Chapter 106
Chapter 106: Words Often Lead To Mistakes [October Votes Wanted]
“Bet you didn’t expect this, dragons! This is our escape route!”
Three Casimir knights formed a light shield to protect Semira behind them.
From the moment they started fighting the red dragon, they realized the vast gap in strength between them and the dragon. If they truly had to fight the dragon, there was no way they could survive.
So, they gave it their all. When the light shield was exhausted, the next in line would step up to replenish it, taking turns to pour energy into the shield. Finally, they managed to keep Semira safe.
Afterward, they collapsed, utterly exhausted.
“Mother…”
Semira gazed at the enormous crater before her.
The surrounding forest was scorched, and a deep ravine had been carved into the ground.
Turns out, all three of them were experts. As expected, they were the Mother and Mama of the Dragon Princess.
So, the red dragon was the Dragon Queen, and the silver dragon was the Dragon Queen’s consort.
But while she managed to escape successfully, what would happen to her mother? How could her mother face those three powerful dragons alone?
Semira stared blankly at the now-clear sky.
The Earth Vein energy reaction had vanished, and the relic had been successfully taken by the silver dragon.
[System, why would a dragon have a system? Didn’t you say that every system wielder would ultimately end up killing the Dragon King? But that silver dragon is married to the Dragon Queen, and they’ve had children. How could she possibly kill the Dragon Queen?]
[In general, systems can only attach to human consciousness. There are three possible scenarios for that silver dragon: First, she doesn’t have a system at all, but she has an innate ability to absorb Earth Vein energy. Second, she used to be human and later transformed into a dragon, betraying humanity to marry the Dragon Queen and have children. Third, she is originally a dragon, and the Lord God made an exception, allowing a system to attach to a dragon and drive her to kill her own queen.]
[So what do we do now? There’s a traitor among us system users. Does this mean world-class relics can now be used by the silver dragon?]
Normally, without a system—this “key”—the lock on a world-class relic cannot be opened.
Even if the dragons obtained the holy sword, without the system’s help, the sword, while not useless, would be difficult to bind to a soul, greatly limiting its power.
[It’s possible. Going forward, the host should keep a close eye on that silver dragon. If she shares our goal of eventually killing the Dragon Queen, we might consider working together.]
[Hmm…]
Semira nodded thoughtfully.
But if that were the case, wouldn’t Illya be pitiful?
No, no. She was already planning to kill Illya’s mother. Why should she pity Illya?
Illya is a dragon, after all…
Why is Illya a dragon?
How could a dragon be so adorable?
Semira was puzzled, her internal resolve beginning to blur.
Suddenly, a figure riding on a colorful cloud appeared in the sky—it was the blonde female hero her mother had saved earlier. She was supporting Semira’s mother, using magic to carry her here.
“Mother!”
Semira shouted excitedly at the sight.
The paladin was wearing a white coat taken from the blonde hero to cover her otherwise overly revealing armor, as there were men present.
The paladin leapt down from Demi’s magic circle and slowly approached Semira. Semira immediately rushed forward and embraced her mother.
“Mother, you’re alive. That’s wonderful.”
“Thanks to this hero.”
Semira sniffled, releasing the paladin.
She then approached Demi, her eyes brimming with tears, and bowed in a knight’s salute.
“Thank you, esteemed hero.”
“Oh, it was nothing, really. It was just a small favor. Besides, the paladin saved me from the Abyss of Reincarnation, so helping her was the least I could do.”
Demi waved it off with a smile.
“If the hero ever passes through the Goss Empire and comes to the imperial capital Misel, please, do visit the Casimir household. I will remember this favor and will surely repay you with a generous gift.”
“You’re too kind. But I must go, my teammates are waiting for me. Take care.”
“Goodbye, esteemed hero.”
“Goodbye, knights of Casimir.”
Demi waved to the five knights before stepping onto her magic circle and leaving.
The paladin looked at her daughter.
She had thought her daughter was lost in the dark pillar of light, but to her relief, Semira was safe and sound.
As the Paladin gazed at her daughter’s disheveled appearance, her heart filled with both bitterness and sorrow.
Semira had borne so many burdens at such a young age—trials she never should have had to endure. It was her first time venturing out for training, and she had encountered dragons. Whether that was a stroke of luck or misfortune, the Paladin wasn’t sure.
