It wasn't just a day or two that Aunt Conna had been acting strangely; she'd been off ever since she met that Female Devil.
Although Draudillon had always trusted Aunt Conna, her explanation was truly a bit too much.
The Prime Minister's explanation was more reasonable: that the Female Devil might be a descendant of the four great gods worshipped by humans. Aunt Conna's claim that it was the deity herself appearing was indeed difficult for Draudillon to accept.
After all, that was hundreds of years ago, and this Female Devil wasn't human at all, which completely contradicted the legends of the four great gods that had been passed down to this day.
Although she didn't know why Aunt Conna was so certain that this Female Devil was the god who had saved humanity, even if she was, she was still an enemy of the Dragon Race at that time.
Even now... she was still an enemy of the Dragon Kingdom, but the current weak Dragon Kingdom had no means to resist this Female Devil and could only endure the humiliation. If only her great-grandfather were here... Draudillon thought.
At this moment, the absent-minded Draudillon didn't notice that the path Aunt Conna was leading them down seemed wrong.
Although she was indeed the Female Devil, she was still publicly a princess. Even if it wasn't officially announced, she was the mysterious Adventurer who had saved the Dragon Kingdom. Logically, she should have been led to the reception hall where Draudillon usually met with foreign envoys. However... Conna was leading Elizabeth towards Draudillon's bedchamber.
By the time Draudillon noticed, Aunt Conna had already led Elizabeth and her attendants to the pavilion in the courtyard of the inner palace. Draudillon was bewildered. Why had she brought them here?
Was it because of the Female Devil's earlier greetings, which sounded like those between good friends, that Aunt Conna had misunderstood something? But since they were already here, Draudillon couldn't say anything.
After bringing them, Aunt Conna withdrew, probably to make tea, as a pavilion was not like a reception room where everything was already prepared.
"Oh, wow! The environment is quite nice!" Princess Elizabeth praised, glancing at the very simple courtyard.
Simply looking at it, this courtyard, personally managed by Aunt Conna, was just a very ordinary courtyard: a relatively spacious green area with two separate flowerbeds. The flowers planted in the flowerbeds were also common ones, and there were only a few trees.
The flowerbeds didn't even look as good as those in the courtyards of nobles in other countries, as the former Draudillon had no leisure to appreciate such things.
"You flatter me." From Draudillon's own perspective, her courtyard had no elements that could be called "nice." It seemed this was merely a polite remark.
"Well! I'm too lazy to beat around the bush. I'll get straight to the point! We're all smart people... I'm mainly here to ask you about something," Princess Elizabeth said.
"What is it?" See? As expected, she wasn't just passing by to play. She was clearly here for her, right? This damned Female Devil! Draudillon instantly became alert. Who knew what schemes this fellow was cooking up again.
"I heard from the Chief Priest of the Slane Theocracy that your Dragon Kingdom used to have close ties with the Dwarf Kingdom, didn't it?" Elizabeth asked.
As soon as Draudillon heard this question, she instantly breathed a sigh of relief. So it was about the Dwarf Kingdom, not to cause trouble for the Dragon Kingdom. But after letting out that breath, Draudillon found it very strange. Why would this Female Devil be interested in the Dwarf Kingdom, which had lost contact with the outside world for so long?
Indeed, the Dragon Kingdom used to have trade relations with the Dwarf Kingdom, mainly because of the three large mines the Dragon Kingdom possessed.
The cooperation and trade between the Dwarf Kingdom and the Dragon Kingdom were due to this. The Dragon Kingdom's efficient mining operations back then were thanks to the technical support provided by the Dwarf Kingdom.
Moreover... the quality of the equipment traded with the Dwarf Kingdom using ores at that time was exceptionally good. Then, one day, the Dwarf Kingdom seemed to vanish, cutting off all external contact. It was only after sending envoys later that they learned the Dwarf Kingdom had been attacked by the Dirt Goblins, its Capital had fallen, and there had been no news of the Dwarf Kingdom ever since.
"That was a very, very long time ago. The Dragon Kingdom has had no information about the Dwarf Kingdom for a long time," Draudillon said truthfully. Her own country used to be overwhelmed by the Beastman Kingdom's affairs. How could she have the leisure to care about the Dwarf Kingdom's fate? Anyway, the technology had been learned, and their survival was none of her business.
