Transformation Magic

Night gradually fell, and the already scant light in the dark cell vanished completely. Mevajena stared at the cell door. By the usual schedule, the person coming to fetch her should be arriving soon. She wondered which unlucky fool she would have to deal with this time. Time slowly passed, yet the person who should have appeared long ago still did not show up, making Mevajena sense that something was wrong. She was not the only one; the other three prisoners gradually sensed it as well. The air became unusually heavy, and an emotion called panic began to spread through the hearts of all four.

"Do you think Sordil has grown tired of Mevajena and is preparing to execute us?"

"Impossible. He clearly promised me he would let us go. How could he..."

"Why not? You must have displeased Sordil, so he changed his mind! Is this the first time he's done something like this?"

"Holop, don't talk nonsense. During this time, Mevajena has earned Sordil's trust and persuaded him to let us leave. Yesterday, Sordil agreed that he would release us in a few days. He even said that, if we were willing, we could join Fostadu!"

"Of course she would say that. She's already Sordil's woman, so naturally you siblings can stay and join Fostadu. But what about Black and me? I'm afraid the two of us will end up as the main course at your sister's wedding banquet, won't we?"

"There is only cooperation between Sordil and me. Nothing else has happened. I don't have that kind of relationship with him. I don't..."

Mevajena tried desperately to defend herself, but Holop, who firmly believed she was "Lady Sordil," dismissed her explanation with contempt and continued questioning the "suspicious points" in her words.

"Cooperation? If it's cooperation, then why can't you tell us about it?"

"Because he won't allow me to say anything! If I tell you, our cooperation will be called off. Do you think he'd keep a few enemies with no value left to exploit?"

"You..."

As Holop fell speechless, the heated argument finally came to a halt, and the air became quiet once more. While the fierce dispute unfolded within the dark cell, a grand welcoming celebration was also taking place atop Fostadu's peak.

"Lord Xizalanza, please, have a seat!"

"Good! Good! Fostadu is truly impressive. You actually moved the entire secret realm here. This dragon is deeply impressed!"

"You flatter us, Lord Xizalanza. From now on, Fostadu and all of Donagunov will be neighbors. We hope everyone from Donagunov will look after us!"

"You are too modest, Lord Hadessta. From now on, our two sides shall support one another... support one another!"

"Haha! We'll do as Lord Xizalanza says—we shall support one another! Come! Let us drain this cup in welcome of our friends from Donagunov!"

"Oh! Drain the cup!"

Everyone at the banquet raised their cups high, then downed the fine wine in one gulp. Xizalanza emptied his cup as well before setting it down on the table. He had not forgotten the task the queen had entrusted to him. Thus, he raised the question that had been weighing on his mind to Hadessta.

"Lord Hadessta, when I set out, Queen Irene repeatedly mentioned that Fostadu had been attacked by the dragons of the Western Continent. But after arriving here, why have I seen no sign of them?"

"Lord Xizalanza, this is what happened. Shortly before you arrived, Fostadu joined forces with the Bell Dragon Rider Regiment stationed here and drove them back. The Bell Dragon Rider Regiment suffered heavy losses as a result and had no choice but to withdraw to their original post to recuperate. King Belmod's letter of inquiry also arrived here this morning. Please have a look."

"And this is?"

"Oh! This is my son, Sordil. It was he who led the members of the secret realm and the Bell Dragon Rider Regiment in repelling the enemy's attack! Sordil, quickly tell Lord Xizalanza in detail about how you drove back Koreita's lackeys, so that he may be at ease!"

"Yes, Father!"

Next, Sordil vividly recounted to Xizalanza how he had led everyone in driving back the evil dragons of the Western Continent. In broad terms, Koreita's evil dragons had followed Sordil and the others to find Fostadu's exact location, only to discover that troops from the Kingdom of Tsuyioru Xiu were guarding its surroundings. So, these bloodthirsty evil dragons turned their claws on the vulnerable knights. They hid in the darkness and ambushed the officers of the knight regiment. Once the knights, gripped by fear, had left Fostadu, they began targeting Fostadu's dragons. Since Fostadu had only recently endured a brutal battle and was severely short on fighters, it was unable to deal with the harassment.

Left with no alternative, Hadessta could only order Kaldiz to travel to Donagunov for aid. Fortunately, not long after Kaldiz departed, a knight skilled in tracking discovered the evil dragons' lair. Upon receiving the report, Sordil immediately ordered every dragon capable of fighting to head for their camp, then directed everyone in the knight regiment to draw Magic Arrays around the camp to support the assault. At last, after a brutal battle, they finally drove back the dragons of the Western Continent.

"Worthy nephew Sordil is truly promising at such a young age. One day, you will surely lead Fostadu to glory!"

"You flatter me, Lord Xizalanza. This time, I merely got lucky. I will still need much guidance from you in the future!"

The banquet came to an end amid the mutual flattery between Xizalanza and Sordil, and everyone departed for their respective rooms. After the feast, Hadessta also wrote a reply to Belmod following the version Sordil had given. Though both sides knew the truth, as long as they had not openly fallen out, they still needed such an explanation as a cover.

Over the following days, Xizalanza learned the details of the Western Continent from Hadessta, Sordil, and the others. At the same time, he handed Hadessta a secret letter written by Irene. Upon receiving it, Hadessta immediately gathered all of Fostadu's dragon members for discussion. After several days of fierce debate, Hadessta finally reached a decision. Once Xizalanza received Hadessta's reply, he immediately returned to the Kingdom of Donagunov with Hadessta's letter.

Things had finally settled down, and the people of Fostadu gradually relaxed. They began enjoying themselves and holding banquets. However, Sordil did not immerse himself in the joy, because he had only completed half of his plan. The other half was still waiting for him to face.

Fostadu, Dining Hall

"Murellia, have you seen Brother Sordil lately?"

"No! I haven't seen Young Master Sordil for several days. I thought he was with you, Miss Diphiya!"

"Murellia, do you think Brother Sordil went to see Mevajena again?"

"Miss Diphiya, you've both guessed wrong. Young Master Sordil hasn't gone anywhere. He's in his room studying a new kind of magic!"

"Lindel, is that really true?"

Upon hearing Lindel's words, Diphiya and Murellia asked in unison. Seeing that neither of them believed him, Lindel pointed at Seraf, who was wolfing down food beside him. "Of course it's true. If you don't believe me, ask Seraf!"

"Lindel is right. Master really is studying a new kind of magic, and I have already seen it once!"

As Diphiya and Murellia turned their gazes toward him, Seraf recalled the scene with a startled expression. Seeing his strange expression, Diphiya asked curiously, "What kind of magic could make Brother Sordil so obsessed—and even frighten a bold fellow like you?"

"I heard Master call it something like Transformation Magic. As for what it does, you'll find out when you see it."

Recalling the first time he had seen his master use Transformation Magic, Seraf decided to leave them with a "big surprise." Thus, no matter how the three questioned him afterward, he refused to reveal another word.