CHAPTER 20: A SUDDEN VISIT (2)

The Silvervein Clan was one of—if not the—strongest beast-taming clans in the world, and there was a reason for that.

Their Guardian Deity was none other than Lord Siamelumis.

She wasn’t human. No—she was a dragon. A primordial dragon! One of the most powerful dragons ever recorded in history, her might said to rival even the gods themselves.

Siamelumis was one of the first six dragons—the very first magical beasts that the Goddess Fauveline had created, each blessed with her direct power to rule over the magical beast world. For tens of thousands of years, these six had watched over the land, guarding and guiding it.

And out of them all, Siamelumis was the only one who extended her hand to humankind, willing to form a pact.

According to legend, the very first master of the Silvervein Clan, Lady Anastasia Silvervein, was the one who awakened Siamelumis during the great war against the forces of darkness. She received the dragon’s blessing, and thus began the legacy of the Silverveins.

With Siamelumis’ power behind them, generations of Silverveins rose unstoppable.

For countless years, the Guardian Deity had slumbered in the clan’s most sacred sanctuary, stirring only on rare occasions, such as when a new clan head ascended, or when war threatened the realm.

But for her to awaken now...

And immediately demand to see Emilia...

Holy shit.

Could it be because she, a Silvervein, had accidentally summoned the weakest beast of all?

Or did she do something else that upsetted her?

Back in the game, Claire’s character had never seen Siamelumis in person, but only in the scattered lore texts across the Kingdom. Which was why, in this life, she was thrilled to finally see her.

But excitement aside... Siamelumis was famous for being prideful. She’s a really, really strict ruler.

Which meant... Emilia... might be in trouble.

_____________

Creak—

The door opened, and Emilia stood there with her mother and father—Lady Ariana and Lord Draco.

A moment of awkward silence hung in the air.

"Can we... come in first?" Ariana asked gently.

"O-of course..." Emilia muttered, stepping aside with stiff movements.

Ariana entered first. Her gaze immediately landed on Mimi, who was half-hiding behind Emilia’s legs. The little noctifelis peeked out with wide, wary eyes, her tail flicking in unease.

"So... your name is Mimi now?" The first lady bent down with a soft smile and reached out her hand.

"Meow..." Mimi meowed softly.

After a pause, she hesitantly walked forward and allowed Lady Ariana to pet her.

Well... obviously, Ariana was at fault too for what had happened. But since she was beautiful, Mimi decided she was forgiven.

"Wow... she’s so cute..." Ariana whispered in awe, gently stroking Mimi’s fur.

But then... the other person stepped in.

The moment Emilia looked at him, her eyes darted away instantly.

"...Dad," she muttered.

Lord Draco’s expression was heavy with guilt.

"Emilia... I’m sorry," he said, his voice low, trying to mend things with his daughter.

Emilia’s lips tightened. "Well, you don’t have to apologize to me!" she sighed. "If anything, you should apologize to Mimi!"

"Ah... right..." Draco admitted.

Just like Ariana, he knelt down and stretched out his hand.

Mimi trotted forward slowly, eyes narrowed into slits.

Draco thought she would warm up to him as easily as she had to Ariana.

But no.

Mimi was not someone who forgave so easily!

This man—this so-called beast tamer—had dared to use the Dagger of Severance on her! That was blasphemy!

If he weren’t Emilia’s father, Mimi would have gladly clawed his face into ribbons on the spot!

So instead—

Pap!

She smacked his hand away with her paw.

And then—

"HISSSSSS!!!"

Her fur puffed up like a spiky porcupine, tail bristling, fangs bared in fury as she let out the angriest hiss she could muster!

Yeah! She had to show him anger!

This motherf—this foolish human—needed to reflect on his actions properly and never dare to treat magical beasts that way again!

"See? Mimi isn’t forgiving you. There’s nothing I can do, Dad." Emilia said firmly, arms crossed. But the slight twitch at the corner of her lips betrayed her true feelings. Her eyes sparkled faintly, as if she were secretly cheering, Good job, Mimi!

Draco exhaled a long, heavy sigh, shoulders sinking.

"Alright, fine then," he muttered, clearly defeated.

"Perhaps I wasn’t sincere enough..." he admitted. "So Mimi, how about... a present, to show my sincerity?"

Oooooh?

Present???

Oh, nice!

In an instant, Mimi dropped her dramatic hissing act. Her puffed-up tail slowly deflated, her fur smoothing back down as her ears perked up. Her eyes turned into twin coins of greed.

Alright, old man, if it’s a nice present, then I might reconsider it!

Bribe me! Earn my forgiveness, foolish human!

Draco reached into his dimensional inventory. Space rippled and swirled in his palm like a tiny whirlpool. He reached inside and, after a heartbeat, pulled something out.

A fruit.

But not just any fruit.

It gleamed gold, no larger than a plum, its skin sparkling with magical glitters. Across its surface were etched strange, glowing star-patterns, as if constellations had been carved directly into its flesh.

The instant Mimi laid eyes on it, she froze.

Holy shit.

T-t-t-t-that’s... the Radiant Elysian Starfruit!!!

Father of Emilia... I forgive you!

Even Emilia was stunned.

"D-Dad?" she stammered.

Even Emilia’s jaw dropped.

"D-Dad?" she stammered, completely shaken.

"Draco... are you sure about this?" Lady Ariana asked, her elegant face frozen in disbelief.

But Draco only shook his head, resolute.

"No. Emilia was right. I was at fault. And I need to show Mimi that I am truly willing to make amends."

He turned back to the tiny noctifelis.

Then, with a small smile, he asked, "So... will you forgive me now, Mimi?"

Oh hohoho... but of course!

"Meow!" Mimi meowed happily, accepting the deal.

Because that was no ordinary fruit.

That was the Radiant Elysian Starfruit!

A freaking legendary fruit! A fruit said to be born from the tear of a fallen star!

With this, she could gain some really sweet stats!