Chương 38: Chapter 3: The Lonely Dragon

Listen While Reading Recommendation: BLOWIN' (piano & strings ver.) After playing for a while with my mother, we all left the river and decided to have a picnic. The sun was so strong that my clothes dried in just a couple of minutes. While my mother prepared sandwiches, I ran around, feeling the growing strength in my body and getting more accustomed to my abilities. Bugs sometimes buzzed nearby such as dragonflies or golden scarabs—and I would try to catch them in my mouth even though it was disgusting.

I always ended up spitting them out. Ew.

But some deep instinct urged me to snap at small moving things, and the urge was sometimes overwhelming, making my blood boil with excitement. I guess this is what it truly means to be a dragon… But what about magic? I had tried gathering Mana into my little claws and releasing it as attacks, and there were definite results.

"Gya!" SLASH! By leaping and swinging my tiny paw, I sliced through tall grass at least five meters away. It seemed this was my most basic attack as a baby dragon.

"Gather Mana into Claw and release it to cut the air and anything in its path… Got it. This'll be Dragon Claw then," I nodded to myself, slashing more grass and then, when I spotted more bugs, cutting them down too.

"Heheh!" I laughed for some reason, even though guilt hit me right afterward and I stopped. Gigantia came running toward me after I ignored my mother's call. I could hear her heavy footsteps from a kilometer away.

"Young princess! Please, your mother is calling you. Come with me." I tried to dart away and keep playing, but she quickly scooped me up in her big hands. I struggled and smacked her with my tail, unable to break free.

"Hahaha! Calm down, you can play more later!"

"Hmph!" I felt irritated even though she made perfect sense. This body was clearly influencing my behavior; my mind didn't have full control over these new instincts yet. It would take time to fully merge my conscious mind with these instincts, and I suspected most dragons struggled with the same thing during childhood. Becoming a wise, non-reckless dragon is quite difficult. According to my father, they're all very reckless in their youth, he certainly was.

"Here you go, dear. I cooked the fish you caught with herbs and spices and turned it into sandwiches," my mother said.

"You've got big fangs now, so try eating properly."

"Ooohhh!" I grabbed the sandwich eagerly. It looked delicious. This was technically my first solid meal after three years of only milk, fruit, and vegetable puree. I was thrilled. And it was made from the fish I had caught myself!

"Nom!" The flavors exploded in my little mouth. My eyes widened and my eyebrows shot up in surprise. It was a bit hot, but incredibly tasty. The fish had been stir-fried with onion, garlic, and other spices my mother added after Gigantia told her dragons love spicy and savory flavors. And she wasn't wrong!

"Nam, nam, nam!" I devoured the sandwich like my life depended on it.

"W-Wait, don't eat so fast or you'll choke!" My mother fussed, but after I finished, I let out a satisfied burp.

"Oh? Did you like it?"

"Hm!" I nodded vigorously.

"More!"

"More?" she asked, surprised.

"But your belly is too small for another one, dear…"

"Don't worry, dragons—even as babies—have huge stomachs!" Gigantia assured her.

"Please don't worry about it."

"…Okay then," my mother agreed, handing me another sandwich along with some cold fruit juice. It was delicious, and the juice felt incredibly refreshing in the heat of the day. After eating so much, sleepiness washed over me. I cuddled against my mother while she leaned back against a tree on a grassy hill overlooking the floating island. Slowly, I drifted off while listening to their quiet conversation.

"Well, look at her—she's already sleepy, hahah," Gigantia chuckled.

"Hm, yes. I guess bringing her outside was a good idea. I haven't seen her this happy before. She always looked so bored. I think this is exactly what she needed," my mother said.

"I just thought little babies needed more years before going out like this…"

"You worry too much, Your Majesty. Dragons—even newborns—are tough," Gigantia replied.

"And full of energy!"

