In truth, Orman had long since formed his own conclusions about the elves.
It had been clear ever since Kris and her Hero Party began their activities in the Elf Kingdom. On the surface, to earn the Winter Queen’s trust, he needed to help her sort out the internal affairs of the Elf Kingdom—but that was all but impossible.
No one knew where the Elf Queen had gone.
“Was the Elf Queen snatched away by Kris?” Orman muttered to himself.
Could that woman have chosen to block his path just to give a satisfactory report to the Gods?
Moreover, the situation along the Southern Elf Border could no longer be called a mere disorganized mess. Terrorist attacks, factional infighting—without the Elf Queen, the Southern Border resembled the chaotic battlefield of two nations at war. Resolving the crisis would require juggling multiple fronts at once, meddling from top to bottom.
It was a near-impossible task.
“For the time being, let’s lump them in with the Resistance Army. Their goal is to reform the Elf Kingdom.”
“Then there’s Kris’s Hero Party… How ironic. Of the three Hero Parties, only one is actually doing what the legends say heroes should. Regrettably, their strength is only just beginning to take shape…”
Even setting aside one faction or the other, the Winter Queen’s so-called “rectification” could never be achieved.
And this Queen—or future Elf Queen, as she might become—seemed utterly uninterested in the Resistance Army led by those elders, who were spreading their brand of justice among the common folk. She turned a blind eye to the Heroes’ actions as well, which was nothing like what anyone had anticipated.
“It’s almost… as if they’re deliberately waiting for someone to say no. And there’s one more thing…”
Orman turned, gazing toward the end of the narrow street lined with row upon row of noble residences, where the woman who had followed him now stood. His voice was steady, laced with a magnetic depth:
“I told you not to follow me. What are you doing here, Maryvega?”
“You finally said my name! Haha, that actually makes me pretty happy, human. I’ve come to find you, so obviously I’m here for some fun.”
“If watching bloody slaughter is your idea of fun, I can’t stop you.”
“Hahahaha! Little Hero, are you still a child? The Gods couldn’t care less about the petty squabbles of you mortals—like how you wouldn’t bat an eye at how many eggs your neighbor’s chicken lays, or how many in the flock die from disease, or lose an eye in a scrap~”
“…”
In the face of the God who had chased him down from behind—the woman who was, nominally at least, a member of the Hero Party—Orman met her with silence. Though she swayed after him, her voluptuous figure bouncing with each step, she wouldn’t leave without some entertainment.
“Has our Hero found a solution yet?”
“Sorry, not yet.”
Maryvega touched her cheek and flashed a smile brimming with malice—one so obvious even a child would spot it. “In that case, I can offer a fine idea. Want to hear it?”
“…”
“I knew you did, so here goes~”
Maryvega darted ahead of Hero Orman.
“You know, when you’re not sure which side to tackle first or where even to begin, your opponent has already won~”
“What do you mean?”
“Aw~, does our esteemed Hero even know who his enemy is?”
“Dolores.”
“Mmm, a flirtatious wink for that~. Since you know, why fuss over anyone else?”
“…”
As always, Orman let this woman’s words—or those of any fun-loving God—blow past him like so much wind. Just like that hyperactive jester, everything so far had been on him to figure out alone.
These so-called “teammates” had never lifted a finger for anything, let alone pitched in during a fight. Even in a crisis, he was certain she’d just stand back with excuses like “boring” or “these filthy mortals and ants aren’t worth our time,” content to watch the show.
“…Start close by…”
But this time felt different.
Orman’s steps slowed to a crawl. He stared up at the sky, deep in thought.
Just then, Maryvega let out a mocking laugh.
“You’ve finally seen it—like fallen leaves returning to their roots. Forget the Resistance Army and their so-called new wave, the Elf Queen’s disappearance, that Kris business. It’s all smokescreen, clouding your judgment. Focus on Dolores, and you can’t fail. Because…”
Her gaze sharpened, though it held even more appreciation.
This man might be just another insignificant insect, but he was a genius unlike any in a thousand years.
No… not even centuries.
If that other Hero were still around, he would surely outmatch Orman by far.
“Because Orman won’t lose to anyone.”
…
Far away in the Evil Dragon Palace, a massive black shadow streaked across the sky, transforming into the form of a beautiful young girl before slowly descending to the ground.
She lifted her head. The orange glow of dusk illuminated a solitary cloud as she gazed into the distance. What had once been an endless desert was now, through the tireless efforts of the Maid Corps, a perilous forest teeming with little monsters. Unfortunately, this change in scenery made little practical difference to adventurers from any nation.
It remained just as deadly.
But the deadliest threat of all was Leia herself—and the being quietly nestled in her arms.
The Dragon Princess gently soothed the other Dragon Princess as she descended the steps from the rooftop. A few attending maids led the way back to the “Dragon Nest,” their private sanctuary meant for just the two of them.
“You may withdraw,” she commanded. “No one is to approach the Dragon Nest. On the entire top floor, only Laer may stand guard in the rest hall. The rest of you are forbidden from coming anywhere near.”
“As you command.”
After bidding the maids farewell, Leia sealed the Dragon Nest’s door with a mere thought. She turned toward the room, which was little more than one enormous cushion, and dragged Xuefei’s petite, fragrant, and supple body along with her. Slipping off her shoes, she moved with fluid grace to the central depression in the cushion and carefully settled both Xuefei and the Dragon Egg there.
Xuefei’s tail had coiled around Leia’s thigh, sheathed in black stockings, making movement a touch inconvenient. Yet Miss Dragon King had no intention of leaving her Dragon Consort’s side, so she simply lay down beside Xuefei…
“The Dragon Egg feels so warm. No… it’s heating up. Did it eat too much, perhaps?”
Leia sighed and turned sideways, murmuring to herself as she gazed at the sleeping Xuefei.
“This seems like the right approach. Though that filthy stuff doesn’t hold a candle to Xuefei’s nourishment.”
As if drawn by those enticing words, the Purple Dragon Egg cradled in Xuefei’s arms grew even hotter—a clear response.
To soothe it, Leia placed her hand beside the Dragon Egg and gently stroked its surface…
“Mm, Xuefei’s not quite herself right now, but don’t worry. Leave it to me—she’ll be fine. And it’s all thanks to you, helping her process it~”
Leia pressed a soft kiss to Xuefei’s cheek. Her other hand slid into place beside the Dragon Egg, caressing the warm little belly beneath Xuefei’s dress as she slowly closed her eyes.
Just as she had said.
Only she could awaken Xuefei.
