You barely notice her absence at first, much like how we rarely think about our own shadows.

After how upset she's been with you lately, especially about not supporting Adila's dragon hunt, you figure she's just sulking and will be back soon. The second day passes, then the third... but Maggie is nowhere to be found.

Late one night, a knock comes at the door. You think it might be Maggie, but instead, you find a messenger holding a delicate box and a letter.

"My husband, [player.name], I've left. You know, this isn't about loving Adila – she knows that too – but you've brought me nothing but tears and pain, and I can't take it anymore. Adila has given me the courage to begin anew. Please don't try to find me."

Below the letter, there are a few hurried notes, perhaps from Adila:

"I didn't kill the dragon – it escaped to another dimension – but I managed to gouge out its eye. Here's your proof, in this box. Consider it compensation for taking Maggie away. After all, you care more about such things than her, don't you?"

"The dragon cursed Adila's bloodline to bear only daughters, thinking it would strip us of our dragon-slaying destiny. But it was wrong – I've proven that a woman can defeat a dragon. We can achieve anything we set our minds to, become whoever we want to be. That curse? It backfired – it drove every Adila to take up the sword, to break both the curse and our shackles!"

"Perhaps that's why Maggie chose to leave you in the end. Poor soul, you'll never understand this feeling, will you?"

You open the box and stare at the gem that was once a dragon's eye. Within the gem, flames flow like living fire, as if the fury of an entire world had been imprisoned in a palm-sized crystal. No mortal craft could have wrought this...

You gaze at the gem for a long time. Perhaps you're dwelling on your loss, perhaps a thousand thoughts race through your mind. Or perhaps you're already calculating what fortune this otherworldly treasure might bring you...

Conditions:

• Slot #3 Has Tag (Resentment) ≥ 2
• Counter (7000182) ≥ 2

Result:

• Clean Slot #1: 1
• Adjust Tag (Follower) of Slot #2: Remove 1
• Adjust Tag (Wife) of Slot #2: Remove 1
• Adjust Tag (wife_runaway) of Slot #2: Add 1
• Card (Dragon's Eye):
  • Tag (Owned): +1

You barely notice her absence at first, much like how we rarely think about our own shadows.

After how upset she's been with you lately, especially about not supporting Adila's dragon hunt, you figure she's just sulking and will be back soon. The second day passes, then the third... but Maggie is nowhere to be found.

Late one night, there's a knock at the door. You open it to find Maggie standing there. She's holding an delicate box in her arms and a letter in her hand, saying it's from Adila, meant for you.

"I didn't kill the dragon – it escaped to another dimension – but I managed to gouge out its eye. Here's the proof, in this box."

"Maggie loves you more than she loves me – I've known this all along. So when she wouldn't take my gift, I decided to give this gem to you. At least this way, my greatest triumph will stand guard over my most cherished one, in place of me."

"The dragon cursed Adila's bloodline to bear only daughters, thinking it would strip us of our dragon-slaying destiny. But it was wrong – I've proven that a woman can defeat a dragon. We can achieve anything we set our minds to, become whoever we want to be. That curse? It backfired – it drove every Adila to take up the sword, to break both the curse and our shackles!"

"Thank you and Maggie for all your help during this time. But in the end, forgive me for no longer being able to serve you, you damned man who won Maggie's heart and yet refuses to treasure it!"

As you read the letter, you glance at Maggie sitting quietly beside you, her face painted with bittersweet memories.

"That day, Adila grabbed me out of nowhere, asking me if I would stay with her. She was drenched in blood – the dragon's and her own... The desperate look in her eyes – it reminded me of you years ago. I stayed with her for a while, but... I couldn't help coming back to you. Those few days, I kept thinking about everything between us. I even thought about walking away forever, convinced it would be better for us both...

"But here I am again, you bastard... My goodness, I hate myself that I still need you!"

You can't resist any longer. You pull her into your arms. Maggie keeps her head down, concealing her tears.

