Chapter 72: The Golden Dragon’s Purge

“Where is Lady Eileen? She…” Before the words could fully leave their lips, the person was impaled through the heart.

Seeing the opportune moment, the Ice Golem, previously hidden within the Golden Dragon Sanctuary, leaped forth and landed before Eileen.

Eileen stumbled back several steps.

“Lisa!”

“Understood.” Flames erupted around Lisa as she swept past Eileen.

Whether the Ice Golem felt any discomfort was unknown, but beneath her black armor, Eileen frowned deeply. For now, however, she had to endure.

“Come play with me.” Lisa stepped forward, directly embracing the Ice Golem’s arm. “Teleportation Magic!”

“Finally gone.” Eileen shook her hand, now free to act without restraint.

Lady Faltis had given her permission to kill indiscriminately; the scapegoat was already prepared.

Even if they realized she was slaying their own traitors, what difference would it make?

If all the traitors were swiftly eliminated, there would be no more leaks, would there? Then the blame would fall upon the Dragon Slayers, leaving Eileen completely absolved.

“Is this your loyalty to Faltis?” Eileen watched the scattering guards.

The guards retreated into the castle. Being unable to defeat someone ranked among the Empire’s top hundred was hardly a disgrace for a dragon. They withdrew in an orderly fashion, as such incidents had occurred before. At this point, they simply needed to hide and wait for Eileen or Faltis to return.

Their sole hope rested on Eileen returning quickly.

But how could these individuals be more familiar with the Golden Dragon Sanctuary’s layout than Eileen herself?

Eileen’s footsteps echoed in their ears, like the call of death itself.

“It’s all Faltis’s fault! If not for her, our territory wouldn’t have only one Dragon King!”

“Then why couldn’t you become a Dragon King yourself? Did you not wish to?” Eileen appeared behind her.

“Don’t attack! I’m one of us!” The guard quickly pleaded.

“One of us? The Red Dragon clan? The Silver Dragon clan? The Black Dragon clan? Or the Empire?” Eileen had no intention of sparing her, nor did she offer any chance for explanation. She simply pierced the guard’s heart.

“Who will be next?” Her long spear dragged on the ground, leaving a trail of blood.

Eileen’s objective was clear: she strode directly toward the Queen’s throne, located at the very heart of the Golden Dragon Sanctuary.

This throne symbolized the Queen’s majesty, a place that absolutely could not be yielded.

Blocking Eileen’s path was Sophis.

“You chose to confront me instead of fleeing?” Eileen pointed her long spear at Sophis.

“This is the sacred ground of our Golden Dragon Sanctuary. I will not allow you to trespass!” Sophis gripped her weapon tightly.

“You know it’s suicide, yet you still point your weapon at me? Interesting.” Eileen was somewhat surprised.

Sophis’s name was not on the list Faltis had provided, so Eileen hadn’t intended to seek her out.

However, it was unexpected that Sophis would actively confront her.

Yet, this was precisely what Eileen desired.

“You are willing to sacrifice your life to protect the Queen’s dignity. I acknowledge you.” Eileen took a ready stance. “For the Empire!”

“For Lady Faltis… and Lady Eileen!” Sophis charged forward.

“Eh?” Eileen froze for a moment upon hearing her own name, then was directly struck by Sophis’s attack.

However, an attack of Dragon-tier strength was still rather insufficient for Eileen.

She pushed away the stones pressing down on her, then brushed off the dust. “What did you just say? For Faltis and who else?”

Eileen wondered if she had misheard something.

“Lady Eileen!” Sophis declared.

‘…?’ ‘No, why am I involved in this?’

Eileen was rather confused. She hadn’t done anything memorable, had she? She had only met Sophis twice.

“Eileen, who is she?” Eileen asked.

“Strong, gentle, perfect—she is the aspiration for all of us!”

‘…?’

“You wouldn’t understand even if I told you. Come! Even if you kill me, Lady Eileen will avenge me.” Sophis charged once more, but this time Eileen was prepared.

“You truly are an interesting person.” Eileen waved her hand, sending Sophis flying. “However, your strength is a bit lacking.”

Eileen’s long spear rested against Sophis’s neck. “I can give you one last chance… move aside.”

“You utterly foolish worm.”

“…Is that your choice?” Eileen raised her spear and knocked her unconscious.

It was truly pathetic. Eileen didn’t even need to put on an act anymore, for in the vast castle, Sophis was the only one guarding this throne.

Eileen gazed at the empty throne, and a primal instinct suddenly drove her. ‘Sit on it!’

But Eileen quickly regained her senses, though she was deeply puzzled. What exactly was that momentary urge? Why did a thought she hadn’t initially harbored suddenly surge forth upon seeing the throne?

This was not the time to ponder such questions, however, as Eileen still had unfinished business to attend to.

Along the way, Eileen did not encounter a second guard who dared to obstruct her.

As for why?

The answer was simple.

The loyal guards despised this individual who disrespected their Queen.

The treacherous guards were under this individual’s command.

Thus, naturally, no one appeared in this place.

After all, nearly all the treacherous guards had already been slain by Eileen.

Eileen looked up at the door before her.

It was a solid wooden door, engraved with the images of Golden Dragon Queens from previous years, but notably devoid of Faltis’s likeness.

Then, after today, let it bear only the shadow of Lady Faltis.

Eileen now understood the words Faltis had spoken to her earlier.

So, this was the reason Faltis worried she wouldn’t be able to go through with it.

Eileen was about to face Teacher Saiana, who had taught her half of her magic. She was also the person in the Golden Dragon Sanctuary who most desired Faltis’s death.

Eileen placed her hand on the door, only for it to be repelled by a defensive magic, leaving a charred mark on her armor. “What a truly frightening defensive magic. But precisely because of this… you remain completely unaware of what transpires outside, Teacher Saiana.”

Eileen extended her hand again and knocked on the door. “I am Hanna.”

No response came from within, and Eileen simply stood there, head bowed.

After roughly an hour, the magic array slowly began to dissipate.

It wasn’t that the other party hadn’t heard, nor that she was occupied inside.

It was merely arrogance.

For a dragon to grant you an audience was already the greatest boon; what was an hour of waiting outside?

Eileen, still in her armor, stepped inside, her mood notably different this time.

After all, just ten days prior, Eileen had genuinely regarded the person as her teacher.

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