Higashino Makoto reached out and touched the Platinum Dragon Lord's forehead with his fingertips.
"The world, which should have been white, has changed its color because of the emergence of Tier Magic. Or perhaps it has turned from fresh water into salt water, or perhaps it has been covered by a new protective layer. But let's answer the first question first, that's what I'm most concerned about."
The Platinum Dragon Lord's voice was deep, carrying a suppressed pain that seemed to well up from the depths of his soul.
"My father, the Dragon Emperor, did something six hundred years ago that changed the world."
"What's up?"
He created an amazing Wild Magic.
Higashino Makoto's fingers tightened slightly.
Amazing Wild Magic...
"Yes. He spent a great deal of time and effort developing an amazing Wild Magic to summon things from another world; he wanted to summon treasures capable of changing the world."
The corners of the Platinum Dragon Lord's mouth turned up slightly, but it wasn't a smile; rather, it was a bitter, self-deprecating curve.
"But he failed. What he summoned was not just treasure, but also—"
Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.
"We players, such as the Eight Greed Kings."
"Yes, that's them!"
The Platinum Dragon Lord's tone carried a hint of hatred.
"Those arrogant fools. They not only wanted to establish themselves in this world, but they also wanted to change it. They used a World Item to forcibly alter the world's magic system. Wild Magic was suppressed, Tier Magic became the mainstream."
"But what they did was not just change the magical system; they corrupted God himself."
The vertical pupils of the Platinum Dragon Lord reflected Higashino Makoto's face.
"Right."
"Is it because the gods were corrupted that the dragon race can no longer learn Wild Magic?"
"Right."
"If the god is purified, will the Wild Magic be restored?"
The Platinum Dragon Lord fell silent.
It closed its eyes, and its breathing became slow and heavy.
"Have no idea."
"Have no idea?"
"Have no idea."
The Platinum Dragon Lord opened his eyes, his vertical pupils filled with exhaustion.
"For five hundred years, I have been pondering this question. But I have no answer, because no one can purify a god, no one can do it. Unless we find that artifact called 'The Five Elements Mutual Restraint' once again."
Higashino Makoto didn't press the matter further, because it was pointless.
He turned around and walked towards the door.
"Jibril."
"Exist."
"I'll make a note of this."
Jibril took out the notebook and opened it.
Higashino Makoto cleared his throat and began to dictate.
"Research Records of the God of the Overlord World, Number One."
Discovery 1: The god of this world is connected to the soul of the True Dragon Lords, granting him the ability to World Protection.
"Discovery Two: The gods of this world have been corrupted by the World Item of the Eight Greed Kings, their black and white forms mixed and inseparable. Of course, this corruption only applies to the dragon race."
"Discovery Three: The reason why dragons can no longer learn Wild Magic lies in the corruption of the gods, or rather, the protection of the world..."
Discovery 4: The Dragon Emperor, father of the Platinum Dragon Lord, used Wild Magic to manipulate the power of "God," but due to insufficient control, the result deviated, leading to the player's descent.
"Finding 5: God is unconscious and has no self, but can react according to certain rules."
He paused.
That's fine then.
Jibril closed her notebook.
"Master, what are you planning to do next?"
Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.
He walked out of the prison.
Jibril followed behind him.
"Master, do you really believe what the Platinum Dragon Lord said?"
"Trust some of what the enemy says, but don't believe everything they say."
"Then you--"
"But I need to verify."
Higashino Makoto stopped walking, but didn't turn around.
He paused.
"No matter the outcome, I won't lose out."
Jibril looked at him, a complex light flickering in her purple eyes.
This is risk control.
Higashino Makoto continued walking forward.
"Let's go, it's time to head back."
"Yes, sir."
Jibril lifted her skirt and followed.
Novas Etier, Seventh Floor, private bedroom.
Higashino Makoto lay on the bed, one hand behind his head, the other gently stroking the wings on Jibril's waist.
The tiny wings trembled slightly between his fingers, emitting a faint, firefly-like glow.
With each touch, Jibril's breath would pause for a moment.
It's not because of pain, but because of sensitivity.
"Owner."
Her voice was softer than usual, with a hint of something unusual about it.
You keep touching my wings on purpose.
"Um."
"Why?"
"Because you're shaking, it's funny."
Jibril's lips twitched slightly.
That's a normal physiological response.
"I know."
Higashino Makoto's fingers gently stroked from the base of the wing to its tip.
Jibril's body trembled violently, and her rainbow-colored hair slipped from her shoulders, obscuring her face.
"Master—if you—if you continue like this, I will—"
"What can you do?"
"Yes—you're welcome."
Higashino Makoto withdrew his hand and looked at her.
"Why aren't you being polite?"
Jibril raised her head, a certain light gleaming in her purple eyes.
In those eyes, there was cunning, danger, and an inexplicable expectation.
"Does the master want to know?"
"Think."
Jibril smiled.
That smile wasn't gentle, nor was it alluring; it was a purer kind of smile, like that of a hunter spotting its prey.
She sat up, straddling Higashino Makoto, her hands on his chest, looking down at him. Her rainbow-colored hair cascaded down, casting dappled light and shadow on the side of his face.
"Owner."
"Um."
"You haven't forgotten, have you? In your mind, I have an instinct: to collect rare items. Books, artworks, creatures... the rarer they are, the more I want to collect them."
Her fingers traced gentle circles on his chest.
"To me, you are the rarest kind."
Higashino Makoto looked at her, his golden eyes devoid of any emotion.
"So, you want to collect me?"
"Think."
Jibril's answer was concise and to the point.
"But I know I can't keep it all, so I've decided to settle for second best."
"What comes next?"
"To be by your side."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
That's good.
Jibril's lips curled up slightly.
She leaned down and gently kissed his lips, then rolled over and lay back down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.
Rainbow-colored long hair was scattered on the pillow, reflecting a dazzling light in the candlelight.
The tiny wings gently rubbed against his arm, emitting a subtle, warm pulse.
"Owner."
"Um."
"The Platinum Dragon Lord said that the Dragon Emperor summoned the players for the treasure?"
"Yes, if the Platinum Dragon Lord isn't lying."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"He wanted more power, more treasure, more everything. So he usurped the power of the gods, granting a portion of the essence of data to the world of YGGDRASIL. Then the players arrived, World Item arrived, and the dragons were destroyed."
Jibril remained silent for a moment.
"Master, do you think this is a coincidence?"