Chapter 20 - 20: “I Cheated…”

In order to save his life, the Silver Dragon gave his reasons and immersed him into an in-depth conversation with Little Eu.

Little Eu's expression remains stoic as she nods and listens to him. The dragon is not really sure if he managed to convince the young girl.

"Then, I will hold on to your word. I do appreciate your assistance, Great Silver Dragon." Little Eu broke her silence as she enthusiastically replied to him.

The Dragon responded with a reassuring nod and heaved a sigh of relief. He is still trying his best to move, but his body is in agony.

He looked at the young girl and thought, 'Does she know a way how to bring me inside?'

Meanwhile, Little Eu waves her hand to Di'Anon and summon him to her side. Di'Anon went pale as the thought cross his mind. 'Will she ask me to carry or drag the enormous dragon back to the cave?!'

He started thinking of an excuse as he can't possibly able to carry that gigantic dragon all by himself. He calmly approaches them as he thought, 'That is simply impossible!'

To his surprise, Eu handed him several jars of ointment and ordered him to treat his wounds. He knits his brows and wonders why she is asking him to address them. Dragons don't need this kind of medicine because of their extraordinary healing ability.

"Why aren't you moving? It's almost dark. Do you want to carry him back to the cave?" the girl paused as she noticed him.

Di'Anon came back to his senses as he replied to her in his mind, questioningly, 'Who wants to can carry him back?'

He then started applying ointment on the Dragon's body, following the young girl's orders.

The Silver Dragon wanted to refute and stop them but decided to remain silent. He doesn't have the strength to argue, so he lies down cooperatively.

"Please take these antidotes too. It can immediately restore your strength." Eu said as she took out white pearl-like pills from her storage.

The Silver Dragon's red eyes widen as he wonders, Why did he need an antidote? When did she poison him? What kind of poison can actually work on him?

She looks at the dragon's skeptical, gazed as sighs, and said, "I'll explain later. For now, you have to regain your strength. We can't possibly carry you inside. Unless you prefer to stay here tonight…"

The Silver Dragon decided to listen and trust her. After swallowing the sweet, candy-like pills, they continue to apply the ointment on his body.

The medicine took effect quickly. Just a while ago, his body is as heavy as lead.

The ointment has a cooling, healing sensation on his wounds. Somehow, it made him relieved while the antidote made him lighter. In fact, he felt rejuvenated.

He started to fly around in circles as he checks on his body. The child can concoct medicine and defeat him. He can't help looking at her with amazement and respect.

Later, the Great Silver Dragon welcomed them to his sanctuary. The luminous curtain separated as they enter the cave behind the waterfalls. It's nightfall, and vicious beasts lurk the forbidden forest to hunt for their prey.

The entrance has a simple illusion spell to conceal the pathways. Anyone familiar with the cave can enter and trespass his territory.

"I can help upgrade your concealment spell with an array formation. Intruders will have more difficulty to enter your home…" Eu said as she carefully observes the pathway.

The Silver Dragon is flying and lead them back in his quarters. The cave has several branches leading to somewhere.

"That would be very generous after what I just did, little one. But sure, I would impose and accept your offer. My neighbors love barging in uninvited. They love disturbing my solitude, and it is sometimes a hassle..." he chuckled casually.

The dragon's home sure is impressive. The limestone emits a warm natural glow, and its somewhat like they entered a different world.

Unique foliage exists inside the cave as if they have emerged to a new, unfamiliar territory. Different species of fishes are swimming around the crystal- clear stream filled with glowing magic stones.

Little Eu can't hide her amazement as she carefully looks around the enchanted place. She thought the Cave of Origin is impressive. The Silver Dragon's home is simply more spectacular and not to mention habitable.

The Silver Dragon sets up a campfire before he decided to curl himself up and rest. Di'Anon starts preparing their meal from his magic pouch.

"I can't really offer you anything, but please feel at home." The dragon curled himself as he relaxes.

The medicine is taking effect and making him somewhat drowsy. He can't believe the exhaustion he felt for fighting a little girl.

"I don't mean any disrespect, Great Silver Dragon." Little Eu said as she sat across him and continues, "I truly didn't mean to hurt you..."

"How did you do it, little one? I am racking my brains, trying to figure out how you could possibly do it. Please enlighten this Ancient Dragon, how did I possibly have fallen?" he opened one of his flaring eyes as he asked her curiously.

