Several weeks had passed, and I continued to govern my Barony without encountering any significant difficulties. However, as I slept at night, a persistent restlessness gnawed at my heart. I frequently dreamt of being on a battlefield, charging at the forefront—an experience I had never imagined before. I had cherished my tranquil life in the countryside, but I could feel the Firestone slowly influencing me, changing not just my external appearance but also my thoughts and emotions.

Just like the restless nights before, I awoke in the middle of the night with the lunar light seeping through my curtains. I opened the window, and a fresh, cool breeze caressed my cheeks as I gazed up at the twinkling stars. It reminded me of what the dragon had said, "Grow in power, reach high heavens, and thank Alasra for this opportunity." I walked to the table where I had placed the dragon's black stone—the only clue I had to discover the identity of the dragon, the purpose of the temple, and the nature of the Primordial Chaotic Firestone.

I sat down, closely observing the stone. It appeared no different from before, but I sensed a connection between the Firestone and the dragon. I grasped the stone and placed it over my heart, and then I felt it—an undeniable connection. A faint pulse emanated from the stone, and my eyes widened in horror as I realized, "This is not a stone; it's an egg—the egg of that dragon."

My heart started to beat faster, warming the area around my heart. I had the urge to cradle the egg close to me, but this feeling was unlike the rage and carnage I had experienced before. It was soothing, warm, almost motherly. I walked to my bed and curled into a fetal position, hugging the egg tightly. All other thoughts vanished from my mind, and I fell into a deep slumber.

The next morning, I opened my eyes to find myself on the floor. I could feel the cold floor as I let out a sneeze, realizing I was exhausted even though I had just slept. My nose was running, and I emitted a light cough.

It had been many years since I had last fallen sick, but I didn't see the stone anywhere. I quickly got up from the floor, flipping the blanket onto my bed. I searched for the black egg, but it was nowhere to be found. I combed through my entire room desperately, but there was nothing.

A sense of loss gripped my heart, and I felt a pang of sorrow as if I had lost a dear friend. I realized how deeply the stone had influenced me, but there was nothing I could do. I knew it was what kept me alive, and removing it would mean my death. However, the dominant feeling in my mind was sorrow.

Overwhelmed with grief and confusion, the absence of the dragon's egg, which had become an integral part of my life overnight, left a void I couldn't bear. I had formed a profound connection with it, and its comforting presence had been a solace during my restless nights.

As I knelt on the floor, tears streamed down my face. I couldn't help but wonder where the egg had gone. Had it vanished on its own, or had someone taken it from me? The room was in disarray from my frantic search, but there was no sign of the precious black egg.

Just as I was yearning for a miracle, I felt something move in my head. I reached my hand to grab it, finding something soft with baby-like skin. I opened my hand to reveal a small creature whose eyes were still closed. It was chewing on the broken eggshells. All my sorrow disappeared as I locked my eyes on it. After it had finished chewing, it curled into a ball in my hand and fell asleep.

I couldn't help but adore it. It was incredibly cute with its pink skin, dark eyes, and twig-like wings. I returned to my bed, resting, as I had fallen ill. I placed the dragon on my chest, close to my heart, and settled into slumber once more.

I rested throughout the day, with Sebs and others checking on me frequently. They called a herbalist who brewed medicine for me, helping to reduce the fever. I fell asleep again, and this time, it was a pleasant sleep. Unlike the gnawing restlessness that had plagued my nights, I now had something to comfort me. Honestly, it was no longer the influence of the Firestone that made me love it; I had grown genuinely fond of it. Watching it play and snuggle against me, I developed a deep affection for the creature.

A week passed, and the dragon had grown to the size of my fist. It had opened its eyes, which sparkled like gems, and it watched me with enthusiasm. It wagged its tail like a dog whenever it was happy and loved playing with me, often hiding in small spaces.

I laughed along with it, but when morning came, I donned my robes and left the bedroom. As much as I enjoyed playing with the baby dragon, I still had the duty of ruling my people. They were waiting for me to resolve minor disputes. I walked into my office, leaving the dragon behind in my bedroom.

I quickly sorted through the paperwork for the day. Complaints were minimal, as my recent strict punishments had helped reduce crime in the hamlets, and trade and farming were thriving. The harvest season was approaching, and everything seemed to be going well.

As I finished the last request, I noticed a large eagle—a special delivery bird used by the Royal family. My heart raced as I opened the window, and the eagle swooped in, landing on the table. It carried a bag on its back, which I quickly unstrapped and opened.

Inside was a letter from His Majesty himself. I began reading, "Baron of Veil, I have been notified of your recent achievements in saving my daughter and your father's passing. Please come to the Palace so I can personally reward you and offer my condolences. I will be waiting for you, Richard V Aqua."

Countless thoughts raced through my mind, and not a single one was pleasant. It was never a good sign when the king invited his subjects, and from the rumors, I knew that the king only summoned those he loathed. I quickly reviewed my recent actions, trying to pinpoint anything that could have angered him, but nothing came to mind. I had paid my taxes honestly and led a quiet life as a countryside noble. The only unusual events were my encounter with Flashing Thunder and Princess Alice, but even then, I hadn't done anything to provoke their or the king's ire.

But now that I had been summoned, there was nothing I could do to prevent it. I grabbed a glass of water, my hand shaking, and drank it slowly to soothe my dry mouth.