Chapter 8: Power. House.

Hello?

Are you in...?

Who's there?!

Huh? You're...

Hehe... I heard things have been a bit tough for you lately. Is there something I can do to help...?

...You're nothing but a peddler. Don't be a bother and scurry off.

Ah, but not all peddlers are the same. I have quite an interesting proposal-

Quiet! Do you think I don't know that you're a spy for the sprites?!

You're just trying to get close to me so you can dig up dirt, aren't you?

That's correct!

What?

I'm only doing this for the money... But if you were to up the price...?

Then I'd be a spy-spy...!

A double... agent...?

Of course, if they find out about this and present me a counteroffer, I'd be a spy-spy-spy...!

What matters is who's giving me the bigger payout, heh.

So you care nothing for honor? Just a slave to money down to your bones, huh?

Truth be told there are a few brats I need to take care of somehow...

Whenever I set things in motion, they always appear just in time and make it all for nothing...

How about trapping them somewhere they can never escape?

Somewhere they can never escape?

One such place does come to mind...

And what type of place is that?

59,900...

Huh?

One official double-agent contract fee, plus the extra "Evil Plan" package... All yours for only 59,900 gold!

That's too expensive!!

We have come to formally apologize for the previous incident.

As a Noble Elemental, I'm ashamed that I fell for a phantom's tricks.

Well, everything turned out fine, so let's forget it and get along with each other.

*Frantically shakes her head from side to side.*

SHH! Don't say that name! The resentment hasn't faded yet!

No, it's okay. I've come to my senses now. Thank you for saving me from Shaydi.

There is no need to worry. The plan to completely upend Phantom Marsh is still in its early stages.

Sylla said that it's a grand 500-year plan, so it should be.

Ifrit went to apologize to the elves for the trouble we caused them.

What? She's a total hothead! You actually let her go by herself?!

I told her to just apologize and come right back, so there shouldn't be any issues. Ifrit listens to me.

Hmph...

Anyway... I haven't come all this way just to apologize, Sprite Queen.

What? What are you trying to make me do now?

I'll be frank, strange things have been occuring under Elemental Mountain recently. I am here to request an investigation. Gabia? Tell the sprites what you know.

.........

.........! .........

.....................!!!!

Got it?

...What are you talking about?! Can you actually understand what she says?

Are you all deaf to Gabia's beautiful voice?

She's just mumbling! How are we supposed to hear anything?!

It would be best if we used a megaphone, or if Sylla could interpret for us...

*Sigh*... alright, fine.

You've been beneath Elemental Mountain before, correct? I've heard that you've encountered the underground creatures?

Recently, the underground creatures have broken free of Gabia's control and are weakening the foundation.

Normally, a glance from Gabia is enough to keep them in line, yet now they're causing chaos and attacking.

Weakening the foundation? What does that mean?

If Elemental Mountain's foundation weakens, the entire mountain could collapse.

If something like that happens to a mountain that size, landslides could sweep through and hit both us and the elves nearby.

It could even reach the depths where Ifrit's roost lies, triggering a massive explosion.

Wait, you're telling me that those underground creatures can do all that?

What were you doing instead of getting rid of them?!

.........!

.........

Translation, please...

The underground creatures do not usually disrupt the terrain to such a degree.

That is simply how nature works—everything functions as a complementary whole.

Translation, please...

The underground creatures have been behaving abnormally of late. They are recklessly digging through the earth, carving out vast chambers beneath Elemental Mountain.

We elementals have tried to contain it ourselves, but there is a limit to how many of them we can capture and restrain.

During the sweep, we came across something.

There seems to be something there that is causing the underground creatures to lose control.

I heard something faint far below the area under Gabia's control. It almost sounded like music... I think it might be connected.

Music...? What kind of music?

I'm not sure either. Sylla and Gabia are the only elementals among us who can hear something like that properly.

Wind elementals detect vibrations in the air, while earth elementals detect those in the ground...

We've already confirmed that blocking the music brings the creatures back to normal.

We request that you eliminate the music source. We can buy you time by taking care of the underground creatures.

Why should we help you with such an annoying—

Remember what I said before? This will affect all of Elias, Your Majesty.

But still... the werebeasts... or the elves... or even the phan... toms...?

.........

Oh, sorry... I guess you had no one else to ask?

What are you talking about?

.........!

I just had a brilliant idea!

Even if they can't join us, we can ask the other races to help out the elementals!

That is an excellent idea, Your Majesty. It has been a while since you have offered a thought befitting the ruler of Elias.

Let it go, Master. Her Majesty also needs to feel like she's doing something, after all.

Okay, then. I am sorry to ask this of you, but please handle the investigation. Gabia will guide you, so it shouldn't be too difficult.

*Nods*

All preparations are complete, so let us get going.

You're coming with us this time, Ner?

Yes. Sending you off on these travels alone has been quite nerve-wracking, Your Majesty. This time, I shall accompany you.

That's strange...

What do you mean?

I could have sworn you said you were staying at the Order to watch over the sprites earlier!

.........

Are you confusing this with the previous elemental disturbance? It was a problem with your memory, not your intelligence, Your Majesty?

Ashur is the one staying behind.

Hmph! I may not be the brightest, but do you think I'd confuse that?!

Ashur, Marie, and Mayo were supposed to contact the other villages to ask for support! I remember everything!

I do not see what the problem is, then. I am right here, accompanying you, am I not, Your Majesty?

Something's weird... Hmph...

Since Gabia said she would guide us through a shortcut, it should not take very long.

