their crepes warm in hand.
"Mmm…mmm…" Ico moaned between bites, licking a bit of cream from her lips. "Nnn… So delicious!"
"Thank the stars… The stall is safe from destruction."
"Don't mock me! Anyone who dares touch it now will have to go through me!"
"Hah… Honestly, you're the only one strong enough to actually destroy it."
In a few seconds, Ico devoured her crepe. Not satisfied, she turned her gaze toward Zack's untouched dessert. He hadn't even taken a bite yet, too distracted by her ferocious appetite.
"Haa… Guess I don't have a choice. Want a bite?"
"R-Really?"
"Well, I can't say no to that face."
Her eyes lit up. She eagerly took his crepe, holding it with both hands as if it were a sacred artifact. Watching her nibble, Zack couldn't help but smile. There was something almost animalistic in how she enjoyed food—adorable and primal at once. He felt like he was feeding a pet.
But then—something changed.
She froze mid-bite. Her eyes half-lidded, her cheeks flushed. Her breathing became shallow.
"It's decided," she whispered. "This shall be my favorite meal."
"You know that's just dessert, right? You still need meat to grow properly. You're a dragon."
"How dare a mere human lecture me—don't forget that I am your master… A-Ah!"
Suddenly, Ico's knees wobbled, and her face turned a deep crimson.
"Hey… are you okay?"
"M-My body… it's… hot…"
She staggered into Zack's arms, her breathing heavy, eyes glazed. Her soft skin pressed against him, and he felt her limbs wrap around his. The warmth radiating from her body was intense.
"H-Hey! Ico… What are you—?!"
"Nnnh… No more… I can't hold it…"
She moaned and pushed herself onto him. Zack could feel the supple pressure of her chest through the fabric of her clothes. Her hands gripped his shirt, and she began to lick the side of his neck—her tongue warm, wet, slow.
"—!"
Zack went rigid. Every nerve lit up under her sensual, teasing touch.
"…Ico? What's going on?!"
"Please… Do something… I-I need…!"
Her breath was thick with the sweet smell of Fansal. Her lips, flushed and trembling, drew closer to his. The glint of her pearl-white teeth shone beneath her parted mouth.
"Wait… Could it be…?!"
There was only one explanation.
The Fansal!
Of course. To dragons, Fansal wasn't just food—it was a potent stimulant. A delicacy and a vice. Like cigarettes and strong liquor rolled into one. Ico, though she looked like a young girl, was still an adolescent dragon… and her tiny body clearly couldn't handle a double dose.
"Ico! P-Please—calm down!"
"Haaah…" she growled softly, like a creature in heat. Her body writhed against him. Her scent was dizzying. Zack's mind screamed at him to run—but her grip was too tight.
"Mama, what are those two doing?"
"Don't look! Keep walking!"
The whispers and stares pierced him from every direction. Panic rose in his throat. He wanted to flee, but Ico was clinging to him like a lifeline.
Then—a sharp voice.
"What do you think you're doing?! Something so indecent in public?!"
Zack flinched. That voice… he recognized it immediately. Sure enough, standing beside them was none other than Princess Silva, in all her royal fury.
"The enemy of women shall face the hammer of death! That is the oath of my family!"
Her fist glinted in the light—an iron punch with strength enough to shatter mountains.
It was already too late to dodge.