Yoshude, in the battle of Ash Woods, slew the Evil Dragon Nikopolas. The world has heard the tale of how his sword pierced the dragon's eye, cutting off a horn and a claw, while the heart, the source of the Dark Giant Dragon's life force, had long been destroyed by Kalatu using a forbidden technique.
No wonder the Dragon Worshippers could resurrect Nikopolas.
No wonder there are rumors that the Dragon's Witch did not perish in Ash Woods but went to the northern continent.
The heart remains unbroken, the Demon Dragon cannot die. The person who entered these ruins thirty years ago, as the girl mentioned, must be the mastermind behind the Dolifen tragedy, and with the power of the Dragon's Heart, the Dragon Worshippers could certainly bring Nikopolas back to life.
The chosen one was Cis, chosen by the Dragon's Golden Eyes.
Yet, in that battle thirty years ago, Misu, who also possessed the Blood of the Demon Dragon, intervened and took away the power of the Dragon's Golden Eyes. However, looking back now, if the Dragon Worshippers had possessed the complete Dragon's Heart back then, it would have been a different story.
He finally understood why the Blood Shark Sky Pirates were searching for the Dragon's Initial Scale here.
The birthplace of the Dragon is also its resting place.
Figuring everything out, he looked at the girl in front of him—Eve, who stood quietly with her eyes closed, her expression serene—Fang Hong was startled and quickly called her name softly, "Eve, Miss Eve...?"
The girl slightly swayed, as if trying to lift her head.
But she hardly had the strength, and only slightly moved her lips, "Go find the Dragon's Heart, Mr. Ade..."
"I'm so tired..."
"Let me rest for a bit..."
Her voice gradually weakened, but the rise and fall of her chest eased Fang Hong's worries. Though he wondered why he felt reassured by the ghost of a girl, knowing she would inevitably leave this world.
To a place where she ought to go.
Where Yoshude might be waiting for her, perhaps?
He straightened up, stood silent for a moment in the dark, and made up his mind, whispering to her, "Miss Eve, wait for me here... I'll go find the Dragon's Heart and be back soon."
With those words, he paused before turning forward to depart.
Yet a faint voice came from behind him, "Mr. Ade..."
Fang Hong turned back.
The girl still kept her head down, barely audible, "The Dragon's Heart... isn't over there..."
Fang Hong paused, remembering they'd walked this path before, with a steep cliff where the seal lay beyond. But she shook her head slightly,
"...everything here... is hidden... the ring... will take you there..."
Fang Hong was taken aback before realizing.
Thirty years ago, the Dragon Worshippers had been here. They must have known where the Dragon's Initial Scale was, and the Sky Pirates weren't after the black crystals he saw, but the place Eve had hidden.
The girl remained to guard the seal, to mislead intruders, to keep the seal's truth hidden.
He looked at the ring in his hand and nodded to her gently.
Though Eve couldn't see, she seemed to sense his action, faintly curling her lips.
Since Eve had become incorporeal, Fang Hong couldn't take her with him. After some thought, he grasped the ring and headed into the cave's depths. He barely perceived the power emanating from the ring, as if the dark magic subtly pointed a direction.
But he hadn't gone far when the long-silent R suddenly said, "Ade, someone's coming."
Fang Hong lowered the ring and asked in surprise, "Someone's coming again, are they the ones those people sent?"
"I don't know," R replied solemnly, "Is this task important to you?"
Fang Hong hesitated, puzzled by R's question.
But Miya softly added, "Ade promised Eve, so it's naturally important to him."
R glanced at her, "Miya, not many women are as stubborn as you. Of course, she's just a native, merely a ghost—not a threat to you, understandable. But you should know, if Ade stays, he'll die."
Miya remained silent.
Fang Hong, lost in confusion, couldn't help but ask, "Wait, what are you talking about?"
"The person coming is a formidable opponent, Ade," Miya answered at last, "If R and I are here, we should have the upper hand. But on your own, you likely can't match them, even with our help, chances are less than ten percent."
Fang Hong was stunned that even R and Miya used 'should have the upper hand' hinted the approaching one wasn't ordinary. With the Sea Witch and his mentor's level, opponents from the First World wouldn't concern them.
Like suggesting, 'I should have the upper hand over my student,' wouldn't they?
Clearly not.
Yet he was puzzled how they sensed the outstanding power of the visitor?
But as he voiced the question, R snorted, "Your Magic Guided Reactor shines like a bulb, and you're unaware?"
"But wait," Fang Hong puzzled, "Isn't the visitor formidable, how would he let others notice his approach?"
"Because he doesn't bother to hide from you," R answered, "He's approaching openly, can you beat him then?"
Fang Hong fell silent.
...