The underworld of the Royal Capital changed overnight.
The news of the bloodbath at the "Eight Fingers" headquarters spread through the shadows like a plague.
It wasn't a gang war or a vendetta; it was a unilateral slaughter.
When spies from other factions cautiously infiltrated the underground hall, everyone was terrified to the point of their Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering. Walls, floors, and ceilings were covered in coagulated plasma and shredded meat; the air was thick with the scent of blood and a strange, violent aura that seemed to come from an ancient wasteland.
What was most terrifying were the marks left at the scene.
The claw marks on the walls, deep enough to show bone, were definitely not something any human or demi-human could leave behind. The hideous shape and the sense of violent power all pointed toward an existence that everyone dreaded—a True Dragon.
The last remaining leader of "Eight Fingers," a man nicknamed "Escape from Death," luckily survived because he had business elsewhere that night.
At this moment, he sat slumped in a chair at another secret base, his face deathly pale.
"A Dragon... it was definitely a Dragon!" His voice was hoarse, filled with the terror of a survivor. "I saw it! There were silver scales left at the scene!"
Around the conference table sat the bosses of several other major underworld factions in the Royal Capital, and everyone's expression was grim to the extreme.
"Impossible!" A one-eyed burly man slammed the table. "Why would the Dragon Clan attack us? We've always minded our own business!"
"Then you tell me, how did Duke Marcus and the others die?!" "Escape from Death" shrieked. "A Gold Rank was killed on the spot! Who else but a True Dragon has that kind of power?!"
"Don't forget who brought that Red Dragon to the Royal Capital!" A thin man spoke up gloomily. "Saintess Colette... escorted by a Red Dragon, with miracles clearing the way! What happened to those blind fools in our trade along the way? Now people say they were 'reformed' by her! What a load of bullshit! I'd say they were wiped out by that Red Dragon in passing!"
As soon as this suspicion was voiced, the entire secret room fell into a deathly silence.
At this moment, all the clues connected.
The appearance of the Red Dragon Fafnir, Saintess Colette's "miracles," the destruction of underworld forces along the way, and the bloodbath of "Eight Fingers" by Dragon Breath... an absurd conclusion surfaced in everyone's minds.
"That Saintess... she really is like the rumors say." The one-eyed man's voice was dry. "The Church and the Dragon Clan have teamed up to purge us?"
"No, not teamed up." A cunning light flashed in the thin man's eyes. "What if... that Saintess isn't human at all? What if she herself is a Dragon in disguise?"
"The Saintess arrives, and immediately after, Eight Fingers is wiped out. How can there be such a coincidence in the world?"
"Boss, you mean..." someone realized.
"We can't fight a True Dragon, and we can't fight the Church. But we can help them with some publicity!"
"Spread the word," the thin man said. "Say that Saintess Colette is a fake... she must be an evil dragon wearing human skin! She's a spy sent by the Dragon Clan to subvert the kingdom!"
"Will... will anyone believe that?" "Escape from Death" hesitated.
"Fear makes people believe anything." The old man beside him sneered. "As long as we muddy the waters, the Church will surely hide her or send her away to appease public anger. Once she gets lost, that god of slaughter will naturally leave too."
"Let's do it!"
The one-eyed man made the final decision. "Mobilize all our subordinates, streetwalkers, and bards. Before dawn tomorrow, I want everyone in the Royal Capital to be discussing whether the Saintess has a tail behind her!"
...Church of Light Convent, Royal Capital Headquarters.
This was the most comfortable and sacred place in the city, yet at this moment, someone was shivering under the covers.
"It's over, it's over, it's over..."
Cecilia wrapped herself into a cocoon, leaving only a pair of silver eyes to stare out the window in terror.
Though separated by thick walls and a garden, she felt as if she could hear the whispers on the streets outside.
"Have you heard? That Saintess Candidate actually has a tail!"
"For real? No wonder her walking posture is so dignified; she's afraid her tail will show!"
"My second aunt's neighbor's cousin empties chamber pots at the Convent. He said he saw Her Highness the Saintess eating raw meat, swallowing a whole cow in one bite!"
Cecilia pulled her head back into the covers, tears almost falling.
"That damn Earth Dragon, ran off without a trace and left me here to suffer."
While trembling, she stuffed a cream puff into her mouth to calm her nerves.
"Running away without taking This Young Lady... it's all over now!"
Since arriving at the Royal Capital, Cecilia's life had been quite comfortable. She had endless snacks every day, slept on a velvet bed, and even her bathwater was infused with rose essential oil.
But before she could enjoy this good life for more than two days, those god-awful rumors started spreading.
