44. Trauma

Yuan Chen had a faint sense that something was a little off, but after thinking it over, he couldn't find anything wrong.

He had met Milio because Milio's talent could help him assimilate into Ixialia more quickly and rise among the Yixialian ruling class—the Yuentar nobility.

And Qiyana had a once-in-a-generation gift. With the whole world undergoing change, she was the perfect person to become queen of conservative, feudal Ixialia.

Thinking it over, Yuan Chen relaxed and nodded.

That was more like it. The idea of being some chosen child-rearing expert was obviously just a joke.

Disappointed by his answer, Qiyana recovered after a moment and said almost reflexively, "Looks like you don't know everything, after all."

Yuan Chen shrugged and replied casually, "If I really knew everything, I wouldn't be troubled by demons."

"...Speaking of which." Qiyana didn't seem to care much. She blinked, thought for a moment, then asked:

"So you're going to leave Ixialia eventually, aren't you?"

Qiyana didn't know what she was thinking... This was her first time meeting Yuan Chen. Before today, she hadn't even heard of him—or his somewhat convoluted, obscure name.

But the first person to acknowledge her, the first to recognize her talent, had told her he was destined to leave.

The joy of being acknowledged and the joy of discovering her own talent had mingled together. She should have felt exhilarated.

So why, now that a stranger was bound to leave, did she feel reluctant?

"Mm." Yuan Chen didn't seem particularly concerned. He nodded.

"I have to deal with the demon problem. I can resist the curse's negative effects to some extent now, but as time goes on, that resistance will weaken."

"The Veil... Ixialia's Veil cuts off all attempts by outsiders and those within Ixialia to explore beyond its borders. To tear it down, we'll have to overthrow the old, deeply rooted traditions. On that, our goals are the same."

"Then how did you get in?"

Qiyana asked in confusion. "The Veil should have kept you out."

"I'm not entirely sure... I came to Ixialia after a shipwreck," Yuan Chen said thoughtfully.

"Maybe it has something to do with the Miasma Jungle?"

"...That's probably it."

After hearing Yuan Chen's explanation, Qiyana gave it some thought.

"Ixialia's Veil was built around the Miasma Jungle's mountains and gradually reinforced. The jungle is home to a great many Elemental Drakes, and there are dangerous currents near the estuary... Mm, if that's what happened, it makes sense."

It didn't make sense.

Yuan Chen glanced at Qiyana and thought to himself: The explanation for how I got into Ixialia makes sense. But the Meat-toothed Beasts are another matter. They really did pass straight through the Veil.

Still, that made sense too. Meat-toothed Beasts were natural hunters, chosen by the jungle. And Mordas had once wielded Azure Starfire, so getting through a magically created Veil like this wouldn't have been difficult...

After all, with Azure Starfire at his side, under the pressure of a celestial being, Mordas could do more than just venture into the Miasma Jungle.

Used properly, Mordas could even take Azure Starfire to the Shadow Isles, dance a wild jig on the Ruined King Foh Yangyang's grave, and come back unharmed.

Wait... Viego had at least actually gotten somewhere with his beloved. He was just a lovesick fool. What was Foh Yangyang? He couldn't even manage to get laid.

It was hard to understand the mindset of people who were so pathetically devoted to their partners.

Anyway.

As far as Yuan Chen knew, there weren't many ways into Ixialia, but there were a few.

Ryze, for instance, could use the Warped Paths of Space to bypass the barriers of the physical world and enter the Veil. The same went for certain special teleportation spells, like those used by Yuumi's owner in Legends of Runeterra, or Zoe.

But when it came to either magical skill or power, they were among the best in all of Runeterra, so they weren't much of a useful comparison.

Looking at Qiyana, whose eyes held a trace of complicated emotion, Yuan Chen asked lightly, "What? Are you going to miss me?"

"Who'd miss you? Me? What are you talking about?"

Qiyana snorted. "Good. I don't need anyone sharing my glory! Besides, you're an outsider. It won't be easy for you to earn the Yixialians' approval!"

As she spoke, Qiyana felt a little more confident.

It was fine if she left after the changes were complete, whether in triumph or simply by departing. She had no reason to feel sad.

After all, it was just a deal. At most, he'd be her subject. She was going to become queen of all Ixialia someday. How could she get attached to some strange man?

