Gardenia’s Heart

Although the wisest choice would have been to leave them at home, none of the mothers wished to be separated from their daughter again. After making a brief return via portals to restock supplies, report the situation to Elarielle and the others, and obtain a change of clothes for the elf with bee-like antennae, the group resumed their journey toward the land of the dragons.

“By the way, Rose, what are those daggers?”

Flying through the skies with several tentacles carrying the other members of the group, Lily spoke in a low voice, her eyes focused on the small girl pressed between her chest and arms.

“Well…” Forcing her head out from between the warm masses squeezing her, Rose rolled her blue eyes a few times as she searched for how to explain it. “I was looking for a way to hurt the monsters in the forest. Then I found a dead dragon’s body in one of the caves and used its fangs to make some improvised weapons. Their name is Moon Fangs…”

Unsure whether what she had done was right or wrong, Rose prepared to hand the weapons over to her mother without resistance. Before Lily could even take them, however, a gentle hand rested on her head.

“That’s a good name.”

At the same time, Lily ruffled her daughter’s hair, and a purple tentacle affectionately brushed against the little girl’s cheek.

“You did very well. We’re very proud of you and of how you protected yourself and Cherry, Rose.” Lily spoke softly, watching her daughter’s cheeks flush at the praise. “Hmm, but since they’re made from a dragon’s tooth, it might be better to keep them out of sight while we’re here. Would that be okay?”

“Of course.” Without hesitation, the little girl removed the daggers from atop her dress and tucked them inside, beneath a layer of gelatinous material.

Even though she knew her daughter was already becoming a capable mage, Lily had never felt comfortable giving her a weapon because of her age. Children shouldn’t have to worry about fighting for their lives—that belief had led the silver-haired woman to decide to wait until her daughter was older.

However, after everything that had happened, Lily realized that leaving her daughter unarmed was not the best option.

Watching the girl carefully store the daggers in a way that wouldn’t cut her with any movement, Lily tightened her embrace around her daughter once more.

“Are you hungry? We can stop for a bit if you want.”

“Nn… No, it’s okay.” Her eyes slowly closing, Rose settled closer to her mother, resting her head against the comforting warmth. “I already ate a lot, it was delicious… I’m sleepy now…”

Her voice grew softer and softer, until the little girl finally gave in to sleep.

Watching her daughter sleep safely in her arms, Lily placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before stroking her head again, as if wishing her sweet dreams.

“She looks a lot like you when she falls asleep, you know?” Lily said teasingly, glancing at the purple tentacle that was also caressing the girl.

(Actually, the way she curls up is definitely like how Lily sleeps.) Nia retorted, her tone confident, as if stating an absolute fact.

“But the way her little hands cling to my clothes is exactly how you do it every night.”

Lily’s mismatched eyes watched as the tentacle turned faintly red and fidgeted, amusement spreading across her smile.

(Nnh… Yes, but Lily is always the one who hugs tightly. Rose does it like you do, so she clearly takes after Lily in that.)

“That may be true, but using my breasts as a pillow is something she learned from you, you naughty girl.”

Continuing to cheerfully argue over which of them their drowsy daughter took after, Lily and Nia chatted for several more minutes, until a dry cough interrupted them.

“Everyone, I think we’re arriving.”

Covering her daughter’s ears—who, for some reason, was staring at the silver-haired girl sleeping with intensely flushed cheeks—Thelira let out a soft sigh.

“Is there really something up there?” Hiding her own blush as she remembered that her conversation with her wife had been overheard, Lily looked toward the side of the mountain they were ascending. “We finished crossing the forest and reached the mountain, but we’ve been climbing for nearly an hour now.”

Ascending even higher than where they had fought the dragon, Lily could feel the air growing thinner with every moment. While this didn’t bother her family, Selene, Thelira, and Cherry still needed oxygen to breathe. As if that weren’t enough, the climate—previously just cold within the mist—was becoming so frigid as they climbed that Lily felt a sensation similar to walking through lands affected by her own magic.

“It’ll be fine. With mana control, we can remain comfortable up to a certain point, and I grabbed extra cold-weather clothes for us when we restocked.” After placing another layer of clothing on her daughter, Thelira looked toward the mist above their heads. “And yes, Athamas is just ahead.”

