McGyvor began, "So, you are the last sentient Wyrm with a partial human soul. You'll never be free as a human; that's impossible even with the best advocates. We're doing this as a favor because you've been kind and not a threat to us."

Heater continued, "The best solution, I'm afraid, is for you to remain state property, with McGyvor and the Wildlife Protection Agency becoming your owners. We'll treat you as humanely as possible to protect your rights. Have you done anything bad outside?"

The dragon responded by shaking its head negatively. It then wrote about some of its experiences. "I've stolen some sausages, but I gave back a skinned boar as compensation. I saved two children from drowning in a lake and ate pizza with their grateful parents. I haven't killed the poachers in the tannery; it was the wolves who did that, one half-skinned alive, the other skinned to death cruelly."

McGyvor and Heater were moved to tears upon hearing the story, and they wanted to comfort the dragon.

They were surprised by the dragon's ability to communicate with animals, which further convinced them to help. The dragon had become a treasured gem in their hands, a protector of nature.

The dragon wrote, "I can defend myself, and I am sturdy. I also have secrets you'll discover later. I'll cooperate with everything you request, but no experiments on me. Just ask, and I'll assist. I'd like to make my nest here and become a member of the zookeepers as a job. I can be a guardian at night and inform you about issues with the animals. Let me repay you."

McGyvor replied, "I agree in principle, but you'll need a collar within the zoo's confines, as I am legally responsible for you as your owner. You can fly around the zoo park, but stay within the park; don't cross the fence. If you do, I'll be in trouble and could be replaced by a harsher owner."

"But you cannot remain a secret," McGyvor continued. "You'll have to make a good first impression on all our members who will rush to meet you. Thankfully, this is not a public zoo; it's focused on protecting endangered species and reintegrating them into the wild. About your preferred wildlife biome?"

The dragon wrote: "Mountains, volcanic regions far from human cities, like the Ural Mountains, Siberia, or Alaska. Also, the Alps, Tibet, and the Himalayan Mountains. I dislike deserts and the Middle East."

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"And closer to here?" McGyvor inquired.

The dragon responded, "Eifel Mountains, French mountains and gorges. I prefer places where hunting is banned, with lots of rocks and caves to create a Lair. Access should be difficult for humans to prevent them from fearing or hating me. Contact with humans is not a problem for me, but I'm concerned about their reaction. I just want to live in peace and have a postal address for deliveries. You can provide me with tools, as I can maintain the equipment in the zoo. Ah, I am a dragon, but I am nude, so I'd like a zookeeper's hat as a uniform and a veil to cover my snout. It will make me appear less beastly, hide my fangs, and reduce fear."

After taking measurements of the dragon's size and weight, and gathering other information for the files of endangered species, the dragon's days were filled with activity. They placed a small collar on its hind leg without any issues, and the dragon was free to roam the zoo's alleys. The zookeepers gradually became friendly, talking to the dragon as a colleague. But it was during the night that the dragon enjoyed eating with them during their breaks.

Some of the zookeepers smoked, and one offered the dragon a cigar to try. It found the experience delightful, but fortunately, the addictive aspect of the tobacco didn't affect the dragon, so it was more for fun.

One day, McGyvor gave the dragon a stern look and said, "You reek of tobacco again!" The other zookeepers burst into laughter, and the dragon rolled its eyes, not caring about their judgment.

"Tomorrow, you can rest because there will be hundreds of people coming to see you," McGyvor said. "You'll be in the garden where a party will be held. Don't ruin the party, and no buffet for you, understood? There will be specially made plates for you, and the children of the other members will play with you and feed you. If someone is violent or tries to harm you, come down and whine, and other zookeepers will help you. Your job is to give a good image to the people, to inspire hope and trust."

Somewhere in Tibet, word spread: "Our Buddha reincarnated has sensed a deep, dark being now roaming the Earth. Our Exorcist Monks are on alert to protect people from evil. This could be the BEAST who will bring destruction, referencing 'I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.'"

Somewhere in Japan, at the Shinto temple of Amaterasu, it was said: "The BEAST has awakened. The Hakumen no Mono is free again."

At an orphanage near East Berlin, close to the Polish border:

Father John addressed the children, "My dear children, I will be absent for a few days. Your older brothers will be responsible for ensuring that your excursion is a wonderful experience. You all have pocket money, and if you'd like to purchase a treat or a souvenir, please ask your elder siblings. You have my permission."

The children cheered in excitement.

"Tomorrow morning, you will board a bus. I ask that you obey the coach and your elder siblings. We have a special treat for you as the zoo is opening exclusively for our visit. I wish I could accompany you, but my superiors have called me away. I trust you to behave well during my absence. Is that clear?"

The children responded enthusiastically, looking forward to their visit to the zoo.