*Nods*

*Gestures to follow her*

Urgh... This place always gives me the creeps.

It's dark and damp... Next time we need to deal with caves, I'm sending Ashur instead.

I actually agree with Her Majesty on this to some extent.

It does seem rather unbecoming for a queen to personally see to such matters.

You see?! What'd I say?! Ner and I are on the same page!

Of course, that only applies to queens whose reputation commands trust on its own.

.........

Gargh...

*Signals to stop*

*Signals to look down below*

......... ... ........!

.........

Translation, please...

*Takes her staff and starts writing frustratedly in the ground*

She wrote: "This wasn't here before. The underground creatures dug it!"

*Gestures down into the pit*

*Nods*

No way! Are you seriously telling me to go down into that creepy pit?! Not happening!

Who knows what'll jump out... I mean, do you seriously want to see a queen get buried alive?!

Er...

*Motions towards a side path around the perimeter of the pit*

It seems like that is the way down. Let us hurry off.

Urgh... But it's scary... urgh...

A new type of f-food?

Urgh... Hey! Wait for me!

You seem to be growing more accustomed to handling Her Majesty, Master. Please keep it up!

Wow... It's beautiful...!

I had no idea there was a place like this underground. I am seeing this for the first time, too.

*Shrugs*

It seems Gabia does not know either.

Master! Master!

Look! These gems taste sweet!

The red ones taste like strawberries, and the purple ones like grapes!

It's candy, okay? Candy!

Haaahahaha! Hahahahahahaha!!!

Master licked a ro-ock! Master licked a ro-ock! What a dumdum!

How the heck would a candy cave exist?! *Sigh* You lack such common sense that it's—

Uuuh... Just try giving it a lick, Master.

Mmm... These candy crystals are sooo good! Crunch, crunch! I'm enjoying them so much! Doesn't it make you want to try them? Crunch, crunch!

Mmmff... wha' aren' you eadin' any? Ish sho shweeet...!

This does not taste like anything...

.........

Just... stones...

BWAHAHA! Fooled you all!

Yeeeooow!!!! That hurt, Ner!

You must learn to keep your pranks to a minimum, Your Majesty.

You're all such meanies! All I did was play a little trick... Hmph!

Master?

What happened today stays between us. Word must not spread that I was deceived by Her Majesty into licking a stone.

Eek!

Did you just hear that...?

B-Bugs? I hate bugs!

That's...

Greetings, consumers.

I am Sist, your tour guide.

Sist? What brings you here?

She's an informant I recruited some time ago to monitor the movements of the witches.

Yep! I am a sprite who wanders the underground.

What's with those horns on your head and those wing-looking things on your back...? I've seen werebeasts with horns, but never a sprite with them!

Just a bit of camouflage. There are some dangerous folks down here.

Dragons! They are ancient beings that came into existence with Elias itself! They're fierce creatures that are extremely wary of outsiders and will attack on sight.

Yes, of course! That's why I'm wearing these fake horns and wings... to blend in with them!

*Cocks head to one side*

Dragons? I've never heard about them...

Let us give her the benefit of the doubt for now. Sist is a pretty reliable informant as long as she is paid on time.

Now then, please follow me, everyone.

Umm... okay.

What do you mean?

O-Oh...! Look at me, I've been so busy lately, I must've blanked! I'm just used to doing things on my own... Ehehe... hehe!

Wh-What brings you here?

So, there's some type of music playing that needs to be stopped, apparently.

Music...? What an incredible coincidence!

I believe I know what you might be talking about! Follow me!

Er...

Well, I first need you to settle the basic guide fee.

For the low, low price of 99,900 Gold, I'll arrange a "Safe Travel" package deal—a standard basic plan plus a stealth plan thrown in!

That's way too expensive! I could eat 8,000 slices of cake at Ashur's Bakery guilt-free with that kind of money!

It's 19,000 Gold...

I can cover that much.

What?! That's not fair! You always tell me you have no money, Ner!

...Must I really explain why, Your Majesty?

.........

No, it's fine.

The first stop on Sist's Tour Package is the Jade Garden.

Please feast your eyes on the beautiful jade stones to your left and right. Aren't they magnificent?

Wow! Amazing! Look at these jade statues!

Master! Look! When you touch them, they seem alive!

Heee... "Erpin wuz here"...

It's fine. They're not worth much, so it's fine if they get a bit banged up.

R-Really?!

Nope.

HEY!!!!!!! Who do you think you are?! Get out of my front yard right now!

These belong to her.

Aw, just a little more and I could even scribble my signature..

Who do you think you are? What's going on, Sist? What are you doing here?!

Everyone, please let me introduce Jade.

You can take your hello and get the heck out of here right now!!

Now, now, Jade. Calm down.

How can I calm down?! And you! Why are you drawing a beard on my statue?!

I'm just adding a bit of artistic flair, okay?!

OWW!! That's where Ner hit me earlier! What the heck?!

You dare mess with a dragon's personal treasures?! Unforgivable!

Jade is... special, shall we say?

You'll find dragons like her from time to time!

It's like Sist said! She's super wary and fierce!

Jade, a word, please...

For what?!

*Whisper*... Remember that jade electric blanket you wanted...? *Whisper*...

*Whisper*... I'll let you have that if you let these guys take a peek into your vault... *Whisper*...

Wh-What...?

Um, fine... just this once, okay?

Relax, relax, everyone! A little conflict's nothing to a sales expert like me. I've been at this since the day I was born!

