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  Vol 2 Chapter 36: Silver Dragon Queen

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  As they watched Elyssa take her leave with Diana, Farkonia turo face the blood-drenched draic scouts and guards.

  "…You… Do you truly uand what you are doing? We are…"

  "Dragon soldiers, and of siderable rank, no less. You must be one of the Imperial Guards, I presume?"

  "Wh-what?!"

  The Dragon Royal Guards were divided into two fas: one responsible for visible, everyday prote, and ahat operated from the shadows. The tter group far surpassed the former in both strength and secrecy, and their existence was unknowo most of their fellons, let alohe other races.

  Although other nations might have simir covert forces, the identities of such operatives were shrouded in mystery, a, Farkonia had spoken of it so casually.

  "Who… exactly are you?"

  Despite the signifit blood loss weakening him, the Dragon Imperial Guard still mao rise to his feet, brandishing his sword towards Farkonia.

  Knowing that revealing the existence of such a guard could be extremely dangerous, Farkonia realized that she would have to elimihe threat before anything else could happen.

  "Me? It would be better for you not to know."

  With those words, an overwhelming pressure emanated from Farkonia’s body, a force so inte far exceeded the earlier presence of Elyssa. Yet, despite this terrifying pressure, Farkonia’s expression remained one of gentle warmth, her smile unged.

  ‘!… This is… the aura of a Dragon…’

  As a member of the Imperial Guards, he was intimately familiar with the aura ons, especially the unique presence of a Dragon King. Such a force was not something anyone could imitate—only oh the power and credentials of a Dragon King could wield it, though even then, it was merely a shadow of the true power.

  The true Dragon King’s preseered the very nature of the aura, imbuing it with special effects and immerength. Even after abdig, it would not weaken.

  He had felt the aura of the reigning Dragon King in the past, and the woman before him shared a very simir energy.

  Feeling the pressure that seemed to pel him to khe guard uood there was no hope of victory.

  But he was still a Dragon Imperial Guard, and it was his duty to protect the royal princess. Even if he were to perish here, he would not falter!

  "She will be fine."

  Farkonia’s voice seemed to cut through his thoughts, as if she had anticipated them. She tinued, speaking of Diana’s safety.

  "As a fellon, I would never allow harm to e to one of my kin. Besides, if I meant her any ill, you would not have seeo begin with."

  "…But…"

  "You wish to take her back, but have you even bothered to sider her wishes?"

  "…"

  The Dragon Imperial Guard had no answer. He was simply following orders—his mission was t the princess back to the Draic Empire and ensure her safety.

  "Younger geions should be allowed to pursue their own desires. We elders should not force our will upohinking that we know what is best for them. Try to see things from their perspective... though I suspect you are well aware of this."

  "?"

  The guard was fused by Farkonia’s words. Though he was the only one present who could verse with the woman, it felt as though Farkonia eaking to someone else entirely.

  "Dragons are proud, free, and they revere strength. And a royal princess, a queen no less—would she sacrifice her desires for the sake of other forces? Does that truly honor the title on on King?"

  "…"

  "Here’s what I propose: grahis favor, a Miss Diana follow her heart. Do not interfere with her wishes."

  "But—"

  "You should know this is not a request."

  Once more, Farkonia unleashed her aura, this time far strohan before. To the guard, it was clear this pressure now surpassed even the current Dragon King’s—what he had felt earlier was but a drop of her true power.

  "…Uood. I will report to Her Majesty the Queen."

  It was no longer a matter of retrieving the princess; with this overwhelming power, there was no way for him to prevent anything. His only choiow was pliance.

  "No need."

  As the guard spoke, a figure slowly emerged before them.

  The newer had silver hair that gleamed uhe sunlight, wearing a simple yet exquisitely crafted gown. Every movement exuded both grad authority. What caught the eye most, however, was her youthful appearance. She stood somewhere between a young girl and a teenager, with a face that was more ihan mature—remi of a younger Diana.

  "Y-Your Majesty…?!"

  The Dragon Imperial Guard immediately k before her, and the other rec scouts followed suit, all bowing in revereo their sn.

  Yet, the woman seemed pletely indifferent to their obeisance.

  "Your name?"

  The Silver Dragon Queen addressed Farkonia, her voice carrying a childlike crity yet still anding respect.

  "Mm? I assumed you already knew. It’s a matter easily found, should you wish to inquire—either through town gossip or by researg my power and lineage. After all, I too was once a Dragon King."

  "I wish to hear it from your own lips."

  "Ah, I see. My apologies. My name is Farkonia. As for my surname, I don’t think that’s necessary, is it?"

  "Indeed, it’s not."

  The Silver Dragourned her attention to the bowing guards and scouts.

  "Go about your duties. Return to where you belong."

  "But, Your Majesty—"

  "Too many 'buts.' Do you not io obey?"

  "…As you and."

  The Dragon scouts and Imperial Guard dispersed. To them, the and of a Dragon King was absolute.

  "…It’s been a long time."

  "Indeed."

  Ohe others had left, the Silver Dragon Queen’s tone softened as she spoke to Farkonia.

  "I never expected her to truly be your daughter. Who, might I ask, is her father?"

  "Such things are hardly worth discussing. You know well enough I have no i in those dragons."

  "Quite true."

  Farkonia uood the Queen’s disi in matters of romance; she was not oo herself with such things. Her daughter was likely not born in any ventional way.

  After all, this was a world of magic—where anything could be possible.

  "…How have you been, all this time?"

  "…It’s hard to say. But at least now, I’ve found something I must do."

  "Is that so…"

  The Silver Dragon Queen’s expression grew distant, as if recalling some old memory, tinged with mencholy and self-reproach.

  "That is not your . It is my problem, and you have o feel guilty."

  "…I leave her in your hands."

  "Rest assured. You know my strength well."

  "Mm. Farewell."

  The Silver Dragon Queen’s figure gradually faded, her form being transparent before vanishiirely from sight.