Chapter 289: Facing

Chapter 289: Facing

When the Dragon Riders saw Eileen returning alone with the dragon, they couldn’t help but feel relieved. This was the best outcome. No matter what price she had paid, it was all worth it.

Dragon! This familiar yet strange name gathered a few half-dead old men together. They tried hard to remember if they had ever heard or seen similar records anywhere. Otherwise, why would they feel a sense of déjà vu upon first hearing and seeing it? Compared to this cute act of rummaging through old papers, a more realistic and urgent problem seemed somewhat cruel.

Before she could return to her residence, Eileen was called to the Council Hall. A group of people were already waiting there, including her father. Looking at her father’s gloomy face, she knew things were not good.

On the square outside the Council Hall, Maya warily surveyed her surroundings, occasionally twitching her nostrils. The mana here was raw, foul-smelling, and very thin.

And where was that boy? And where was that other girl? Why weren’t they here? Disappointed, Maya began to think wildly. Although the people around gave her a vague sense of familiarity, she didn’t want to stay with this group of weaklings. However, she also knew the situation forced her hand, and she could only put up with it for now.

Maya shook her long neck and snorted discontentedly. Two young people not far away made her feel very uncomfortable. Their gazes and their gesturing movements made her feel as if she had already become their property.

She was a dragon, not a mindless beast. Even that boy who helped her, and that girl who harmed her with despicable means, never showed such an attitude.

Maya thought back carefully. That’s right! That girl treated her as an opponent, prey, and a prisoner. That boy was stranger; his attitude was aloof, but it was more like the distance kept with a stranger. When she sidled up to him to sneakily consume mana, it didn’t invite rejection.

Those truly qualified to see her as a plaything had given her the most basic respect. So how dare these two young people in front of her treat her with this attitude?

Just as Maya’s anger was rising, Eileen inside the Council Hall was already furious. These people were too shameless. They actually wanted her to take responsibility for Zoya killing the Dragon Rider. As a friend, she had the duty to restrain Zoya’s actions, so the losses caused by Zoya must be compensated by her.

Eileen swept her gaze over the people in the hall, her chest feeling tight. No matter what happened outside, upon returning to the clan, one must follow the clan’s rules. She was a Dragon Rider; she could not let outsiders participate in the clan’s decisions.

Zoya had already guessed the predicament she might face, which was why she said before leaving that no one else was to interfere, hoping to take on this pressure.

But Eileen could not do that. Even if Zoya could easily bear it, even if Zoya wanted it that way. Because if she did, she would probably be isolated by her clansmen. Moreover, shifting all the responsibility onto a friend behind her back would also ruin her reputation.

Perhaps this group of people in front of her was waiting for her to make the wrong choice, so they could easily take everything she had.

When Zoya left, she said the road ahead must be walked alone.

Eileen understood that from now on, she would have to face many things alone.

She knew what their true purpose was, but they were celebrating a bit too early. Eileen controlled her breathing, letting the anger in her heart gradually subside.

She slightly raised her chin, adopting a lofty, dismissive posture. At that moment, Eileen seemed to return to Danny’s side, imitating everything about her together with Zoya.

The Council Hall gradually fell silent. Everyone looked at Eileen strangely. From being at a loss upon entering to being consumed by rage, it was all within expectations. Just when people thought the matter was settled, the situation began to spiral out of control.

The girl still stood there, her posture not noticeably changed, but her demeanor was slowly transforming. She gradually stabilized, becoming unshakeable, like a prominent boulder.

Everyone in the Council Hall was momentarily overwhelmed by her presence, falling silent.

Now, Eileen commanded authority without anger. She calmly stepped forward and declared loudly, “Since childhood, you elders have warned us against petty cleverness, telling us to be honest and upright. You said you would treat every clansman fairly, taught us to be friendly, united, and brave, to be fearless even in the face of death.

I once believed it to be true, but as I grew up, I realized it was all a lie. Just like all of you now, a thorough joke.

But what’s even more laughable is that I still firmly believe in these things. That’s why I stand here facing you, rather than relying on the power of my friends. Even at the cost of drifting apart from them.

I betrayed my friends’ trust, stole their secrets. You said it was all for the clan, for the greater good. I brought back some of the Wizards’ knowledge here, yet you think it’s not enough. You think I didn’t do well enough, that I haven’t endured enough humiliation. But I did bring it back.

And what about you? You want to take this knowledge for yourselves, causing the Wizards within our clan to show little improvement. Those Wizards sent to Northland City don’t want to return, leaving our clan with no one to use at the slightest sign of trouble.

Now, inwardly you still hold yourselves high and mighty, but what about outwardly?”