The moment they passed through a dense layer of fog, an orange glow forced their eyes to adjust.

Lily could hardly believe what she was feeling as the strong sunlight touched her rosy skin.

“Is this… really real?” she murmured.

Before her lay a sight unlike anything she had ever seen in her life.

It was as though they were flying above a literal sea of clouds—an endless gray-white expanse stretching all the way to the horizon, forming a landscape utterly unlike anything else. The sky was not entirely blue, carrying darker hues despite it being daytime.

And that wasn’t all.

At the center of that vastness, the mountain’s summit rose magnificently, like a colossal island emerging from beneath the sea of clouds.

The city appeared to float in the sky. Built into the mountain itself, numerous white, multi-story buildings stood with light-colored rooftops. Each was surrounded by elevated gardens, connected by winding streets of polished stone bricks.

Stone walkways plunged into distant valleys, dissolving into streams of crystal-clear water that flowed between the houses, irrigating the vast plantations that painted the fields with color.

Everything about the place radiated a tranquility befitting such an isolated land. The absence of outside noise created an almost absolute silence.

“As high as the very top of the tallest branch of the World Tree. Not even the Demon King’s mist can reach these lands.”

Gazing at the grand city of Athamas projecting itself majestically before them, Thelira spoke softly, her eyes adjusting to the stronger sunlight thanks to the many natural atmospheric filters, as she placed a small hat on her daughter’s head to keep her safe.

(So there truly is a vertical limit to how far the mist can reach.) Nia commented, analyzing their surroundings.

Ever since she noticed the mist growing weaker the farther north they traveled within the human kingdom of Anthus, Nia had been certain that the Demon King’s final spell—the one that created the mist—was not truly absolute. If their goal had truly been to make all other races suffer as their people of Finis had, they would have covered the entire planet without exception. The fact that this didn’t happen only made it clear that their magic truly had a clear limit.

“And to think there is truly a society capable of living naturally in a place like this.” Placing a hand over her stomach as if she felt nauseous, the three-star mage spoke coldly, her rabbit ears trembling.

Since they had been flying within the mist and were shielded from the wind by Nia’s barrier, Selene hadn’t truly realized how high they were until now.

“It sounds like the stories my father used to tell me.” Landing on the mountainside, where a grassy field led to the final Beacon, each of the tentacles surrounding Lily carefully set a girl down on the ground. Still holding her daughter in her arms, Lily gazed at the vast lands stretching out before her.

A city this large without walls was something Lily was seeing for the first time. From Caligo to even Lampides—protected by the barrier of the World Tree—every city had walls surrounding its civilian structures to prevent monster attacks.

Yet, even surrounded by the Valley of Dawn, none of the monsters that lived there seemed to dare climb these lands and challenge those who inhabited them.

“How strange…” Lily finally murmured, noticing something.

(Something wrong, Lily?) Nia asked, tightening the tentacles wrapped around her wife’s body.

“This is the city of the dragons, right? But don’t you think those houses are far too small?”

Given the size of the indigo dragon that had attacked them, Lily had imagined that each dragon would have a home at least as large as the elven royal palace. The peak of the largest mountain in the world certainly lived up to its title, being vast enough to make such an idea plausible. And yet, every house she saw seemed no larger than those found in a human city.

(I think I know the reason, but we’ll be able to confirm it soon.)

At her wife’s response, Lily simply nodded, adjusting the sleeping child in her arms. At that moment, she noticed Thelira’s awkward expression, the elf looking at her with visible apprehension.

“Lady Lily, I do not wish to disrespect your feelings with this request, but while we remain here… could you cover your left eye?”

An eye as red as a crimson gemstone, with a vertical black pupil. That eye had replaced the one she lost for Nia, and it was one of Lily’s most precious treasures.

Though Lily considered it perfect and beautiful, Elarielle had already explained that such a pupil shape and coloration were exclusive to demons—something that had led to conflicts and intrigue in the past.

Without using her bangs to hide it and walking with confidence, Lily felt neither shame nor fear in showing her eye. Still, the elf’s cautious words made it clear how dangerous it might be to leave it exposed here.

(It’s alright, Lily. There’s no problem.) Speaking gently, Nia reassured her wife, and seeing that, Lily couldn’t help but smile.

