CHAPTER 30: DRACO’S PUNISHMENT (3)

"Your ten-level punishment shall be waived."

"Thank the heavens!" Ariana gasped. She instantly dropped to her knees, bowing low in gratitude before Siamelumis. "Thank you... thank you so much!"

Then, turning to Mimi, she pressed her hands together and lowered her head, offering her thanks to the little Noctifelis as well.

Even Draco allowed himself a faint, relieved smile.

"Thank you, Mimi..." he murmured.

Mwehehe! No problem!

Mimi puffed up proudly, her tail swishing high as she gave a triumphant meow.

She then turned her head and caught Emilia’s expression. The girl’s eyes were shining with relief, her lips curved in a gentle smile.

Nice!

She must be so happy right now.

But of course, as Lord Siamelumis had said, such a crime could not go unpunished. No matter how much mercy was shown, justice still had to be carried out.

And so, Mimi and the Guardian Deity had secretly agreed upon another plan.

"However," Siamelumis declared, her deep voice echoing like a tolling bell across the chamber. "This reprieve will stand only if you can fulfill three conditions that I am about to name."

Ariana raised her head at once, anxiety clear in her eyes once more.

"Yes, my Lord. Please... what are these conditions?"

Siamelumis closed her eyes for a brief moment, her majestic aura pressing down. When she opened them again, her gaze burned with authority.

And with that, she revealed the three conditions:

"One! The Silvervein Clan must enforce a stricter rule. Anyone caught owning a Dagger of Severance must destroy it at once, or face severe punishment. Only then can we make sure no magical beast will ever be threatened by such a vile weapon again."

"Two! Mimi demands another gift! That Radiant Elysian Starfruit was delicious, but one fruit alone is not enough to soothe her righteous fury!"

"And three!" Siamelumis’s voice boomed as if declaring law itself. "Instead of losing ten levels, Draco Silvervein shall eat one full plate of the so-called ’best cat food in the world’... every single day... for the next year!"

"Pfft!"

Emilia and Ariana couldn’t hold it back. They burst into laughter, their shoulders shaking as they tried to stifle their giggles.

"Thank you, Mimi," Ariana managed between chuckles, her eyes glistening with relief. "These punishments are fair... merciful, even. Thank you so much for your kindness!"

Meanwhile, Draco’s face was drained of all color. His jaw dropped.

"The first two conditions are... fine. But wait... wait a second. What do you mean by ’best cat food in the world’? What? Can I even eat that? Is it edible for humans?!"

"Haha! Dad, good luck!" Emilia laughed, clapping her hands with glee.

"Wait! Please, have mercy, Mimi!" Draco cried in panic, almost lunging toward the little Noctifelis. "I can’t eat that stuff! Spare me!"

But Mimi was unmoved.

Hmph!

The tiny cat flicked her tail with dignity, her whiskers twitching in amusement. She turned her face away dramatically, puffing her chest out like a ruler delivering justice.

Mwehehehe!

That’s right! This is probably the greatest punishment in history!

Not only would it make that scary red-haired man’s life a living nightmare, but Mimi could already picture it: the proud Fire Dragon Emperor, gagging and holding back tears as he forced himself to chew on foul-smelling cat food, day after day.

Truly, justice was beautiful!

"Come on, Darling, I think it’s such a good punishment too!" Ariana chimed in brightly. "It’s way better than losing ten levels! And besides, it’s not all bad. As gross as that food might taste, it’s packed with nutrition! If anything, it might even help you grow stronger by building more muscle!"

"AAAAA! NOT YOU TOO, ARIANA!!!" Draco roared, clutching his head like the world had betrayed him.

Draco kept protesting loudly, his crimson aura flaring faintly in his frustration. But no matter how much he protested, it was clear now, nobody was on his side anymore. The sentence was sealed!

Everyone was satisfied—except, of course, the mighty Fire Dragon Emperor himself.

"Thank you, Mimi..." Emilia said softly. Her voice was tender, full of gratitude. She walked over and smiled, reaching out to pet Mimi’s silky fur before lifting the little cat back into her arms.

Meanwhile... haizz...

Draco could only heave a long, heavy sigh.

For a man who had once burned armies of demonic creatures with his wrath, he now would be eating soggy cat kibble for the next entire year.

"Anyway," he muttered at last, defeated, "about the additional gift... what do you want, Mimi?"

On that matter, Mimi had already spent a lot of time thinking. But frustratingly, she still didn’t have an answer ready.

Thanks to her curse, experience stones and skill stones were utterly useless. They might as well have been shiny pebbles. She could ask for equipment, but at her current low level, there wasn’t much gear that could truly help her.

The only truly valuable thing she had received so far was that legendary Radiant Elysian Starfruit. She could ask for another one, of course... but that fruit was bound by strict rules. Only one could be eaten per year for its full effects, making a second one useless until the next year rolled around.

"How about this? You open your Treasury Vault and let Mimi pick one item for herself," Lord Siamelumis suggested.

"Oh, that’s a great idea!" Ariana exclaimed.

"Yup, I’m fine with that," Draco said.

"So, what do you think, Mimi?" Lord Siamelumis turned toward the little Noctifelis, who perked her ears.

Of course, Mimi thought it was a brilliant idea too! The Vault of the Silvervein Clan was said to hold treasures beyond imagination. Even in her past life playing Arventia Online, she had never once gotten the chance to explore that part of the clan.

The thought of strolling inside, wandering through a place shrouded in mystery, and picking anything she wanted made her whiskers twitch with excitement.

"MEOW!" she agreed happily.

"Alright, that settles it!" Siamelumis declared with a firm nod. Then she turned to Draco, her tone sharp as steel. "By the authority of the Guardian Deity of the Silvervein Clan, I hereby sentence you, Draco Silvervein, to three punishments for your crime against your daughter’s magical beast, Mimi."

Her voice rang out, each word pressing down like a decree carved into stone. She repeated the three conditions once more, leaving no room for loopholes or excuses.

"Draco," she said coldly, "do you accept your punishment now... or would you prefer to suffer a loss of ten levels?"

Draco let out a long breath. His face showed clear reluctance... but in the end, he lowered his head.

"Yes... I accept," the Fire Dragon Emperor said at last, bowing with his hand pressed to his heart.

And with that, his punishment was finalized.

_______________________

After that, everyone took a moment to gather themselves.

"Now then, let us move on to the second matter I wish to discuss with you all today," Lord Siamelumis said, her tone shifting into something more serious.

"Is this... related to Emilia’s summoning incident?" Draco asked.

"Exactly," Siamelumis replied.

"Wait... you mean you’ve discovered who sabotaged my daughter’s summoning ritual?"