Areth awoke to a morning free of headaches. He stepped into the bath prepared by the servants. In the adjacent chamber, a massive circular pool filled with natural hot spring water made him feel as though he were at a spa. After receiving a massage, he had his breakfast there as well. Being a dragon and possessing a massive physique, he had a formidable appetite, so he finished an entire sheep as if it were nothing.
Afterward, he was dressed in splendid garments. His dark hair was carefully combed, and his tail was massaged.
When the servants finally left, Areth felt like a newborn baby. He was still not fully accustomed to such treatment, but he definitely wished to become used to it.
Leaving his room, he walked steadily through the corridors. Everyone who saw him made sure to bow before him. He exited his castle and gazed upon the lush nature of the floating island. As he followed the white stone roads leading to the surrounding manors, he observed his surroundings.
The most eye-catching structure was the island's enormous arena. Several people were heading toward it. Two women, walking side by side with confident steps and without exchanging a glance, entered through its gates. Areth immediately understood that a match was about to take place. Some residents of the island held peaceful duels to strengthen themselves or resolve disputes. The arena existed precisely for that purpose.
Ignoring them, he headed toward Researcher Selene's mansion.
After watching the spineless guards at the gate lower their heads to waist level, he entered. He did not find Selene in her research room as expected, but in the dining hall. He had forgotten how much she loved food, especially the combination of milk and cookies.
Not only was she sprawled lazily across her chair, but she was also wearing an extremely revealing outfit. Her silver hair was messy, a clear sign that she had just woken up. Yet the clock already showed that it was quite late to be rising.
When she noticed Areth, her green pupils widened. She immediately straightened up and fixed her hair with one hand.
"Lord Areth! I didn't know you were coming…"
After her momentary panic, Selene cleared her throat and pushed her glass of milk aside.
"Y-Your Lordship… I'm usually in the laboratory at this hour, but… I stayed up a little late last night," she said, trying to come up with a weak excuse.
Areth raised an eyebrow slightly. His gaze shifted to the half-eaten cookies and the milk stains on the table.
"It seems cookies are more important than your research," he remarked calmly, with a hint of mockery.
Selene blushed.
"This… This is just a short break! My brain needs sugar to work efficiently!"
With a faint smile at the corner of his lips, Areth sat down on one of the chairs.
"There's no need to panic when you see me. I didn't come for an inspection," he said.
"I only have a few questions."
Selene immediately became serious. She straightened her back and placed her hands on her knees.
"I'm listening, Lord Areth."
Areth glanced toward the window, watching the clouds drifting above the floating island. Then he turned back to Selene.
"I heard you sent out the elves. Did you manage to learn everything from them?"
Selene hesitated for a moment. Her eyes drifted involuntarily toward the scattered papers on the table. Then she stood up and quickly began gathering them.
"Yes," she said at last. "I gave Lady Lysandra the possible locations of the human kingdoms. As you ordered, the island's route was changed a few days ago."
Areth tilted his head slightly upon hearing her words.
"Good."
That single word eased some of the tension on Selene's shoulders. Still, she hesitated to lift her gaze from the table.
"From now on, our next step is to bring an educated, wise, and intellectual individual to the floating island. I want you to decipher the most popular languages of this new and unknown world, just as you did with the elves."
Selene slowly raised her head. Surprise flashed across her green eyes, followed by intense excitement.
"So…" she said cautiously,
"you're looking for a linguist?"
"More than a linguist," Areth corrected calmly.
"Someone familiar with multiple cultures, capable of reading ancient texts, and knowledgeable about politics and belief systems."
Selene bit her lip thoughtfully.
"People like that are usually affiliated with major academies… or already under a kingdom's protection. Kidnapping them quietly won't be easy. And even if we succeed, it will definitely attract attention."
"What do you suggest?" Areth asked.
Caught off guard by the question, Selene tensed slightly. She took a deep breath and focused. I need to answer well and make Lord Areth proud, she thought.
She parted her lips, closed them again, then finally spoke, as if organizing her thoughts.
"I think…" she said,
"targeting the most famous scholars would be a major mistake."
Areth watched her silently.
"The star figures of academies are always under scrutiny," Selene continued.
"The moment they disappear, kingdoms will be in uproar. Investigations will begin. Spies will be deployed. That would endanger the floating island's existence."
She picked up a pen and twirled it between her fingers.
"Instead… we should choose second-tier individuals."
Areth raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Second-tier?"
"Yes," Selene nodded.
"Talented people whose value hasn't been fully recognized. Overlooked geniuses, researchers ostracized for their ideas, scholars who fell from favor for political reasons…"
She paused, then her eyes lit up.
"Or those who have been exiled."
Areth's gaze sharpened.
"Go on."
Encouraged, Selene quickened her speech.
"These people usually possess two things: knowledge and resentment.
If we offer them the right opportunity, they may even come willingly. Not as if they were kidnapped… but as if they were rescued."
Areth remained silent.
Trying to gauge his reaction, Selene added:
"For example, imagine a historian oppressed at an academy, ostracized for dealing with forbidden texts. If we protect him, he'll be grateful. He'll be loyal and he won't talk."
Areth slowly leaned back.
"So… invisible targets," he said.
"Exactly," Selene agreed.
"People no one truly cares about."
Sunlight filtered through the window and fell across Selene's face. There was an unusual seriousness in her eyes.
"When choosing them, I look at three things," she said.
"Linguistic skill, access to ancient records, and personal background."
Areth inclined his head slightly. "But first, we must determine whether institutions like academies or organizations even exist in this world…"
Selene lowered her head slightly. A thoughtful silence followed. Her fingers tapped the pen softly against the table.
"Yes, my lord," she said at last.
"That is the most critical point."
She set the pen down and walked a few steps toward the window.
"If this world lacks organized academies, guilds, or centers of wisdom… then our targets will be scattered. Hard to track, but also hard to find."
Areth narrowed his eyes, listening carefully.
"Therefore, we need to gather information first. I believe abducting a random person from human civilization is our best option," Selene said confidently.
"Very well... I like your plan," he said, standing up, taking a piece of cookie in his hand, and popping it into his mouth. "Then you have two weeks to complete this task,"
Selene flinched.
"Two weeks? Is that to kidnap a human… or to capture an intellectual?" she muttered unconsciously.
Areth raised an eyebrow slightly.
"No… it's to accomplish everything we mentioned."