Just as she had hidden her daughter’s daggers, Lily covered her eye with her hair, planting a soft kiss on the purple tentacle caressing her cheek.

Deciding to walk the rest of the way, the group began crossing the steep plains toward the city. About halfway through, Thelira stopped, glancing back as if gauging the distance.

“I believe this is far enough. Lady Gardenia, you may bring it now.”

As the golden-haired elf spoke, a massive tremor struck the mountainside, shaking a vast stretch of land as if something enormous had collided with the ground.

The violent quake lasted only a brief moment, but it was enough for the calm to vanish within seconds.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

A sharp female voice cut through the air.

From the direction of the city, accompanied by several others, a woman came running across the grassy field.

Her indigo hair fell to her shoulders, its color reminiscent of the sky just before night fully set in. Amid the strands, a long horn resembling crystal rose from her forehead.

Her irritated—nearly furious—expression did nothing to diminish the beauty of her black eyes with vertical pupils, which matched the dark blue garments covering her body. On her back were wings—four of them—each gleaming with a platinum sheen as they moved gently alongside a long tail covered in indigo scales.

Beside the stunning woman, the others accompanying her wore similar clothes and had similar hair. Each of them bore four wings on their backs.

(So dragons can mimic a human form, just like I can.)

Nia’s soft words were all Lily managed to hear before the deafening shouts resumed.

“I’ll ask again—what do you think you’re doing!?”

Stopping directly in front of the girls, the group of indigo-haired, four-winged dragons looked ready to engage in combat.

“Good morning. Please forgive our rather turbulent arrival. As you can see, we are part of the elven delegation.” Extending one hand, Thelira displayed the crest of the elven royal family—a small golden butterfly-shaped insignia. “You are members of the Winged Clan, correct?”

Reducing the mana she was releasing upon seeing the crest, the dragon woman leading the group gestured for those around her to remain on guard.

“I am Ignis, The Arbiter.” She frowned, stamping her foot against the ground as she stepped forward. “You should be grateful you weren’t attacked the moment you entered with such a commotion. You are standing on our sacred land. Any attempt to damage it is a violation of our laws and will be punished accordingly.”

Narrowing her eyes, Ignis tucked a strand of indigo hair behind her ear, a wide, mocking smile spreading across her face.

“Not only are you causing a disturbance and arriving at the very last day before the meeting, but you’re also bringing children to such an important event. This is not a leisure trip.”

Without even attempting to hide the contempt in her voice, Ignis sneered at the elf while glaring at the two children held in the women’s arms.

“I do not believe it is respectful to address one of the elven princesses in such a distasteful tone.” Thelira replied, a cold edge permeating her words.

The rule of only two attendants was not absolute, and while bringing additional people might seem disrespectful, children—who were not considered combatants—would not normally be seen as an issue.

“The elves are well aware of the importance of this event. And of course, we did not bring these young girls with any intention of belittling the other participants.” Speaking calmly, without breaking eye contact with Ignis’s black eyes, Thelira gently tightened her hold on her daughter, who buried her head against her chest. “However, during our journey here, we encountered certain difficulties, and the life of the heir to the throne was put at risk. It was deeply unpleasant to experience such a situation on dragon territory.”

Assessing the elf’s words, the indigo-haired dragon let out a hollow, dry laugh.

“Since when is your inability to protect your offspring our problem?” Ignis said, clapping her hands slowly and mockingly. “Or would you like us to congratulate you for managing to make it here at all? If you were so incapable of merely crossing the Valley of Dawn, perhaps the elves truly have grown weak over time.”

As the dragon woman smiled with only one corner of her lips—a blatant gesture of disdain—the silver-haired girl felt every tentacle in her body tremble.

(Lily, I’m going to kill her.)

The simple words, spoken in an even calmer tone, did not match at all the bloodlust that was slowly beginning to rise within her body.

“Rose is sleeping. We shouldn’t make any noise.” Replying to her wife, Lily checked to make sure her daughter was still sleeping comfortably before bringing one hand to the hilt of the sword at her waist. “Could you put a sound barrier around her?”

Before the pair of wives could act, Thelira—still wearing a smile that never reached her eyes—let out a loud laugh.

