Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, four years had already passed.
With the supplement of magic crystal ore, Jona Velli's mana reserves and recovery speed were greatly enhanced.
Thus, in just four years, she had reached the point for her periodic slumber.
Furthermore, Joe and Mofana had almost completely adapted to the lifestyle of White Crystal City.
Joe also successfully became a loyal enthusiast of various entertainment activities. Since his talent and skills were top-tier and he was almost undefeated, he was called the "God of Gamblers" by his fellow card players.
Joe believed that as long as he dealt the cards himself, he would definitely win, so he dubbed himself the "God of Dealt Gamblers."
Compared to Joe's harmonious integration with the Dependents, Mofana was relatively aloof, exuding a cold aura.
Coupled with her indifferent expression, she gave off a "don't come near me, I'm aloof and difficult to talk to" vibe. As a result, the only ones she could talk to, besides the Three Dragons, were the peace-loving Anna and the talkative Fanny.
Yet, she still felt quite good about herself.
Human merchant caravans arrived at White Crystal City every year as agreed, and Jona Velli had no interest in managing such trivial matters.
Feeling the increasing drowsiness day by day, Jona Velli knew that the day of her slumber was not far off.
Looking at the flourishing City-state, she bared her dragon mouth and summoned Fanny.
Jona Velli established Five Five-Year Plans and instructed Fanny to implement them.
Normally, she wouldn't sleep for such a long time, but Jona Velli wanted to slack off; she wanted to have a long, deep sleep, an undisturbed slumber journey.
As for what would happen if she didn't wake up after twenty-five years? What else could be done? There were others to hold things up; surely she wouldn't wake up to find a party of heroes on a quest to slay her, right?
...Time turned and twisted, and ten years vanished in a flash.
Almost all the Black-Armored Trolls felt something simultaneously and looked in one direction, where a majestic palace stood.
"Master..."
As soon as the words were spoken, a roar already filled with majesty resounded. All the monsters and the White Crystal Knights within White Crystal City knelt one after another, while the Imperial Guardss stationed on the palace stairs turned and knelt in unison.
Everyone shouted loudly.
"Congratulations on the awakening of the Great Lord Gris!"
Just as the cheers subsided, the heavy doors were slowly pushed open, and a handsome youth stepped out, his medium-length black hair dancing in the wind.
"As expected of me, Gris, I shall be invincible in this world!"
Saying this, he clenched his fists, feeling the power within his body, and couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.
In the next second, he soared into the sky, transforming into a giant dragon covered in black scales, his wide dragon wings casting a shadow under the sunlight.
Looking at the dragon in the sky, estimated to be nearly thirty meters long, some felt tremors of awe, some felt surprise, and some felt fear, but without exception, all the Dependents cheered for Gris's awakening.
After circling a few times to display his dragon body—which, though appearing somewhat lean, was still formidable—Gris flew over White Crystal City and transformed back into the black-haired youth.
He descended slowly, and before him stood a red-haired human.
The moment their red and black pupils met, both of them curled their lips in a smile.
Joe took out a deck of cards, waved them at Gris, and teased.
"How about a game?"
Gris tilted his head slightly and said proudly.
"I'm not the same person I used to be."
...In the third year after Gris awakened, Friel slowly woke up.
Feeling the changes within her body, her red dragon mouth split into a wide grin, revealing the sharp dragon teeth inside.
A voice filled with pride rang out.
"Jie jie jie, Jona Velli, next time we meet, it's anyone's guess who will win, jie jie jie..."
Friel walked out of the palace, but after staying outside for a few years, she always felt like something was missing.
She returned to the palace and went to Jona Velli's place of slumber.
Looking at the dragon, whose size was now beyond comparison, Friel felt that being with this fellow seemed... not bad?
Unconsciously, Friel transformed into her Dragon Girl form, extended her fiery red dragon tail, and couldn't help but poke Jona Velli's massive claw.
But soon, Friel's expression froze and her movements stiffened as she realized her own inexplicable behavior.
"I... what... what am I doing?"
A faint pink flush inexplicably crept onto her fair cheeks, and Friel felt her heartbeat... quicken slightly?
But once she snapped out of it, Friel turned her head aside and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Hmph! It's all your fault. You must have done something to me before. I'll settle this score with you once you wake up!"
With a cold snort, Friel turned and left.
Thus, Friel returned to her own place of slumber and voluntarily entered a deep sleep... The merchants and Adventurers who had fortunately survived before continued to fulfill their contracts, and many humans joined their merchant caravans.
However, their repetitive annual behavior had long since attracted the attention of many.
In a bustling tavern, a woman hidden under a hood swirled the wine in her glass.
The noisy tavern made her frown, but she did not get up to leave; instead, she became even more focused.
The discussion at the neighboring table was the reason she stayed.
"Have you heard? Frey is going to Yesupu Continent again."
A middle-aged man with a full beard deliberately lowered his voice, looking quite mysterious.
His drinking buddies looked at each other upon hearing this.
"No way, he's going again? It's been so many years, why go every year? Could there really be some treasure over there?"
Another man with pale skin and a pointed chin said this, a look of greed flashing in his eyes.
Someone dressed as an Adventurer beside him slapped him.
"Ouch~ What are you doing!"
The pointed-chinned man, in pain, stood up and shouted at his companion.
The stool behind him was knocked to the ground with a loud "thud."
However, because the tavern was so noisy, the commotion didn't attract much attention, being dismissed as typical drunken behavior.
The companion who had slapped him breathed a sigh of relief when he saw no one was paying attention, then looked at the angry, pointed-chinned man.
"Frey lost his left arm; do you think that looks like there's treasure there?"
Besides, you've seen Frey; isn't he always looking miserable whenever he goes there?"
"Don't be too greedy, or you might end up losing your life."
Hearing his words, the pointed-chinned man straightened the stool and slowly sat down.
"Now that you mention it, it does seem that way."
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