Yes, yes! All good! In fact, Jade has offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a look inside her secret vault!

It's a treasure vault you'll never be able to experience ever again! Shall we go and have a look?

I SAID it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! A limited-edition chance!

Master! She says it's our only chance!

Okay, it's 9,900 Gold for the entrance fee.

You're charging us... again?

We already paid you for being our guide!

Tsk, tsk... This is a sudden one-time-only deal, you know!

Price-wise, it's totally reasonable, so just bite the bullet and take it!

Ugh... N-Ner?

.........

This really does seem like a scam...

But I wanna see it...

Oh, y-yeah... I totally got sidetracked and forgot...

D-Dammit...!

E-Excuse me. Guys! Did it even cross your minds that there could be some music-playing device in Jade's vault?!

You're here, you're looking around... might as well go check it out before we continue on, don't you think?

I mean, isn't there that cliche, too? Where the solution just happens to show up on your path?

It does seem plausible, doesn't it...?

An excellent decision! Now, please drop the money into the basket first... Hehe...

Master?

You do realize this is all coming out of your future paychecks, right?

Spend wisely. Unless, of course, you wish to end up like Her Majesty—reduced to a beggar in front of Ashur's Bakery.

I'm not a b-beggar!!! You know I can hear you, right?! Watch what you say!

Okay then, please explain the difference between a beggar and Your Majesty.

But beggars also have a place to sleep and their own shelters.

My bed is made of cardboard.

The mattress I used to use got damaged, and since I couldn't afford to buy a new one, I just stuffed in some crumpled cardboard instead.

You can call any old place your home, but the citizens' hard-earned taxes cannot be collected for any old reason!

Even beggars have their own territory, and some lead groups of their own.

All that aside, do you really think our citizens follow Her Majesty, Master?

I mean, the kingdom's advisor is the owner of a bakery... Do you consider that normal?

Ashur is pretty smart! What's the problem with that?!

What the heck?! You can't take both sides! Choose one!

*Shakes head*

Yes, of course! This way, please.

This is my vault.

This holds every book that exists in Elias.

Books? I thought it held treasures!

There is no greater treasure than knowledge!

Now that I look at it, she's just like Ashur...! Boring... What a waste of money...

Put down that marker before you say anything! I won't let it slide if you doodle in my books!

This... is a banned book from the spring cleaning of the Order's warehouse. Where in the world did you get this...?

I bought it from Sist.

Ahem! I have it all! From Earth encyclopedias the elves threw out to gaming magazines that folded even after relying on bonus content! Even the first editions!

"Grandma's Original Baking Recipes"? A book on baked goods?

Look at all the pictures of baked goods I've never seen before...! They all look so yummy...!

Mwahaha...

You fell right into my trap.

Th-The door! It suddenly...!

If I lock you all in here, the reward is mine! Mwahaha!!!

What?! What are you doing?! Open this right now, Sist!

Why? For money, of course.

Excuse me? If it is money you're after, I already paid you!

In my line of work, if someone offers more, you switch sides—simple as that!

Okay, then... let's start negotiations, shall we? How much will you pay me to open this door?

Revealing who hired me will cost extra... Can you afford that?

What are you doing right now? Move. All of you. I don't know what kind of stunt you're trying to pull, but this is my vault, you know.

Huh?!

From the inside, if I turn the lock mechanism like this...

Damn... N-Nooo!!!!

Wh-What have you done?!

I deliberately entered the wrong password three times, Jade. Now the lock mechanism is completely broken and can never be opened. Mwahahaha...

What did you do?! Fix it right now!

I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay locked up, too. It's not personal, so no hard feelings, okay?

Dammit, Sist!!!

I've completely succeeded now. All I have to do now is go back and collect my reward.

I'll come by once a week to give you a chance to make a deal. You'll stay locked up until I hear an amount that pleases me. Mwahaha!

Better start thinking hard about how much you're willing to spend!

I thought she was suspicious, too!

You were fooled by her, too, weren't you? And now you're backpedaling!

How troublesome. Are we really trapped here with no way out?

Since this vault belongs to you, Jade... Can you think of a way out?

Now that the lock mechanism is broken, I'll have to call for a locksmith... But there's nothing I can do from here...

You guys have a queen or something with you... Doesn't that mean you have money?

Just tell Sist you'll pay her when she comes back next week.

Elemental Mountain is going to come crashing down?

Not to mention, things are not the greatest for us either.

Our kingdom has only just begun to recover from upheaval... yet there is a food expenditure black hole that interferes with that process.

...I don't eat that much! Stop picking on me already!

Well... there is... but it doesn't really sit right with me.

It doesn't?

This is your first time in Dragon Village, right?

Me? What about Sist?

She's not a sprite, okay?

What's wrong with your eyes? Can't you see that she has horns and wings like me? Sist is the Amethyst Dragon.

Was I lied to from the beginning...? Why are there so many liars around?!

Us dragons? We are like gem elementals.

We are born from gems, and our instinctual attachment to the gem we were born from is very strong.

I suppose you could say that.

Hey, Jade.

What?

Could you yell, "The one jade ring to rule them all!" once?

...Why would I yell something like that?

J-Just because... It just felt right somehow.

...Is she always like this?

Phantoms? Elementals? Umm... perhaps.

However, it's not like we're formless like they are. We're the same as you. We have physical bodies.

I suppose it must be because we're born of gems...

I've read about all of you in books, so even if we've only just met, you don't really feel unfamiliar.

