Gardenia's Heart

The sun was beginning to sink below the horizon as the group finished passing through the portal.

With Rose safely cradled in her arms, Lily walked across the moonlit plains. Beside her, the two dwarves, Ipomoea and Mioculca, followed with slow, unsteady steps, still slightly dizzy from experiencing teleportation for the first time.

"She was even more resilient than I expected." Looking at the dragon woman, now unconscious as she was carried by the tentacles, Lily let out a quiet sigh.

Although she had known Cicuta would never confess to the crime, being able to question her for answers wouldn't have been so bad.

"I hope we're not too late." Murmuring to herself, Lily looked toward the crowd gathered ahead.

Apparently, although she had managed to draw everyone's attention with her speech, no place had been prepared for a trial. In the city's central square, where the two districts met, two large groups of people with distinctly different appearances awaited her arrival.

With four wings on their backs and dressed in ornate dark-blue garments, dozens of indigo-haired figures stood gathered around one particular woman.

Her eyes closed and arms folded, Ignis, the newly chosen leader of the Wing Clan, remained silent, yet the oppressive aura of her mana was palpable even from a distance.

And she wasn't the only one.

From what Lily could see, there were at least fifty members of the Wing Clan standing beside Ignis. If they had been ordinary human soldiers, that number wouldn't have been enough to conquer even a single city. But these were dragons, and Lily knew they possessed enough power to threaten the annihilation of an entire continent.

They had already come prepared to wage war.

Although she had felt somewhat confident before, Lily had to admit that the pressure radiating from all of them together was no joke.

On the opposite side stood figures wearing golden masks.

The members of the Fang Clan present wore ceremonial robes over their usual white attire. Since the succession ritual was nearing its conclusion, they had only come to accompany Ignis and the Wing Clan. Their presence was motivated more by curiosity than any real belief in Lily's declaration.

Finally, standing apart from both of the larger groups, an even smaller gathering of people—far more unusual than the others—awaited her arrival more eagerly than anyone.

"You took forever!"

Trembling from her feet all the way to the tips of her bee-like antennae, Annona, princess of the Golden Hive, ran toward Lily and the dwarves.

"Stop shouting out of nowhere." Grabbing the panicked princess by the head, a blonde girl with rabbit ears and a crimson dress let out a heavy sigh. "Welcome, Rival. We managed to gather everyone here just like you asked, but there's so much killing intent in the air that, honestly, I'm barely able to stay on my feet."

Though she wore her usual confident smile while holding Cherry in her arms, Lily could clearly see the slight trembling in Selene's hands even without enhancing her vision with mana. The three-star mage gripped her Stardust Brush tightly, her teeth clenched as she struggled against the overwhelming pressure.

"What are you planning to do now?" Selene asked, her gaze shifting between Lily and the gathering of dragons.

"Even if I'd like to say I'll solve everything, what happens from here on is no longer in my hands." Holding Cherry securely against one arm to keep both children safe, Lily turned toward the final member of their group.

Standing with flawless posture in her emerald dress, her expression unchanged despite being the focus of an overwhelming sea of bloodlust, Thelira quietly awaited her arrival.

Walking over to the pointy-eared elf, Lily stopped slightly behind her and gave a small nod, and Thelira returned it.

"Your Highness Thelira, would you please explain what's going on? Don't tell me you intend to use one of our own as a hostage."

A voice Lily didn't recognize reached them.

Turning toward the group of white-haired dragons, she saw a woman slightly shorter than herself approaching with brisk steps.

Although Lily didn't know her name, she remembered seeing her presiding over the succession ceremony the previous day when she had visited the Wing Clan to request this trial. While her attire resembled that of the other clan members, it was considerably more ornate and elaborate.

"It's nothing of the sort, Lady Oriana." Offering the mistress of ceremonies a faint smile, Thelira stepped in front of Lily, who was still restraining the unconscious Cicuta. "On the contrary, we've brought her here to present the one truly responsible for everything."

