Shadows of a Beautiful Lie

Deep within an ancient forest where monsters lurked in every shadow, inside a vast stone cave lit only by daylight streaming through its entrance—

Wrapped in nothing but a gray-black fur blanket, with no clothes underneath, little Daisy stared blankly ahead.

Across from her, Viola—the dragon lady with a flawless, exposed body—sat atop a pile of hay and began their usual daily “game.”

On one side, Viola’s arm remained transformed into countless writhing tentacles, yet they did not move further.

Instead, from her back, her bat-like dragon wings spread open once more.

One wing suddenly expanded several times in size and stretched toward the cave entrance.

In an instant, it blocked out the only source of light, plunging the cave into complete darkness.

For a moment, it felt like some monster was about to hunt—cutting off the light, then creeping forward in the dark with writhing limbs…

But in truth, dragons could see perfectly well in darkness.

If Viola wanted to catch Daisy, blocking the light would be unnecessary.

Her purpose… was to create a stage.

A small fireball suddenly ignited in the darkness.

Light and heat burst forth, instantly dispelling the shadows and illuminating the cave.

Viola held the glowing fireball in one hand, just as she did every night for lighting.

Its brilliance filled the hay-covered cavern.

Daisy remembered Viola once saying that even this small flame was actually a highly compressed mass of immense magic—enough to flatten an entire human village if released.

“Even though it’s not night yet… let’s do some shadow play.”

Under the firelight, Viola smiled faintly.

She folded one wing in front of her body, covering herself, leaving only the writhing tentacles and tendrils exposed.

Under the firelight, they twisted and intertwined—casting massive, ever-changing shadows onto the cave wall.

“The shadow play of the world’s origin is about to begin. The oldest legend of humanity… is about to unfold.”

“Whoa?! A story from the outside world?! I wanna see! I wanna see!”

Daisy’s eyes lit up instantly.

Her small, innocent mind brimmed with curiosity about the vast world beyond the cave.

“Long ago, at the dawn of creation, the world was shattered by the wars of the gods… broken into fragments connected by veins of magic…”

As Viola’s voice echoed, cool and distant, the shadows shifted.

A vast tree formed on the cave wall—its branches sprawling endlessly, like the World Tree itself.

Then it split, dividing into three great silhouettes.

“The world is divided into three realms… the Human Realm, where dragons, humans, and other races reside… the Demon Realm, ruled by monsters… and the Divine Realm, where angels deliver the will of the gods…”

The shadows evolved into scenes of epic storytelling.

A human hero with a sword appeared, accompanied by a mage, an archer, and a knight.

They journeyed through lands of towering mountains, raging seas, forests, and castles.

They faced monsters with countless limbs, towering giants, dwarves forging weapons, and beastfolk riding creatures.

Each shadow was so detailed it felt alive—like glimpses of a real, ancient world unfolding before Daisy.

So… this is the outside world…

At first, Daisy felt a bit distracted by the writhing tentacles casting the shadows.

But gradually, she became completely absorbed.

Since gaining awareness, she had never left this cave.

For hundreds of years, her world had been only this place—and Viola.

Though she often listened to stories, a quiet longing had always lived within her.

A yearning for distant lands.

For adventure.

As if somewhere deep inside, she was meant to wander.

“…And so, the hero Karim led humanity to rise, uniting the races and restoring civilization…”

As the story ended, Viola withdrew her tentacles, returning her arm to normal.

She lowered her wing and gave a small, theatrical bow.

Clap clap clap!

“That was amazing! The outside world looks so fun!”

Daisy clapped excitedly, jumping in place. Her heart brimmed with wonder.

“Was I like that too before? Traveling the world with you? I want to grow up soon and go out there!”

But she didn’t notice—

Viola’s expression had gone cold.

“Still too naive… my little Daisy…”

Her voice turned icy.

She clenched her hand—

The fireball vanished instantly. Darkness swallowed the cave once more.

Daisy blinked in confusion. When her vision adjusted, Viola was gone.

“Viola?”

She looked around, uneasy.

“Viola? Where are you—ah?!”

Something soft and warm brushed her neck—like a lick.

She shrieked and stumbled back.

“Did you forget what I told you?”

Viola’s voice came from behind.

Light returned as the wing lifted. Viola stood there, watching her calmly.

“That story… was a lie.”

Daisy froze.

“There was no hero named Karim. Humans didn’t unite the world through virtue.

They deceived other races, stole their magic, then betrayed them… and took everything.”

Daisy blinked.

“…You did say something like that…”

Viola had lived through thousands of years—war, destruction, guilt.
She knew the truth of the world far too well.

“I told you those stories to pass time… and to warn you.”

She looked at Daisy quietly.

“The world outside isn’t kind.
And you… are still too young.”

Maybe it was overprotection.
Or maybe… she simply wasn’t ready to let Daisy go.

**

At the same time—

Outside the forest, five figures approached.

Four men and one woman.
Armed with magical weapons.

Adventurers.

“I heard there’s a dragon here. That info better be real.”

“If there’s treasure… it’s worth the risk.”

“We even got an artifact to break dragon barriers.”

“Heh… if there’s a helpless little dragon girl inside…”

“Shut up, creep.”

Disaster often arrives without reason.

And quietly—

It was already approaching.

The peaceful life between dragon and child…

Was about to be shattered.