Also, there are other dragons who go to the surface from time to time, so I do stay updated. Dragons like Sist, of course.

I mean... it's not exactly shocking that there are beings other than us dragons.

It's only natural. This world is vast. Surely you haven't been so narrow-minded as to think you were the only ones here, have you?

Grr...!

Dragon... form?

My true dragon form? What do you mean by that...?

Master is rambling on about stories only they're aware of, just like Ashur.

I have no idea what you're talking about. I've never performed a transformation or anything...

What you see right now is my true form...

Anyway, the only path out of this vault requires us to trouble another dragon, and that does not sit right with me.

The deepest part of the vault was made by carving into the wall of the cave... Digging through that would place us in some other dragon's home.

We dragons are very territorial... We don't go easy on intruders, even if they are our own kind.

Then what now?! If we don't stop that music soon, Elemental Mountain's gonna—

Music...?

Music, eh...?

Please tell us quickly if there is something you know. This is an important matter for us.

Hmm... fine. Let's dig through the wall. I don't want us to sit around as Elemental Mountain comes crashing down on our heads.

I thought you said we couldn't earlier!

Someone does come to mind... A neighbor who's always playing loud music.

I told you. We dragons are quite obsessed with gems.

No one is more versed at digging and mining than us.

.........

.........

How long is it going to take to dig like this?!

W-What is?!

You're going to dig through this entire wall with just that? Let me just use magic to...

<Steps forward as if volunteering to take over.>

Can't you just stay still? If we make too much noise digging through, it could escalate into a fight.

Just watch carefully! Not all dirt is the same... there are weaknesses.

If I can just find that spot...

Got it! We can reach the next room if we continue to look for these openings and dig through them.

You want me to... crawl through this tiny hole...?

Since we're already digging, can't you just make it big enough to walk through?

Have you not been listening to me this whole time?! I said we can't make too much noise!

You crawled through a hole like this when we reclaimed our kingdom before. It's no big deal.

I was desperate back then, I had just lost my kingdom... But now I'm a proper queen... this humiliation...

*Sigh...*

Urgh...!

Be careful not to bump your head while crawling.

I'm going to do my best from now on...

At being a queen, I mean. I'll do my best to earn respect, and then...

I'll delegate all these noob tasks to my subordinates... *sob*...!

Shh! Quiet, quiet! Do you hear that?

Huh? I really do hear something!

Some kind of music that gets your heart racing.

Is this the music the elementals were talking about?

But I thought that Sylla and Gabia were the only ones who could hear the music.

*Nods*

Now, if we hammer away here...

We did it! We've made it to Rudd's roost.

Intruders, huh?

W-We're not intruders, Rudd...!

Jade...? An ambush? How unexpected of you.

This isn't an ambush! I never even thought of trying something like that!

Anyone with eyes can see that you tunneled through the wall to land a sneak attack. I accept the challenge.

Come.

Wh-What? Hey, dimwit! Did you drag us here to use us for a fight?

Geez! I told you it's not like that!

If you won't start, I will.

*Steps forward and gets in her way.*

Can't handle me alone, so you've called for help, huh? A wise decision.

Great. Come at me together. This will be a good challenge!

Hmph. Can't even take that? Weak.

Hnnngh!! I can't... I can't take it anymore! This is it for me!

One last one! Then we take a one-minute break!

That's what you said earlier! And the time before that!

That's what stamina training is all about.

You must always lie to yourself and take one step at a time, climbing toward that dream of perfection.

I surrender! I can't do this anymore! I just wanna keep to myself and read!

You're giving up? How disappointing.

Hey, you! Why are you spacing out while holding those dumbbells? Are you giving up, too?!

Gabia and I give up, too. Not that we did anything... We were just watching because we had no idea what was going on.

*Sigh*... I guess I win again...

299... 300...! Done!

I've finished 300 bench presses! Ehehe!

What...? How can this be?! She's good for a non-dragon!

So the idea that intelligence and strength are inversely proportional might actually be true?!

Truly impressive! I give you my respect, sprite!

You acknowledge me? R-Really?!

Well fought, Jade. If we add up all the reps your group accomplished together, then I've lost.

But we didn't f-f-fight!

I have lost, so your rank now stands above mine. From this moment on, YOU are to stand at Daya's side.

She is the strongest of all the dragons, outsider.

I don't care to do that at all! I just want to stay home and collect books!

If that's the case, why did you even challenge me?

I just ended up in your warehouse while trying to get out of my vault.

I don't understand.

What is there to understand?!

Silphir? Sorry, but you're one step too late.

How could you do this to me, Jade?!

Wh-Wh-What?!

You said you did not care about rankings! You said you wanted to live quietly... and now you shamelessly show up and aim for Rudd's seat?

It's a misunderstanding!

I've told you so many times that Rudd's position is mine! I can't believe you would stab me in the back like this!

Judging by all their talk about rankings, I suppose the dragons must have some sort of hierarchy system.

Something strange...?

Of course it's strange!

Do you know how long I've been aiming to unseat Rudd from her position?!

And all of a sudden, good-for-nothing Jade snatches that from me!

A good-for-nothing?! How rude!

I'm supposed to be second-in-command of the dragons! How dare you steal that from me?! This is unforgivable!

Take it.

...What?

Just be the second-in-command! I don't want that awful responsibility.

What...? I don't understand...

You give up your position that easily? What are you playing at here?!

Is this a trick?! Are you trying to have me drop my guard so you can crush me?

How will you serve Daya with such an irresponsible attitude, Jade?

