Forced to become a delicate companion of a paranoid lord

Very few people know that the capital of the Hayseton Empire was built on a huge dragon's nest ruin. Perhaps some long-lived races might vaguely remember this, but as a Calitel who can only live for fifty or sixty years, Lanlier had never heard of it.

Therefore, when Lanlier followed the boy in black into the Dragon's Nest ruins and saw the so-called "door that leads to Geldona Castle," his fingers trembled slightly as he pointed to the ancient mechanical lock on the door.

"Who exactly told you that I could open that kind of lock?"

You see, when this child approached him, he said, "I can't get into Gerdona Castle, can you open a door for me?" His tone was so casual that he thought he was asking him to open a secret door that allowed him to enter and exit the castle.

The result... the result was the legendary Star Orbit Ratchet Lock, a relic from the mythical era that, if forcibly destroyed without a key, would trigger a self-destruct mechanism and the relic's restrictions, making the relic impossible to enter again and impervious to any violent attack. It had outlasted many master locksmiths of Calitel.

The tall and indestructible stone gate was covered with dazzling star trails, and beneath each of these trails was a mechanism connecting to the door lock...

The short-statured Calitl people stop changing in size and appearance after they are seven or eight years old, hence they are called "little people" by the people on the continent. They usually look like ordinary human children until they are 50 years old, and only after 50 years old do they show signs of aging and physical decline.

Lanlier is 45 years old this year, and is approaching old age. His physical strength and energy can no longer support him to concentrate and work tirelessly to open an ancient mechanical lock like he did when he was young.

He stood there, looking up at the stone gate that seemed like an insurmountable barrier, and unconsciously took a step back.

Just as he was about to back out, the boy, who hadn't said another word since leaving the hotel, spoke in his harsh, hoarse voice.

“My dad said… you Kalitel people can open any lock. There used to be a key, it was with my dad, but I don’t know where he is now…”

Lanlier's face flushed red as he took five steps forward. The words, "You Calitel people can open any lock," made him take a deep breath and decide to risk his life to open this ancient mechanical lock!

Carrying his family heirloom, Lanlier stood before the massive stone gate, chest puffed out and hands on hips, ready to make his move. Before he did, he turned to look at the boy, who was bundled up tightly, raised his chin, and said something.

“Kid, your dad was right. We Kalittel people can open any lock. Your medal can only be used to ask me to do one thing. Since I promised you, even if I die here, I will open this door and let you in.”

……

The people of Calitl are not only able to open any lock, but they are also very trustworthy.

Lanlier studied the stone door tirelessly for three days and three nights. Although he was unable to fully open the stone door, he did his best to open a gap that would allow Egbert to enter the Dragon Nest ruins.

The door could be left open for a few minutes. Lanlier stood outside, looking at the boy in black robes inside, and waved goodbye: "Let me make this clear beforehand, I'm not responsible for keeping your secret. If anyone comes looking for me, I'll definitely betray you. Um... our race has a short lifespan. I love my partner very much. She's a few years older than me, and I have to take good care of her. We have several children. My son and daughter both have children. I want to live a few more years to save some money for them. I value my life. I hope you can understand, but it's okay if you don't."

The stone door closed slowly, and the boy in black robes inside nodded. He didn't speak, but simply bowed and performed a very standard Kalittel greeting of thanks.

Lanlier knew from the moment the boy in the black robe approached him that the boy was a seven or eight-year-old human boy, not one of his own kind. He saw that after he had said those things, the boy did not blame or hate him, but instead solemnly expressed his gratitude to him.

This left him somewhat at a loss, unsure of what to say. He could only hurriedly rub his forehead and offer a blessing in return before the stone gate closed.

Regardless, he hoped that the boy's future path would be smooth sailing.

……

Egbert knew from a very young age that there were many secret passages leading in all directions through the Dragon's Nest ruins within Gerdona Castle, located in the heart of the capital city of Hesedon.

Each secret passage is not interconnected. As long as the stone doors at both ends of the passage can be opened, one can ignore the protective magic circle and the restrictions below the castle and enter and exit the castle silently.

The key to the stone door of the secret passage is in my father's hands. To enter the secret passage from the outside, we need to find a Kalitel to unlock it. But inside the secret passage, even without the key, there is a way to open the stone door and get out.

In the past, every time Egbert entered the Dragon's Nest Ruins, he was always carried or led by his parents into the seemingly endless dark passageway. Therefore, he never felt that the passageway was very long. Now, following his father's teachings, he chose the correct path at each fork in the road. After making countless choices, he finally saw the door at the exit.

He then realized that the secret passage was so long that it filled him with fear.

Egbert rummaged through his spatial ring and found a new set of clothes. He used magic to clean himself, changed into the new clothes, and tried to tidy up his messy hair.

He was actually very scared; he was afraid that after losing his father, he would lose his mother as well.

With his bandaged hands tucked into his sleeves, Egbert knew he looked very ugly, but he knew that neither his father nor his mother would despise him.

Because he is his parents' precious child.