Chapter 181: The Eyes of Essence 2

The Eyes of Essence.

A unique ability whose existence not many knew of, even among the Dragons.

Those eyes could see all kinds of things that ordinary eyes could not. From distinguishing truth from lies, to seeing things hidden deep within a living being.

Including a person’s soul.

And of course, the ability was not as simple as it sounded.

Cleenah herself had used it for years. Thanks to the Eyes of Essence, she was able to tell whether someone was lying, even with her eyes covered by a bandage.

But that ability had not been hers from the start.

The Eyes of Essence were something bequeathed to her by Lady Clyne, the previous leader of the Qiezhuran Clan.

A final gift from someone she had considered her own mother.

"..."

Cleenah slowly lifted her head.

The memory of Clyne’s death still felt so vivid. Although years had passed, she had never truly forgotten the morning Lady Clyne left her.

And now, someone who had once known Clyne was standing right in front of her.

"...Lady Clyne."

Cleenah murmured the name softly.

The Primordial Dragon, who had just asked about the Eyes of Essence, tilted her head slightly.

"Clyne?"

"Yes, Milady. These eyes were a gift from Lady Clyne before she passed away."

"...Oh?"

The green-haired woman fell silent.

She had already learned of Clyne’s death from Garph. But knowing that the Eyes of Essence that girl once possessed were now with Cleenah was something different.

"So, she gave her eyes to you?"

Cleenah nodded.

"That’s right, Milady."

"...I see."

The Primordial Dragon looked at the white bandage covering Cleenah’s eyes.

For a while, she said nothing.

Cleenah lowered her head slightly, not knowing what that legendary figure was thinking.

But the woman was actually remembering something.

Clyne.

The little girl who had once been in her care.

It had been a very long time since she last saw Clyne, and even when Garph told her that the girl had died, the Primordial Dragon still found it hard to imagine.

After all, in her memory, Clyne was still a rather pleasant little girl.

She also remembered how Clyne had always treated her like a mother.

And honestly, the Primordial Dragon herself hadn’t minded that very much.

’...That girl.’

The green-haired woman let out a small sigh.

It turned out that so much had happened during her absence.

Even the little girl she had once looked after had become the leader of the Qiezhuran, then died and passed her position to the next generation.

It was truly hard to accept.

"Cleenah."

"Yes, Milady?"

"How did Clyne die?"

Cleenah fell silent at that question.

She tightened her grip on her cane a little, then lowered her head.

"...I’m sorry, Milady."

"...Hm?"

"I don’t know."

The Primordial Dragon frowned slightly.

"You don’t know?"

"When I found her, Lady Clyne was already in a terrible condition. I don’t know what had happened before, or who was responsible for her state."

Cleenah paused for a moment.

"Even now, I still haven’t found the answer."

"..."

The green-haired woman listened calmly.

She actually wanted to ask more, but seeing Cleenah with her head slightly bowed, she finally gave up on the idea.

After all, if the girl truly didn’t know anything, asking further wouldn’t bring an answer either.

"...Haa, this is really troublesome."

The Primordial Dragon let out a small sigh.

"I thought that after all this time, at least Clyne would be living a pleasant life. Who would have thought it would end like this?"

Cleenah didn’t answer.

She had hoped for the same.

But the woman quickly turned her attention back to Cleenah.

"Wait a moment. In that case, why are you using those Eyes of Essence?"

"...?"

"I mean, the eyes are certainly remarkable, but doesn’t your body not suit them?"

Cleenah fell silent.

The Primordial Dragon looked over the girl’s small body again.

From the moment they first met, she had already noticed that something was wrong with Cleenah’s condition.

Her body was too fragile.

Even to stand and walk, Cleenah needed the help of a cane.

And now that she knew the origin of the Eyes of Essence, the Primordial Dragon finally understood one of the reasons behind her condition.

"...So that’s how it is."

The woman frowned.

"Clyne’s Eyes of Essence aren’t something just anyone can use. Your body is clearly not suited to bear them."

Cleenah nodded gently.

"I know, Milady."

"Then why do you still use them?"

"Because they are Lady Clyne’s last gift."

"..."

The Primordial Dragon fell silent.

Cleenah continued in a calm voice.

"She said that I would need them. And it’s true, without the Eyes of Essence, I probably wouldn’t have been able to carry out my duties as Clan Leader up to now."