Yes, I'm really irresponsible! I've been living under the radar to avoid getting dragged into ranking fights like this!

Rudd, it's time for a temporary alliance!

I'm in, Silphir.

Not right now, of course!

They've clearly set a trap and want us to fall for it!

There's no trap!!! Just take the position as I said!!! Be the second-in-command!!!

We should retreat for now and devise a strategy.

Right! Retreat! Just you wait, Jade!

Those hierarchy-obsessed fools who stake everything on duels are impossible to reason with!

What a headache.

*Sigh*

We dragons are prone to obsession.

.........

Well... dragons tend to fixate on specific things.

I mean, you've seen those books in my vault, right? It's not just a simple hobby...

Once I fell for them, I became fixated on collecting every book in the world.

Mayo? Ah, you mean that sprite fence? She's a decent business partner.

Occasionally, I borrow rare books from her, copy them, and return the replicas.

I should keep the originals, of course. Books are my specialty, after all.

Not yet.

I've never gone out myself. Sist smuggles surface goods in for me.

Mayo likely believed Sist was a sprite and did not question it...

Well... let me explain it this way.

If someone desires something, the easiest way to obtain it is to take it from someone else.

Most dragons are interested in gems... and such resources are finite.

So they fight, and the loser surrenders what they possess to the victor.

So, if you are strong enough... you can just take baked goods from the bakery stalls whenever you want?

Well, yes... you could put it that way.

Master! I think we need a new law in Sprite Kingdom...!

YEOW!! I wasn't actually going to do it! It was just a joke! A joke!

Argh... I'm so mad!

It is hardly a great look. A winner-takes-all world is quite bleak.

Daya is the one who emerged as the strongest of the dragons amid that struggle... She then created the Hierarchy Rules.

Yes. Under them, the losers do not have to offer up their goods to the victors... but they must obey the commands of those above them.

Rather than owning goods, think of it as ruling over the dragons ranked beneath them.

Since Daya took the top rank, these fights have greatly diminished.

Even Daya could not stop those in the lower ranks from wanting to challenge those above them.

Silphir is a bootlicker who wants to serve at Daya's side, so Rudd stands in her way.

So it seems...

Excuse me... Dragon battles aside, would it not be better to find the source of the music quickly?

These battles have nothing to do with us, do they?

*Nods*

NO! You guys take responsibility!

Because of you, I have become second in the hierarchy, and it is extremely awkward!

What's so awkward about it? If you've risen to that position, you could just live the high life, can't you?!

I'm a dragon who normally doesn't even make the top ten in the hierarchy!

I'm basically a sitting duck! Every loser will be throwing their hat in the ring to challenge me now!

Then just lose and give up your position!

Do you not understand how the ranking system works...? When you're climbing the ranks, you can leapfrog your way to the top...

But to get back down to the very bottom where I was, I have to go down one step at a time!

What is she talking about? I don't get it.

Exactly! I have to fight my way down through this hellish ranking system, getting beaten up every single day!

That's just your opinion!

I was perfectly content living peacefully and reading my books... Now, I've been dragged into this mess...

Take responsibility! This was never meant to be my destiny!

Yeah. You've promised, okay?!

How interesting.

Does it not strike you that life at the top, where the strongest live, and life at the bottom, where the losers live, are quite similar?

I think I finally get what the difference between a Queen and a beggar is...!

They're exactly the same! If you become a beggar, it's like being a queen! You just live however you want and take it easy!

Usually everything we want is down here.

There aren't many dragons like me, who collect things such as books.

Think of it as a blue ocean in the greed industry.

Um... Most dragons instinctively love collecting gems related to themselves.

Rudd collects red gems, and Silphir collects blue gems.

I'm into jade collecting too, but... I wanted no part in the ranking competition, so I turned my desire toward books.

Sist originally was greedy to collect amethysts too, but... hmm...

I'm not really sure what she's collecting now. Since she's always trying to make money, is it greed for money?

Well... I know rumors, at least?

And they're not one of the surface races, but if we're talking witches... there are some I'm acquainted with.

Did you just say witches?

Yeah. Since they live underground like us, there's no avoiding running into each other.

Master... Is it just me, or does this underground creature incident seem connected to the witches?

Fricle again? How many times is this now? This time I really need to rip her out by the roots!

I wonder where Lady Belita disappeared to while Fricle was causing all this trouble...

Oh? You know about the Witch Queen disappearing too?

Yes. We heard so through the elves.

Ever since the Witch Queen went missing, our dragon lands have been anything but quiet.

Messengers declaring a new Witch Queen came to see Daya every single day.

At some point, Daya got annoyed and said to only send messengers for whoever maintains the position for at least 3 months.

After that, they sent a messenger saying Fricle became the interim queen. Yeah!

I've been using Sist as an informant but never heard any of this...

Sist only reveals as much as she's paid for; that's how she works.

If you really want something, you'll have to pay a huge sum, right?

All this time... I've only been getting half of half the information... Ugh... I take full responsibility.

*Strikes the ground with the staff*

*Strikes the ground with the staff twice*

*Strikes the ground with the staff two long, two short and one time more*

I figured it out...!!

Gabia is... communicating in Morse code!!

Morse... what?

......

*Shakes head*

At the newly completed Yggdrasil research facility, the Elves would talk in some kind of tapping sounds when they saw me.

Every time they did that, they'd laugh in an unpleasant way... I thought they were insulting me, so I'm learning it from Rohne.

*Draws something on the ground*

She says, "I hear music?"

*Nods*

Isn't that Sist?

