For several seconds, the deck of Winter's Wrath fell silent. Asalina stood there, staring into Byron's eyes with a calm, gentle smile on her face—until Byron suddenly laughed as well, spreading his hands. "I was joking—Asalina, why are you here?"
"You're sure you were joking?" The Dragon Seal Witch still looked Byron up and down several times with deep suspicion. "You weren't desperately trying to remember during those few seconds just now?"
"My memory hasn't deteriorated that badly yet," Byron said, waving a hand. "You still haven't told me—why did you come?"
"I led the dragonkin team from Dragon Leap Cliff and arrived in Tarlonnd a day before you," Asalina said casually as she walked forward. "We set up camp in Coastal Prefecture yesterday, while you, who claim to command the fastest warship in the world, were still drifting across the icy sea. I heard the Coastal Prefecture sentries mention that you encountered Chaotic Turbulence at sea, so I flew over with the dragons to see how things were... I didn't expect all of you to be fine."
Byron crossed his arms, a proud smile on his face. "We didn't encounter it. We brushed past it. There's a huge difference—and we have the world's finest navigators and escort fleet, along with modern ships capable of withstanding sea storms. Even if we really plunged headfirst into Chaotic Turbulence, we could come out safely. Your concern was unnecessary. Besides, I must emphasize that Winter's Wrath is absolutely the fastest warship in this world. But if you compare its speed with your wings, that's a little unreasonable. Especially since Winter's Wrath has to sail with so many cargo ships—I couldn't exactly crank the Power Spine to maximum output, abandon the entire fleet, and race straight for Tarlonnd, could I?"
At that point, he