Odissis chuckled mockingly, "Oh, it's nothing... I merely concern myself with your well-being, fearing you might be harmed."
Niya retorted angrily, "I don't need your meddling! You hypocrite, spare me your feigned compassion!"
In an instant, Odissis's expression darkened, and a glint of malice flashed in his eyes, as if he longed to eliminate the woman before him on the spot.
The Elder, observing the escalating tension, quickly intervened, "You two are vital pillars of the 'White Fortress'; there is no need to draw swords at every encounter."
Niya remained silent as she rose to leave the council chamber. The Elder sighed in resignation, shaking his head at her retreating figure, "That girl's temper hasn't changed a bit!"
"Hmph... that insufferable woman, carry on with your arrogance. One day, I shall conquer you!" A sinister thought flickered in Odissis's mind.
In the corridor, Miku bowed respectfully to Niya, a gesture of subservience from subordinate to superior. "Lady Niya, you have worked hard; defending the city is no easy task. If there is anything you require assistance with, please do not hesitate to let me know!"
Niya smiled faintly, "Miku, you truly are a breath of fresh air in the expedition team, far more sincere than your captain."
Miku nodded with a smile, choosing not to elaborate. In truth, he did not dwell on the matter. Despite Miku's fierce visage, his nature was uncomplicated. Suddenly, Niya recalled something and inquired, "You brought back a dragon? Why was it not slain on the spot?"
Miku replied respectfully, "Reporting to you, Lady Niya, it was Commander Odissis who specifically instructed that the dragon be spared; he wishes to collect its fresh blood for the creation of advanced potions, which is why it was brought back alive."
Curiosity sparked within Niya, "Where is it being held? I wish to see it, after all, opportunities to observe a dragon up close are exceedingly rare."
Upon learning the dragon's location, Niya set off with delight, brimming with excitement, for such an opportunity was indeed a rarity.
*******************
On the other side...
"Lord Barn, there's a problem… Lord Barn!" Zoe burst into Barn's chamber in a state of panic, forgetting to knock and flinging the door wide open.
The sudden intrusion startled Caesar, who was peacefully slumbering, jolting him awake with wide eyes. "You reckless fool… do you not even understand basic courtesy?"
"Caesar, you must give her a proper reprimand; that sudden crash startled me as well!" Barn's voice resonated in Caesar's mind, a habit he had grown accustomed to, interjecting into Caesar's consciousness from time to time.
"Hmph, you needn't tell me; I shall teach her a lesson myself," Caesar replied, seamlessly acknowledging Barn. After several days of cohabitation, the two souls residing within one body had begun to harmonize, forging a camaraderie akin to that of brothers. Even more intriguingly, they discovered numerous similarities that made their shared existence surprisingly harmonious.
Breathless, Zoe seized Barn's water cup beside him and took a sip. "Ah, let me have a drink first… I'm utterly exhausted!"
Caesar looked at her with mild exasperation. "Zoe… your audacity seems to be growing by leaps and bounds!"
Suddenly, Zoe exclaimed, "Lord Barn! The water is not the point; the crucial matter is… the blue dragon in the southern teleportation circle of the White Fortress has been captured!"
Caesar's heart stirred, silently inquiring of Barn, "A blue dragon? Is it of great significance?"
"To me, every dragon is of paramount importance; they are our kin and allies. Moreover… that blue dragon is a direct relative of Zoe; from a human perspective, it is akin to her brother," Barn's voice responded steadily.
Caesar nodded slightly. "After these few days of interaction, I have come to understand the bonds shared among your various races... much like those of humans."
"Indeed, Caesar… you are gradually grasping our perspective and the hardships we face."
Zoe, puzzled, interjected, "Lord Barn, what are you mumbling about? Quickly devise a plan to rescue the 'blue dragon'!"
Caesar couldn't help but chuckle softly. "It's nothing… I merely had a thought. Zoe, you stay here; I will assess the situation and return shortly."
