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Chapter 16: The Black Bird and the Red Dragon

It all began three hundred years ago.

Back then, Flame Dragon City was just a quiet little village with a population of a few hundred, nestled between mountains and rivers. Though it wasn’t rich, it was at least well-fed and clothed.

But disaster came crashing down, altering everything.

For some unknown reason, two colossal beasts, possessing legendary powers, erupted into a terrifying battle above Dragonfall Valley.

One was a giant dragon, entirely blood-red, enveloped in scorching flames.

The other was an eerie giant bird, cloaked in dark feather patterns, its wings stretching over a hundred meters.

These mythological monsters, possessing intelligence beyond that of humans, clashed in the sky, biting and scratching, unleashing countless brilliant yet terrifyingly destructive waves of power.

The mere shockwaves from their battle turned the grandest peak of the mountains below into a dead, sunken pit.

Yes, the very center of what is now Dragonfall Valley.

The two giants seemed evenly matched, battling for countless hours, from dawn till dusk, leaving them both even more grievously injured, yet failing to yield a victor.

The dragon’s and bird’s blood splattered all around, soaking into the land, the rich energy evaporating in the air, inevitably inhaled by plants, animals, and trembling villagers hiding in their homes at the mountain’s edge.

Even diluted countless times, the blood of mythological beings was beyond ordinary bodies to bear, bringing forth mutations and destruction.

[Dragon Blood Disease] first erupted in the past, three hundred years ago.

When a young girl in the village awoke from her coma, the night had turned to day, and the earth-shattering battle had somehow come to a close.

She discovered horns had sprouted from her head, her skin was now covered with smooth red scales, and there were even two black wings extending from her back.

She had transformed into a magical beast.

After a brief moment of fear and confusion, the girl realized that most villagers had died in agony, while the few remaining were on the brink of death themselves, displaying similar mutations.

She wanted to seek help from a nearby city, but the distance was too great, and she suddenly recalled what her parents had once said about the United Kingdom’s treatment of those “non-human” beings.

If discovered, she would die; the best outcome would be to be banished from her home.

So she hesitated.

In her daze, the girl felt a calling deep within her, as if it came from her very bloodline.

Following the call, she suppressed her trembling heart and traversed the mountains to the center of that great battle.

The wings granted her the power of flight, allowing her to traverse the once-forbidden lairs of magical beasts without hindrance.

She found the dying giant dragon while the black bird had vanished without a trace.

Perhaps the girl’s transformation piqued the dragon’s interest, for it did not crush or devour her like an ant. Instead, it obliged her request, teaching her how to control her newfound powers and save those villagers who had mutated.

It gave her a black feather.

It was a special plume torn from the black bird; using it would neutralize the incompleted mutations and transform her back into human form.

However, the altered bloodline was irreversible; it would be passed down through generations. When met with certain powerful and peculiar external forces, it would undoubtedly manifest again.

[At that time, how will you or your descendants cope?]

After leaving those profound words, the dragon breathed its last.

With the dragon’s death, the core of its power condensed into a glowing pearl radiating endless heat and flames, which the girl named.

[Heart of the Red Dragon]

The girl returned to the village with the black feather, saving the remaining survivors, falsely claiming that everything was over and such mutations would never recur.

She left the Heart of the Red Dragon in the valley, assembling people to build barriers to minimize impact and forming contracts with several powerful mutated magical beasts to guard the valley, preventing outsiders from being harmed by the remnants of the red dragon’s fall.

Yet, this pearl, forged from the dragon’s power, continuously radiated the unique aura and energy of the dragon clan, still subtly influencing the flora and fauna of the mountains that had been soaked in the dragon’s blood, gradually evolving them into what they are now.

“So, that girl from the story…”

Upon hearing the tale, the Priestess pondered.

“Indeed, she is my ancestor, the first Count of the Siniel family, Ella Siniel. The blood of the red dragon and the black bird granted us immense power. Though the reason remains unknown, my ancestor Ella was undoubtedly the only one who completed the evolution back then.”

Nastaia lifted her shoulder cloak, removed a necklace from around her neck, and two delicate black wings gradually extended from her back. Horns resembling Xiao Guang’s, albeit darker in hue, sprouted from her head.