Once this guy had seen Ixialia's vast knowledge, collections, heritage, secrets, and treasures... Who knew which of them would be reluctant to leave then?

Qiyana wasn't going to feel sad over some stranger!

With that thought, she said bluntly, "You've said all that, but what makes you think you can tear down the Veil and challenge tradition? Since you already know what I'm capable of, it's your turn to show me what you can do!"

"Easy."

Yuan Chen opened the carriage curtain and called to Mordas behind them. "Mordas! Let my esteemed Highness Yuenale take a look at our prey!"

"Oh!"

Mordas nodded at Yuan Chen's words. To avoid causing unnecessary trouble, he had breathable Silk Material bandages wrapped around the parts of his face torn apart by the dragon.

Hearing Yuan Chen's title for her, Qiyana's vanity was satisfied. A pleased smile appeared on her proud face, tempering her usual air of arrogance.

"That's a good title. I like it! I think we'll make excellent ruler and subject!"

With that, Qiyana went over with a light, jaunty step.

When they lifted the waterproof tarp covering the dragon, Qiyana's arrogant expression vanished. The moment she saw what was on the carriage, shock filled her face.

She fell silent for a moment, then hurried over to Yuan Chen. Eyes wide, she pointed at the dragon's corpse in the distance and asked, "Where did you find it?"

"Find it?" Mordas, standing nearby, sounded displeased.

Prey was like a soldier's medal, a warrior's scar—the hunter's pride and proof of their skill. Every Meat-toothed Beast valued their prey.

They especially prized valuable prey, carefully removing the sharpest, largest, and finest teeth to make pendants they could carry with them.

"This is our prey! Can't you see the wound on the dragon's chest?!"

As he spoke, Mordas bared his teeth at Qiyana in a show of defiance. He was only joking, of course. Even an idiot could tell that Qiyana was Yuan Chen's guest.

But Mordas had forgotten that he had bathed in dragon's blood and was a Dragon Slayer. The moment he bared his teeth, a fierce pressure spread out around him.

Qiyana wasn't the only one affected. The Pack Beasts pulling the carriage began to grow restless under the pressure of a superior being.

Weak, cowardly people felt fear, anxiety, and dread in the presence of Dragon Might. But Qiyana was different—she'd had enough of being looked down on.

One day, she'd even break her own sister's legs. Why would she fear a Meat-toothed Beast she'd just met?

Sure enough, feeling a pressure that seemed hostile, Qiyana instinctively raised the ring blade in her hand. "You insolent fool! How dare you threaten Qiya—"

"Both of you, calm down."

Yuan Chen raised a Water Curtain between them, exasperated, then said to Qiyana, "Mordas helped me pierce the dragon's heart. The pressure coming off him is from the Dragon Blood released by Dragon Heart Detonation, not hostility."

Then he turned to Mordas. "Try to be considerate. She hates being looked down on... Childhood Trauma," he added in a whisper.

Hearing Yuan Chen's quiet explanation, Mordas nodded in understanding.

He'd been wondering why the girl couldn't take a joke. Now he understood: it wasn't that she couldn't take one. His actions had touched a wound deep inside her.

Emotional wounds were far harder to bear than physical pain...

Thinking of his own younger siblings, Mordas's gaze softened with regret.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

At Mordas's apology, Qiyana gripped her ring blade. After a moment's silence, she reluctantly lowered it.

"I shouldn't have done that either..."

She fell silent for a moment, then turned and headed toward the carriage. As she went, she said coldly to Yuan Chen, "Don't think I didn't hear you... I don't have any stupid trauma!"

Hurrying toward the carriage at the front, Qiyana felt a complicated, uneasy stirring in her heart.

I don't have any Childhood Trauma. There's nothing wrong with me. I'm Qiyana. I'm the best. I'm right!

The Elemental Wind dried the moisture in her eyes. Qiyana rose on tiptoe and slipped into the carriage, drawing the curtains shut as if she didn't want to speak to anyone.

Yuan Chen could only shrug helplessly at Mordas.

He'd thought he'd have to ride in another carriage, but just as he was about to pick one, Qiyana poked her head out again. Avoiding Yuan Chen's gaze, she fell silent for a moment, then said reluctantly, "...Come in for a bit."

"What's wrong?"

"Tell me how you killed the dragon."

"It was an Elemental Drake, not a true-blooded dragon yet."

"It's all the same. Just get in!"