Chapter 82

It was clear that he was about to say something, but with a furrowed brow, Ferdikion held back and let it pass.

However, Amelia’s face had already turned pale. Even the water maiden bit her lip tightly and fell silent after that.

Seeing this, Rune swallowed a long sigh.

‘This is frustrating.’

They’re both kids.

Even more so, they are immature kids who have never properly communicated with anyone.

Though Ferdikion is older, the age difference between them is only about a hundred years, which is practically the same as being born in the same year for humans.

There was no good side to taking either’s side, so he decided to observe for a moment, but the atmosphere quickly turned icy.

Rune decided to mediate.

“Hold on, both of you, look at me.”

He glanced at each of them and then asked Amelia first.

“Amelia, what do you mean by saying Ferdikion’s tone was rough?”

Amelia, who had been subtly observing, lowered her head a little.

“Well, I... I’m... lacking... it’s true. But... even so, I... tried not to be ashamed... and made an effort. You... spoke so... bluntly.”

Seeing Ferdikion’s eyes narrow immediately, Rune preempted him before he could say anything.

“So, what were you going to say, big brother?”

“I don’t really want to say it.”

Rune’s question made a crack appear on Amelia’s face, who had been watching Ferdikion.

Unswayed by this, Rune continued calmly.

“But not saying what you were going to say can lead to misunderstandings. If you’re misunderstood as a member of the dungeon raid team, it could cause problems. I don’t want that to happen.”

Meeting Rune’s steady gaze, Ferdikion reluctantly opened his mouth.

“If you’re a water clan’s prospective elder, you’re in the same position as me. But look at the state of the lair around here. As a manager, you’ve done nothing. You can’t even speak on equal terms with a guest. It was frustrating to see the owner of the lair struggling to continue a conversation with a trembling voice. Since the purpose is to give you the water seal and raid the dungeon, it doesn’t really matter.”

‘This stubborn kid, I thought he was doing well lately, but why is he suddenly like this?’

He was at a loss on how to resolve this.

As he was thinking of a solution, Ferdikion continued.

“To begin with, I don’t understand how you can offer help when you can’t even manage your own territory without my help. It would be better to quickly transfer authority to someone capable of solving urgent problems and focus on addressing the immediate issues.”

“Th-That...!”

Amelia’s face flushed, and her brows furrowed.

She didn’t know how to express the sudden surge of emotions and tightened her grip on her spear.

“...Even if I’m in a position to receive help... I don’t want to... share sincere words... and respect... with someone who... doesn’t... How can a kind person like Rune... become friends... with someone like you?”

Ferdikion snorted at this.

“I think I’ve been considerate enough. Why should I listen to such rude words from someone who’s just my little brother’s acquaintance?”

Rune finally realized the most important issue they had overlooked.

‘These two... don’t match at all.’

Not only did they grow up in different environments and have different ways of thinking, but neither had ever properly communicated with anyone on equal terms.

There’s a certain atmosphere that can be felt even without words.

Ferdikion couldn’t accept that someone with insufficient capabilities was a fellow prospective elder.

Amelia felt uncomfortable because she was cut off from greeting someone she met for the first time.

In the midst of this, Ferdikion’s suggestion to transfer the clan’s seal right away only made things worse.

Amelia’s discomfort had reached the point where she felt like dealing with a ruffian.

On the other hand, Ferdikion was frustrated in his own way.

As an elder, one should know what they can and cannot do with their abilities.

If help is available, one should move quickly to resolve issues.

The tasks were clear, but actions that didn’t distinguish between public and private were bothersome.

It even seemed futile for her to try to continue the conversation when even greeting was difficult.

So, by quickly skipping the formalities and getting to the main point, he was misunderstood as not respecting her, which made him feel unpleasant.

Rune explained the situation to Amelia to calm her down.

“Amelia, big brother was suggesting that if conversation is uncomfortable, it’s okay to skip the formalities. He was talking about efficiency, not trying to ignore you.”

Amelia’s gloomy expression relaxed, and she let go of her spear.

He had succeeded.

“But... because you’re Rune’s sworn brother... I tried to greet you properly. But you ignored me...”

