Getting used to having a dragon around constantly was no small task.

Commander Henry left with Commander Lothian and told his subordinates that the dragon would stay in Idona because he couldn't take her to the capital without the King further persecuting him or harming the people he already had in custody.

The knights were more than understanding, but of course, it was taking adjustment.

Each time Irene heard a thump from deep in the woods or close to Polona, she had a moment of alarm as she lowered her stance and reached for her sword, but she would have to remind herself, or someone else would remind her, that the noise from far off was well known. All anyone had to do was utter the word "dragon" and there was mutual understanding that they all weren't in danger.

"At least our reaction times are getting better," Irene would respond. "We've been in peace times too long. I was worried that we were getting slower."

However, the day did come when Irene, Trenton, and Felix were all approached about the situation with the dragon by a mage they had never met before. Also, who came with the mage was surprisingly Siverly, who had been hiding out in Katerina's home for the most part. Of course, he always showed his face if it was interesting enough.

And it seemed a dragon was, indeed, interesting enough.

In the dining hall of the inn, which they were calling their temporary yet seemingly long-term home, they sat with a woman named Tali and watched as she settled into the bench and let out a long sigh.

She was old. Irene imagined she had to be competing with Stanley in age. That face also made the knight wonder if they had ever crossed paths before. Mages were both closer together and further away than anyone could imagine.

And there was Siverly, who bridged the gap between the two because, as Irene was beginning to understand, he was the only Nickronian who willingly worked with Idonian mages because he was considered rebellious and they were still more.

The woman sat up straighter as she linked her fingers on the tabletop, showing off quite a few rings containing tiny mana stones.

"The Council has sent me to speak to the knights as one of Idona's reeves," she began. "We ask that allowing you to stay here with the dragon means that you resume patrol at the edge of the forest."

Felix, being the highest-ranked, spoke first.

"The reason we only have a couple of knights wandering the edge of town now is because there is no threat of monsters any longer," he reminded. "The dragon has scared away all monster life in the area."

The two red-headed knights nodded in vehement agreement. They had been practicing their knights in empty fields so they didn't grow stagnant. Plenty participated in matches in the town square while the township was still too afraid to come outside—although Irene had been wondering if mages generally stayed inside and they weren't as afraid as she originally thought.

"I am not asking you to patrol for monsters, but watch the dragon," Tali corrected. "My understanding is that the dragon's chosen one has left, so what reason does she have for listening?"

Siverly couldn't help speak up at that.

"She won't hurt anyone," the silver haired mage quickly responded. "His Grace telling her not to is enough. She is solely loyal to him and won't do anything to make him upset."

When Tali seemed displeased at that, Felix added, "That isn't to say we won't patrol, though. It would be good to get everyone on a more strict practice schedule."

"Then that is enough for me," Tali stated. "I will let the Council know that the knights have agreed."

She left as quickly as she had arrived and the knights looked at one another in disbelief.

"There is a council still meeting?" Irene asked. "When? No one ever goes outside here. They seem to control everything in the darkness. The most activity I've seen in Idona are when travelers manage to come through the area. Now that monsters have settled, I think we will see more visitors."

Siverly casted a sideways glance at Irene.

"They're still meeting," he insisted. "Underground."

"What?" Irene asked in disbelief. "Tunnels?"

"Something like that," Siverly confirmed, but then his voice lowered, causing the other knights to lean in. "Mages are night owls and these people are no exceptions. I have heard of the complicated tunnel system for secret trade underground of expensive and illegal wares. Even His Majesty has people coming into Idona to retrieve certain items for him. I'm not sure if you know that even the two Commanders were given fraudulent passes into Polona from the King because they had a bit of work to do for him. There is a lottery to even get through the gates considering the wealth that can be taken from such a place. The only person who can do whatever he wants is a royal."

It was the most Irene had heard Siverly speak in a long time. Not only that, but she was entirely captured by the words leaving his mouth. She was completely and utterly amazed.

"How interesting…" she muttered.

"That's enough from me," Siverly decided. "I would also like to stay indoors and avoid a dragon if at all possible. They are interested in magical items. Who's to say that she won't go after someone with mana inside of them even on accident?"

"After only just telling the other mage that she wouldn't hurt anyone…" Trenton realized as he ran a hand through his wild, red hair.

"She would believe me more than she believes any of you," Siverly responded with a shrug as he stood and left.

After that, they did take to walking the border at all times. Two knights were always there, making sure the dragon didn't get up to something bad.

However, they found her far more amusing than they found her a threat.

For a long time, Felix and Irene's paths rarely crossed because they were the two highest in rank and always handling those patrolling the border, but during a time that it did, the two ate breakfast together upon Irene's request.

As they ate, Irene couldn't help her question.

"Felix, can I be honest with you?"

"You always can."

"That dragon listens to our Commander," she explained. "He had to force her to stay here when he left. Will she come with us to Tenetium?"