Chapter 85: A Wager of Loyalty and Power

“It seems Lena is quite interested in you,” Afuya observed, looking at Eileen. “Would you perhaps consider visiting our Silver Dragon territory when you have a moment?”

“Ahaha… thank you for the invitation, Lady Afuya. However, I am Lady Faltis’s servant, and my priority will always be how to best serve her. Therefore, I apologize, but if Lady Faltis has no plans to visit the Silver Dragon territory, then I likely won’t have the opportunity either.” Eileen politely declined.

Afuya then turned her gaze to Faltis. “What a remarkably loyal maid you have.”

“Naturally,” Faltis replied, her expression cold.

“It’s rare to see any other expression on your face, Faltis, when you’re in the presence of other queens, or indeed, other humans. However, I have a small request. I wonder if you would be willing to grant it.”

“What request?” Faltis inquired. “And you should be well aware, shouldn’t you, that if queens seek assistance from one another, a certain price must be paid. Otherwise, it might be mistaken for an alliance.”

“An actual alliance wouldn’t be out of the question,” Afuya suddenly remarked. “After all, once this conference concludes, we might have no choice but to decide.”

‘Faltis seems well aware of this matter too.’

“But first, Lena, why don’t you tell me your request?”

“I’d like Lena and Eileen to have a small sparring match. What do you think?” Afuya proposed.

“A sparring match? What would be the point?”

“There’s no particular significance, just a desire for a little friendly competition.”

Faltis pondered this. “In that case, if it’s merely a contest, let’s each place a wager.”

“Oh?” Afuya was somewhat surprised that Faltis would suggest such a thing. It seemed she held immense trust in Eileen. “Faltis, what do you wish to wager? And what kind of bet do you propose?”

“We’ll bet on the outcome of their match—who wins and who loses.”

“And what, then, would the stakes be?”

“I see both of you have your eyes on Eileen. So, if she loses, she’ll go with you. How does that sound?” Faltis stated.

“Ah?” Eileen looked at Faltis in surprise. She had no idea about Lena’s strength, yet Faltis seemed so confident she could win?

“You’re quite confident,” Afuya remarked, scrutinizing Eileen. “Very well, I accept.”

“But you haven’t stated your price if you lose,” Faltis pointed out.

“Lose? Impossible.” Afuya sounded as if she had heard the greatest joke. No matter how much of a genius Eileen was, she couldn’t possibly have grown strong enough to defeat Lena in just a few years.

After all, five years ago, Eileen couldn’t even use various magic spells.

What Afuya didn’t realize, however, was that Eileen at that time was still adapting to her body’s magic conversion, which was why she couldn’t use spells.

“How about this: if you lose, you hand over that great magic, Absolute Zero, from your Silver Dragon library. What do you say?” Faltis proposed.

By now, Afuya understood why Faltis had spoken this way. Her intentions were clearly set on that great magic.

“That’s a great magic, and it belongs to our Silver Dragon clan. Do you truly believe a mere maid can be equated with it?” Afuya was no fool.

“Indeed, isn’t Eileen a Silver Dragon? Or rather, do you think your daughter will lose?” Faltis retorted.

“I would never agree to that request. This isn’t a matter of impulsive bravado or something to be swayed by a simple provocation. Even if you were ninety percent confident in winning, you wouldn’t use a great magic as a stake.”

“Then so be it.” Faltis, of course, knew that someone who had become a queen would never fall for such a simple trick.

“However…”

“Hmm?” Faltis looked at Afuya. “However, what?”

“Let’s go to the inn. Discussing these matters on the street isn’t very convenient,” Afuya suggested.

Faltis didn’t hesitate for long before agreeing. “To your place? Or mine?”

“To your place. I’ll come over once I’ve settled my luggage.”

“Alright, the usual spot.”

Afuya and Lena then departed from their side.

Eileen, curious, leaned close to Faltis, about to ask a question, but Faltis covered her mouth with a hand. “Let’s go back and prepare first. We have guests coming.”

“Mmm.”

The two returned to the inn. As Eileen prepared snacks and tea, she asked, “Just now, Lady Afuya mentioned an alliance?”

Indeed, outside, these questions would have been difficult to ask.

“This, this conference, it seems to revolve around that very matter. According to our contacts within the Empire, they seem to be researching something forbidden,” Faltis explained.

“Forbidden matters? Something that could even compel the Dragon Clans to form an alliance?” Eileen frowned, wondering what terrifying thing could achieve such a feat.

“That’s only one aspect. The other… she’s here. You’ll know in a moment.” Faltis looked towards the door.

“Mmm.” Eileen went to the door, opening it to let Afuya and Lena enter.

Eileen led the two to Faltis and poured tea for all three.

Afuya glanced at Eileen.

“Speak freely,” Faltis said. “I’ve already brought her here a second time, so there’s no need to worry about that.”

“Faltis, you must be well aware of the main purpose of this conference, aren’t you?” Afuya asked.

Faltis nodded. “It’s simply that the decision made twenty years ago—the time for it has come.”

During a conference twenty years prior, it had been suggested to choose someone to lead the Dragon Clans. However, this proposal met with significant opposition at the time, so it was postponed for twenty years.

This current conference would now revolve around that very issue.

It was evident that, this time, a large majority would likely agree to it.

Among the Dragon Clans, the selection process was simple: strength reigned supreme.

However, there would also be some who opposed it, and naturally, Afuya was among them. This was why she sought to use this opportunity to win Faltis over.

“Faltis, what is your choice? Agreement? Opposition? Or perhaps… do you wish to become that person?” Afuya gazed at Faltis.

Faltis’s next words could very well alter the fate of both the Silver Dragon and Golden Dragon Clans.

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