Even the seasoned executioner found her mind buzzing for a moment.
She had simply intended to casually inquire about the three mothers of Chu Yan, a topic that, while sensitive, could still be discussed privately.
But how did they suddenly end up in such a shocking situation?
Just a slight probing, and he revealed such a bombshell?!
Fortunately, the dragon mask concealed her astonishment, preventing her surprise from being exposed.
"Connie was the only son of Lady Eflin, correct? Please tell me in detail how he ended up in Extreme City, and why you felt the need to kill him," she inquired, her lips parting slightly, her tone steady and probing.
At that moment, she resembled a stern judge listening to a case, as if she already knew the grim outcome and merely wished to understand the process of events, everything under her control.
"Alright…"
Chu Yan, who had just gotten up, found himself once again lying on the ground like a disheartened fish.
So much for being a fish out of water; he still conveyed the situation truthfully, including Connie's bizarre behavior.
"The part about the nightmare bubbles—is it definitely not a frame-up?" the executioner pressed coldly.
Her inquiry wasn't a matter of doubt.
Although her demeanor was serious, she wasn't adopting a perspective that presumed Chu Yan's guilt.
From their brief interactions, the executioner felt this boy was quite honest and wouldn't randomly provoke another dragonborn from afar.
"At this point, I don't think being framed serves any purpose. As a dragonborn, I'm well aware that with a dragonborn heir dead, no reason will suffice to pacify the wrath of the deceased's parents. They won't be quelled by any excuses."
"Yes, and according to what you just said, if Connie hadn't died, it would have been you."
"True, but my parent isn't here; she's gone on a voyage, and no one can back me up. In fact, there are even some old folks in my family who want to send me to the Dead Sea border!"
That truly was a situation of being surrounded by enemies, much like when dealing with the Sirens.
From a conventional standpoint, the conflict between Chu Yan and Connie could be viewed as a duel between adult dragonborns.
Connie had rashly initiated this fatal battle, and it was his choice to be the one who died.
No force, organization, or law could condemn Chu Yan.
However, laws exist to serve the powerful, and they are merely rules crafted by those who hold sway.
As fellow dragonborns, Connie's parents held considerable status and strength on the surface, undoubtedly superior to Chu Yan.
Yes, on the surface.
"Executioner, what will you do?"
Feeling uneasy from her silence, Chu Yan tentatively asked.
He lay on his back, gazing up at the woman, only half of his pale face visible, evoking a sense of allure. His delicate nose and jelly-like, glossy lips caught the light, while the black stockings and high-heeled boots accentuated the curves of her legs.
"I won't do anything. This situation doesn't require evaluation. It's your conflict, and I have no obligation to inform the deceased's family. My identity won't offer you assistance; you may have to bear the consequences of this matter on your own."
"That's enough for me!" Chu Yan expressed his gratitude, sitting up straight, his posture proper and composed.
The executioner noted something—it was rather remarkable that Chu Yan, knowing he was about to face endless revenge from two powerful dragonborns, appeared neither panicked nor dismayed.
There was anxiety, yes, but it was a prepared kind of anxiety, not a passive acceptance of fate.
Recalling the unusual results he had achieved at the Dead Sea border, she felt curious.
"Chu Yan, what do you plan to do?"
"When I return to Dragon Flame City, I will immediately apply to become the permanent lord of the Dead Sea border and will confront the Black Ice Dragonborn's revenge head-on."
Permanent residence at the Dead Sea?
That was indeed a wise choice. With the trust of the taboo users in him, Chu Yan possessed the strength to counter any retaliatory actions.
Furthermore, she had previously wrestled with the thought that Chu Yan could not leave Extreme City without him.
From the most dangerous of fallen individuals to ordinary citizens, everyone trusted Chu Yan.
The new lord could no longer meddle in the operations there.
But now, Chu Yan was applying to stay in that perilous area, maintaining the functioning of Extreme City while simultaneously confronting external pressures.
Nothing here was superfluous; could it be that this was all part of his plan?
