Chapter 125
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Chapter 125: They Embarked On Their Journey
“Mama, do you think Hipper will come?”
Illya propped her chin on her hands, gazing at the cake box on the table. The sun had already set, and the sky was growing dark.
Actually, inviting Hipper to the birthday party had been her mother’s idea.
“She’ll come,” Iris answered before Naya could respond.
She was always a good judge of people. That girl cared more about personal interests than national affairs.
Besides, like Illya, Hipper had very few friends her age. Having found someone she got along with, how could Hipper not want to keep seeing her?
They waited until it was almost time for dinner. Then, there was a knock at the door.
“She’s here!”
Illya jumped off her chair and ran to open the door.
“Good evening, Illya.”
Standing outside was the silver-haired princess of the human race, wearing a large white beret that tilted back, almost covering the back of her head. She held a small bag in her hand, her face lit up with a bright, lively smile.
“It’s been so long, Hipper!”
Illya opened her arms and hugged Hipper, rubbing her soft cheek against Hipper’s face. Illya could feel the warmth rising on Hipper’s cheeks.
When she let go, Hipper’s face was as red as her Mama’s whenever she got kissed by their own Mother. That must mean Hipper liked her hugs!
“Wait here a moment!”
Illya took Hipper’s free left hand and ran to the next room, knocking on the door.
“Flanna, Bella, come eat some cake!”
With her two maids and her best friend now in tow, Illya led them all back to her room.
Because of what Hipper had said in front of Illya before, she now felt a bit awkward around her, and shyly wished her, “Happy birthday, Illya.”
“Thank you, Hipper.”
Illya noticed Hipper wasn’t wearing her eye patch anymore, and both of her eyes were blood-red, looking quite strange. And that glaring hat—was she hiding something under it?
“This is for you.”
Hipper lifted her hand and handed Illya the bag.
Noticing Illya’s gaze, Hipper looked even more embarrassed.
“Thank you, Hipper. Let me see what it is.”
Illya smiled brightly, shifting her focus to the gift.
“Can I open it now?”
“Mmm…”
Good, Illya hadn’t become suspicious.
But how was she going to handle the cake in a moment?
Illya opened the bag and pulled out two small stuffed toys: a chibi pink dragon and a little silver-haired doll.
“Wow, they’re adorable!”
“I thought for a long time about what to get. Since you travel around a lot, I figured something small and sturdy would be best.”
“I love them!”
Illya set the bag down on the table, holding both dolls up and bumping the little dragon’s head gently against the doll’s.
“Hehe, this represents you and me, right?”
“Mmm.”
“I’ll treasure them.”
Illya placed the two plush toys on the table. Iris looked over at Hipper.
“Hipper, have you had dinner yet?”
“Huh?”
Hipper was startled but quickly understood—was the Dragon Queen helping her out?
She nodded gently. “I have.”
With this excuse, when Naya cut the cake, she only gave Hipper a small piece.
The six of them sat around the table, with Illya happily eating her cake in big bites, looking like she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
Hipper glanced down at the piece of cake on her plate, took a small forkful, and put it in her mouth. Once again, there was no taste.
However, watching Illya eating so happily, Hipper felt a strange, sugary sweetness in her heart.
She had initially worried that eating normal food might make her feel sick, but as she swallowed the tasteless cake, simply glancing at Illya’s adorable expression made her lips curl up into a faint smile, and the urge to gag eased.
Illya could certainly eat a lot.
If Illya had been a frail little princess, not so passionate about food, perhaps Hipper could have confessed her true identity to her.
But Illya was a big foodie, and Hipper didn’t want to ruin her good mood.
Illya was responsible for eating.
Meanwhile, Iris began discussing business with Hipper at the dining table.
“Hipper, how are things in the royal palace right now?”
This banquet wasn’t just a simple birthday celebration for Illya, it was also a diplomatic meeting between the leaders of two kingdoms, discussing the state of their countries.
“Things are stable. Everyone is busy handling the aftermath of the recent crisis and has no time to track your whereabouts.”
“I heard that the dragon scale disease has appeared in the palace. What’s the situation? Has anyone fully transformed into a dragon yet?”
“Not yet.”
“I see. So, the transformation process is still quite slow.”
“Yes…”
“Hipper, what do you think about this? We released a mutation bomb in your palace, causing many to become infected. Before long, those affected will completely transform into dragons.”
“I’ll make sure my father prepares the citizens mentally to adapt to the transformations in the palace, to avoid any uprisings.”
“Hmm. Have there been any movements from the Goss Empire?”
“After the Casimir Knights left Boros City, they sent an envoy to visit. I had my father use the excuse that Semira caused too much trouble and banned anyone from the Goss Empire from stepping foot in Boros again, thus refusing their visit.”
