Hill and Telly Prepare to Set Out

"Telly!" Hill roared in lingering fright. "What was that sound? Why was it so terrifying!"

"Gold Dragon Telly's snoring." Hill smiled as he held up the bell for him to see. "A special recording by Hill. Surprised?"

"Impossible!" Telly roared. "I never snore!"

"Want to hear it again? I'd be happy to oblige!" Hill held the bell and stared menacingly at the stubborn Gold Dragon.

"No!" Telly quickly shook his head. In truth, he was only putting up a brave front.

Every dragon pronounced things differently. Once he calmed down, Telly had already confirmed that it was indeed his own voice.

"Does no one in your family ever mention that you snore?" Hill asked hesitantly. "Your room has a soundproofing array! I can't even stay next door."

"My father did mention it once, but I didn't believe him and even had a fight with him over it." Telly stretched his wings and flew back to his enormous bed, rubbing his still-aching head against the thick, soft pillow. "But my mother said I didn't disturb her!"

"Doesn't that mean you do snore, but your mother simply has a high tolerance and endured it?" Hill questioned.

"My mother doesn't actually spend much time in the dragon nest." Telly sat up, his tone somewhat dejected. "My father goes out often too, but at least he comes home to sleep most of the time.

Only my mother—ever since I left the hatchling stage, she often doesn't come home!

What's so great about patrolling that little territory? She can get most of the information just by staying in the dragon nest!

My mother has sent out plenty of subordinates, so why does she have to go out herself? She even takes my father with her!

She didn't even come back for my birthday!"

Hill could