"Tang Zheng" Meets Draconic Queen Dejire

New Calendar, Mid-Fire Month.

August 16.

Slane Theocracy, early morning.

As dawn began to break, crisp, melodious bells rang from the temples of the Six Great Gods throughout the Theocracy Capital.

Large numbers of believers and worshippers dressed in priestly and clerical robes began their daily prayers, and the entire Theocracy Capital was immersed in its prosperous, peaceful routine.

Every nation had places similar to Guest Houses, specifically meant to receive foreign visitors such as nobles and wealthy merchants from other countries.

Cold!

Blood Red!

The cries of the people.

The roar of collapsing buildings.

When she looked up—

The bloodstained earth and countless corpses stretching beyond sight filled the whole world. It was as though she had sunk into a swamp, surrounded by endless cries for help.

"Ah!!"

A terrified scream rang out.

Draconic Queen Dejire abruptly sat up in bed, her face drenched in cold sweat. Her bloodless lips parted as she gasped for breath.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Her constant murmuring echoed through the room.

Draconic Queen Dejire raised her trembling hands and pressed them hard against her pale face. Tears spilled from her eyes.

The tears flowed through the gaps between her cheeks and palms, soaking the exquisite, soft bedding.

Only after quite some time—

Draconic Queen Dejire wiped away her tears, lowered her arms, and raised her head. Apart from her reddened eyes, her expression had returned to calm.

Yet the grief in her eyes and the exhaustion radiating from her body still could not conceal the confusion of a "ruler of a fallen nation."

The Draconic Kingdom had been destroyed?

No!

"As long as I am still here, as long as the people of the Draconic Kingdom are still alive, even if only one person remains, the Draconic Kingdom has not fallen!"