Night.
Only then did Koraman, the little Green Dragon, return to his lair in a daze. Even the sight of the silver coins inside failed to bring the slightest smile to his face.
The little Green Dragon lay down in his vine-filled lair.
Tears seeped once more from eyes that had long since cried themselves dry.
"Why... why on earth... why was Alicia with Xiluo? And... they were out together for an entire day. What exactly did they do out there... no! I can't keep thinking about this! It's impossible, absolutely impossible!"
The Green Dragon wallowed in self-pity, his thoughts running wild.
"Koraman, you're finally back. I was so worried when you ran off shouting earlier."
From outside the lair came the voice that haunted Koraman's dreams.
He couldn't help sitting upright.
He looked over.
"Alicia, you and Xiluo..." he asked apprehensively.
"Koraman, don't misunderstand. Xiluo and I are just ordinary friends. I wasn't the only one he approached earlier. There were Abel, Gordon, and Allen too.
"I didn't want to bother with him at first, but he gathered the five of us to discuss how to guard against invaders in the future.
"For the sake of Green Forest's future, I had no choice but to agree. Sigh..."
Young She-Dragon explained softly, a hint of helplessness on her pretty draconic face.
"S-so that's what happened... I knew it. How could you possibly be alone with Xiluo, Alicia... hehe... sorry, I misunderstood you!
"As an apology, Alicia, please accept these silver coins. They might not amount to much, but they're almost everything I own! Please, you have to take them!"
Koraman immediately perked up. Grinning foolishly, he shifted his body and offered Young She-Dragon the silver coins he had just been lying on.
Young She-Dragon's mouth fell slightly open, and she