But now, Naya was certain: she would not hate Elise.

Challenging Elise and dying for it was simply her own doing.

If anyone deserved hatred, it was herself.

Her recklessness had cost the System its life.

Yet… what about her was worth such a sacrifice? What *was* the System, truly?

Back on Earth, having devoured countless web novels, she’d accepted “Systems for transmigrators” as commonplace.

But a System sacrificing itself for its host? She’d never seen that.

[Maybe… The previous System wanted me free from the mission’s chains. It turned me into a dragon girl, wiped my memories, let me fall for Elise—to spare me from dying foolishly again. Why feel guilty? If I regain my memories, mourn the System, and abandon this peaceful life… wouldn’t that betray its sacrifice?]

[Host, Systems cannot determine orientation. How could the previous one *know* you’d fall for Elise? Don’t lie to yourself.]

[In the end, this is just your theory. What the previous System truly intended—I don’t know. You don’t either. Maybe it *was* for my good, to let me release the “main quest.” Or… as you claim: turn me Dragonkin, erase my memories, wait for another System to connect… and assassinate Elise up close.]

Naya gazed at Eliya’s delicate face. In those features, she saw Elise’s warmth, her own reflection—the few highlighted white strands at her brow. Proof. Eliya was truly *theirs*.

Each time she felt her daughter’s presence, Naya’s love for this home deepened, steadied.

[No matter the System’s intent—good or ill—one truth remains: it wanted me to *live*. Honoring its sacrifice means living well.]

[Fine, fine. I surrender.]

[System… let’s follow Elise. Solve the main quest’s mystery *together*. Why must Elise die? What bullshit quest is this? Just because the Supreme Deity favors humanity?]

[Yes.]

[???]

[Haven’t you noticed? The world centers on humanoid forms. Humanity is deemed the “orthodox” existence. The Supreme Deity recognizes *them*.]

[Then… if the Supreme Deity blocks our happiness, we’ll kill the Supreme Deity. Anyone who dares separate me from Elise… dies.]

Silence. Absolute, chilling silence filled her mind after the words left her lips.

[System?]

Was it angry?

Or… had the Supreme Deity overheard? Taken the System away for a “chat”?

*Please be safe.*

Naya sighed softly.

If the Supreme Deity was truly omnipotent… why use Systems inhabiting hosts to erase the Dragonkin?

Ah.

Holy Lance repair blueprint—check.

System functions still worked. It just refused to speak.

*Blazing Flame Lance*: Holy Lance repaired with fire enchantment.

Requirements: Spine of a 30-year-old giant python ×1, volcanic magma from a millennium-old volcano ×100L, premium magic crystal ore ×10, Gold-rank+ Dragonkin scale plates ×10.

Blueprint consumed upon use.

The other materials? Manageable. Maids could help.

But Gold-rank+ Dragonkin scales? Sold in human kingdoms, yes—but in the Dragon Empire, scales were *dignity*. Where to find them? Requesting them would raise suspicion.

Buy them discreetly during travels?

*This System…* crafting this recipe was deliberately pushing her away from Elise.

*Sigh.*

Forge the Holy Lance… later.

——————

Night fell.

While Eliya slept, Naya and Elise slipped outside the castle.

Beneath the silvery moon, Elise led her to the open meadow—the very spot where she’d transformed that morning.

“Becoming a dragon is simple. Like this.”

Elise pressed her palm to Naya’s forehead.

A soft crimson glow bloomed. Less than a minute later, she withdrew her hand.

“Done.”

“That’s *it*?” Naya blinked, bewildered.

“Mm. Recall what I gave you. Since you’re naturally humanoid, I planted a gentle suggestion in your mind. Just… feel for it.”

Naya closed her eyes.

There it was—a mental trigger, like an app inside a compressed file.

“Elise, step back.”

Elise retreated.

Dazzling silver light erupted from Naya. Swelled. Faded.

Where she stood, a majestic Silver Dragon now towered—gleaming like a snow-white lotus under moonlight.

“It worked, Elise!”

She looked down at tiny Elise. At her own silvery forelimbs.

*She was a dragon.*

Scales shimmered, radiant as moonlight. Even her fangs seemed gentle; her long tail swayed like a sinuous white serpent. Wings stretched nearly three times her body length.

“I… I’m *really* a dragon.”

The feeling was profound. Before, as a dragon girl, “Dragonkin” felt abstract. Now? Real. Her human-like form wasn’t cosplay—it was *her*.

Elise tilted her head up, smiling. “How does it feel?”

“I’m totally hooked, Elise! This is *so* cool. I need to soar!”

“Then soar.”

“Ride my back. I’ll show you the world.”

Naya lowered a wing. Elise climbed on, fingers tracing the softer-than-expected scales.

“Hold tight, Elise—I’m lifting off!”

“Mm.”

Wings flapped. Body rose. Accelerated. Shot skyward.

*Who needs bikes or planes? I fly on my own!*

Eyes locked on the full moon, she surged upward—*What color is this sky, truly? Does it seem so only because it’s endlessly far?*

*Boom…*

Wait—did she just pierce a barrier?

Naya glanced down.

No solitary castle.

Only row upon row of gleaming palaces stretching into the dark.

*The imperial palace?!*