The story begins three hundred years ago.

 

At that time, Flame Dragon City was just an unknown and humble village with only a few hundred residents. Nestled against the mountains and by the water, it was not wealthy, but the people lived without worries.

 

However, a calamity from the heavens changed everything.

 

For some unknown reason, two mythical beasts with incredible power engaged in a terrifying battle above the Fallen Dragon Valley.

 

One was a dragon, entirely blood-red, enveloped in fiery flames.

 

The other was a bizarre giant bird with dark feather patterns, wings spanning over a hundred meters.

 

These two mythical creatures, surpassing human intelligence, clashed in the sky. Their battles involved biting, clawing, and unleashed countless dazzling yet terrifying displays of power.

 

The aftermath of their battle turned the area directly below them, the grandest peak of the mountains, into a silent depression.

 

That is the current core area of the Fallen Dragon Valley.

 

The two beasts seemed evenly matched in strength, fighting for hours from dawn till dusk, only worsening each other’s injuries. Yet, they couldn’t truly determine a winner.

 

The essence of the dragon and the black bird spilled into the air during their fight, merging with the earth of the mountains. The rich blood and energy inevitably wafted through the air, being inhaled by plants, animals, and the humans trembling in their homes on the outskirts of the mountains.

 

Even after dilution countless times, the blood of these mythical beings was too much for ordinary bodies to bear. It brought about mutations and destruction.

 

【Dragon’s Blood Disease】 erupted for the first time three hundred years ago.

 

When a young girl from the village woke up from unconsciousness, the sky had already turned from night to dawn, and the earth-shattering battle had seemingly come to an end at some point.

 

The girl discovered horns growing on her head, smooth red scales appearing on the surface of her skin, and even two black wings extending from her body.

 

She had turned into a monster.

 

After a brief moment of shock and confusion, the girl realized that most of the villagers had already painfully perished. Those who were still alive were on the brink of death, and their bodies exhibited similar mutations to hers.

 

Wanting to seek help in the nearby city, the girl hesitated. Firstly, the distance was too far, and secondly, she suddenly remembered what her parents had said about the Human United Kingdom’s attitude towards those “non-human” beings.

 

If discovered, death would be the consequence, and the best-case scenario would be expulsion from their homes.

 

She recoiled.

 

Lost in confusion, the girl sensed a call from deep within, as if it came from her blood.

 

Following the call, she resisted the trembling of her heart and crossed the mountains to the center of the great battle.

 

The wings granted her the power to fly, and even the once forbidden lair of the monsters could no longer stop her.

 

The girl saw the dying dragon, but the black bird was nowhere to be found.

 

Maybe the girl’s transformation made it feel intrigued. The red dragon didn’t crush or devour this insignificant ant but, instead, acceded to her request, teaching the girl how to control her newfound powers and save the mutated villagers.

 

It gave the girl a black feather.

 

It was a special feather plucked from the black bird, and by using it, she could neutralize the irreversible mutations, restoring them to their human forms.

 

However, the changed bloodline couldn’t be reversed, it would be passed down through generations. And, when faced with certain powerful and unique external forces, it would inevitably manifest again.

 

“At that time, how will you or your descendants deal with it?”

 

After leaving these profound words, the dragon died.

 

After the red dragon’s death, the core of its power condensed into a bead radiating endless heat and flames. The girl gave it a name.

 

“【The Heart of the Red Dragon】”

 

Returning to the village with the black feather, she saved the survivors, falsely claiming that everything had ended, and such mutations would not occur again. She left the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】 in the valley, convened people to build a barrier to minimize its impact, and signed contracts with several powerful mutated creatures to protect the valley and prevent outsiders from being harmed by the residual power left by the fallen red dragon.

 

But this bead, formed from the power of the mighty dragon, constantly emitted the unique aura and energy of the dragon race. Even though most of it was blocked, it still subtly influenced the animals and plants in the mountains that had been soaked in the blood of the red dragon, gradually evolving them into what they are now.

 

“So, the girl in the story…”

 

Listening to the priestess’s story, Lady Anastasia seemed contemplative.

 

“Yes, it’s my ancestor, the first Count of the Syneil family, Ella Syneil. The blood of the red dragon and the black bird granted us powerful abilities. Though the reason is unknown, ancestor Ella undoubtedly was the only one who successfully underwent the evolution.”

 

Anastasia opened her shawl, removing a necklace from her neck. Below it, two delicate black wings extended, and she also had dragon horns somewhat similar to Xiao Guang’s but with a darker color.