"I know that. What I want to ask is, do you know the location of the Dwarf Kingdom?" Princess Elizabeth continued to ask.
"Location? I don't know that... Perhaps some of my subordinates might know? But... that was a very, very long time ago. I don't know if those officials who were responsible for communicating with the Dwarf Kingdom are still alive."
Draudillon felt even stranger, but since it wasn't about troubling her Dragon Kingdom, she could reveal as much information as she knew about the Dwarves, as long as it could satisfy this plague-like Princess Elizabeth.
"Is that so!" Princess Elizabeth seemed a little disappointed, and appeared to be deep in thought... "I know the location of the Dwarf Kingdom." At this moment, Aunt Conna's voice came from behind. Princess Elizabeth's face instantly lit up when she heard this, but when she turned around... she, like Draudillon, looked surprised.
Draudillon looked at Aunt Conna's fully armed appearance, completely unsure if Aunt Conna had taken the wrong medicine. Hadn't she left earlier to make tea? Why was she fully armed and even carrying the Black Furnace Spear? It was true that this weapon could only be used by pure-blooded Dragon Race, but wasn't Aunt Conna in a state where she couldn't fight?
"Hmm? You know? Can you tell me the exact location?" However, Princess Elizabeth seemed to deliberately ignore Aunt Conna, who was carrying the Black Furnace Spear and wearing armor, and asked happily.
"I'd be glad to tell you, but before that..." Aunt Conna looked at Princess Elizabeth very firmly, an action that made Draudillon's face turn pale with fright. Aunt Conna might not know that the Female Devil in front of her was an existence capable of easily defeating the Beastman King! What was she trying to do!
"Hmm? Do you want to fight first?" Princess Elizabeth also said with a meaningful tone. Aunt Conna's intentions were so obvious, there was no way this Female Devil wouldn't understand! What was wrong with Aunt Conna today? Although she had heard from her father that Aunt Conna was a very formidable existence, after a certain incident, she had been unable to fight. What was this now?
"Conna! Don't be rude!" Draudillon had no choice but to assert her queenly authority to reprimand Aunt Conna. Doing so was also to protect her.
"Little kid, go stand aside... This is a conversation between me and this Lady." The usually gentle and considerate Aunt Conna retorted very impolitely.
"Ugh..." Draudillon was utterly speechless, completely at a loss for words. Although she was indeed the Queen of the Dragon Kingdom, Aunt Conna used to be a subordinate of her great-grandfather, the Seven-Colored Dragon King. She certainly had the right to call her a little kid, but to call her that in front of this Female Devil... was it... "It seems your maid has quite the background, calling you a little kid, Draudillon, hmm? Do you want me to teach her a lesson for you?" The Female Devil looked Aunt Conna up and down with a half-smile, saying words that made Draudillon's blood run cold.
"No, Your Highness Princess Elizabeth, I know full well that my strength is no match for yours." Aunt Conna bowed her head to the Princess and respectfully saluted her.
"Then what do you mean by this?" Now it was Princess Elizabeth's turn to be confused. Draudillon also completely failed to understand Aunt Conna's intention in doing this.
"I just want you to see my growth. I am no longer the weak person I once was! So! I want to request that you remove the imprint on me." Aunt Conna said confidently.
"Imprint! What..." Draudillon became agitated as soon as she heard this word. When did this happen! Did Aunt Conna have an imprint left by this Female Devil on her! When exactly did this happen! Aunt Conna did start acting strangely after meeting this Female Devil, but she hadn't had any obvious contact with this Female Devil, and during that time, Aunt Conna had always been by her side, never leaving her? When was it!!
"Hmm? I don't quite understand what you mean, what imprint? I don't know." Princess Elizabeth showed a very confused expression. It seemed she genuinely didn't know about the imprint Aunt Conna was talking about, because only the Dragon Race knew about this.
The Dragon Race's Soul Imprint... In the era when the ancient, powerful, and invincible Dragon Race still ruled this continent.
