Chapter 80
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Chapter 80: The Child’s Name Must Be Decided In Advance
In order to let Naya know what’s going on, Iris brought Naya and Veltia to her office.
Veltia recounted what had happened after Zelan returned to the island.
In simple terms, Zelan, that reckless fool, risked his life to save Leo. He wouldn’t listen to Veltia’s persuasion that Leo wasn’t worth saving, given how he’d betrayed his teammates multiple times before. Instead, Zelan believed Veltia was trying to shake his loyalty to protect humanity and became even angrier, leading to a direct confrontation with Veltia.
That’s roughly what happened.
“Veltia, do you still think that simple assimilation will make humanity willing to submit to our Dragon Clan?”
Veltia lowered her head.
“Your Majesty, I deeply apologize for my narrow thinking.”
Their plan had been to let Zelan go so they could observe how someone originally human would act after becoming a dragon. At the same time, if Zelan could protect humanity as a dragon, the humans of the Dia Kingdom might gradually change their bias against dragons and become willing to assimilate.
But now, it was clear that even with the dragon’s powerful body, there were still those who despised them.
True unity across the world isn’t something that can be achieved so easily.
In fact, Veltia wasn’t sure she’d see that day in her lifetime.
“After the precedent set by the Aide Kingdom, the Dia Kingdom has split into two major factions: one that supports the Dragon Empire and one that supports the Goss Empire. But it’s clear that the Goss faction is still dominant. This time, the Dia Kingdom sent Zelan and Leo to defeat the Dragon King not with the intent to succeed, but to maintain the belief that Heroes slay dragons and prevent the pro-Dragon faction from growing and shifting internal power toward us.”
The Goss Empire.
The strongest human kingdom in the heart of the continent, they harbored ambitions to unify all human lands. Ever since the Dragon Empire made the Aide Kingdom a vassal state, the Goss Empire had been eyeing the surrounding human kingdoms.
However, their methods involved annexation.
Most human kingdoms didn’t want to merge with the Goss Empire. Some of the higher-ups started encouraging their Kings to side with the Dragon Empire, reasoning that despite the racial difference, becoming a vassal to the dragons meant they could still rule their land.
But others saw aligning with dragons as a disgrace. They’d rather merge with the Goss Empire and fight for humanity’s glory.
However, in reality, most wealthy and powerful nobles didn’t care much for human pride or glory. They just wanted to hold onto their titles.
So, internal divisions were inevitable. The Dragon Clan’s task now was to dismantle the Dia Kingdom’s bias against dragons.
Zelan was supposed to be part of that experiment. If he, as a dragon, could protect humans, perhaps fight off magical beasts, it would help build the dragons’ reputation.
Unfortunately, that fool was too straightforward, willing to sacrifice himself for Leo.
Given Zelan’s character, even if Leo hadn’t been captured, Zelan would have come back to challenge Iris again. After following Leo for so long, Zelan had developed the same obsession with slaying dragons.
His return to the island to challenge Iris only confirmed this, and there was no longer any reason to keep him around to stir up animosity between humans and dragons.
“Our journey happens to pass through the Dia Kingdom, so we’ll have a closer look at the situation there.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Rest assured, I will take care of the Empire and await your return.”
Iris glanced at the neatly arranged books along the wall and couldn’t help but smile.
“I’ve already dealt with Chloris. She shouldn’t dare cause trouble again.”
Her other two brothers were even more obedient than Chloris, both banished to their respective territories with only their wives and children left in the palace.
After discussing business with Veltia, Iris dismissed her for the time being.
As Veltia left, closing the door behind her, Iris looked over at Naya, who had been silently standing by the entire time.
She patted her lap.
“Come, sit.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty ~”
Naya’s stern expression softened as she happily sat on Iris’s lap, leaning into her.
From Iris and Veltia’s discussion, it seemed the Dragon Empire was slowly planning to absorb the surrounding human kingdoms.
Hmm… no, it’s more like they’re trying to bring them under their rule.
