A few months ago, when Vale received word from the Order of the Oracle Hivemind that the possibility that the Sin of Lust was stirring in the Palham Empire, he did not hesitate.

The Psychic Arts Faction had come to his Immortal Tower in person, humbling themselves to ask for aid. In exchange, they pledged their presence at the Academy, teaching students, strengthening the curriculum, and lending their foresight to Vale's vision.

But Lust was no ordinary threat.

The Seven Sins were calamities that could corrupt entire nations if left unchecked. Vale knew he could not leave this matter unattended.

During that time, he summoned three of his most trusted allies:

Ash, the Ancient Nature Dragon, whose wisdom and calm made him a master of subtle investigation…

There was also Drazek, the Ancient Shadow Dragon, whose affinity for darkness allowed him to move unseen, a even a perfect target by Lust to some degree.

Zerel, the Ancient Lightning Dragon, may be known for being fierce and impulsive, but he was unmatched in speed and destructive power.

Together, they were tasked to travel north to the Palham Empire, to Harake City, the most populated city in the western region, where Lust's activities seemed most active.

Of course, the dragons took their human form as they entered Harake City.

Ash appeared as a tall woman with green eyes and hair the color of autumn leaves, dressed in simple robes that gave her the air of a wandering scholar.

Drazek cloaked himself in black and appeared as mysterious as ever.

Zerel, on the other hand, chose a more flamboyant guise with his golden hair and piercing blue eyes, drawing attention, dressed like a noble traveler.

***

Harake City was alive with various activities…

Merchants shouted their wares, taverns overflowed with laughter, and music drifted from every corner.

Yet beneath the surface, there was something wrong.

The three of them didn't have to speak with each other as they easily realized that the atmosphere was heavy. People's eyes lingered too long, and their desires seemed to be too easily stirred.

Ash frowned as she walked through the marketplace. "The city seemed to be cursed with unnatural hunger. This is not an ordinary indulgence. It seems that Vale is right… Lust's influence is here."

Drazek also agreed after some observations.

"I can feel it in the air. There's quite a lot of promises traded for coin and flesh. The Sin is gathering power through temptation. This is quite interesting…"

Zerel clenched his fist. "Then let's drag it into the open. I want to return as quickly as possible.

Ash shook her head. "No. Lust thrives on chaos. If we strike blindly, we might just feed it more energy it needed. It's being cautious right now because of the Immortals, but if it is that Sin is pushed to the corner, it might affect the city. Vale didn't want that to happen. We must trace its roots."

The three dragons soon come up with a plan as they split their efforts to investigate the unusual activity within the city…

Ash wandered the gardens and temples, speaking with priests and herbalists.

He learned that many healers had abandoned their duties, seduced by promises of wealth and pleasure. Even sacred groves had been defiled as their caretakers were lost to indulgence.

'It's a lot more serious than I thought…' She mused.

Drazek, on the other hand, slipped into the taverns and brothels, listening to their conversations. He discovered that entire guilds or organizations were also being manipulated, their leaders enthralled by a mysterious figure who promised eternal ecstasy in exchange for loyalty.

'What a typical move from the Sin…

Zerel, on the other hand, moved around the noble districts, where banquets and feasts had grown increasingly debauched.

He could feel the depravity in the air…

He saw lords and ladies abandoning their duties as they all secretly enjoyed each other's company…

Each clue pointed to the same truth… Lust was not just hiding in the shadows.

It was slowly moving itself into the very backbone of Harake City, corrupting leaders, priests, and common folk alike.

****

One night, the three dragons met in a secluded courtyard.

Ash spoke first. "The priests are compromised. The temples aren't planning to do anything. I can say that this Lust has stolen their voices."

Drazek agreed. As he had a similar report…

"The guilds are enthralled. This would've been a lot easier if we didn't have to worry about the lives of these humans. Tsk…"

"Don't say that… Just think that Vale is testing us with this mission…" Ash replied.

Drazek wryly smiled and continued with his report. "Anyway, their leaders speak of a 'Radiant Mistress' who gathers them in secret halls. That must be Lust or at the very least, its representative…"

Zerel gently nodded.

He doesn't really have any useful information…

"The nobles are puppets. Their feasts are rituals, feeding her power. It felt as if it won't be long before she stops hiding, she's been slowly building an empire of desire."

Ash closed her eyes as she started sensing the pulse of nature.

Unfortunately, she still couldn't find the Sin of Lust…

Soon, the dragons continued their investigation, moving deeper into the city's events…

Then, in the slums, they found a gathering…

Dozens of men and women kneeling before a figure cloaked in crimson silk.

Her voice was soft and intoxicating, and every word she said was filled with allure…

"Desire is freedom," she whispered. "Cast aside your chains. Serve me, and I will give you pleasures beyond mortal reach."

The crowd shuddered, enthralled by her offer.

Drazek frowned as she looked at the woman…

She looked too weak to be the Sin of Lust… In the end, he realized that the Sin seemed to be using disciples or perhaps slaves to spread its power!

As expected, as soon as they approached, the figure dissolved into mist, leaving only laughter behind.

"She knows we are here," Ash said grimly.

"She's testing our patience, huh…"

At this point, they didn't really care about the situation of the humans. As long as they weren't the ones killing these humans, their deaths wouldn't matter to them.

Soon, the three Dragons felt that they had had enough…

"Let's seal the city… As long as we're not killing humans, we're still following Vale's principles…"

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