Chapter 4: Sisters
Night fell. Under the stargate node of the Crown of the Heavenly Spine, thousands of people were neatly arrayed—court officials, imperial guards, attendants, and clerks—all assembled to welcome the triumphant return of a noble sovereign.
She was the supreme ruler of the Destiny Unified Empire, one of only three Dragon Princesses, Aseran Yangyan.
“Buzz—”
The aerial battleship arrived precisely on time. As the warship, resembling a mountain range, slowly descended, a thunderous roar seemed to pierce through eardrums.
The gale force generated by the landing warship caused Enesyin to instinctively lower her head. When the wind subsided, she heard the sound of iron-clad boots stomping on the marble floor.
“Clack, clack-clack-clack—”
Guards, holding banners and clad in armor, disembarked first, forming a path with chests puffed out and heads held high.
And the one they escorted was a Dragonborn maiden.
“Your Highness Aseran!”
Golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her exquisite and beautiful face bore a smile, and her deep purple eyes sparkled like gemstones. Yet, beneath her majestic and stern demeanor, they were sharp enough to deter anyone from meeting her gaze.
The Dragon Princess wore a light, elegant, and capable military skirt, over which was a moon-white coat with a lapel, adorned with golden embroidery on the collar and cuffs, exuding an air of nobility.
Her figure was perfectly accentuated by the military skirt, and a badge signifying her executive authority was pinned to her chest. Her lower body was encased in extremely thin, black stockings that tightly hugged her slender legs, her rounded, shapely thighs outlining an alluring forbidden zone.
Although this Dragonborn’s appearance was strikingly similar to Enesyin’s, no one would likely confuse the two.
Enesyin was like a somber, dim moon; beautiful, yes, but her faint radiance was easily overlooked.
Aseran, however, was as dazzling and radiant as the sun, commanding respect without uttering a word, and unreservedly asserting her presence.
The crowd knelt en masse, offering their lord overwhelming adoration:
“Your Highness!”
“Her Highness Aseran!”
“My Sovereign!”
“Long live! Long live! Long live!”
“……………..”
The fervent atmosphere infected everyone present. Even those who were not Aseran’s subjects, but mere observers, were swept up in it.
Despite being the youngest of the empire’s three Dragon Princesses, Aseran had been virtually invincible in the years since her ascension. She had, with her followers, single-handedly expanded the empire’s territory by half.
As of this moment, Aseran had just returned to the imperial capital after conquering yet another city-state – such victories were commonplace.
“Heh.”
Facing the crowd’s adoration and reverence, Aseran let out a soft laugh. She waved her hand to quell their excitement and proceeded down the grand avenue with leisurely steps.
Her gaze casually swept across the crowd, finally settling on Enesyin. The magnificent and imposing Dragon Princess extended a finger and beckoned to the latter.
Enesyin approached the Dragon Princess. Looking at the closest person to her, her lips trembled, and she softly called out:
“Sister…”
Aseran lightly traced Enesyin’s flawless skin with her fingertip and smiled.
“Why the long face on such a pretty face? It doesn’t look good at my victory ceremony.”
The Dragon Princess’s tone held a languid allure.
“Walk with me. Although your achievements don’t qualify you to walk behind me, who could help it when you’re my sister?”
“As you command…”
The Platinum-haired Dragon Maiden obediently followed. The sisters walked into the palace courtyard before Aseran turned her head and asked:
“Is something on your mind?”
Enesyin looked at the marble floor tiles. “Sister, I miss home…”
Aseran spread her hands. “Home? Isn’t home here with me? Where family is, that’s home.”
Enesyin was silent for a moment. “I mean… the Land of Silver Frost.”
“Oh, I see. We’ve been away for years, and you still yearn for that place? But there’s nothing there.”
The Platinum-haired Dragon Maiden’s eyes held a hint of sadness. “My childhood was there, my ideals… my nightmares.”
Aseran tapped her chin, contemplating for a moment before shaking her head.