"I see, then…" Unable to stay awake any longer, I fell completely asleep, too tired to listen anymore. ♢♢♢♢"Hm?" When I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself being carried toward the castle in a pair of gentle arms. Large wings flapped steadily, flying us home. I looked up at the starry night sky in wonder, then at the person holding me—a handsome young man with long white hair and golden eyes, smiling warmly down at me.

"Papa…?"

"Hello, Elizabeth. Did you have fun with your mother? Sorry I couldn't be there today. I'll make it up to you tomorrow." He kissed my forehead gently and landed inside the castle through the window. My mother stood right beside him.

"Is she awake?" she asked.

"Yeah, just now," he answered.

"Hm…" I hugged my dad tightly, resting my head on his shoulder as I looked around.

"You want to stay awake? No, it's far too late. Go back to sleep for now, dear," he said, carefully placing me in my cradle.

"Wuh…" I protested weakly, but the blanket was so warm and cozy that I soon drifted back toward dreamland. And as I did…

"Where do you plan to bring her tomorrow? I hope nowhere dangerous."

"Arthur, Kaguya, and Ashur are coming to visit with their families and children. I want her to make friends with them."

"Ah, the kids from the other kings. I see. But she's only three. Is she even going to form proper connections yet?"

"Dragons age faster and mature quicker too, so don't worry. She inherited her full dragon bloodline—unlike me, who had to struggle for years to awaken it—so she'll grow steadily."

"Okay then. But aren't the other kids just humans?"

"Well, can you really call them 'just humans' when they're the children of the strongest Sinners? Like our daughter, they've inherited their parents' powers—and some extra. I believe there's a Fate tying them together. It's best they get to know each other early."

"If you say so, dear. Now, come here. You've had a hard day, so let me pamper you."

"Hahah, I am the luckiest man alive." ♢♢♢♢ As I slept, I suddenly felt myself falling into an extremely cold place. The chill was so intense it snapped my eyes wide open in shock—only to find I was somewhere else entirely, far from home.

"Huh?" I wasn't in my castle, my room, or my bed. I was in another… world. I looked up at the sky—big white clouds, almost no sunlight filtering through. A fierce snowstorm raged around me. Snow piled up everywhere, and ice crystals quickly formed across my body.

"Brrr! S-So cold— Achoo!" I sneezed violently, the blast blowing away a huge pile of snow. I stared in awe at the destruction my tiny sneeze had caused. Where the hell am I?!

"Mom? Dad?!" I called out, but no one answered. I was completely alone.

"Ugh…" This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. I slowly stood up and scanned the horizon with my Dragon Eyes. Endless snow stretched in every direction, broken only by snow-capped mountains, pine forests, and strange structures made entirely of solid ice.

"Where am I?" Confused, I sat in the snow and racked my brain, trying to recognize the place. Nothing came to mind. I had never heard of falling asleep and waking up in an entirely different location. But something felt off about this place. Yes, it was freezing, but it wasn't a normal cold. Above all, there was something… strange about it.

"Is this even Earth?" I touched a nearby stone and pressed it. When I crushed it into dust with my tiny hand, the rock scattered into particles of light. Realization hit me.

"I'm in some kind of spiritual realm!" If objects here weren't truly solid and turned into light or energy when destroyed, this had to be a spiritual realm, a pocket dimension made entirely of ethereal, elemental, and spiritual energy. Solid material objects rarely existed here. It was a world built from the primordial supernatural energies of existence. Highly concentrated pockets of this energy could mutate over time into spiritual realms. I must have fallen here by accident somehow.

Maybe I was still asleep in my bed, but my soul—or a fragment of it—had drifted away.

"Why did this happen though?" I didn't dwell on it. I stood up and started walking, pushing against the snowstorm and fighting the wind that tried to knock me over.

"Ugh… Nngh…" The snow was heavy, the wind biting, and the farther I went, the more ice crystals coated my body. I shook them off constantly.