“Oh, of course not. We are perfectly capable of handling our own problems, after all…” Turning slightly as if to clear a path, Thelira pointed the palm of her hand toward the mountainside behind her.

The seemingly casual gesture made Ignis raise an eyebrow. Because of the steep terrain, she couldn’t see what the elf was pointing at, so she walked closer. However, the moment her eyes focused on it, it felt as if the ground beneath her had collapsed.

“Lord Fafnir!”

Leaping down the side of the mountain, Ignis rushed toward the lower edge of the land above the sea of clouds. On the vast grassy plain that covered almost its entire expanse lay the body of a colossal four-winged dragon.

The woman’s eyes widened, filling with shock and disbelief as she examined the dragon’s body. All those who had followed her rushed after her in panic, cries of confusion mixing with screams of horror as they confirmed the absolute truth: he was already dead.

“So this man was the leader of your clan, correct?” Facing the members of the Winged Clan as they stared at the fallen corpse of their leader, Thelira spoke slowly. “To think that Lord Fafnir himself would attack the elven delegation on the eve of such an important event.”

Under the weight of the elf’s words, Ignis’s gaze—now completely consumed by confusion—shifted back and forth between the dead leader and the others in her group.

“This…” It was only then that Ignis noticed something.

On the fallen dragon’s body, a massive cut split him in two, running from his shoulder to the opposite side of his waist. From the exposed wound, the sight of something—or rather, what was missing—made her entire expression twist.

“You… what did you do? Where—where is it!? Where is the heart!?”

A roar of fury so loud it reverberated across the skies erupted.

Turning toward Thelira, Lily—who knew exactly what had happened to the creature’s heart—seemed to search her for answers as Ignis radiated extreme hatred.

“Contrary to what many believe, dragons are not greedy beings who hoard tons of gold and precious gems,” Thelira said gently, beginning to explain to the girl without taking her eyes off the group of dragons. “A dragon’s blood is its most valuable possession. Losing it in battle, or even giving it to another race in exchange for money, is seen as a sign of weakness. Among dragons, only a few are willing to part with even a small amount of their blood.”

A dragon’s body was an invaluable asset. As the ones who had been attacked first, Thelira had the right to claim the entire body for the elves. However, returning the corpse whole except for the heart—the organ that pumped that precious blood—and doing so in this manner sent a powerful message, loud and clear.

“Be grateful that we were generous enough to return your leader’s body after what he tried to do to us. Keeping the heart is the least we deserve after such an affront.”

If an elf challenged a dragon and was killed, then had their corpse returned, it would be the same as ripping off their pointed ears before giving the body back.

It was humiliation in its cruelest form.

“Bastards…”

Ignis stood still, yet it felt as though everything inside her was in motion. Bones creaked against flesh. The muscles of her jaw twitched in a nervous tic, her teeth grinding as unnaturally large claws emerged from her fingernails, grotesquely mismatched with her body. Each of her breaths became visible, as if living fire were being born within her lungs.

The pressure in the air was steeped in hatred—raw, genuine. The blood vessels in her eyes looked ready to burst.

“You killed Lord Fafnir and tore out his heart! This will not go unpunished! You must be insane! Do you want a war against the dragons!?”

She lunged forward.

Raising her claws toward Thelira’s neck, Ignis prepared to rip the elf’s throat open.

Lily reacted instantly. Gripping the hilt of her sword, she was ready to freeze time itself and pull Thelira out of harm’s way.

Until—

“Did you mean a war against your clan, right?”

A gentle voice echoed with such authority that it froze everyone in place.

A lone figure walked forward, as if the world itself were compelled to part before her.

Her body was wrapped in a white mantle reminiscent of the finest silk. With every graceful step, the folds of fabric swayed softly, catching the light of the rising sun. Beneath it, aged gold armor molded itself to the curves of her ample chest and broad waist, its deep neckline adorned with ornaments of such intricate design that, though modest, they irresistibly drew every gaze.

Her wings were majestic, spreading like a pair of frozen auroras, each white feather resembling a slender blade ready to cleave the sky.

And then there was the helmet.

Concealing nearly her entire face—save for a serene mouth that barely moved—the golden ornament rose in spiraling spikes, crowning the woman whose snow-colored horn pierced through the helm. Beneath the metallic crown, strands of white hair flowed like rivers of moonlight over her shoulders and back, swaying gently in the wind.

