Trauma

Chapter 44: 42

Yuan Chen vaguely sensed something was off, but upon closer thought, there seemed to be no issue.

He met Milio because Milio's talent would allow him to integrate into Ixialia faster and ascend into Ixialia's ruling class, the nobles of Yuentar.

As for Qiyana, she possessed a once-in-a-million talent and was the most suitable person to become the queen of the feudal and conservative Ixialia, especially against the backdrop of a world undergoing great change.

Thinking this, Yuan Chen nodded in relief—

That's right. The chosen kindergarten teacher nonsense was just a joke.

Receiving a disappointing answer, Qiyana, after a brief moment of disappointment, instinctively said, "It seems you're not omniscient after all."

Yuan Chen shrugged indifferently. "If I were truly omniscient, I wouldn't be troubled by demons."

"...Speaking of which." Hearing this, Qiyana didn't pay much mind. She blinked and, after a moment of thought, said:

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

Qiyana didn't know what she was thinking... This was her first meeting with Yuan Chen. Before this, Qiyana had never even heard of this somewhat convoluted and meaningless name.

But the person who was the first to acknowledge her, the one who discovered her talent, was now telling her that he was destined to leave.

This joy of being acknowledged, intertwined with the joy of discovering her talent, should have been exhilarating.

Why now, because a stranger was inevitably leaving, did she feel a sense of reluctance?

"Yes." Yuan Chen didn't seem to care much and nodded in confirmation.

"The demon problem is something I must resolve. Although I can currently mitigate the negative effects of this curse to a certain extent, as time passes, the mitigation effect will weaken."

"The veil... Ixialia's veil isolates everyone, both inside and outside Ixialia, from exploration. To open the veil, the stagnant, deeply rooted traditions must be overthrown. On this point, our goals are aligned."

"Then how did you get in?"

Qiyana asked, puzzled. "With the veil's protection, you shouldn't have been able to enter."

"I'm not entirely sure... I arrived in Ixialia due to a shipwreck," Yuan Chen mused.

"Perhaps it's related to the Miasma Jungle?"

"...It should be."

Hearing Yuan Chen's explanation, Qiyana said thoughtfully:

"Ixialia's veil was built and gradually perfected based on the mountains of the Miasma Jungle. And the Miasma Jungle is inhabited by a large number of Elemental Drakes, plus the undertow at the river mouth... Hmm, if that's the case, it makes sense."

It doesn't make sense.

Yuan Chen glanced at Qiyana, thinking to himself—the way he entered Ixialia made sense. But the Meat-toothed Beasts were different; they had genuinely passed through the veil.

Then again, Meat-toothed Beasts were natural hunters and chosen by the jungle. Plus, Mordas had once possessed the Azure Starfire, so entering a veil created by magic wouldn't be difficult...

Ultimately, with the Azure Starfire by his side, under the pressure of celestial beings, let alone the Miasma Jungle.

If used properly, Mordas, wielding the Azure Starfire, could even take a stroll on the Shadow Isles, dance on the grave of the ruined king Viego, and return completely unharmed.

No... Viego at least genuinely fell in love. What is Foh Yangyang? Not even strong enough to push someone's butt.

It's hard to imagine the romantic thinking of men and women who are too afraid to act.

Got sidetracked.

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

For example, Ryze could bypass the barriers of the material world through spatial shortcuts to enter the veil. The same applied to some special teleportation spells, like the master of Yuumi in LOR, or Zoe.

However, whether it was magical skill or strength, they were among the top tier in Runeterra, so they didn't offer much reference value.

Thinking this, Yuan Chen looked at Qiyana, whose eyes held a hint of complexity, and said casually, "What? Are you reluctant to leave?"

"Who's reluctant? Me? Are you kidding?"

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, Qiyana snorted and said, "This is for the best. I don't need anyone to share my glory! After all, you're an outsider. It's not easy to gain the recognition of the Ixialians!"

As she spoke, Qiyana's confidence grew—

Whether it was retiring after completing the transformation or leaving, she didn't need to feel sad.

In the end, it was just a transaction, at most a subordinate. She was destined to become the queen of all Ixialia in the future, so how could she be attached to some random guy?

When this guy in front of her learned about Ixialia's rich knowledge, collections, heritage, mysteries, treasures... by then, it might not be certain who would want to leave!

