A short while later, as Ard, Mirea, Milia, and Pyria followed the forest path, they emerged into another clearing. This space was filled with scattered standing stones—menhirs and dolmens—rising from the earth. Several of the rocks bore ancient carvings of animals, monsters, humans, and elves, appearing to tell a long-forgotten story.

"Wow... is this a relic from an ancient elven civilization?" Milia asked. She looked around in awe as she navigated through the massive, weathered stones jutting out of the soil.

"In a way. This is the site of the very first elven village," Pyria explained.

"We're getting close to the seal of Qoaldriog," Ard added.

"Exactly. The seal is just past the forest ahead," Pyria replied.

"Hmm... Qoaldriog. The ancient dragon that guards the woods and nature. I wonder just how big he really is?" Mirea asked.

"You remember seeing Lucathan when we crossed the strait with the pirates, right?" Ard asked.

"Yeah, I still remember," Mirea answered.

"The Lucathan we saw is just a juvenile compared to the original. The first Lucathan was three times that size, and Qoaldriog is roughly the same," Ard explained.

"Wow... that's way too big," Mirea replied, stunned.

"Back at Count Dimitri's mansion, I heard a massive roar coming from the mountain. That was Zorax, right?" Milia asked.

"Correct. Zorax was imprisoned 3,000 years ago by the Dragon God because he went on a rampage," Ard said.

"Wait a second. Does that mean 3,000 years ago, all the dragons were still roaming the world? I mean, before they were locked away?" Mirea asked.

"Um... yes. Esmeralda and I... ah, I mean Eva and I, were tasked by the Dragon God to seal them because they were being manipulated by Malekh to join a rebellion against the Dragon God," Ard answered.

"Hmm... I see. So they were sealed away for their own good," Mirea replied.

"And to maintain the balance of the world. Qoaldriog is different from Zorax. He actually wanted to be sealed away because he was tired of the world and just wanted to sleep. That's why Eva and I went to the elven village to talk to him," Ard added.

"Oh... so that's how it was. But if he's that big, where exactly is he imprisoned? Underground?" Mirea asked.

"In the roots of the sacred tree—the same one we're heading to for the seeds," Pyria answered.

"Wait... he's right under our destination?" Milia asked, double-checking.

"Yes. That lake is what keeps him contained because his duty is to protect the World Tree. If the seal up ahead is opened, the lake will drain and disappear. Then Qoaldriog will wake up—and we all know how things go when you wake someone up from a deep sleep," Pyria answered.

"Wow... that's really fascinating," Milia said, staring straight ahead.

Suddenly, Ard stopped. He pulled Exgrandal from his dimensional storage and stretched his arm out, blocking the girls from moving forward.

"What is it, Ard?" Mirea asked.

"You forgot, didn't you, Pyria? We're right in the middle of a lizardman nest. My apologies, I forgot too. We're surrounded," Ard said.

"Ah... you're right. I got too caught up in the conversation," Pyria replied.

"Wait... so these menhirs..." Milia murmured, scanning the area while gripping her sword hilt.

"They're coming," Ard replied.

"Hiss."

Dozens of humanoid creatures—demihumans with bodies like Komodo dragons—rose from behind the standing stones. They stood on two legs with green-brown scales that allowed them to blend into their surroundings like chameleons. Clad in animal-hide armor and wielding swords, maces, spears, and knives, they swarmed the clearing. Ard, Mirea, Milia, and Pyria immediately stood back-to-back, forming a defensive circle.

"Ugh... so this really is a lizardman nest," Milia muttered.

"We're standing right on top of their underground den," Pyria replied.

"Okay, no point dwelling on it now. What's the plan, Ard?" Mirea asked.

"As long as they don't attack, we stay still. Don't make any unnecessary moves," Ard answered.

One of the lizardmen stepped forward and stood directly in front of Ard. Being taller than him, the creature tilted its head down. Its reptilian eyes, blinking with horizontal lids, studied Ard's face. Then, it glanced at Exgrandal in Ard's hand before looking back at his face with intense scrutiny. Its forked tongue flicked out. The creature took a step back, but its gaze remained locked on Ard.

Suddenly, a lizardman behind him raised his sword to strike, but the leader in front of Ard crossed his spear, blocking his comrade's path. He focused his gaze back on Ard. The lizardman tilted his head, and his legs—which had been tensed in a low combat stance—straightened out. He released his grip on his spear and, with a sharp "sreet" sound, dropped to one knee with his head bowed low before Ard, his heavy tail sweeping across the ground with a loud thud.

