Dragonmen had been persecuted multiple times in the past, in the age before they closed off their borders and hid away from the world. Every time that had happened, they’d lost much of their literature and oral history. However, the vampires had kept themselves closed off from the world from the very start. Thus, none of their history had been lost to purges, or so Tragdi claimed.
“However, while I’m sure you know this...” Tragdi trailed off. The vampires had kept themselves so closed off that they didn’t allow any other race into their borders. It was likely that Miledi and the others would be turned away immediately.
“Hmm, I’m sure I’ll be able to persuade them to at least talk to us,” Meiru said, and for a moment, everyone stared at her in confusion.
“Have you all forgotten? I’m half-vampire.”
“Oh yeah!” Miledi, Oscar, Naiz, and Vandre said, blinking in surprise.
“Wait, really?! Why didn’t you tell me?!”
“Wait, so Reej’s first man was a vampire?!”
Lyutillis was excited about learning more about her beloved Onee-sama, while Baharl ground his teeth upon discovering who Reej’s first love had been.
Meiru ignored Lyutillis and pointed a finger at Baharl. With a shit-eating grin, she said, “Yeah, and mom really loved dad, so take that!”
“Y-You little brat!” Baharl shouted. Luckily, Karg gently patted his shoulder before he could blow a gasket.
“B-But, Meru-nee, wasn’t your dad a noble? And didn’t Reej-san have to hide away in Andika because it would’ve been bad if word got out that she had a child with him? Are you sure it’s a good idea to use your heritage to try to get us an audience?” Miledi asked in a worried voice.
“That’s exactly why it’s a good idea. It’s harder to ignore someone who’s a problem than someone who doesn’t matter at all. He he he...”
“You really are a lawless pirate,” Salus said, prompting Baharl to round on him. But before he could say anything, Meiru glared at him to shut up.
“Hmm, that is an unexpected but fortuitous connection. So, what will you do, leader of the Liberators?” Tragdi asked, turning to Miledi.
Miledi shot Meiru a worried look, but she simply patted her fearless leader’s head reassuringly. Oscar and the others looked like they were on board as well. And so, after seeing their resolve, Miledi made her decision.
“We’ll go. It’s time to pay a visit to Tortus’s oldest country, Dastia.”
That evening, Tragdi and the other dragonmen gathered at the capital’s central plaza to see Miledi off. Salus and a number of the other Liberators would be staying in the Dragon Kingdom and using it as a temporary base of operations, so they were also there to see Miledi and her comrades before they left.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving so soon, Van,” Nieshika said, her shoulders slumping.
“Yeah...I’m sorry.”
Vandre couldn’t think of what else to say, but as he waffled for the right words, he felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“Be sure to return to us,” Grice said in a gentle voice. However, Vandre still couldn’t bring himself to accept his kindness.
“Umm...I already have a...”
Vandre didn’t feel like a real Schnee, since he’d never met the rest of his family and had only inherited the name from his mother. To him, his true home was with Margaretta and the others.
“Don’t be stupid,” Grice said, tightening his grip on Vandre’s shoulder until it hurt.
“Your family is our family. Next time, bring them all here with you.”
Grice’s expression was so warm, so reassuring, that Vandre felt himself being pulled in.
“Van, you don’t have to feel guilty about what happened to Sasrika,” Nieshika stated as she took Vandre’s hand in hers. “She left to see the world of her own accord. She wanted to be the one to chronicle the state of the world for our people. She chose to have you, raise you, and start a family outside of our nation...all of her own free will. Did you ever feel she’d lost her pride?”
Vandre quietly shook his head and replied, “Mom always held fast to her ideals. She never once lost sight of what it meant to be a dragonman.”
Grice and Nieshika closed their eyes, carving Vandre’s words into their hearts.
“Then hold your head high. Live the life you believe is right. That’s the best way to prove that Sasrika Schnee’s sacrifice was not in vain,” Grice said.
“We’re proud of you both. Sasrika managed to raise you into such a splendid boy despite the harsh circumstances she was in, so don’t be too hard on yourself.”
Vandre could feel the tears welling up in his eyes, but he didn’t want to be a blubbering mess during his departure, so he held them in and met his grandparents’ gazes.
“I’ll be going, but I promise I’ll return to you...with the rest of my family. See you soon...grandfather, grandmother.”
That was the first time Vandre had called them that. Grice and Nieshika beamed at him upon hearing those words.
“Your Highness, I’m sorry I have to ask you this, but please look after my family in my absence,” Laus said, turning to Tragdi.
“Fear not, Laus-dono. I swear on my name as the dragon king that they shall come to no harm. And I believe the day will come where they will understand your actions.”
“You have my everlasting gratitude.”
Laus and Tragdi exchanged a firm handshake. Kaime and the others would be staying here, and Sharm and Reinheit would be arriving in a few days to keep an eye on them.
“All right, we’ll be heading off, then, Your Majesty. Thanks a lot for your assistance,” Miledi said.
“Miledi, I pray that you and your comrades’ futures are filled with light,” Tragdi replied, and the two of them nodded to each other.
Naiz then opened a portal and Miledi and the others took their next steps toward their goal, hoping to grasp a solution they weren’t sure existed.