"Fine, fine, fine. Once you're dead, I'll empty this place out."
"Suit yourself. I'll be dead anyway."
Goliya, following behind him, spoke with complete indifference.
Izo was somewhat speechless. He glanced back at Goliya. This big mother dragon took life and death way too lightly...
The two dragons remained silent until they walked out of the dragon lair together.
Outside the lair, Vivian was cheering for Leodero's "struggle."
"Keep going! Keep going!!"
"It's poking out! Almost there, it's about to come out!!!"
"Shut up, Vivian! Can you get the hell away from me?!"
"Nope!! This place is so dangerous, I'm staying close to protect you."
Vivian hopped around provocatively in front of Leodero. It seemed she thoroughly enjoyed taunting him while he was at his most vulnerable.
"Just you wait, Vivian!!"
"Once I pass this, I'll... I'll definitely kill you!!"
"What are you two doing...?"
Izo's sudden voice gave Leodero such a jolt that the Silver Crystal, which had just poked out, retracted right back in.
"Fuck!!!"
Exhausted, Leodero collapsed limp onto the ground, a desperate wail escaping his mouth.
The next second, his eyes rolled back and he passed out cold.
Izo's eye twitched... He really couldn't imagine what kind of dragon could poop until he collapsed from exhaustion and fainted.
Vivian nudged Leodero with her snout. Seeing no response, she said:
"Oh~ Looking like this, he must be done pooping..."
If Leodero could still hear her, he would definitely transform into a shrieking teakettle.
This was way too much dragon bullying!!!
"Alright, Vivian."
"Bring your brother. We're ready to head back."
Head back? Why head back? Didn't Izo win? The food in the Everfrost Great Rift was far richer than that lousy icefield...
Vivian turned around toward the voice, her head filled with confusion.
With just one glance, Vivian caught sight of the eye-catching tail ring on Izo's tail.
Looking at Izo and Goliya walking up one after the other, she immediately constructed a story in her mind for why Izo wanted to return.
That big mother dragon must have lost and then bribed Izo with that tail ring. Though she couldn't tell what effect the thing had, it was obviously valuable at a glance.
So foolish, my dear big brother. Territory resources are far more important than these "petty profits."
Naturally, Vivian didn't speak her thoughts out loud.
"Izo! You guys came out!"
"Wow, what's that on your tail? It looks so nice!"
"A tail ring. Why?"
"Nothing, I'm just curious where you got such a pretty ornament."
"I want one too~"
Clearly, in Vivian's understanding, she didn't know this was a dragon secret treasure crafted by dragons.
Even if she knew such things existed, she would still most likely consider it just an expensive ornament. After all, in her memory, her mother had always been dirt-poor.
"There isn't one that fits you. Stop messing around."
"Take Leodero and go back first. Once I resolve the trouble over here, I'll bring you two over."
That was the advantage of communicating with smart individuals—without needing too many words, they could grasp most of it.
"Is it because of that dream?"
At this moment, Goliya stepped forward and answered Vivian's question.
"Yes, Izo told me about it."
"Anyway, my days are numbered. Before I die, none of you should come near the dragon lair again."
Hearing this, Vivian's pupils trembled slightly.
"Days are numbered... What does that mean...?"
"Mother, could it be that you're about to...?"
Her expression turned astonished. Looking at the black smoke constantly billowing from Goliya's wound, she seemed to understand something.
The sudden bad news left Vivian unable to process it immediately.
"Okay... I understand."
"I'll take Leodero back first."
Saying that, Vivian stepped onto Leodero's back, tightly gripping his wings with all four feet, and began flapping her wings.
As the flight spell activated, an awkward scene unfolded: she strained upward with all her might, while Leodero remained slumped on the ground like a dead pig, completely motionless.
Originally, Vivian could have carried Leodero, but adding the Silver Crystal inside his belly made his weight rather tricky.
"Ugh—!"
After a few futile attempts, Vivian gave up.
"Izo, let's just go back together, or we can move after Leodero wakes up."
Izo thought for a moment, then said:
"I'll carry him back. Follow close behind me."
With that, he grabbed Leodero in one swoop and shot into the sky.
Before long, he vanished above the rift.
Slightly dazed, Vivian hurriedly gave chase.
"Wait for me!"
Flying at full speed, Izo took about a day and a half to make the return journey. A round trip was three days, which wasn't really a waste of time.
Besides, he happened to have some matters to brief Eva on upon returning.
Amidst the howling wind, Izo landed heavily with Leodero.
"Izo, what on earth is going on?"
"Why are we back?"
Leodero had woken up midway through. He had struggled for Izo to put him down, constantly asking questions.
Izo paid him no mind, simply speeding up.
"Ask Vivian. She'll explain it to you clearly."
"I still have things to do."
Saying that, Izo left a bewildered Leodero behind and walked straight toward the snow mounds glowing with faint light.
It was already the middle of the night when they returned, so the Snowrot Birds were all peacefully asleep.
Izo approached the largest snow mound in the center and nudged open the entire mound with his head.
Eva was bumped up from her sleep by Izo, the familiar scent bringing her a sense of comfort.
She blearily opened her eyes.
"Dragon, you're back."
"Yeah, Eva."
"I'm back."
"Listen, Eva, what I'm about to say is very important."
"I'll be heading back to the Everfrost Great Rift soon. If I don't return within a week, take the flock and migrate south."
"If possible, take Vivian and Leodero with you."
"If they're unwilling, forget it."
"Do you understand, Eva?"
"I know. Go do your business, Dragon. I'm sleepy."
Having spoken, Eva burrowed back into the snow mound, offering no extra questions or worry.
Even if Eva knew the dragon might be in danger, she didn't say much. After all, the Snowrot Birds viewed death as a part of nature, something entirely ordinary and common.
Deaths occurred in the flock every day; for them, death was merely returning once more to nature's embrace.
The continuation and preservation of the flock were their top priorities.
Rate on N.U.