“Mother…”
Semira once again flung herself into the Paladin’s arms, and after Demi’s departure, her emotions finally erupted.
“I’m sorry, Mother. I couldn’t defeat the Dragon Princess! Even after everything the Radiant Knight taught me, I still lost to the Dragon Princess, even when I used my new skill.”
“It’s alright. You’ve done very well, Semira. We were just a bit unlucky. If we hadn’t faced the Dragon Princess, we probably would have won.”
“Mother… w-wah…”
Semira sobbed uncontrollably in her mother’s arms.
This was the first major setback in Semira’s life—a crushing blow. Her first time stepping out of her “starter village”, and she was already defeated by the final boss.
In a way, though, perhaps it was lucky. After all, they had survived an encounter with the final boss. How could that not be considered luck?
Once Semira had cried enough, she looked up.
“As a knight, I must grow braver with every battle, never give up!”
Her eyes were still glistening with tears, but her resolve was stronger than ever. She hadn’t let this battle discourage her.
“Congratulations, Semira. You are now a true knight.”
The Paladin knelt down, looking her daughter in the eye.
“Your growth and strength make me proud, Semira. You are my pride.”
“Mother!”
Semira clung to her mother again, rubbing her tear-stained face against the Paladin’s cheek. The Paladin smiled with her eyes half-closed.
Before being a knight, Semira was still just a seven-year-old child—her precious daughter.
“Let’s return to Rex City, and then we’ll head to our next destination: Boros City.”
Boros City was the capital of the Kingdom of Dia. Nearby, a small-scale city-level Earth Vein energy reaction would occur in about a month.
Although city-level relics were two tiers below world-class ones, they were still valuable. Even the smallest gains were important. First, they needed to find a suitable weapon for Semira.
They couldn’t sit idly waiting for another world-class relic to appear. They needed to continue their adventure in the meantime.
Together, the mother and daughter, along with the three exhausted Casimir knights, began walking toward Rex City.
As they discussed their next treasure hunt along the way, Semira huffed.
“Hmph! The dragons can’t possibly be after a city-level relic too, right?”
Though she wasn’t keen on meeting the dragons again, especially the silver dragon who likely had a system, Semira couldn’t help but think of her first encounter with the pink-haired little girl.
She raised her hand and touched the sunflower hairpin in her hair.
“Illya… if there’s a next time, I will defeat you.”
Thinking about how she and Illya could only be enemies made Semira sad.
Why, in this wretched dragon race, was there such an adorable little dragon girl?
“Next, it’s your turn! Boros City!”
After listening to Iris’s plan, Naya stood with her hands on her hips, gazing at the setting sun.
The capital of the Kingdom of Dia was Boros.
Yesterday had been exhausting. They had consumed all the Earth Vein energy and relics, and now, after returning to their inn in Rex City, they would rest for a few days before setting out again.
After all, the relic near Boros City wouldn’t mature for a while yet.
Standing by the window, the golden sunset kissed Naya’s face. Suddenly, a sweet fragrance enveloped her, followed by a warm embrace.
“Looking forward to it?”
“How can I not? If I don’t get to consume Earth Vein energy, I’ll be the one suffering! Although I’m happy to feel the souls of our daughters, the pain is very real!”
Iris chuckled softly from behind her.
“You’ve worked hard, my dear.”
“Sigh, I just hope this doesn’t happen next time.”
“What do you mean, ‘next time’?”
“Of course, I’m talking about the next baby!”
Iris asked, slightly surprised, “You still want another one?”
Naya placed her hand over Iris’s hands, which were clasped below her chest.
“What, don’t you?”
“But what if…”
“Even if they turn out like the two little ones, I’d still be willing to have more!”
“You really feel that way?”
Iris rested her chin on Naya’s shoulder, a hint of doubt in her expression.
Why was Naya suddenly so resolute?
Before, Naya had always said that if Iris wanted more, she’d be willing to have more.
But Iris had always thought that after this baby, they’d be done.
With so many children in the house, her Naya would end up being divided into many pieces.
One Illya was already a handful, not to mention more. Iris feared she might lose her mind.
“Mmm…”
Naya turned around and hugged Iris face to face.
