Dragonfire City.
The stronghold of the Dragonfire Family, it also serves as the capital of its dominion.
Isla had already departed on a mission, while Tiffany made her way to the city's most striking edifice, the Hall of Ceremonies.
The exterior was resplendent in brilliant white, with immaculate windows that sparkled without a speck of dust. Upon entering through the grand doorway, the floor gleamed like porcelain, so pristine that one could glimpse the hem of their garments reflected upon it.
This establishment served as the administrative hub for numerous organizations, and Tiffany entered the office of the Executioner.
Knock, knock, knock.
Tiffany stood at the threshold, a playful smile gracing her lips as she tapped lightly on the door.
Without waiting for the occupant's response, she stepped inside, elegantly settled onto a plush sofa, and greeted the Executioner.
"Hey, it's been a while, Sossia~"
At a nearby desk sat a lady adorned with an unusual mask made of black steel, shaped like the skull of a dragon, obscuring the upper half of her face, with dark hair cascading like shadows.
Only the lower portion of her face was visible, revealing delicate features: a finely sculpted nose and lips tinted a vivid red.
Her aura was enigmatic and grave, demanding reverence.
This was the current Executioner.
"Tiffany, according to current protocols, you cannot address me by my name; you must refer to me as 'Executioner.'"
The tradition of wearing the half-masked dragon skull denoted the necessity to "obliterate personal desires and judge with the eyes of the ancient dragons."
Of course, this historical significance was long past, difficult to enforce upon the Executioner herself.
"You, a purple dragonborn, sneaking into another dragonborn's territory is one thing; but what brings you here in such secrecy?"
The Executioner spoke with a melodious voice, though her tone was distinctly authoritative.
Normally, one would need to schedule an appointment to see the Executioner, followed by a servant to guide them in.
Clearly, although Tiffany had entered through the main entrance, she had deviated from the standard procedure.
"I require your identity, or rather your Executioner's uniform, for about two months~"
"Pfft."
The Executioner laughed, and it was difficult to discern whether it was a mocking chuckle or genuine amusement.
Tiffany's statement was nearly equivalent to saying to a king, "May I borrow your position for a while? I'll take your power, army, and even your wife for two months."
Surprisingly, the Executioner did not refuse outright; instead, she inquired about the rationale behind Tiffany's request.
"What prompted you to make such a request?"
"Is it so wrong to visit my beloved? I have finally managed to grow close to Isla, and I intended to tease him a bit, only to find that the Dragonfire Family sent him to the borders of the Dead Sea while Wailin is away!"
Tiffany sighed dramatically, making it difficult to tell if her discontent was genuine or feigned.
Even after years of acquaintance, the Executioner Sossia found it challenging to discern her true feelings.
The Executioner fixed her gaze upon Tiffany, the crimson orbs within the dragon skull seemingly scrutinizing the purple dragonborn.
Tiffany possessed extraordinary beauty; her eyes mirrored the hues of her hair, a stunning blend of purple and red that evoked the allure of a dangerously intoxicating poison.
This was a hallmark of her pure purple dragon blood, signifying immense power.
Tiffany's demeanor oscillated between alluring and aloof, sometimes serious, other times frivolous, embodying an elusive "capriciousness."
As the Executioner engaged her in further conversation, she reluctantly acknowledged Tiffany's earnestness and remarked:
"Your personality is truly vexing; I never expected the favor I owe you would be utilized for such matters... Poor Isla, deceived by your affections."
Propping her chin in her hand, Tiffany crossed her stunning legs, frowning as she toyed with her hair, retorting,
"What do you mean by 'such matters'? This is a significant affair! Just think of the indignities he must endure at the borders of the Dead Sea; it's positively amusing~!"
"Very well, you may borrow my identity to venture to the Dead Sea borders, but I shall personally oversee the final assessment. Do not say I did not warn you."
The Executioner tossed Tiffany a ring.
It was a storage item imbued with a simplistic spatial magic array, a luxury due to the monopolization of crafting techniques by spatial mages.
Upon inspecting the ring's contents, Tiffany discovered an extra Executioner uniform and an emblem signifying her authority.
Yet, she was dissatisfied, placing the ring upon the coffee table and lamenting,
"I do not want this set."
"What else do you require?"
The Executioner sighed, rubbing her forehead, quickly regaining her composure. She was curious to see what further antics this purple dragonborn might devise.
"I want—"
Tiffany paused, rising to close the door to the room, standing before the imposing Executioner and stating:
"The outfit you're wearing carries Sossia's essence and warmth; that will make it less likely to be discovered~ So, take it off for me, right here in the office."
The Executioner remained unperturbed, maintaining her usual demeanor, yet she pointedly noted,
"But my cup size is larger than yours."
...
...
Jiggle City, the borders of the Dead Sea.
It was indeed a clear and pleasant day, although the coastal scenery remained overcast, shrouded in thick clouds reminiscent of an impending storm. Yet, for Chu Yan, it was undeniably a fine day.
This was because the evaluating Executioner was expected to arrive today to assess Chu Yan's progress in his trials.
"They say they're coming today, but there's no precise time... I'm the only one left waiting, and it's becoming monotonous."
At the city gate, only Chu Yan, the temporary lord, lounged in a chair to pass the time, without even the presence of accompanying guards or sentinels.
However, this was unavoidable; as a prisoner exiled to this desolate location, Shania could not readily accompany him, nor could she afford to draw too much attention to herself.
It was not that having a lord interact with the outcasts was inappropriate, but rather that outsiders seeing the banished prisoners appearing so leisurely would inevitably tarnish his reputation.