"Haaa… Haaa…" Exhaustion crept in. I felt like I might pass out. For a moment I wondered if fainting would return me to my real body. But there was also a risk my soul could be damaged, so I didn't dare risk it. … How long had I been walking? It felt like days, yet the storm never weakened. Snow continued falling relentlessly, but I drew steadily closer to something in the distance. A massive castle made entirely of ice.

"Where… where am I?" Gasping for air, I collapsed into the snow, coughing and sneezing.

"Haaa… someone help me…" As I cried out weakly, trying to stand, I heard heavy footsteps approaching. From within the ice castle emerged an enormous silhouette—a regal creature of breathtaking elegance and beauty. White crystal scales gleamed, long ice horns curved gracefully, and magnificent ice wings spread behind her. The creature looked down at me with glowing blue eyes. As she drew closer, I realized who she was.

"An Ice Dragon…?"

"What is a little thing like you doing here? Have you fallen into the Realm of Ice Dragons by accident, little one? It's far too soon for you to wander in this dangerous realm, my child."

"Uuhh…" I felt myself fading, unable to move. I watched her massive claws approach, gently scooping me up and cradling me.

"You're so small, but I can sense it within you—you carry Ice Dragon Blood," she said.

"You should have awakened a Dragon Soul before entering here, yet your soul is as tiny as your body."

"Hm…?" A soothing azure light enveloped me. My body warmed, fatigue vanished, and energy returned. I gazed up at the giant ice dragon in wonder.

"Wow… an Ice Dragon…" I whispered.

"Awesome…"

"Hahaha!" Her laugh was melodic and warm.

"Don't tell me this is the first time you've seen one of your own kind, little one? Who are you?"

"I… I'm Elizabeth…" I murmured.

"I'm the daughter of Louis Drakeheart…"

"D-Drakeheart?!" She gasped.

"Wait—so you are one of Drake's descendants! Why didn't you tell me sooner?!"

"Huh?" I blinked.

"Wait, that's my great-grandpa's name…"

"He's the Divine Dragon King, of course. Everyone knows who Drake is," she sighed.

"Why are you here then?! Did your parents do not watch over you while you slept?"

"I don't know…" I admitted.

"Hmm…" She rubbed her scaled chin thoughtfully.

"Um… who are you, though?" I asked, tilting my head. She smiled gently. Her beautiful azure eyes studied me closely. Cold air drifted from her mouth as she spoke, revealing sharp teeth.

"My name is Hrymdra. I am a rather unknown Ice Dragon, but I am the daughter of Hrimvaldr. I've lived mostly in seclusion because I don't like the outside world."

"Hrimvaldr…" I repeated.

"Ah, my great-grandfather's brother?"

"Fufu, so you know your history, eh?" she chuckled.

"Y-You're a super ancient dragon!" I gasped.

"I might be," she agreed.

"At some point I grew tired of the outside world—of watching every bond I formed eventually fade. Living as a divine dragon is harsh. Everyone else will one day outlived by you, and if you don't build a family with another dragon, you are destined for loneliness."

"Oh… I'm so sorry…" I whispered.

"Did you… lose someone important?"

"…" She fell silent. Sorrow filled her eyes.

"I… suppose I did. I once loved an elven man. They live long lives, but even ten thousand years is nothing to us dragons. Before I knew it, I was left heartbroken… and… Ah, I shouldn't burden a baby with this."

"No, it's fine," I said, settling comfortably in her palm.

"This is my first time meeting my auntie. I'm glad I found you! You look so awesome!"

"Hm? Haha!" She laughed again.

"Your heart is as honest as you are cute, my child… I suppose we can talk a little longer, but… shouldn't you be heading back?"

"I want to stay with auntie a bit more," I insisted.

"This isn't something that happens every day…"

"You speak so fluently for such a little one. You're certainly quite clever," she nodded.

"Very well. If you want to hear my story, it's nothing complicated…" She gazed into my eyes. In return, memories and images flowed from her soul into mine—a fountain of lived experience.

