The smell of Tarian Gorge’s red soil had seeped into his body on the breeze.

Dion strangely absorbed the scents of soil, wind, and grass from wherever he went. Clementina loved smelling those scents on him.

The smell of Halia’s red earth and hot spring water, the cave smell of Siara Mine, Richfield’s thick and sweet molasses scent—all had remained on his body. Even the ice smell of the Kingdom of Leila.

So holding him felt like becoming part of the world.

Clementina inhaled deeply. She loved how he burrowed into her embrace desperately like a child.

Dion never hurt Clementina.

Clementina wanted to consider this love too.

Late at night as she slept in Dion’s arms, two baby dragons entered through the small window beside the bed that overlooked Tarian Gorge.

Pink Lili and Leon twisted their small bodies and burrowed into the blankets at Clementina’s feet, wriggling before entering her embrace.

When Clementina hugged the two baby dragons tightly, she heard Dion click his tongue from behind.

He tightened his grip on her waist as if she’d been stolen from him. As if he didn’t want to yield to anyone.

Outside, it was quiet. Calm and peaceful as if nothing had happened, as if there were no worries.

The pale sky revealed itself and soon the sun began heating Tarian Gorge.

The final day of the ball was approaching at last.

Tonight, Clementina had to become a new person. The Emperor and Empress wanted it, and Dion wanted it.

And now Clementina wanted it too.

Perfect preparation was needed to make her lemon-colored hair shine even more brilliantly.

This was the perfect opportunity to imprint the dragon incarnate’s perfect match in people’s minds.

The final night of the ball was as splendid as expected.

“This ball is truly magnificent. It must have been quite difficult, Your Majesty.”

Queen Shasha Sichenti of Umbarot sat elegantly at the banquet table, sipping wine.

Shasha Sichenti was Queen of Umbarot Kingdom but held the title of Duke of Whiteport in the Ronakia Empire through her father’s influence. However, unlike her brother Count of Suderel Jerbek Sichenti, she seemed to pay little attention to the title the Ronakia Empire had granted her. She appeared to work solely for her own nation’s benefit and stability. The same held true for her as Duke of the Ronakia Empire.

That’s why she most actively recruited volunteers for the Diahart Island expedition. She was a queen who would gladly do so for Umbarot Kingdom’s benefit.

Shasha Sichenti had neatly pinned up all her silver-gray hair so not a single strand escaped her crown. She wore a white dress embroidered with silver thread, but her appearance was so splendid the dress didn’t look excessive.

“It wasn’t difficult. I’m very pleased that Your Majesty is here with us. Hohoho.”

The Empress of the Ronakia Empire smiled kindly and responded to the Umbarot Queen’s words. Shasha Sichenti’s words carried no barbs, but conversations with her always left an uncomfortable aftertaste, so the Empress chose the safest possible answer to avoid being caught out.

“Are preparations to go to Diahart Island complete? I heard few mages volunteered?”

“Are you worried?”

“Our country’s mages are participating, so naturally I’m concerned. Mages are precious talent, are they not?”

Umbarot Kingdom was only sending two mages. This fell far short of the Ronakia Empire’s scale, with dozens of mages going.

“They are precious. But if unused, they’re useless. Whether people or objects, they must be used to serve their purpose.”

“Treating people too much like tools isn’t good, Your Majesty.”

At Shasha Sichenti’s words, the Empress barely suppressed a burst of laughter. The one who best used people as tools was precisely Shasha Sichenti herself.

She even liked moving her own brother according to her tastes. Fortunately or not, her brother Jerbek Sichenti was also terribly loyal to his sister’s words.

“Don’t think too much of it. Surely they’re not going on the Diahart Island expedition unwillingly?”

“What power does Umbarot Kingdom have? Our only strength is one old dragon. If the Ronakia Empire wishes it, we must gladly comply.”

“It sounds like you’re going unwillingly against your wishes.”

“Hahaha! Your Majesty. How could that be? It’s just that until now, almost nothing has gone according to my will. I’m worried about our kingdom’s mages, so please don’t be angry. And it’s Diahart Island, isn’t it? To volunteer to explore that place—the Duke of Drasia is quite fearless.”

“That’s the Duke of Drasia’s greatest strength. He has the power to pioneer forward. He has initiative. He’s unstoppable.”

“That can sometimes become arrogance. I’m worried. He must return safely. Right now the Ronakia Empire has only one heir, doesn’t it?”

That was it. The reason allied nations weren’t supporting mages.

The Duke of Drasia of the Ronakia Empire and the Emperor’s only younger brother. Dion, currently first in line for succession, had volunteered to go to Diahart Island. Everyone watched with burning eyes to see who the next heir candidate would be if he died.

That’s why some pointed fingers behind the Emperor’s back, calling him mad for allowing this expedition.

They thought he was sending his only heir to certain death while having no children himself.

Queen Umbarot’s eyes sparkled. Considering the bloodline succession structure, an opportunity might come to her brother.

The opportunity to become heir to the great Ronakia Empire.

The Empress wasn’t foolish enough to miss that look. That’s why the Emperor and Empress had also opposed this expedition. It seemed too dangerous.

But Dion had steeled his resolve.

