63. Dragon Lady, Celebration Preparations, and the Arrival of Melina
"Is this real?"
"It's real...right?"
"It should be right?"
Xiling was now somewhat stunned, or perhaps even incredulous.
He wanted to pat his head to clear his thoughts, but the weight and warmth on his back reminded him that this wasn't an illusion.
"The text does mention Dragon King, but it doesn't mention Dragon Lady..."
The evening breeze blew across the wilderness, bringing a hint of coolness. Xiling could feel the warm, even breath of the person on his back, gently caressing the back of his neck.
At this moment, he was carrying someone with a bewildered look on his face—no, to be more precise, a woman! And a breathtakingly beautiful woman at that! In the moonlight, her long, silver-white hair cascaded down, swaying gently in the wind.
She lay quietly on Xiling's back, her slender arms falling naturally across his chest. She looked a little weak, clearly from the earth-shattering battle with Godfrey.
"Hmm..."
The woman seemed to sense Xiling's surprise, and her cold voice rang out with a strange rhythm:
"Silver King, what happened?"
"No... It's nothing, Placidusax."
That's right!
The one Xiling was carrying was none other than the king of the ancient dragons!
The Dragon King—Placidusax!
After leaving the hole, Xiling searched for the other party involved in the battle, or rather, the other dragon. It didn't take long for him to find the severely injured Dragon King—still in her dragon form, blood oozing from the shattered scales on her chest.
The others' injuries weren't fatal, but they were certainly severe.
Xiling wanted to bring her back to the Leyndell Royal Capital. He couldn't let his hero recuperate in the wilderness, could he? Xiling then expressed his intention: to take the other party back to the Leyndell Royal Capital.
Xiling intended to carry the dragon's body back directly.
However, after he made this suggestion, Placidusax fell into a long silence.
Just when Xiling expected to be rejected, a startling scene occurred.
The massive dragon's body began to emit a soft glow, each scale transforming into a point of light that slowly dissipated.
Amidst the shimmering light, a perfect female figure descended gently, like a feather.
A perfect female figure slowly descended from the sky.
Xiling still remembers the shock of that moment.
Even now, he could still feel his heart pounding in his chest—the one on his back was the Dragon King!
A woman!
He knew that the ancient dragons could indeed transform into human form; after all, there was indeed a dragon lady mentioned in the text.
But what surprised him was! Why was the Dragon King a woman?
"Forget it, Xiling, you're a hero. You've seen it all. You'll see even bigger ones in the future. Besides, you didn't even know whether she was a man or a woman. Now she's just revealed her gender. Why are you so surprised?" Xiling muttered to himself.
Just then, a head gently rested against his shoulder. Xiling could feel the other's cheek against his neck, their warm breath caressing his skin.
"Placidusax, what are you doing?"
Placidusax's sleepy murmur came from behind him:
"Silver King, you smell... quite pleasant."
"Is that so?" Xiling sniffed himself and didn't detect anything else.
Placidusax said nothing more. A hint of relief and contentment etched on her dignified face as she closed her eyes.
She had indeed suffered serious injuries and needed rest to heal.
Carried by Xiling, Placidusax felt the gentle rocking and the pleasant, reassuring scent of Xiling, and fell into a deep sleep. ...
Two days later.
Outside the Leyndell Royal Capital.
The Tarnished wiped his eyes and stared in astonishment at the changes at the Leyndell Royal Capital's main gate with a group of magicians.
The original gate had been completely demolished.
From the front, the largest platform in the city stood in mid-air, with countless people walking back and forth, carrying goods.
Even above the Leyndell Royal Capital, a group of ancient dragons soared in the sky.
The Tarnished stared for a long time, slowly concluding.
He had traveled through time.
How else could one explain the earth-shattering changes that had taken place in the entire Leyndell Royal Capital after only three days of his absence?
Although Xiling in the chat group was always describing the changes in the Royal Capital, how things had changed here and there, this was too outrageous!