Who could withstand this! She really was a Dragon in disguise! How was this any different from announcing her ID number?
"Knock, knock, knock."
The sound of knocking startled Cecilia so much she almost used Withdraw to roll under the bed.
"Your Highness the Saintess, it's Thomas."
The High Paladin's steady voice came from outside the door.
Cecilia quickly swallowed the puff in her mouth, wiped the cream from the corner of her lips, took a deep breath, adjusted her facial expression, and put on a holy, compassionate look.
"Come in, Sir Thomas."
The door opened, and Thomas, clad in silver armor with a grave expression, walked in.
"Your Highness Anastasia, the rumors outside..."
"I am aware," Cecilia said calmly. Inside, she was panicking, but she had to maintain her facade. "A clear conscience fears no false accusations; the Lord will protect His lambs."
Looking at the young but composed Saintess before him, Thomas felt a surge of admiration.
Look at that! That is the poise of a Saintess! Facing such malicious slander, she can still remain so calm!
"Rest assured, Your Highness. The Knights have been deployed and will surely find the source of these rumors!" Thomas knelt on one knee, hand on his sword hilt. "Any heretic who dares to desecrate the light will be judged!"
No! Don't investigate! Won't I be exposed if you do?!
Cecilia was screaming internally, but she could only offer a kind smile. "There is no need for such drastic measures, Sir Thomas. Instead of using the sword to silence people, it is better to reform them with love."
As long as I don't go out now, the rumors can't catch me!
Thomas was so moved his eyes turned red. "How merciful, Saintess! By the way, here is an invitation from the Hurst Family."
He handed over a gold-stamped invitation.
"The Hurst Family is a top-tier noble Family in the Royal Capital and one of the Church's largest sponsors. Their Young Miss would like to invite you to an afternoon tea party."
Hester?
Cecilia looked at the rose crest entwined with thorns on the invitation and felt like she had seen it somewhere before.
An intuition called "trouble" made the dragon scales on her back tighten... The Hurst Family manor was even more luxurious than Cecilia had imagined.
According to the butler leading the way, the Saintess "Colette" whom Cecilia was impersonating had a mother who was a distant relative of the Hurst Family. Her brilliant silver hair was proof of the Family Bloodline. This was also why the Hurst Family supported her becoming a Saintess Candidate.
In the drawing room, Cecilia met the person who had invited her.
A girl about her age, wearing a magnificent noble dress, with an impeccable smile on her face.
"Good day, Cousin Colette. I am Veronica Hester. This should be our first meeting."
"Hello, Miss Hester," Cecilia responded stiffly, mimicking the human nobles in her memory.
After a simple exchange of pleasantries, Veronica suddenly leaned in closer and asked in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Saintess, may I ask a question?"
"Please go ahead."
Veronica looked straight at her and spoke a sentence that made Cecilia's Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering.
"You... are a Dragon, aren't you?"
Cecilia's mind instantly went blank.
She finally remembered. This woman before her was the "perverted woman" Caesar had complained about back at Salt Lake!
Why was she here?
"Don't be nervous." Veronica led her to sit on a nearby sofa. "I mean no harm. In fact, I might be your... only ally right now."
"How... how did you know?" Cecilia's voice was trembling.
"Because I like dragons, very much," Veronica said frankly. "I've studied all the literature on dragons. Although you've disguised yourself well, some small habits still exposed you."
"For example, when you were tasting the dessert just now, you subconsciously used your tongue to lap it up instead of taking small bites. That is a dragon's habit of swallowing food."
"Another example," Veronica took out a gem the size of a fist, emitting a soft glow, from her storage bracelet. "True Dragons have no resistance whatsoever to wealth."
Cecilia's eyes were instantly glued to that gem.
So shiny! I want it!
She almost instinctively reached out, only snapping back to her senses the moment she was about to touch the gem, pulling her hand back as if she'd been electrocuted.
It's over. It's BBQ-ed.
Cecilia closed her eyes in despair, waiting for screams and alarms.
But the expected chaos did not happen.
Instead, there was a burst of laughter suppressed with excitement.
"It really is so! Fantastic! A real dragon! A living one!" Veronica's cheeks flushed with excitement, and her eyes sparkled like a scholar who had discovered a new continent.
"You're not afraid of me?" Cecilia was stunned.
"Why should I be?" Veronica countered. "It's a fact that you are the one chosen by the 'tear of light.' A dragon recognized by a holy treasure of light... I don't believe she would be evil enough to kill Miss Colette."
"...!"
Cecilia was suddenly sweating buckets.