“I refuse. Don’t forget, your life, your soul—they already belong to me. You don’t have the right to make demands of me.”
“It’s not a demand… it’s a plea…”
“My dear sister…”
Aseran curled her lips, gripping her sister’s cheek. Her deep purple eyes held a mocking glint.
“How many times have I told you? Pleading with others is the most pathetic display of weakness. If you want something, seize it with your own hands! Plunder it with violence! Anything else is unreliable. How could you descend to such a boring state?”
Facing the reprimand, Enesyin extended her hands. Her palms were cracked from excessive training, and the blood seeping from the wounds stained the bandages.
The Platinum-haired Dragon Maiden lowered her eyes and said faintly:
“I don’t have your talent, Sister. No matter how hard I try, it’s useless. Even now, I can’t awaken Dragonflame… I’m utterly useless.”
Unlike her, her twin sister had been surrounded by flowers and praise since childhood. She was the true protagonist.
Blessed by the Primal King; the pinnacle and pride of the Dragon Species… Faced with such an outstanding blood relative, she felt utterly without confidence.
Aseran placed her palm on Enesyin’s chest and said meaningfully:
“Dragon Species are greedy beings. Our power stems from greed and desire. But your heart is so hollow, you lack any aspiration. Naturally, you can’t ignite the flame. You even fear possessing anything – how laughable.”
As she caressed Enesyin’s face, she continued in a hushed tone:
“If you remain so cowardly and incompetent, you’ll only exist as a plaything… Though, I wouldn’t mind if you truly became that.”
Aseran smiled, placing her hands behind her back, and walked away without looking back:
“If you want to negotiate with me, first redeem your own life. I have no interest in listening to a pet’s wishes.”
Enesyin reflexively bowed. “Yes, Sister…”
After the Dragon Princess’s entourage had departed, the Platinum-haired Dragon Maiden raised her head. Ignoring the subtle glances from those around her, she went straight back to her room.
She removed the bandages from her hands. The cracked wounds had already healed completely. Such was the regenerative ability of the Dragon Species. Even she, a disqualified failure, could enjoy the benefits bestowed by her race.
Enesyin walked to her desk and found an unfamiliar letter lying there.
“What is this…”
The Platinum-haired Dragon Maiden frowned slightly. As she picked up the letter, the red wax seal instantly melted, and the contents of the letter appeared before Enesyin’s eyes.
It was an invitation.
【Do you find life devoid of joy? Do you believe fate to be unpredictable? Do you have desires or wishes you wish to fulfill? Or perhaps, do you long for a soul-stirring encounter?】
【Come, join my game! I promise you love and companionship, sharing in glory and pleasure!】
【Form a contract, share life and death, this vow shall never be broken】
【Yonglan, Sincerely】
“A strange invitation.”
Enesyin first dismissed the most likely person—her sister wouldn’t play such a silly prank on her.
The proper course of action for an invitation of unknown origin would be to throw it in the trash. Who knew if it was a prank?
But… Enesyin found herself unwilling to do so.
“Even someone like me, useless as I am, can receive such a sincere invitation?”
She rubbed the invitation card, and after a long pause, following an impulse she didn’t quite understand, she accepted it.
After she signed it, the invitation immediately burned to ash, and crimson embers converged in the air, forming one last message.
【We shall meet when you enter your dreams】
The Dragon Maiden’s deep purple eyes went hazy.
“When I enter my dreams…?”
……………….
Chang, an apartment in the interior district.
“I don’t understand any of it! Nothing at all!”
After a full day spent poring over his studies, Yonglan, despite believing himself to be completely focused, found the profound theories of Spiritual Matter Arts as impenetrable as advanced calculus. Just trying to comprehend them felt like his brain was being forcefully strengthened.
He had wasted an entire day, and upon reflection, he had only managed to grasp the barest superficial understanding of Spiritual Matter Arts.
“Whatever, I’m done. There’s plenty of time to learn later.”
After dinner and washing up, ensuring his mind was in the most suitable state, Yonglan comfortably lay down on his bed.
Sams, activate!
