For Violet, this matter meant little loss.

 

Anastasia’s goal, complicated to explain but simple in essence, was twofold. On one hand, she probably wanted to make a change, ending Flame Dragon City’s abnormal dependence on the “blood of the red dragon” for survival. On the other hand, she likely aimed to eliminate the unstable factors causing the recurrence of the Dragon Blood Disease.

 

“Alright, I can take on this task. Although I can’t guarantee that I’ll actively search for the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】, if I happen to come across similar information, I might as well deal with it.”

 

After all, who would complain about having too many good things? The fact that the Heart of the Red Dragon could be preserved for four hundred years without decay, and its influence even radiated into the region of Flame Dragon City, indicated that it should be a valuable item, probably not just at the level of a spiritual artifact.

 

According to Lady Anastasia’s description, in Flame Dragon City, with each generation, at least one-fifth of the population carries the bloodline of the villagers from the beginning.

 

In an era where mythical creatures have vanished, it’s almost impossible for ordinary people to encounter true pure-blooded dragons. Relics imbued with a strong dragon aura are also scarce.

 

As long as Violet can take the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】 away from this place, there’s essentially no need to worry about the recurrence of the previous “plague.”

 

The infection of the 【Dragon’s Blood Disease】 is essentially the resonance awakening between individuals of the same species and bloodline. Therefore, even if Bishop Isaac and others come into close contact, there shouldn’t be any issues.

 

The initial insistence on wearing protective gear was, to some extent, just Anastasia putting on a show.

 

Although she is the city lord, her control over Flame Dragon City is not comprehensive. It’s impossible for her to be aware of the bloodline situation of every person in the city. Therefore, she can only proceed with the utmost caution in isolation. At the same time, this is also a necessary means of hiding the secret.

 

She cannot allow people to discover the Dragon Blood Disease, as it would only spread within specific groups.

 

Do what you can and leave the rest to fate.

 

Just like the case of the dog of that wealthy merchant who exhibited dragonification symptoms in the city, Anastasia did not expect that the bloodline of an ordinary animal from three hundred years ago could have survived to the present.

 

After all, weak creatures, except for humans, had mostly perished in that catastrophe. The magical beasts and creatures infected with dragon blood could not have become obedient pets, and most of the species currently living in Flame Dragon City were newly introduced from the outside.

 

Only the plants that directly drew nutrients from the earth still remained under the influence of dragon blood, or rather, the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】.

 

“It’s okay, this is enough. I just want to give it a try and eliminate the unstable factors. This matter is quite dangerous, and I’m already grateful that you’re willing to consider it.”

 

Anastasia bowed deeply to Violet, took off a red ring still warm from her hand, and presented it to Miss Priestess.

 

“I have been quite offensive before. Consider this as a gesture of apology to you. The payment for the healing commission, 10,000 gold coins for the adventure task, and some support for Miss Violet are all in there.”

 

“Alright, I’ll accept it graciously then.”

 

Violet didn’t hesitate, took the ring, didn’t bother looking inside, and, in front of Anastasia’s somewhat surprised gaze, stored it in her inventory in the void.

 

Being able to put these things together in advance indicated that she had a similar plan long ago. The previous actions were probably to help the Lord make the final decision.

 

Without a doubt, the commission to investigate the Fallen Dragon Valley was intentionally issued by Anastasia.

 

While recruiting people to quell the chaos caused by the disappearance of the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】, she must have also wanted to find someone powerful enough to uncover the secrets of this place and entrust the Dragon’s Legacy to a reliable person.

 

Seeing Violet accept the ring with a dragon-shaped engraving, which should be quite precious to her, at least a purple-tier magical equipment, the beautiful woman seemed to suddenly lift a thousand-pound burden and smiled easily.

 

“Thank you. So, next, I will tell you all the clues we have gathered about those people.”

 

According to the deputy officer left by Anastasia in Flame Dragon City, the group consisted of about a dozen people. Except for the leader, all of them concealed their appearance with black robes.

 

Half a month ago, they came with a decree from the upper echelons of the Human United Kingdom, ostensibly to investigate the possible existence of an intelligent magical creature organization in the Fallen Dragon Valley.

 

Although the deputy officer couldn’t understand what these guys were up to, the decree was indeed genuine from the royal family, so he didn’t interfere much with these somewhat strange people.

