The two noble butterfly beasts shuddered slightly as they finally received an answer. Since the unknown being didn’t reveal her identity, the two women didn’t continue bowing.

“Hearing you say those words means you have realized our situation.”, began the butterfly queen to negotiate.

“Only partially. Someone seems to be targeting the beautiful world you have, and you aren’t certain about victory.”

“This is correct. A greedy beast has laid its eyes on the precious mineral growing here. Tensions have always existed, but this is the first time they actually dare to attack.”

“And now you want my help? You can feel for yourself that I am only a weak soul.”

Laiosa smiled calmly. She seemed to be in the weaker position, but if her guess about the other party was correct, she also had something that they needed.

“Don’t worry. We can’t ask you to fight. A drop of your daughter’s blood would be enough for us.”

“Impossible!”, resounded Silvia’s angry rejection.

The two butterflies were taken aback. They really didn’t think that they asked for too much. Heavy pressure suppressed their minds, as their confusion only grew. Despite knowing that the other party couldn’t bring out much strength they didn’t dare to fight back.

Trying to calm Silvia down, Laiosa spoke in a soothing voice:

“Senior, it is only a drop of blood. If you are worried that we might do something despicable you can even leave some of your mental strength in it. We only need it to activate an important treasure.”

Knowing that she overreacted slightly, Silvia also calmed down:

“Which treasure would need my daughter’s blood to activate?”

Laiosa hesitated slightly. She looked at Loiava, searching for some signs in her eyes. The respected healer had closely observed Silvia the whole time. Being at least eighty percent certain about the other party’s identity, she solemnly nodded her head.

Having her sister’s agreement, Laiosa breathed deeply.

“The Heart of Romat’em!”

Silvia’s unwavering mental strength fluttered wildly as she heard this name. A disbelieving voice sounded out:

“So, this the familiarity I felt? But it hasn’t been seen in millions of years. How could it be here…”

The two butterflies noticed Silvia’s shock. They were even more certain about her identity, but didn’t dare to voice it.

“The Dagorinn race brought it with them after they fled back then. They settled on this planet but were exterminated by the Luminous Empire later on.”

“Serves them right! A race of traitors!”

Wisely withholding her opinion Laiosa stayed silent. Her race had close ties to the Dagorinns, so she didn’t want to draw Silvia’s ire.

“So you are really the Four Element Butterfly race?”, questioned Silvia.

“Yes, senior.”

“So you managed to mutate and gained intelligence, joining the ranks of intelligent races? Not bad!”

“Thank you for your praise senior but we had a lot of luck!”

“Every race had a lot of luck. Those being born as intelligent races are the luckiest of all. Don’t diminish your accomplishments!”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“We will keep your advice in mind senior.”

After there short exchange the mood lightened considerably. However, Laiosa knew that her problem still wasn’t solved. She tried to probe once more:

“Now that you know of our history, as well as our present situation, Siliva. Is there a way to gain a drop of Lilly’s blood?”

“I am sorry but that’s impossible. Don’t ask why. Only if you can think of another way, I will tell my daughter to help you.”

The two butterfly women sighed slightly. They looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Their race faced a difficult battle and the Heart of Romat’em would be a strong trump card. Many lives could be saved.

Suddenly Siliva’s uncertain voice sounded again.

“I have a way, but I can’t guarantee anything.”

Noticing the butterflies’ big eyes lighting up, Silvia almost regretted giving them hope. But now she had to continue:

“The Heart of Romat’em is the core of an artifact which could support a whole race. Naturally it wasn’t only the weapon of a single warrior but had other functions as well.

One of its most important functions was the ability to leave some of its power with suitable descendants.

Unfortunately, no one ever figured out who would be deemed ‘suitable’, since the heart had a mind of its own. Sometimes huge rituals were held, wasting tons of resources on multiple descendants, only for them to not get anything in return.”

With each word the two butterfly beasts’ eyes brightened further. They understood what Silvia was hinting at:

“So, you know the necessary ritual? Can Lilly try to communicate with the heart?”

Silvia sighed deeply. She slightly regretted her decision. Despite not wanting to put more pressure on Lilly, she knew this would only help her daughter in the future.

“Yes, I know the ritual. But I have a few conditions if you want Lilly’s help.”

“Of course. We will do all we can.”

“The ritual won’t be easy for Lilly. The stronger she is and the more resources used during the ritual, the less my daughter will have to endure.

Thus, your race needs to gather beast blood and mana stones. Bring out as many as possible.

Secondly, you need to teach Lilly. As long as she doesn’t reach at least level 15 in life and death magic I won’t give you the ritual.

Third, when Lilly comes back in the future you let her take the heart without complaints.”

Laiosa and Loiava happily nodded as they listened to the first two conditions. Despite not being connected to the vault themselves, they could still teach Lilly magic. But their bodies winced as Silvia dropped her third condition.

Their small world here was supported by the Heart of Romat’em. If Lilly took it away, the Frozen Hell would engulf this place, taking away their foundation.

The two noble butterflies looked into each other eyes. They saw hope, uncertainty, contemplation, but also something different. A silent idea had formed in their minds. Gritting their teeth, they addressed Silvia again:

“Ok. We will agree to your conditions. But only if the ritual is successful will we comply with your third point.”

Silvia hesitated shortly before answering:

“Ok. I agree.”

All three women had mixed emotions. It was hard to tell what would come off their cooperation. From an outsider’s perspective it might look like Silvia only stood to gain something, but how could one weigh a mother’s worry for her daughter?

“You have to promise me one last thing. Only tell Lilly the bare minimum. I have already put too high a burden on the poor child’s shoulders. I don’t want her to shoulder those worries from the past. If she walks her own way, I am more than happy.”

Noticing the concern in Silvia’s voice, Laiosa thought about her own daughter. It wasn’t hard to empathize with those motherly feelings.

“I promise in the name of the entire Two Sovereign Butterfly race. We will do our best to support Lilly in the future!”

The solemn response left Silvia satisfied. Promising in the name of one’s race wouldn’t be taken lightly anywhere. Fate itself would ensure that such promises weren’t broken, or the race would be hit with misfortune.

“Then we should be done for now. Let’s wake Lilly up and let her relax for a day. You can start teaching her tomorrow.”

Although time was ticking for the two butterflies, they understood that Lilly went through a hard time. Thus, they nodded slightly before Silvia dropped the mental barrier.

Laiosa didn’t stay for now. She could officially meet Lilly later. Turning in a small butterfly she left through the window, ready to take care of her race.

Now only Loiava was left in the room. Watching Lilly’s young face, she sighed lightly. This universe really wasn’t a good place to be young. The burden of history would chase after them, dragging them into wars they never wanted to participate in.

Young girls like Lilly and Mihva shouldn’t be confronted with so many battles. How good would the world be if they could just grow up in peace.

Shaking her head the rank seven beast got rid of her melancholic thoughts. She focused back on the present, ready to play her own role.

Since Lilly had been nourished by her healing spell for a few days, the young redhead was already in a good state. It was the healer’s deliberate setup that let Lilly stay unconscious. She had to do so in order to sound out Silvia first.

Now that they came to a agreement, Loiava waved her hand slightly. A simple spell formed, falling on Lilly.

The young woman’s eyes fluttered. Memories of the terrifying journey through the Frozen Hell threatened to creep up, but a soothing warmth quickly suppressed them.

Lilly let out a contend sigh while her eyes slowly opened. Her mouth gaped in surprise as blinding light welcomed her.