Ugh... so heavy...

Once this job is done... I need to charge extra for transportation...

Witches always overthink things; that's the problem.

Plans within plans, making me do all these annoying tasks...

Grrgh...

That traitor is passing right in front of me... I can't hold back...!

Uhh...

Take a deep breath, Your Majesty. Just calm down a bit...

Phew... this is so hard... my fist of justice is trembling like this...!

How can I think happy thoughts right now?

Uh... um...

...Does that make you happy, Your Majesty?

*Shakes head*

That's so you, Master...! You calmed me down with just a few words...

Huh? Trust you? Kinda...? But why?

*Cough, cough* What are you... *cough*!

Master, what are you doing right now...!

Ugh... hm...?

My shoulder muscles feel super relieved. I think you got rid of the early symptoms of my turtle neck...!

Master, you know trigger point release?

Hehe, if I starve that gluttonous queen for just a week, she'll hand over her kingdom too, won't she?

After buying the kingdom at a bargain price... I'll hold onto it and resell it to the witches for dozens of times more. Hehe...

Aaaahhh!!!!!!

Kyaaah!!!

Are you finished? Gluttonous? I'd trade away my kingdom if I had to, but being called a "gluttonous queen"—that, I will never forgive!!!

Y-you! How did you get here?!

Oh no... am I surrounded?

Ugh... how much will you give me?

I'm asking how much you'll give me if I hand this over.

Is this really the time to negotiate? Can't you see you're clearly at a disadvantage?

We don't have money or anything, so hand it over quickly.

True... usually you can't negotiate when you're at a disadvantage.

But I'm not really at a disadvantage right now, am I?

The news that Jade beat Rudd has spread all over Dragon Village?

I'm not sure how a bookworm like Jade managed to beat Rudd, but I can definitely use that to tip the scales in my favor.

Stop talking nonsense and hand it over quickly!

So the negotiations have broken down? Can't be helped...!

We've got the second-ranked scrub over here!!!

A once-in-a-lifetime clearance sale to become the dragon's top 2 at a bargain price!!!

Sist... what are you doing...!?

Jade is here?

This is THE chance to get close to Daya!

Over here! I'm here!

Aaagh! Everyone's swarming!

Sist is getting away!

Master, what should we do?

Master, Jade asked us for a favor... Should we lose? Or should we win?

This way! Let's get away this way!

Look at this mess! My quiet life as a dragon is ruined because of you lot!

Where did Sist go?

Hmph...

I have a good idea.

You don't even know what I'll say and stop me like that?

Because there's a high probability it'll be nonsense.

I swear it's a good idea!

So...

Tch... You're already thinking about giving me a noogie before I even say anything...

It's about Jade.

Even though Jade is a noob, she's high in the hierarchy right now.

Can't we just use that? Lower hierarchy dragons have to follow orders from higher ones.

If Jade gives an order to have the other dragons find Sist, wouldn't that work?

*Surprised*

That seems like a decent plan...!

Why would I eat that when I have baked goods now?!

You must definitely be hiding it somewhere and eating it. This is not Your Majesty's normal behavior.

Please believe me! I've... been studying hard lately too!

Jade! Where are you running?!

Hurry up and give up your second-in-command position!

The Dragons are following us...!

Ugh... Uh...

As the second-in-command of the dragons, I command you! Find Sist and bring her before me!

What...?

I won't accept any challenges until Sist is found!

Sist?

Did Jade just give an order...!

Should we follow her order?

You really are a noob. Even after giving an order, they're just hesitating.

Er...

This is the law established by Daya! Follow her order!

No matter how weak Jade looks, she's the one who legitimately claimed the position as second-in-command!

Since she set the conditions for the challenge, the challengers must obey her words!

L-Let's go find Sist!

We have to find Sist and earn the right to challenge!

Rudd...! Th-thank you!

Jade. You know how to give orders and are taking on the appearance of a second-in-command! How admirable!

No, that's not it. I just...

ARGH! I won't stand for this! Someone who doesn't even look the part of second-in-command is acting like she's the real deal?!

Silphir! Do you intend to defy the law established by Daya?

Laws are just laws! Orders from someone who just won with pure luck are meaningless!

The only one qualified to be my rival is you, Rudd!

I can't stop you... Our alliance is broken!

Good! It's broken!

I'll beat you, the current third-in-command, first and then take Jade's second-in-command position!

I accept your challenge. Come at me!

How about we leave before we get caught up in it too?

Yeah! Let's get out of here!

Phew... Over here there's no one around... We're safe.

That's the plan, but... what if it takes too long to find Sist?

This is getting us nowhere. We need to find her quickly and stop that music...

*Ponders*

*Taps the staff on the ground*

......!

*Gestures to follow her*

Whoa, so bright...!

This is Daya's home.

*Nods*

Sist hid in the safest place in Dragon Village. Clever creature indeed.

Daya is very protective of her roost.

Since Jade is second-in-command...

Didn't Rudd tell us she now serves at Daya's side?

So can't Jade just go see Daya?

This is my first time being second-in-command... I don't really know either...

Why overthink it? Just try knocking first.

Whoa! Wait...

Um, Daya? The dragons' second-in-command is here.

Ugh, I don't know...! Normally I can't even look at Daya...

Wow... this place is so beautiful...!

Daya is the strongest among us dragons... and the most beautiful.

She keeps her home the most beautifully too... so no one dares challenge her position.

Hey, Jade.

D-Daya!

Didst thou truly defeat Rudd and rise to second-in-command?

Oh, you already heard? Well... I guess that's what happened...

How strange indeed. Thou, who always didst avoid ranking competitions, suddenly fought Rudd...

Daya, that was... by accident...

A false second-in-command!

S-Sist?!

Jade must have used some trick, as I told you! Who knows what she might do to you now!

Silence, Sist.

I shall judge thy accusations after hearing Jade's side as well.

A-accusations?! Sist, you accused me?

Jade, first, my congratulations to thee on becoming second-in-command.

However, Sist hath accused thee, claiming thy challenge process was suspicious.

I was planning to summon thee to see if there were any problems with thy challenge... but thou hast come at just the right time.

That darn Sist is trying to convince Daya to corner us!

We need to explain quickly what's going on before things get worse...

Just explain it then! Just tell the truth as it is! You didn't use any tricks!

This kind of pressure... I'm getting dizzy... I can't speak properly...!

Uh... Sure!

Then I shall question the accused, Jade.

Jade. Rudd accepted thy challenge. Didst thou fight honorably?

Y-Yes! Rudd had accepted the challenge!

I don't really know about... "honorably"? Were you always allowed to just gang up on someone like that?

Is that so? It was not a contest of one against one?

Rudd accepted those terms! She allowed multiple opponents to attack her!

'Tis well. If Rudd desired a battle against many, then it was fairly done.

Phew...

Then there is no objection to Jade claiming the seat of second-in-command. I shall acknowledge thy authority as the strongest of the dragons.

D-Dammit...!

Hm? I don't know anything about that.

You don't know?! I saw you run off with it!

I got nothing in my hands right now?

Where did you hide it?

Before you all barged in... I offered it to Daya...!

Hehehe... What will you do now? Will you try to take something that belongs to the strongest of the dragons?

Thou dost wish to lay claim to my property...?

N-No, Daya!

Dost thou challenge me?

If thou dost wish to challenge me, I shall accept.

Yet for one outside the hierarchy to challenge me... Hmm. Defeat the dragons from the lowest rung first, and then return to me.

I cannot waste my time accepting challenges from just any outsider.

I am... the Sprite Queen!!!

Queen to queen... let's have a match! One touch, one punch!

What? Sprite Queen?

Canst thou prove thyself a queen?

Look at this crown! The sparkling symbol of authority on my head!

A crown is but an adornment thou dost wear upon thy head. That proveth nothing.

Your Majesty! You can't say that when not even your own subjects recognize you...

Master?

What??

Is that even possible?

Do you think you can beat Daya?!

Master of the Order...?

Now that I bethink myself, I have heard rumors circulating among the witches.

That something new—neither sprite, werebeast, nor elf—hath risen to the position of Master...

Judging by thy peculiar appearance... art thou that Master?

You are correct. This is the Master of the Yggdrasil Order whom I serve!

Who are you?

I am Ner, Head Priestess of the Yggdrasil Order.

Head Priestess...?

I will vouch for the Master's identity!

Hmm... Very well.

Doth the Sprite Queen possess sufficient standing to challenge me, thinkest thou, Master?

What achievements hath the Sprite Queen accomplished?

Mm! Mm! That's right! Someone like me should be able to manage at least that much.

The Sprite Queen accomplished something so great?

Most peculiar. When first I heard the rumors...

Eherm! I ended the insurgency and reclaimed my throne... all of that is true!

Huh? Well, it's true that an insurgency happened and all...

Hmm, I have heard somewhat of the Sprite insurgency through rumors.

Now that I bethink myself, had the insurgency not been suppressed, thou wouldst not be here, wouldst thou?

R-right! Exactly! Because I'm capable enough, I could do it...!

Wh-what?! I did that?!!

Most peculiar. I have not heard even such rumors.

M-Master, what you are saying is not completely untrue but...!

Hmm...

Ordinarily, I would cross-reference various accounts before passing judgment, but...

Since these self-proclaimed authoritative advisors do praise the Sprite Queen's achievements, I cannot help but believe it.

Master's words are undeniable facts!

I've been serving by Master's side and watching with my own two eyes!

Y-you...! You thought of me that way...?

......

I have never heard of any "beggar"... yet there seem to be rather detailed false rumors.

Daya! Don't just take their word for it! They're nothing but wandering vagrants pretending she's royalty!

Certainly, they have no means to prove themselves perfectly, but...

Sist, canst thou, in turn, prove that this sprite is not a queen?

Uhh...

Our side can prove it!

What?

H-here is the contract statement I made with Sist as Head Priestess of the Order!

This document can prove that I am the Head Priestess, which proves that Queen Erpin is real!

Evidence!

Indeed, if thou art the Head Priestess of the sprites, then this sprite called Erpin must be the queen.

Th-this...! I didn't think you had the contract statement...!

Normally you're supposed to tear up and throw away things like that as soon as you get them!

Sist, why didst thou lie to me?

Making false accusations against Jade and slandering outsiders! Dost thou disregard the laws of the dragon hierarchy that I did establish?

Ugh... Daya... well...

I'm oooout!!!

Let her go.

What thou truly seekest is not Sist, but the item I possess... is it not?

W-well, that's true...

Then let it be so.

Sprite Queen, I acknowledge thy authority and accept thy challenge.

H-hey... Everything's already sorted out, so... can't we just grab Sist's music player and call it a day?

The right to touch my treasures must be earned through thine own strength!

As the highest in the hierarchy of the dragons, I shall now decide the terms of this duel!

Huh? I thought we'd just exercise or something?

