Chapter 21: Linde, what are you doing?

Victoria saw this and immediately ran over in high spirits.

"Linde, what are you doing?"

Upon hearing the young dragon's question, the black-haired man did not stop his work. Instead, he continued to cut weeds with a sickle he had crafted at his workbench. He intended to clear a patch of land first to make it easier to plant things later. Before he had crossed over, no matter what kind of game it was, as long as there were seeds and soil, Linde would always end up turning it into a farming game. Now that he had the most realistic experience possible, he certainly would not let such an opportunity slip by.

Seeing that Linde did not reply, Victoria assumed he was too focused to hear her, so she repeated the question:

"Linde, what are you doing?"

"..."

Linde took a deep breath, turned his head, and stared blankly at the curious little dragon. Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words.

"Don't just keep staring at me without saying anything; it gives me the creeps." Victoria shrank her neck and nervously pulled her claws back half a step.

"Hmph." Linde snorted coldly and replied with annoyance, "I'm eating grass, is that okay?"

"Who are you trying to fool? Aren't you cutting grass?"

"If you know, why ask!"

"I just wanted to hear you answer me yourself. Don't be mean to me, okay..."

Victoria pursed her lips, her eyes filled with a pitiful, innocent expression. There were truly such adorable dragons in this world. Although Linde knew this pitiful look was likely an act—ever since she had intentionally accelerated during their first flight together, he could tell this gem dragon had a bit of a devious streak—this kind of feigned vulnerability was a nice change of pace, and he was quite susceptible to it. The main reason, however, was simply that Victoria was too cute. She was exactly like an oversized angel Samoyed, only with scales instead of fur. The scales, unique to her juvenile stage, were soft, not prickly at all, and felt faintly warm to the touch; she was as pleasant to look at as she was to pet. Even the occasional hints of a little devilish personality added a certain charm through contrast.

Thinking of this, the expression on Linde's face softened, and the frustration of having his hard work interrupted vanished into thin air.

"I was overreacting; my tone was a bit harsh. I apologize. Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Ahem, it's a maiden's secret."

Seeing Victoria blink her right eye at him with a wink, Linde scratched his head in confusion. Looking her up and down, he asked skeptically:

"You... what kind of maiden secrets could you possibly have?"

"Hey, shouldn't you compliment me first? The phrase 'maiden's secret' sounds very sweet and sour. And the fact that I can say it proves that I am sweet and sour too."

Putting aside how she could possibly prove that piece of twisted logic, Linde thought to himself, it was surely too early to be talking about maiden secrets when her scales hadn't even hardened yet. However, he did not want to dampen the young dragon's spirits, so he followed her lead:

"Then, may I ask my cute and maiden-hearted Victoria, what is the secret that is troubling you?"

Victoria narrowed her eyes and began to recount what had just happened, as well as her promise to Cirona to stay by their side. After rambling through the cause and effect, she exhaled a breath of relief and asked impatiently:

"Linde, what do you think?"

Not expecting to find himself in the position of a consultant, Linde couldn't help but shake his head. He walked back to the flat ground he had just cleared, piling the weeds to one side as he shared his thoughts:

"It's quite good. With Cirona joining us, the success rate of our treasure-hunting plan will greatly increase. After all, she frequently goes to the Red Dragon's palace to offer tribute. Having her there is much better than us two novices running around like headless chickens."

"However, don't be in a hurry to reveal our plan to raid the Red Dragon's treasury to her. There is still some time before the next tribute. Let's observe her for a while longer. If Cirona is truly too terrified of the Red Dragon, forcing her into this might not be a good thing."

"Over the next two weeks, I will think through the detailed steps, and then I will discuss them with you."

"Waku waku!"

Victoria felt that she absolutely loved it when Linde analyzed things so seriously. He was so handsome! It gave a dragon a profound sense of security. Moreover, there was one term in particular that caught her attention.

"A treasure-hunting plan? That fits our style of operation perfectly. Also, Linde, since you put it that way, does that mean you've agreed to become a treasure hunter?"

"Heh, I didn't say that. Let me consider it some more."

"Hmph, you're just being stubborn."

Victoria curled the corners of her mouth, revealing a mysterious smile. "Once this treasure-hunting plan succeeds, it won't matter how stubborn you are; your body will have already honestly accepted it. How about we become treasure hunters together for the rest of our lives? A whole lifetime!"

Linde pretended to ignore the young dragon's eager gaze, turned his back, and began cutting grass again.

"The plan hasn't even begun, yet you're already thinking about the success. What if our operation fails, we get caught by that Red Dragon, and we end up tied to a pyre, roasted until we're crispy on the outside and tender on the inside?"

"Then we'll die as heroic treasure hunters who fell during a failed expedition. How glorious that would be."

Victoria walked behind Linde, following his heels, and threw the weeds he had cut and piled on the ground far away. However, because of the wind, many fine grass clippings were blown back, getting into their eyes.

"Silly dragon, put them down low to the side, don't toss them into the air."

"Oh."

Victoria obediently complied, then added, "No, you still haven't agreed with what I just said."

"Agreed with a club. If you're dead, there's nothing left. Glory can't bring you back to life."

"It's not that there's nothing left. The things I record in the World Book will carry our story forward. It will be buried in the soil, take root, and sprout; it will tell every word and every symbol to the World Tree. The world will remember us, one human and one dragon. This means we will never forget each other, either."

"..."

Linde straightened his back, turned slightly, and gazed at Victoria, standing still. A gentle evening breeze blew by, bringing a wave of coolness. The glow of the sunset reflected on his handsome profile, while his pupils mirrored Victoria's face.

"If this treasure-hunting plan succeeds, I will become a treasure hunter just like you."

The firm voice resonated with weight, devoid of any falsehood. He had not refused the young dragon's request out of stubbornness or because he found it childish; rather, Linde did not want to tarnish Victoria's passion for being a treasure hunter.

*What you love is your life.*

This phrase, which often seemed corrupted by the cynicism of others, took on a different meaning if a dragon could truly embody it from beginning to end with an untainted heart. He wanted to be a witness, not just a participant. He worried that his own passion might not be pure enough, potentially tainting Victoria's love as well. But at this moment, her eyes told him:

"You are worthy."