“Kill!”
“I will kill you!”
“I will kill you all!”
“You deceitful lot!”
“How dare you treat me like this!”
“I will kill you.”
Such hateful words echoed endlessly in a vast, dark mountain cave to the north—repeated by a great dragon who had lost count of how many times she’d uttered them.
North of the Kingdom of Arindale y a desote wastend, a no-man’s nd of jagged rocks and endless sand. No life thrived there—not even ants—so no one ever came.
And since no one came, no one knew a dragon dwelt within.
The very same dragon who had once helped the Hero save humankind.
The dragon's body was covered in silky bck scales, and her burning, wrathful eyes gleamed a reddish gold. Yet despite her mighty appearance, she y motionless on the cold ground, breathing shallowly as she muttered those heartless words.
“I will kill you!”
“Just wait until I get out of here.”
“I’ll fly away immediately and hunt you down to kill you, you shameless wretches!”
She couldn’t be bmed for her rage.
She had trusted that man—that shameless man—who had promised to build a world where all races could live in peace and prosperity.
She had believed him.
She had believed his lies.
And now, she was sealed in this suffocating darkness, imprisoned for who knew how long.
Maybe for thirty years?
Forty years?
She had lost count.
Yet she looked the same as the day she was sealed here. The cursed chains binding her must have stunted her growth.
For a dragon, thirty or forty years were nothing. But to be trapped, unable to move or act as she pleased? Death would have been kinder.
This cave had been her "reward" from that shameless man—the Hero—after he had officially established his kingdom and been crowned the first King of Arindale.
Back then…
*
In a fshback.
Beneath the warm sunlight, the 24-year-old Hero stood tall, his bck hair and crimson eyes giving him a striking, regal appearance. Dressed in majestic king’s attire, he looked every bit the noble ruler.
His hair matched the color of her scales, and his eyes mirrored hers.
That was one of many reasons she had helped him.
She had been curious—could a young, handsome human truly unite humankind, repel the attacks of other races, and rise as king?
Wouldn’t it be amusing if someone so simir to her ruled? And then… perhaps she could control him?
And indeed, he had become king—conquering the continent of Temesia and naming it the Arindale Kingdom.
With a kind smile, the Hero had said:
"Today, my dream has come true. I have become the king I’ve always dreamed of."
"However, this is not the end—this is only the beginning."
"Many people died along the way. Many were sacrificed."
"This time, I’ll make sure everyone can continue to live in peace."
"Tia, this vast northern nd is yours. Do with it as you wish."
Tia had blinked. “Really? Are you sure?”
“Of course,” he replied. “It’s the least I can do after you helped me achieve my dream. You’ve given us all a safe home and prosperous nds.”
Tia ughed as she waved her cw dismissively. “Nah, it was nothing. A piece of cake! After all, I am the mighty dragon, Tia!”
Though only four years old by dragon standards, she was already formidable—capable of wielding fire, ice, poison, acid, and lightning. Some humans even whispered that she resembled the Primordial Dragon, Tiamat.
Tiamat was revered as a deity, and all dragons paid homage to her.
She could smell and perceive anything within ten miles if she chose to. She understood many nguages and could communicate with all beings within that range. She could extend her senses in up to five directions and block deities of equal or lesser power.
She was so awe-inspiring. Perhaps she was her descendant?
She was not sure. When she came out of her shell, no one was there. She didn’t see her parents, brothers, or sisters—so she didn’t know them. How could she know her great ancestors?
The Hero had grinned. “This mountain cave will be your castle. It’s big enough, even for someone as fat as you. Hahaha!”
Tia had gasped in mock outrage. “Fat?! I’m not fat! I look mighty!”
“Hahaha! Fine, fine—you’re mighty!” he conceded.
Tia rebuked, “You are hurting a maiden’s heart if you call her fat, you know!”
The Hero asked, “A maiden’s heart? Where did you learn that? Hahaha.”
Tia said: “From the Saint.”
“I’m a girl, you know!”
The Hero replied with a smile, “A silly little female dragon.”
“Okay, let’s go inside. I want you to see it.” The Hero added.
The two ventured in, Tia lighting the way with her fire magic. The entrance was narrow, but for a dragon her size—about as rge as an adult wolf—it was spacious enough. As they went deeper, the cavern expanded, revealing an astonishing sight.
Torches lined the walls, illuminating gleaming stones that sparkled like scattered jewels. Neither Tia nor the Hero knew what they were, but their beauty was undeniable.
Tia’s eyes practically turned into gold coins. She felt like the richest dragon alive.
“Do you like it?” the Hero asked.
“Yes! It’s beautiful!” she replied, giddy.
Maybe she can get more gold coins if she sells these gleaming stones.
But what should she do? She also likes these stones very much.
He smiled. “I’m gd you like them.”
“You can look around the pce. There is a vast sea on the north side of this mountain.”