The arrogant Dragon Race, relying on their soul power, wielded Source Magic and reigned over this world.
Because of this, the Dragon Race always believed that the stronger one's soul power, the stronger one's strength.
However, at that time, no creature's soul power was stronger than that of the Dragon Race, until the appearance of the Six Great Gods who saved humanity.
The Dragon Race at that time acknowledged that the Six Great Gods' soul power was much stronger than theirs, and they proved this with their actions.
Afterwards... the Dragon Race, having suffered their first defeat, began to re-examine themselves, realizing that their failure was due to their arrogance and hubris. So, those Dragon Race members placed a curse-like Source Magic on their souls: all Dragon Race, as long as they submitted to someone deep in their hearts, would have an imprint planted.
And that Dragon, once imprinted, could only obey that person's commands until they personally killed that person. They used such an extreme method to motivate the Dragon Race not to stand still, but... the era of the Six Great Gods passed, and a even darker era followed.
Ugh... So, the matter of the Soul Imprint was only known within the Dragon Race, and specifically by those Dragon Race members who were aware of past events. Aunt Conna was also from that era, so it's not surprising that she knew, but what's strange is: why would Aunt Conna ask Princess Elizabeth, this Female Devil, to remove the imprint on her!
"Your Highness Elizabeth, perhaps too much time has passed, and it's understandable that you don't remember the insignificant me from that time, but even so... I still implore you." Conna continued to speak sincerely.
So, the reason Aunt Conna couldn't fight was because of this? Was she imprinted by this Female Devil with an 'no fighting' curse? But the question is, when exactly? Draudillon was completely bewildered. Could it be that everything Aunt Conna said was true? Was this person indeed one of the six bastards who defeated her great-grandfather back then?
"Then... how do I remove it?" Princess Elizabeth asked somewhat helplessly. It was clear she also completely didn't understand the matter of the imprint, though it couldn't be ruled out that she was faking it. It was just that Draudillon couldn't understand her reason for concealing this matter.
"You agree?" Conna looked up, extremely happy, and asked.
"Uh... Although I'd like to agree directly, before that, you have to tell me how to remove it. If it's a request to take my life, I naturally won't agree." Princess Elizabeth replied with a rather confused, wry smile.
"The original purpose of the imprint was that it could only be truly removed if I took your life," Aunt Conna said with a slight hesitation.
"Then allow me to refuse... That's non-negotiable." Princess Elizabeth immediately refused, very decisively, and she even showed a somewhat displeased expression.
This is bad! If she gets angry, I don't know how to clean up this mess!
"Please let me finish. With my current strength, taking your life is simply a fantasy, and... I would never take the life of my savior. So... I won't use the method of taking your life, but rather request that you withdraw the original imprint that prevented me from fighting, and place a new imprint." Aunt Conna bowed her head again and said.
"Hoh!" Princess Elizabeth narrowed her eyes like a fox. After a few seconds of silence, she then showed a "very sunny" smile.
"If it's not about taking my life, I'd be happy to help you, but! I really don't know about this 'imprint' you speak of. However, from what you just said, I can probably guess the effect of this imprint. You want me to place an imprint on you again, to overwrite the previous one, right? The previous imprint was one that prevented you from fighting, right? Uh! I don't recall ever saying anything similar to anyone. How strange." Princess Elizabeth continued.
"Indeed, I was young at the time, so I understand if you don't recognize me," Aunt Conna replied.
"Hmmph! Is that so? All right then! I'll help you. What do you need me to do?" Princess Elizabeth asked with a half-smile.
Aunt Conna looked up again, but this time, her previous respectful demeanor was completely gone, and her eyes had changed completely, as if she had instantly become a different person.
"Hmm...?" Princess Elizabeth immediately noticed the unusual aura suddenly emanating from Conna.
"Please... allow me to submit to you once more!" Aunt Conna, with visible fighting spirit and killing intent radiating from her entire body, glared fiercely at Princess Elizabeth, and raised the Black Furnace Spear in her hand, pointing it at her in a declaration of war.
"So, in the end, it still comes down to a fight? All right! I'll indulge you. Bell, step back." Princess Elizabeth waved her hand dismissively at the murderous Aunt Conna.
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