The tycoon in the sleek black suit frowned at the officer for his indolence, clicking his tongue in disapproval.

“The discipline here is slack. It’s still work time, and you’re dozing off.”

“Forgive me!” Panicking, the chief hurriedly cleared the mess on the desk. Meanwhile, the man scanned the inside of the office, feeling faint from being ill.

Sorrent was a quiet country village. However, it was also where the royal family was paying the most attention at the moment. There was only one reason: Eleonora Asil. Laurent’s witch has been stuck here for years.

Eleonora Asil was one of the most likely suspects in the unprecedented event that occurred in the Yellow Sea.

The incident refers to the disappearance of the Dragon Egg, which had been kept securely in the castle for more than 500 years

A member of the investigation security department at the Royal Household of Laurent, Kyle Leonard, a bureau chief at the capital Tezeba, and a former district chief, traveled their way down to Sorrent in search of the egg thief.

There was a reason to cite Eleonora Asil as the prime suspect. She was the only strong individual in Laurent who could break through the tight security and steal the eggs without informing even the birds.

“For some reason, the last two years have been quiet.”

Until the spring of last year, she had to run through the dark streets of Laurent to collect magical items that were illegally distributed. 

Kyle Leonard was a man who, despite his status, shuddered at the thought of Eleonora Asil, the infamous witch.

“Has there been any notable event in Sorrent? I would like to look at the history of the Lady Eleonora Asil.”

“Oh, the Lady you mention has not caused any particular problems. You must not know since you barely even come downtown often. Sorrent has always been peaceful.”

It seemed unrealistic, right? Leonard scrutinized the manager’s face. There appeared to be no hidden agenda behind. Still, he found it unreliable.

“…Okay” Leonard hesitated.

Restless, the man made a decision: he will confront the witch himself. Plus, a warrant had already been issued. When dealing with the witch of Laurent, he had to be prepared for what he might not expect.

“Please clean up. Don’t doze off during work hours.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Well, then.”

Without delay, Leonard left the degenerate police quarters and went on his way: to visit the home of Eleonora Asil, on the mountainside just outside Sorrent.

His plan, however, was thwarted the moment he saw the witch strutting in the middle of the city, carrying a child in her arms.

“…..”

Her apricot hair, gleaming red as the sun shone upon it, danced along with the wind as if to seduce him. She had covered her face with a strange mask, attempting to conceal her identity. But, her glaring red waves alone were enough for him to recognize the witch.

Leonard’s eyes flashed like a wild beast preparing to devour his prey.

Eleonora continued along, a hint of worry evident in her face. She carried a curly-haired baby in her arms. Immediately, Leonard began to follow her. 

*

I was sent away again. 

Sullen, the child sat down, drawing random pictures on the dirt with a stick.

Currently, the child was growing a little bit more than yesterday. Since the growth of the dragon is originally fast, it is not uncommon to grow by half a day like this. All this growth was thanks to the witch.

But I guess she doesn’t like me; otherwise, she wouldn’t send me away five times.

For five days, the witch distracted the little dragon with a warm blanket and warm milk. Then, she put him in a sturdy cage and kept sending him somewhere. Desperate, she even took him to a scary, narrow, dark place on the previous day. 

She seemed to be talking to someone for a long time, and then she came back and hugged the child one last time.

“The capital, Tezeba, the Balteyer mansion in Aijet, District 1, okay? If you go there, there’ll be someone to greet you.”

Capital, Tezeba, Balteyer—words I can’t understand.

The child grabbed the hem of the witch’s dress, clinging persistently. The witch merely gave the child to the butcher and left.

The butcher, his built stout and his beard outstandingly thick, attempted to cheer up the boy. 

However, the child ran away.