Lily concluded that the woman Thelira had addressed as Oriana was now acting as the dragons' interim representative while Tiamat, leader of the Fang Clan, remained bedridden.

Stepping back and entrusting the conversation to her friend, the silver-haired girl quietly watched the elf take control.

Walking forward until everyone could see her, Thelira slowly swept her gaze across every person gathered there.

Lily had already given her every piece she needed to reenter the game. Now it was Thelira's turn to carry her friends' efforts to the end.

"Lady Ignis, Lady Oriana, I ask only that you give me a chance to explain our situation." Reaching into the pocket of her dress, Thelira took out a small flower with a crimson stem and equally crimson petals. "After analyzing Lady Tiamat's symptoms, we discovered that her condition was caused by poisoning from a subspecies of mana herb known as Rubra Berula, which had been mixed into the tea she drank every day."

"Because of the tea?" Oriana repeated, stunned. "That can't be possible. After the banquet, we sampled and tested everything Lady Tiamat consumed throughout the day, including every drink. None of the tasters developed any symptoms."

Looking at Oriana with a faintly sorrowful expression, Thelira nodded.

"That's true. None of the tasters would have been affected, but only because each of them consumed a tiny fraction of the amount Lady Tiamat had been exposed to."

Taking a slow, deliberate breath, as though intentionally creating a moment of silence, Thelira gradually shifted her gaze to the other dragons, letting her eyes rest on each face for just a moment, creating the impression that she was speaking to every one of them personally.

"This herb was once widely used among the elves because of its ability to promote relaxation. Once consumed, it circulated through the bloodstream, helping relieve physical fatigue. However, it was eventually discovered to be bioaccumulative—that is, it remains inside the body instead of being naturally eliminated. Because of that, both its cultivation and use were prohibited, eventually driving it to extinction."

Thelira built her explanation with meticulous care.

Like someone slowly tightening the tension on a rope, waiting for the precise moment to snap it.

That moment had arrived.

"By disguising the herb as an ordinary tea meant to ease the fatigue of her overworked sister, Cicuta slowly poisoned Lady Tiamat over the course of many years, serving it to her with every meal."

"What? That's impossible! Her dragon blood would never have allowed something like that to happen!" Oriana immediately blurted out, raising her voice in agitation and abandoning all formality.

Watching her reaction, Thelira deliberately allowed an expression of anguish to spread across her face as she looked directly at the dragon woman.

"Although dragons possess extraordinary vitality, in this particular case, Lady Tiamat's own dragon blood worked perfectly to prevent Cicuta from ever being discovered. You see, because the toxin accumulates within the victim's blood, it leaves no visible wounds. No pain is felt because the dragon blood suppresses it the moment it appears. The only symptom that remains is fatigue caused by the gradual reduction of blood flow—a symptom that could easily be mistaken for nothing more than Lady Tiamat's exhaustion from overwork, leading her to drink even more of the tea in an attempt to overcome it."

Stepping aside so that Oriana's attention fell solely upon Cicuta, Thelira continued.

"By carefully controlling both the dosage and concentration of the herb in Lady Tiamat's bloodstream, Cicuta had more than enough time to choose the exact moment to administer the lethal dose that would completely block the circulation of blood from her heart. She intended to frame us and sow discord between our peoples, ultimately provoking a war."

Once again, Thelira paused, allowing silence to settle over the crowd so everyone could reflect on what she had just said.

"I was wondering why that human made such a confident declaration yesterday, but to think you brought me all the way here for this nonsense... What a joke."

However, raising her voice for the first time since Thelira had begun speaking, the newly appointed leader of the Wing Clan finally gave her opinion.

"So this is your irrefutable proof of your innocence? A supposedly extinct herb that just so happened to be commonly found in the elven kingdom? How very convenient."

Growling with fury, Ignis bared her fangs, her jaw clenched so tightly that the grinding of bone could be heard. With a sharp, decisive motion, the indigo-haired woman pointed directly at Cicuta.

