Dragon's Current Situation

Some time later.

Annus sat on the divine throne in the Central Hall, reviewing the expansion reports sent from the Western Extreme Cloud Plains.

Diumil's handwriting was exceptionally neat. Every newly affiliated cloud island came with population figures, water source distributions, and the names of local elders.

Annus turned the pages one by one. When he reached the last page, he paused. At the bottom, Diumil had written a note in tiny characters.

"Ruins suspected to be ancient structures have been discovered in cloud territory farther west. Their age has not yet been confirmed. I have ordered the area sealed off."

Annus set the report on his lap.

Lilith entered quietly, placed a cup of freshly brewed coffee on the armrest to his right, then retreated to stand behind and beside the divine throne.

Having followed Annus for so many years, she could tell from the speed at which he reviewed reports whether he wished to be disturbed.

Just then, Annus stopped tapping the armrest.

His Observation Haki caught a familiar presence approaching God's Island along the Cloud Rail from Angel Island.

That presence was familiar enough that it needed no identification.

Dragon.

But compared to three years ago, that presence had changed. It no longer belonged to the young man who had called from the trenches, still breathing hard between words.

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Annus's lips.

Dragon returned to God's Island just in time for the monthly grand market at Brian Exchange.

A Dial Car departing from Angel Island slowly rolled into the God's Island station. Its body was painted cloud white, and the open windows along both sides revealed a few scattered Skypieans inside, clutching Blue Sea cloth and ironware they had traded for at the exchange.

When the doors opened, the first