“The Nameless Hero has prevented every war initiated by any Human Kingdom for the past thirty years, but she has never killed a single Human warrior.”
“She devoted her life to maintaining Continental Peace. If someone like her isn’t a Hero, then who else in this world deserves to be called a Hero?”
“Magician, though you are our great benefactor, please do not harm our Faith.”
As Lord Ravini spoke, he grew more and more emotional, and the Defensive Knights listening were deeply moved.
“Forgive me, it was my ignorance that offended everyone. I respect anyone’s Faith.” Xiadam apologized straightforwardly.
“Magician, this isn’t your fault. It’s all because of those despicable villains in the Royal Capital.” Lord Ravini shook his head, not blaming her.
“I understand your pain,” Xiadam replied, her expression calm, but her heart blooming with joy.
After all, she had witnessed firsthand how the Human knights’ admiration for her had evolved into something akin to Faith.
But inside, Xiadam was also quite worried.
Because this Lord was a bit too bold, openly making rebellious remarks and even erecting the statue of a sinner within the city.
In the end, Lord Ravini led the two women and one dragon to the Classic Mansion.
This was a large manor covered in dust, but Lord Ravini arranged an extremely clean double Guest Room for Xiadam and her companion.
Xiadam sat down on the ancient, oversized Sofa, feeling the heavy sense of history. Then she brewed a cup of Tea, took a sip, and sighed at how pleasant life could be.
“It’s been so long since I last had Tea. The last time I drank Tea was thirty years ago.”
Xiadam was so moved that she nearly shed tears, completely lacking her usual transcendent, icy demeanor in front of outsiders.
The Fat Little Dragon also climbed onto the Sofa and lay down, then immediately fell asleep.
If Sheffield was a glutton, then this little one was truly the king of napping, always ready to sleep anywhere, anytime.
“It’s been ages since I’ve seen such a classically grand house.”
Xiadam stood up, holding her teacup, and walked around the room. Eventually, she came to the bedside and gazed out at the scenery.
“Wouldn’t it be better if we just built a wooden hut?” Sheffield asked.
“Different styles, different feelings. The sense of security that stone-brick cities bring can’t be matched by houses in the Forest. The Human Race is a species that greatly lacks a sense of security. The mighty Dragon Race can’t understand this feeling.” Xiadam began a long explanation.
“Show-off,” Sheffield muttered quietly.
“What did you say? Speak up.” Xiadam hadn’t caught her words but sensed she was being sarcastic.
“Do you want to rest? I want to go out for a walk.” Sheffield feigned ignorance.
“Go ahead. I want to sit on the Sofa and savor the feeling of returning to civilization.” Xiadam returned to the Sofa, set down her teacup, patted the Fat Little Dragon’s head, and clearly had no intention of leaving this luxurious Guest Room.
“……”
Sheffield pouted.
What’s the point of strolling around alone without you to keep me company?
But she was a tsundere, unwilling to say it out loud, and left the Guest Room by herself.
Walking down the empty corridors of the Classic Mansion, she soon sensed a large group of Defensive Knights holding a meeting in the main hall, with Lord Lafini present as well.
They blocked the only way through the mansion, so Sheffield could only hide in the hallway and not show herself.
Lord Lafini was pointing at a Map and discussing it.
The Lafini Border Knights seemed to be planning something.
No wonder the Lord had no time to receive the honored Magician—they were conspiring about something big.
However, relying on her keen hearing, Sheffield secretly recorded all the Defensive Knights’ conversations.
“True Human Empire, Blood Clan, Civil War… I see.”
After understanding the situation, Sheffield quickly turned and returned to the Guest Room.
“What is it?” Xiadam asked.
“I overheard something interesting. I think you’ll want to hear it,” Sheffield replied with a smile.
As she spoke, she grabbed a pen and paper, sat across from Xiadam on the Sofa, and placed the paper on the tea table, beginning to sketch and draw.
“What are you up to? Since when did you like drawing?” Xiadam teased.
But after glancing at what Sheffield had drawn, Xiadam’s smile gradually faded.
Though the drawing skills were abysmal, it was clear that Sheffield had drawn a Map of the Continent.
To be precise, it was only the portion of the Continent that the Human Race had currently explored—far from a world map, just a corner of the Continent.
On it were the Central United Kingdom, the Coastal Three-Nation Alliance, the Northern Land of Warriors, the Extreme North Demon Domain, and the Southern Forest, all familiar to Xiadam.
But when the map extended to the west…
At last, there appeared a name even Xiadam didn’t recognize.
To the west of the United Kingdom, at the far western edge of the map, was a brand-new nation.
“‘True Human Empire’? What does that mean? I’ve never heard of such a country,” Xiadam said, somewhat shocked.
“This Border City sits right on the western border of the United Kingdom.”
“You mean this Defensive City is guarding against them?”
“I just overheard this from the Lord and the knights. Apparently, it’s a nation founded by the Blood Clan.”
“Blood Clan? Vampires? Those things are as rare as your ancient Dragons—how could there be enough vampires to establish a country?”
The more Xiadam listened, the more her head hurt. She had only become a girl for three months—how had things changed so much?
No, that’s not right.
Founding a nation isn’t something that can be accomplished in a short time.
She and the White Dragon had always patrolled between the Eastern Three-Nation Alliance and the United Kingdom. Those two countries were always bickering and often plunged into Civil War.
She had been ordered by the Kingdom to attack the Three-Nation Alliance, which was why she rebelled.
So the western part of the Continent did indeed have time to escape her surveillance and stir up trouble.
In fact, the location where she and the Dragon King were struck down by the Surpreme Sage made it clear.
They had just completed a patrol around the Continent and were about to fly into the western part, when the Surpreme Sage’s Curse Magic knocked them down.
“I don’t know. They didn’t say,” Sheffield shrugged.
“So that’s what the Border City is defending against. They’re not guarding against the Southern Monster Forest, but the Blood Clan in the west. But that doesn’t make sense—where would vampires get the population to found a country? If there were that many vampires, they would have ruled the Continent long ago.” Xiadam was caught in a brainstorm.
Blood Clan, vampires, those universally known evil monsters.
They feed on human blood, disguise themselves as humans, possess power far beyond that of the Human Race, and wield unique Blood Magic—true nemeses of humanity.
But they have two fatal weaknesses: first, their fear of sunlight, and second, their extremely low numbers.
Moreover, the Blood Clan is often at odds internally—high-ranking vampires of the same level can never work together.
So how could such a shadowy race, skilled at hiding, ever found a nation?