Previously, she had thought he was someone who wallowed in his own despair and was afraid to compete with his peers, but in reality, he simply lacked interest in contention.
"I can expedite your application for permanent residence at the Dead Sea border."
The executioner's fingers shimmered as a lord's transfer application appeared, and she casually signed it with her official title.
Chu Yan received this document bearing the Dragon Flame family crest, astonished at how smoothly it had gone.
"Then, may I ask, Executioner, can we turn the carriage around and have you take me back to the Dead Sea border?"
He felt no desire to even step foot in Dragon Flame City!
The executioner nearly couldn't keep up with the boy's mood swings; just moments ago, he had appeared despondent and lifeless, but now he was brimming with excitement.
"Unfortunately, that's not possible; you still need to have the clan leader's signature."
Was this a lord's transfer application or a leave request? First, he had to get approval from the class teacher, and then the counselor.
...
Upon returning to Dragon Flame City, Chu Yan stepped down from the executioner's carriage.
"Thank you for the ride, Executioner; I'll head back to the castle first."
He waved goodbye politely, but received nothing but her indifference in response.
It was as if she hadn't heard his farewell; her body leaned against the seat, her chin not tilting even slightly in his direction.
The drastic shift in her attitude left him momentarily stunned.
Was this what they meant by "acquaintances in public, familiarity in private"?
A man and a woman approached—relatives of Chu Yan from the Dragon Flame family.
The man, named Barney, was roughly the same age but held a generational gap, being an uncle. His branch of the family had a contentious history with Chu Yan's guardian.
The woman, Juliette, was attractive and hailed from a minor family within the Red Magic Dragonborn lineage (the Dragon Flame family being a major family within that group, comparable to a head family).
As a child, she had been one of Chu Yan's playmates, exuding warmth and enthusiasm.
However, it became clear later that Juliette's enthusiasm was merely an act of flattery to get closer to the Dragon Flame family.
Once she successfully entered the Sanctified Hall with Barney and tasted the privileges of being a Red Magic Dragonborn—despite not having produced an heir—her attitude shifted dramatically.
"Chu Yan, it's a tremendous honor to ride alongside the executioner. Do you expect her to bid you farewell in a friendly manner? That would undermine her unassailable authority!"
Juliette clung to Barney's arm, her curiosity piqued about where Chu Yan had disappeared to for months, but wary of Barney's potential misunderstandings, she couldn't help but express a pitying look towards Chu Yan.
"Chu Yan, I remember you went off to participate in the family trial, and I heard you were stationed at the Dead Sea border. Have you given up halfway, asking the executioner to bring you back, or did you fail to pass?"
Given the family connection, Barney's attitude was entirely expected.
Chu Yan rubbed his forehead, thoroughly annoyed and disheartened.
"If you two weren't here ruining my mood, perhaps the executioner would have given me a parting hug. If you want to know my trial results, why not check the rankings yourself?"
Dragon Flame City housed a stone tablet of family lineage that recorded the coming-of-age of the Red Magic Dragonborns—what trials they participated in and their evaluations.
It was merely a record of the coming-of-age of the dragonborns, yet the youth revel in comparing their outcomes, even for such trivial trials, seeking to quantify their worth.
Barney found Chu Yan's lack of reaction to his taunts frustrating, as if his punch had landed on a soft surface.
"Juliette, let's gather some more people and check the family lineage stone tablet; records of trial failures are a rare sight!"
Even a fish out of water can still bite back, and Chu Yan contemplated retorting or even giving Juliette a playful punch.
It was one thing to hit a Dragon Flame dragonborn; hitting a newcomer daughter-in-law was another matter entirely.
But recalling his many prior transgressions, he realized the provocations from these two could easily lead to trouble—one wrong move, and his secrets could be exposed.
"Don't let me find out you're planning a trip to the Dead Sea border; I'd take it all out on you!"
Frustrated, Chu Yan returned to his room, hoping to find a moment to connect with his guardian through projections.