A Dragon's roar suddenly echoed over Free City.
People across the city looked up at the sound. The Silver Dragon and Golden Dragon outside the Gold Depository, the White Dragon at the port, the Red Dragon feasting at the ship hotel, and the Red Copper Dragon posing as a Bard in the tavern all turned toward the warning roar.
"That's Illymoyas!"
Beneath the Otherworld Tree, Annan jolted awake from his midday nap. The newspaper covering his face slid off.
"Lilith, what's happening out there?"
Lilith's projection appeared at once. "Three Blue Dragons from elsewhere went to see Illymoyas."
"Enemies?"
"Doesn't look like it."
"Got it." Annan stretched and picked up the newspaper.
Illymoyas's friends were his friends too. He ought to go say hello.
He turned right outside and reached the Crystal Lair in less than a hundred meters.
Three blue-haired young women who were unmistakably Blue Dragons stood at the entrance, looking helpless.
"Illymoyas, why didn't you tell me your sisters were here?" Annan said as he approached.
One of the blue-haired women brightened at the sight of Annan.
A strange mutter came from inside the lair. "Sisters? Take another look..."
Annan studied the three Blue Dragons again. Their skirts were neither as lavish nor as studded with gemstones as Illymoyas's. A whole story sprang to mind: poor country relatives had come to seek her help, only for the grand lady to turn them away for looking shabby.
Filled with sympathy and tenderness, Annan asked, "Don't tell me they're your nieces?"
"They're male Dragons!"
Rather than being startled, Annan was delighted. "Male Dragons... Are you contestants?"
"Yes, Sorcerer Lord. We passed your test," one of the Blue Dragons said in a sweet voice.
"Congratulations. But I've never seen you before. Aren't you from Illymoyas's group?"
"We're from the Chaotic