Where the Journey Begins

“Daisy, come on, relax…

Just leave your body to me, it won’t hurt…”

“Ugh… Viola, be gentle… it’s my first time…”

“It’s fine. You’ll get used to it soon…”

Crack—crackle—

No, not that kind of sound.

A burst of electric, crackling sparks rang out.

Daisy felt a tingling numbness run through the arm covered in scales.

When Viola withdrew her hand, the crimson dragon scales had completely faded, returning to soft, pale human skin.

At this moment, Daisy had already been brought back by Viola to the Demon Forest, hundreds of miles away.

Back to the ancient cave where they had always lived together.

Earlier, during the crisis in the s*ave market, Daisy had awakened her transformation ability for the first time, turning one arm into a dragon limb.

But she hadn’t known how to revert it.

Now, with Viola’s help, it had finally returned to normal.

“Oh!
It’s back!”

Daisy stared at her restored arm, fascinated.

The idea that she could transform like Viola felt entirely new and exciting.

“With more practice, you’ll soon be able to control this basic transformation freely.”

Beside her, Viola maintained her usual cool yet gentle demeanor.

She casually brushed back her long, pitch-black hair.

Then—

Her loose black dress gradually dissolved into her body, returning to bare skin.

Her elegant, flawless figure was fully revealed.

Back in the cave, alone with Daisy again, Viola naturally returned to her usual state of complete ease—without clothing.

Just like before.

Relaxed.

At home.

Earlier, when bringing Daisy back, Viola had flown.

Dragon wings—like those of a bat—had spread from her back.

Holding Daisy in her arms, she had leapt dozens of meters into the air, soared into the clouds, and flown at incredible speed.

The journey had been so fast—

It took less time than it took Daisy to finish a piece of cake.

“Um… Viola… um…”

Daisy sat on the dry grass, still wearing the torn white shirt Katie had altered, with the grey-black fox fur draped over her shoulders.

She glanced at Viola nervously.

After everything that had happened in Gran City—

She felt uneasy.

Would Viola still let her go outside again?

Or would she be locked away for hundreds of years?

“…Can I still go out again?”

“……”

Viola didn’t answer immediately.

She remained silent for a moment.

Then sighed softly.

“I originally wanted you—still so immature—to see how dangerous the outside world is, so you’d give up those unrealistic thoughts.”

She turned to Daisy.

“But it seems you’re not so easily shaken.

You didn’t fear darkness or ugliness…Instead, you’ve grown a little.”

“Then… does that mean…”

Hope flickered in Daisy’s eyes.

“The humans who came before were just bait.

There’s something bigger behind them.”

Viola’s tone turned cold.

“They likely already know I’m here.”

She paused.

“Even if we stay, trouble will come. So… why not follow your wish?”

She looked at Daisy.

“Let’s go traveling together.”

“To the outside world?! Together with you?!”

Daisy lit up instantly.

“Yes!
Yes!
I want to go!
As long as it’s with you!”

“If we’re traveling, we need a destination…”

Viola’s tone slowed, thoughtful.

“The dragon territory—Helvia.
We’ll go there.”

She looked at Daisy.

“That’s where I first met you… when you were still human.”

“The place where we met?”

Daisy recalled fragments of her dream.

Viola, in full dragon form, injured.

Though she didn’t fully understand—

It didn’t matter.

“Okay! Let’s go there!

Anywhere is fine as long as I’m with you!”

“There are things… you’ll eventually have to face.”

Viola’s expression grew distant.

“Memories.
The past.
When you remember everything…”

She murmured softly—

“What choice will you make?”

That same day.

In Gran City.

Inside the luxurious reception room of the lord’s mansion.

The viscount of Gran City, usually arrogant, now wore a forced, sweating smile.

“Viscount… are you saying… the artifact we entrusted to you…”

A young man in ornate armor spoke coldly.

“…was handed to a third-rate guild?

They went to investigate days ago with the dragon-barrier-breaking relic…

And returned claiming they found nothing—without the artifact?”

He held a stone spike inscribed with ancient runes.

Identical to the one Katie’s group had used.

“This is a royal relic of Milandel.

We only have two.

Did those trash adventurers steal it and run?”

His voice sharpened.

“One person returns—and claims there was no dragon?
Are we fools?”

“M-my lord, please calm down!”

The viscount stammered.

“You requested secrecy… I couldn’t deploy soldiers…

I thought the Mountain Eagle Guild was reliable…

I even sent the Twin-Headed Snake mercenaries—but none returned!

That forest definitely holds danger—”

“Enough!”

The young man snapped.

“It was my mistake trusting an incompetent noble like you.”

He turned away.

“This matter is no longer yours.

If you value your life—keep quiet.”

He led his men out.

“We go ourselves.

The intelligence from the Dragon-Slaying Alliance won’t be wrong.”

His eyes gleamed.

“No more testing. We hunt the dragon directly.”

“The next dragon-slaying legend of Milandel—
will be us.”

The truth—

Katie and her team had never stood a chance.

They were nothing but expendable pawns.

Used to probe for the dragon’s existence.

Discarded.

Now—

The real threat had arrived.

A storm was coming.

And ahead of Daisy and Viola—

Lay a dazzling yet brutal path filled with thorns.