I look at myself in the mirror.

The same clear and bright sky blue eyes stare back. A fair white skin complimented with a glossy and straight white hair. The difference is that that said hair is now shorter compared to the first time I laid my eyes in a mirror to see my reflection.

It does feel a lot cooler and lighter and not to mention, it will be a lot easier to care for it since it’s shorter. Also, this is more convenient when I move around in a battle as it won’t get in the way. It’s a lot easier to comb and I actually, for the first time, wanted to try to tie my hair into a ponytail or even twin tails.

B-But…

Just thinking about it embarrasses me…!

Not to mention, I don’t know how to tie my own hair. I usually do it for the girls at the orphanage when I was still Nil but… doing it to myself is harder than I thought.

I imagine myself wearing those kinds of hair…

Pfft!

No way!

I ended up embarrassing myself in front of the mirror as I envision myself with that kind of hair. I mean, isn’t those kind of hairstyles are only worn by little girls?!

“You’re still adorable with the length of your hair.”

“I-Ichirou-nii?!”

The lady killer comes in!

Right when I am staring at myself in the mirror getting embarrassed all by myself!

“Don’t startle me like that! That’s really bad for my heart!”

“Oh? Sorry Asagao but…I really can’t believe that you cut your own hair and spilled your own blood. I didn’t know anything about it but your plan actually worked!”

“No… I didn’t plan any of those…”

“Eh?! Even the crying?!”

“S-Stop that…! It’s embarrassing… please…”

“You actually cried?!”

“I told you to stop repeating it, geez!”

“Ahaha… But anyway…your hair…”

“Don’t sweat it… it will grow back in no time although the shame that it caused me won’t fade away…”

“You did your best…”

As Ichirou spoke those words, he places his hand on my head and caresses it. I just close my eyes and let him be since it’s not like I hate it. I like being comforted like this every now and then.

After our talk with Pr’thcor, the whole place was filled with roaring dragons and shouting people filled with vigor. They actually took my blood and hair and carefully place it in a altar like it is some kind of worshipping subject.

I also acquired the title of The Maiden loved by the Dragons which left me helpless and unable to voice out any complaints about it. I truly wish this won’t be recorded or noted down in the history of this world in any books or reading material.

Are they going to worship me to embarrassment?!

“How are you, Miss Maiden loved by the dragons?”

“O-Old man Pr’thcor?! S-Shut up! It’s embarrassing as it is!”

Pr’thcor enters the room and further humiliated me.

I heaved a deep sigh tinted with tiredness from what happened. I honestly didn’t expect that all would go well or rather, unexpected from my part. I actually started to think if I am fortunate because of the outcome or unfortunate because of the means.

But there’s one thing that got me curious.

“Old man…why?”

“Hmm? Why you ask…”

“What you did earlier, I am thankful for it! You persuaded everyone and---!”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I did it because I already had the means to voice that out.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m…actually waiting for an event…a reason for them to unfold their wings and fly again towards the real sky. You are just an excuse for me but you are their new reason.”

“Even so, I am really happy! Also, thank you for covering up for me when I tried to do the oath.”

“Covering up? I am honestly furious on how they mocked it.”

“Eh…?!”

“I already knew how precious it is.”

“But it’s just that… nothing more.”

“A prophecy was made before…”

“Prophecy?!”

“By Senya… several hundreds of years ago, she already asked the constellations and was told about Lord Mrothgir’s death and after that, a divine will descend.”

“…”

“You are that divine, ain’t you?”

“Yes…it is also because of me that the Phoenix Hibiscus has grown into that immediately because of my divine power.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

There was no reason to hide it anymore.

 I just hope he won’t ask any further.

“Wait, how is that connected to my hair and blood?!”

“Oh? Isn’t it because it is a hair and blood of a divine?”

“Ah…”

“Anyway, it is because of you that, even the tiniest reason, they found motivation to take a step outside. The reason I was outside of this city is for the hope to find a slightest reason for something to happen…and…you and your friends came.”

“Is that includes getting drunk around underage children?”

“Now, now, there’s no use nitpicking, right, Ichirou buddy? You were about to kill us earlier, though…”

“Ahahaha…how come you’re dragging me in this…”

Ichirou laugh weakly as his name was mentioned. He was just listening quietly but I guess it can’t be helped if he was dragged into the conversation when drinking liquors enters.

