-----
Drake looked down for a moment, closing his eyes and opening them again as he thought about what he saw.
This dragon had not only been living among mortals but had also been raising children and looking forward to helping them survive so they could reach a brighter future.
She was spending her time and energy on them, fully knowing that their lives were fleeting compared to her own.
"I see, so this is the kind of person you are, Celene... I suppose this is why the other dragons were quite fond of you..."
Drake knew she wasnât quite fit for battle, and this was probably why she didnât live among her kind either.
Bringing her along to war, or even worse, forcing her, was not his style...
"I should pay her a visit."
One of his slimes was already there, quickly taking the form of his Dragonoid body and knocking on the door.
"Yes? W-Who is it?"
Celene slowly opened the door, her eyes widening as she gasped once she saw Drake.
"Greetings, my name is Drake, I am the new Dragon King. You must be Celene, a Moonlight Dragon, right? I-"
BAAM!
However, the door quickly closed in front of his face as Celene didnât even say another word. She didnât even want to talk to him.
"Eh? Hello? Um, miss Celene? I really need your help right now..."
Drake gently knocked on the door, asking her to come out... The children became worried, some walking toward her as Celene sat on the floor, grabbing her legs tightly while looking desperate.
"Big sis, whatâs wrong?"
"Who was that man?"
"He sure loves knocking at the door..."
"Celene? Please, Celene, I donât want to force you into any battle. I see youâre a dragon that loves mortals. I do as well. I made a family with them too!" Drake said. "So please believe me... I unlock power from bloodlines and... I need a bit of your blood, I really do... the world is at peril, and I need this power to help save it..."
There was only silence, but then the door slowly opened, only very slightly.
And Celene appeared on the other side.
"Please... once youâre done, leave me alone... For the time being, I donât want to get involved with dragons... not again..."
"Uh? What... What happened?"
Drake was confused and curious about what could have driven Celene to act like this.
"Itâs not something I would like to talk about with a stranger..." she sighed.
"A stranger..." Drake felt a little hurt. "I guess we are indeed strangers... Iâm sorry for coming out of nowhere. I can tell youâre living your own life here, and I donât want to disturb it... By any chance, have you not kept yourself updated about whatâs going on inside the Draconic Records?"
"I havenât gone there in a hundred years," Celene said. "I have no interest in speaking with them. They live a different life than I do... most of them are dead too... Until the day I die, I donât think I will return."
"I see..." Drake nodded. "Alright, I donât want to ask you more things and make you uncomfortable... Youâve done a really good deed taking care of these children. Thank you for helping them. I mean it."
"Ah..." Celene looked at Drake with a slightly confused expression. She had never met a dragon this weird before. "Youâre strange... Most dragons would say I am wasting my energy helping mortals whose lives are so fleeting..."
"I told you that I am not like the old dragons," Drake said. "I am quite young myself... At least in dragon years, Iâm not even forty yet! Though I do look like an old man, donât I? Haha."
"..." Celene remained silent for a moment as she opened the door and let Drake inside.
"Wow, mister, youâre big."
"Who are you?"
"What do you want mister?"
"Hmm..."
The children quickly swarmed Drake, surrounding him from all sides and asking who he was. Some were suspicious of him and didnât approach, but the friendlier ones began touching his clothes.
Most children here were dwarves, but there were two twins who were desert elves, the youngest of the group. The male twin always looked angry, while the girl always looked like she was about to cry.
"Sorry for the intrusion, children," Drake said. "Haha, arenât you all cute? I have four beautiful kids who are just like you all... Oh! Do you want some snacks?"
Drake quickly opened his Inventory, bringing out a basket full of pastries, which he placed on the table. The children were amazed, taking a small muffin, doughnuts, cream puffs, and more, tasting them and becoming awed by the flavors.
"Wow, this is good!"
"Iâve never eaten this..."
"What is this? Itâs sweet..."
"..." Celene glanced at the scene in silence, as if judging Drakeâs every movement and trying to discern his true intentions.
However, it seemed she really couldnât guess what was on his mind. She thought that surely, he couldnât be that good of a person.
And yet, it seemed that he genuinely was.
"Whatâs wrong? Wanna try some? Theyâre good."
"...No thanks. Come with me."
Celene led Drake to her room, where she closed the door and looked at him.
And then she released her Moonlight Aura.
FLASH!
"Tell me what your true intentions are."
"Hm?"
"Have you come to kill me?! Who exactly are you?"
Suddenly, Drake noticed a formation appearing inside the room, creating a barrier that trapped both of them inside.
"Youâre trapped with me now... So speak."
"Ah... Are you being serious right now? Do I look suspicious? Hmm, thatâs really quite the problem..."
"Speak!"
Celene roared angrily as her Moonlight Aura shaped into glowing mirrors rotating around her.
"Wonât you calm down? I am who I am," Drake said. "There is no secret identity. I am Drake, the Dragon King. I was chosen by Tiamat as the King, and I collect allies around the world. To awaken my powers, I need to drink the blood of another dragon. Thatâs all. Ah, right, I am Niflâs son. Does that help?"
"Nifl?" Celene was surprised. "Uh..."
-----