Chapter 6

Volume 2 + Chapter 6: Seaside City

Xia Yi and Serra left the Land of Dragons together.  

The journey to Golde was not a short one. If they could ride on Serra, they would likely arrive in less than three days. However, this trip required discretion—flying was out of the question.  

Fortunately, a great river ran through the Land of Dragons, flowing straight into Golde and emptying into the sea. So Xia Yi and Serra first traveled to the border of the dragon kingdom, where they hired a boat and followed the river all the way to Golde.  

“Finally, we’re here!”

Xia Yi leaped off the boat, landing on the docks of Golde. Being cooped up on the boat for so long had been unbearably dull—now, at last, she was free!  

She took deep breaths of the fresh air.  

After paying the boatman, Serra stepped off as well.  

“Serra, have you been to Golde before?” Xia Yi asked.  

“No, my lady,” Serra shook her head. “This is my first time in Golde too.”  

To avoid drawing attention, Serra had adjusted how she addressed Xia Yi—no longer “Your Highness,” but “my lady.” Their cover story was simple: they were travelers from another country, visiting Golde out of curiosity.  

To further blend in, both had used alchemical potions to temporarily conceal their tails.  

In this world, few had ever seen a dragon in person. Most only knew them from legends. With their tails hidden, there was little chance anyone would recognize them as dragonfolk.  

“Let’s head into the city. We might be able to gather some information!”  

“Understood.” Serra nodded.  

So, the silver-haired young lady in a white sundress strode forward, followed closely by her red-haired maid in a black-and-white uniform. Together, they left the docks and entered the city of Golde.  

Golde was a coastal nation—a rarity in this vast land. Most countries were landlocked, including the Land of Dragons. Many people lived their entire lives without ever glimpsing the sea.  

“Heh~ heh~ heh~”  

The little princess nimbly hopped onto a railing, balancing effortlessly as she gazed into the distance.  

Before her stretched an endless expanse of ocean, waves rolling ceaselessly under the open sky. The blue horizon met the calm heavens in a striking contrast.  

A sea breeze swept past, nearly whisking away Xia Yi’s wide-brimmed white sunhat.  

“Careful, my lady.” Serra reached out to steady it.  

“Mhm!”  

Xia Yi smiled brightly.  

“Serra, what do you think lies beyond the sea?”

The ocean was a realm of mystery. Humanity’s understanding of it was shallow, and none knew what truly lurked in its depths. As for what lay on the other side—that was an even greater enigma.  

Yet this world was not lacking in adventurers.  

In a bygone era, legends spoke of a golden kingdom beyond the waves—a land where trees bore golden fruit, and the earth glittered with diamonds.  

Driven by greed, humanity embarked on a grand Age of Exploration. It was during this time that Golde amassed its wealth and rose to prominence.  

But no one ever found the fabled golden kingdom. Countless souls perished in the vast, unforgiving sea.  

Gradually, people dismissed it as a lie—a tale spun by Golde to lure fortune-seekers to its shores.  

The Age of Exploration faded into history.  

Later generations still produced adventurers bold enough to challenge the ocean, but their fates were no different—vanishing without a trace.  

“Do you believe it’s the golden kingdom, my lady?” Serra asked.  

Xia Yi shook her head. “I doubt it. Maybe the other side is just like here—a vast land where people dream that we are the golden kingdom, trying and failing to cross the sea.” 

“A very logical deduction. I expected something more… whimsical from you.”

“More what?”

“Nothing, pay it no mind.”  

“Hmph…”  

Xia Yi puffed out her cheeks.  

Was Serra really treating her like a child?  

Tch. Fine.  

This time, she’d prove her capable maid wrong through action!  

“Let’s go! We should find an inn first.”  

She hopped down from the railing.  

With that, they left the docks and entered the city proper.  

The city’s name was as straightforward as it got—Seaside City.  

Yet the streets were eerily quiet.  

Despite the wide boulevards, barely any pedestrians walked them, and carriages were nowhere to be seen. One might think the city had been sealed off.  

Few shops were open for business, and aside from Xia Yi and Serra, there seemed to be no other visitors—only locals.  

And these locals were… odd.  

Even in broad daylight, none were working. They lounged listlessly along the streets, faces blank, eyes hollow—like the walking dead.  

Xia Yi pondered for a moment. Golde was embroiled in war. The royal family had been wiped out, and factions now fought over the spoils. Who had time to care for common folk?  

A thin, dark-skinned girl spotted them and darted across the road.  

“Miss… could you spare some coins? I’m so hungry… I just want something to eat…”

The girl stretched out a trembling hand, her eyes pleading.  

Serra’s expression remained cold, unmoved.  

Xia Yi tugged at her sleeve. “Serra, give me some money.”

“Are you certain, my lady?”  

“Yes. First, we need information.”

“Very well.”

Serra handed her a few small coins.  

Xia Yi placed several coppers into the girl’s palm.  

“This should be enough for a meal.” 

“Thank you, miss!” The girl clutched the coins and scurried away.  

Other children, seeing her success, swarmed Xia Yi, hands outstretched.  

She gave it to each of them.  

Then the adults noticed.  

Emboldened, they crowded around, wailing about their hardships, begging for alms.  

The mob grew, pressing in on Xia Yi and Serra.  

“My lady, there’s no need for such… excessive sympathy toward these lesser races,” Serra murmured.  

“Just wait.”  

Xia Yi flashed a sly grin—then flung a handful of coins into the air.  

Instantly, the crowd erupted into chaos, scrambling for the scattered money.  

Seizing the moment, Serra grabbed Xia Yi’s wrist and bolted, slipping into a narrow alley.  

Once inside, Xia Yi motioned for Serra to wait.  

Less than half a minute later, shadowy figures emerged, blocking both ends of the alley.  

“Sorry, pretty ladies,” a rough voice sneered. “You’re surrounded.” 

Serra understood now.  

A chilling smile curved her lips as she stepped in front of Xia Yi, facing the thugs.  

“No,” she corrected softly. “It’s you who are surrounded—by me alone.”