"Is this… a dragon? The Calamity Dragon?!"

The Guardian of the Seventh District’s gaze locked onto the Calamity Dragon’s massive form. A flicker of shock and fear flashed in her eyes. Even curled tight, the beast stood over ten meters tall. Its scales shimmered with a dim, eerie glow, humming with boundless destructive power.

Azure gave a slow nod. This was indeed the very Calamity Dragon slain over a decade ago.

"Its body was preserved within this vessel," she said. "But its heart was missing. When we took custody… the dragon was already heartless."

Azure paused. Her palms moved deftly across the console, peeling away the seals binding the corpse layer by layer.

"That heart, we theorize, housed the Calamity Dragon’s ultimate weapon: the Calamity Flame. It incinerates both Abyssal Aura and Mana. Undeniably… a Magic Maiden killer."

At the words *Calamity Flame*, both Azure and the Seventh District Guardian recalled the pitch-black flames swirling around Night Frost. That Black Flame *was* the Calamity Flame.

"I suspect the heart is in her hands—though I’ve no idea how she obtained it."

"Months ago, I learned a local group called Aklatia in the Twelfth District was studying a heart. I had the president order a crackdown. Teaming with the Twelfth District, we wiped Aklatia out… but the heart was gone."

Azure’s mind drifted to three months prior—when barely a dozen Cantata Two operatives erased the organization. *Far* from effortless…

"Some rat must have smuggled it out. Eventually, it reached Night Frost."

The Seventh District Guardian saw no other explanation. The purge had been incomplete. Someone escaped with the heart… and empowered Night Frost.

"Still, not all was lost. From nearly destroyed research files, I salvaged something precious: cellular and genetic engineering."

"What use is it?" The Seventh District Guardian’s eyes stayed fixed on the dragon.

"This tech reveals humanity’s inability to wield Monsters’ power stems from genetic rejection. The solution? Gene editing. Use other species as incubators fused with Monsters… to suppress rejection."

"With it… I can bring this Calamity Dragon back to life."

"Really?" The Zone Fifteen Guardian frowned. Even ordinary cross-species organ transplants faced rejection. How could this work with *Monsters*?

"We have proof. A fox once fused with Black Dragon cells… and escaped."

*Thump. Thump. Thump.*

After capturing and interrogating a Magic Maiden for the Fourth District Guardian’s location, the Zone Fifteen Guardian raced to a dilapidated thatched hut. She knocked on the rickety wooden door—so frail the wind might carry it off.

The door creaked and groaned in protest, trembling on its hinges. Undeterred, she knocked again.

Brow furrowed, she knew every second counted. She *had* to find the Fourth District Guardian. She might be their only hope.

"Who is it?"

A cautious voice came from within, laced with faint surprise. She clearly knew the uninvited guest… yet still asked.

"I am Fifteen. This matter is urgent."

Her voice slipped through the wood. Inside, the Fourth District Guardian rubbed her temples—weariness and irritation flickering across her face. Yet her hand swept outward. The door creaked open, revealing a path inward.

"Thank you."

Stepping inside, the Zone Fifteen Guardian froze. Outside, the hut was crumbling. Inside… a lush bamboo grove stretched before her. Sunlight dappled the ground through swaying leaves. A soft breeze rustled the stalks with a whispering hush. The air carried a clean, calming bamboo scent.

The Fourth District Guardian sat nestled among the bamboo, her figure softened by shifting shadows. She sipped from a cup—tea or wine, the visitor couldn’t tell.

This was her "Paradise," as she called it. The Seekers named it a "Domain." Different terms, same essence. *Her* territory. Here, her power soared beyond normal limits.

She glanced up, gestured to a seat, and poured a cup. The liquid was pale amber, tea leaves drifting on the surface.

The Zone Fifteen Guardian accepted it carefully, took a small sip. She knew little of tea—but this was exceptional. A delicate fragrance bloomed on her tongue, soothing her frayed nerves.

She set the cup down, drew a breath, and began.

"You plan to confront Azure and the Seventh District Guardian?" Disbelief colored the Fourth District Guardian’s voice. Both had truly reached the Ultimate Realm—a fact all Chapter Three Guardians witnessed.

"I know you fought them before. You’ve seen their Magic Cannons. One serious strike could level a district. None of us could survive it fully… and that likely wasn’t even their peak."

Sharp-eyed indeed. Last time, Night Frost, the Zone Fifteen Guardian, and Moon Owl exploited Azure’s weakness to force a retreat—but only a retreat. They’d surely heard Azure’s warning: *I still have cards left.*

"Look at your side. You gambled everything. Afterward, three of your four lay unconscious. Against Azure alone? Maybe a chance. But the Seventh District Guardian stands with her."

Victory was impossible.

"Give up. I won’t help you. I am strictly neutral."

Before the Zone Fifteen Guardian could speak, she was dismissed. Awkwardness tightened her throat. Clearly, she was being shown the door.

"No. I’m not here for aid. I only ask… that when battle comes, you remain neutral. *Permanently.* Just as you stayed… inactive… when your Fourth District citizens were wholly manipulated by the Seventh."

Crimson and Night Frost had chosen these words. Pressure. Force a choice. Or at least keep her from joining the enemy.

"Are you threatening me?"

"I’d never dare…" The Zone Fifteen Guardian’s voice trembled with feigned fear. "Threaten a Guardian who sips tea while her district crumbles? Who preaches neutrality with such cold indifference?"

Truthfully, she disliked this woman. Both districts were "neutral," yet the Zone Fifteen Guardian fought for her people. This one? A negligent figurehead. Unmoved. Unworthy.

The Fourth District Guardian’s face darkened. She no longer wished to dismiss her guest—only to strike her.

*Heh.*

A dry chuckle. Her gaze sharpened.

"In this world, even saving yourself is hard. To think you could shield your people… laughable. If I could defeat the Seventh District Guardian? I’d admire your stance. But neither I… nor you… have that strength."

She rose slowly, stepping close.

"Only this neutrality grants me peace. What are the people’s lives to me? Only absolute neutrality… ensures survival."

Her voice was ice. With a wave, the bamboo grove parted before her like obedient sentinels.

"You’re just running! You coward!"

"And if I am?"

She walked toward a hidden dwelling deep in the grove. As the Zone Fifteen Guardian lunged forward, the bamboo walls closed tightly around her.

"One compromise leads to two… then three! They *will* press a blade to your throat!"

Her cry vanished into silence. No reply came. In the next breath, she stood again at the hut’s threshold. A gust shoved her out. The door *slammed* shut with finality.

…Mission accomplished? She wasn’t sure. Only hoped the Fourth District Guardian would stay out of the fight.

Moments later, another intruder breached the Paradise—no knock, no warning. Forced entry.

The Fourth District Guardian’s eyes narrowed in displeasure.

She recognized the ornate Magic Armor instantly. The Guardian of the Seventh District.

Fresh from the Order Keeper’s spire, shock still lingered in her eyes—but unease clung tighter. Azure’s secret weapon was powerful… merely powerful.

To leave no opening, she needed overwhelming preparation. Enough to drown their final struggle without a ripple. For that… she needed allies.

"Join us," the Seventh District Guardian said, voice low and sharp. "Or I will claim your people… and your life."