"You're telling me that woman is clever enough to devise something this elaborate? Don't make me laugh."

Every word came out as though she were spitting it, as if she couldn't tolerate another second of the conversation.

"Your Highness Thelira, even if that were true, and even if Cicuta truly was responsible for poisoning Lady Tiamat, do you have any proof that she acted with malicious intent rather than being deceived by a third party into doing it?" Oriana asked. Though far less aggressive than Ignis, even she was beginning to lose her composure.

Although they had finally presented an explanation that made sense of an otherwise impossible situation, for those who knew Cicuta, the possibility that it could actually be true never even crossed their minds.

She was a frail woman whose presence was barely noticeable.

A noncombatant whose only role was tending the library.

There was simply no way they could believe someone like her was the mastermind manipulating everything from the shadows.

"That's exactly why this old man is here."

Stepping forward, the small, slender figure casually stroked his thick beard.

"Elder Ipomoea?" Even with the golden mask covering much of her face, Oriana's surprise was unmistakable as she looked at the dwarf.

Holding a small rectangular device in his hand, Ipomoea gestured for everyone to pay attention.

"This is the next evolution of communication devices—a way to transmit countless images across unimaginable distances by capturing moments in time."

Activating the device, the screen, which had previously been completely blank, filled with color, and several voices began to play.

Although no one understood what the device was doing at first, the moment moving images appeared, everyone's attention became fixed on it.

The recording wasn't of the highest quality, but it was still perfectly clear what was happening.

"A dragon using human magic?"

"The disgrace of the Fang Clan."

"That's impossible."

"That human had a power like that?"

"There's no way this could be real."

An unending chorus of disbelief spread across the plain from both clans.

Even with the recording playing before their very eyes, none of the dragons could bring themselves to believe it.

It had to be something the dwarves had fabricated.

There was simply no way it could be genuine.

"Mioculca is my most prized disciple." Pointing toward the young dwarf waiting anxiously beside his master, a vein bulged on Ipomoea's forehead as visible irritation crossed his face. "Questioning one of his inventions is the same as questioning the credibility of the chief blacksmith of the Dwarven Kingdom."

With a scowl of anger twisting his face, yet still carrying himself with the composure expected of a dependable leader, the elderly dwarf raised his voice above that of every dragon present.

"I stake my testimony and my honor as a blacksmith on it. Everything Lady Thelira has said is the truth."

The words of the leader of the dwarven delegation carried the weight of his entire race. To challenge him here would be no different from breaking the trust they had placed in all dwarves.

"In addition to confessing to the poisoning, Cicuta also admitted to committing fratricide. She was the one who murdered the former leader of the Fang Clan—her own elder brother." Walking to Ipomoea's side and exchanging a respectful nod with the elder, Thelira resumed control of the discussion. "Cicuta is responsible for the disgrace the Fang Clan has endured for centuries."

Thelira couldn't see their expressions, but she knew her words were reaching the very core of each dragon present.

And now, it was time for her final move.

"My elder sister, Queen Elarielle, began working tirelessly the moment she learned of Lady Tiamat's condition to prepare an antidote."

Taking out a modest vial filled with a green liquid that emitted a brilliant emerald glow, Thelira extended it toward the Fang Clan.

"Our companion also possesses teleportation magic, which allowed us to bring the medicine here without delay."

Earlier that afternoon, before Lily had gone to confront Cicuta, Rhei had delivered the vial Elarielle prepared to Thelira through one of Nia's portals.

There had been no time to test it, but the high elf had complete faith in her sister. Ready to stake her own life on that faith, Thelira took another step forward.

"As all of you know, her skill as a physician needs no further proof. If you trust us to administer this before it's too late, then we give you our word that the leader of the Fang Clan can still be saved!"

Like a raging gale, Thelira's voice swept across the plains, echoing deep within every dragon clad in white robes.

