Chapter 178: Meeting with the Clan Leader

"...Thank you for your hard work."

After finishing her announcement, Cleenah finally let out a small sigh.

A gentle smile was still on her face, while the Primordial Dragon projection she had been using slowly faded from the Dragons’ view.

And before long, the sound of cheering began to rise from outside the building.

"Lady Cleenah!"

"This year’s festival will surely be wonderful!"

"Long live Lady Cleenah!"

The Dragons looked so excited. They talked to one another, laughed, and a few even began praising their Clan Leader, who had just finished her announcement.

It was a truly pleasant atmosphere.

At least, that was what someone watching from the outside might think.

But Cleenah herself had a slightly different opinion.

"..."

The smile on her face was the same as before.

Calm and gentle, yet without a hint of joy or cheerfulness.

After all, Cleenah knew something most people did not.

That most of those praises were lies.

"Lady Cleenah really is a wonderful leader!"

"I’m sure she will lead Qiezhuran to glory again!"

"That’s right! We’re so lucky to have a leader like her!"

Cleenah listened to all of it in silence.

If one only heard their words, one might think that every member of the Clan truly respected her.

Unfortunately, Cleenah couldn’t simply trust those words.

She had a rather unique ability.

No one could lie before her without her knowing.

Even with her eyes covered by a white bandage, that ability could still be used as usual.

And because of that, Cleenah knew that many of the Dragons praising her were not sincere in what they said.

Of course, that didn’t mean everyone was lying.

There were still some Dragons who were truly happy about the festival, and some who even sincerely respected Cleenah as their leader.

But their numbers weren’t as great as one might imagine.

"...Haa."

Cleenah let out a small sigh.

Honestly, she was already used to this.

Ever since becoming the Qiezhuran Clan Leader, Cleenah had heard so many praises that held not a bit of sincerity.

Some praised her because of her position, and some only wanted to show good behavior in front of other Clan members.

While behind her back, they might hold very different opinions.

And Cleenah knew that.

’...How troublesome.’

She lowered her head slightly.

It wasn’t that Cleenah wanted everyone to like her. She understood that being a Clan Leader wasn’t easy, especially with her body in its present condition.

But every now and then, she still felt a little sad.

Especially when she remembered how things had been for the Qiezhuran Clan in the past.

Back then, everything had been far better.

At least, that was how Cleenah always remembered it.

In the old days, when the Clan was still under Lady Clyne’s leadership, the atmosphere had been completely different.

The Dragons had taken great pride in their Clan. Many other Clans had still respected Qiezhuran, and relations among them hadn’t been as bad as now.

Of course, that didn’t mean there had never been problems.

But compared to the present, those times felt far more pleasant.

And for Cleenah herself, there was another reason she missed them so much.

Lady Clyne.

"..."

Cleenah fell silent as that name surfaced in her mind again.

To the members of the Qiezhuran Clan, Clyne was their former leader. A Dragon revered for her strength, her abilities, and the many things she had done for the Clan.

But to Cleenah, Clyne was far more than that.

She had been like a mother.

Someone who had always held an important place in her life, and one of the people Cleenah respected most.

Unfortunately, all of that was now only a memory.

Lady Clyne had passed away long ago.

And before her passing, she had chosen Cleenah to be the next Clan Leader of the Qiezhuran.

’...Why me?’

That question rose again.

Cleenah had already thought about it many times, but until now she still didn’t understand the reason behind that decision.

Why did it have to be her?

Weren’t there many other Dragons far more suitable?

Even if she considered only Garph, Cleenah felt the old Dragon would have been a far better choice.

Garph had already reached Rank-S.

He had the strength, experience, and knowledge to handle the Clan’s many affairs. What’s more, his standing as an elder was already recognized by many Dragons.

While Cleenah herself...

"..."

She raised her hand slightly, looking at her body, so small and fragile.

Cleenah was even still at Rank-B.

Her growth hadn’t gone well, and her physical condition made many things that should have been simple rather difficult to do.

Even walking sometimes required the help of a cane.

Let alone if she had to face a powerful Dragon intent on causing trouble.

Of course, Cleenah had an ability most Dragons did not.

Her ability to know lies was extremely useful, especially when she had to deal with the Clan’s various affairs.

But that ability didn’t make her body any stronger.

Nor did it make her capable of solving every problem Qiezhuran was currently facing.

’...I can’t even do much.’

Cleenah let out a small sigh.

Compared to Garph, the difference in their strength was too great.

And yet, Clyne had still chosen her.

Not Garph.

Not any other Dragon with better strength and abilities.

But her.

Cleenah still remembered how certain Clyne had been about that decision.

There had been no doubt about who she wanted to make her successor.

In fact, even after Clyne passed away, no one could change the decision she had left behind.

And that was how Cleenah finally became the Clan Leader of the Qiezhuran.

’...Lady Clyne.’

She recalled that figure again with a sorrowful heart.

If Clyne were still here, perhaps things wouldn’t have turned out as they were now.

The Clans that once stood under Qiezhuran’s leadership were slowly pulling away. Some no longer even showed the same respect they once had.

Meanwhile, the Dragons within her own Clan were beginning to change as well.

And now, seeing all these problems, Cleenah couldn’t help questioning Clyne’s decision once more.

’...Did you really not make a mistake in choosing me?’

There was no answer.

Of course, Cleenah didn’t expect one either.

After all, Clyne was no longer here to explain the reasons behind her decision.

And Cleenah had no choice but to keep carrying out the responsibility given to her.

Even if the results might not be as good as hoped.

"...Haa."

Cleenah sighed again.

She then turned her attention away from the crowd of Dragons.

The festival announcement was over, and for now there was no more reason for her to stay in that place.

Besides, she still had other matters to attend to.

Slowly, Cleenah reached for the cane near her.

Tap.

A light tapping sound rang out as the tip of the cane touched the floor.

She began to walk away from that place, taking a path that wasn’t too crowded so as not to attract the attention of the Dragons still enjoying the night atmosphere.

Her steps weren’t fast.

With her body as it was, Cleenah couldn’t move as freely as most Dragons.

But that wasn’t anything new to her.

She was already used to it.

After a while, Cleenah finally left the building where the announcement had taken place and began heading back to her residence.

Meanwhile, the voices of the Dragons enjoying themselves could still be heard from afar.

Cleenah didn’t pay them much mind.

Because now, there was something far more interesting occupying her attention.

’...At last.’

A small smile appeared on her face again.

This time, that smile was a little different from the one she had shown while making the announcement.

After all, Cleenah would soon be meeting someone.

Someone Garph had told her about before.

A human from another world.

And most importantly, the one even called Master by the Primordial Dragon.

"..."

Cleenah tightened her grip on the cane.

Honestly, she didn’t know what that person was like.

Garph had given an account of his meeting, but listening to a story and meeting someone in person were clearly two different things.

What’s more, Cleenah already knew that Garph wasn’t lying about the Primordial Dragon.

That was what made her all the more curious.

’...What kind of person is he?’

Cleenah began to walk again.

For some reason, when she thought that the meeting would soon take place, she began to feel a little impatient.

In fact, her heart was beating faster than usual.

That was quite rare.

But Cleenah didn’t think too much about it.

She simply kept walking toward her residence, with the small smile still on her face.