(Elle’s POV)

Aran Empire — Capital Mor — Lowest-Level Prison

“I’m so sorry, Sister… truly sorry. I shouldn’t have let those scumbags catch me.” Across the cell, an eleven-year-old blonde girl wept with deep remorse.

This little girl was the only family I had left in this world—my younger sister, Lanya Moer.

Here’s how it happened.

I was practicing magic in a hotel room when, at the most critical moment, soldiers in Aran Empire uniforms burst in. I wanted to fight or flee, but they shoved footage of my sister’s kidnapping right in my face. Despair crushed me. She was my only vulnerability in human society—and the Aran Empire had seized her.

“Think carefully,” I warned. “If you take me, my new partner will hunt every one of you down. He knows I once lived here.”

“Oh~? How amusing,” one sneered. “Even the Demon Sovereign wouldn’t recklessly attack the Aran Empire. Just accept your fate as empress. That ‘partner’ of yours—no matter how strong—could he break our century-old unbreakable barrier?”

“He’ll come. Write him a letter. My partner can’t resist a challenge.”

“Fine. I’ll see who dares defy the Aran Empire. Bring pen and paper.”

That was all I could do. Honestly, I never expected them to fall for it so easily. *How arrogant the Aran Empire is… May the great Elder Dragon Lord punish them.*

“Moer, don’t cry. We’ll be fine. The Elder Dragon Lord will save us,” I said gently.

“Really? But… this is the Aran Empire. And hasn’t the Elder Dragon Lord already…?” Little Moer stared at me, disbelief flickering in her eyes.

“He’s alive. Moer, I’ve told you every day: without Him, we’d have died ten years ago.”

“I know, Sister. You always said not to judge the Elder Dragon Lord by picture books—massive, powerful beings are feared by narrow-minded humans. We should revere, not offend. And you promised… we’d save Him when we grew up.”

“I’m glad you remember… Now, all we can do is wait.” I slowly closed my eyes.

Per the Aran soldiers, I—the traitor—would no longer be empress. Imprisoned until next year’s full moon, I’d be used to replenish the so-called emperor’s magic. They’d dose me daily with potions to purify and heighten my magic.

Put plainly: I was livestock awaiting slaughter.

***

Aran Empire — Central Palace

“Your Majesty, Lanyatie is secured in the lowest-level prison, as ordered.”

In the vast hall, the captors bowed deeply to the golden-robed man on the throne—Emperor Juelian.

“Well done,” Juelian said coldly. “That ungrateful woman fled our marriage. Only her magic value spared her life.”

*Whoosh!*

An envelope dropped from the ceiling, landing squarely between Juelian and his court. Gasps rippled through the hall.

“Hidden long ago? Read it,” Juelian commanded, curiosity sharpening his tone.

“Yes!” A soldier snatched it up and read aloud:

*“While I was absent, you seized my follower, left this letter, and provoked me. Such insolence ignites my wrath—I could erase your empire. Yet for your innocent millions, I grant one chance: Release Elle. Deliver Juelian’s head. Obey, and I shall forgive.”*

*—Bokasa, Bosis the Abyssal Tyrant*

“Hahahaha! Ridiculous!”

“The Dreadwyrm? Slain by the Champion ages ago! Who is this fool demanding His Majesty’s head?”

“Even if the Dreadwyrm came—our barrier repelled the Demonkin themselves!”

Laughter erupted across the hall. Emperor Juelian laughed loudest of all.