It had only been three days.
If it had been a month, the Tarnished wouldn't have been so surprised.
Three days were too outrageous!
But this was a fantasy world. Unhindered, Radahn's gravity magic could easily demolish the impenetrable city walls, leaving no hidden dangers.
The ancient dragon's soaring power was perfectly transformed into the most efficient air transport fleet.
Orcs, hybrids, and various other once marginalized races, now blessed with new life and dignity under the light of the Silver Rule, have now emerged as a powerful new force, guided by the Silver Will and enthusiastically engaged in construction.
These races, blessed by the Silver Rule, were guided by knights sent by Xiling to the Leyndell Royal Capital to participate in the upcoming celebration.
The scale of this upcoming celebration was destined to be unprecedented.
A single royal capital could not accommodate so many people.
So, at Xiling's command, the majestic wall separating the inner and outer worlds was torn down.
This was a proclamation of a new era, one without a walled city and others outside, but rather a community of shared participation and celebration. Xiling's order met with no opposition, for the people trusted him and his guidance. Radahn even volunteered to personally destroy the city wall.
Just as the Tarnished and the magicians were still gaping in astonishment at the dramatic changes before them, Captain Kevin, a decorator, spotted the gaping, country-speaking magician outside the city—the Tarnished, the leader of the magic academy.
After saying something to the others, Kevin dusted off the nonexistent dust from his hands and walked towards the Tarnished group.
The Tarnished, thinking Kevin was welcoming them back and about to greet them, approached, but Kevin immediately put his arm around his shoulders, lowered his head, and spoke in a whisper.
"You're finally back. I have big news story to tell you."
"Not interested—" the Tarnished dragged out the words, trying to free his shoulders from Kevin's iron-clad arms. His tone was filled with undisguised resistance.
"Right now, I just want to find a soft spot, collapse like a puddle of mud, and sleep forever. Melon? Right now, I just want to eat a sweet melon to help me sleep and pass out! Please spare me!"
He'd been camping in the wilderness for the past few days. He was a delicate magician, and now he wasn't sleeping, but was instead listening to some big news story. What did he have free time for?
Faced with the Tarnished's undisguised disdain and resistance, Kevin squeezed out a few words through his teeth in an extremely calm tone, even a hint of anticipation:
"…It's news about Xiling."
Time seemed to freeze for a moment. The Tarnished's previously lifeless eyes now shone startlingly bright, the word "gossip" etched in them.
The Tarnished stared at Kevin without saying a word, but his gaze perfectly captured his inner roar: "Damn it! Why are you still talking nonsense to me? Are you trying to keep me in suspense?"
Kevin shook his head and let go of the Tarnished, even taking a half step to the side. He slowly shook his head and sighed, "Oh, your attitude... that look of disdain just now, I really don't like it. This melon, I suddenly don't feel like talking anymore."
The Tarnished immediately moved behind Kevin and rubbed his shoulders, his tone flattering, "Is that enough pressure? I was mistaken just now."
Kevin accepted the faded man's message with a relaxed and comfortable expression. It's true, after working as a construction contractor for several days, he was a little tired.
Both physically and mentally.
The Tarnished, seeing Kevin's complacency, increased his pressure uncomfortably. However, with his strength, for Kevin, it could only be described as a massage. Seeing Kevin still refusing to speak, the Tarnished pushed Kevin impatiently.
"Hey! Are you going to tell me or not? If not, I'm leaving!" Kevin wasn't angry. He smiled and said, "Tell you, tell you now."
Kevin was also feeling suffocated. He didn't dare to talk about this in the group chat. Besides, this kind of thing had to be shared in person to feel the full flavor. Only then could he get that sense of accomplishment of seeing someone's pupils tremble!
The two of them leaned close to each other and whispered, "I was away to my own world a few days ago because of something going on there. And the next day, I came here and saw Xiling being harassed by a woman."