He believed it was possible with dragons. He’d confirmed that Sue, the Akarti Kingdom’s mage, had entered and exited that place several times. Though she’d disappeared now, if she could come and go like that, exploring the island while leading people would be possible with proper preparation.

“But with so few volunteers, what will you do? At this rate, the path to Diahart Island won’t be smooth. But you won’t give up, will you?”

Shasha lowered her eyes and subtly showed concern, but her intent was fully laden with a plea not to give up. She rarely revealed her intentions so blatantly, but perhaps she was overly excited since it was the ball’s final night.

“Wait and see. The night isn’t over yet.”

The Empress’s words were genuine.

The final night of the ball was held in the courtyard of Issiliad Palace. A stream flowed through the center of the courtyard, and five bridges were decorated as special stages for the ball. Half the flower garden was arranged as a stage where people gathered.

The centerpiece of this stage was Tarian Gorge. Beyond the courtyard, the sheer cliffs of Tarian Gorge were visible.

On the dark night, surrounding starlight poured down and Tarian Gorge’s waterfall cascaded like music. The courtyard stream also flowed as if returning home, rushing toward the palace’s edge, toward the cliff.

The musicians’ instruments harmonized with the water sounds, creating beautiful melodies. It was truly like a scene from a dream.

“But where on earth did the Duke and Duchess of Drasia go? I haven’t seen them.”

Shasha Sichenti scanned the stage, moving only her eyes. In the distance she saw Jerbek Sichenti flirting with a young brown-haired woman and involuntarily clicked her tongue.

“They’ll appear soon.”

“Hmm, there’s definitely an arrogant side. Your Majesty has been too indulgent.”

“With that character, that face, and that ability, it’s not arrogance—it’s natural.”

When the Empress sharply took Dion’s side, Shasha shut her mouth. Her greatest ability as queen was knowing when to keep quiet.

“I’m just speaking out of concern. Please don’t be angry.”

“If you’re truly worried, just worry. Unnecessary meddling isn’t needed. And there’s no need to worry. Look, they’re coming.”

When the Empress spoke without even raising her head, Shasha lifted her chin to survey the stage.

“Where?”

Only then did the Empress elegantly raise her head and look toward the cliff beyond the courtyard. Where the Empress looked was Tarian Gorge.

Eleven dragons carrying dragon riders were crossing through Tarian Gorge, beating their wings fiercely toward the center of the ball’s stage.

The eleven dragons approached the courtyard at high speed and breathed fire. People who’d been swaying drunkenly screamed and ducked.

The water flowing on the courtyard’s outer edge must have been mixed with oil, because when the dragons set it ablaze, it flared up. Among the numerous nobles and royalty in the center of the stage, some who couldn’t find an escape route ended up sitting down in confusion.

One red dragon flapped its wings and landed in the center of the courtyard, breathing fire toward the people. It breathed fire at an appropriate distance so no one would burn to death, frightening them.

The red dragon wore a mask made of rubies and armor made of emeralds and diamonds covering its entire body. Armor in name only—its steel-like hard scales needed no armor. Moreover, emeralds were inherently weak to impact, making them completely useless as armor.

In other words, it was worn purely for show. Judging by the dragon’s giggling attitude as it breathed fire, the dragons were also subtly enjoying the current situation.

Of course, no one else knew this fact.

On the red dragon Arakan’s back rode his dragon rider, Sir Berche Ritzberry.

In the sky above, ten dragons flew leisurely at a distance close to the ground. Occasionally they approached the courtyard and touched people’s heads with their tails, causing endless screams.

It was clearly intimidation by anyone’s standards.

That’s when it happened.

Two people appeared between the circular waterway where flames rose.

Dion in golden armor and Clementina in a dress lavishly embroidered with golden thread on gray-purple cloth said to be dyed with dragon scales.

Clementina placed her hand on Dion’s arm and walked elegantly toward the center of the ball with her head held high. Above them, Pink Lili and Leon flew in circles breathing fire.

The two baby dragons squealed excitedly, not understanding the dragons’ performance.

Dion approached the center of the stage, raised his hand, and chanted a spell in a low voice. His left arm shone brilliantly. Then all noise instantly disappeared and silence descended. The dragons stopped breathing fire and flew leisurely through the sky, and Arakan bowed his head at Dion’s feet.

It was a perfectly orchestrated plan.

Clementina stood beside him and looked at Arakan with haughty eyes.

Pink Lili and Leon grew excited by the light from Dion’s dragon magic and began flying about. In the quiet, only the two baby dragons made any sound.

Then Leon suddenly vanished. Still invisible, Leon breathed fire. The hair of an Umbarot noblewoman standing nearby singed in the flames. People gasped in shock at the sight.

Clementina raised her hand and began stroking the air. Leon reappeared, seemingly pleased by her touch.

Leon landed on Clementina’s shoulder and began rubbing his face against hers.

“The mother of dragons! The Duchess of Drasia!”

An exclamation filled with wonder rang out from behind the stage.

Among the nobles stood Sir Arthur Reta of the Gold Dragon Order, disguised in utterly ordinary appearance. He moved about the stage, discreetly observing the nobles.