CHAPTER 381: A NEW FRIEND

In the end, Silvanus and Dorian ended up splashing water at each other. At the same time, Vivian sat off to the side, soaked through and looking pitifully skinny, rolling around nonstop in the water.

The cause was simple. Dorian had asked Silvanus what people outside usually played.

Silvanus looked at the crystal clear lake before him and directly said that people splashed water at each other.

At first, Dorian was a little hesitant, but after Silvanus threw two buckets of water at him, he jumped into the fray as well.

Silvanus felt that at fifteen he was already very mature, yet here he was playing such a childish game. But seeing Dorian enjoy himself like a little kid, he chose not to say anything and considered it compensation for asking directions.

Just as Silvanus was thinking, a ball of water suddenly crashed down from above, almost sending him straight to the bottom of the lake.

Dorian laughed loudly, brighter than sunlight itself. The birds circled around, chirping excitedly as if they were a group of extras gossiping nonstop.

"Silvanus, you lost, haha."

Even with all the splashing, the water remained crystal clear, and the noisy surface quickly returned to its natural stillness.

Dorian saw Silvanus lying quietly at the bottom of the lake, completely still.

He couldn’t help calling softly, "Silvanus?"

Dorian frowned, his expression growing a bit panicked.

Instinctively, he stepped forward, leaning down and reaching out his hand.

But right then, Silvanus’s eyes snapped open.

Before Dorian could react, he was pulled down to the bottom of the lake.

Silvanus beamed at him, cheerful, even blowing a few bubbles from his mouth.

"Boom!"

Silvanus broke through the surface of the water, sending water pouring down from his body. He looked back at Dorian, who was still lying underwater, staring at him wide-eyed. His long hair floated around him like threads of shimmering gold.

Silvanus watched him for a moment, then turned and walked away.

Dorian widened his eyes. He gently rose to the surface and watched Silvanus head toward the shore to scoop up Vivian.

Vivian was soaked to the point of looking like a tiny scruffy bundle. Usually, she appeared fluffy and soft, but now it felt like she was all bones. Anyone who hadn’t seen her finish an entire chicken in one sitting might think Silvanus had starved her.

Right now, she was hopping nonstop, chasing after the birds. Because she had been rolling around endlessly, her body was covered in dirt and dry leaves, looking as pitiful and ragged as possible.

The birds were extremely mischievous, too. Vivian was playful, and they intentionally teased her.

They chirped nonstop as if laughing among themselves.

Vivian hissed, then launched into the highest jump she had ever made, determined to catch one of these foolish birds. But before she could reach them, Silvanus caught her neatly in his hand.

Vivian blinked up at Silvanus, immediately putting on an act. "Silvanus, catch birds, catch birds."

Her voice was genuinely childish and adorable.

Silvanus couldn’t help patting her head gently and said in a quiet voice, "You little troublemaker."

Vivian giggled happily. By then, Silvanus had carried her to the edge of the lake to wash her clean.

Mud and dry leaves dissolved into the water quickly, turning it slightly murky.

Dorian looked surprised. He parted his lips a little, as if wanting to say something, but in the end said nothing.

But Silvanus sensed Dorian’s gaze. He turned to look at him and asked softly, "What is it?"

Dorian had already stood up. He answered quietly, "It’s nothing."

He smiled and was about to say something more, but Silvanus spoke first. "Right, could you show me the way?"

Dorian’s smile stalled for a moment. It seemed the moment had come at last.

So that’s it, Dorian thought.

Silvanus knew magic, and he was lost in the forest outside Eldoria’s main territory. He was likely a hunter.

Dorian had seen many hunters enter the forest on missions. They were careful and never violated the rules of the forest, taking only what they needed and what the elves permitted.

Hunters who got lost by accident would die if not discovered. If an elf spotted a lost person, that elf would take the initiative to "guide" them out.

Perhaps Silvanus had been separated from his group.

Was it now Dorian’s duty to guide Silvanus out of the forest?

Dorian pressed his lips together, but right after, his eyes suddenly flew open. His long, sharp ear twitched. Before Silvanus could react, the space around him shifted into a dense forest, and because dusk had already fallen, everything looked strangely dim.

Had Dorian heard something? Was it danger?

Silvanus frowned, but looking around, he couldn’t remember the path leading back to that hidden place. He could only rely on his instincts and keep walking through the fading light.

At the same time, just as he sent Silvanus away, Dorian’s wings lifted slightly. His entire body dried instantly, and the final bead of water clinging to the strand of hair hanging over his forehead dripped onto the lake’s surface, sending out gentle ripples that blurred his reflection.

"Prince, guests from afar have arrived. You need to appear."

Dorian remained silent. Then he turned around, the familiar gentle smile returning to his lips as he said softly, "Return first."

The elf was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "Understood, my lord."

He left immediately.

Once Dorian confirmed no one else was around, he spread his wings almost at once and flew toward the place where he had sent Silvanus.

But the ground below was empty, not a single trace of anyone. It looked like Silvanus had already left.

Dorian’s brows furrowed slightly. Where could Silvanus have gone? He didn’t know the way at all.

He had whisked him away without saying anything, Dorian thought, lowering his gaze with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Suddenly, he descended and collapsed to the ground.

The layer of leaves beneath him transformed instantly. They glowed a beautiful green, and a lush carpet of grass sprouted from the earth. Nature would never allow its beloved child to touch dirt even for a moment.

Dorian placed both hands on the soft grass, closed his eyes, and murmured, "Ancient Forest, please tell me where Silvanus is."

At once, countless root-like veins spread through the entire forest, stretching endlessly, like innumerable eyes and ears searching for a lost wanderer.

Dorian’s eyes snapped open, filled with confusion and shock.

Silvanus... he was no longer inside the forest. How could that be...

Dorian tightened his lips and thought quickly. Perhaps Silvanus had coincidentally reunited with his group, and they had already left the forest behind with no plans to return.

Dorian sat on the grass for a long time before finally standing and flying away.

As for Silvanus, he simply continued forward. Just as he finished drying Vivian’s fur, he suddenly frowned and swiftly dodged to the side.

A sharp arrow sliced through the air, embedding itself deep into a nearby tree with tremendous force. It would have easily pierced a normal person’s skull if it had hit.

Light flared in Silvanus’s palm as his eyes instantly locked onto the attacker.