The green-haired woman sighed a little.

She understood what Cleenah meant.

The ability to know lies was clearly very useful for someone who had to lead so many Dragons.

But that didn’t mean she liked the situation.

"Ugh, that Clyne... Why did she leave something so troublesome to a girl as small as you?"

Cleenah flinched slightly.

"Mi-Milady, Lady Clyne did nothing wrong!"

"Eh? I didn’t say she did anything wrong!"

The Primordial Dragon crossed her arms.

"I only said that your situation is troublesome! Look at your body now! Do you think I could feel happy seeing that?"

"..."

Cleenah didn’t know how to answer.

The woman then moved closer and studied her face once more.

"If only I had more time..."

She muttered something in irritation.

Honestly, there were many things she wanted to examine about the Eyes of Essence and Cleenah’s condition. She even wanted to find out whether there was something that could be done to help the girl’s body.

Unfortunately, her own circumstances didn’t allow it.

The energy she could use was already very little.

Even maintaining the stopped time like this required power that she couldn’t keep using.

’...How annoying.’

The Primordial Dragon clicked her tongue.

She had been in this condition for too long, but every time she found something she wanted to do, that limitation still irritated her.

"Cleenah."

"Yes, Milady?"

"I don’t have much time. So listen carefully, okay?"

Cleenah quickly nodded.

"Yes!"

The Primordial Dragon smiled faintly.

"First, don’t doubt Clyne’s decision too much. I know that girl very well, and if she chose you, there must have been something that made her certain."

"..."

"I don’t know what she was really planning. But you don’t need to keep blaming yourself just because things in the Qiezhuran aren’t going well right now."

Cleenah lowered her head slightly.

"...I understand."

"And don’t lose hope just because things have become difficult! You can still do something, can’t you?"

The woman smiled again.

But this time, Cleenah didn’t answer right away.

The Primordial Dragon looked at her for a moment, then let out a small sigh.

"Ugh, why is your face still so gloomy? You’re so adorable when you smile, you know!"

"...I’m sorry."

"Stop apologizing!"

Cleenah flinched slightly.

Seeing her reaction, the Primordial Dragon finally stroked her head gently.

"Anyway, there’s one more thing you have to remember."

"...?"

"Help my Master."

Cleenah fell silent.

"...Lord Julian?"

"That’s right! If you help him, he will surely help you in return. Trust me, it’s a very good choice!"

The Primordial Dragon nodded to herself with great confidence.

"Even if one day you face a terrible situation, try relying on him. Don’t force yourself to bear everything alone."

"..."

Cleenah looked at the figure before her.

She had actually already heard something similar from Garph.

But hearing it directly from the Primordial Dragon made those words feel somewhat different.

Even so, Cleenah still had many doubts.

"Milady..."

"Hm?"

"Is there... Really nothing else I can do?"

The Primordial Dragon tilted her head slightly.

"What do you mean?"

Cleenah gripped her cane more tightly.

"The Qiezhuran Clan is in a bad state right now. Many members of the Clan no longer trust me, and our relations with other Clans are growing worse as well."

"..."

"I have tried to do what I can, but everything still goes on like this."

Cleenah lowered her head.

She didn’t cry.

It had been too long since she started facing these problems, and now Cleenah had even grown used to hearing all kinds of bad things said about her.

But that didn’t mean she wasn’t sad.

"Lady Clyne entrusted this Clan to me. But even now, I don’t know how to keep it standing."

The Primordial Dragon listened without interrupting.

Cleenah continued in an increasingly quiet voice.

"Can I truly save the Qiezhuran, Milady?"

"..."

"And if everything is already too late... What should I do?"

The green-haired woman frowned slightly.

Something about that question felt different.

Cleenah wasn’t talking about an ordinary problem that might happen in the future.

It was as though the girl already knew something.

And sure enough, after staying silent for a few moments, Cleenah opened her mouth again.

"Milady, if you don’t mind... There is one thing I would like to ask."

"Go ahead."

Cleenah slowly lifted her head.

All this time, there was something she had never told anyone.

Even Garph didn’t know about it.

But now, the figure before her was the Primordial Dragon. If there was anyone who might be able to give an answer, Cleenah felt it was her.

"...How?"

"Hm?"

Cleenah drew a small breath.

"How can I stop the attack that will soon come to the Qiezhuran Clan?"