“With that, it seems you’ve effectively severed ties with the Goss Empire. Don’t worry, after we leave, we’ll arrange for a dragon clan liaison to stay in Boros. If the Goss Empire tries anything against you, you can contact the liaison, and we’ll send support right away.”
Now that Hipper had become the strategist of her kingdom, the Dia Kingdom had firmly aligned itself with the dragons.
Officially, the royal family still ruled, and the king remained on the throne, but after that day the dragons appeared in the palace, everything had changed.
This was the bitter fruit borne from the king’s own actions.
Had he not once sought power by creating Hipper, ordinary vampires might have had difficulty suppressing the king.
When the king was captured by Iris, she used dragon blood to impose a spiritual restraint on him, allowing Hipper to regain control over the king.
Later, with exposure to the radiation of the Dragon God, the purity of dragon blood in the king increased, creating a greater disparity in power levels.
Hipper’s blood contained both the pure Dragon King’s blood and the Mother Dragon’s blood, capable of birthing a Dragon God, and thus, her spiritual level completely overpowered the king’s.
“Understood.”
Hipper nodded.
The “liaison” was also Iris’s way of monitoring her.
To prevent Hipper from reneging on her youthful betrayal and switching sides to the Goss Empire in the future.
“Oh, by the way, Dragon Queen, I’ve been having some dreams lately, ones that seem to reveal the past between dragons, vampires, and humans.”
“Tell me more.”
“Both the dragons and vampires once ruled this world. Vampires, wielding their power of domination, easily controlled every country, raising countless blood slaves and turning the world into a decadent paradise for themselves. But in the end, a human rose up, ascended to godhood, and overturned the vampires’ reign. Vampires were pushed to the fringes of society and almost vanished from sight.”
Iris rested her chin in her hand, contemplating Hipper’s words.
Hipper continued.
“Technically, the vampires’ power of domination has weakened significantly since ancient times. I shouldn’t be able to control my father. But once dragon blood was added… it seems different.”
“This is indeed worth investigating.”
Iris nodded. Perhaps they should capture a vampire for experimentation.
“What about the dragons?”
“It’s the same story,” Hipper continued.
“A long, long time ago, dragons roamed every corner of this land. This was an age even older than the Radiant Knights. With their immense bodies and magical prowess, dragons hunted humans like wild game. Oppressed by dragon tyranny, humanity evolved and gave rise to gods, sweeping across the land and founding the flourishing civilization we see today. That’s why humanity has become the most numerous species, with the most countries in the world.”
In hindsight, it made sense. Now, almost every other race was confined to a single nation, while humans alone had multiple countries and powers.
“Hipper, how do you know all this?”
Illya asked, looking at her with wide eyes, fork in hand.
“My mother was an experienced witch with an impressive mastery of alchemy. When she forged me into a ‘vessel’, she included materials that held memories of the earth’s veins. Those memories lie buried deep in my consciousness, and occasionally, they pass information on to me.”
“Your mother was amazing. She sounds just as incredible as my own mother.”
“Unfortunately, my father killed her.”
Hipper’s head drooped, her expression sorrowful.
Moreover, the creation of her vessel came at a cost.
From her father, she’d learned the truth of her birth—that she was born tainted with the blood of tens of thousands of people. Killing her a hundred times would not atone for the sins her parents had committed.
“I’m sorry, Hipper. Let’s not talk about this anymore, eat some cake,” Illya said quickly.
“Alright.”
Hipper nodded, and the conversation ended there.
Meanwhile, Naya had been listening to Hipper and fell into deep thought.
Could it be that, ages ago, a human transmigrator arrived, carrying a system, and ascended to godhood to reshape the world?
[System, what’s your take on this?]
[On what?]
[What Hipper said about the history of humans becoming gods.]
[I have no idea.]
[Then, what did you mean before about the “end of the world”? You must know something.]
[Even if I did, I can’t tell you.]
[Why not?]
[Because you’re not ready yet. Once you reach the right level, you’ll naturally unlock critical clues about humanity’s ascension to godhood.]
The system was being annoyingly cryptic again.
No matter how Naya pressed for more, the system stayed silent.
With no other choice, she focused back on her daughter’s birthday celebration.
After Illya’s party wrapped up, it was around 8 PM.
“Illya, I should be going now,” Hipper said.
“Hipper…”
Illya looked at her, her soft pink eyes filled with reluctance.
“Goodbye, Illya. I wish you a safe journey tomorrow.”
“Ugh… I thought you’d come back to the dragon lands with me. I thought you’d travel with me…”
Illya’s nose began to sting as tears threatened to spill.
Hipper bit her lip, clenching her fists.
“But my country still needs me. There’s so much I have to do and learn. Thank you all for giving me this freedom.”
Hipper wanted to stay and enjoy herself, but the many secrets she’d uncovered from her father demanded that she remain in the capital.
After the dragon invasion, Hipper had matured significantly.
In fact, she’d always been mature, with her goals clearly defined.