Zoe insisted anxiously, "No! I must join the fight; Lord Barn has been constantly bullied lately—"
Caesar sighed helplessly. "That won't happen; I shall not show mercy to humans any longer. You will remain in Mist City while I make a swift trip."
Barn whispered in Caesar's mind, "Are you certain you won't take Zoe? Do not underestimate her; her combat prowess and magical abilities are extraordinary, and as a dragonkin, she is quite formidable."
Caesar smiled faintly in response to Barn. "I understand. However, I worry that if Zoe were to take action, she might become blinded by fury... After all, I am still human, and I prefer to resolve matters peacefully. I hope you can understand my position, Barn."
Upon hearing this, Barn fell silent, offering no further reply. Without a response, Caesar took a deep breath, gazing up at the sky, before leaping into the air and soaring toward the White Fortress. A streak of light like a shooting star cleaved through the heavens.
Niya walked slowly toward the underground dungeon where the blue dragon was imprisoned. The space was unusually expansive, serving as a refuge within the White Fortress. The surrounding walls and heavy doors were crafted from remarkably sturdy materials, rendering them nearly impervious to assault. Niya pushed open the massive door, her gaze falling upon the blue dragon. It was firmly shackled by multiple heavy chains, its body marred by deep cuts and sword wounds, evoking a surge of sympathy within her.
"Odissis' methods… truly cruel," Niya murmured.
"Who are you… can you grant me freedom?"
The sudden voice startled Niya, causing her to instinctively scan her surroundings in search of its source.
As she looked around and saw no one else, she began to relax slightly. But just as she exhaled a sigh of relief—
"I am right before you…"
The voice rang out again. Though still astonished, Niya was far calmer than before. She fixed her gaze upon the blue dragon and tentatively inquired, "Is it truly you? Are you the one speaking to me?"
"Yes… it is indeed I." The blue dragon slowly opened its eyes, its gaze faint yet composed.
Niya whispered to herself, "This is astounding… it is my first time conversing with a creature of magic. But… can magical beings truly speak?"
The blue dragon replied weakly, "Any high-tier awakened being among magical creatures, regardless of their race, possesses considerable intelligence and learning capabilities. The language of your kind is merely a trifle for me."
Niya was utterly astonished, as if she had uncovered a new world. "Goodness, this is hard to believe… But why should I grant you your freedom? Magical creatures pose a threat to humanity."
The dragon's voice, though weary, carried a profound sorrow. "We gathered within the teleportation circle merely to store some beast meat from the forest, with no intention of attacking humans. Conversely… it is your kind who slaughters us for our scales and blood."
Niya was momentarily speechless. As a sage, her mission was to protect all beings, yet she had never heard the voice of magical creatures. To her, the mission entailed treating all with fairness and saving all beings. Even in battle against magical creatures, she often spared their lives, allowing them to lose the ability to fight rather than their lives. At that moment, gazing into the dragon's sorrowful eyes, she felt an unprecedented confusion.
Suddenly, a figure materialized behind Niya, moving so stealthily that she remained completely unaware. However, the blue dragon sensed it first, urgently shouting, "Behind you…!"
Before Niya could react, a force struck her at the back of her head, rendering her unconscious as she crumpled to the ground. Seeing her collapse, the blue dragon let out a thunderous roar: "Roar~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
The figure that emerged was none other than Odissis from the assembly hall. He sneered, "Hmph, at last, you have fallen into my grasp, you wretched woman."
The blue dragon continued to roar in fury, flames of wrath burning in its eyes. Yet, Odissis merely glanced at the dragon with impatience, waving his hand to cast a hypnosis spell. In an instant, the raging dragon seemed to be silenced, descending into a hush, unable to utter another sound.
"How tiresome; what is this beast shouting about…?" Odissis scoffed, his gaze coldly fixed on Niya's unconscious form, a sinister smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Bending over to scrutinize Niya, a glimmer of malicious triumph flickered in his eyes. He slowly reached out, gently pulling aside her cloak and top, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. "Hmph, you despicable woman, your family looked down upon the Odissis clan, subjecting me to countless humiliations. Today, I shall claim you…"