“Now, I want to know what are you plans as we have our own. After several weeks or even a month of preparations and partition of responsibilities as we want to preserve this place, there’s also the plan of the majority of us that will fly and explore the whole continent.”

The image of them flying together through the sky suddenly comes into my mind, large and barbaric looking dragons hovers over cities, towns and people while they flew in flock. Just imagine shadows of these dragons flashing into the ground and someone suddenly looks up what is it.

Um......

“Wouldn’t that look like an invasion?!”

“No, that’s taking over.”

“That’s the same!”

“We are the prime dragons after all. After we take over the whole continent, we will be invading the fairy continent… is what I wanted to do but…”

“But…”

“Ah…Senya lives there and we will surely get our asses kicked.”

“Well, why do you guys seems to hate the fairies?”

“Hmm? I don’t know… it’s kind of…I don’t know… maybe because our nature and behavior clashes? They want to preserve and we are made to destroy after all. But since gaining intelligence, we dragons suppressed that nature…”

“Haa…and you want to take over the continent…just great…!”

“Well, if you can present a dragon kin who will willingly marry a fairy kin, then I might reconsider it. Although that’s a fat chance happening.”

“Yeah…”

It seems I need to force a certain heroes to get married huh…

No joke.

“I already told you our plan but I am guessing that you will really go see Senya.”

“Yes! I wanted to meet Senya ever since Master mentioned about her! That’s why, old man, do you know the exit to this place?”

“Of course, although, I really never had the courage to explore outside but there’s a tunnel where only flying dragons can go out.”

“I knew it!”

“And just to remind you, our whole group falls under your banner. Meaning, you are our stand-up leader.”

“Wait! Why?!”

“You’re the one who asked for our help, right? We will spread your name and regard you as our leader.”

“Guh…”

“Also, before you guys leave, I want to give you something.”

Pr’thcor immediately left us and run off towards somewhere. We really don’t plan to leave now as Casablanca and Hibiscus are still sleeping and I don’t want to disturb them. But what he said got me excited when he said he wants to give me something!

After for a while, he came back carrying a large smooth black rock.

No… It is something far ominous…

“Old man…that’s…”

“It’s a scale…”

“I knew it…”

“It’s the last scale that we found…from Lord Krothgir.”

“I see.”

“Take it. Sell it, throw it away or even destroy, it doesn’t matter to me anymore. I don’t want to hold onto it anymore.”

“Why?”

“It is something like moving on or something. Just take it.”

“Old man…this got me curious… how come master looks so young but you looks so old even though age-wise, he is older.”

“Hmm? I’m fond of this appearance. Don’t ask further.”

“Eh…?”

Since he asks not to ask anymore, I didn’t and completely shut my mouth about it. The scale that he brought looks small at his hand but as he gives it to me, it’s bigger than my head.

As I gratefully received it, I already felt the immense magic that it has. I immediately store it at my dimensional storage as to not to lose it. I could make more dragon fiber with it but I don’t how to.

Maybe I should ask Cecille since she was the one gave Alstroe her dragon fiber clothes.

“Thank you. I shall make full use of it.”

“Do what you want.”

“And…um… about the exit…”

“Of course, I shall take you guys myself.”

“Thank you! I owe you so much!”

“You really do. So, when are you guys going?”

“When the twins wake up, we’ll leave.”

“Is that so? Why don’t you say your farewell to everyone? They might have seen you for only a several times but you guys are the only outsiders they met so I bet they are still thrilled.”

“I see. Let’s go Ichirou-nii.”

From Pr’thcor’s request, Ichirou and I left immediately and head towards the center of the city where most of the inhabitants gathers. I wonder what kind of reaction they will make when they see me.

Or what kind of reaction I will make upon seeing an altar where my blood and hair are located…

.

.

.

As we greeted the dragons, the four who was with Pr’thcor earlier apologizes to me, reluctantly that is. I know how they feel as they were called cowards and it is actually logical for them to doubt me. Only the old man’s words persuaded them but they feel extremely sorry for what they said about my hair and blood.

