It seemed as if time had completely stopped. No—it wasn't just a feeling, time had truly come to a halt.0

Caron let out a quiet breath and scanned his surroundings.0

Tauga, who had been walking ahead, and Leo and Adina, who had been right beside him. All of them had frozen in place, as if they had been turned to stone.0

The only ones unaffected were Caron, Guillotine, and Pluto.0

Meow!0

Having appeared at some point, Pluto's fur bristled as it looked toward one side of the chamber.0

"Calm down," Caron murmured, running a gentle hand over Pluto's head. Then, following the direction of Pluto's gaze, he said in a low voice, "Stop being so dramatic and just come out."0

For a moment, there was silence.0

"I wasn't trying to be dramatic. I simply needed a moment to manifest myself," a low voice called out.0

A man with blue hair slowly emerged from the shadows. He was slightly taller than Caron, his skin pale as white jade. His sculpted features were so flawless, they hardly seemed real.0

"I don't like unexpected visitors who show up without saying anything," Caron said flatly.0

Even if this dragon was the Guardian Dragon of the Ducal Family of Leston, to Caron, he was nothing more than an uninvited guest.0

Perhaps amused by Caron's reaction, the dragon smiled. Then, with a snap of his fingers—0

Flash!0

In an instant, his form shifted, transforming into a woman. A strikingly beautiful...0