"His name was Aelarion… I met him when he was only three hundred years old. He was a sky elf, and I was traveling across Yggdrasil. He was a researcher of unseen floating islands and spiritual realms. I saved his life when he foolishly entered a nest of Wind Wyverns and nearly got torn apart—the fool, haha. By then, we had already connected somehow. He was outgoing and talkative; I've always been reserved, an introvert. His energy and endless chatter brought life to my monotonous days.

We traveled the world together, sometimes joined by other passionate researchers of the unknown. They were always in awe to see me—a dragon in the flesh—helping them purely out of shared curiosity. We explored ancient ruins, ice-covered floating islands, volcanic lands that never cooled, even islands made of dreams themselves. We met countless people, yet… I never formed deep connections with anyone else. Looking back, I regret being so cold toward him. It was my nature, but I regret it deeply."

"Oh… did you two…?" She looked down, sighing heavily. Her eyes brimmed with sorrow and regret.

"It took me almost ten thousand years to realize I loved him. By the time I understood, I stood at his deathbed. For the first time in my life, I shed tears—crystalline tears that froze the grassland beneath us." I saw the memory bloom from her heart. An old elf smiled warmly at a majestic ice dragon. His eyes were tired, life fading from them. Yet when he saw her crying, he reached out his frail hand.

"Hrymdra… don't cry, please…"

"Why do you have to die so young?! Why won't you drink my blood?!"

"Because… I want to die as I am, as an elf…"

"Do you hate me so much?!"

"No… I've never hated you… I just feel I would betray my ancestors by chasing immortality… My life… was long enough… Thank you… from the bottom of my heart."

"Wait…! Wait! Please don't… Aelarion! I… I…!" Aelarion looked at her in surprise as Hrymdra struggled to speak through tears.

"I love you…!"

"…" He smiled gently, caressing her massive claw.

"I see… I love you too, Hrymdra… You've made me the happiest man alive…"

"Did I? But I was always so mean to you… I…"

"You were always there for me. You accompanied me everywhere. We explored ruins, discovered new lands, and had so much fun, didn't we? Deep down, I knew you enjoyed it—or you wouldn't have stayed." Her face froze in grief. Tears of ice streamed endlessly from her eyes.

"Aelarion! Aelarion! Please don't go…! Please…!"

"You have a long life ahead… At the end, I'll only be a small part of it… Don't lose sight of the present, Hrymdra."

"No…! I…!"

"Please… promise… me… that you'll smile more often… alright? And please… visit your family… I'm sure they miss you too…"

"Ahhh…! Ah… you idiot… why…? I…"

"Please…"

"I…" Through her tears, Hrymdra nodded silently.

"I promise…" Aelarion slowly leaned toward her face, kissing her scales and caressing them gently.

"Hahah… you're so cold…"

"Aelarion… Why? Why didn't you ever ask me to take a Dragonoid form for you? Aren't I hideous to you?" He fell silent for a moment. Then, as life slipped away, he smiled one last time.

"Because to me… you've always been beautiful… There was nothing to change. My Hrymdra…" Hrymdra stayed silent as his body grew colder, his soul ascending. She cuddled him closely while grief froze the world around her. The beautiful forest turned into an eternal winter, snow falling without end. There, she built an ice castle and encased her husband forever in crystal, keeping him by her side.

"And that's… it… I told you it would be boring and… Elizabeth?" She looked at me in disbelief. I was crying. I couldn't stop. I clung to her fingers, hugging them tightly, trying to give her whatever warmth I could.

"You've been alone this entire time since then? And why… why didn't you ever smile?" I asked through sobs.

"You promised him!"

"Ah…!" Her eyes widened. She shook her head, trying to look away.

"I… I couldn't live without him… I… I guess you're right…" She gazed at me with regret, gently wiping my tears away. They turned into tiny azure ice crystals that fell like sparkling dust.

"Since he died, I've stayed in this castle. I even brought it here," she sighed.

