“Wow!”
Cecilia and her group, emerging into Byom, the port city of the Dragon Kingdom Asteria, were quite impressed by the open atmosphere.
It was broad daylight in the Dragon District.
“This is… the Dragon District…?”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here myself.”
“Master! It’s the sea, the sea!”
“I know. It’s just the sea….”
Even as she said that, Gayeon couldn’t take her eyes off the blue waves.
“Whoa…. Everyone’s wearing swimsuits.”
“….”Cecilia’s eyes sparkled, eager to jump into the ocean.
‘I’m not exactly modestly dressed either, but….’
Most of the women in the port city were walking around with their skin exposed without any shyness.
“I have to come back here to play after we find my oppa~!”
“Right, this isn’t the time to be dawdling. Let’s hurry.”
“Before that, are you two… hungry?”
“….”
“….”
Cecil and Gayeon gulped.
The unfamiliar food of a foreign land, it was hard to resist just imagining it.
“I’ll buy. There’s a long-established restaurant nearby.”
“Ahem. We should fill our stomachs before moving, shouldn’t we?”
“You’re right, Master!”
Seina strode forward, capturing everyone’s attention.
To the people accustomed to wearing swimsuits as everyday attire,
a beautiful woman with long, black hair and a gas mask covering her face appeared quite unusual.
“Unpleasant stares.”
Gayeon remarked.
“It’s because you and Ms. Seina are beautiful, Master.”
“I wish that were the reason….”
“It’s probably because of the black hair.”
“Black hair?”
“Black hair is considered unlucky in the Dragon District.”
“Why is that?”
“…….”
Seina remained silent on that matter.
“We’re here.”
A restaurant passed down for nine generations, its sign looking as if it would collapse at any moment….
Gayeon was slightly disappointed by the restaurant’s appearance, which looked like it might harbor insects, but she was relieved to see that the interior was unexpectedly clean. ṟåΝȱＢЁS
A tanned little boy in clean clothes greeted them.
“Welcome!”
“…Where is Mr. Iden?”
“Iden…? Iden is… my grandfather’s name!”
“……Is that so. We’ll have the mixed raw fish and rice bowl and grilled fish, please.”
“Yes, coming right up!”
After the boy went into the kitchen, Gayeon realized what had happened.
“A lot of time has passed, hasn’t it?”
“…Yes. It seems so. It’s bittersweet.”
“I understand. When your favorite inn, a place you’ve frequented for 20 years, gradually changes its flavor and then closes one day… it leaves a void in your heart.”
「We’ll serve you the same unchanging taste next time you visit!」
「I don’t know when I’ll be back…」
「Then my child, or my grandchild if need be, will cook and serve you! This restaurant will continue!」
“…….”
“Ah, it smells delicious!”
Cecilia’s sense of smell reacted before the food even arrived.
“Here’s your food!”
“Are you running this place alone, little one? You’re quite capable.”
“My father is bedridden due to illness…! But he acknowledged me. He said I can handle one portion!”
Seina silently removed her gas mask.
Slide.
The boy blinked, staring at Seina’s flowing black hair.
After a while….
“Let’s eat.”
The boy blushed and returned to the kitchen.
“Oh dear.”
“…What is it?”
“It seems you’ve captured the heart of a child.”
“It’s because Ms. Seina is beautiful.”
“…I’m… ordinary.”
“Are you being serious?”
“I’m not as charming as Ms. Cecilia, nor as elegant as Lady Gayeon.”
“If you had no charm, why would Taeyang like you?”
“…….”
This time, Seina blushed shyly.
Just quietly thinking about Taeyang made her heart race.
Her eyes looked like those of a girl in love.
“Let’s… eat.”
“Wow. This is delicious!”
“This squid is excellent too.”
“…….”
Seina smiled faintly.
The taste hadn’t changed even after generations.
The dedication of the previous owners, who had preserved the restaurant’s taste for generations for the sake of one woman who praised it as ‘delicious,’ was evident in the dishes.
Satisfied with their meal, the three left the restaurant with content faces.
“I’m sleepy now that I’m full….”
“That’s because you ordered three extra servings because you were hungry.”
“Master also ordered an extra serving.”
“C-Cough!”
“Let’s visit the landlord first. If Mr. Taeyang landed nearby, he might have heard something.”
Before Seina’s group could even go looking, the Dragon Knights came to meet them as they finished their meal.
Gayeon, thinking it was an enemy pursuit, instinctively reached for the hilt of her sword.
“W-We’re not enemies!”
“Identify yourselves.”
“We are the Serpent Knights serving Lady Apophis!”
“…Serpent Knights?”