"Hiss!"
The Tarnished gasped.
"Is this true?"
"Why would I lie to you? I saw it with my own eyes. It's absolutely true!" Kevin nodded affirmatively.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" The Tarnished shook his head like a rattle.
Didn't he know what kind of person Xiling was? You said he was handsome, fine, he admitted it; that face could indeed deceive a girl.
You said he made people feel safe, fine, he admitted it too; just standing there made people feel at ease.
But you said Xiling was being pursued by a woman?! What a joke!
The Tarnished spoke with unwavering confidence, then glanced at Kevin with a look that made him understand.
"To use your world's terms, it's that abstract man! Can his abstract nature be hidden? Any girl with a brain would have discovered his true nature after more than two days of interaction. And yet, you're still clinging to him? Is that a good idea?!"
You said Xiling was stalked by a woman! The Tarnished absolutely didn't believe it.
"Yes! You're absolutely right, I thought so too!" Kevin, as if he had found a kindred spirit, raised his voice, completely absorbed in the excitement of sharing shocking gossip.
"And yet it happened! Isn't that bizarre?"
The two men spoke loudly, as if conspiring.
However, what they didn't notice was that the clanking noise of the construction site around them had mysteriously quieted down.
The magicians of the Academy of Raya Lucaria and the soldiers of the nearby Leyndell Royal Capital couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. Because behind them stood a white-haired man, sword in hand, slowly preparing to charge.
Kevin felt the surroundings grow exceedingly quiet, and a chill rose behind him. The same thing happened to the Tarnished. They both looked up and observed their surroundings, then saw Xiling behind them, poised in a perfectly standard, ready-to-charge stance like a knight!
The three of them locked eyes.
Kevin and the Tarnished stared at Xiling's benevolent smile.
Time seemed to freeze for a moment.
Xiling's smile instantly twisted.
"Stab you to death! Stab you to death! Stab you to death! Stab you to death!! Both of you stand still!!! Who are you calling an abstract man?"
In the Leyndell Royal Capital, three figures swiftly crossed the streets.
"Shit! Shit! When did he get here?" Kevin cried in horror.
"How should I know? It's all your fault!" The Tarnished, in his magician form, ran at a speed no less rapid than Kevin's.
"Don't run away!!! Explain yourself!! Who's the Abstract Man? Ah!"
Xiling's figure pursued them relentlessly, like a thorn in their flesh. Wielding the Holy Sword, he was determined to give the man who'd been badmouthing him behind his back a good stab!
Kevin felt unlucky today; he'd actually been caught.
The Tarnished felt incredibly unlucky today; Kevin had wronged him.
And so, before long, the two men, under the Holy Sword's physical therapy, were on the right path, swearing to Xiling never again to badmouth him.
On the broad main road, people from various tribes were still busily working, carrying and building, preparing for the upcoming celebration.
Only the trio strolling in the middle had a slightly eerie atmosphere. Xiling was composed, as if he'd just enjoyed a healthy workout. Kevin and the Tarnished, to his left and right, looked grimace. Every step strained a tormented part of their body, their steps filled with unspeakable pain.
"Hiss..." The Tarnished gasped, struggling to maintain his dignity as he walked, but his gossip spirit ultimately overcame the physical pain in his hip.
"Seriously, someone's really bothering you?"
Hearing the Tarnished's words, Xilin immediately looked at Kevin. Kevin turned his head away guiltily, practically whistling.
After glaring at Kevin, Xilin sighed, his tone filled with despair: "I'm indeed being bothered."
The Tarnished's eyes flashed with astonishment, surprise, and finally a blaze of gossip spirit.
Xilin knew exactly what the guy was thinking. He waved his hand feebly, preemptively silencing the clichéd plot in the Tarnished's mind:
"Stop! It's nothing like those pink bubbles you're imagining!"
