Once they arrived inside Sumeru City, Idris instructed his subordinates to escort the Abyss Mages into confinement.
He knew very well—
this was not the end.
It was only the beginning.
Just as Idris was about to head to the interrogation chamber together with Nahida, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata suddenly arrived.
"What's happened that requires such urgency?" Idris asked, stopping in his tracks.
Rukkhadevata glanced at Shenhe and Zhongli beside him.
Both immediately understood the implication and stepped aside.
Only then did she speak, her tone grave.
"The Dragon King's condition has worsened. Yesterday he seemed stable, but something has changed."
"I understand," Idris replied without hesitation.
He nodded to Nahida and turned at once toward the Dragon King's resting chamber.
His brow was tightly furrowed.
A being who once rivaled gods at his peak… seriously injured by Abyss Mages?
That didn't sit right with him.
Inside the recovery chamber, Idris pushed the door open.
The Dragon King lay against the edge of the bed.
Just yesterday, his recovery looked promising.
Now—
His face was deathly pale.
His breathing was shallow.
Blood seeped through the wound in his chest.
Far worse than Idris had anticipated.
Idris stepped forward at once, placing a steady hand on the Dragon King's shoulder.
"What happened?" he asked quietly.
"Your injury shouldn't have deteriorated this fast."
The Dragon King shook his head weakly.
Even speaking seemed difficult.
Idris immediately began examining the wound, his thoughts racing.
Soon, his expression darkened.
This wasn't damage caused by ordinary Abyss Mages.
This kind of erosion—
It was far more insidious.
At least elder-tier… or something above that.
Idris clicked his tongue softly.
Without hesitation, he accessed the system and retrieved a reward he had been saving—
Essence of Divine Vision Enhancement.
An almost mythical substance.
He had originally planned to test it on mortals—to see if it could forcibly awaken a Vision.
But plans change.
Idris divided the essence into three portions and handed one to the Dragon King.
The Dragon King froze.
Even without knowing what it was, he could feel the terrifyingly pure energy contained within.
"…Eat it," Idris said calmly.
"You'll live."
"You're lucky. A bit earlier or later, and you'd already be dead."
There was no sorrow in Idris's voice—only matter-of-fact resolve.
The Dragon King gave a weak, awkward smile.
Back then, he had been anything but obedient to Idris.
Yet now—
He swallowed the essence.
The moment it entered his body, power surged through his veins like a rising sun.
Pure.
Overwhelming.
Life-affirming.
The Dragon King's rigid expression loosened.
Cracked meridians were restored.
Withered vitality reignited.
His breathing stabilized.
Strength returned in waves—
Until he stood once more at peak condition.
Idris watched carefully, then exhaled quietly.
Good. That confirms it.
He now had a clear estimate of the remaining two portions.
At that moment, alchemy disciples arrived with freshly refined pills.
When they saw Idris, they immediately gathered around, eyes full of reverence.
"These aren't needed today," Idris said lightly.
"Keep them for yourselves."
"To–Thank you, Grand Sage!"
The disciples bowed deeply, retreating while whispering excitedly:
"If only I could become the Grand Sage's disciple…"
"Dream on. Do you have that talent?"
Their arguments were filled with awe.
To them, Idris was already a monument.
Not long after, Zhongli arrived, having finished his own matters.
Shenhe and Nahida followed shortly after.
When they saw the Dragon King—fully recovered—
Shock flashed across every face.
Zhongli's gaze lingered between Idris and the Dragon King, thoughtful and heavy.
Healing at the edge of death… restoring a being like this so casually…
This man truly walks between destruction and rebirth.
Shenhe, standing quietly at the side, felt admiration mix with clarity.
"No wonder Senior Sister fell so deeply," she muttered inwardly.
"Anyone would."
Nahida stared at Idris with shining eyes.
Another miracle… created by the Grand Sage.
The room buzzed with praise and astonishment.
The Dragon King, seated among it all, felt something he hadn't experienced in ages.
Gratitude.
He had already prepared himself for death.
Idris freeing him had been a transaction.
This rescue, however—
It was a pure choice.
Help given out of will, not obligation.
From that moment on, the Dragon King shed his former pride.
No more resistance.
No more arrogance.
Only resolve.
He rose, stepped forward, and interrupted the murmurs with a solemn voice.
"Grand Sage."
"From this day forward—"
"I follow you."
"I will serve under your banner, with my life."
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