Dragon Raja——
"Honestly, I also think Yukong and her comrades' sacrifices were meaningless."
Caesar gently swirled his champagne. "An Aeon's power is like a nuclear bomb—extremely efficient for slaughter. Relying on that power, when danger comes, let the Hunt Aeon fire a shot and clean up the battlefield. Isn't that better?"
"No, it's not," Chu Zihang shook his head slowly. "…It may seem like efficient reliance on a deity, but it's actually the slow suicide of the Xianzhou civilization's immune system."
"Can you use less academic jargon?"
"Fine," Chu Zihang said calmly. "Simply put, if the Xianzhou over-relies on the Hunt Aeon's intervention, extinction is only a matter of time. A civilization overly dependent on a deity will collapse the first time it loses that protection."
"Before the Cangcheng Xianzhou was devoured by a living planet, I don't believe no devotees prayed for the Aeon Lán's aid. But from Cangcheng's destruction, it's clear… Aeons don't always answer their followers' calls."
"Your words remind me of something the principal said—" Caesar suddenly adopted the principal's distinctive British accent. "'Why do hybrids slay dragons? Because even gods take naps.' So, you think Yukong and her comrades' sacrifices were meaningful?"
"Yes. Only through generations of struggle and sacrifice can a civilization develop resilient genes… that's a civilization's true immune system."
Chu Zihang said calmly, "The stories of those mortals who died before the Aeon's arrival are more enduring than divine power—because what future generations need to remember isn't 'we were saved by an Aeon,' but 'we were worth saving by an Aeon.'"
——
["'But…' Yukong's tone shifted, 'I shouldn't make decisions for others just because of my own fears… even if that person is my daughter. I've been overbearing in interfering with your life's choices. I'm sorry—that's my failure as a mother.'"]
["Qingni's tears welled up. She understood that Yukong had finally come around and was willing to let her become a starskiff pilot."]
["'Mom… you don't need to apologize, really, you don't…'"]
["Yukong looked at her gently. Having thought it through, she was finally resolved to support Qingni's dream."]
["'I feared you'd walk my path, and even more, that you'd walk Caiyi's. But since this is your choice… I'm willing to support you fully, until you regret it.'"]
["Qingni wiped her tearful eyes, overcome with emotion. 'Mom… I have one last small request…'"]
["Yukong: 'Let's hear it.'"]
["'I want… to fly with you once,' Qingni said, looking at her with anticipation."]
["'Hmm…' Yukong slowly turned her head. 'No, I won't fly again.'"]
["'Why… why not?'"]
["Watching the starskiffs streaking past the Jade Gate, their fleeting trails of light vanishing in an instant… Yukong shook her head calmly."]
["'Because I've already touched the sky.'"]
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?——
Nighttime.
Having just watched the mother-daughter reconciliation, Hestia lay on her bed, her feet kicking the sofa's backrest, her frustrated voice echoing in the cramped basement.
"Argh, Bell-kun—! I can't sleep! When I close my eyes, all I can think about is Yukong, waaah…"
Bell skillfully draped the kicked-off blanket back over the girl's legs, smiling softly. "Lady Hestia, please rest. Yukong's story can wait until tomorrow, can't it?"
"Hmm… but…" Hestia rolled onto her side, looking at Bell on the sofa. "Hey, Bell-kun, if I were like Yukong and locked you up at home, not letting you go adventuring, what would you do?"
"Uh… that question…" Bell scratched his head. "I'd probably be like Qingni, right? Like sneaking out or something… But would you really do that, Lady Hestia?"
"It's just a hypothetical! Just a hypothetical!"
Hestia's fingers unconsciously twirled her hair. "I'd never trap someone important to me in a cage, n-no matter how much I… with you, Bell-kun…"
Her well-timed pause made the boy's ears turn bright red. Bell lowered his head sheepishly. "L-Lady Hestia…"
Silence spread through the basement until the chime of the clock tower sounded outside.
Bell sprang up. "I-I'll brew a fresh pot of tea! With double sugar cubes!"
Hestia burst out laughing. "Silly Bell-kun, your topic change is too obvious! But I want triple sugar cubes, and you're watching the Celestial Screen with me until dawn!"
——
["Watching Yukong and Qingni reconcile, Stelle finally felt at ease."]
["As she and Mr. Welt prepared to return to the inn, her phone vibrated again—another message."]
["Dan Heng, who had been recovering since the battle, was doing well and wanted to visit the current Vidyadhara Dragon Sovereign while still on the Xianzhou. He invited Stelle to join him."]
["At the agreed-upon Synwood Pavilion, Stelle spotted Dan Heng chatting with a Vidyadhara woman from afar."]
["The woman, Huanxi, was a maid serving the current Dragon Sovereign, Bailu. After explaining the arrangements for the visit, she had a reluctant request for Dan Heng."]
["But before explaining…"]
["Huanxi glanced at Stelle, who was slowly approaching. 'And who is this?'"]
["'Just treat me like a streetlamp!' Stelle said with mock seriousness."]
["'Sorry, there are no streetlamps on the Xianzhou that eavesdrop on secrets. I'm speaking with Lord Dan Heng—unrelated persons, please step back.'"]
["Fortunately, Dan Heng quickly clarified Stelle's identity, easing Huanxi's concerns. She then candidly shared her request. 'Then, I hope you won't meet with Miss Bailu.'"]
["'The Dragon Sovereign's maid is blocking guests on her master's behalf?' Stelle frowned, sensing something amiss."]
["Huanxi sighed and explained slowly. 'Perhaps you're aware—Miss Bailu's ascension to Dragon Sovereign was neither in line with tradition nor her own desire. It was the result of the previous Dragon Sovereign, Dan Feng's, unilateral decision, which caused the [Vidyadhara Dragon Sovereign Succession] on the Luofu to falter.'"]
["'The dragon masters heard of Lord Dan Heng's return and are unsure if it's a blessing or a curse. But many speculate that the Luofu's Dragon Sovereign succession might be restored, reuniting the lineage—a cause for celebration.'"]
["'Whether it's selecting a new worthy candidate according to tradition or… or you reclaiming the position, there's room for resolution.'"]
["'But if Lord Dan Heng passes everything to Miss Bailu, it could stir a huge controversy, which would do her no good.'"]