Xilin had indeed been bothered these past two days, but this kind of bother was completely something he didn't want!
At that moment, a cold, calm voice, as if without a ripple, rang out:
"Silver King"
The owner of that voice had been standing quietly by the roadside for some time.
She was dressed in a spotless white robe, a single book in her hands, quietly reading, a stark contrast to the bustling construction site.
She was none other than Placidusax.
"Today's review of government affairs is not yet complete," Placidusax said in a steady voice.
"And you... Your rest time is almost up."
Xiling's shoulders visibly slumped. He grimaced and slowly turned around, his eyes asking, "Can I fish a little longer?"
Unfortunately, Placidusax's gaze remained glued to the page. She didn't even look up, but added calmly:
"As a king, you must not indulge in laziness. Even if you call yourself an acting king, you... You bear the weight of the crown. Please fulfill your duties immediately."
So, Xiling didn't want any of this kind of entanglement at all!
"Got it, got it." Xiling drooped his head resignedly, his strength drained as he dragged himself towards the royal palace.
After taking two steps, Xiling seemed to remember something and suddenly stopped, turning his head, his gaze fixed on the Tarnished.
"Tarnihsed, you and her, come to the Elden Throne together."
After saying this, Xiling turned again and walked away.
Placidusax finally closed the scroll in her hand and silently followed Xiling.
The Tarnished took a deep breath.
The transaction was finally complete.
Kevin nodded to the Tarnished.
"Well, I have something else to do, so I'll go take care of it first."
The Tarnished naturally told everyone in the chat group about the incident.
So Kevin knew who Xiling was talking about.
The Tarnished gathered himself and limped along, catching up with Xiling and Placidusax.
...
Da... Da... Da...
Only two distinct footsteps echoed within the empty throne staircase. Xiling walked in front, and the Tarnished a few steps behind. Xiling had just asked Placidusax to go to the studio while he took care of something.
Placidusax naturally had no objection.
She only needed to remind Xiling, not force him.
The staircase leading to the Elden Throne was long. Xiling and the Tarnished were unusually silent, without their usual banter. Only the sound of their footsteps overlapped and amplified in the stillness.
However, in this moment of silence—
Da.
A faint, almost drowned out by the two preceding steps, yet distinct, footsteps suddenly appeared at the bottom of the steps behind the Tarnished.
The Tarnished paused slightly, but did not turn back.
Xiling continued steadily upwards, seemingly unaware.
The new footsteps, light and steady, blended into the rhythm of their steps like a ghost. A figure, as if condensed from flickering light or thin air, emerged silently.
She wore a simple, frayed traveling cloak, its hood obscuring most of her face, revealing only her graceful, slightly pale jaw.
Beneath the cloak, her skirt flickered with her steps. She walked silently behind the two men, as silent as a shadow.
Three people, one in front, one in the middle, and one at the back, ascended the long staircase leading to the Elden Throne.
At the end of the staircase, the platform bathed in the Silver Erdtree—the Elden Throne—gradually came into view.
After crossing the gate and reaching the center, Xiling finally stopped. He didn't turn around immediately, but simply turned his back toward the stairs, gazing at the silver tree above.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps behind him stopped in unison.
All sounds faded.
The wind seemed to hold its breath.
The throne fell silent. Only the light of the silver tree silently fell, casting a tranquil, flowing silver speckle on the ground and pillars.
Just then, a gust of wind, seemingly from nowhere, swept up countless tiny, shimmering points of light, dancing lightly around the Elden Throne like silver fireflies.
Amid this sacred dance of light, a soft sound of footsteps shattered the silence.
The figure at the rear—the one wrapped in a simple cloak—passed the Tarnished and stood a few steps behind Xiling.
Melina paused.
She raised her head, her gaze from beneath her hood piercing through the dancing light specks, gazing deeply at the silver-white figure before her, its back to her, bathed in silver light—the Silver King, the one who had ended the chaos of the Golden Age and ushered in the Silver Order.
