The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 108

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 108

The moment I saw those golden scales, I felt a strange sensation.

The area on my wrist where the magic wand pattern had been engraved during the thief arrest incident began to burn. Then, a clear image appeared before my eyes.

A baby dragon with brilliantly shining golden scales. In the vision, it was sleeping against the World Tree, bathed in twilight.

It was the same dragon that later appeared before me and asked me to help Aldensis and Zikren.

‘These scales were yours?’

I quickly asked.

‘Please tell me your name!’

A buzzing sound echoed in my head. The dragon was sending me an answer.

「You already know…」

I already know?

No way. No matter how much I searched my mind, I had no knowledge about dragons at all.

‘What? What is it?’

This baby dragon wouldn’t have lied.

I racked my brain hard.

This dragon was so worried about Aldensis and Zikren’s safety that it deliberately sought me out as the World Tree’s contractor and even offered a reward to ask for help.

‘So this baby dragon is in a position to watch over them.’

Also, since it was a dragon that appeared in the vision showing the World Tree’s legend, despite its appearance, it seemed very old.

‘But why does it look like a baby?’

A thought suddenly occurred to me.

There was a story about how masters who continued training would gradually become younger and eventually transform into the appearance of a child.

‘If that’s the case, it might only look like a baby on the outside but actually be the eldest among dragons. And it definitely said I know its name, right?’

Then it must be an incredibly famous being.

Having organized my thoughts to that point, it suddenly came to me.

“When His Majesty Radeaus Balcaide, who founded the Empire, was still a knight, after winning the martial arts tournament, he presented his sword Windfearer to his beloved. To Lady Lillian, the strongest dragon and ‘Mother of All Dragons.'”

As the Princess had said, Windfearer originally belonged to Lillian, the ‘Mother of All Dragons.’

‘…I see!’

Now I could finally know the answer.

At the same time, I returned to reality.

Just like when we first met, time seemed to pause briefly when I encountered this golden dragon. As if to confirm this fact, the boy’s explanation continued to be heard.

“…Your Highnesses already know the correct answer, but you absolutely must not tell. Now, when I count one, two, three, answer simultaneously. One, two, three!”

“‘Mother of All Dragons’!”

Sion and I answered at the same time.

At that moment, the maze-like space that had been confining us disappeared instantly. With a dizzying sensation as if the floor was collapsing, I closed and opened my eyes.

Before we knew it, we were back at the Imperial Palace Cemetery. We could see the boy from earlier standing blankly in front of us. We had returned to the real world.

“How did you figure it out?”

Zikren asked immediately. Aldensis and Ruellian didn’t say anything, but their eyes had widened. All three seemed very surprised that I had gotten the correct answer.

“How did you get it right?”

Even the boy was surprised. He must have thought I wouldn’t be able to answer correctly either.

Well, honestly, I was surprised too.

‘That baby dragon turned out to be such an important figure? I treated it like a real baby.’

And it was the ‘Mother of All Dragons’ no less.

Recalling what I had said to her all this time made me feel bewildered. But since Sion was watching, I quickly pretended to be calm.

“Why are you so surprised, Zikren? It’s obvious. That sword originally belonged to the ‘Mother of All Dragons.’ So the scales she left behind could help find her sword.”

Having just realized this while pretending I knew all along, I spoke naturally, and the boy smiled and nodded.

“That’s right, Young Lady. Lady Lillian didn’t need weapons, but since it was a gift from the man she loved, she always carried it with her and treasured it. Since both the sword and scales are her relics, they strongly attract each other. That’s how Master was able to use these scales to find the sword.”

The boy took out a handkerchief and spread it out. Then he carefully picked up the remaining scales scattered on the ground one by one.

“Actually, Master was very surprised that you two figured out the old story and came here right after the competition started. The succession battle of House Rosen is truly remarkable. She said she would give her blessing to whoever got the correct answer, and now both of you will receive Master’s blessing. I wish you success.”

After politely bowing to all of us, the boy went inside. The cemetery gate closed again.

Whew.

Only then could I see everyone relaxing their shoulders.

“Just like in the old days, dealing with Master is no ordinary matter.”

Aldensis said, shaking his head slightly.

