Elegy from Another World

Within the Sanctuary of Eternal Joy, the passage of time loses its meaning, leaving only eternal, meticulously woven ultimate pleasure. For Zoimem, this place not only satisfies the senses but also touches upon her deep-seated desire for exploration and possession as a dragon.

She once soared through the sky, constructed of pure starlight and fantasy, her scales brushing against the energy of flowing clouds, feeling unbridled freedom; she once delved into the deepest recesses of her consciousness, retrieving long-forgotten, warm fragments of memory, and allowing the sanctuary to mend and beautify them, presenting a version more perfect than reality; she tasted delicacies that do not exist in reality, each bite an explosion of flavor and a tremor of the soul; she even experienced the pleasure services provided by succubus masters that transcended racial boundaries, the ultimate pleasure that reached the nerve endings and completely released the body and mind, allowing this young dragon to truly understand for the first time what "addiction" meant.

For the first few days, Zoimem was completely immersed in this unprecedented sense of satisfaction. The dragon race's innate pursuit of perfection made her feel right at home, and every moment her wish was fulfilled brought her immense sense of accomplishment and pleasure.

"This is wonderful..." Zoimem lay on a "beach" made of soft, shimmering light, gazing at the ever-changing, simulated, magnificent nebula above, letting out a satisfied sigh. The clear curiosity that had initially filled her dragon eyes was gradually replaced by a languid, reluctant intoxication. "If only I could stay here forever..."

However, the moment this thought surfaced, a faint unease, like an undercurrent beneath the surface, quietly stirred a corner of her heart. She remembered Lady Liscia's calm and resolute gaze, Kawi's cold warning, and even Yisen's cunning yet vibrant smile when the deal was successful. The outside world certainly held danger and uncertainty, but it was also full of tangible realities and unexpected surprises. Did staying here mean giving up everything?

"No, this is just temporary enjoyment," she tried to convince herself. "Life is long, and only by experiencing the ultimate pleasure can one truly appreciate other emotions." She attributed this unease to the adjustment period to the new environment and instead immersed herself in more exciting experiences, trying to drown out the subtle noises with stronger pleasure.

Just then, a voice rang in her mind. It didn't enter through her ears, but echoed directly in the depths of her consciousness. The voice was gentle and kind, filled with an irresistible sense of acceptance, as if it were the most understanding and most desireive being in the world for her.

Why not, child?

Zoimem was slightly taken aback, but she wasn't afraid; she had already witnessed too many wonders of the Sanctuary. "Who?" she asked silently in her heart.

"I am the will of this sanctuary, the embodiment of joy," the voice replied. "You yearn to stay, a desire so pure and intense, why suppress yourself? Eternal happiness belongs to a life like yours that knows how to appreciate beauty."

These words were like a refreshing spring, yet they also caused the scales in Zoimem's heart to tip once more. "But..." she hesitated, the unease growing stronger, "I...I still have unfinished business. Lady Licia saved me, and I haven't repaid her kindness yet..."

This is her last ties to reality.

The voice—actually the disguised "Cardinal" hidden at the heart of the sanctuary—seemed to have anticipated this, and continued to whisper in a tone full of wisdom and seduction:

Repaying kindness is a noble virtue. But there are other ways to repay kindness than simply following and taking risks. Your benefactor, Ms. Liscia, must have endured much hardship, hasn't she? Didn't she yearn for peace, for a bliss free from struggle?

Zoimem's dragon eyes flickered. She remembered the occasional weariness that crossed my brow as I traveled between worlds, and the heavy sense of responsibility I carried when facing powerful enemies. Yes, Lady Liscia must be tired too. If only there were a place where she could completely relax…

"Why not invite her here too?" Kaname's voice was like a devil's seduction. "Give her this eternal joy, this tranquility free from suffering, as the best repayment you can offer. Let her also escape strife and danger, and enjoy this supreme happiness with you. Isn't this a better way to repay her kindness than to continue drifting with her in that perilous void?"

This suggestion, like a key, cleverly unlocked the door in her heart that had been tightly locked by a sense of "betrayal." If it was for the good of Lady Licia, if it could bring her happiness, then her staying would no longer be a selfish escape, but a "correct choice" full of dedication! This thought instantly legitimized her indulgence, cleverly transforming that last bit of unease and guilt into a kind of "noble" sense of mission.

The last vestiges of reason were utterly shattered by this seemingly "perfect" logic. The confusion in Zoemem's eyes vanished, replaced by an excitement and determination at finding a "win-win" solution, even tinged with a self-satisfied sense of relief. She had successfully found an irreproachable reason for her desire to stay.

She nodded vigorously, as if declaring to the voice, and also to herself:

"You're right! I should bring Lady Licia here too! This is the best place for her!"

However, deep within her consciousness, at the core of what was once joy and "justification," a faint trace of the original Zoimem's vigilance flickered like a candle in the wind, not yet extinguished, but already swaying uncertainly, silently witnessing this quiet descent into her own heart.