Melina bowed slightly, saluting the Silver King's back with an ancient, solemn gesture. A cold voice echoed clearly in the silent space:
"I pay my respects, Silver King."
As Melina's voice rang out, time seemed to begin flowing again on Elden's throne.
Xiling turned and looked at Melina.
"Nice to meet you, Melina. The Tarnished has already told me about you. So..."
Xiling smiled, looking directly into Melina's eyes.
"Have you made your decision?"
Melina didn't answer immediately.
She raised her head slightly, her gaze passing past Xiling to the towering silver tree.
Purity, purification, order, majesty... The aura of the Silver Erdtree permeated every inch of this place, and also permeated her soul.
The madness from the Erdtree era, the anxiety burned by the invisible fire, and the immense confusion caused by her mission were miraculously soothed, settled, and even brought to peace in this silver radiance, like mist under the scorching sun. Melina had imagined that, standing here, facing this final choice: burning the tree or... giving up, she would be plunged into unprecedented struggle and pain.
However, that was not the case.
The anticipated heart-wrenching, agonizing struggle between her conscience and her will did not unfold.
The moment she entered the Leyndell Royal Capital, the unprecedented scene quietly added a decisive weight to the scales of Melina's heart.
In the Leyndell Royal Capital, various races carried out their respective tasks, without whipping overseers, without fear driving them.
Everyone's face was filled with focus, even... satisfaction. They were wholeheartedly dedicating their efforts to the coming tomorrow.
This heartfelt scene of striving for a shared future pushed Melina's boundaries.
She wondered if the Golden Age of the past had ever been so harmonious, nor did she know what other eras might have been like.
But the unprecedented scene before her etched itself deeply into her soul, ultimately crystallizing into a clear thought:
Perhaps... this is the best of times—the Silver Age.
But it was filled with hope, with possibility, with the vitality of life.
Facing Xiling's smiling gaze and the gaze of the person behind her, Melina spoke softly, "I once felt endlessly lost because I had lost my goal, and I once suffered sleepless nights over life-or-death choices. Now, everything that once troubled me, the heavy mission known as the Treeburner, no longer troubles me."
"However, I face another problem. I beg you to answer one of my questions for me."
"You say..."
Melina's question was like a stone dropped into a calm lake:
"If you lose the goal you firmly believed in, and completely deny the values that once sustained your existence... then, how will you move forward in life?"
Melina looked at Xiling, hoping to elicit an answer from him.
Faced with Melina's question, Xiling...hadn't really thought it through! He subconsciously stroked his chin, lost in thought.
However, this contemplation didn't last long. Xiling seemed to have figured it out, and a slightly sheepish smile appeared on his face.
Under Melina's gaze, Xiling spoke somewhat sheepishly.
"Hmm... probably tanking."
"Ah," Melina was completely stunned. She instinctively let out a short exclamation, completely losing her usual aloofness.
Tanking... tanking? The Silver King, who restored order and was revered by countless, actually answered... tanking?!
Seeing Melina's expression, Xiling smiled.
"Surprised?"
Melina nodded.
"Surprised is normal. Everyone has their own ideas. Before that day truly arrives, all answers are uncertain." Xiling chuckled and continued.
"Melina, have you lost your purpose?"
Melina nodded gently.
She had once pieced together the meaning of her existence, but now she had abandoned it with her own hands. She had lost her purpose.
Seeing Melina like this, Xiling understood her current predicament.
She once believed that the meaning of her existence was to burn the golden tree. Now that the golden tree was gone, everything she had once believed in seemed meaningless.
Yet, she stood here, before him, asking about the future of her life.
That was enough.
For it showed that he was merely standing on a vacated wasteland, temporarily lost, unsure of where to go next—that was all.
Giving guidance to those lost.
That was what the Silver King did, so Xiling spoke.
