---

Chapter 17: The Resurrection of the Shadow of Immortality

For Vilyric, this was no loss at all.

Nastaia’s goal, though complicated, was quite simple: on one hand, she presumably wanted to bring about a change, ending the grotesque situation where Flame Dragon City completely relied on the “Blood of the Red Dragon” for survival; on the other hand, she probably intended to eliminate the unstable factors that could cause the recurrence of the Dragon Blood Disease.

“Fine, I’ll take on this task. I can’t guarantee I’ll actively seek out that Heart of the Red Dragon, but if I happen to come across relevant news, I suppose I can deal with it.”

After all, who would complain about having too many good things? The Heart of the Red Dragon, which could remain intact for four hundred years, even radiated its power into the area of Flame Dragon City, indicating it should be quite a decent item—not just a spirit-level artifact, right?

According to the City Lord’s description, in Flame Dragon City, with generations breeding, at least one-fifth of the population now carries the bloodline of those original villagers.

In this age where mythical beings have all but disappeared, it’s nearly impossible for mortals to see a true pureblood dragon, and artifacts with strong draconic aura are exceedingly rare.

As long as Vilyric can take the “Heart of the Red Dragon” away from here, she wouldn’t have to worry about the previous “plague” returning.

The infection of the Dragon Blood Disease essentially stems from the resonant awakening of the same species’ bloodlines. Thus, outsiders like Bishop Isaac might not encounter any issues even with close contact.

The insistence on wearing protective gear was, to some extent, merely Nastaia putting on a show.

Though she was the City Lord, her control over Flame Dragon City wasn’t omnipresent; she couldn’t know the bloodline status of everyone in the city. Therefore, a cautious approach to isolation was necessary, and it also served as a means to keep secrets hidden.

She couldn’t let people discover the Dragon Blood Disease, as it only spread among specific groups.

Do what you must, then leave the rest to fate.

Just like the merchant’s dog in the city that developed dragonization symptoms, Nastaia hadn’t expected that ordinary animals from three hundred years ago would still retain their bloodlines today.

After all, weak creatures, aside from humans, had mostly perished in that catastrophe, and the magical beasts infected by dragon blood likely wouldn’t have meekly turned into obedient pets. Those living in Flame Dragon City now were basically newly introduced species from the outside.

Only plants, which draw nutrients directly from the earth, continue to be affected by dragon blood, or rather, the “Heart of the Red Dragon.”

“That’s enough. I just want to try my best to eliminate the unstable factors. This task is relatively dangerous, so I’m already grateful that you’re willing to accept it.”

Nastaia bowed deeply to Vilyric and removed a red ring that still held warmth from her hand, presenting it before the Priestess.

“I apologize for the previous offenses. Consider this a compensation for you, as a reward for the healing commission, along with 10,000 gold coins for the expedition task and some support for Miss Vilyric.”

“Alright, then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

Vilyric accepted the ring without hesitation, not bothering to look inside, and just like that, much to Nastaia’s surprise, she stored it in her inventory.

The fact that she could group these items together hinted that she had already been planning something similar for some time. Her previous actions likely helped solidify the City Lord’s final decision.

No need to guess; the commission to investigate Dragonfall Valley was certainly something Nastaia had intentionally released.

While gathering personnel to quell the chaos caused by the missing Heart of the Red Dragon, she must have been looking for someone strong enough to break the secrets of this place and be a reliable guardian for the dragon’s legacy.

Seeing Vilyric accept the ring adorned with draconic engravings, which should be quite valuable to her—at least a purple rarity magical gear—the beautiful woman seemed to suddenly shed an immense weight, her smile relaxed.

“Thank you. Now, I’ll share with you all the leads I’ve found about that group.”

According to Nastaia’s deputy, who remained in Flame Dragon City, the group in question consisted of about ten individuals. Aside from the leader, they concealed their appearances beneath black cloaks.

Half a month ago, they arrived with a directive from the upper echelons of the United Kingdom, ostensibly to investigate a potential intelligent magical beast organization in Dragonfall Valley.