She kissed Iris on the cheek and brought her lips close to Iris’s pointed ear, whispering,
“Illya represents our love before we truly understood each other. This new baby represents our love after we’ve already come together, even while I was still missing my memories. I want another one to represent that, after regaining my memories, I still chose you, and I still choose to love you.”
“……”
Iris wanted to say no.
But according to Naya’s view of love, it seemed like she really valued these sentimental milestones.
“Then what if, in the future, we reach another new stage? For example, if you tell me the truth about the system, and our understanding of each other deepens even further?”
“Then we’ll have another baby.”
“Wait, Naya… how many are we going to end up with?”
Having a baby for every major milestone or change? Iris felt her scalp tingle.
“This is our love story! What’s wrong with having more? Dragons live for hundreds of years—having a large family is only natural!”
With a beaming smile, Naya hooked her arms around Iris’s neck, leaning her whole weight into her.
Things she once needed potions to say, she could now say effortlessly.
[Host, you really have no shame.]
Even the system couldn’t help but criticize.
[System, mind your own business.]
Listening to Naya’s bold words, a bead of sweat trickled down Iris’s forehead.
Even though they were speaking in hushed tones, Illya, who was playing with her toys at the nearby table, overheard them.
Illya set down her toys, her face full of curiosity as she looked at Naya, who was hanging off of Iris.
“Mama, can I help Mama have more sisters too?”
Cough cough! Naya coughed violently, trying to get Illya’s attention.
“Illya, what did you just say?”
Iris pushed Naya aside and turned around. Her crimson eyes flashed with unprecedented coldness, and a biting chill spread from her body, making the room feel like a frozen cave.
“M-Mother… I-I…”
The Dragon Queen’s aura was no joke.
Even as the Dragon Queen’s daughter, Illya was terrified by Iris’s icy gaze.
She stammered and trembled, struggling to form coherent words.
She had only been excited about the idea of more sisters after overhearing her mothers talk about it. She didn’t know that having children was something only done with the person you loved.
She didn’t understand the concept of love.
In her limited understanding, Mama was the best woman in the world, the epitome of a perfect wife and mother.
“Illya, tonight, you’ll sleep with Flanna and the others.”
“I-I don’t want to!”
Illya’s attachment to Naya was stronger than her fear of Iris.
She met Iris’s gaze head-on, defiantly resisting her mother’s command.
“Go, take your toys and stay with Flanna and Bella in the other room.”
“No!”
Sensing the growing tension between the two, Naya gently patted Iris on the back.
“Alright, alright, no more fighting.”
Naya walked over to Illya and picked her up.
“Illya, how about you go sit with Flanna for a little while? I need to talk to your mother for a bit.”
It turns out that talking about everything in front of children isn’t always the best idea. Certain intimate whispers and tender moments between wives are best kept private.
“Mama…”
“Be good, okay?”
It seemed this time Illya’s careless words had truly angered Iris. Naya wasn’t one to spoil Illya blindly. She knew this was Illya’s fault, so she didn’t take her side this time or put Illya’s feelings first.
She kissed Illya on the cheek.
“Illya, I just need to have a little chat with your mother, about your sisters. You’re not quite ready to hear it yet, and it might involve some important national secrets. Your mother is worried you might let something slip, so why don’t you go play with Flanna and the others for a bit, okay?”
“Mmm…”
Under Naya’s gentle persuasion, Illya obediently nodded, took her toys, and left the room with Naya. They went next door.
Naya placed Illya in front of Flanna and Bella, who were waiting by the door to greet them.
“Flanna, Bella, play with Illya for a while. I need to talk to Iris.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Illya happily ran into Flanna’s arms with her toys.
Naya smiled softly as she watched Illya’s innocent and carefree demeanor.
“Keep a close eye on Illya, Flanna, Bella. Don’t let what happened yesterday repeat itself, or you’ll be sent back to work the farms for real.”
“Understood, Your Majesty!”
The maids responded dutifully.
After leaving Flanna and the others’ room, Naya returned to her own.
The chill in the air still hadn’t dissipated. Even during the brief exchange of glances between mother and daughter, Iris’s eyes had already delivered a full dose of intimidation toward Illya.
“Iris…”
The red-haired dragoness remained expressionless and cold.
Naya closed the door behind her and slowly approached Iris.