 

Though her facial features didn’t change much, Violet noticed that the exposed back of her hands had acquired a layer of fine red scales, giving this mature beauty in her thirties a slightly otherworldly yet more unique allure.

 

“For centuries, the Syneil family has passed down this bloodline, guarding the secrets of the past. We won’t easily activate the power within this blood unless faced with a life-or-death situation.”

 

“Meanwhile, following the teachings of my ancestor, I assist the remaining guardian creatures to ensure the stability of the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】 in the valley.”

 

“Hmm, so about the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】 you mentioned?”

 

Violet looked around, seeing nothing but the heat waves, the desolate valley, and the dragon remains.

 

“The Heart of the Red Dragon… has been stolen.”

 

“Wow, that’s really something…”

 

The beautiful woman gritted her teeth, and in her gentle eyes, there was an undisguised expression of hatred and regret.

 

“Half a month ago, an unidentified group took advantage of my absence on official business, infiltrated the core of the Fallen Dragon Valley, injured the guardian creatures, and stole the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】 enshrined here.”

 

“And it’s precisely because they came into contact with the city carrying this bead with a strong dragon aura that the residents who inherited the bloodline in the beginning were affected, and the 【Dragon’s Blood Disease】 spread.”

 

“Oh… wait a moment, I remember that the dragon gave your ancestor a feather, right…?”

 

The priestess identified a blind spot.

 

“The black feather is just a special feather that fell from the black bird. It can’t maintain itself for hundreds of years like the Heart of the Red Dragon and has long been damaged. Therefore, I couldn’t suppress the dragon transformations that occurred again. If it weren’t for Miss Violet’s help…”

 

Anastasia didn’t continue, but Violet could imagine the subsequent developments.

 

The 【Dragon’s Blood Disease】 would intensify, even if Anastasia intended to conceal it. Sooner or later, it would attract the attention of the kingdom’s high authorities or individuals with ulterior motives. It might become an opportunity to unearth the bloodline secrets inherited from the ancestors of Flame Dragon City.

 

To discover the truth that they were “not human.”

 

No wonder Anastasia didn’t seek help from the kingdom at that time and instead agreed to Bishop Isaac’s request. After all, compared to the Human United Kingdom, which was hostile to non-human races, the Holy Empire seemed impartial in this regard.

 

Of course, no one would bestow favors without a price. If the Holy Empire did send experts to suppress the disaster, after it was over, Anastasia, and even the entire Flame Dragon City, would undoubtedly pay a huge price.

 

“Miss Violet, the reason I told you all this is partly to express gratitude for the great favor you’ve done before, and on the other hand, I also have something to ask of you.”

 

The lady lord reattached her necklace, returning to her original appearance, and sincerely lowered her head to the priestess.

 

“Well then, go ahead and tell me.”

 

“I’d like to ask for your help in finding the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】.”

 

“The thieves escaped a few days ago, even before I returned to the city. I bear heavy responsibilities and cannot leave Flame Dragon City for an extended period.”

 

“But, Miss Violet, you’re different. You’re a traveler, proficient not only in medicine but also unexpectedly powerful. After these days of interaction, I’ve also gained some insights into your character. If it were Miss Violet, I believe I can entrust that precious item to you with confidence.”

 

Violet raised an eyebrow, “Entrust? You don’t want the Heart of the Red Dragon anymore?”

 

“Yes, I can provide you with all the information I have. In terms of manpower and resources, if Miss Violet needs it, Flame Dragon City will do everything it can to support. I only have one request: don’t let this thing appear in the city again.”

 

Anastasia’s expression seemed calm, but the tightly clenched fist revealed the turmoil in the mature beauty’s heart.

 

“Is it okay? If you lose this thing, the land of Flame Dragon City will soon lose the ‘Blessing of the Red Dragon.’ For your city, it could be fatal.”

 

Dragon blood saturates the earth, and it’s only through this 【Heart of the Red Dragon】 that the fiery power is maintained in the soil. Although this reasoning might have been true in the early days, for the past few centuries, it undoubtedly depended on this 【Heart of the Red Dragon】 to sustain the power in the soil.

 

Otherwise, Violet couldn’t fathom the reason why the Syneil family would keep this ticking time bomb-like object around.

 

“…That’s enough. Let me, Anastasia Syneil, be the one to bear the guilt or bring about change for the things our ancestors couldn’t decide on.”

 

“Flame Dragon City is ready for this change.”