“Anyway, we’ve obtained a clue, so that’s good. We brothers should be able to help with opening the space guided by the golden scales.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

I replied like that and looked at him without thinking…

‘Wait.’

These eyes, specialized in observing and analyzing every aspect of Aldensis, sharply caught a certain fact.

‘His complexion is paler than usual. About 1-2 levels?’

Come to think of it, Zikren’s face also looked somewhat haggard.

Both were pretending to be fine, but the remnants of the nightmare that attacked them in the maze must have remained like sediment in their hearts.

Earlier, I was too focused on escaping the maze to think deeply about it.

‘Their existence has been constrained again.’

The constraints that beings called Transcendents must endure. Reins placed on their hearts to prevent them from freely wielding excessively powerful forces and disrupting the order of this world.

The shock they first encountered in childhood penetrated their souls, becoming seeds that took root and continued to cause nightmares, and another tree, the World Tree, took pity on this and sang lullabies so they could at least find peace.

The ‘stabilizer’ I manage isn’t something to be taken lightly either.

The scene I saw in their dreams earlier vividly came to mind again. The brothers’ backs as they excitedly opened the door holding paper birds, then suddenly stopped.

“…”

As I was lost in thought, Zikren looked at me with narrowed eyes.

“What? Don’t you trust what we said? Dragons are originally beings who freely traverse heaven, earth, and underground. We may look like this, but we have the ability to control space.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you…”

I looked at Zikren and said.

“Finding the truth about your late mother is good, but I think it wouldn’t be good to push yourselves too hard. We’ve already obtained an important clue to find the sword, and there are two challengers, not just one. So there’s no need to drive yourselves too hard, right?”

Then I added.

“It’s been 11 years anyway. I think it’s amazing that we’ve figured out this much on our own without the cooperation of His Majesty the Emperor or other elders. What’s important is your health.”

“My health?”

Zikren, who had been quietly listening to me, suddenly blushed.

“Aristina, why do you keep showing interest in other people’s bodies? You don’t even know to be embarrassed in front of people.”

“…”

I was so dumbfounded that I was speechless. As soon as my tongue started moving, I immediately protested.

“What exactly are you thinking about 24 hours a day to interpret my words like that? The one whose head is full of embarrassing thoughts here is none other than you. Just when I feel like taking care of you, you make that feeling disappear completely.”

“You want to take care of me?”

His face turned red again. His golden eyes narrowed as he smiled broadly, as if something made him very happy.

“What’s gotten into you? The Ice Princess can say such kind words too.”

“I was talking about managing inventory.”

Actually, I meant taking care of them. But since Zikren was being cheeky, I felt mischievous and deliberately said that.

“The World Tree’s lullaby. Find out exactly how many are left and report to our guild.”

“What’s really gotten into you? You showed no interest before. You’ve definitely become kinder.”

“Of course. You’re customers, so I should be kind. I need to keep this business going for a long time.”

I replied like that and turned my head away sharply.

It was just an action to show that there was no value in continuing the conversation.

At that moment.

“…”

I noticed that Ruellian’s gaze was fixed on one spot as if nailed there.

While Zikren and I were bickering, Sion had already cleverly grabbed Aldensis and was asking questions.

“What do you mean by opening space, Your Highness?”

“Ah, that’s through special magic that only we Transcendents can use…”

Sion listened intently to Aldensis’s explanation. It was no different from his usual appearance…

But looking carefully, Sion’s face was noticeably pale.

Of course, the nightmare we saw in the maze was indeed very horrific. But Sion’s specialty was acting. Moreover, he hated showing weakness in front of others.

This should have been more than enough time for him to regain his composure…

What’s going on?

I looked at Ruellian again.

His gaze was fixed on Sion’s hand. Specifically, on the hand holding the golden scale.

That’s when it clicked.

‘He must have discovered something.’

Ruellian had been conducting close surveillance ever since he found out that Sion used evil magic.

But perhaps because his opponent was so cunning, I hadn’t heard that he’d uncovered any facts yet.

‘Did he finally catch him red-handed?’

It seemed so.

Ruellian suddenly left my side and walked toward Aldensis and Sion.

I watched him with my heart pounding in anticipation.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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