As for the guards stationed at the gate, their presence seemed redundant.
No one outside would consider venturing into the Dead Sea borders, and within, if the outcasts truly sought to escape, not even a handful of soldiers could impede them.
"Hmm? It sounds like the wheels of a carriage!"
Chu Yan suddenly sprang upright from his chair, hastily moving the chair aside and swiftly adjusting his appearance.
He had preemptively laid down a cluster of cobblestones along the distant path, so that the carriage, upon passing, would rattle loudly—essentially providing him with a timely alert.
The evaluator had arrived!
...
The carriage was driven by a maid known as "Bird Feather," one of Sossia's subordinates.
To prevent Tiffany from exposing her identity, a maid had been dispatched to assist and monitor her.
Bird Feather was uncertain how her master Sossia had lent out her Executioner title, but regardless, her role was to execute the orders given.
Clang, clang, clang!
The well-crafted carriage, robustly built, rattled along a bumpy road, jostling the maid uncomfortably.
"Truly, the Dead Sea borders are desolate and underdeveloped; even the roads are a source of irritation..."
The maid inwardly grumbled, for it was her first time visiting such a remote and forsaken land.
The gates of Jiggle City soon came into view.
After a brief moment, the sound of hooves came to a halt, and the chaotic winds of the Dead Sea greeted them as the city gate loomed closer.
A solitary, handsome young man stood at the gate, awaiting their arrival without any entourage.
Dressed in a noble long robe adorned with black and floral accents, he lacked the ostentatious trappings typical of the aristocracy—no golden pins, gemstone chains, or other embellishments; his attire was exceedingly simple.
Though his hair was tied back in a ponytail, the sea breeze frequently tousled it, obscuring the angular lines of his jaw, accentuating his androgynous features.
This must surely be the unfortunate lord sent to undergo his family's trials.
Despite his naturally gloomy appearance, his eyes sparkled with vitality, devoid of any despondency, radiating a down-to-earth charisma.
Approachable, optimistic, and reliably straightforward.
"First impressions are favorable, yet can such a serene disposition withstand the challenges of this exile?"
Bird Feather pondered, her outlook not particularly optimistic.
Observing him waiting alone, it was evident that his trial was not progressing smoothly; the local aristocracy seemed uncooperative.
"After a long journey, I must commend the Executioner and the maid for their efforts; I am the temporary lord here, Chu Yan.
I will now present the recent outcomes of my work; shall we first go to the lord's castle to rest for a moment?"
The cheerful young man greeted them warmly with a bow.
The maid remained silent, stepping out of the carriage first to open the door, awaiting the Executioner's exit.
As the door swung open, a long, elegant leg clad in high-heeled boots emerged. The boots were made of a blend of half-steel and leather, designed for combat, indicating that the Executioner was not a fragile clerk.
When the Executioner fully stepped out, Chu Yan momentarily held his breath; the uniform was indeed striking!
The half-mask was both peculiar and solemn, while her fitted leather armor was impressively snug, leaving only a hint of alabaster skin visible above her breastplate. The skirt was split high on both sides, reaching the waist, drawing attention to her shapely, rounded thighs.
As she moved, her voluptuous, pert rear was subtly revealed, accentuating her full curves.
What a sight!
What was happening here?
He had anticipated hardship upon arriving at the Dead Sea borders, yet within such a brief span, he had encountered two figures with perfect, peach-like posteriors.
Sensing the intangible gaze emanating from beneath the Executioner's mask, Chu Yan averted his eyes, nonchalantly leading the two towards the lord's castle.
"This is the lord's castle; the first and second floors serve as the detention facilities for the outcasts, while the upper levels house the lord's office."
Upon hearing this introduction at the castle entrance, the maid's eyebrows twitched.
The lord... residing with those fallen outcasts...?!
However, if the regulations were well enforced, it merely meant observing potential dangers from a distance.
It was akin to visiting a monster sanctuary; although it appeared to confront peril head-on, it was actually secured behind numerous cages and suppression arrays, rendering it quite safe.
"Follow this way."
Chu Yan opened the door and continued to lead onward.
As they stepped into the castle, Janet was seated with an unfamiliar woman in a robe, seemingly relishing the flavor of new tea.
"Are those two the wardens overseeing the outcasts?"
The Executioner inquired, sensing the security measures here seemed rather rudimentary.
"No, they are the outcasts themselves, but there's no need for concern; they will return to their quarters when the time comes."
As soon as Chu Yan finished speaking, both the Executioner and the maid paused in unison, casting him a subtle glance.
It was as if they were confirming whether he was jesting.
"?"
Janet noticed Chu Yan's return and waved warmly, her smile charming.
"Would the young lord care to join us for some tea? I hear it's of palace-grade quality."
"Next time for sure; I must attend to my guests. It seems you won't be late today, Janet."
"Actually, I've already been a bit late; I heard there was new tea, so I sneaked out early to try it and will return to my room shortly."
"Alright, I'll head upstairs first." Chu Yan turned to the two guests, "The staircase is over this way."
Unable to contain herself, the maid, Bird Feather, expressed her concern:
"Is it really acceptable for the outcasts to roam so freely?"
After all, it was the lord observing the outcasts under his very nose.
Or perhaps this new lord had taken a single room in the outcast prison, renaming it the "lord's castle"?
Chu Yan gave a thumbs up, affirming,
"Absolutely fine!"
As he spoke, a sense of déjà vu washed over him, for this scene felt all too familiar; hadn't something similar occurred just recently?