Seina tilted her head in confusion.
“Isn’t the Taranis family managing this place?”
The Taranis family.
One of the four great families bestowed titles by the Emperor of the Empire, they were responsible for managing the Dragon District.
Seina knew that things would be easier if she could contact the Empire-friendly Taranis family.
“That is….”
However, the expressions of the knights weren’t promising.
“There are matters we cannot discuss here. Please meet with Lady Apophis.”
“Um…! By any chance, has a blonde, tanned… man of strong build arrived? He’s an envoy from the Empire….”
“Blonde….”
“Tanned….”
“A man of strong build?”
The Serpent Knights looked at each other.
“We apologize, but no such man has visited the Dragon Kingdom.”
“Ah….”
Cecil’s cat ears drooped.
“Cecilia, don’t worry. We’ll find him.”
“Yes, Master!”
“Let’s meet Apophis first. She’s also friendly towards the Empire.”
“Are there dragons that aren’t friendly?”
“They’re the opposing faction. If he didn’t come here… Mr. Taeyang likely landed there.”
“That’s troublesome.”
“We’ll escort you to the Four Dragons’ Nest!”
The three followed the Serpent Knights to Apophis’s residence….
the Four Dragons’ Nest.
The area outside the port city was strangely well-maintained.
Despite there being no pedestrians or carriages, the clean marble floor stretched to the horizon.
The desolate scene was reminiscent of a desert.
The carriage carrying the group glided smoothly across the marble desert.
“This floor material, I think I’ve seen it at the Taming Association.”
“Was it the dragons’ magic?”
“Yes, dragons tend to be obsessed with building their nests, so they often undertake such large-scale civil engineering projects.”
“It looks neat, but it lacks any vitality.”
“I agree.”
“Where does the water go when it rains?”
A short while later….
The group arrived at the Four Dragons’ Nest, where Apophis resided.
A magnificent palace, its entrance adorned with jewel-encrusted serpent statues like trees….
Apophis, as if she were an empress, sat on her throne to greet them, but she was being pampered by attendants from all sides, barely able to move her mouth.
However, Apophis was dignified.
She sat on her throne, her large breasts barely covered, receiving her guests.
“Welcome, envoys of the Empire. What brings you here?”
“Where is Taranis?”
Apophis’s red eyes flashed.
“What do you intend to do if you know where Taranis is?”
“Apophis, answer my question first.”
“The Taranis family was the first to be attacked when the civil war began.”
“Civil war?”
“Indeed, it was a surprise attack by the Light Dragon, Tracyon. They were caught completely off guard.”
“Is El dead?”
“The head of the family, El Taranis, has gone into hiding with his family.”
“…….”
Gone into hiding.
That meant they had abandoned their responsibilities as one of the four great families and fled.
“We are the ones who want to know where Taranis is.
El Taranis, despite his important duty as administrator, ran away with the key to the gate.”
“So that’s why the gate….”
“Yes, it was closed, wasn’t it? It’s because the key was left unattended for too long. Tracyon’s actions have led many dragons to join the anti-Empire faction. They’ve decided to reclaim their former glory.”
“….”
It was a point that could be said to have been greatly influenced by Taranis’s desertion.
“As a precaution against emergencies… wasn’t the Empire’s garrison stationed here?”
“That stoic woman went missing during the battle with Tracyon. We’re in the worst possible situation right now. We can’t expect help from our allies, and the dragons who were our allies until yesterday have become our enemies.”
“Don’t worry, we’re here to resolve this situation.”
Apophis clicked her tongue.
“What can you three, three human women, do?”
Gayeon was about to retort immediately, but Seina stopped her.
“Leave this to me.”
“….”
Nod.
As Gayeon stepped back, Seina took a deep breath and removed her gas mask.
“Y-You!”
Apophis jumped up in fright.
Her attendants were equally startled.
“Lady Apophis!”
“You mustn’t stand up.”
“Your horns might get damaged!”
“You’re… the black-haired devil of the prophecy!”
「Devil」
The reason Seina was called that was simple.
Long ago, it was Seina who massacred the dragons and imprinted fear into their genes.
And ancient dragons like Apophis, who had lived for a long time, could never forget Seina.
Moreover, the fact that black hair was considered unlucky was also due to her influence.
“I’ve temporarily stepped away from my duties to 「support」 the Dragon District.”
“Ha, Haha….”
Apophis let out a hollow laugh, realizing that half the island could turn into a sea of blood.
“And we have a top priority mission entrusted to us by His Majesty the Emperor. Will you cooperate?”
“Top priority mission?”
“Have you seen a blonde, tanned man?”