Although her face bore little change, Vilyric noticed the intricate red scales creeping over the exposed skin of her hands, making the nearly thirty-year-old woman appear somewhat demonic yet adding an unusual beauty.

“We of the Siniel family have maintained a singular line for hundreds of years, guarding the secrets of the past. Unless facing life or death, we will never easily activate the power in our bloodline.”

“At the same time, I have followed my ancestor’s teachings, assisting the remaining guardian magical beasts to ensure the stability of the Heart of the Red Dragon in this valley.”

“Hmm, so what about the Heart of the Red Dragon?”

Vilyric turned to survey the area, finding nothing except the scorching heat, desolate valley, and dragon remains.

“The Heart of the Red Dragon… has been stolen.”

“Wow, really…?”

The alluring woman clenched her teeth, her gentle gaze radiating undeniable hatred and regret.

“Two weeks ago, an unidentified group seized the opportunity while I was away on official business, breaking into the core of Dragonfall Valley, injuring the guardian magical beasts, and snatching the Heart of the Red Dragon that was offered here.”

“Because they came into contact with this pearl that carries the strong essence of the dragon within the city, Dragon Blood Disease has spread.”

“Oh… wait, I remember the dragon gave your ancestor a feather…?”

The Priestess picked up on the flaw.

“The black feather was merely a special plume that fell from the black bird; it cannot sustain itself for hundreds of years like the Heart of the Red Dragon without decaying. It’s already damaged. Because of this, I couldn’t suppress the recurrences of the dragonization mutation. If not for Miss Vilyric’s help…”

Nastaia did not elaborate, but Vilyric could guess the unfolding situation.

Dragon Blood Disease was worsening, and even if Nastaia intended to conceal it, it would eventually draw the attention of the kingdom’s leaders or those with ulterior motives, even using it as an opportunity to uncover the bloodline secrets passed down from the ancestors of Flame Dragon City.

To discover their truth of being “non-human.”

No wonder Nastaia chose not to seek help from the kingdom and instead agreed to Bishop Isaac’s requests.

After all, compared to the hostile United Kingdom towards alien races, at least the Holy Empire seemed more equal in this regard.

Of course, no one would offer favors for free. If the Holy Empire truly sent expert assistance to quell the disaster, afterward, Nastaia and even the whole Flame Dragon City would bear a heavy price for it.

“Miss Vilyric, the reason I am telling you all this is twofold: on one hand, to express my gratitude for your previous help; on the other, I have something to request.”

The Acting City Lord returned the necklace, reverting to its original appearance, and sincerely bowed to the Priestess.

“Hmm, go on?”

“I wish to ask for your assistance in finding the Heart of the Red Dragon.”

“Those thieves escaped days ago, long before I returned to the city. I’ve been carrying heavy responsibilities and cannot leave Flame Dragon City for long.”

“But Miss Vilyric is different; you are a traveler, knowledgeable in medicine, with strength beyond my expectations. After spending these few days together, I’ve gathered some insight into your character. If it’s you, Miss Vilyric, you should be able to be entrusted with that item.”

Vilyric raised an eyebrow, “Entrust? You don’t want the Heart of the Red Dragon anymore?”

“Correct. I can provide you with all the information I have, both human and material resources. If you need, Flame Dragon City will offer its full support as well. I only have one request: do not let this item reappear in this city.”

Nastaia’s expression seemed calm, but her tightly clenched fists revealed the turmoil within the alluring woman.

“Isn’t it troublesome? Losing this item means the land of Flame Dragon City will soon lose the ‘blessing of the Red Dragon,’ which would be fatal for your city.”

The dragon’s blood integrated into the earth, allowing the vegetation to harbor the power of fire; such a statement is clearly a lie if you put any thought into it.

Perhaps it was true in the beginning, but in the following hundreds of years, it was undoubtedly the ‘Heart of the Red Dragon’ that sustained the power within the soil.

If not, Vilyric truly could not fathom why the Siniel family left this ticking time bomb so close at hand.

“…That’s enough. What my ancestors couldn’t decide, let me, Nastaia Siniel, be the sinner or the reformer.”

“Flame Dragon City is due for a change.”