Inside the Court of Fontaine, Furina and Focalors were still caught in an anxious back-and-forth, debating whether the strange events unfolding across the nation were part of Aerin's test for Fontaine.
Before they could reach a conclusion—
chaotic screams erupted outside.
"Look! What is that?!"
"A dragon—no, a giant dragon?!"
"That's impossible! What kind of dragon could be that huge?!"
"Run! A pitch-black dragon is attacking!"
"Quick—summon the Hydro Archon!"
The frantic cries froze both Furina and Focalors in place.
They rushed to the window at once.
Neuvillette, having heard the report of a dragon's arrival, followed closely behind.
Beyond the glass, on the hills outside Fontaine, a colossal black claw had sunk into the mountainside.
Next to that mountain—
stood a dragon as vast as the land itself, its abyss-dark body coiled against the horizon, eyes burning with rage as it stared directly at Fontaine.
"What… what kind of dragon is that?"
Neuvillette's pupils trembled violently.
As the newly reborn Hydro Dragon Sovereign, his inherited memories contained no such creature.
And yet—
with only a single glance, the pressure radiating from that dragon made his soul recoil.
"So… so big…" Furina stared blankly at Nibelung, awe rather than fear flickering in her eyes.
It was the excitement of seeing an unimaginable creature up close.
"This thing is…"
Focalors rubbed her temples in distress.
She could not understand what kind of existence had descended upon Fontaine.
"Could this… be another trial from Master?"
She extended her senses.
The dragon's body was saturated with Abyssal power—dark, violent, and ancient.
But to her current self, that power felt… fragile.
Which only deepened her confusion.
If Master wanted to test Fontaine… why choose such a weak opponent?
Far away, atop the mountains—
Nibelung gazed down upon Fontaine with cold contempt.
"So this is the nation where Neuvillette resides?"
"Humans… weak, pitiful creatures."
"And these ones—
they aren't even the humans created by Phanes."
Nibelung sensed something strange within the people of Fontaine.
Their bodies carried remnants of Pure Water Spirits, born from dragon blood that once sank into the Primordial Sea.
Combined with the memories flooding his revived consciousness—
his fury surged uncontrollably.
He raised his head.
High above, the phantom outline of Celestia flickered faintly.
"Hmph. Even with the False Sky shattered, those things above don't react at all."
"A dead city, then."
"So this is the fate of usurpers, Phanes."
"Very well."
"After I wipe out every human in this world—
I will tear Celestia apart next."
Decision made.
Nibelung roared, his voice shaking the heavens:
"Neuvillette — come out."
Neuvillette's body shuddered violently.
His soul trembled under the weight of that roar.
"It… it's calling for you?" Furina blinked rapidly.
"Do you know it? Did you offend it somehow?"
Neuvillette clenched his fists.
"I don't know who it is… but the dragonkin uprisings are almost certainly connected to it."
"I'll go out and hear what it wants."
Despite confusion and unease, he stepped forward.
Moments later, his figure appeared alone in Fontaine's central plaza.
The streets were empty.
Every citizen had fled.
Only Neuvillette remained, standing calmly, facing the distant black dragon.
"Who are you?"
"What business do you have with me?"
That single question sent Nibelung into a rage.
"So the Hydro Dragon Sovereign no longer remembers me?"
"You, born from the previous Water Dragon's remains, don't even know who I am?"
"I am the original ruler of this land."
"Dragon King — Nibelung."
"The king of all dragons."
Neuvillette's breath caught.
At last, he understood the source of the furious roar that had shattered his consciousness earlier.
But before he could respond—
Nibelung's accusations poured forth like thunder.
"Neuvillette!"
"As a Dragon Sovereign, you dare live peacefully in human form among insects!"
"Worse—
you serve within a nation built by humans, enforcing laws for them!"
"Disgrace to dragonkind!"
"Unforgivable!"
The fury echoed across Fontaine.
Even citizens hiding in their homes heard every word.
Only now did they realize—
their Chief Justice was the Hydro Dragon Sovereign himself.
"This… this dragon is angry because Lord Neuvillette protects us…"
"It came to condemn him…"
Neuvillette's expression darkened.
For centuries, he had upheld justice with absolute fairness.
Never had he imagined being judged by an ancient Dragon King.
Before he could speak—
the space in the plaza twisted violently.
A vortex formed.
Two figures stepped out.
"Your noise is irritating."
"Whether he is guilty is not for you to decide."
"You yourself admitted it—you are merely the ruler of the past."
"If he must be judged,
then it will be by the current ruler of this world."
Neuvillette stared in shock.
"G-God…?"
He looked at Aerin and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata in disbelief.
"Was Nibelung… not a trial you gave us?"
Ever since Focalors returned—
Neuvillette had realized Aerin was not one of Celestia's gods.
He stood above them.
Teyvat had gained its third true master.
"A trial?"
Aerin looked at him as though he'd lost his mind.
"You think it is worthy?"
Neuvillette inhaled sharply.
If even Nibelung was unworthy—
what kind of trials could Fontaine possibly face?
Seeing his thoughts, Aerin shrugged.
"It's reasonable you misunderstood. Abyssal power is already a higher tier for you."
"But—"
His gaze shifted.
Focalors and Furina were running toward them.
"For these two…"
"Does Abyssal power even qualify as a trial?"
Startled, both women dropped to their knees.
"I'm sorry, Master," Focalors said quickly.
"I truly believed this was your test for Fontaine."
"Yes! Yes!" Furina nodded frantically.
"You left without saying anything—we didn't dare act rashly!"
Aerin pressed his fingers to his temples, exasperated.
I gave you power to clean up this mess… and you did nothing?
Still—
their hesitation also proved their loyalty.
Acting without orders was not the behavior of good subordinates.
"I understand your situation," Aerin said calmly.
"Stand up."
As Furina rose—
Aerin casually removed her hat and tossed it into the air.
The moment it touched the ground, it began spinning rapidly.
"Furina."
"Before your hat stops spinning—
you will kill Nibelung."
"If you succeed, I will allow Fontaine's past sins to be forgiven."
"But if the hat stops…"
"…and that thing is still standing here,
judging my people—"
"Then Fontaine returns to the Primordial Sea."
Neuvillette and Focalors stared at Furina in horror.
Even Rukkhadevata smiled faintly.
"Furina, this is practically a free question. Don't waste Master's kindness."
"Free… question?" Furina stared blankly.
"Furina! Stop spacing out!"
Focalors urged desperately.
"Go! Fontaine's fate depends on you!"
Aerin's words echoed across the entire city.
At once—
the citizens poured from their homes, eyes filled with hope.
"Lady Furina!"
"Lady Furina!"
"Please save us!"
The cheers shook Fontaine.
Nibelung heard them all.
"Kill me?"
He laughed coldly.
"Even Phanes never dared insult me so."
"You insects think you can judge a Dragon King?"
BOOM—
His claw slammed into the earth.
Mountains shook.
The Primordial Sea surged violently.
A colossal wave rushed toward Fontaine.
"That's—Primordial Sea water!"
Neuvillette panicked.
If it struck the city, everyone would dissolve.
He looked at Aerin.
Unmoved.
Then at Focalors.
Still unmoving.
"…So this truly is her battle alone."
Before he could speak—
Furina stepped forward.
"H-How dare you, Nibelung."
"Who gave you the courage to act so arrogantly before Master?"
"I—Valkyrie Furina de Fontaine—"
"Sentence you to death."
"Immediate execution."
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito