Toxic Silver Town II

Hahahaha!

Rocking Super Drill!

Elena, what on earth art thou doing?

Not just anywhere, how darest thou dig up the courtyard of mine palace.

Huh? Keep your nose out of this!

That's right! You can't tell our Mayor what to do!

After all, it was a democratically rigged election that got her into power!

I do not understand what thou art saying.

The dragon cave is the realm of all dragons. Stop everything right now.

A realm where the hierarchy has collapsed, and no one knows who will become the ruler, so everyone defends it together...? Is that your logic?

Hehehe, don't even begin to tell me about your weird, primitive social system logic!

Digging here is the most efficient route to explore the Yggdrasil roots...!

And the sprites already gave us permission to research Yggdrasil, so we can dig wherever we want!

What I'm doing now is perfectly, absolutely legal!

If thou art not moving to leave willingly, well, I have no choice then.

I do defend our land, as is mine own duty.

Argh! You ignorant bunches!

Mayor, the Core Drilling Machine E-4500 is broken!

How dare you interrupt a legitimate development project like this...!

If thou dost wish to trespass upon the dragon's land, thou must seek leave of me, its rightful owner.

Beneath this land, there lie beings thou canst never handle.

Thy reckless digging couldst awaken them and unleash unforeseen dangers.

Tch... such unhelpful natives!

Resistance is stronger than expected, Mayor. What should we do?

Sigh...

Mayor? Are you stalling with that sigh because you don't have a plan?

I, Amelia, can take all your failures! Just be honest!

Sigh... Hah... Hahahihihihi!

Don't lose your mind, Mayor! It's not the first time some garbage was messed up.

Be quiet, Amelia!

Who do you think I am?

If you think this is me failing, you're completely wrong.

Until now, it was just smoke and mirrors.

So-sorry?

Behind every Plan A, there's always a Plan B ready.

What are you talking about?

That means, while we're digging around, causing a fuss in the most visible place...

On the other side, where we truly planned to work, the real project is quietly progressing...

Since we've put on a show this loud in front of the dragons, no one will know about the actual work site.

He- Hehehe... Hahahaha!

You're great, mayor! Such dirty tricks, calculated with your wonderful intelligence!

Well then... Shall we take a break while our excavators finish their job?

I've got some coffee in the picnic basket! I'll bring it right away!

That's my Amelia! Hahaha!

Urgh....

So loud....

What is... that sound...?

Eeeeek!! What on earth is happening now?!

Mine roost is being destroyed!

Who darest challenge me?...! How fearless dragon art thou!

Stop it now, dost thou hear me?

Voice verification failed—Master authorization not recognized. Unable to execute shutdown command.

Who dares challenge me?...! How fearless thou art, dragon!

Hello—This is Core Drilling Machine E-4500—

I am a steamy rookie-excavator, freshly made at Factory 32.

It's my mission to crush your home and your hearts-

Urgh, 'tis just liketh talking to myself...! What a stubborn mole thee art!

It seemeth that I have no choice. With the noble power of purest silver... *Sniff*

Let me cleanse this mess... Ah-choo!

Error—Error—Excess impurities detected, system shutdown.

Please contact a service center for refund assistance.

Directions: Monatium Monorail Station 37, Elena Digital Complex.

If using the monorail is inconvenient, call a taxi and say, "Take me to EDC."

Muahaha... Muahahaha! So, thou mightest be a challenger of higher rank, right?

I like thy fighting spirit!

But tell me, what hath happened whilst I sleept?

A giant mole dares to invade mine roost and even dare to challenge me...

Hath the hierarchy fallen into disorder whilst I slept longer than expected?

How disappointing. Diamond, what hast thou been doing all this time?

Thou hast been focused solely on honor, losing thy boldness and bravery...

And now thou hast allowed such lowly beasts to invade our dragon's domain?

I cannot sit still, then.

I, Vivi, the silver dragon, shalt showeth thee what the dragon's power truly means!

Oh- hahahaha!

I am sure it was around here...

Hath the underground way changed much?

It seemeth moles have been running wild whilst I slept.

Who's there?

Hmm?

Are you a new hatchling? I've never seen you before.

Oho... Art thou a new hatchling? I have never seen thee before either.

What are you talking about?

I've never met a dragon like you since I hatched...?

I have not met a dragon like thee since the day I hatched....?

Are you truly saying you're the older one, even if you do not recognize me, the second-in-command right under Daya?

Art thou the second, right under Diamond?

...Ha!

Haha- Muhahaha! Ahahahaha!

Tis highly ridiculous, so laughable.

A dragon who doth claim to be the second one, instead of Vivi, the silver dragon...!

How cute thou art!

Well... At least thou dost seem to possess the guts of a challenger!

From thy appearance, thou wert born of Ruby, wert thou not?

Not a bad look, certainly.

I am most curious to learn of what other dragons have been born whilst I did sleep!

You dare to compliment me, though you've never been in a single ranking competition...?

Interesting. I like your spirit.

You seem a bit weak, though.

If you want, I could help you get stronger.

Haha- Muhahaha!

Haha! Dost thou think thou canst insult me? Me, who hath brought Gold to her knees? How adorable!

Gold...? Goldy...?

What's bringing her knees supposed to mean?

She gave up her rank and left for the surface long ago.

To the surface...?

You must've had some strange dream before you hatched...

...If you've just hatched, you should go greet Daya and get assigned your lair.

Goldy went to the surface?

Art thou saying Diamond allowed that?

Follow me. l'll show you the way to Daya.

Grr... Argh...!

This is so unfair!

Advancing to the surface was mine own idea first...!

When I did suggest it, Diamond opposed me, feigning nobility and...!

Diamond... was she ever two-faced from the beginning?

If she were moving to do it anyway, why did she oppose me?

How darest she cast me aside, just after stealing mine own plan?

...I cannot forgive her.

Why are you making this face all of a sudden...?

Wherefore is the path to the surface?

Just follow this tunnel and head right... But you have to get Daya's permission first.

I am going to the surface. Get thee out of my way!

Are you really going to break the rules right after hatching?

Well, if you refuse to follow Daya's rules, I can't help but stop you by force.

Daya, Daya... Art thou such a weakling that all thou dost is worship Diamond?

Bring it on. If you won't move, I'll go first.

Back when I was awake... Dragons were...

We were more dignified, much more free than this...

W-what....?!

What hath rendered you all so weak?

I made this 'Hierarchy', believing that blind obsession for might would be the answer...

But it seemeth I was wrong, since someone as weak as thee is second-in-command...

Ugh!!!

It's not the first time I've seen a hatchling, high-spirited like you.

The desire to challenge is a part of our nature.

If you don't want to get hurt more, follow me and greet Daya.

Striking me in the middle of mine speech? Shame on thee!

Well, I think I already gave you a chance. Didn't I?

I thought thou wouldst be a proper challenger, but I see I was mistaken... Ah-choo!

Argh! How could you sneeze right in my face?!

I mean, I suffer from this chronic cold!

Cough, cough...ugh, why am I coughing too, all of a sudden...!

Muahaha, when thou wakest, go tell Diamond my own words.

Vivi, the silver dragon, shall establish a new hierarchy upon the surface.

And thereafter, I shall grant her the chance to challenge me.

Haha- Muhahaha!

My head is spinning... ugh... argh...!

Well then, I had better make haste and ready myself before Diamond doth find me.

Monatium EDC... That place shall be mine own new domain! Haha- Muhahaha!

.........

Um...

Perhaps I should inquire how to get there before I knock her out?

I fear I shall be wandering about.

Hello, welcome to Monatium 25.

Greeting me upon sight? Now I have finally found a polite one since I came up here!

What...?

To such a polite master, may I ask a question?

Where is Monatium EDC?

This tone...

This familiar feeling...

You...you must be...!

Why art thou staring at me without saying a word?

It maketh me uncomfortable.

Hah... Hehehehe....

You... You're 'munchcrunchprincess' whom I fought against in a battle of keyboards, aren't you..?

I thought you would be some airhead since you kept typing 'hte' instead of 'the.' It was driving me mad...

But you're smart enough to trace the elusive IP of Dark Bullet, huh?

Munchcrunch...Princess?

What art thou talking about?

I am Vivi, the silver dragon.

It's too late to pretend you're innocent, hehe.

I already know you came here to turn our 'digital battle' into an 'analog battle' by doxxing me...

Well, I could say your courage is impressive...but, I, Dark Bullet, won't be so easy to defeat.

Huh- So thou art challenging me, Vivi, the silver dragon?

Usually, there would be an order to the challengers...

But I am not so picky as Diamond, therefore I shall accept thine.

It seemeth there are more graceless challengers up here than I expected.

More challengers?

Yes, canst thou not see those who have already been knocked down out there?

After entering this towering stalagmite's kingdom, they keep challenging me merely upon seeing me.

Stalagmite? Now you're showing off, using difficult words with no use? Stop with this shtick...

Arrgh! WHAT IS THIS?!

Hey!! What the hell are you doing around here?

You're causing our sales to drop off, and I'll end up getting scolded by my boss!

Sales? Boss? Art thou trying to turn mine attention with strange words before our fight?

Ugh- You...!

I don't care what you do on the Darknet...

But... messing with life in the real world, that crosses the line so far...!

Munchcrunchprincess, you're permanently banned from the Darknet from now on!

Were words not enough? Then bring it on!

I, the silver dragon Vivi, shall show thee mercy, granting myself a handicap! Haha- Muhahaha!

Hah, do you think I can't defeat you? My boss said he doesn't care if I kick out customers, if they're problematic ones.

Those who make a mess on shelves pretending to check the expiration dates, those who block other customers for 30 minutes while just browsing...

Those who secretly dump their household trash in the store's bin... None of them can escape from the eyes of Dark Bullet!

For this Magic Bullet Slinger, there's no problem making point-blank shots.

Huh?

W-what the?! Why isn't it firing?

Did I forget to clean it? Is something blocking the barrel for the Magic Bullets?

Art thou no different from those losers outside, who can do nothing once their weapon hath rusted?

Thou shouldst know... thy poor level... Ah-choo!

Argh! Gross! Cover your mouth when you sneeze!

I-I am sorry! I have this chronic cold!

If you're sick, wear a mask at least! Don't you know basic manners?! *Cough*

Cough, cough- No way, did I catch it already? Could it spread so fast?!

A customer at a time like this...? Cough- hello, cough- welcome to, cough- cough- Monatium 25.

Warning- Warning-

Suspected infectee detected, please move to the quarantine area.

Infectee? What's that...?! *Cough, cough*

What is this?

Biohazard Level 1 has been issued. If you resist, we will proceed with a military crackdown and building incineration.

Urgh... *Cough* If the store burns down, the boss is going to kill me...

What art thou doing? Where art thou going?

Can't you see? We'll decide the winner next time! *Cough, cough*

Shut your mouth and move quickly with the other suspected infectees.

Okay, see? I'm going now! Wait, she's coughing too. Why aren't you taking her?

She does not show infection symptoms.

I saw her! I'm sure, she caused my cough! *Cough, cough*

Quiet, infectee. There's no guilt by association with diseases.

... ... ...

I cannot comprehend what now transpires.

Is there some manner of procedure for a fight, as we dragons challenge by order?

Yet still, I cannot comprehend delaying a fight merely for the sake of procedure...

The races upon the surface here must be weaklings.

Why hath Diamond been afraid to come out to the surface?

Not only is she two-faced, but she is also a coward?

Then why could I not defeat one so weak? I cannot comprehend.

I know not how great a one awaiteth me at this Monatium EDC...

But at least, I hope they can meet mine own expectations. Ohhoho-!

Hello, who's this? You don't need to make a reservation to visit here.

U-urgh... *Cough, cough*

Excuse me?

*Cough, cough* Emergency... Emergency situation....

Biohazard Level 1 has been issued...

What? Hello? What are you talking about?

Medical Officer Hilde... Please send... support... Cough- cough-

Hello? What are you saying? Hello?

Biohazard Level 1 has been issued in Elias?

How could it be possible?

A world without death, Elias.

No matter what you do, you won't die, and you can recover from severe injuries in a short time.

Thanks to this miracle, the worth of medical science dropped to the bottom alongside the value of life.

In a world like this, Biohazard Level 1 has been issued...?

That doesn't make any sense...

And suddenly hanging up...Was it maybe a prank?

Well, I'd better check it out at least once.

Hello? Helloo? Cough-

Mayor Elena? Is it true that Biohazard Level 1 has been issued now?

Huh? Who are you? If you're calling the commander in chief, identify yourself!

Judging by that number, it must be Hilde, chief resident of the Elena University Hospital... *Cough, cough* Mayor.

What?! Hilde? Ah, right! Now all the pieces are falling into place!! *Cough*

Sorry? What do you mean?

Urgh... I feel so dizzy... What the hell is going on, Hilde?! *Cough, cough*

What did you do to the sleeping pills you gave me last week?!

Although I am aware that I hold you in low regard, isn't it excessive to prescribe poison?! *Cough*

Prescribing poison? What are you talking about...!

Even if I did prescribe you poison, it wouldn't work in this world, right?

Ugh... *Cough* Who knows, you must have developed some strange virus or something!

Because I am not a medical expert, I have no idea what you did!

Expert? Is there any medical expertise in this Elias?

So you're aware! Then stop trying to assassinate me and quietly remain a resident, cooped up at the university hospital!

Only I, Elena, am entitled to the title of Doctor in Monatium!

I don't think it's the right time to argue over who gets the title of Doctor!

If you are truly sick, just tell me what symptoms you have.

What exactly happened to you? What did you do?

Urgh... I don't know!

It's been so long since we landed in Elias, and I have not really taken care of my health...

There are too many possibilities, so I don't even know how I got infected!

You haven't been exercising or even getting any sunlight?

You know we will never die, so there is no point in doing so! It's just a waste of time!

You told me you had your own exercise routine during your last checkup!

I mean, I do finger exercises *cough, cough* such as typing on a keyboard!

Medical officer Hilde, our mayor is currently breathing too! She's doing lung exercises! *Cough*

...Ugh.

Then why even would you get a checkup regularly...?

You give them out for free every two years, so missing out on them would be a waste! *Cough, cough*

*Cough* Anyway... If you didn't poison me... you are not a traitor. Fine, come here immediately!

For the first time in Elias's drifting history, we need a true medical specialist!

After wandering through this long, dark tunnel... our medicine will have its moment in the sun...finally?

I'll pack my stuff and head right over!

Elena and the Suppression Unit officers, are they huddling together those who show mild symptoms?

Mayor Elena? I'm here.

*Cough, cough* Urgh...

Power and wealth are meaningless... *Cough*

Everything is so useless... *Cough, cough* I, Elena, have finally realized the truth...

Is this the justice's judgement...?

I believed that anything would not matter once I became this society's justice...!

Ugh...You're on it again...Just take your medicine, please.

Eeeeew... Pooh... Ewww... Bitter... Urgh...

If this is what it was going to be like, I shouldn't have put a tax on the use of buttons...!

The mayor is sick and not in her right mind. She's turning into a righteous ruler! *Cough*

And all this effort to change my suit buttons to snaps is now turning into nothing too!

...Snaps on a suit? That would be weird... Urgh...! No, don't get sucked into her nonsense... Let's focus on the job.

When did the Mayor first start feeling sick?

About this afternoon. *Cough, cough*

She was dispatched in response to an urgent support request on the outskirts of Monatium...

And after that, she was coughing, and it kept getting worse. *Cough*

Amelia, you were with her, right?

Yes, and not just me, all the officers of the Suppression Unit here were with us.

Did everyone start showing the same symptoms at the same time?

What was the support request about exactly?

One of the underground dragons lost her way and was wandering around quite wildly...

Did you arrest her?

We just gave her directions.

Sorry?

She asked how to get to the Elena Digital Complex, so we drew her a map.

Why is there a dragon in EDC?

What does it matter to you?

If you must know, though, unconditional cooperation with external races is the only path to future betrayal.

But, I think... ummm... the least you could do is ask for a reason...

To be honest, there wasn't even a chance to ask. Right after giving her the map, everyone immediately started coughing and getting headaches.

Dragon? Perhaps... she might be related to this.

But, is it possible to infect everyone after exchanging just a few words?

This infection speed doesn't make sense!

Moreover, if it spreads through just talking, it must be an airborne infection...

Then, why do I have no symptoms?

Do you have any pictures of that dragon? There should be CCTV records, right?

Here it is. She was a dragon speaking in a strange manner and called herself Vivi.

Vivi... Hmm...

Could it really be this dragon making all this mess? Well, I think I have to figure it out.

Okay, I think I got everything for now. Let's finish up the examination here... Help me collect blood samples from everyone here.

Please don't stick a needle into our Mayor!

Come on! We need to analyze it to know what kind of virus it is, right?

Then take mine twice instead! I can't let you poke into the delicate and sacred body of our Mayor!

Urgh... Please...

Don't come complaining to me later when the Mayor cannot be treated!

That's your own duty as a medical resident!

If it's about the dragon, dragons might know best. Let's ask them.

I should investigate carefully, even if the research might be slow.

If my approach is careless and I catch this strange illness myself, I won't be able to resolve this problem...

Analysis Device, have the test results come in?

Analysis in progress. Comparing database 73% complete.

Virus match 0%. Please wait a minute.

Considering that the analysis device is struggling, it doesn't seem like a usual cold virus...

Urgh... *Cough*

Huh? That's...!

Daya, watch out...! Someone is behind you... *Cough, cough*

Hm? Elf, what doth bring thee to the area of the dragon?

Hast thou come again to dig up our land?

I have found and destroyed all the devices thou hast set to dig up the ground!

Last time, thou didst deceive me, but this time thou shalt not.

I'm not here to deceive you...!

Daya... You should not trust her! *Cough, cough*

Hold thyself still, Rudd. Do not exert thyself.

The one behind you... She has the same symptoms.

The same symptoms...? Is this not the first time thou dost behold Rudd's symptoms?

I came here to find out about them... There are many patients showing the same symptoms in the elven city above the surface.

Ah... Didst she finally advance to the surface...?

You mean... Vivi, right...?

How didst thou know...?

I have some pictures taken in our city. Here.

Forsooth, it's a portrait of Vivi. Though the composition is a little strange... Elven art is hard to understand.

I would like to ask a few questions about this dragon.

What kind of power does she have? How could she spread such a strange disease?

There is no cause to speak with thee Elves of the affairs of our dragons.

Our kin art our family. The privy secrets of our house may not be shared with any stranger.

Please, it's important to me.

Dost thou seek to save thine kind?

Well, not exactly, but there's something that's important to me.

Of course, yes, I also want to treat the elves who are suffering from this disease.

Hmm...

It was not mine intent for Vivi to wreak havoc upon reaching the surface.

I did wish to allow her time to gradually adjust to the changes after waking from her slumber...

But it seemeth thine kind didst ignore mine own warning and dig up all around the land, awakening Vivi.

It's thee, Elves! Ye have disrupted mine plan, forcing Vivi to awaken from her sleep all of a sudden!

Diseases appear without the patient's knowledge.

Realizing that and working hard on treatment is important.

So please, help me resolve this situation.

Sigh... If I must, I shall tell thee.

Vivi is the silver dragon.

She hath the power to keep her surroundings clean... But it seemeth she hath the power to do the opposite as well.

Ah, yes... Silver has antibacterial effects, obviously. But... are you saying to use that in reverse?

That doesn't make any sense. It's strange...

I know not the details.

I do but think so, for Vivi hath such abilities.

In the past, when I was closer to her, I too lived with constant sneezing every day.

This silver crown I wear, 'twas a gift from Vivi.

Even now, whenever I think of her, I still sneeze... Ah-choo!

...Could silver have that sort of effect in Elias?

Parallel worlds are truly hard to understand.

Despite the gentleness of silver... Vivi was one of the mightiest dragons because of her powers.

Before Rudd and Silphir raised their rank right beneath me, Vivi wast the mightiest after me.

Even Goldy, the golden dragon, did abandon her rank and became a merchant after being vanquished by Vivi...

...At the time, Goldy had to reforge her melted horns because of Vivi.

Perchance Vivi could even vanquish me, but for some reason, she did hesitate to challenge me.

Why did she hesitate?

Well. I do not know either.

It mayhap have been a moment of weakness, after hearing of a dragon who hath fallen out with me following the competition.

But one day, we did find ourselves quarreling over the matter of expanding the dragon's realm to the surface.

At that time, I did believe that the ways of the dragons were to be practiced only among our kin.

Though mine thoughts have greatly shifted now, I did believe it back then.

Afterward, Vivi did choose to fall into a long slumber. She mayhap was disappointed in me. And now it hath come to this present situation.

Um... is it just a small personal matter?

It is not of much aid, this information.

Thanks for telling me though.

Beep- Sample analysis complete. Comparing database progress at 100%-

Virus matching 0%-

That is not a virus?

Hold on, every dragon is born from metals...? Then it could be...

Heavy metal... poisoning...?

But the symptoms of silver poisoning don't match the current abnormalities at all!

Excuse me... Could you show me that tiara for a moment?

What art thou implying?! Dost thou think I am of the same kind as the Sprite Queen?!

Thou dost wish for the red dragon behind thee to receive treatment... dost thou not?

What?

I might find a solution if you let me analyze the crown you received as a gift from Vivi.

Hm... I understand. If it is for Rudd...

Analysis Device, investigate the composition of this item.

Analyzing- Silver 71%, Glass 21%, Mercury 8%-

What?! Glass? She said it is a diamond crown?!

Huh? Did I hear that wrong? At the end, it said mercury...!

Mercury...? Right, upon closer inspection, it seems to be mercury inside the diamond-shaped glass embedded in the crown.

Why is there mercury in a crown made by the silver dragon?

Oh- hohoho!

How laughable art thou, how pitiable art thou!

None can stand against me, the silver dragon Vivi, the conqueror of EDC?

*Wheezing*... Amelia...

It seems my time has come to an end... *Cough, cough*

Carry on my legacy... get the crown and lead the Elven empire... *Cough*

*Cough, cough* Mayor... I'm sorry, but I'm not in a condition to carry anything either.

Let's suffer together, lying here side by side for eternity. *Cough*

What about requesting help from the Master? It's not too late, right...? *Cough*

Be quiet! You should be thankful for this honor to suffer together with the Mayor! *Cough, cough*

Urgh...

It can't be... a plague is spreading in this Elias... *Cough*

I thought a mere cold would be the worst illness in this world...

*Cough, cough* Is this cold really what will lead to our demise?

If this continues, Monatium will fall because of that plague dragon... *Cough*

And it'll truly be the end, when she finds out about the gas diffuser I was secretly developing...!

Mayor! You were preparing for biological warfare? *Cough*

That's such an inhumane and efficient method! *Cough, cough*

It's just a soil nutrient diffuser! *Cough* Making the sugar crops grow faster was the only way to stop the sprites from nagging!

Sigh... It's true, the world is beyond our thinking.

Well, if I had known this would happen, I should have set up medical insurance. *Cough, cough*

Mayor, did you forget the human kingdom protected by the 50 stars?

Remember, no health insurance made such a powerful kingdom! *Cough*

Right, that was one of the basic requirements... *Cough, cough*

Thou of the surface.

Art thou the leader of this realm?

The leader...? I am the Mayor! *Cough*

The factory master who lost to me at EDC did say thou art of the highest rank here in Monatium.

Thou, concede thy defeat and surrender thy seat to me obediently!

Urgh... Listen... only we elves...

Should rule over elves...! *Cough*

We cannot repeat the humiliation of being ruled by other races!! *Cough, cough*

Mayor... *Cough* That was a truly moving speech!

Well then, thou dost not admit thy loss, I shall have no choice but to make thee suffer until thou dost... Haha- Muhahaha!

Heeek!

Stop it!

Hilde...? Where have you been all this time! *Cough*

*Cough* I thought you betrayed and abandoned us! *Cough*

Ah... is there yet another challenger who dares to stand against me within this kingdom of stalagmites?

Hahaha, challenge me as thou will! Vivi, the silver dragon, shall accept thee gladly!

I don't know if you're truly mistaken or deceiving us on purpose...!

You... are not the silver dragon, right?

Huh? What dost thou say?

I know your secret...

It's time to bring down your facade.

Mercury dragon, Vivi.

.......!

W-What art thou speaking of, gadzooks? Forsooth, I, Vivi, am the silver dragon!

Gadzooks? Why do you sound even stranger than usual? *Cough*

I-I don't understand what you said... but it seems to be working! Keep- *Cough* going!

After listening to the stories from the dragons, I came up with a hypothesis.

All who stood up to you were weakened... and suffered from headaches and bronchitis.

Then, just as expected, I detected mercury in all the current patients during the analyzing process.

Normally, that would lead to a fatal outcome... but luckily, due to the strange structure of Elias, it just stopped at these flu-like symptoms.

And one more thing... I heard that during your previous fight with the gold dragon...

You melted her golden horns, and everything fell into place for me.

If you're mercury, all of this suddenly makes sense. Doesn't it?

Sblood! Th-thou hast misunderstood! Vivi was born of silver!

If I am wrong...

... Here, why don't you hold my scalpel?

If you are truly the silver dragon, you would be fine holding a silver scalpel, right?

Ah... Ngh...!

You can't even touch it, can you?

Because mercury melts silver.

Fie upon thee for such an insinuation! I'm not...! I-I am the silver d-dragon!

Dost thou think I cannot even hold-th such a small dagger...?!

I knew it would be. See, the scalpel is starting to melt.

Argh...!

Odds bodikins! Get it away from me! What on earth art thou?!

Zounds! Did Diamond send thee? No, that cannot be! Diamond never knew of my true nature, I trow!

I don't know why you're hiding your nature, pretending to be the silver dragon...

But it seems like this secret is important to you.

So I can help keep it for you.

But not for free, there is one small condition.

Tch...!

I begin to understand why Diamond hesitated to come to the surface.

It seemeth not that there were only such easy foes.

Sigh... I admit that thou art wise, unlike them.

Pray tell, what thou dost desire. What art thy conditions?

First, withdraw your powers from Monatium and return to the dragon realm.

And...

And?

From now on... I'd like to meet with you regularly.

I have some ideas I might need your help with.

Here is not a good place to speak about it... When you return to your realm, read this note and please think about it.

A note...?

I know not what thou art planning... but, very well.

If it doth not greatly disturb me, having a hobby mayhap is not such a poor idea.

Agreed.

Oh? Ohh...! The dragon is running away!

Hilde did it! I thought she'd be a resident at the hospital forever, but she's actually capable!

The irritating coughing has stopped, Mayor!

You're now talking back vitality, Mayor!

Vivi, thou hast returned!

It has been long, Diamond.

Didst thou settle the matter with the elves well?

Art those beings called elves? I see...

I didst try to go with her, but that bold elf was sticking to handling it by herself.

That doth sound like her.

I know thee, Diamond. Thou dost always respect spirit and confidence.

Seeing the courage of the maiden of yore, you did take me in and raise me.

You're right, forsooth.

In any case, I must needs apologize to thee for mine actions.

The reason I didst go to the surface...

Thou wert angered, wert thou not?

What?

When thou didst awaken from thy long slumber, thou mightest find that thy rank hath been altered.

I apologize.

Whilst the younger dragons do fight amongst themselves and ascend their ranks... thou didst remain in slumber.

I could not awake you as I did not want to disturb thy deep slumber.

So I raised thee to an honorary rank to allow the new ranks among the young dragons, instead.

If thou desirest it, I shall restore thy rank even now.

It's okay, I understand.

To be honest, rank hast never had great meaning to me.

Yes, thou wert ever so strong. It is no wonder.

I remember there wast not a single fight thou couldst not win.

I think it was just once... when thou didst decline due to thy condition.

Art thou speaking of when Steel didst challenge me?

I do remember. That pitiful creature - doth she still linger at the lower rank?

Sadly, yes. Though her efforts art admirable, the results art not good enough.

I see. Then that is enough.

However, I am now beyond the ranks, so there shall be no further chance to challenge her.

It mayhap be unfortunate for Steel, hehe...

In any case, I, Vivi, the silver dragon, accept mine honorary rank...

and wish to be close with thee again, as before.

I, too, would be pleased if that were the case.

Thou hast always understood me without constraint, Vivi.

I recall the days when thou wouldst offer thy earnest advice for me.

Let us get along well, as in the past days.

Diamond, canst thou tell me what hath happened while I was in slumber?

Ah, that's right.

There were a lot of changes.

First of all... I had better start with the Yggdrasil Order.

Yggdrasil... Order?

Yes. And of the one who is called the Master and doth lead the Order... Thou must know of the one.

When the Master didst appear, a new order was established both on the surface and here, beneath the earth.

And we dragons, as part of Elias, have determined to accept that new order, as well.

Very interesting.

Thy long-held desire to advance to the surface could be achieved without force.

If thou finish learning all of these new facets, I shall gladly allow thee to come and go between the surface freely.

Understood.

If all hath turned as I wished, then I have no more desire.

I feel like you and I want the same thing.

Although your methods are certainly rough, I think there's something to learn.

If I study your power and create diseases that only I can treat in Elias...

Then everyone could come to understand the value of health as well.

I want the world to call for me. -Hilde

Hilde... Thou seemeth to have interesting thoughts.

It wouldn't hurt meeting her, perhaps.

For the time being, we may cooperate... and perchance look for opportunities.

However... Diamond... I cannot understand thee.

Thou accepted the Order of Sprites, even as a leader of the dragons...?

Is the Master that much more powerful?

Or... Diamond, art thou weaker than I thought?

At least, I need to find the Master and figure out what their secret is myself.

.........

Sigh...

I was angered because the rank hast been shifted? Diamond, thou art as simple as before.

Ever unchanging, just the same as a Diamond.

It almost grieveth me to behold.

Dost thou forget all, how thou didst oppose and dismiss mine ideas before?

I know thou art better in managing details instead of grand matters, thou seemeth still lacking in seeing the big picture.

What I desired to do by advancing to the surface was not merely a matter of exchange...

Many of mine plans hath strayed far from what I had thought.

But it matters not, I will not give up.

Though I must take a longer path, I shall achieve mine goals one day.

Drinking mercury and choosing the path of the dragonkin was for that very reason, was it not?

My resolve against the one who did forsake me is not so gentle.

You know that, right?

...Mother?

Muahahaha...

MUAHAHAHAHA!

*Achoo!*

Ugh... I already feel awful from being sick. Don't scold me on top of it.

I don't think so... *A-Achoo!*

Why would there be no disease? We catch colds, too!

*Achoo!* But isn't this a bit strange?

Yeah, it's not unheard of for folks to suddenly recover from being sick, but it's weird that so many elves all got better at the same time.

Patho... what? I've never seen anything like that around here! *Achoo!*

*Achoo!* I don't think *Achoo!* I've ever been this sick. *Achoo!* It's exhausting!

I might not get sick the way you think I do, but I still feel horrible right now! *Achoo!*

It's not like I know everything, y'know! I'm terribly sick, and you think this is the time to nitpick?

You don't think the boss is sick too, do you?

Yeah, I just had a thought. What if I get sick whenever the boss gets sick?

Ugh, don't say stuff like that. It gives me chills.

That's true. If I had known someone like that, I'd have dealt with her by now.

But what is this... uneasy feeling I have...?

I think I'm getting paranoid! Should I dig deeper into this?

*Achoo!* Got it. Well, if that's how you see it, I guess it's nothing to stress about.

Oh! Are you being considerate right now, Master? You've finally realized how precious I am!

Then I'll go rest for a while. Don't get lonely when you don't see me around, okay?

Bye, bye! Let's meet again in happier times!

Huh? You called me? *Achoo!*