At the border between the Delkas Empire and the elf-inhabited Liyi Village, a sizable skirmish—no, to be precise, a small-scale war—was unfolding.

Humanity, led by the Delkas Empire, clashed with the Dragonkin dwelling beneath the World Tree.

Though these two races had been bitter enemies since ancient times, a non-aggression treaty signed nearly a century ago had temporarily halted their long-standing conflict.

Yet deep-seated racial divides don’t vanish so easily. Skirmishes involving hundreds of fighters like this one sporadically erupted every few years.

This time, the clash began with the Empire’s attempt to capture Dragonkin children.

“Your Majesty, the captured clansmen are safe. Please retreat with us now!”

After handing the rescued kin to the support team, a green-haired Dragonkin girl called anxiously toward the raging frontline.

“You go first. Once I’ve dealt with this scoundrel, I’ll follow. Hey! Come at me if you dare—you cowards who only rely on outside help!”

Wiping blood from the corner of her mouth, another Dragonkin girl—petite with a lolita-like frame yet sharp-tongued beyond her years—flipped a deeply contemptuous middle finger at the relentless human pursuers.

Fearless, her silver hair danced in the battlefield wind. Radiating unshakable righteousness, she stood like a solitary, proud blossom silencing chaos itself.

Anyone who met her gaze instinctively stepped back.

Intimidated by her roar, imperial soldiers gripped their weapons tighter, hesitating to advance.

After all, the girl before them was Jikuhir Atimart—the current Queen of the Dragonkin, widely regarded as one of the strongest beings in the world.

A few hundred soldiers were utterly beneath her notice.

But…

“Don’t worry! This foul lizard’s injured! Hold firm—once the main force brings the new Arcane Cannon, this so-called Dragon Sovereign is nothing!”

A squad captain, shaking off fear, stepped forward first.

True to his words, Jikuhir had taken a direct hit from an Arcane Cannon charged with hundreds of soldiers’ combined mana.

She remained standing only through sheer pride as Dragon Sovereign and unwavering resolve to protect her people—even at the cost of her life.

“Tch… If I hadn’t taken that blast head-on to save my clansmen, do you think I’d waste breath yelling at you? You’re not even worthy… Ow! Damn, that hurts.”

Her hand instinctively pressed her wounded abdomen; delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed.

She’d had no time to cast a spell—the cannon’s trajectory threatened her kin.

Otherwise, a straight-line attack like the Arcane Cannon would never have touched her.

At the Divine Tier—the world’s magical pinnacle—few could claim her life.

Only the otherworldly “Dragon-Slaying Sage,” shortened to “Sage,” posed a true threat.

Was the proud Silverfrost Dragon Queen truly to fall today to nameless grunts?

Perhaps.

Even casting a mid-tier spell now drained her.

Yet as Dragon Sovereign, she would ensure her people’s escape—pride demanded it.

“Don’t wait for me. Go. I’ll handle this trash and return.”

She shouted firmly, halting clansmen rushing to aid her.

A ruler could not show weakness.

To her people, their queen remained beautiful, majestic, untouchable.

“Understood, Your Majesty. May victory be yours.”

Except for the green-haired girl who’d urged retreat, the others withdrew with absolute faith.

“Hey! Why are you still here? Didn’t you hear the order?”

The green-haired girl stood firm beside Jikuhir, sword drawn.

“No, Your Majesty. I stand with you. I swear on my Dragonkin pride—I will not fall to humans.”

“You…”

Jikuhir’s eyes glistened.

“Hehe… Then stick close… Uh…”

“I’m Tracy. Still haven’t remembered? I’m second-in-command of the Dragonkin.”

Tracy sighed helplessly at her queen—loving yet hopeless with names.

“Sorry! Tracy! Got it. Second-in-command Tracy. Won’t forget again! Let’s charge, Second-in-command Tra… Tra… Cuihua!”

Though unintentional, being called “second-in-command” repeatedly stung—especially by the century-long top dog.

Tracy’s eye twitched.

Still… “second-in-command” meant backup. Tracy hadn’t used much magic. Repelling them was possible!

Jikuhir’s confidence surged.

“Hehehe… Flee while you can! With my second-in-command Cui… Cui… Cuihua here, you won’t survive today!”

Face mattered most. Even bluffing, she had to hold the act.

But the moment she mangled the name, the bluff shattered.

“Your Majesty… I’m Tracy. Not Cuihua.”

“Ah, sorry. Cuihua just rolls off the tongue. How about you switch?”

Jikuhir scratched her cheek, unrepentant.

Everyone—Tracy (ahem!), even the soldiers—fell silent.

“I think Cuihua sounds nice. Don’t you?”

“How would I know!”

Watching them banter like a crosstalk duo mid-battle, soldiers wondered: *What even are Dragonkin?*

Didn’t they know battles demanded seriousness? Even cannon-fodder grunts knew that.

They shook their heads. Let the act continue until reinforcements arrived.

But the squad captain—a lolicon-leaning creep—could wait no longer.

“Hmph! Just a barely-passable lolita. No threat to our brave Empire! All mid- and high-tier soldiers—concentrate fire… ATTACK!!!”

Spells of water, fire, earth, wind erupted.

A chaotic storm of mana bullets surged toward Jikuhir and Cuihua—er, Tracy.

“Cuihua, watch out! Battle stance!”

Jikuhir conjured an ice shield and charged without correcting herself.

“Er… As my queen commands.”

Sword flashing, Tracy followed despite grievances, deflecting bullets and hurling some back.

Flawless coordination—worthy of Dragon Sovereign and second-in-command.

“Tch. Stubborn lizard. Mid- and high-tier not enough?”

High-tier soldiers remained, but the captain—driven by perversion—didn’t want them dead.

Strip the wings and tail? Dragonkin looked nearly human.

His plan: capture the exhausted Silverfrost Dragon Queen, collar her, “train” her.

Crushing haughty women’s pride was his twisted joy.

He’d lost count of how many he’d broken.

To “conquer” a legendary queen… now slipping away.

“All high-tier—unleash magic! Focus fire on the Silverfrost Dragon Queen!”

If he couldn’t have her, he’d destroy her.

A concentrated volley of high-tier spells shot toward Jikuhir.

“Hehehe… Did you think I’d dodge unprepared? You underestimate me!”

Silver wings unfurled. She evaded effortlessly, accelerating toward them.

“Damn… Tenacious lizard.”

The captain and elites scowled.

“Draw swords! Close combat!”

Steel gleamed. Soldiers braced.

Jikuhir signaled Tracy.

All expected chaotic melee to begin—

Then the unthinkable happened…

“Bye-bye, Dragon Sovereign… Yo~ur~ Ma~jes~ty~"