In an instant, every lizardman surrounding them followed his lead, kneeling and bowing in silence. Milia, Mirea, and even Pyria stood there, completely bewildered.

"Um... what exactly is going on?" Pyria asked, her voice filled with confusion.

"Why are they bowing to you like you're a god?" Mirea asked, turning to Ard.

"So... are we safe now?" Milia added, looking around tentatively.

"Hmm... it seems he recognized Exgrandal. Ah, right—the reason I forgot this was their nest is because I was actually friends with them back in the day, hahaha," Ard said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"You could have mentioned that sooner!" Pyria, Mirea, and Milia snapped back in unison.

"These aren't your average lizardmen. They are the children or grandchildren—descendants of Qoaldriog—who guard their ancestor. When I first came here with Eva 3,000 years ago, they were incredibly aggressive. But once I spoke with Qoaldriog, they gained a deep respect for me. Naturally, they recognize me by my blade," Ard explained, glancing down at Exgrandal.

"So... they're actually the legendary Dragonoids?" Mirea asked.

"Exactly. The Dragonoids of legend," Ard replied.

"Wait, how am I just finding out about this now?" Pyria asked.

"Didn't Elidyr ever tell you?" Ard asked.

"No, he didn't. But he did write about his travels 3,000 years ago and how he discovered the secrets of the world," Pyria said.

"Wow... I'm truly impressed. I definitely don't regret coming along with you guys," Milia said, watching the kneeling Dragonoids in awe.

Ard stepped forward and signaled for the leader to rise. Once he was up, the rest of the tribe followed suit, lowering their weapons and relaxing their guard. The leader kept his eyes locked on Ard, and Ard met his gaze; they seemed to be communicating through silent understanding and subtle cues. Suddenly, with a sharp "sreek," the leader stepped aside to clear the path. His warriors followed his lead, opening the way toward the next section of the forest. Ard gave a respectful nod, which the leader returned.

As Ard began to walk, he gestured for the girls to follow through the ranks of Dragonoids lining the trail. Milia moved up and playfully grabbed Ard's arm, but a collective "hisss" erupted from the Dragonoid warriors. They glared at her with such intensity that she immediately let go.

"Are they seriously mad just because I touched Ard?" Milia asked, startled.

"To them, Ard is the man who spoke with their great ancestor. He's basically a deity. Right, Ard?" Mirea noted.

"Um... maybe. I don't really get it myself," Ard replied.

"See? You shouldn't go around touching their god so casually," Pyria teased, looping her own arm through Ard's.

"Hisss!" The entire pack of lizardmen hissed in unison. Milia immediately yanked Pyria back, forcing her to let go of Ard's arm before something went wrong. After that, the three girls fell in line behind Ard, feeling the weight of the lizardmen's gazes. The creatures didn't just watch them pass; their heads turned in perfect sync, tracking the group even after they had walked through the ranks.

When the girls glanced back, they saw the lizardmen closing the path behind them, following along as a silent, scaly escort. Mirea looked at Milia and Pyria beside her, and the three of them began to whisper as they stared at Ard's back.

"Control yourselves, girls. Don't touch their god, or they might actually go on a rampage, and that's a headache we don't need, haha," Mirea joked.

"Ugh... fine. Even though I'm a fellow forest dweller," Pyria muttered gloomily.

"I bet if Eva were here, they wouldn't mind," Milia whispered.

"Well... probably only if she had Exelion out," Mirea replied.

"Uuuugh... Eva is so lucky. She can touch Ard whenever she wants," Milia complained.

"I know. She's been by his side for 3,000 years... for some reason, I feel like I've already lost," Pyria added, hanging her head in disappointment.

"Stop it. Eva makes us all jealous, but she's not here right now. It's only a little further to the front; just hold it together for a bit," Mirea said.

Meanwhile, back at the elven village ward where the rest of the group was gathered, "atchooo!" Eva suddenly let out a loud sneeze. Beatrice, sitting right next to her, immediately recoiled.

"Ew... gross, Eva," Beatrice said, giving her a weird look.

"Do you have a cold?" Alicia asked, sitting on Eva's other side and offering her a handkerchief.

"I don't know... I feel perfectly fine," Eva said, pressing Alicia's handkerchief to her mouth and nose, her face clouded with confusion.

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