Seeing how affectionate her wife still was, Iris felt reassured—Zelan hadn’t affected Naya.
Iris kissed Naya on the cheek.
“What do you think about Zelan?”
“What do I think?”
“Yes. When I killed him, you seemed stunned for a while. What were you thinking at that moment?”
“Not much. I just thought, you’re amazing. That’s all.”
Iris was always telling Naya to praise her, and now was a good opportunity, so she went ahead and did it.
“Really? I thought you might sympathize with his heroic heart. After seeing all the different kinds of Heroes these days, do you ever feel nostalgic for who you used to be?”
Naya smiled, wrapping her arms around Iris’s neck.
“I’ve said it before. I love you so much that I could forget who I used to be for your sake.”
Iris held Naya close.
“Though I’m not entirely satisfied with that answer, it’s probably the one that makes me happiest.”
“Why aren’t you satisfied?”
“I thought you’d acknowledge the dragons more, but you only accept being a dragon because of me.”
“I don’t care about humans or dragons.”
Naya wasn’t originally from this world. As for races, she didn’t feel she belonged to any in this world.
“So, I can take over your homeland without a problem?”
“It’s okay. Though, Lina seems to be working in the Dia Kingdom… those actions being done to the Dia Kingdom won’t affect her, right?”
“Lina, Lina, you’re still thinking about Lina? If you keep this up, I’ll get jealous.”
Iris buried her face in Naya’s sweet-smelling neck, taking a deep breath of her soft skin.
“Hiss! Stop, Iris! It’ll be hard to explain to Illya later!”
“Illya, huh? Well, here’s another one!”
There always seemed to be rivals getting in the way of her love for Naya, and even their daughter was one of them!
In fact, their daughter was the biggest rival. Naya spent so much time thinking about Illya that Iris feared one day Ilya might say she wanted to marry her mother as a Queen. Iris would spank her so hard if that ever happened.
“That’s enough, Iris…”
After leaving two hickeys, Iris finally let Naya go.
“As long as you’re still Naya, I’m at ease. I actually worry that you might take back your old name and return to who you were before.”
“What are you thinking? I’ll always be your Naya, your Queen, and Illya’s mother… Oh, right!”
Naya lowered her head and touched her flat belly.
“What should we name our twins? Should we start thinking now?”
“We can.”
“We need to research properly! Illya’s name was a combination of yours and mine, so let’s think… how can we combine our names for the twins?”
Naya’s eyes sparkled as she thought hard. Suddenly, an idea struck her, and her tail stood straight up.
She smiled, squinting her eyes.
“Hmm… we can start with nicknames. How about Yiyi and Nana?”
“That’s fine. Whatever you decide.”
“Then it’s settled! As for their full names, we’ll have to think carefully ~”
“We can also wait until after they’re born and see what features they have.”
“Whether we decide now or later, we have to think about it. Hey, stop nuzzling my neck, it tickles!”
Iris lifted her head and silenced Naya’s rambling with a kiss.
Her shimmering eyes and flawless face exuded grace, her breath was as fragrant as orchids.
Until Naya, completely softened, melted into Iris’s arms, savoring the sweetness lingering on her lips.
She couldn’t help but look forward to the day their children were born.
“I’ve never been this excited to have children.”
But then, Naya realized something wasn’t quite right.
The System was probably cursing her a thousand times over in her head.
Naya buried her steaming face into Iris’s neck.
But, it was true—just thinking about bearing Elise’s children made her forget who she used to be.
Her heart was filled with a tender love, sweet like cotton candy. Just knowing that their love’s crystallization was growing inside her filled her with warmth to her core.
No, I can’t keep being a blushing fool. I need to change the topic quickly.
“Oh, right, Iris, why do you want to annex the surrounding human kingdoms? Humans are so weak. If you annex them, won’t they just end up draining the dragons?”