After that, we returned to Pr’thcor’s house and took a rest but before we can even seat on a chair, Casablanca and Hibiscus greeted us.

We both told them the plan and what will happen from now on. They agreed to it and told us that they are ready anytime. I turn towards Hibiscus and speak.

“Hibiscus… I want to ask you something…”

“What is it?”

“How…what happened to you?”

Hibiscus stares at me and made a big smile. Emby in her hands doze off as we talk so it wasn’t that bothersome.

“There are things that I realized and things that made me… accepted few inconsistencies.”

“That…what do you mean?”

“Asagao…Casablanca is mine! I can share her with you but she will always be mine!”

“W-Wait…I don’t get it…”

“Also, I will try to outshine you! I will not hold back anymore and show you that I can be bright and strong, just like you! Casablanca and I greatly admires your strength but, I realized that we cannot stay as your admirers! We need to stand up too!”

“I see…”

If you really wanted Casablanca all by yourself, I won’t stop you! Why don’t you just marry her yourself too?

Geez…

I’m just proud that you were able to use Divine Ascension. You must have come to terms with your own emotional turmoil and synchronized with the divinity resulting to that explosive power. Emby is also a big factor to it.

There are still mysteries about this power of mine but it brought out an unwavering heart to anyone who used it.

And… Hibiscus smiling like that… looks cuter and prettier than before…

Casablanca could not mutter any words as her whole face reddens from ear to ear.

.

.

.

“So is everyone here?”

“Yes. There are only four of us so you really don’t have to ask that if you can count properly.”

“Why are you being such a nag, Asagao?”

“Well… why don’t we start?”

Pr’thcor brought us at the edge of the city.

Casablanca, Hibiscus, Ichirou and I stand behind him as look up. Behind us are some dragons who followed us since they heard that we are leaving immediately.

Pr’thcor shines brightly as he transforms into his elder dragon form.

………

I should have guessed it because of his size but of course, seeing something large is still astonishing.

Pr’thcor…is so large. Every dragon is large but he stands a lot bigger than them. His scales are gray and his body is rough and spiky. The two horns at his head curves inward a little. His wings are thick and scaly too that it had me thinking if he could really fly with it.

Ichirou just holds us and jump towards his back. I was worried about how to get at his back but I guess this is convenient too.

Without wasting any moment, Pr’thcor starts flapping his wings which creates gust everywhere and fly. I couldn’t even hear the dragons below us are saying but I guess they are only saying they farewells.

As we ascend, I saw that there is actually a large hole hidden in the high ceiling. I guess you cannot see it if you don’t fly really high. This is where the wind goes through.

The hole was large enough for Pr’thcor’s wing span but it kind of got me nervous as the tunnel was becoming much dimmer. I also noticed that stalagmites are everywhere and he is flying carefully not to get caught up with it.

We can only do our best to hold onto Ichirou who tightly hold onto one of his spikes.

After for a few moments… we got out surprisingly fast…

.

.

.

The starry night sky enters our sight and the chilly wind of the night time penetrates our skins. As I stare at the horizon, I can see the ocean illuminated by the moons. It seems we emerge from a steep canyon.

I look at the boundless shore of sand below as it astonished me of how beautiful this world at the same time, how cruel it is.

“This is where we separate. I want to take you guys directly at the fairies rainforest but there are things to do.”

“I understand. Besides, we plan on traveling by foot.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve learned that… in an adventure, you can meet various people, explore wonderful and dreaded places and learn so many things. I’ve learned those joys…from master as he teaches us various things…”

“Lord Mrothgir?”

“Yes!”

“Hahaha! Well, I…will be placing my faith to you as what Lord Mrothgir did. We, the dragons from the Lost Capital City of Hujinn, are at your disposal. Don’t forget that.”

“Yes! Thank you…I can’t thank you enough, old man Pr’thcor.”

“Yeah! Also, my drinking buddy, phoenix wielder, and blondie, be careful too!”

Everyone nods from Pr’thcor’s words.

Even though we only met the other day, it feels like they made a significant change to us. And now, this is where we separate and go on to our own paths.

Pr’thcor flew back and we move forward.

Also…did he casually told me that they are now my allies?!