 

After casually finding a place to stay in the city, they immediately left for the Fallen Dragon Valley. A day later, when they returned with a lot of bloody aura, only five of them remained.

 

Afterward, they hurriedly left Flame Dragon City.

 

According to the testimony of a soldier who witnessed it, the only man without a helmet was holding a black metal box in his arms, emitting a peculiar heat that made people uneasy.

 

This soldier was one of the first victims of 【Dragon’s Blood Disease】 and had died before Violet arrived.

 

Without a doubt, the box contained the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】.

 

The records of their actions in Flame Dragon City are limited to this. Besides, Anastasia provided some information about their unusual or special characteristics.

 

According to some residents of Flame Dragon City who had contact with them, these people occasionally emitted a faint, unpleasant smell, somewhat like the odor of spoiled meat at home. Moreover, after returning from the Fallen Dragon Valley, one guy had lost half of his arm but was still lively and energetic as if nothing had happened.

 

At that time, the innkeeper was extremely frightened.

 

The leader had no such smell, but there was a serpent-shaped green tattoo on the back of his hand.

 

“The Eternal Throne?”

 

Almost instinctively, Violet uttered these words.

 

“What is that? It sounds like some kind of organization. Miss Violet, do you know them?”

 

Anastasia looked puzzled for a moment, her face showing a hint of suspicion.

 

It was normal for her not to know, after all, this was a secret underground organization of the Austre Empire. Even Princess Lilya, as a member of the Human United Kingdom’s royal family, hadn’t heard of it before. Anastasia, despite her background, was ultimately just a count and a city lord.

 

“I don’t recognize them. Your descriptions, though, remind me of a group I’ve encountered before, but they were more like associates rather than direct allies.”

 

As if suddenly realizing something, Violet quickly added, “They were enemies.”

 

Upon hearing the priestess’s words, the suspicion on the beautiful woman’s face gradually faded, and she smiled somewhat apologetically.

 

“Of course, Miss Violet is a principled healer. Why would you associate with those kinds of rogues? I apologize.”

 

Violet waved it off nonchalantly, but her thoughts were focused on the information provided by Anastasia.

 

If it was the group of undead known as the 【Eternal Throne】, it made sense for them to obtain a decree from the kingdom’s higher-ups. After all, they wouldn’t be working for the prince without good reason.

 

The question was whether the 【Heart of the Red Dragon】 was being collected by some prince or if someone within the 【Eternal Throne】 had given the order.

 

The leader was not undead…

 

And the green serpent-shaped tattoo… Had she heard something similar before? Where was it from?

 

Due to the vague memory, Violet couldn’t recall it at the moment.

 

“Oh, by the way, Miss Violet.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Anastasia hesitated for a moment, testing the waters as she asked, “This might be a bit intrusive, but do you happen to carry any treasures related to true dragons?”

 

“Huh? Not that I know of?”

 

Even if she did, they were all in another-dimensional inventory, and Violet exchanged a glance with her pet dragon, who was watching the scene with interest.

 

The little dragon girl did have one.

 

“Strange, it’s not you…”

 

“Why do you suddenly ask?” the priestess inquired curiously.

 

“Well, Miss Violet, do you remember the route Daniel took when he brought two people to the Lord’s Mansion? He once sold a red dragon pendant to Amanda, the old lady living in the central district. In my investigation, she shouldn’t have had close contact with Dragon’s Blood Disease patients. However, she was still admitted to the clinic, and the timing of her illness coincides very well with the time she met those two.” Anastasia, the city lord, carefully explained the wording.

 

“This seems too coincidental, so I speculated whether Miss Violet might be carrying some treasure with a strong true dragon aura, triggering the dragon bloodline within Amanda.”

 

“Pfft cough cough!”

 

Other dragon species could trigger it too!?

 

Violet was nearly choked by her own saliva, giving an intense glare at the innocent-looking golden-haired dragon girl beside her. The latter realized her mistake and immediately adopted an innocent expression, shifting her gaze away.

 

She even nervously started to whistle.

 

No wonder Violet didn’t sense any signs of illness from the old lady initially. It turned out she was perfectly fine. It was because of the conflict between Xiao Guang and the pendant, liberating part of the dragon body, that the true dragon aura leaked out, causing 【Dragon’s Blood Disease】.

 

After searching for a while, the culprit turned out to be herself!

 

Oops!