From the beginning, Shiki had suspected that the mysterious ring on her finger was linked to her regression. However, her efforts to uncover information about the ring in Atta World yielded no results. Even though discovering the origin of the ring became her second priority—just after her quest to find the man with violet eyes—it seemed to be an enigma with no answers.

  The ring, which encircled her ring finger, offered no clues and appeared to be an ordinary piece of jewelry. Its only oddity lay in its unyielding attachment to her. No matter how far she discarded it, the ring always returned to her finger by morning, as though refusing to part ways with her.

  Initially, Shiki paid little attention to this phenomenon. Clearly, the ring possessed supernatural powers that surpassed the technology of Atta World, leading her to believe its identity would be revealed once she reached the Procession Tower. However, that hope shattered when even the System of the Tower—renowned for its omniscience—failed to recognize the ring.

  The label “???” on her interface stood as proof of the depth of the ring’s secrets.

  Even so, Shiki chose not to dwell on mysteries beyond her reach. Unlike the dumbs, she understood that hidden truths would naturally reveal themselves when one attained sufficient strength and influence.

  “Secrets are only secrets to those who are insignificant,” she murmured. To the strong and powerful, secrets were little more than common knowledge.

  Shiki knew that the key to unlocking the mystery of the ring lay not in forcing answers but in growing stronger. This was akin to the monopolization of technology and economics in Atta World—controlled by a mere handful of noble families. Common people had no access to the truth behind these monopolies. Even the conspiracy theories they constructed were often fabricated by the very groups they accused.

  Strength, Shiki realized, was the ultimate key.

  Information that seemed out of reach would inevitably fall into her hands once she reached an equivalent level of power. She was confident that time would provide answers about the ring's identity and the mastermind behind her regression. Clutching the ring tightly, she could feel a pulse of hidden power, almost as if the object held a life of its own.

  Her first step was clear: she needed to become a Dragon Bride before the Brides War began. In her previous life, the Brides War lasted for decades, wreaking havoc on countless races and species. Ironically, not a single dragonewt managed to attain the title of Bride—the highest honor granted by the Guide and System to an individual deemed the absolute representative of their race in the Starting City.

  Dragonewts, with their extraordinarily prideful natures, found it almost impossible to submit to anyone. This was why none of them had ever secured the title of Bride or represented their species during the Brides War in the Procession Tower.

  If only their pride resembled that of the Beast People, the problem might have been more manageable. While Beast People were notoriously stubborn—earning them the nickname "diamond-headed" for their hardheadedness—they still respected strength. To become a Beast Bride, one only needed to prove themselves the strongest among their kind.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Unfortunately, dragonewts were different. Even if one dragonewt was far more powerful than the rest, the weaker ones were unlikely to submit. They would rather fight to the death than bow to another. Their pride was so unrelenting, perfectly embodying the human adage: "Better to die on your feet than live on your knees."

  Trying to sway them with wealth or riches was futile. While dragonewts were captivated by gold, jewelry, and gems, such treasures were insufficient to buy their loyalty. If forced to choose, they would rather resort to robbery than engage in honest transactions, let alone trade their submission for a salary.

  This species was incredibly troublesome, ranking second on the list of the most frustrating species to collaborate with—surpassed only by elves. If elves were vexing due to their aristocratic nature and overly intricate cultural rules, dragonewts were exasperating because of their stubbornness and unyielding arrogance.

  From the first teleportation to the war that wiped out all dragonewts in the tower, this arrogance remained their greatest weakness. The pride they held in such high regard was precisely what hindered their species from thriving amidst the brutal competition of the Procession Tower.

  To address this issue, Shiki had devised a long-term plan. She knew that outright forcing all dragonewts into submission was unrealistic. However, making them submit indirectly? That was a game she could control.

  Just like in Atta World, where the common people toiled like slaves without realizing it, working for the happiness of the noble elite, Shiki intended to employ a similar strategy.

  How?

  It was simple.

  Control their lifelines—the resources that formed the foundation of their survival.

  By doing so, even if the dragonewts believed they were working for themselves, the greatest profits would still flow to the few who held the reins.

  Shiki’s first step was to seize control of all resources in the Starting City.

  In her past life, the balance of power among the factions had already been established long before the Brides War began, creating a system of checks and balances. If one faction appeared dominant, the others would unite to diminish its influence, restoring equilibrium.

  This phenomenon convinced Shiki that the holders of the Authority of King were behind the hunting of those with the Authority of Emperor. A Title of such magnitude would disrupt the balance of power in the Starting City, threatening the major factions. Consequently, any attempts by dragonewts to strengthen themselves were systematically crushed by alliances of the larger factions, ultimately leading to their failure in the Brides War.

  But this time, things were different. Having been killed and reborn three years before the teleportation began, Shiki initiated a bold strategy she had never attempted before.

  She began gathering the leaders of powerful factions under his control, forming a new alliance called the Four Seasons. With meticulous planning, she eliminated those with significant popularity—individuals who had the potential to fracture unity.

  This plan was designed to prevent the Starting City from fragmenting into factions as it had in the past. Instead, Shiki aimed to dominate the city swiftly and efficiently, ensuring that the coveted title of Dragon Bride, once deemed unattainable, would now be within her grasp.

  However, having a plan alone wasn’t enough. Shiki understood that without the power to secure her position, everything would be in vain. Thus, she chose to remain in the shadows, carefully orchestrating events until the city’s resources were fully under her control. While doing so, she ensured that no talented dragonewt escaped her scrutiny.

  And if any dared to stand out beyond her influence?

  “The nail that sticks out will be hammered down,” Shiki thought coldly.