Adrian was now profusely bleeding even though he tried to recuperate his wounds every time Lucy gave him a slight 'break'. Flying around him was a mockingly powerful lady knight that was torturing him to no end. Adrian's pride may be high, but this was definitely too much.

He was a proud Ice Mage of the Bainzen Empire, renowned for having rare affinity within the Shodan Continent. He was definitely the cream of the crop in his generation, and it was one of the reasons why he was one of the more important members of the 14 Night Crows.

But at this moment, he was utterly helpless. Not even a single spell that he could chant would do anything against his enemy. Every single one of the attacks he could muster was rendered useless. His sorry figure started to slump to the dusty grounds as he did not bother moving anymore. His figure was kneeling in surrender as another figure approached.

"I do believe that you're the much wiser one? Now, I have a few questions for you."

Feihren calmly started to ask as he sat cross-legged in front of the slumped figure of Adrian. Barely looking up, the flawless face of Feihren was all Adrian could see as he attempted to sit back up.

"Heh, it seems that I have underestimated you too much. You are definitely not someone ordinary..."

Wiping off the blood on his lips and face, Adrian smiled as he replied.

"It seems that our young Emperor was not wrong about you? Oh well, It might be too late for me to regret everything that I did anyway"

Adrian continued as the figure of Lucy walked quietly beside him. Turning his head, his eyes were full of fear and surrender. It was as if he had already accepted his fate. He had never thought that his life would end this way.

"Don't be such a sissy. I'm not killing you. Well, not for now that is."

Lucy smiled as she kept walking, standing beside the squatting figure of Feihren, who continued the 'interrogation'. Although he was acting calm, Adrian breathed a sigh of relief. Even if it was just for a brief moment, it was nice taking a break from all the pointless beatings of his sadistic enemy.

The sudden change in the atmosphere made Adrian a bit uncomfortable. It seems that this enemy was actually reasonable? His mind was not in the least bit focused as he was deeply pondering his next words. It seems that it is possible for him to get out of here unscathed? Well, relatively unscathed that is, and only if he answers some questions.

"Now. Why is the Bainzen Empire involved in all this anyway? And what is with you mentioning your young Emperor?"

Feihren calmly asked, as his gaze towards Adrian was not in the least bit impure. It was off-putting for Adrian to lie as he was trying his best not to answer directly and get something out of all this in return. It was not that he did not care for his life anymore, he was just aiming for some leverage for him to use when he returns home and would need to explain himself.

"...Fine. I did this on my own accord. I proposed the alliance of the Bainzen Empire and the Garudia Kingdom. This is my own decision and does not involve the Imperial Highness in any way...!" Adrian started spilling the truth, in detail even. There was no point in lying anymore if he wants to return alive... it would be useless to gain something for leverage if he couldn't even keep his life for himself.

Mentioning the unknown reason as to why the New Dragon Empire had suddenly involved into all this, and as to how the two Empires were related, Feihren had then discovered the truth of what was really happening within these two juggernauts.

"So... The New Dragon Empire, throughout its history, is supposed to be ruled by an Empress? So the gender was a necessity?" Feihren interjected a question as Lucy added.

"Not only that Your Majesty. The ruler of any kingdom which bears the insignia of the Ancient Dragons is supposed to carry their true bloodline."

Adrian nodded as he continued "That is everything I know of regarding all this."

Feihren nodded as he raised his hands slightly. Green lights started swirling on his hands as they formed runic circles with seemingly unknown origins. The power within the lights was definitely not something to joke around.

He stood up as he walked towards the squatting figure of Adrian, who was starting to sweat profusely,

"Wait... No, please... I swear on my Empire's name that that is all I know!"

Closing his eyes as tears started to flow, Adrian kneeled as he begged for mercy. Feihren creased his brows as his hands slightly tapped Adrian's head.

Within mere seconds, the green light coated Adrian as his wounds started closing up, the blood drying and flaking from his skin as vitality started to surge back into his face that had been getting pale a few moments ago.

"Wh... What happened?"

Slowly opening his eyes, Adrian started inspecting his body as he noticed the changes... He felt livelier, stronger even. So... that green light wasn't actually meant to kill him, instead...

"You... actually healed me?"

Blinking a few more times to check whether or not he was dreaming or in an illusion, Adrian confirmed that he was indeed in a better state. It was as if his body had never undergone the torturous bullying from the dark lady knight!

The psychological aftereffects were still evident, as he trembled and shifted his attention as Lucy walked towards him...

"Are you not grateful for what our Majesty did for you?"

"It's fine Lucy, are you feeling better now? Then, if you don't have any more business within this place, leave immediately. Besides, this is now considered the territory of the Wolfenstein Kingdom, and as such, a dignitary of another state shouldn't just be butting in without an invitation." Feihren jokingly laughed as Adrian replied with a faint smile full of uncertainty.

"It seems that our young Emperor Jason is not wrong about you... You are not someone... ordinary."

Walking towards Adrian, Feihren lightly patted his shoulder as he continued.

"It's fine, then. Tell your Imperial Highness… Jason, correct? That I'd be paying a friendly visit soon, as long as you settle the argument you'll be having when you return." 

Feihren faintly laughed as he dismissed the discussion.

Walking away from the commotion, Adrian released a sigh of relief as he quickened his pace.

...

"There is no way that you're letting him go that easily, Your Majesty... Should I chase?"

Lucy inquired for the seemingly uncharacteristic decision of her Master.

"Don't, it's fine. This is all according to my plan."

[Spy Drone (Status: Planted)]

Feihren smiled as he opened an illusory image of a map, within it was a pinging dot, which was telling the exact location of Adrian. Lightly tapping the speck, a clear image of what Adrian could see was shown on the screen.

"Jason huh... It seems impossible, but is it? I am in this world in the first place... might as well be sure about it."

"Well, I do trust in everything you plan Your Majesty... But what about these people?"

She pointed towards the numerous people that were sitting on the dusty ground as they froze in place waiting for Feihren and Lucy to disappear. The normal people within the New Dragon Empire's fortress had a look of despair as they awaited the words that Feihren would utter.

Walking towards them, Feihren then opened his Inventory and swiped to the Familiars tab.

A gigantic dragon skeleton with an ominous looking castle on its back suddenly appeared overhead, but the flapping of its wings did not carry a hint of air that was blowing. Instead, a terrifying aura could be felt as the empty sockets of its skull stared towards the people below.

"Eh? No... No, don't be afraid." 

Feihren immediately dismissed the misunderstanding as the people were starting to scream and squeal in fear, 

"I'm just summoning this to give you all a ride. I'll be taking you home" 

Feihren continued as he threw an awkward smile towards these people.

"It's time to pay a visit to that disrupted Empire..."