Before Dante could speak, a sudden voice from the crowd pierced through the murmurs.
“Everyone! I just remembered something.” a guest shouted. “Eric! Is it true you recently met the Dragon General? I heard he’s been in Monterio these past few days!”
The hall went still. Heads whipped around.
Eric blinked in surprise at being called out so loudly, then allowed a slow, practiced smile to curl on his lips—one that said he enjoyed the attention.
“Well…” He lifted a hand casually. “Yes, I did. But there’s no need to announce it. I’m not the type to brag about meeting the Dragon General.”
A collective gasp rolled through the hall like a wave.
“He met the Dragon General?!”
“No way—no one has met him since he returned.”
“Eric really is on another level…”
Whispers built into excited chatt