Qiyana wouldn't be sad over a stranger!

Thinking this, Qiyana said decisively, "You've said so much, but what makes you so confident that you can break the veil and challenge tradition? Since you already know my talents, it's time for you to show yours!"

"Simple."

Yuan Chen opened the carriage curtain and shouted to Mordas behind him, "Mordas! Take our esteemed Highness Yuenale to admire our prey!"

"Oh!"

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, Mordas nodded—afraid of causing unnecessary trouble, Mordas's face was currently bandaged with breathable silk to cover the parts torn by the Dragon.

And hearing Yuan Chen's address to him, Qiyana's vanity was satisfied. A hint of a pleased smile appeared on her arrogant face, and her originally overbearing nobility seemed to be softened by it:

"Your title is good, I like it! I think we'll make a great ruler and subject!"

As she spoke, Qiyana, with her small meat legs, leisurely walked over.

She pulled back the waterproof cloth covering the dragon, and Qiyana, who had been full of pride moments before, showed a shocked expression upon seeing what was placed on the carriage.

After a moment of silence, she hurried to Yuan Chen's side, her large eyes fixed on his, and pointed a finger at the distant dragon corpse: "Where did you find this?"

"Find it?" Mordas, standing nearby, felt a bit displeased upon hearing Qiyana's words.

Prey was like a soldier's medal, a warrior's scar, a hunter's honor and testament. Therefore, every Meat-toothed Beast valued its prey.

Especially valuable prey, where they would carefully extract the sharpest, largest, and most exquisite teeth to make pendants and wear them.

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

As he spoke, Mordas bared his teeth at Qiyana as a show of dominance—though Mordas was just joking, as anyone could tell Qiyana was Yuan Chen's guest.

But Mordas forgot, as someone who had bathed in Dragon Blood and was a Dragon Slayer, that the moment he bared his teeth, a powerful pressure spread outwards.

Let alone Qiyana, the pack beasts pulling the carriage couldn't help but become restless, feeling the oppression from a superior being.

The weak and timid would feel fear, unease, and dread when sensing Dragon Might. But Qiyana was different—she had had enough of being looked down upon.

In the future, she would even dare to break her own sister's legs, let alone a Meat-toothed Beast she had just met?

As expected, sensing a pressure similar to hostility, Qiyana instinctively raised the chakram in her hand: "You madman! How dare you direct your—"

"Everyone, calm down."

Yuan Chen, somewhat helplessly, erected a water curtain between the two and said to Qiyana, "Mordas is the one who pierced the dragon's heart with me. The pressure he's emitting comes from the Dragon Blood of the Dragon Heart Detonation, not hostility."

Then, Yuan Chen said to Mordas, "Take care of the child, she hates being underestimated... Childhood Trauma (whispering)."

Hearing Yuan Chen's quiet instruction, Mordas finally understood and nodded.

He had been wondering why this young girl was so sensitive to jokes. Now he realized it wasn't about jokes, but that his actions had touched upon her inner trauma.

Inner trauma was far more unbearable than physical pain...

Recalling his own younger siblings, Mordas's gaze softened with a hint of apology.

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

Hearing Mordas's apology, Qiyana, holding her chakram, fell silent for a moment before inexplicably and resentfully retracted it.

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

After a moment of silence, Qiyana turned and walked towards the carriage, coldly saying to Yuan Chen with dissatisfaction, "Don't think I didn't hear you... I don't have any damn trauma!"

Quickly walking towards the front carriage, a complex and uneasy tremor flickered in Qiyana's eyes.

I don't have any Childhood Trauma, I'm perfectly fine, I am Qiyana, I am the best, I am right!

Elemental Wind dried the moisture in her eyes. Qiyana tiptoed and slipped into the Carriage, pulling the curtains shut as if she didn't want to speak to anyone.

Seeing this, Yuan Chen could only shrug helplessly at Mordas beside him.

He thought he would have to switch to another Carriage next. However, just as Yuan Chen was about to choose the next vehicle, Qiyana poked her head out again. Avoiding his gaze, Qiyana didn't look directly at Yuan Chen. After a moment of silence, she said somewhat unwillingly, "...Come in for a bit."

"What is it?"

"Tell me how you killed the Dragon."

"It was an Elemental Drake, not yet a pure-blooded Dragon."

"It's all the same, you come in first!"