◇

"The Goddess’s emissary… a Sage…"

At these words, Morin felt utterly unsettled. After slightly recovering from his shock, he turned to Sadom and asked again, "Lord Sadom, is this true? Has a Sage of this era truly descended?"

"Hmm… If I’m not mistaken, it should be him," Sadom admitted. Recalling the youth’s unfathomable power and features matching historical depictions of Sages, Sadom was nearly certain—but not fully confirmed.

"But if he *is* a Sage… why is he with the supposedly deceased Silverfrost Dragon Queen? Could it be the Goddess’s emissaries no longer slay dragons…?"

*Sage*—a shorthand for "dragon-slaying holy emissary." Summoned by the Goddess from another world since the Age of Myths, they served as humanity’s ultimate weapon against dragons. With the Non-Aggression Pact signed in recent years, inter-racial conflicts faded. No new Sages emerged. The Luminous Church—devout guides of Sages—shifted focus to hunting monsters and their nemesis, the Bloodnight Cult.

Now a new Sage appears… Does this mean the Goddess has renewed her divine decree against dragons?

The answer remained ambiguous. Sages and Dragon Sovereigns were polar opposites. Merely conversing calmly was bizarre—let alone coexisting amicably. If the boy truly was a Sage, what reason could justify allying with the (allegedly) dead Silverfrost Dragon Queen? Worse: with her alive, ascending to the Divine Tier—already near-impossible—grew even harder.

"Damn the Goddess’s lapdogs… and that filthy lizard…" Sadom’s fist slammed onto the chair armrest. Sharp pain echoed his failure: Empress Aisha assassinated, Prince Shaya eliminated… decades of plans, utterly wasted.

"Lord Sadom…" Morin clenched his teeth in shared frustration. The dream of toppling the Goddess stalled again. Blazing fury burned in both hearts.

"Lord Sadom! I swear on my life—I *will* tame Transcendent and Divine Tier monsters! For the Bloodnight Cult’s creed! For the belief in overthrowing this damn world! I fear no peril!"

"Good. *This* is a true Bloodnight Cult follower." A satisfied smile spread across Sadom’s face.

Accept this damn outcome? Impossible!

Thankfully, the Imitation Holy Sword was secured. Room to maneuver remained. To aid his loyal subordinate, Sadom retrieved a meticulously crafted Arcane Artifact he’d guarded fiercely and placed it in Morin’s hands.

"Lord Sadom… this is… You’d lend *this* to me?" Morin whispered, dazed, cradling the artifact pulsing with astonishing power. This very item—enabling short-range spatial teleportation—had let Sadom escape Cang Xiaoxi’s grasp. Using it drained massive mana and spiritual energy. Even at Peak of Transcendent Rank, Sadom could manage only three uses. For Morin, newly Transcendent Tier? One safe escape.

"Do your best," Sadom said, eyes half-lidded. "Fail to tame even *one* Transcendent monster? Don’t return."

"Yes! I’ll succeed—I guarantee your satisfaction!" Morin pledged fiercely before taking his leave.

Alone, Sadom frowned. Recalling the silver-white dragon carrying the black-haired boy away, unease stirred. To challenge *that* monster? Gather a monster army. Break through to Divine Tier. *Then* fight.

"Guess I must visit the little princess after all." His gaze fell on the Imitation Holy Sword standing nearby. A wicked grin revealed blackened teeth. "Sacrifice another with Sage blood… this sword becomes mine. Harness the damn Goddess’s power to shatter my limits… reach Divine Tier… Hehe. Seven days. The day this kingdom vanishes from the map—I can’t wait."

◇

Named for the clear stream flowing beside it, Changhe Pavilion was packed daily. Delicious food helped—but affordable prices made it adventurers’ second gathering spot after the guild.

"At riverside seating, newly minted adventurers Cang Xiaoxi and Jikuhir tallied completed requests. "Thirty Grade E, twenty-six Grade D… plus that joint mission with Mr. Woods’ team?" Cang Xiaoxi asked, serious. This income mattered—especially with possible exile from Mosiri Kingdom looming.

"How’s your count?" He looked up. "Do funds and request numbers match?"

"Sorry—thirty-five, thirty-six, thirty-seven… Perfect!" Jikuhir beamed. "After five days’ expenses, we’ve saved *more* than expected thanks to frugality!"

"Good." Cang Xiaoxi tucked away the slips and sipped tea. His eyes softened at Fenrir—curled at Jikuhir’s feet, softly snoring. A wry smile touched his lips. "Thought her food costs would drain us… but she’s eating less too. Almost *too* perceptive?"

"Hehe! Our little Xiao Fen’s IQ is just exceptional!" Jikuhir giggled, scooping Fenrir into her lap. She stroked silky fur and soft paw pads, adoration overflowing for the creature who felt like their child.

Cang Xiaoxi watched silently. *Still hard to believe this fluffy pup was the monstrous "Siberian Husky" who nearly broke me.* Truly—the scarier the foe, once tamed by the protagonist, the faster its fearsome image crumbles into comedy.

"Xi’er," Jikuhir mumbled through a fruit sandwich, "any plans to leave the kingdom soon?"

"Why? Do *you* want to go?" Cang Xiaoxi’s brow furrowed slightly.

"No! It’s the royals…" She shook her head, tail swaying under her skirt. "No wanted notices for you, Xi’er… but you can’t hide under this hood forever, right?" She pointed at his concealed face.

"Ah… this." He touched the hood—a precaution—and shook his head with a faint smile. He recalled their first argument: Jikuhir urging immediate departure; him insisting to stay. She’d yielded. *Of course she did.* Their little loli Dragon Sovereign doted too deeply. Even mid-argument, she’d cave after three sentences.

But this time? His reasoning held weight: fleeing *the day after* registering as adventurers would scream suspicion. Risk alerting the royals? She reluctantly agreed.

"…Also," she added softly, "our travel funds are nearly gone. Running needs capital."

Brutally practical: no money. So they stayed, risking exposure until savings covered essentials. Now?

"Funds are sufficient," Cang Xiaoxi said. "After one escort job, we relocate. What do you think?"

"Me? Wherever Xi’er goes, I go." Jikuhir’s answer was instant. *Xi’er-ism supreme.*

Post-meal, the couple headed to the guild with their adorable pup. While browsing requests, kind Uncle Woods approached with news:

"Why not join our party? We’ve got an escort mission to an outlying town—and the pay’s quite generous!"