She genuinely liked Illya, but she wasn’t solely attached to being by Illya’s side. Her purpose in following Illya was to escape the palace and see the outside world. Now, she was fully free from her cage, and Illya was no longer essential to her.
Illya walked with Hipper to the edge of the inn, watching her disappear into the night, her eyes welling up with tears.
Just then, Iris added fuel to the fire.
“Look at that, Illya. See how dedicated Hipper is?”
“Humph! Mother, you’re so mean!”
Illya turned around and buried herself in Naya’s embrace.
How awful, Mother.
Though her mother hadn’t told her the full truth, Illya knew she deceived Hipper. Hipper would never become a dragon—she was, and always would be, a pure-blood vampire.
That’s why Hipper wouldn’t come with her.
Naya lifted Illya, feeling the small tremors of her daughter’s body as she shook with quiet sobs, and knew that Illya was truly heartbroken.
She really loved the princess, adored the fairy tales Naya had shared with her.
She had dreamed of being the princess who saves another princess.
But reality is often more complicated and harsh.
“Since the princess was born into royalty, she naturally has the responsibilities of a princess. Of course, Illya is no exception.”
Naya met Illya’s gaze, then lowered her head, gently brushing Illya’s pink hair.
This was Illya’s first lesson as she turned 6 years old, learning to say goodbye to someone she cares for and understanding what it truly means to be a princess in the real world.
The next day, as the sun rose, Naya and her family of three packed their bags and set off on their journey once more.
They couldn’t wait for the flowers of the earth’s veins near Boros City to bloom, as Naya’s unborn child urgently needed more sustenance.
The system was worried that Naya’s stomach pains might worsen. Two days prior, it had provided her with a blueprint for a small device to harness the energy of the earth’s veins, so she could find what she needed to temporarily satisfy her children’s cravings.
Riding on Flanna’s dragon’s back, Naya held Illya close as she looked back at the distant yet bustling capital.
The dawn’s light bathed Naya’s body, and the fierce wind swept across her face, lifting her silver-white hair.
From this moment onward, their real journey would begin. Before this, Illya had indeed followed the Holy Knight. Their meeting was no coincidence.
“Goodbye, Hipper.”
Illya looked out in the same direction as Naya.
“Goodbye, Semira. Next time we meet, I hope you’ll grow even stronger.”
She finally bid farewell to Semira.
Illya considered Semira a friend, not just because Semira served as a source of experience for her, but because of Semira’s unyielding spirit, her ability to rise after every defeat—a spirit worth remembering.
…
Far away in the Goss Empire, at the continent’s center, Semira was still recovering from her loss to Naya at the Boros City palace. The defeat had severely damaged her body’s magical circuits.
For a whole year, she wouldn’t be able to use any magic.
Most days, she could only talk with her system, unable to access its energy or continue her adventures in search of sacred relics from the earth’s veins.
But none of this truly mattered, nor did it sadden her. She could take a year off, after that, she’d still be a holy knight.
The real concern was her mother, Semiya.
It had been two weeks since the battle at Boros Palace. During that time, her mother hadn’t opened her eyes even once, though she was still breathing, still alive.
Today, as usual, Semira went to her mother’s room to check on her.
She sat by her mother’s side, watching her mother’s pale face.
Her guilt and sorrow hadn’t diminished at all, they only grew with each day her mother lay unconscious.
If only she were stronger. Then she wouldn’t have to hide behind her mother, letting her bear all the burdens alone.
“Mother…”
Suddenly, it seemed as if Semiya had heard Semira’s voice. Her eyelids moved slightly.
Noticing this change, Semira shouted in excitement.
“Louise! Quickly, come take a look—my mother just… her eyelids moved!”
Louise, a healing mage who had been keeping vigil over Semia, rushed over to examine her.
Using magic to analyze her condition, Louise noticed something unusual.
She carefully lifted Semiya’s white shirt, observing her abdomen closely.
The gaping wound was slowly beginning to close up.
Lady Semiya was healing herself, little by little.
Not only that, but she also noticed… dragon scales!
Seeing Louise’s astonished expression, Semira asked in confusion.
“What is it? Louise, what’s happening with my mother?”
She knelt down, peering in the same direction as Louise.
“This… this is…”
Gently lifting more of Semiya’s shirt, Louise gasped.
“Oh my…”
Semira covered her mouth, unable to believe what she was seeing.
“I finally understand why Lady Semiya has been recovering so quickly.”
Under the effects of the Dragon God’s radiation, Semia’s body had mutated, gradually transforming into a dragon. Not only had this allowed her to survive a fatal chest wound, but it had also granted her the dragons’ powerful regenerative abilities.
“Lady Semiya has become a dragon…”
“……”
Semira was silent.
After a brief internal struggle, she shook her head.
“As long as my mother can survive, it doesn’t matter what species she becomes.”