"Please, tell me more about this debt," Grim said, his voice gentler than before.
Korin pulled another chair close to his wife, who leaned slightly against his shoulder, her breathing labored even at rest. The contrast between his powerful, scaled form and her delicate blue-tinged skin was striking.
"It began with my father," Korin explained. "He was full dragon, one of the few who chose to live among humans rather than in isolated dragon territories. He established this forge nearly fifty years ago."
"Dragons are known for accumulating wealth, not debt," Huangyan observed from her position near the window.
A sad smile crossed Korin's face. "My father was... unusual for his kind. More interested in creation than accumulation. He spent his resources developing new forging techniques, particularly those involving mana manipulation."
"Which led to financial difficulties," Grim surmised.
