Raylo still clearly remembered what a mess he’d faced when he first arrived in Black Stone Territory.

It was Moonlight’s appearance, with her immense Power and Dragon Mighty, that had won him the most precious respite.

Without her, the development of Black Stone Territory would have been a hundred times more difficult. Without her, he might have died long ago in some unknown crisis.

She wasn’t just a contract partner; she was his, Raylo’s, first and most trusted ally in this Otherworld.

He had tried to poach her little brother, going behind her back and exploiting her trust to achieve his own goals.

’How is that any different from those despicable villains who would do anything for personal gain, betraying trust without a second thought?’

’If I go through with this, even if I get the Space Dragon, how could I ever face Moonlight again?’

’Will a rift form in our trust, one that can never be repaired?’

Raylo’s heart felt as if it were being squeezed by a hand, a tight, stuffy feeling spreading through his chest.

He thought of the second option.

To give up the sneak attack, to abandon the deception.

And to use the remaining two days to sincerely earn Moonlight’s understanding and support.

The chances of success were very low.

He knew the pride of a Silver Dragon better than anyone.

Her fury was a clear sign that her aversion to the matter had reached its peak.

Getting her to change her mind in two days was a nearly impossible task.

This meant he would likely lose the chance to form a contract with Coal Ball forever.

A walking treasury, a future legendary Giant Dragon, would slip through his fingers.

Raylo tossed and turned in his bed.

On one side was immense gain, easily within his grasp; on the other, the friendship with a partner he needed to protect.

Reason screamed at him, telling him to choose the former.

’As a Lord, maximizing his own interests was the most correct choice.’

’Acting on emotion would only lead to missing a golden opportunity.’

But a voice in the depths of his heart echoed again and again.

’If he could betray even his most trusted partner, what meaning would there be in anything else he possessed?’

’Was the glory he sought meant to be built on a foundation of deceit and betrayal?’

In the darkness, Raylo slowly sat up.

He looked at the silhouette by the window, and the scales in his heart finally tipped.

He let out a long breath, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

The struggle and hesitation in his eyes vanished, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and resolve.

’So be it.’

If he couldn’t get Moonlight’s forgiveness, he would rather give up this chance.

Compared to a Space Dragon, what he could not afford to lose was this one-of-a-kind Silver Dragon partner by his side.

Having made his decision, Raylo’s mind became clear and bright.

He was no longer anxious or conflicted, but simply watched Moonlight in silence.

Dawn broke. The first rays of morning light pierced through the clouds, lining the eastern horizon with a golden edge.

Moonlight was still lying on the windowsill.

The morning light coated her body in a warm hue. Her silvery-white fur no longer looked cold in the light; instead, it was like melting snow, radiating a soft halo.

On the floor, Coal Ball was curled up into a pitiful black furball, letting out a yawn from time to time.

The little guy had been suffering in the formidable Moonlight’s cold-war-like atmosphere, not even daring to sneak a nap.

Raylo sat up in bed. After a night of struggle and decision-making, his mind was now crystal clear.

A moment later, he walked barefoot, stepping onto the cold stone floor and approaching the window one step at a time.

The cold from the floor seeped into him, making him feel even more awake.

Moonlight didn’t turn her head, but her ears twitched slightly.

Raylo stopped beside her, his gaze passing over her to the awakening silhouette of Black Stone Territory in the distance.

"Moonlight."

He spoke, his voice exceptionally clear in the morning tranquility.

"You will always be my number one partner. That will never change, not in the past, not now, and not in the future."

The Silver Dragon’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

She slowly turned her head, her pale gold eyes glancing at him. Her expression was complex, tinged with scrutiny, but the icy coldness from last night that kept everyone at a distance had thawed somewhat.

She didn’t respond and turned her head back to continue looking out the window.

Raylo wasn’t discouraged; he knew this would take time.

"I admit, I really want to form a contract with Coal Ball."

He said frankly, his gaze shifting to the pitiful little black ball on the floor.

"But I’m not just greedy for the Power of a Space Dragon. I’m just... a little worried."

He reached out, gently stroking the cold stone of the windowsill.

"A Giant Dragon’s life is long and free, and Coal Ball will grow up one day. It’s in a dragon’s nature to long for the sky and distant lands. I’m afraid that after he comes of age, he’ll be like all the legendary Giant Dragons—he’ll leave this place to seek a sky of his own. I don’t want to lose him as a partner."

These words came from the bottom of his heart.

To him, neither Moonlight nor Coal Ball were mere subordinates or tools; they were family.

Moonlight’s ears twitched again.

She turned her head again. This time, she looked seriously into Raylo’s eyes, then looked down at Coal Ball on the floor, who was staring up at them with big, watery eyes.

The Silver Dragon’s gaze moved back and forth between the man and the dragon. In her pale gold eyes, the Frost was slowly retreating.

Raylo knew this was the most crucial moment.

He met Moonlight’s gaze and said, word by word, with the utmost seriousness.

"But no matter what, your feelings are what matter most. If you don’t agree, I’ll give up on the idea. I’ll give it up forever."

He paused, his tone incredibly firm.

"Black Stone Territory can do without a Space Dragon, but I can’t do without you."

The moment he finished speaking, Raylo felt the air around them seem to lighten.

Moonlight gazed at him, and deep within her pale gold eyes, something melted completely.

The pride in her eyes was still there, but beneath it, familiar trust and warmth began to stir once more.

Raylo tentatively reached out his hand, slowly and gently placing it on top of Moonlight’s head.

This time, she didn’t pull away.

She even subtly nuzzled his palm with the soft fur on top of her head.

A great wave of warmth instantly surged through Raylo’s body, dispelling all his anxiety and unease.

He couldn’t help but smile—a genuine smile that came after setting down a heavy burden.

’Treating each other with sincerity really was the right way for partners to get along.’

He stood up and shouted toward the door.

"Someone! Have Auntie Marlin prepare breakfast—the best one! And add an extra honey-glazed roasted goose and a large tureen of silver fish chowder!"

Outside the door, the resonant reply of a Personal Guard came immediately.

"Yes, My Lord!"

With that shout, the last of the stagnant air in the room was broken.

Moonlight leaped gracefully from the windowsill back onto the soft, large bed.

Seeing this, Coal Ball’s nerves, which had been taut all night, finally relaxed.

It let out a joyful whimper and, like a black cannonball, SWOOSHED onto the bed as well. It expertly snuggled up to Moonlight, nudging her chin with its little head.

Raylo expected Moonlight to impatiently bat it away with a paw, just like she usually did.

However, something unexpected happened.

Moonlight just glanced down at Coal Ball frolicking beside her, her expression turning into a strange mix of... disdain and indulgence.

Then, she stretched out a paw—not to bat, but to gently push.

Propelled by this gentle force, Coal Ball’s little black body ROLLED a few times, coming to a perfect stop right in front of Raylo.

The little guy was stunned. He looked up at Moonlight, then at Raylo, not understanding why the boss had changed her tactics today.