“Then, let’s go there together. I want to see it.”
The Hero replied, “I can’t go right now. We still have a lot to discuss in the castle. I’ll go with you next time.”
“I’ll send your favorite foods and treasures by evening. Oh, and the Saint mentioned the Goddess is grateful for your aid. She’ll come ter to bestow her blessing.”
“Really?” Tia’s eyes sparkled. “Will she grant me a powerful magic skill?”
Tia daydreamed about the Goddess’s gift.
The Hero watched Tia, engrossed in her own world.
When he first met her, she was eating her eggshells. She had been extremely cute.
They had been together ever since.
They fought many battles. The memories were still vivid in his mind.
He remembered how she trampled their enemies to death, tore their bodies into pieces, and burned them.
He also remembered how she destroyed countless pces, reducing them to ashes.
With her by his side, many of his enemies fled in fear.
She was still young, so she was small compared to other dragons—yet incredibly strong.
After pondering for a while, he turned to leave.
Tia gnced around the cave---she noticed the Hero was gone.
Anyway, now, this castle was hers.
She could rest as much as she wanted. The war—which the Hero had predicted would st twenty years—had ended in eight, thanks to her efforts.
Flying, fighting, defending—it had been exhausting. But soon, her rewards would arrive.
Perhaps she could even demand more.
When the moon rose high, the Hero returned—accompanied by the Saint and guards carrying carts of food and treasure.
The guards left swiftly once their task was done.
The Saint approached Tia, her beauty ethereal. With long pink hair, golden eyes, and a flowing white robe, she exuded warmth and kindness. Tia had always liked her.
“Tia,” the Saint said gently, “we’ve brought your favorite things.”
Tia giggled. “Oh, kind Saint! Let me see!”
“There’s a lot of gold!”
“I will pour it ter and make a bed of gold.”
“There’s also jewelry! Hahaha.”
“Have you looked around the pce? Do you like it here?” the Saint asked.
“It’s perfect,” Tia replied. “It’s big, quiet, and far from humans. You know I hate too much noise.”
“Good,” the Saint said. “Feast first. Afterward, I’ll grant you the Goddess’s blessing.”
“Okay, you know I’ve been thinking about it. I wonder what it could be.” Tia kept talking while munching on her food.
“It must be incredible. After all, it’s from the Goddess.”
“Can you tell me what it is? I’m curious.”
The Saint said, “You’ll know soon. There‘s no rush.”
Tia shrugged and ate heartily.
But when the time came for her "gift," she realized—it was no blessing.
It was a curse.
A seal, imbued with the Goddess’s power, traps her in this cave.
Golden chains, pulsing with light magic, coiled around her, forcing her ft against the ground. The more she struggled, the tighter they became.
She tried to summon her magic— but nothing worked.
“WHAT DID YOU DO?!” Tia roared. “GET THESE OFF ME!”
She thrashed, screaming at the Hero.
“AXEL! STOP HER! MAKE HER RELEASE ME!”
“WHY AREN’T YOU MOVING?!”
“AXEL!!!”
“ARE YOU BLIND? CAN’T YOU SEE WHAT SHE’S DOING TO ME?”
“ARE YOU DEAF?!”
But the Hero stood silently in the dim part of the cave.
As if he didn’t hear anything.
The Saint spoke calmly. “Tia, you can’t bme us. You’re too powerful. Too full of malice—fitting for the ‘Dragon of Chaos.’”
“We’ve seen how easily you burn people and houses.”
“You ughed while destroying everything.”
“You’re young and impulsive. We feared you’d turn on us next.”
“NONSENSE!” Tia snarled. “I DID EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO YOUR PLANS! I HELPED YOU! WHY WOULD I DESTROY WHAT I HELPED BUILD?!”
The Saint continued, unfazed. “The Hero and I decided to seal you here.”
“LIAR!” Tia’s voice shook the cave. “AXEL SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL! DID YOU MANIPULATE HIM?!”
“We’ll always be indebted to you,” the Saint said softly. “And I’ll pray for your soul.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
Tia writhed, desperate to tear the Saint apart.
“COME BACK, YOU LYING HAG!”
“COME BACK!!!”
“I’LL MAKE SURE TO TEAR YOU IN PIECES!!!”
Harm them? When had she ever harmed them?
She had fought for them.
She had bled for them.
While the Saint hid in tents, praying, Tia had been on the frontlines.
As for the Hero, he finally moved.
He took a step forward, and waved his hand, extinguishing every torch in the cave- plunging her into darkness.
He never spoke.
Never looked at her.
As if she didn’t exist.
He just left.
The cold realization struck her like a bde.
“Axel…”
How could he?
She had been angry at the Saint—but this was worse.
He had smiled at her just this morning.
And were all their past battle together meaningless?
What about his promises?
Why did he always smile at her?
No… this had to be a nightmare.
He’d come back tomorrow, ughing, saying it was all a joke.