“Blonde and tanned… tanned like me?”
“Yes.”
“There are plenty of men like that here….”
“He’s large-built… and….”
Seina cleared her throat and added.
“He’s… very handsome….”
Cecilia and Gayeon looked at Seina simultaneously.
“…I thought you were a heartless woman, but to see you, the woman who slaughtered our ancestors, make such an expression is quite surprising.”
“I will assist in ending the civil war. Please help us find this person.”
“Then go to the northern front. It won’t take long, since this landmass is small.”
“What’s there?”
“The Hero. He’s cooperating with the enemy forces.”
“……The Hero.”
The three tensed up.
The fact that the Hero was in the Dragon District was finally confirmed.
“Apophis, were you injured by the Hero?”
“Indeed, it’s a miracle I’m still alive. The Hero Dubeurnoi and Saint Erin have joined the anti-Empire faction.”
“…….”
Seina didn’t think this turn of events was entirely bad.
She had always fought against the enemy’s strongest forces.
The stage had simply changed. If she could settle things here, she might be able to safely take Taeyang back.
“To achieve your objective, you’ll have to stop the Hero first. Otherwise, the Dragon King’s head will roll, and the island will be engulfed in flames.”
Hero Dubeurnoi, Saint Erin.
Seina had experience thwarting their invasions several times over the long years.
Although they never had a decisive battle, they fought fiercely every time, to the point where it wouldn’t have been strange if someone had died. As such, she knew their fighting styles well.
Even to Seina, the Hero’s recent actions seemed a bit strange.
“Understood. We will join the front lines.”
“I’ll have the dragon carriage prepared early tomorrow morning. Why don’t you rest here?”
“What do you two think?”
“I’m ready to go look for him right away! How about you, Master?”
“I’m fatigued. Let’s rest.”
Apophis clapped her hands.
“Escort the guests inside.”
Thanks to Apophis’s consideration, Gayeon and her group were able to secure lodging.
However, they still had a mountain of problems ahead of them….
Cecilia, changed into her pajamas, hugged her pillow tightly.
“I miss my oppa….”
It was up to Gayeon to comfort Cecilia.
“Cecilia, impatience won’t help. Rest is also important if we want to see Taeyang.”
“Master….”
“Go to sleep first. Seina and I will talk for a bit.”
“Yes…. I’ll go to bed then.”
“Alright.”
Cecilia went to bed, dejected.
The way she curled up, looking lonely, was heartbreaking.
“That Taeyang, I wonder if he knows how lonely Cecilia is….”
“…….”
“Seina, explain the current situation to me. You must have organized your thoughts by now.”
“The Dragon District is divided between pro-Empire and anti-Empire factions. Seola was dispatched as the commander of the garrison to prevent this situation, but she seems to be missing now.”
“Seola?”
“My younger sister.”
“Is she strong too?”
“Yes, she is strong. But… the dragons are not to be underestimated either.”
“Hmm.”
A new world, new enemies!
Gayeon felt her competitive spirit boiling.
“That Apophis, despite her injuries, possesses considerable power. Do dragons also use blood arts?”
“Dragons don’t use blood arts. They could learn them if they wanted to, but they have inherent power.”
“Inherent power?”
“Breath attacks. They can use them even in human form, so be careful. It’s hard to avoid fatal injuries if you take a direct hit.”
“Hmm! So, have you thought about how we’ll proceed?”
“I think we should go stop the Hero, as Apophis suggested. If the Hero attacks and defeats all the pro-Empire dragons, the entire island will be in danger.”
“That’s true.”
“I’ll stop the Hero. Ms. Cecilia and Lady Gayeon, please look for Mr. Taeyang. There must be a clue somewhere.”
Gayeon nodded.
“Tomorrow seems like it will be a long day.”
“If possible, I’d like you to join forces with Seola. She would be a great help.”
“Are you certain she’s alive?”
“Yes.”
Seina answered without hesitation.
“Seola is a patient child.”
“Patient, huh…. An essential talent for battle.”
“If we can all gather with Mr. Taeyang… we might be able to defeat the Hero this time.”
“Defeat the Hero, we’re truly villains, aren’t we?”
“Do you regret it?”
Gayeon smiled bitterly.
“Not all Heroes are righteous. And we’re not necessarily evil, are we?”
“……No.”
“Time won’t wait for us. When the time comes to fight, I must have no doubts about the sword I wield.”
“I… think so too.”
The night deepened.
“Oppa…. I’ll give you pudding…. Where are you….”
Gayeon and Seina looked back at Cecilia, talking in her sleep.
“We need to find him quickly.”
“I agree.”
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