"Then," Xiling's voice was like a gust of wind blowing away the fog:
"Find a new goal!"
The answer seemed too simple.
"Although it may sound irresponsible, goals aren't laws carved in stone, eternal and unchanging. Can't find greatness? Then find something small to do first, keep living, open your eyes, and see more things you've never seen before—like that new tavern in the corner of the royal capital, or whether the stars tonight are a little brighter than yesterday..."
"Find... things that make you happy, interesting, or even just 'good,' Melina."
"Losing that heavy goal doesn't mean the end. Quite the opposite—it's the beginning of a new life! A beginning that belongs to you, not defined by fate or mission."
Xiling raised a hand and pointed outside the throne room, toward the brand-new royal capital busily being rebuilt, illuminated by the silver tree's radiance, and toward the vast sky at the Lands Between.
"Look forward, witness it, Melina. Feel it with your heart, participate... this rising Silver Age that belongs to everyone!"
The silver tree's radiance seemed to grow softer and brighter at that moment, showering Melina with its rays. The confusion in Melina's eyes hadn't completely dissipated, but...
Melina looked toward the distant spot where Xiling pointed, a vast unknown waiting to be seen and understood.
"A new life...beginning?"
Melina slowly withdrew her gaze from the vast distance and refocused it on the figure of the guide before her.
Facing Xiling, Melina spoke again:
"Can I stay in the royal capital and witness this coming era?"
Faced with this question, Xiling decisively stepped past her, without a pause, and headed straight down the throne steps.
"Everyone is welcome in the royal capital. Now, go and get busy." Xiling's voice, slightly erratic as the distance grew, remained clear.
"I have work to do, so I won't chat with you any longer."
As soon as he finished, Xiling's figure had disappeared around the corner of the stairs.
The throne room fell silent again.
Melina: "..."
She stood alone, blinking in the direction of the stairs where Xiling had disappeared. The impassioned speech about rebirth, the times, and witnessing the past, and the pragmatic demeanor of the king as he slipped away to work, formed a stark contrast.
But surprisingly, this contrast didn't make her feel lost or ignored. Instead...
A subtle, almost imperceptible curve once again curved around the corners of her usually expressionless mouth.
This time, it wasn't an easing of confusion, but rather... some strange, almost "amusing" emotion?
The royal capital welcomes everyone... Go about your business...
Very straightforward, very... stylish. The Tarnished walked over, took in Melina's half-smile, then glanced in the direction Xiling had disappeared. He tutted his words, "My life mentoring duties are over. I'm off to the construction site to move bricks... uh, handle state affairs."
The Tarnished smiled. "But he's right. The Royal Capital should be quite interesting right now. If you have time, go check it out. I won't accompany you."
"Finally, I can go back and get some sleep," thought the Tarnished, as he began to walk down the stairs. However, before he had taken a few steps, footsteps echoed simultaneously with his own.
The Tarnished narrowed his eyes, noticing something was amiss. He turned back and saw Melina following him.
"...What are you doing?" the Tarnished asked tentatively, a sense of foreboding welling up in his heart.
Melina's expression remained stoic in the face of the Tarnihsed's undisguised skepticism. She lowered her eyes slightly, as if weighing her words. After a moment, she raised her eyes and spoke softly in her characteristically level yet clear voice:
"Could you... Please be my guide?"
The Tarnished: "..."
The Tarnished took a deep breath, fully expressing his helplessness and a hint of exhaustion.
"I knew it would be this exhausting. I probably won't be able to sleep tonight."
Melina watched him sigh quietly, her face expressionless as she waited patiently.
Finally, the Tarnished resigned himself to his fate and turned around again, heading down the stairs.
"Let's go. Although I'm not very familiar with the Royal Capital, exploring with two people is always better than alone."
The Tarnished's footsteps echoed again on the empty stairs.
Click.
Melina's footsteps, once again following the Tarnished's, were steady and clear.