At the dawn of the world, the dragon was born.

The White Dragon, who governed the light, was born, and from its shadow emerged the Black Dragon, ruler of darkness.

The earth was created. The Earth Dragon, guardian of the land.

Rain fell upon the land, and rivers began to flow. The Water Dragon, guardian of water.

Winds enveloped the world. The Wind Dragon, guardian of the wind.

Volcanoes emerged from the earth, and the land began to move. The Fire Dragon, guardian of fire.

These six dragons became the pillars that supported the world, and life began to sprout across the land.

The White Dragon lived through what seemed like an eternity.

It was she who gave "fire" to the primitive humans, teaching them the ways of survival and the art of combat.

The apes eventually evolved into "humans," ascending to the point where they could build civilizations on their own strength.

Her power filled the world, and that power came to be known as "magic."

Magic was both her power and the divine force that enveloped the world.

Her power had already grown equal to that of the "gods" who created the world.

Yet now, her heart, the heart of the one who had sparked the beginning of the world, was heavy with sorrow.

Ah, the world is ending.

The world she had nurtured for so long,

The world she had shared her flesh and blood with, the world to which she had given wisdom.

That world was now facing its moment of destruction.

It all began with a small distortion.

A black haze appeared at the edges of the world. It soon gathered, thickened, and eventually took human form as if it had developed a will of its own.

It walked the earth, sometimes flying through the skies, reaching towns and villages where humans lived.

There, it possessed humans and beasts alike.

And it spread darkness.

That darkness was disease, it was conflict, it was death.

By the time humanity recognized this darkness and began to fight back, the darkness had nearly consumed the world.

The world was enveloped in shadow.

The darkness came to be known as the Mazoku—the Demon Race.

People joined forces to resist the darkness, driving it away with the power of magic.

Not only humans but also demi-humans united, and together, they regained their strength, eventually eradicating the darkness from the world.

Once again, peace returned to the land.

At last, she had a world where she could live in peace.

However, the world, having attained peace, was once again engulfed by the flames of war.

Those who had once fought side by side now turned against each other, threatening to consume the world in fire.

Every time the dragon saw the flames of war, her heart filled with sorrow.

Wherever there was war, darkness would inevitably return.

Darkness was the manifestation of the "negative" forces within the heart.

Wherever there was wisdom, darkness would always follow.

Where there was light, darkness would inevitably arise.

And now, the darkness was once again regaining its strength.

The world was descending into chaos.

And amid that chaos, she was approaching her final moment.

"O King..."

A girl, bathed in light, called out to the ancient dragon.

The dragon did not respond to her words.

Hundreds of years had already passed since the dragon ceased to move. Still, the girl continued to speak to her unmoving master.

"O King. Beautiful flowers are blooming on a nearby hill."

She nestled affectionately against the great dragon's foreleg.

She knew that the life of the oldest dragon was nearing its end.

All life eventually comes to an end.

"O Great King, creator of this world."

She wove her words, knowing that even if they did not reach the dragon's ears, even if it was nothing more than self-satisfaction, she would continue to speak.

"The people are weary."

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Even if it was not a pleasant truth.

"The world needs your power."

She wanted her words to reach the dragon.

"Darkness has overtaken the world."

If only a little,

"The world... I... need you."

She wanted to be felt.

She wanted to exchange words.

And then, a miracle happened.

For the first time in hundreds of years, the dragon's eyes, which had remained still for so long, slowly opened.

"O King!"

She cried out in joy.

The dragon's eyes regained their strength, and it gazed at her.

"I was... dreaming a long dream."

"Is that so?"

She listened intently to the dragon's words, not missing a single one, not a single letter.

Listening to the dragon's words was the only thing she could do right now.

"What kind of dream was it?"

Just hearing the dragon speak was enough for her.

Her heart filled with joy.

But at the same time, a dark shadow rose within her.

Shaking her head as if to cast it off, she asked.

"The world... was full of light. The buildings reached the sky, and the cities were free from the darkness of night..."

Whether it was a dream or reality, that she did not know.

"Vel."

The dragon called her name.

"...Yes, my lord?"

Vel knelt, stiffening her body as she looked up at the dragon.

Even if she were to be told to end her own life, she was prepared to obey.

That was how deeply she loved the dragon.

For the dragon was her mother, her ideal, her life, and her everything.

"I will soon die."

She felt her voice tremble. Her throat tightened, and she fought to hold herself up as her body threatened to collapse.

Tears quivered behind her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

"Please, do not say such things."

Her voice trembled, and she fought against the overwhelming sorrow that made her want to crumble to her knees.

"I will soon disappear from this world. But do not worry."

The dragon's eyes were filled with compassion, and a soft light shimmered in those golden orbs.

"I will return to the world again. The soul is eternally connected."

Vel stifled her sobs, nodding weakly, enduring the grief.

Her words held no strength, and the aura that had once surrounded the dragon weakened rapidly.

The decline of the dragon would have a significant impact on the world.

"O King, please rest assured."

Vel whispered as if speaking to herself. She must not look down. She must not succumb to sorrow.

She must not worry the dragon, her king and mother, any further.

"I will protect this world, no matter what."

At Vel's words, the dragon smiled gently.

"Vel... my beloved daughter."

Even as the dragon's voice weakened, it resonated deeply in Vel's heart.

"...Yes."

Vel approached the great dragon and gently pressed herself against its magnificent body.

"The soul is part of the eternal cycle. My soul, too, will join that cycle."

"I will find you... I will find your soul, without fail!"

Though Vel's voice trembled, her resolve was unshakable.

"Watch over the world... its future..."

The dragon was enveloped in light, and its soft radiance illuminated the darkness.

"Yes... I will witness it with my own eyes. I will see the world's future with these eyes..."

The light rose into the night sky, shining like a star.

That light, floating in the dark night, soon enveloped the world.

■ ■ ■ ■

The scattered light across the world slowly began to gather over thousands of years, traveling through the earth, sky, and sea. Countless shimmering particles, like stardust, converged in one place, forming a single egg. Without defying the flow of time, the egg matured in a long, quiet slumber that lasted centuries. And now—at this very moment—the shell began to crack, slowly breaking apart.

From within, a radiant and beautiful baby dragon emerged.

"It was born!"

"It has finally arrived!"

The fairies danced in celebration, their joyful murmurs filling the air at the birth of the new dragon. Tiny particles of light swirled around, blessing the newborn dragon.

"Blessings upon the dragon child!"

"May this new life be filled with fortune!"

Vel, unable to hold back her tears, trembled with joy as she gently lifted the baby dragon into her arms. The little creature let out a soft cry, radiating a warm light. That warmth felt as if the memories of the ancient dragon had returned once more.

"O King..." Vel whispered tenderly, her voice shaking with overwhelming emotion.

"How beautiful you are... You have finally returned."

The baby dragon looked up at Vel, its clear eyes sparkling. She could feel it—the great soul of the ancient dragon was indeed dwelling within this small body.

"What shall I name you...?"

Vel smiled softly, tilting her head in gentle contemplation.

"This child deserves a strong name, one brimming with hope."

"Yes! Let’s give it a name that inspires dreams and kindness!"

The fairies all agreed, listening intently to Vel's words.

"O King, in honor of your rebirth, we shall choose a name that brings new light into this world... together."

Vel gazed at the baby dragon, her heart overflowing with love, and began to think of a name—a name that carried hope, dreams, and strength. Such a name was perfect for this new life.

"Then, the name of this new king shall be..."

At that moment, a new king was born into the world.