After traversing a swath of blackened forest and endless wilderness, the landscape seemed corroded and ashen, shrouded in a perpetual haze. Even the sun hanging in the sky radiated a sinister scarlet light. The breeze that grazed their faces felt chilling and damp, as if drawn inexorably into a bizarre vortex pulling toward the heart of this foreboding land. Barren branches clawed at the air like ravenous demons, while a few crows fixed scarlet eyes on the fissured earth, cawing with predatory hunger. They launched themselves from snapped twigs, squabbling viciously over a scrap of fresh meat.
No one could have imagined that at the very center of this barren plain stood the Evil Dragon Palace—the grandest structure on the entire Camiran Continent—looming imposingly as it surveyed the mortal world below.
Yet amid vibrant flower beds and a backdrop scented with fresh grass, the scene felt utterly incongruous with the hellish vista they had just crossed. It was like stumbling upon an oasis in the desert, utterly enchanting. Even that ominous sun had softened, casting a gentle warmth upon the skin.
If only they could sip a cup of tea right now… it would be pure bliss~
In the tea room, the echoes of two girls’ conversation lingered in the air.
“Anyway, that’s how it went—like this, then that! Yep, and I won. Laer got saved, Celi was brought back… uh-huh, just like that!” Xuefei waved her arms animatedly, trying to recount the battle in the Snake Demon Country to Leia. Careful not to mention swallowing a god whole, her tale came out delightfully silly and endearing.
“As expected of my Xuefei, scheming that far ahead?” Leia lounged with her legs crossed, just as always, her face brimming with indulgence and admiration. Any trace of the Dragon King’s majesty had vanished; she resembled a seductive wraith far more now.
Though Xuefei spun her story with wild embellishments, Leia grasped the truth: it had all been her doing.
“Yeah…”
Xuefei nodded faintly, a lingering unease in her eyes. Truth be told, even mentioning yesterday’s events stirred something deep within her.
Was the Hero Party exploiting Celi?
Evidently not…
In the First Playthrough, Celi had practically adopted the Hero Party as her fosterlings. Under Xuefei—or rather, Mo Ran’s—scheme, they had leveraged the Evil Dragon’s armies to carve a path forward, seizing the Endless Treasure for themselves at the critical juncture. Celi, in breaking her pact with the Evil Dragon, had been overwhelmed by excess magic, her body eroded in agony until death claimed her.
Xuefei hated to admit it, but once all other possibilities were eliminated, even the most absurd truth remained.
In the Second Playthrough, those jaw-dropping schemes had been Princess Celi’s own design.
That’s right.
The Hero Party had nothing to do with it—they were merely pawns being played.
Princess Celi had truly desired only to save her Snake Demon Country.
“If you ask me, her biggest mistake was buying into that god’s one-sided story,” Leia declared, arms folded in stern judgment. “Gods are masters at manipulating others. They always find ways to nudge us into doing their bidding.”
From the outcome, though, the heist of the Endless Treasure had succeeded spectacularly.
Now, that green gem rested not in the palace’s treasure vault… but in Xuefei’s Dragon Nest.
The Dragon Nest had been crafted into a cozy, plush haven, complete with ample spatial pockets for stashing treasures. It perfectly catered to a little dragon’s innate urge to slumber atop valuables!
It was etched into their very DNA—that sleeping on riches made dreams all the sweeter, much like how some humans clutched quilts or pillows for comfort.
Xuefei could vouch for it.
There had been nights when sleep eluded her, so she had tucked all sorts of quirky baubles from her storage box beneath her pillow.
And that night… she had slept like a baby.
With something like the Endless Treasure? It would elevate “sleep aid” straight to “hypnotic bliss.”
Just holding that glittering gem made it impossible to resist the impulse to hoard it away!
“Ehehehe…” Xuefei chuckled greedily, drool trickling down her chin! She had completely forgotten her lofty claims in front of Celi about scorning wealth and treasures—now thoroughly exposed!
Little Dragon Girl was greedy through and through.
Lost in her delightful reverie, she was interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Knock knock knock—”
“Come in.”
Two maids entered. Leading the way was the Head Maid, Laer, her small shoes tapping a light, rhythmic cadence on the floor. Impeccably groomed and poised, she was the pinnacle of refinement—beloved by every maid in the palace, admired by Leia herself, and a close friend to Xuefei. She ranked among the most esteemed figures in the entire Evil Dragon Palace.
The maid trailing cautiously behind her, however, moved with tentative, hesitant steps.
She seemed utterly inexperienced, her face flushed with tension and brimming with disappointment and remorse. Her steps were sometimes hurried, sometimes hesitant, lacking Laer’s elegant poise. She moved more like an ordinary girl.
Unbeknownst to her, it was Laer who had helped her slip on the stockings.
“Oh my, welcome to our palace’s new maid,” Leia said with a tilt of her head and a laugh. At the same time, the inexperienced maid trembled, but under Laer’s gentle touch, she continued her slow steps toward the Dragon King.
Laer said nothing. She stopped five paces away, closed her eyes, gave Leia a slight nod, and gently nudged the princess named Celi forward one step.
Celi’s mouth twisted into a wavy line of reluctance, but under the watchful eyes of the three women, she chose to comply.
She lifted the hem of her skirt and, just as Laer had taught her, crossed her legs slightly in a cute curtsy.
Her green hair swayed gently, shimmering with a verdant glow in the sunlight, like the tender new leaves of a willow tree.
“Greetings, Dragon King…”
Xuefei nodded appreciatively.
She wasn’t quite professional yet, but she showed real promise. What made her stand out was her graceful bearing—she was battle-hardened, with a strong physique and an excellent foundation.
That’s right. She was the Snake Demon’s princess, Celi.
“Can you adapt to the work here?”
“Of course. It’s all thanks to Lady Laer…”
“Sounds genuine enough,” Leia said, eyeing her with interest.
“Thanks to the Dragon King’s mercy in sparing my life, I will atone for my mistakes with unwavering loyalty until my debt is fully paid.” Celi bowed her head again. After her defeat at Xuefei’s hands, both her divine power and the Endless Treasure had been seized.
She was utterly convinced of her loss.
The Gods were not the saviors of the world she had once imagined. Granting power to the War God had merely been part of their schemes. As for her own actions, only after uncovering the truth did she realize how naive they had been.
“If you’re grateful, thank Laer. She’s the one who pleaded your case. Otherwise, you’d be rotting in a prison cell for the rest of your life, never to leave this place.” Leia waved a hand dismissively, her gaze shifting to Laer, who stood a short distance away.
Laer caught Leia’s look and spoke up at once. “Celi’s poor discipline is my failing. Please forgive me… From now on, I will educate and manage her properly. Rest assured, Dragon King.”
“Thank you, Lady Laer. I will never forget this moment. And I’m truly sorry for betraying your trust…” Celi said, her voice heavy with regret.
At that instant, Xuefei suddenly let out a “pfft” of laughter.
Spending the rest of her life in prison?
Hadn’t Laer told Celi the full details of her punishment?
The Evil Dragon’s retribution for any threat was always the harshest allowed by the rules…
In other words, Celi would serve as the palace’s maid forever.
~~~