At first, no one moved.

An oppressive silence settled over the plain, broken only by the gentle night breeze.

Then, a single footstep echoed.

"O-Our leader... can she really survive?" Slowly approaching the elf with a trembling, grief-stricken voice, Oriana asked.

"I'm willing to stake my life on that possibility." Firmly taking the dragon woman's trembling hands in both of her own, Thelira met her gaze with unwavering determination.

Biting her lip, Oriana lowered her head. Her feathered wings, shaped like frozen auroras, folded behind her, and her long tail curled inward. Finally returning Thelira's determined gaze, the dragon woman straightened her posture and spoke, even with the golden mask still covering her eyes.

"The Fang Clan declares that we will refrain from any retaliation against the elven delegation. We accept maintaining the non-aggression treaty in exchange for the antidote for our sovereign."

A wave of relief washed over Thelira, and a broad smile spread across her face.

"Thank you very much for your trust, Lady Oriana. Once Lady Tiamat has recovered, let us retrieve the former leader's remains together and ensure he receives the burial he deserves."

And then—

A thunderous blast swept across the land.

Like a cataclysm born from absolute nothingness, an immense shockwave rippled across the entire plain.

Houses, trees, and even the sea of clouds trembled violently beneath its force.

"What was that?!" Selene stammered, covering her ears.

"It came from the sky!" Shielding the two children with her own body, Lily looked up at the massive azure explosion that had erupted dozens of kilometers above them.

In the darkness of the night, thousands of brilliant points scattered across the atmosphere in every direction.

The glowing trails left shimmering particles behind as they ignited upon reentering the atmosphere, spreading across the heavens and illuminating the night.

Unable to utter a single word, everyone present watched the spectacle before them in complete astonishment.

Like a shower of shooting stars, countless streaks of light, moving at unimaginable speeds and in every direction, rained across the enormous mountain like a divine painting.

"How convenient, isn't it?"

Then a lone voice broke the silence.

Standing apart from everyone else, a single indigo-haired woman stared ahead with such fury that crimson veins bulged around her reptilian eyes.

"You find the corpse of the disgrace of the Fang Clan. You solve an internal murder. And on top of that, you just so happen to have the cure." Hatred burned within Ignis like a living ember. It was as though molten lava boiled inside her stomach, twisting her expression as every word left her mouth with greater fury than the last. "Don't forget that it was those bastards who killed our leader and tore out his heart!"

"Lady Ignis, will you still deny it?" Even under killing intent so overwhelming it nearly made her collapse, Thelira raised her voice to confront the dragon woman. "As you can see, my companion truly possesses unquestionable strength. Whatever reason led Lord Fafnir to confront us, the duel between them was anything but dishonorable."

With Tiamat guaranteed to recover, the Fang Clan would not be left leaderless, preventing Ignis from rallying them to wage war against the elves.

All that remained to prevent the conflict was for Thelira to convince Ignis that Fafnir's death had been the result of an honorable battle.

"We will never accept that!"

Despite every argument laid before her, Ignis roared in fury.

The force of her roar unleashed a violent gust of wind that sent Thelira flying through the air.

Quickly placing Rose and Cherry into Selene's arms, Lily leaped forward and caught the elf.

Gently setting Thelira back on the ground, the silver-haired girl drew both of her swords and stepped in front of the group.

"I'll admit it, Ignis. Even though I resent your leader for attacking me and my daughter, Fafnir truly was a formidable opponent. His strength was beyond question. He did not die a coward's death."

Lily shook her head as she spoke with complete sincerity.

"If it will ease your anger even a little, I'll admit something else. I didn't defeat him alone. My wife helped me. We fought him with the advantage of numbers."

Although she could have given the dragon a worthy fight, Lily knew that without Nia's help, neither she nor Akasha together could have defeated Fafnir in the skies, especially while protecting the children.

The only reason she had managed to defeat the leader of the Wing Clan under those circumstances was because her wife had been there with her.