“How could it be? Our dragon clan has a small population, and sometimes we can’t even gather enough laborers to do a large amount of hard work. Humans, on the other hand, are plentiful and cheap labor. You could say annexing them is all benefit, no harm.”
“That’s true…”
Naya had forgotten about the low reproductive capacity of the dragon clan.
“And one more thing, I mentioned it earlier—can you promise not to be angry with me?”
“Say it first.”
“Are you sure? You can’t get angry.”
“Just say it.”
Naya felt she had the right to be angry, but as a consort, her anger wouldn’t affect Iris’s decisions as the ruler of a nation.
“In the future, there will be more dragons like Zelan. I want to create more dragons.”
“!!!”
Naya raised her head and stared at Iris in shock.
She wasn’t angry.
She was just stunned by Iris’s crazy idea.
It seemed Iris had already started to put this plan into action.
Zelan was just one part of that plan.
Seeing that Naya only appeared shocked and wasn’t resisting, Iris let out a sigh of relief.
“I’m glad you’re not angry.”
“Is it… really possible?”
“If we don’t try, how would we know whether it’s possible?”
“But there will be many, many problems to solve, right? Some humans, even if they turn into dragons, will still firmly believe they are human—like Zelan.”
“Yes, but these things aren’t something you need to worry about.”
Iris held Naya close.
“All you need to do is be a good wife to me and a loving mother to our children.”
Although she said that, Iris had already started trying to involve Naya in the internal affairs of the dragon clan bit by bit. She hoped they could be equals.
Naya nodded.
Perhaps it was Naya who had given Iris this confidence that some humans didn’t have a clear sense of racial division.
But she was from Earth! She was a special case!
Most humans in this world wouldn’t be able to accept becoming dragons, right?
In the Kingdom of Dia, inside the cathedral of Gerris City.
A group of survivors, who had returned after attempting to rescue Zelan, mourned their fallen comrades under the guidance of the church’s Saintess.
“Although we have lost our beloved brethren, we know that they are now with God in heaven. May we feel God’s love and mercy in this difficult time. They will grant us peace and strength from heaven. Though our time with our friends on earth has ended, we believe that we will reunite in heaven one day. May God comfort us and accept our brethren’s souls into their eternal glory. Amen.”
“Amen.”
The group of five Heroes clasped their hands together, praying before the statue of God, cleansing the guilt in their hearts.
Afterward, the five Heroes left the cathedral.
Linnevia remained, standing quietly in the cathedral, gazing at the statue of God.
“Leo, may God be with you. May you and Monet reunite in heaven.”
Linnevia silently mourned for Leo for half an hour.
Until someone entered the cathedral, breaking the silence.
“The Saintess is over there.”
“Thank you.”
Linnevia turned around to see the newcomer.
It was a black-haired man in a hood and black robe. Upon careful observation of his attire, he didn’t seem to be from the Kingdom of Dia.
“Hello, Saintess.”
“Hello, traveler from afar. You have journeyed a great distance to come here—what troubles do you wish to confess?”
“Uh…”
The man looked at the woman before him.
She didn’t quite match the description given by Her Majesty. Linnevia was supposed to have pink hair, so why was this woman’s hair white?
Moreover, wasn’t Linnevia supposed to be a nun? How had she been promoted to Saintess?
He stared intently at Linnevia’s face, trying hard to memorize her appearance.
“It’s like this—I… I killed my brother and fled here. I hope the Saintess can cleanse me of my sins!”
The man acted as if he was in a panic.
“Very well, follow me to the confessional.”
The man followed Linnevia to the confessional inside the cathedral.
He fabricated a story about killing his brother over an uneven inheritance.
Linnevia preached to him for a while, then sprinkled holy water on him, absolving him of his sins in the name of God.
In the end, as the man was leaving, Linnevia fell into deep thought.
She could tell at a glance that he wasn’t human—he was a dragon!
Why had a dragon come all this way to see her?
She didn’t believe for a second that he had really killed his brother. His eyes lacked sincerity, and he showed no signs of remorse.