CHAPTER 64: GUARDIAN ZEPHYRONA

"So, what brings you here today? Why have the parents and daughter suddenly come to my place?" Zephyrona asked, her golden eyes narrowing at Ariana.

At that, Ariana began to recount everything to the Treasury Guardian— how Emilia had summoned a Noctifelis after someone tampered with her ritual, how Draco had nearly made a grave mistake by attempting to unsummon Mimi, and finally, how Lord Siamelumis had judged the matter, granting Mimi the right to decide the three punishments for his crimes.

***

"WHAHAHAA!" Zephyrona’s laughter boomed across the mountain. "He has to eat cat food for a whole year? Now that’s a punishment worth cheering for!"

She cackled, then reached down and gave Mimi’s head an overly enthusiastic pat. Her hand wasn’t heavy, but the static charge humming through her body leapt into Mimi’s fur—making the little cat puff up like a round ball of fluff.

Zap, zap!

"MEWWW!" Mimi squeaked, sparks crackling off her fur and snapping in the air like tiny fireworks.

Zephyrona only laughed harder. "But if it were up to me, I’d make it even harsher! Not just one year—oh no. I’d make him eat cat food for the rest of his life!"

She suddenly gasped, her golden eyes widening dramatically. "Wait! That’s a brilliant idea! Maybe I should ask Siamelumis to extend his punishment!"

"Aaah, no, please!" Draco yelped, nearly falling to his knees, his voice cracking with desperation. "Have mercy on me, Guardian!"

Zephyrona crossed her arms and gave him a sharp, unimpressed glare. "Hah! Honestly, what were you even thinking, dude? You knew Lord Siamelumis was watching, and you still tried to pull something that reckless?"

Draco groaned and rubbed his temple as if the memory alone gave him a headache. "It was... it was just a moment of anger and frustration. I wasn’t thinking clearly. But hey—" he forced a weak smile, "I’ve already been punished, haven’t I? Can’t we just... let it go now?"

But Zephyrona wasn’t done. She turned her gaze toward Mimi instead, her grin returning with a mischievous spark. "Well? What do you think, little one? He’s already taken Siamelumis’ punishment, but I haven’t given mine yet. If you want, just say meow—and I’ll beat his sorry ass for you!"

"WHAT?! Oh, come on!!!" Draco spluttered, his face turning pale.

Meanwhile, Mimi’s eyes lit up like lanterns.

Ooooh! Zephyrona’s going to punish him too? NICE!

Her tiny tail swished with excitement as she weighed her options. On one hand, she really did feel a little bad for Draco. From the outside, it definitely looked like she and Zephyrona were teaming up just to bully him.

But on the other hand... when else would she get the chance to see the mighty Guardian in action?

The thought alone made her whiskers twitch.

Hehe... maybe just one little meow won’t hurt...

And so...

I’m sorry, Clan Head!

"Meow!" Mimi gave her order!

Get his ass!

And just like that—

"WHAHAHA! COME HERE, BOY!" Zephyrona roared with laughter, thumping her crackling gauntlets together.

Draco jolted, panic flashing across his face.

But before he could react, Zephyrona was already gone from where she stood—reappearing right in front of him.

BAM!

Her fist drove straight into his solar plexus, lightning exploding outward with the blow.

"URGH!"

BOOOOM!

The strike landed like thunder itself. The impact blasted Draco off his feet, sending him crashing into the mountain wall. Stone shattered, rocks tumbled, and a huge cloud of dust and smoke rose into the sky.

When the haze cleared, Draco was on his knees, coughing, blood dripping down his face.

Oh shit...

Mimi’s fur bristled as she watched, her heart skipping a beat. That hit looked far

too brutal. Could the Clan Head even survive something like that?

Sensing her unease, Zephyrona rested a warm, crackling hand on her back. "Relax, little one. That boy’s tougher than he looks. It’ll take more than a punch to break him. And besides—" her tone hardened, more serious now, "even if this wasn’t about punishment, I would’ve tested him anyway. It’s been too long since our last clash."

Meanwhile, Lady Ariana... didn’t even look worried. She simply crossed her arms and chuckled softly, watching as if this was nothing new.

Seeing that, Mimi’s tense shoulders relaxed, and she let out a shaky sigh.

Phew... for a second, I really thought Draco was done for!

Zephyrona then turned her golden gaze toward Ariana, her grin widening. "Very good. Looks like your husband has finally mastered that sacred fire."

"Yes," Ariana replied, pride glimmering in her eyes. "He’s trained hard for this."

And true enough, Draco suddenly erupted in light. Flames, bright and sacred, flared across his battered body. The blood vanished, the bruises faded, and in the span of a few breaths, his wounds closed completely, burned away by the fire that wrapped around him like a divine cloak.

***

Moments later, once Draco had pulled himself together, it was time to move on.

"Alright," Zephyrona said, folding her arms with authority. "So, you want your daughter and her companion to enter the Sanctuary of Ten Thousand Stars and choose an artifact inside, correct?"

"Yes," Draco nodded.

"And you’ll be paying the contribution points?" Zephyrona pressed, one brow arched.

"Of course," the Clan Head replied without hesitation.

"Huh? Contribution... points?" Emilia tilted her head.

Zephyrona blinked at her. "Wait, Emilia—don’t tell me they never explained the rules of this Treasury Vault to you?"

"A-ah... I’m sorry!" Emilia stammered, lowering her gaze. "I... I didn’t know anything..."

Zephyrona let out a loud "tsk," but then waved her hand dismissively. "Nah, it’s fine! It’s my job to explain the rules to newcomers anyway!"

With a dramatic march, she strode toward the colossal stone gate. Turning back, she planted her hands on her hips, wings twitching behind her.

"Listen closely, Emilia—these are the rules!" she declared, her voice echoing against the mountain wall.

"Yes! Zephie big sis!" Emilia straightened

"Good! That’s the spirit!"

And so, with booming energy and plenty of flair, Zephyrona began to explain everything.

Mimi, perched beside Emilia, pricked up her ears as well, determined not to miss a single word.