Eileen looked around at everyone. “Right or wrong, good or bad, you always come up with various justifications. Fortunately, we are Dragon Riders; we can speak with strength. So let’s duel. The winner decides everything.”

Hall’s expression changed. He raised his voice, “Eileen!”

Eileen ignored his shout. “Or I challenge all of you.”

“Arrogant!” someone couldn’t help but shout in reprimand.

Eileen glanced at them disdainfully. “Then we can start with you. I hope you still remember the honor of a Dragon Rider and won’t shy away from a sacred duel.”

“You…”

That day, after righteously proposing the duel, Eileen, with her Black Dragon, faced her first challenge. When her opponent appeared on the Duelling Ground riding an earth dragon, Eileen also sat astride Maya’s neck and raised her sword in salute…

Before the duel was won, no one could take her dragon from her.

Hall watched his daughter strutting proudly on the Duelling Ground and his own face lit up with delight. His daughter had really grown up, and finally learned to be bad…

Maya’s neck wasn’t easy to ride, and Eileen only looked impressive on the field for a short while. For this insignificant short while, she began a long “maid” career.

The matter ended in a farce. Between gritting their teeth and being unable to part with the precious Black Dragon, they gave everything they should and even what they shouldn’t…

In the pampered environment of the Dragon Riders, Maya, however, lacked spirit. Only Eileen knew it wanted to consume mana again. This made her think of how Maya had sidled up to Bran, well-behaved and sensible.

She wondered what the situation in Northland City was like now. She decided to take some time to show Maya the way.

…

Northland City was as usual, with some happy and some worried.

For example, Xialuo had been very happy lately. The Great Wizard, who usually ignored the outside world, had specifically sent her word that he was safe. He said: Zoya is safe and sound, don’t worry. What was insignificant to the Great Wizard held different meaning in the eyes of those around her, so her life became easier.

For Bran, Xialuo was of little importance, and the feedback was merely out of politeness. He could disregard Xialuo’s feelings, but he couldn’t not consider Zoya. After being polite, he put the matter out of his mind.

He was now fully focused on guarding the Ancient Tree because it was about to wake up. Feiyu, White Wolf, and Snow Falcon were all acting strangely today. Feiyu’s eyes were blood red and his spirit was excited, while White Wolf and Snow Falcon collectively went on strike, all staying nearby.

First, there was a faint crackling sound. A barely perceptible crack appeared on the tree trunk. Then, as if a string of firecrackers had been lit, crackling sounds rose one after another, and more and more cracks appeared on the tree trunk. Finally, a small piece of debris was the first to break off, and a chain reaction followed. Pieces of all sizes followed suit, breaking away and scattering.

After the surface layer peeled off, the layer below began to repeat the previous process.

Feiyu, White Wolf, and Snow Falcon, who had been squatting nearby, swarmed up and began frantically snatching these fragments. Curious, Bran casually picked up a piece and tossed it into his mouth. He chewed for a long time but couldn’t taste anything. It was just that the tree trunk, which had been difficult for swords to damage before, became crisp after turning into fragments all over the ground.

The Ancient Tree was too tall, and the fallen fragments were enough for White Wolf and Snow Falcon to share. After eating until they were round and full, they swayed drunkenly, crowding together and falling fast asleep.

Feiyu, eyes still red, kept his head down and ate fiercely. Looking at its already bulging belly, Bran was really afraid it would overeat. He tentatively said, “Sleep for a bit first. I’ll help you store the rest.”

Feiyu paused, lifted its neck woodenly as if wanting to nod, but its head tilted to one side. Then, tilting more and more, its whole body slid toward the ground…

The molting process lasted several days. When a white, tender, completely leafless, bald pole stood before him, Bran nearly fainted. To prevent this oversized bald pole from falling, he had to turn into gray smoke and tightly support it.

Seeing this, Tansuo directly cupped Huahua in both hands from the treetop, respectfully placed her on the ground, and then quickly hid far away. After landing, Huahua first stretched, then jumped in front of her own Ancient Tree and habitually extended her claws to scratch it.

This scratch completely woke the Ancient Tree from its slumber. Amidst grumbling, first that strange cat face emerged from the tree trunk. Then, at the lower third of the trunk, it split into two, forming legs, freeing itself from Bran’s support and standing firmly. The upper third also opened up immediately, turning into branches and twigs, with green leaves gradually growing and vines emerging…

Seeing this, Tansuo, who had just run far away, rushed back, cupped Huahua respectfully in both hands, and carefully placed her back in the treetop.

Bran looked inside and out at the Ancient Tree, now more than half its former size, and was somewhat enchanted.