"This is his grave, and yet… I never left. I don't know what I'm doing with my life anymore…"

"Hm…" I nodded.

"Why don't you come live with me?" Her eyes widened.

"W-What? Out of nowhere? No, I could never…" I shrugged.

"Well, we're your family, so… wouldn't that be keeping your promise? If you really loved him… you'd try to keep it, right?"

"I…" Hrymdra hesitated, clearly conflicted.

"Well, I won't force you," I sighed.

"So… this Realm—it's the Spirit Realm of Ice Dragons?"

"It's complicated…" she explained.

"This belongs to a dimension called the 'Draconic Records.' It was created by the final effort and soul of our greatest ancestor, the Great Primordial Mother of all Dragons, Tiamat. There is a Realm for every Dragon Family—Fire Dragons, and so on. Only the Divine Dragon King can travel freely through all of them, because he possesses the bloodline of every dragon."

"I had no idea this was a thing!" I gasped. It definitely wasn't something I had invented. It sounded far too intricate.

"Here, you can train your soul and—if you learn how—even bring your body," she continued.

"The resources and treasures that grow here are all Spiritual and Soul Treasures. You can consume them or use them to forge Soul Treasures. Tiamat created this world so dragons could support one another back when we were rare after Ragnarok. Now we are numerous, and many don't even know this place exists."

"So that means there are other Ice Dragons here…" I said.

"Indeed," she nodded.

"But this land is vast beyond measure. You would get lost quickly if you cannot fly fast enough through the realm. At your age and size, that seems impossible."

"Aw… okay," I sighed.

"I believe it's time for you to go," she said gently.

"So soon?! But I want to stay!" I protested.

"Just another hour or two…"

"Hm, not for now," she shook her head.

"Your parents must be worried, Elizabeth." She was right. They might think something was wrong if I didn't wake up.

"Okay… but… will I see you again, auntie?"

"…" She looked down sorrowfully, clearly not ready yet. But then I touched her finger. Her eyes met mine again—then quickly looked away. It felt like she was afraid to form new bonds.

"Can I come visit again?"

"…If you wish for it, I cannot stop you."

"Um…"

"…" She sighed. Her other hand reached into the snow and unearthed something buried beneath—a bright azure lily made of ice spirit crystal.

"Take this." She smiled lightly as I accepted the delicate flower.

"Woah, what's this?"

"A Spirit Soul Treasure—a Sorrowful Winter Lily," she explained.

"It was born just now from my grief and sorrow. It will be our connection. Keep it with you, and when you return to this realm, you will appear at my side."

"Oh wow…! Thank you thank you thank you!" I said excitedly.

"Hahah…" she chuckled again.

"You're adorable… Thank you for listening, for helping me speak my heart… and for making me smile again."

"Oh… don't worry!" I nodded firmly.

"We're family, right? That's what family does, auntie… You should definitely stop being a loner."

"Hmph, you're too young to judge my lifestyle, little lady," she teased, patting my head gently with her claw.

"That flower is more than a connection. It will take root in your soul and become your first Soul Treasure. It will grant you Magic Power and abilities to awaken your dormant Ice Dragon Bloodline."

"Amazing…" I whispered.

"Thank you so much!"

"Come back whenever you want. I will guide you in mastering the power of an Ice Dragon," she promised.

"Until then, Elizabeth, take care."

"Yeah!" I waved enthusiastically as powerful spiritual energy wrapped around me, lifting me into the sky and carrying me out of the realm. FLASH! As I soared away, I glimpsed dozens of realms of every element, connected by rivers of soul and spiritual energy. At the very center stood… A colossal dragon!

"Hm?" The dragon's eyes opened briefly, gleaming with rainbow light, staring straight at me.

"Hoho… to think you could see my lingering soul… You're the child of that reckless boy Louis, aren't you? Perhaps your future will shine brightly…" Her voice echoed directly into my soul. Then darkness enveloped me. And when I opened my eyes once more, I was back in my own room.