Chapter 285: Fragility

Chapter 285: Fragility

Eileen looked at Zoya standing not far away, opening her mouth but not knowing what to say. Behind her, the strange giant wyvern had already struggled to its feet. Accompanied by a low growl that was fierce on the outside but weak on the inside, a massive head stretched out from its side.

It was afraid. Although it was her first time seeing such a strange wyvern, Eileen could still sense its emotions. She stepped forward, simultaneously raising her hand to gently stroke the wyvern’s jaw.

As she approached, Zoya spread her hands open at her sides. Faced with this seemingly harmless gesture, Eileen couldn’t help but think of Bran, of the once happy but short-lived times, of the two of them side by side, looking like good buddies.

She knew what this gesture meant, so she didn’t dare get too close.

Zoya looked at Eileen and suddenly understood why Bran no longer wanted to see her. She was too self-righteous and didn’t know when to advance or retreat. Like right now, inexplicably blocking the path. Even though as friends they had helped each other, Zoya felt she owed her nothing.

They ultimately were not on the same path; her help had only been repaid with deceit. Even if it was against her will, deceit was ultimately hard to accept.

Zoya could understand that Eileen had to think about her clan. But knowing conflict was unavoidable, knowing they had to deceive each other, wouldn’t it be better to draw a clear line early? Why put on the pretense of friendship? Why remain connected?

Seeing Zoya’s gaze grow colder, Eileen sighed and forced herself to speak. “Give it to me, okay?”

“Based on what?”

Yes, based on what? Zoya had come here, received a cold reception, been deceived, and Eileen was one of the accomplices. This was her prey, a commendable trophy, a memento that would earn her clan’s recognition. What right did she have to make such an unreasonable request?

Eileen’s face gradually reddened. She pleaded, “We can make an exchange.”

“What will you trade?”

“I…” Eileen suddenly realized she didn’t have much to exchange. Should she hand over her weapons, armor, and mount? But aside from these, what else could she use to trade? And were these even enough?

Faced with Eileen’s predicament, Zoya softened a little. “It’s going to die. What use is it to you if you trade for it?”

“I just don’t want to see it killed.”

Zoya sighed. “As you wish. I’ll take its head after it dies.”

“Thank you…”

As if sensing the danger had temporarily vanished, Maya collapsed again, curling into a ball. Eileen ran back to its side and resumed examining its wounds.

In the awkward silence, a small squad of Dragon Riders ran towards them. The giant wyvern that had suddenly fallen from the sky, along with Zoya’s warning howl, had already alerted the patrol. After determining there was no obvious danger, they finally mustered the courage to come and investigate.

One couldn’t blame them for their caution. The miserable days on the Archipelago had worn down the edge of many.

As the squad drew near, Maya stirred uneasily again before settling down under Eileen’s soothing touch.

Someone raised their voice and asked, “Eileen! What happened here?”

Eileen shook her head without speaking.

But the other party clearly had little patience. “Answer the question!”

This bossy, dismissive attitude made Eileen frown, but there was nothing she could do about it. She remained silent, turning her attention back to the wyvern’s wounds.

Zoya, standing not far away, seemed like an invisible person, overlooked by these Dragon Riders. She watched coldly as these people went from caution to boldness, gradually no longer hiding the greed in their hearts. They critiqued and even began discussing its ownership. Eileen looked very awkward; these people were intentionally pushing her out. If the beast weren’t so huge, she probably wouldn’t even be able to get near it.

Faced with this scene, Zoya found it both laughable and a little sad.

A voice, slightly cool and full of mockery, rang out. “Before discussing ownership, you should at least ask its true master.”

The Dragon Riders instantly fell silent, their gazes turning to Zoya. When did she appear? How did they not notice her arrival?

“Who is she?” the same person asked Eileen again.

“Zoya. Zoya of the Northlands.”

“Oh— the girl Bran adopted?”

As soon this provocative remark left his mouth, Eileen knew it was bad! She instinctively shouted, “Don’t kill him!”

But it was too late. A flash of Starlight, and the one who had just provoked her had his throat slit. In the chaos, Eileen didn’t make any further moves. She just stared intently at the blades in Zoya’s hands. She remembered them, that pair of short blades named Fragility. In her memory, Bran always carried them. How did they end up in Zoya’s hands?

What had happened during this time?

The commotion among the people around her had little to do with her now.

The Dragon Riders stared at Zoya in fear. No one expected her to attack over a single provocation. What chilled them even more was how fast the blade strike was. After weighing their options and realizing they were no match, they picked up their companion’s body and left angrily.

Looking at the somewhat dazed Eileen, Zoya gave a light humph. “Is that how they treat you?”

“I can’t completely blame them. Back then, only my father returned. And since my relationship with Bran was quite close, some people have always been dissatisfied.” After a slight pause, she added, “It’s just a small group. Most treat me quite well.”

Eileen’s gaze never left the pair of short blades. “Those are Bran’s, right? I remember them.”

Zoya nodded, as if thinking of something funny, and a smile spread across her face as she explained. “He lent them to me temporarily for self-defense. I have to return them when I go back.”

“No wonder you could defeat it,” Eileen sighed.

“I didn’t defeat it. I have to thank its useless companions for that.” Here Zoya emphasized her words. “You’ve seen its wounds. Those fatal injuries weren’t caused by me, but by its companions.

They lacked real trust, which ended up helping me. Whether it was this wyvern or those outsiders pretending to be us, I wouldn’t stand a chance against them alone.”

Eileen understood what Zoya meant. “But this is my home. My parents and brother are here.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Eileen continued. “Do you really not remember any of this? Didn’t Bran ever tell you?”

“He told me many times, but I always forgot. In the end, he wrote everything down in a notebook and gave it to me.” Zoya shrugged. “But I don’t care about that anymore. At least Bran didn’t try to hide or deceive me. And I already know this is—my own choice.”

After a moment of silence, Zoya continued. “This wyvern really won’t live long. Maybe under your care, it can cling to life for a few more days. Even if it could be saved, those people wouldn’t let it fall into your hands.”

“You have a way, don’t you?” Eileen’s eyes lit up.

“I don’t. You know who’s most likely to.”

Hesitantly, Eileen uttered two words. “Bran.”