When speaking of the three major cities on the Reno Continent, Xianglong City stands foremost.

If Istan is a monument to the Dragon-Demon War, then Xianglong City is its vessel.

Named in honor of the Iceflower Evil God Dragon for aiding humanity in driving out the Demon Kind, Xianglong City bears its legacy.

As for its original name?

Who would care.

At the city gates of Xianglong, a touching family drama unfolded…

A burly old man cradled a silver-haired boy and a black-haired girl. Their tattered clothes contrasted sharply with their strikingly beautiful faces, evoking pity from citizens waiting to enter.

The old man, though sturdy, had a physique no different from an ordinary adult male.

"Good soldiers," he pleaded, voice trembling slightly, "this old wanderer is just a mercenary with two starving children. We haven’t eaten in over ten days…"

"It’s not that I won’t let you pass," one guard replied firmly, "but national law and city rules forbid entry without proper documents."

The silver-haired boy suddenly squirmed in the old man’s arms. Tears welled in his large eyes as he cooed in a sugary voice:

"Daddy! I’m so hungry! I want food!"

The girl in the old man’s other arm chimed in with soft, heart-melting whimpers: "Mewl… mewl…"

"Hush now…" The old man pulled them tighter against his chest, his weathered face etched with sorrow. "Daddy will feed you milk… ah, but Daddy’s a man—he has no milk. Ohhh… my poor babies must starve again~"

Bystanders began murmuring disapprovingly at the guards.

"Such a pitiful old man—just let him in!"

"Yeah, look how adorable these kids are! Have you no heart?"

"This…"

Just as the guards hesitated, rhythmic hoofbeats and shouts echoed from behind:

"Clear the way! Her Highness the Princess is passing!"

The guards immediately dispersed the crowd.

"Step aside! Horses have no eyes!"

People parted into two lines. The old man took a step forward—then abruptly shrank back, blocking the center of the road.

"Are you mad, old man? Move! Your life may be worthless, but these children are innocent!"

"No! I trust in Princess Xianglong’s mercy!"

"You—"

Many in the crowd were already wiping tears when the Princess arrived at the gate.

"What disturbance is this?"

A young woman in rose-patterned light armor galloped forward, flanked by dozens of mounted guards.

"Your Highness," one guard stammered, stepping forward to explain.

The "wandering mercenary" was none other than Ryosuke and his companions. After tasting Ryosuke’s barbecue, the Apsen Giant had stubbornly followed him—though Ryosuke remained unaware of his true identity. Finally worn down, Ryosuke set two conditions:

First, he must shrink to human size—Ryosuke refused to be treated like a lab specimen.

Second, he must teach Ryosuke advanced Battle Qi techniques beyond mere "Qi Gathering."

Thus, to enter the city, they staged this "loving father" act.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t going smoothly…

"Hmph. Such troublemakers should be expelled outright," the Princess declared coldly. "Xianglong City exists to honor the Holy Dragon Lord Iceflower. We cannot allow irrelevant outsiders to enter freely!"

*[Honoring Iceflower Holy Dragon? What nonsense… But this might be useful.]*

No one dared challenge the Princess’s authority. The guards sighed in relief, shooing Ryosuke’s group away.

Then, under everyone’s gaze, the silver-haired boy spoke in a high-pitched, childish voice:

"We’re not irrelevant! My daddy’s a hero! He fought in the Holy Dragon and Demon Dragon War!"

*"WHAT?!"*

Ryosuke’s simple words hit like a bomb dropped in a privy—explosive even if unignited.

"Impossible! Proof!" The Princess’s composure faltered slightly. Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"The Crimson Mercenary Corps also fought in that war," Ryosuke continued innocently. "The noble Crimson Mercenary Corps—even after angering the Holy Dragon Lord Iceflower, they bravely stood beside the Holy Dragon! Though I heard they… vanished afterward."

*[Like a turd in a storm.]*

Ryosuke tilted his head, studying the rose-armored girl with thoughtful eyes.

"Your Highness, do you know where the Crimson Mercenary Corps is now? We’ve come to join them."

"Huh? The C-Crimson Mercenary Corps? How would this P-Princess know? Well! But since you truly fought in the war…" She straightened abruptly. "Guards! Issue citizen permits to these… brave warriors! Escort them into the city—to my palace!"

Cheers erupted. What a generous Princess! Not only granting entry but offering her own palace!

"Princess Rose! Princess Rose!"

Smiling graciously, the so-called Princess Rose waved to the crowd before galloping off.

*[Finally, we’re in.]*

Ryosuke exhaled in relief—too soon. As the Princess passed him, her hand shot out like a hawk’s talon, yanking him onto her saddle.

Then she vanished like a storm!

"Eh? EH? EH?!"

"You talk so boldly, little one!" she laughed, spurring her horse. "Let big sister show you some *real* fun! Hyah!"

Even Ryosuke, master of playing innocent, blurted his true colors:

"What the hell do you think you’re doing to this大爷?!"

"Hahaha!" The Princess’s righteous facade cracked into a wicked grin.

"Fascinating little thing. Until we reach the city, you’ll be my plaything."

"P-Plaything?"

Ryosuke buried his face in Princess Rose’s chest, scanning her figure from head to toe. Barely seventeen or eighteen, she radiated mature curves and a faint, intoxicating fragrance. After days surrounded by flat-chested little girls, hearing "plaything" from such a woman…

Ryosuke’s heart hammered.

*Unsettled.*

*Thrilling.*

If he could, he’d scream to the sky:

*"Please play with me as you wish, Your Highness!"*

Meanwhile, "Daddy" carried the mewling Alpha through the cheering crowd into Xianglong City, then boarded a luxurious carriage.

Inside, hushed voices exchanged:

"Do you think that kid’s alright…?"

"Mewl~~~"

"That Princess is in for trouble. Even I fell for his tricks…"

"Mewl~~~"

"Shh… Daddy will protect you."

"Mew!"

Alpha’s cuteness could melt even an Apsen Giant’s heart…

*True kill-steal.*

"Your lodgings, sirs."

"Oh! We’re deeply grateful for your service~"

"Daddy" bowed sincerely. Alpha, dazzled by the extravagant palace, let out an adorably awed squeak—

*Mewl-ahhh!*

—melting every onlooker.

*Black Emperor Demon Dragon… where is your dignity? Your honor?!*

But Alpha’s awe was understandable.

Before them stood a pinnacle of human craftsmanship:

A palace carved entirely from ice-crystal stone. Sharp angles interlocked with delicate pavilions. A spiraling ice-crystal staircase twirled like a ribbon fit for a young lady.

Ice-crystal stone—a premium material for forging weapons—was considered lavish for a single blade. Here, it built an entire palace.

Xianglong City truly outshone ancient Istan.

*The difference between the core lands and the borderlands.*

"Please rest and dine in the pavilion," a servant instructed. "Await Her Highness’s return for further arrangements."

"Astonishing! Only a master craftsman could shape ice-crystal stone like this! I’m utterly enchanted!"

"Mewl-ahhh-ahhh!"

Alpha’s eyes sparkled. That dreamlike pavilion was her paradise.

As for the Evil God Dragon Ryosuke?

Forgotten.

No one cared if he lived or died.