"I refuse to acknowledge the strength of that human... or whoever that other person is."

Yet even Lily's honesty was nowhere near enough to extinguish the hatred radiating from Ignis.

"It doesn't matter anymore whether the other clans stand with us or not..."

Raising her voice toward the heavens, Ignis unleashed a massive surge of mana.

"By the authority vested in me as the leader of the Wing Clan, I hereby declare war against the elves!"

In response to their leader's command, the entire plain changed.

Like a wave of primordial heat, the cold air was instantly swallowed by a dense surge of scorching mana.

One by one, the soldiers' skin began to split apart as scales emerged and spread across their bodies with an overwhelming metallic sheen, scraping against one another like living armor.

A cacophony of crushing sounds echoed across the battlefield.

Bones cracked with deep, resounding snaps as each dragon's spine lengthened upward. Vertebra by vertebra, their torsos expanded until their towering forms disappeared into the horizon.

As they grew, their faces transformed.

Their jaws cracked and thrust forward. Every sharp tooth elongated into colossal fangs. Their fingers became enormous claws, each casual movement carving through the air itself.

Four platinum wings unfurled behind each of them, beating majestically as they scattered a pale azure radiance across the night.

Their tails, large enough to level houses, tore through the grassy earth wherever they swept.

Individually, every one of them was as large as a castle.

Their immense bodies swallowed the starry sky in every direction, filling the horizon.

Facing Lily, the combined breath of more than fifty colossal dragons swept over her like a hurricane.

"This isn't good..."

Should she grab everyone and run? No.

Even if they took to the skies, they were already surrounded.

She would have to keep them occupied and buy time while Akasha took everyone else and escaped.

Standing before her was the largest dragon of them all. Lily knew exactly who it was.

Two piercing black reptilian eyes stared down at her with an unimaginable amount of killing intent.

A long crescent-shaped crystal horn rose from Ignis's forehead like a crown, contrasting against the white and golden fur draped around her neck like a royal mantle.

Houses, trees—even the mountain itself—began to warp beneath the weight of dozens of dragons walking across it.

Every roar was different.

Every pair of wings beat out of sync with the others, generating violent gusts of wind.

Like an ant standing in the path of divine beings, Lily found herself crushed beneath the overwhelming pressure.

It was a suffocating shock unlike anything she had ever experienced.

And…

And…

A thunderous impact descended from space and shook the entire planet.

Like a cataclysmic echo that drowned out the roar of every dragon, something slammed straight down onto Ignis's head, driving her skull into the ground.

"I'm done playing by their rules."

A black silhouette wrapped in a cosmic glow landed atop her.

"They tried to attack my family again... and they won't even listen to my wife."

Standing atop the shattered head of the colossal dragon was a single purple-haired girl.

"Lady Gardenia, wait! If a war with the dragons begins, all of Phaea's stability will collapse!" Rising from the ground with Annona's help, Thelira shouted in panic.

"I don't give a damn," Nia replied flatly. "If preserving that stability means letting anyone who wants to harm my family do whatever they please... then I couldn't care less."

Beneath Nia's feet, boiling crimson blood rapidly gathered together.

Within only a few seconds, Ignis's shattered skull had completely regenerated.

"You bitch..." The dragon's voice emerged hoarse but still overflowing with rage. "Don't think you'll escape punishment for th—"

"Ignis can go fuck herself."

Crushing the colossal dragon's head beneath the sole of her foot once again, Nia turned her gaze toward the assembled dragons of the Wing Clan.

"[Nebula Maiden]"

Four wings of black lightning unfurled from the purple-haired girl's back.

An immense pressure spread around her, and like constellations descending upon her body, a mantle of stars wrapped itself around her skin.

With her wife and daughter behind her, Gardenia would never retreat.

"The will of the Three Clans doesn't matter anymore. Your grudge is with me, not the elves. If you want revenge on the one who killed your leader... then come! That person is standing right in front of you!"