Chapter 12: The Shattered Reflection

Eileen Calibot struggled to understand Yarlola’s words. “What are you talking about?”

“Who revealed the information on that map? What did you do to her?” Yarlola snarled, her teeth clenched.

“Huh? From beginning to end, I only ever sought you out. Your other squad members couldn’t even withstand a single move from me, so you were the only one I bothered to remember.”

“How is that possible…” Yarlola stared at the markings on the map, a sense of despair washing over her. ‘Could she have blurted it out while unconscious?’

“What did you just do to me?!”

“Weren’t you just sleeping like a log on my sofa a moment ago?” Eileen Calibot asked, a hint of frustration in her voice.

“Then what about the marks on the map?”

“Oh, those? I just doodled them randomly.” Eileen Calibot hadn’t spoken about it before; she had simply seen the map and, for some reason, these thoughts had come to mind, prompting her to draw them on.

“Wait…” Noticing Yarlola’s reaction, Eileen Calibot’s eyes widened. ‘Could these actually be real?’

Yarlola clenched her fists. She had no weapon, her body hadn’t fully recovered, and she was no match for Eileen Calibot.

Yet, she swung her fist out. “How long do you intend to play games with me?!”

The outcome was inevitable. Eileen Calibot effortlessly caught Yarlola’s punch, and with a slight exertion of force, easily pinned her beneath her.

Eileen Calibot wagged her tail happily, thrilled that Lady Faltis’s command was fulfilled so quickly!

However, when Eileen Calibot looked up, she happened to catch sight of the mirror in the room.

Reflected there was a figure clad in black armor—the very same image Eileen Calibot had seen in the pool.

This time, it was different. Since she was holding chains, Yarlola was also reflected in the mirror.

But strangely, Yarlola hadn’t transformed into some other figure; she was being pinned down by the mysterious black-clad swordswoman.

“Hiss?!” Eileen Calibot suddenly felt a sharp, intense pain shoot through her head.

Yarlola seized the opportunity, breaking free from Eileen Calibot’s hold. She even used the moment to land a palm strike on Eileen Calibot’s stomach.

Eileen Calibot clutched her head. ‘Strange… so strange!’

Enduring the intense pain, she pointed at the mirror. “Yarlola! What do you see in the mirror?”

“I see an ugly silver dragon, about to be defeated by me!”

“A silver dragon? Are you saying the ‘me’ in the mirror is me, and not some strange person in black armor holding a sword?” Eileen Calibot asked.

Black armor, holding a sword… Yarlola thought of someone. “Does that black swordswoman habitually use her left hand to wield her sword?”

Eileen Calibot glanced at the mirror, then nodded. “You know them?”

‘No wonder! No wonder Eileen Calibot knew about the Empire’s defenses! No wonder this intelligence was five years old!’

“I can’t believe Kassim would betray us. And the reason you saw Kassim was probably five years ago, when Kassim damaged your head!”

Everything suddenly made sense: why Eileen Calibot knew human cuisine, why she used the Damocles Dragon-Slaying Sword Art, and why she possessed detailed information about the Empire’s defenses from five years ago!

“What did you do to Kassim? Or rather, did Kassim join you?!”

Eileen Calibot had no mind to answer Yarlola’s questions.

Her head throbbed, and many strange memories began flooding into her mind.

However, Eileen Calibot made a peculiar decision.

*Smash!* Her silver dragon tail directly shattered the mirror.

She knew it was an illusion. Ever since encountering Yarlola, she had kept seeing this dark shadow. It seemed this hero was no ordinary individual, capable of making her experience hallucinations.

“If you think such a petty trick can make me doubt Lady Faltis, then you are truly naive.” Eileen Calibot’s face turned cold.

“?” Now it was Yarlola’s turn to be confused by Eileen Calibot’s words, but her bewilderment quickly turned to anger. “From beginning to end, you’ve been talking to yourself! Do you dragons truly enjoy toying with others so much?!”

“Stop making such a racket in someone else’s room, you ill-mannered creature!” Eileen Calibot’s patience had reached its limit, especially now that she had acquired all the information she wanted.

Yarlola no longer held any value.

“You can just wait in the dungeon for the Empire’s downfall.” Eileen Calibot called two guards to take Yarlola back to the dungeon. “Don’t worry, on the day the Empire falls, I’ll bring you out to witness this magnificent scenery.”

“You demon!” Yarlola glared intensely at Eileen Calibot.

Eileen Calibot couldn’t be bothered with Yarlola. She needed to deliver this good news to Lady Faltis and receive her reward.

Following the images in her memory, she redrew a map.

If Yarlola were present, she would realize that this map’s level of detail was dozens of times more refined than her own crude version.

It was precisely the kind of map held by the leaders themselves.

“Lady Faltis!” Eileen Calibot wagged her translucent tail happily.

“What is it, Eileen? Why are you so happy?” Faltis Calibot asked, her voice filled with doting affection.

Eileen Calibot presented a map. “I’ve obtained the Empire’s intelligence!”

Faltis Calibot opened the map, the smile at the corner of her lips slowly receding.

The map was correct, flawless, and meticulously marked. However, this wasn’t what Faltis Calibot truly desired.

Her maid, it seemed, was perhaps a little too loyal.

To mistake her own memories for information others had instilled in her—this simply wouldn’t do.

It appeared she would need to increase the stimulation a little.

“Well?” Eileen Calibot looked at Faltis Calibot with eager anticipation.

Faltis Calibot pulled Eileen Calibot onto the bed. “Excellent, I’m very pleased. Close your eyes; this is your reward.”

“Mhm!” Eileen Calibot lay on the bed, her silver hair fanned out around her.

Faltis Calibot extended her index finger and gently touched Eileen Calibot’s forehead.

‘Such a loyal person, yet betrayed. The pitiful and ridiculous Empire, are they worried about their actions being exposed?’

‘Or are they concerned that those who were once loyal will become a sharp blade at their throats?’

‘Nevertheless, thanks to their choice, I have received a wonderful gift. Of course, I will also send them a grand gift in return.’

She gazed at the sleeping Eileen Calibot, a hint of expectation in her eyes.

‘A new queen, or perhaps… an existence that transcends even me?’