She repeated it to herself, desperate to believe.
But the chains were real.
She noticed something else strange--her mana was slipping away.
“Why…?”
She’d demand answers when he returned.
But he never did.
Not the next day.
Not ever.
“No… no, this can’t be…”
“Axel…”
Her voice broke.
“How could he…?”
“Me… Tia… the mighty dragon…”
Tia couldn’t help but groan in anger. She tried to stand and shook off the chains shackling her with all her might.
“AHHHHGGGGG!”
She attempted to use her fire magic, her acid magic, her lightning magic---
But nothing worked.
She didn’t want to stay here.
After struggling for a long time, Tia y motionless, then she ughed hysterically.
“Hahahaha! CRAZY! This is CRAZY!”
“I can’t believe it!”
“The first human I ever met. The first human who showed me kindness--- stabbed in the back after toying with me in the palm of his hand.”
“He pyed me like a fool!”
“A human pyed ME?!”
“He USED me to build his kingdom—then THREW ME AWAY?!”
Tia kept compining, yet the only thing that changed was the amount of mana in her body.
Her mana dwindled further.
Was it fueling the chains?
How long would this st?
Days passed.
Weeks.
Months.
Years.
No one came.
Not Axel.
Not even the humans she’d saved.
She was betrayed and forgotten.
*
Back to the present time.
Now, even Tia was tired of rage—but what else could she do?
Right, to stave off insanity, she invented imaginary friends: Angemi and Devimi.
Devimi said, “Hey, the sun is out. There’s a little sunshine over there.”
“What do you think we should do today?”
“Should we count sheep? We counted birds yesterday.”
Angemi asked, “Where are the sheep? We only have stones here.”
Devimi replied: “Come on, don’t be too serious. You should have fun.”
Angemi replied, “Did you forget? We can’t move away from here.”
Devimi said, “Then let’s just chat, like we always do these past forty years or so. Hahaha.”
Angemi sighed, “I don’t know what to say.”
Devimi sneered. “Let’s chat. What do you think that shameless man is doing?”
“Plowing fields and sowing seeds?”
“Maybe he’s busy spending time with the Saint? You know what I mean, right? Hahaha!”
“Or maybe he is mocking us from his throne while drinking wine?”
“Nah--is he even still alive? Hahaha!”
Angemi huffed. “Of course he is! How rude!”
“What are you even talking about?”
“Shameless!”
Devimi rebuked, “I’m shameless? What about you?”
“You never learn your lesson. You’re such a goody two-shoes.”
“After everything that’s happened to us, you still defend that shameless man? You’re crazy!”
“Maybe even after he sells you out, you’ll happily count the money for him.”
Angemi panicked and replied in a whisper, “No, I’m not! I wouldn’t help him count it. I’d just hand him my purse. It’s my money—earned from selling my body.”
Devimi was speechless. What a na?ve creature.
She was like a little girl.
Then again, they still looked like a four-year-old dragon.
She felt hopeless.
Devimi smirked. “Well, they say bad weeds don’t die easily. I guess that’s true.”
Tia growled. “They won’t die. Not until I kill them.”
Devimi cackled. “That’s right. Kill them ALL! None deserves mercy!”
Angemi hesitated. “But… he didn’t speak that night. Maybe he didn’t—”
“SHUT UP!” Devimi shrieked. “He LEFT US HERE FOR YEARS!”
Tia said, “I don’t care. I don’t care about him!”
“Who cares if he hates me or not? I hate them all. That is all there is to it.”
“I’ll take revenge. I’ll make them pay.”
“I’ve been stuck here in this ugly cave for so long.”
Too many years had passed.
Too long to remember that her mana was nearly gone.
Would she die when it reached zero?
Or be freed?
Each day, it dwindled further.
100… 50… 40… 30…
“No, no, WAIT!” Tia panicked. “What will happen to me when it reaches zero?!”
Devimi grinned. “We’ll be FREE! Then we will KILL THEM ALL!”
Angemi sighed. “Not everyone hurt us… Maybe we can finally rest in peace.”
“NO!” Tia roared. “I WON’T DIE LIKE THIS!”
“I HELPED THEM!”
“I MADE AXEL A KING!”
“I DESERVE TO RULE—NOT HIM!”
20… 10…
[Ding!—]
A sudden, feminine voice echoed.
[System Notification!]
Quest Requirement Met: "The Road to Kingship."
You are granted a second chance to live—to cim the throne as the rightful ruler of mankind. Will you accept?
[Yes / No]
Tia was startled.
A second chance?
What was going on? Who cared about that?
She must be going crazy--- she had no time to think about it.
She didn’t want to die.
[Hurry. Your time is running out.]
5… 4…
She didn’t care about the details.
She would think about them when she got back to life.
No--no, she would no longer follow anyone’s orders.
NEVER.
At this moment, she just wanted to live. So she answered---
“YES.”
Sezaika
