Chapter 17: The Dragon’s Embrace

The last time Eileen had seen this weapon was on the Isle of Celestial Fantasy.

Someone had dared to challenge Faltis’s authority.

As a result, Faltis had effortlessly severed the challenger’s head with Nayarinne, casting it directly from the high skies of the Isle of Celestial Fantasy into the Empire’s territory.

Even the dragons who still harbored grievances fell silent after witnessing that golden slit pupil.

Few in this world had ever laid eyes upon this weapon. Even fewer knew its name or its true origin.

Eileen was fortunate enough to be among them, and not merely as an observer, but as an opponent.

It was highly probable that she was also the sole survivor.

Faltis, gripping her great axe, dispersed the snowflakes that obscured her vision.

She watched as Eileen, her silver wings beating furiously, sped toward her, Durandal clutched tightly in her hand.

“You must be careful, Eileen,” Faltis said, a hint of madness twisting her lips into a smile.

She raised Nayarinne high. “Grand Magic… Blazing Purgatory.”

This was an incantation-less spell, significantly weaker than a fully chanted one. Yet, Eileen dared not underestimate Faltis.

On the mountaintop, a golden pillar of light tore through the overcast sky. The heavy snow ceased—or rather, it instantly vaporized.

The terrifying heat distorted space itself.

The earth fractured, mountains crumbled, and forests ignited in raging infernos, as if hell itself had descended.

A tremendous dragon’s roar, coupled with an overwhelming draconic aura, erupted, extinguishing the flames.

Rain poured from the sky, hissing as it struck the scorching earth.

As the golden light dissipated, Eileen knelt before Faltis, using Durandal to prop herself up.

Her skin was covered in patches of silvery-white dragon scales, but now, blood slowly seeped from each one.

To conserve her strength, Eileen had already retracted her wings and tail.

The disparity between them was simply too vast, so immense it induced despair.

Faltis stood before Eileen. “Well, you’ve lost.”

Eileen’s hands trembled as she tried to rise.

“It’s time to abandon your dignity as a Dragon Slayer, Kassim. You now completely belong to me, Eileen Calibot, my dragon maid.” A golden tail lashed out, shattering Durandal.

Eileen felt something within her shatter, sinking into an abyss alongside the broken sword.

Her vision began to blur.

She felt herself enveloped in a warm embrace.

It was safe, reliable, soft, and gentle, carrying a unique fragrance. This was Faltis’s embrace, and Eileen knew she had to get up.

However, a pair of tender hands gently patted Eileen’s shoulder. “There, there, rest well, my adorable little maid.”

Eileen felt overwhelmingly sleepy, her eyelids heavy, refusing to open…

In her dazed state, she clearly felt a cold touch on her lips.

Then, something strange and incredibly soft entered her mouth. Eileen bit down gently, and in her hazy awareness, she thought she heard Faltis cry out.

Subsequently, a gentle, sweet, and delicious liquid flowed into her mouth—the blood of a Golden Dragon.

Her eyes snapped open, and she saw Faltis’s captivating face mere inches away, slowly pulling back.

A faint silver arc curved at the corner of Faltis’s lips, and a drop of red blood stained her tongue. So, it had been her tongue that had entered Eileen’s mouth.

Eileen could vaguely discern golden scales appearing on Faltis’s face.

Dragon scales typically appeared for two reasons: one, during combat, much like Eileen’s own manifestation. The other was due to shyness.

Though Faltis had been fighting moments ago, not a single scale had appeared during the battle. They only began to emerge after it ended, clearly indicating her situation wasn’t combat-related.

Was she… shy? This was the first time Eileen had witnessed such a sight in five years, and the first time Faltis had ever kissed Eileen’s lips.

Eileen parted her lips, intending to speak, but Faltis’s index finger gently pressed against them.

“Rest well, little maid.”

Eileen felt her body recovering rapidly, yet she was still so weary, so desperate for sleep.

She could no longer resist and slowly drifted into unconsciousness.

Eileen opened her eyes to the familiar ceiling of the room she had lived in for five years. Everything around her was intimately known. Wait…

Suddenly!

She abruptly sat up in bed.

But quickly, she regretted it.

“Ugh?!”

Eileen wanted to scream, but managed to suppress it.

Excruciating pain radiated through her entire body; it felt as though her bones had been shattered.

Faltis had shown mercy, but only a sliver of it. It seemed she had indeed been very angry.

Eileen lay motionless on the bed, staring at the ceiling, when a familiar voice suddenly reached her ears.

“Eileen? You’re awake?” Setia asked, her gaze filled with concern.

Only then did Eileen notice the maid sitting beside her.

“Se… Setia?”

Her head throbbed, but this time, she remembered everything that had happened: Kassim’s memories, the battle, and… that lingering kiss in her mind.

“Eileen? Are you alright! I’ll go get the doctor! No… wait, you are our doctor… then I’ll go get Lady Faltis!” Setia exclaimed, seeing Eileen’s pained expression.

She started to rise but Eileen caught her wrist.

“I’m fine, I just need a little more rest. There’s no need to trouble Lady Faltis.” Eileen’s words, however, startled Setia, leaving her frozen.

Was she joking?! Eileen had actually called Lady Faltis by her name!

Eileen realized her mistake and quickly asked, “How long have I been unconscious? Where is Lady Faltis now?”

If she corrected herself quickly enough, she could claim Setia had misheard. After all, there was no recording. As long as she adamantly denied it, everything would be fine!

Especially since it was Setia she was talking to.

Indeed, upon hearing the second sentence, Setia immediately began to doubt whether she had misheard.

“Eileen, you’ve been unconscious for about three days. Lady Faltis carried you back herself. She only told me to let you rest well, and nothing else,” Setia explained.

“What exactly happened, Eileen? Who could have injured you so severely…?” Setia asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Her tone eventually became tearful as she grasped Eileen’s hand. “Please, you mustn’t get into trouble… you’re my only friend…”