Selection is the right of the one higher in the hierarchy.

If by the day of the duel no contest hath been chosen, then a simple trial of arms it shall be, yet...

Ordinarily, the one of higher rank doth decide the contest in such a manner.

Eek...! I thought I'd just lift some dumbbells or weights a few times...!

This is to determine the very top of the hierarchy's chain, so we must have a duel befitting that station, must we not?

From this moment forth, the contest between the Sprite Queen Erpin and myself shall be...!

Please let it be something easy!!!

...a governance competition!

We're doomed!!!!!

I-I could still win! What's wrong?!

Ugh... Tch.

Hmm... Hmmm.

Excuse me... Daya, how does this governance competition work?

Can that even be judged objectively?

For the next four years, thou shalt govern thy own kingdom, and I mine. Then we shall compare the people's favor and the realm's advancement indicators!

Political scandals and integrity shall also be weighed and scored, so thou must give thy very all in this contest!

4 years is way too long!

Dost thou refuse the challenge? Then thou canst not take my item.

It's not feasible given the time. And even if she took you on in an actual fight, the reality is she couldn't win.

Um... how about this?

What opinion dost thou hold? If it be the wise counsel of the second-in-command, then I shall lend thee my ear.

These outsiders need this item right away, so...

We need something that can be decided in about 30 minutes to an hour... Um, so...

How about this?

What... is this?

It's a board game made by the elves on the surface... A game where you compete against each other until bankruptcy.

What? Thou dost claim this is a means to measure a leader's skill in economic governance? Is this what they do upon the surface?

Master, are you serious? You are going to scam the dragon leader with a board game?

How frustrating, but... I cannot deny it.

Very well! In consideration of thy limited time, I shall make an exception and accept thy proposal, this once, and only this once.

Neither Master nor the Head Priestess would make so dishonorable a proposal with such a thing.

......

Master! How do we play this thing?

Well... if that be the custom upon the surface, then so be it.

Uh... Sure!

I rolled a... 3...? What, a 3?!

N-No! I have landed upon the Sprite Queen's hotel once more? My savings...!

No more loans possible, Daya.

I... have lost! From this day forth, the strongest of the dragons is...

...the Sprite Queen!

M... me?

Did that really just happen?

From this day forth, the dragons shall obey the Sprite Queen's commands.

...I won?

That's strange.

This feels weird... Something about this doesn't seem right.

I suppose Your Majesty has pulled so many strange stunts that this kind of situation just feels off to you.

That's not it...!

I don't really know how to give orders to people.

I don't know much about dragons either... can't we just... be friends?

Friends?

I didn't challenge you because I wanted the position of the strongest in the first place.

*Gives a thumbs up*

*Nods*

All we wanted was to destroy that device.

We got what we came for, so we don't care about anything else.

Of course. I'm a queen, after all.

M-Master!

.........?

Master praised Her Majesty...!

I was totally tensing my neck thinking you'd hit me...!

A-anyway! Daya, you should be the dragon queen! I'm fine just being friends!

If the queen who defeated me doth say so, then I shall comply.

As it is to be the first and final command, I shall hear it.

That's a relief. Running my own kingdom is annoying enough, I can't deal with gaining another annoying kingdom. Hehehe...

And honestly, with Daya's temperament, I could already see her turning into a nagging Ner 2.0.

......

What is this device that hath caused such a commotion?

Elemental Mountain...? Had that come to pass, not only the Elementals but every soul underground would have suffered tremendous harm.

Master... Thou hast respected our traditions and my authority...

Whilst also protecting every denizen of the underground?

To possess both kindness and humility...! Thy character is as perfect as thy towering stature!

Why didst thou not speak of this matter from the very beginning? Had I but known the reason, thou needst not have challenged me... I would have crushed it with mine own hands...

Your Majesty was being so abnormally cool that I think we got swept up in the moment.

Don't call it abnormal! I can hear everything you're saying!

Ahem...!

Now that it's all over, hurry up and lower my rank in the hierarchy!

Jade, art thou not content with thy place as second-in-command?

I just want to live quietly at the bottom of the hierarchy, Daya.

Such a humble attitude for a dragon.

Well, if that be truly what thou dost desire, I may yet arrange it for thee.

R-really...?

I shall ask thee but once more. Is that truly what thou dost wish?

Of course! I knew I could count on you Daya!

Dragons, listen up!

Daya herself has stepped forward!

Daya is issuing a command!

From this moment forth, the demotion of Jade's rank shall proceed without delay.

Jade shall be bound in the square. Let each dragon, in order of rank, strike her once and then move on!

......

W-wait a minute! This isn't...!

Understood, Daya!

By Daya's command, line up in order behind me, third in the hierarchy!

Once this is over, I'll be second in the hierarchy again... The challenge is official, Rudd! Got it?!

Do as you please. Challenges are always welcome.

Ugh... Uwaaaaah!!!! It's not even a real duel! Take it easy on me!

Daya has commanded it, so everyone strike with all your might!

Gyaaaah!!!!!

......

I'm so glad I didn't become the dragon queen.

The kingdom's going to be busy with this incident anyway.

And we should let them know we've become friends with the dragons.

We also need to investigate Sist and Fricle.

Can't we just raid the Witch Kingdom?

Your Majesty. We can't just raid your sister Belita's kingdom without any reason.

We'd need at least some evidence that Fricle orchestrated everything to have justification.

Hmm... my sister's kingdom... I suppose so...

Mm, okay... I understand.

Yeah!