"The Empress, who was infertile, requested the Emperor to adopt me. To confirm my identity, he summoned mages to test my blood. They discovered that I had imperial blood, and I was officially adopted."
Maroon, wide-eyed, asked, "And what about your brother?"
Long Yan's expression darkened. "He was reincarnated too—into the body of the Grand Emperor. Now, he is after my lavaliere, determined to destroy it. He already knew I had been reborn, but I only discovered his existence while meditating in the Grand Imperial guest room."
Maroon murmured in awe, "You're not just a saintess. You're more than a goddess. What could have earned the lavaliere the name—the Blood Tear of the Dragon Empress?"
Long Yan chuckled. "Amid the war between the Dragon Empress and rival dragons, every village dragon under her, met its demise. This sent the Dragon Empress into utter despair, making even her blood mourn, and she perished on the spot. Our forebear deity gathered her sacred blood and entombed it within this lavaliere. The deity forged a pact with the fallen knights and the Dragon Empress: should they desire resurrection in their own forms to battle for the next era, they must be bound within the lavaliere. When they are asked to summon, they would be awakened. Embracing this fate, their spirits became enshrined within the lavaliere. Now, enough talk—let me sleep now."
They both drifted into slumber.
Meanwhile, in the North-West Grand Empire...
Leonos knelt before the throne. "I apologize, Your Majesty. I failed to capture her. But I did confirm that the Blood Tear of the Dragon Empress is in the Princess's possession."