“Tsk… Tiamat…”

Clicking her tongue, Ignis snorted, retracting her claws and averting her gaze under the woman’s presence.

“I’m not interested in the reason behind the conflict. In the end, if I understand the situation correctly, Fafnir and a member of the elven royal family clashed, and one of them emerged victorious. Is that not so?”

Moving as though carried by the wind, the woman Ignis had called Tiamat stopped before her, white hair and garments fluttering softly.

“The elves killed our leader and desecrated his body! We must retaliate in kind!” Ignis replied, her expression still masked in hatred.

“Honor—is that what this is about?” Tiamat said calmly. “Tell me, Ignis, the fact that Fafnir was killed only reinforces his failure as a leader.”

The eyes behind the golden helmet were not visible, yet Ignis felt an immense pressure bear down upon her the moment Tiamat’s attention fully settled on her.

“The Fang Clan exists to protect and preserve our traditions and culture, while the Wing Clan ensures that this is done fairly,” the woman continued, stepping closer to Ignis. “As the current leader of the Fang Clan, I—Tiamat—must ensure that everything proceeds according to our traditions. With Fafnir’s death, the Wing Clan should concern itself with choosing its next leader, not with debating the weakness of the former one who failed to uphold his title.”

When her lips parted, if only for a brief moment, fangs as white as freshly fallen snow became visible.

“If you truly seek large-scale vengeance, that would violate the non-aggression pact we have upheld for so many years. Maintaining it—is that not one of your clan’s responsibilities? Do not dare use the other clans as a shield for your leader’s foolish decision.”

A long moment of silence followed Tiamat’s words. Without anyone intervening, all eyes remained fixed on the woman with indigo hair, ready for whatever might come.

Then, after several minutes grinding her teeth, Ignis turned her back, her fists still clenched.

“We’re leaving. You—carry our lord’s body!”

Shouting the order to the other members of the Wing Clan, Ignis walked away slowly, casting one final glance at Thelira.

Carefully, each of the four-winged dragons took hold of a part of Fafnir’s colossal corpse, carrying it down through the valleys until they vanished from sight.

Letting out a long sigh of relief, Thelira wiped the cold sweat from her face and walked toward the woman dressed in white.

“Suzerain Tiamat, it is an honor to finally meet you.”

Lowering her head slightly, Thelira met the gaze of the masked woman, who formed a thin smile upon her lips.

“The Sage, Her Highness Lophantera Thelira Phaea, I presume?”

“Please, call me Thelira. I couldn’t possibly demand such formality after all the help I’ve received.”

Thelira replied, gently shaking her head as if trying to dispel the excessive politeness.

“Then, Lady Thelira, if you’ll allow me—may I assume your recovery proceeded without issue?”

“Yes. The blood Your Excellency so graciously allowed us to purchase was of great help in my recovery.”

During Elarielle’s many attempts to find a cure for Thelira, numerous trials involving dragon blood had been conducted. Obtaining such a substance was extremely difficult—if not impossible—unless a dragon offered it willingly.

Among all those Elarielle had approached, Tiamat was the only one who agreed to sell her blood.

“Think nothing of it. Though many view it negatively, there is nothing in our traditions that condemns the sharing of blood for medicinal purposes.”

Speaking in her usual gentle tone, Tiamat’s two white-feathered wings gleamed beneath the intense sunlight at the mountain’s summit. Turning to the others accompanying the High Elf, the leader of the Fang Clan seemed to assess each girl individually.

“The dwarven delegation arrived a few days ago, but you must all be exhausted from your journey. I will inform them of the situation, so it will be fine to leave the formal greetings for tomorrow. Rest for today.”

Tiamat’s smile widened.

“Cicuta, please guide our guests to their quarters.”

“Certainly, Elder Sister.”

“—!?”

For the first time in many years, Lily felt the hairs on her body stand on end, a startled growl escaping her lips.

At no point since Tiamat’s arrival had she sensed the presence of that girl—until she spoke.

Wearing the same type of helmet as Tiamat, a woman with white hair and two feathered wings bowed toward her clan leader before turning to the group and gesturing for them to follow.

Despite everything that had happened along the way, their journey was finally over.

The girls had finally entered Athamas.