Though the deputy didn’t understand what these guys were up to, the directive was indeed genuine, issued by the royal family, so he didn’t interfere much with these somewhat peculiar individuals.

After settling in a random place in the city, they rushed out of town to Dragonfall Valley. A day later, when they returned reeking of blood, only five of them were left.

Subsequently, they hurriedly departed from Flame Dragon City.

According to testimonies from soldiers who witnessed it, the only man not wearing a hood carried a black metal box that emitted an oddly heated aura.

This soldier was one of the first patients of the Dragon Blood Disease and had already died before Vilyric’s arrival.

There was no doubt that the Heart of the Red Dragon was stored inside that box.

That was about all the records of their activities in Flame Dragon City. Additionally, Nastaia provided some unusual behaviors or traits exhibited by the group.

Some residents of Flame Dragon City who had interacted with them claimed that these people would occasionally emit a faint stench, somewhat akin to rotten meat at home. Plus, after returning from Dragonfall Valley, one guy had lost half an arm yet remained happily lively.

The innkeeper was certainly terrified.

The leader of the group emitted no such odor, but there was a serpent-like green tattoo on his hand.

“Throne of Immortality?”

Vilyric almost instinctively blurted out those words.

“What is that? It sounds like some kind of organization. Does Miss Vilyric know them?”

Nastaia seemed taken aback, from her expression showing evident doubts.

It was perfectly normal for her not to know. After all, this was a secret underground organization of the Ost Empire; even Liliya, the princess of the United Kingdom, had never heard of them, and though Nastaia had her background, she was still just a countess and city lord.

“I don’t know them, it’s just that your descriptions remind me quite a bit of a group I’ve encountered before—I had some dealings with them in the past.”

As if realizing something, Vilyric quickly added, “They’re enemies.”

Hearing the Priestess say this, the doubt slowly faded from Nastaia’s face, replaced by a somewhat embarrassed smile.

“Well, it’s true that Miss Vilyric is a principled healer. How could she associate with such ruffians? My apologies.”

Vilyric waved her hand dismissively, though she was actually mulling over the information Nastaia provided.

If it was that “Throne of Immortality” group of undead, getting a directive from the kingdom’s higher-ups wouldn’t be unusual. After all, they wouldn’t work for the prince for free.

The mystery was whether the Heart of the Red Dragon was being collected by some prince or if it was someone from the “Throne of Immortality” who instructed them to do so.

The leader wasn’t undead…

And that green serpent-like tattoo… had she heard of something similar before? Where was it from?

Because the impression was too faint, Vilyric couldn’t recall it for a moment.

“Oh right, Miss Vilyric.”

“Hm?”

Nastaia hesitated for a while, cautiously asking, “This might be a bit intrusive, but do you happen to carry any treasures related to true dragons?”

“Ah? None, I think?”

Even if there were, they would be in her inventory in another space. Vilyric exchanged glances with her pet, who was just watching the drama unfold.

The dragon girl did have one, though.

“Is it not you? Strange…”

“Why do you suddenly ask this?” the Priestess became curious.

“Well, do you remember the old lady Amanda who sold a red dragon pendant to you on the way to the City Lord’s Mansion with Daniel?”

Nastaia deliberated on how to explain.

“She lives in the central district. In my investigation, she shouldn’t have had close contact with any Dragon Blood Disease patients, yet that old lady still ended up in the clinic, and the onset of her symptoms coincided perfectly with when you two met.”

“It’s a bit too coincidental, so I began to wonder if Miss Vilyric is carrying something with a strong true draconic aura, which triggered the dragon bloodline in her.”

“Pfft cough cough cough!!!”

So other dragon species could trigger it too!?!

Vilyric nearly choked on her own spit, turning sharply to glare at the innocent-looking golden-haired dragon girl beside her, who immediately got the hint and awkwardly averted her gaze.

She even began to whistle nervously.

No wonder Vilyric had felt no symptoms from that old lady—turns out the lady was fine all along; it was just that Xiao Guang was being jealous over the pendant, releasing some of her true draconic aura, which led to the Dragon Blood Disease manifesting.

After searching for a culprit for so long, it turned out to be me!

Damn!