Ever since I was a child, I’d loved fighting and growing stronger. As I grew older, my reasons for fighting increased, but deep down, I always just enjoyed the struggle itself and the thrill of victory.
I don’t remember exactly what first set me on that path, but it probably had something to do with watching my father take down monsters like it was nothing. By the time I knew what was going on around me, I already admired him. I longed to be as good as him, and then to surpass him.
When he died protecting our kin, that determination only grew stronger. I convinced myself that weakness was what made me lose things, and that if I became the strongest of all, I’d never have to lose anything again.
So I threw myself into relentless training and hurled myself into reckless battles. Eventually, I became as strong as my father, then stronger.
Thanks to that strength, others began to gather around me. Old friends and new comrades, a wife and child. Without realizing it, fighting had become a way of protecting people, which gave way to other goals. In the end, it grew into a desire to protect an entire nation.
I never resented that duty. It was a joy, if anything. No matter how many times I thanked the human who’d told me to build a kingdom, it would never be enough. It was ironic that the same race of humans were the ones who’d driven the war to such a fever pitch.
That was when an uninvited guest had appeared beneath the azure dew tree in the center of the village. The azure dew tree was Sagana’s great tree, said to be the dwelling place of the gods themselves.
It bloomed in Silkis, grew with Salkis, bore fruit in Manakis, and became a sacred tree that watched over us in Wilkis.
That sole divine tree was the beastfolk’s greatest treasure, the ground around it deemed sacred, forbidden to all but a chosen few. And yet, a human had stepped onto that land. Our rage and hatred exploded the instant we saw him, directed squarely at the intruder.
He caught our assault in midair with Earth magic. Hurled us backward with Wind magic. Bound us in place with Void magic. Then set everything around us ablaze with Fire magic.
The flames surged higher, threatening to consume the azure dew tree itself. It was only then that he spoke:
“My name is Sledea. Hear me, foul beasts. I shall purify this land in the name of Endia, goddess of the moon. Do not resist. Return to nothing.”
We had no way of stopping him. We couldn’t even look away from the destruction as it rained down upon us.
Suddenly, we witnessed a miracle. A single white dragon descended from the sky, the gusts of wind from its flapping wings beating back Sledea’s flames. Its eyes burned with fury as it landed in front of Sledea and immediately attacked. Eventually, the dragon unleashed a bolt of lightning which pierced the man’s arm, and he vanished without a trace.
The dragon transformed into an elderly man, and we were free from the spell that had bound us.
One of my friends stepped forward and asked, “Why would an exalted dragonfolk like yourself come here?”
“I came to visit an old friend, but never imagined I would get caught up in something like this.” The old dragon stroked its long, white beard and slowly looked around. “Not only has everything burned down, all the mid-level spirits have been put to sleep with Darkness magic. Like this, the grass and trees here will never grow back.”
“That can’t be!”
“What’s more, that man masked the nature of his magic so it can’t be identified. I would guess putting the spirits to sleep was also a plot to hide his identity. How despicable. This never would have happened if higher-tier spirits were here, but they won’t come near this place.”
We were overcome by despair. Just then, the dragonfolk man began to cast some kind of spell. “It will be all right now,” he said, and sat down right where he was.
Nothing seemed any different, so we had a hard time believing him. He just smiled at us.
However, his words were soon proven true. The very next day, fresh grass and flowers sprouted across the burnt sanctuary.
“I have restored this land with magic and made it so no one harboring ill will can ever enter again. You can all rest easy now.”
“I—I don’t know how to thank you…”
“There’s no need for thanks. But…I’d like you to make this place you call the sacred land livelier again. Long ago, people used to gather here to share drinks and dance.”
We told him we would, and starting that day, we held a feast for three days and three nights to celebrate the sanctuary’s revival. After what had happened, my hunger for strength only grew deeper, so I would never again face defeat from a human. I trained endlessly so I’d never be humiliated like that again.
One day, the dragonfolk man quietly approached me and said, “Shall I grant you my protection?”
“Yes, please,” I said without hesitation.
He fixed me with a piercing gaze and spoke in an even voice. “Then you shall have it. If you intend on defending this land my friend cherished, I will help you do so. However, an excess of power can lead one to lose their way. So will you promise me to always act justly and remain true to yourself?”
“I promise,” I said. And with that, I received the dragon’s protection.
Later on, I left the kingdom. Since I’d received that protection with the sole purpose of defending the nation, I was worried that it would vanish once I left. But the dragon’s protection remained.
Once Setsuna left the room, I let out a long sigh to calm the restless excitement inside of me.
When was the last time I sparred with anyone?
I tried to remember but couldn’t. It must’ve been so long ago that I’d forgotten. Honestly, I couldn’t even remember the last time I fought someone with all my strength. I had been too powerful with the dragon’s protection, so no one would agree to duel me.
Ever since I gave up the mercenary life after losing my comrades, I’d kept my identity hidden and lived quietly, training only to keep myself in shape.
I had been born and raised a warrior, and in a sense, I’d already died as one. However, watching Alto train so earnestly to get stronger, and Setsuna, whose power seemed endless, had caused something to stir inside me again.
I want to show Alto how beastfolk fight. I want to face Setsuna and beat him.
I picked up the glass of liquor on the table and drained it in a single gulp.
Setsuna has made a dragon knight’s pact and carries a dragon’s protection. There’s no need for me to hold back.
I brushed my fingers against the anklet I’d been given along with that protection. My fighting spirit was rising again.
Setsuna had asked if I wanted him to kill me. For anyone who’d lived their life as a warrior, it was only natural to want to die on the battlefield, and I’d told him that I used to think that way. Now that I thought about it, though, that wasn’t exactly right. What I should’ve said was, “Try to kill me if you can.”
Why am I talking like he’ll win automatically? I’m gonna beat him. I’ll be the one Alto looks up to with awe.
“I won’t hold back tomorrow. I’ll crush you.”
He’ll crush me?
How interesting. I’d give him everything I had in return.
Determined, I stood up and left the living room.