Conditions:

• Slot #3 Has Tag (Resentment) ≥ 2
• Counter (7000182) < 2

Result:

• Clean Slot #1: 1
• Clean Slot #3: 99
• Card (Dragon's Eye):
  • Tag (Owned): +1

You barely notice her absence at first, much like how we rarely think about our own shadows. The second day passes, then the third... but Maggie is nowhere to be found.



Late one night, there's a knock at the door. You open it to find Maggie standing there.



She's holding an delicate box in her arms and a letter in her hand, saying it's from Adila, meant for you.



"I didn't kill the dragon – it escaped to another dimension – but I managed to gouge out its eye. Here's the proof, in this box."



"The dragon cursed Adila's bloodline to bear only daughters, thinking it would strip us of our dragon-slaying destiny. But it was wrong – I've proven that a woman can defeat a dragon. We can achieve anything we set our minds to, become whoever we want to be. That curse? It backfired – it drove every Adila to take up the sword, to break both the curse and our shackles!"



"Take this gemstone – it's my way of thanking you for everything. Though you... What you've given me means so much more."



As you read the letter, you notice Maggie beside you, toying with the gemstone, a soft smile touching her lips.



"That day, Adila grabbed me out of nowhere, asking me if I would stay with her. She was drenched in blood – the dragon's and her own... The desperate look in her eyes – it reminded me of you years ago. I stayed with her for a while...Well, here I am choosing you again.Those few days, I kept telling myself I could manage without you – that everything you do for me, I could do on my own..."



"...But here I am, because deep down, I know you're the one who needs me now, aren't you?"



You answer by drawing her into your arms, your kisses speaking what words cannot.

Conditions:

• Slot #3 Has Tag (Resentment) < 2
• Counter (7000182) ≥ 2

Result:

• Card (Dragon's Eye):
  • Tag (Owned): +1

As expected, you find Maggie at the city gate, with Adila beside her... This female warrior is covered in blood – the dragon's and her own. Her bandaged hands clutch tightly at a massive sulfur-colored gem, holding it up before Maggie's eyes. Within the gem, flames flow like living fire, as if the fury of a world-burning inferno had been imprisoned in a palm-sized crystal ball.



"I didn't kill the dragon – it escaped to another dimension – but I managed to gouge out its eye. The dragon cursed Adila's bloodline to bear only daughters, thinking it would strip us of our dragon-slaying destiny. But it was wrong!"



"I've proven that a woman can defeat a dragon. We can achieve anything we set our minds to, become whoever we want to be. That curse? It backfired – it drove every Adila to take up the sword, to break both the curse and our shackles!"



"Maggie, take it!" Adila declares proudly, her eyes blazing as she presents the gem to the woman before her. "This is my greatest achievement. Would you–"



Maggie seems uncomfortable, averting her gaze only to meet your eyes. Adila notices you too. A flash of embarrassment crosses her face. She turns, hastily shoves the gem into your hands, and with bitten lip, flees the scene.



Maggie comes to your side, gently gripping your arm, clearly shaken. "She actually made it back alive, and wounded such a beast! Heavens... She even asked me to leave with her! But that's impossible – I'm [player.name]'s wife! I love you more than life itself! And then she just... Oh, thank goodness you came. I wouldn't have known how to handle that situation."



Even so, Maggie's eyes are drawn to the magical gem. She stares intently at its shimmering surface, murmuring, "So, she really did it... The dragon is banished to another dimension, and the curse is finally broken. Adila is truly remarkable, despite what just happened... she really is incredible!"



"This gem belongs to her... We should find a way to return it to Adila, shouldn't we?" Maggie says softly.



You pause for a moment before drawing Maggie into your arms, her face nestled against your chest.



And so, this is how the dragon-slaying tale ends.

Conditions:

• Slot #3 Has Tag (Resentment) < 2
• Counter (7000182) < 2

Result:

• Clean Slot #3: 99
• Adjust Tag (Charisma) of Slot #2: Add 1
• Adjust Tag (Sociability) of Slot #2: Add 1
• Adjust Tag (Combat) of Slot #1: Add 2
• Card (Dragon's Eye):
  • Tag (Owned): +1