“Yes, I understand. You must have felt hurt. However, big brother didn’t mean to ignore your efforts. He actually wanted to help you quickly.”

Amelia’s face fell, and her shoulders slumped.

Then, Rune turned to Ferdikion.

“Big brother, even if you don’t like it, Amelia, as a prospective elder of the water clan, tried to show respect by greeting you, the fire clan’s elder, for the first time.”

Ferdikion crossed his arms and looked at Rune with a displeased expression before turning away.

Rune tried to explain as gently as possible.

“It’s just that you both think differently.”

Rune smiled gently and held each of their hands.

“You’re both dear to me. You’re my precious brother and sister, so please don’t fight.”

‘It’s a bit embarrassing... but if I leave them be, nothing will get resolved.’

Though his skin was crawling, he knew it was impossible to make them understand each other perfectly right away.

However, even with their strong thoughts and stubbornness, they might be able to soften their hearts at the request of a harmless young life form.

Amelia and Ferdikion, both younger than the hatchling, looked at each other and then turned their heads away.

‘They’re stubborn.’

He was breaking out in a cold sweat.

At that moment,

“Both of you, look at this!”

Heumi approached with a basket full of snacks, holding it in her arms with Dura.

A basket filled with various cupcakes, puddings, and chocolates covered Heumi’s face, and when she lowered it slightly, her smiling face appeared.

“Um, when I feel bad, Heumi does something to feel happy because I don’t like feeling bad. It’s a secret, but I’ll tell it to you and Ferdikion-sama specially!”

Heumi giggled and looked up at Ferdikion and Amelia alternately, then took a yellow lemon tart from the basket and placed it in Amelia’s hand.

Next, she gave a mini cupcake filled with strawberries and cream to Ferdikion.

“Ferdikion-sama likes lemon chiffon, lemon iced tea, and lemon tart! And Amelia-nee, you’re happy when you eat fluffy strawberry cream cake with a fork.”

Their gazes met, then turned to the lemon tart and strawberry cream cupcake in their hands.

“Hmm, when I become a source of happiness, I feel happy too.”

Heumi, holding their hands with the snacks, smiled.

“This is about looking at the person in front of you and speaking properly. I want to give happiness to you and Ferdikion-sama.”

The innocent words, free of any calculation or selfishness, gradually eased the tense atmosphere.

Led by Heumi’s hand, they exchanged the lemon tart and strawberry cream cupcake, unable to ignore Heumi’s expectant eyes.

“I would be very sad and upset if someone was unhappy because of me. But if there are such days, I need to ask, ‘How can you be happy?’”

Heumi took out a sweet-smelling apple pie from her pocket and smiled.

Then, she took a bite first.

“Please try it, Amelia-nee and Ferdikion-sama! If you’re still upset after eating this, I’ll think about how to make you happy together!”

“...”

“Heumi...”

Amelia, at a loss, gently held the cupcake in her hand.

“Tch.”

Ferdikion, looking exasperated, took a bite of the lemon tart in his hand.

When Amelia looked at him, he frowned slightly.

“Stop staring, it’s embarrassing. Are you going to act disgracefully in front of these kids as a prospective elder?”

“...!”

Amelia finally realized how embarrassing it was to be scolded by the youngest, Rune, and the innocent Heumi, who were the oldest among them.

Amelia, looking at Rune and Heumi alternately, carefully took a bite of the strawberry cupcake in her hand.

“Thank you... Heumi.”

“You’re welcome!”

Heumi glanced at Rune and winked.

Then, she smiled, mouthing the words.

‘Did I do well?’

Indeed, even innocent children can be surprisingly perceptive.

‘You did well.’

Rune nodded in agreement.

Heumi, feeling pleased, chattered beside Ferdikion and Amelia.

Rune, swept up by Heumi’s atmosphere, felt relieved to see the two in a less tense state.

‘We have a long way to go. But Heumi did a good job.’

He waited until they finished their snacks.

Though there were no apologies, the awkward atmosphere had softened the tension between them.

‘Maybe it’s time to change the topic.’

Rune deliberately took out a cookie and ate it with them, exclaiming in light admiration.

“