"Simple. I am administering poison in every attack I made. I specifically targeted your veins..." she confessed. She pauses as she scratched her head as she continues, "The moment I noticed the poison had taken effect, I used the seven-elemental spell to push you down and intimidate you. The more you move, the quicker the poison will travel around your system."

The poison is not lethal, but it can restrain his movements. He is also adept in medicines and toxins, but he never heard anything that can stifle a Dragon as she did.

The dragon is in deep contemplation. He still can't figure out the poison that the little girl has used against him.

"It's a combination of cherry shrub and black serpent poison. It's almost undetectable and very effective against dragons. It can cause paralysis, fatigue, among other things..." the little girl said as if replying to his inquiry.

Her seven-layered elemental spell might not be powerful yet, but it doesn't mean it is weak. After all, learning to cast it is proof enough she is capable and someone not to be trifle with.

"I think we can help each other out, little one. I'll teach you my knowledge while you share yours. I am certain. You can find this Ancient Dragon's knowledge useful..." he chuckles.

"Great Dragon, are you suggesting that I must teach you the art of deception..?" Little Eu asked jestingly.

Di'Anon is listening to their conversation with confusion. He can hardly imagine Little Eu deceiving this Dragon. Not to mention, her seven-layered elemental spell can't be weak. She can defeat armies with it, right...?

Eu noticed his confused face. Her abilities are not yet in par to defeat the Silver Dragon. Still, it doesn't mean it is plausible.

"I cheated…" she confessed straightforwardly.

"How can you possibly cheat everyone?"

"Di'Anon, let me ask you. What am I and what are my Clans special skills aside from foreseeing the future?" the little girl asked with an amused smile on her face.

"You are an Oracle. Your clan's proficient in seals and array formations." Di'Anon responded.

"Exactly. It's not entirely my fault for everyone to fall into a simple, laid out trap." she said nonchalantly.

The Dragon got curious about the incident, so he decided to ask further as he joined their discussion.

"What are you two talking about? What did you exactly do?"

"I convince them to attack me inside an array formation. Now, they are all convinced I am a heaven-defying goddess." the girl casually said. Her head rests on her hand as she smiles.

The Dragon can't believe someone will actually fall into such an obvious trap. He wouldn't be surprised if she lured him unsuspectingly into an array formation.

Still, if she asked her to step into one, he will surely be cautious. Anything can happen inside an Oracles array formation.

Disbelief is in his eyes as his drowsiness left him. He is looking back and forth between the girl and the nine-tailed fox.

Dragon finally bursts into a fit of laughter, breaking the awkward silence. He taught being poisoned was already dumb. Then what should he call the Mystics who step into the girl's trap?

"Seriously? They just stepped into an array formation that you created? That's an obvious trap! How did you convince them?" the Silver Dragon chuckles as it piques his interest.

Little Eu told him the incident between the three battalions. She ordered them to shift into a much more intensive routine that they refused.

They didn't take her seriously, so she suggested to defeat her, and she will relinquish the idea. The truth is, she can manage to beat them fair and square.

It will only require too much time and effort to defeat three whole battalions. She decided to hasten the process and deceive them into the battle simulation formation.

The Silver Dragon can't hide his amus.e.m.e.nt as he listens to her story. Learning she also used this strategy against the Guards of Limes Temple made him burst into another fit of laughter.

'This child is crafty. She means well but still crafty.' he thought.

"Young Fox, are you aware of how Array Formation works?" The Dragon paused as he asked him.

"Not exactly, but isn't it a type of concealment spell?" he shook his head as he responded.

"Yes and no. It is simply a type of an Oracle Trap..." The Dragon straightforwardly explained as he continued, "You should never casually enter an Oracle Array Formation."

As a creator, an Oracle can set rules inside the formation. He could give restrictions to his guests if he wanted. After all, nobody can really tell if he is under the caster's enchantments.

After the explanation, a sudden realization came to the little girl. Themis' situation is kind of strange. It's their city, so why are the Oracles having difficulty reclaiming their territory?

She knits her brows, trying to figure matters out. Themis can't possibly fall easily with all their defensive knowledge. How did the mysterious perpetrator manage to infiltrate the City?

An Array Formation as complicated as the one in Themis must have a lock. It is a precaution installed by the caster to prevent it from breaking.

Typically, an enchantment breaks once the caster dies. The Forgotten Spell still exists, and someone is protecting it. She had a hunch, but she doesn't want to throw an empty accusation. Who might hold Themis Key?