Chapter 80: Mysteries and dinner (1/2)

Somewhere far away, in an unknown dimension, a large monster was curling as it slept peacefully.

The world around it was devoid of any color.

The peaceful sleep was seemingly disturbed as its eyelids twitched briefly before slowly opening, showing cold gold and black pupils.

Slowly rising to its full height, the monster who was already a few stories tall, now showed its full splendor.

Anyone standing in its presence would have been unable to express any coherent thoughts.

This monster stood at the apex of the food chain.

Beautiful golden scales, long curved horns, a large and beautiful tail.

It emanated a perfect sense of harmony between strength and beauty.

It was… a Dragon.

The dragon, observing the monochrome world around it, slowly raised its head and looked at the sky full of multi-colored stars.

Some stars seemingly shined brilliantly while others seemed to be completely dead and basking in darkness.

Its gaze, finally settling on a dead star, showed a trace of sadness before it skipped it and settled on a little gold star next to it.

Compared to all the previous stars, this one was incredibly tiny. So small that it seemed that it could be snuffed at any moment. Despite that, its gaze brightened considerably at the view of this star.

Murmuring to itself in a surprisingly womanly voice, ”It seems like my vision was a little off and I woke up a little later than I should have.”

Stretching her paw in the direction of the star, the dragon suddenly stopped and watched as a red color slowly engulfed a corner of the previously golden star.

'Blood, war, destruction, and power.'

The dragon frowned as she observed the star and hesitated a little before finally putting back her paw and curling back to sleep.

The last thought as her eyes closed was,

'It still isn't time yet.'

-----

Sol, who was currently walking in the hallway of the Highland castle fell a shiver pass through his spine.

”Your highness?”

Setsuna and Milia, seeing him suddenly stop were wondering what was happening.

”No, it's nothing. Let's go.”

'I need to talk to Edea or Freya before the date tomorrow.'

He had felt like someone was observing him. But the sensation was so ethereal and went away so fast that he even thought it was an illusion.

Since his super senses caught something weird, it would be stupid of him to not investigate it.

Still, the only reason why he wasn't too worried was that,

'...It feels… warm?'

It was a weird feeling. It reminded him of the way Lilith, Milia, and Camelia looked at him when he was just a child. A stare filled with caring love.

What's more, his blood seemed to boil a little as if it was resonating with someone.

'Tiamat? Or another dragon?'

It was possible, but it was dangerous to jump to conclusions without enough evidence.

'Sigh, no matter. Let's focus on what is happening now.'

Finally reaching a large black and red door guarded by two knights, Sol's group stopped for a short while as they waited to be announced.

----

In the dining room, a young red-haired boy was seated with an impassive expression on this face as he observed those already seated.

The table was long and rectangular. No one sat on the head table as it was reserved for the prince. On the right side of the table was his grandfather followed by his grand-uncle, Gerald Highland. On the left side was his sister, followed by him.

After them, were the highest-ranked noble on either side of the table with the lowest-ranked one, a knight, seating next to him.

A piece of rhythmic and powerful music sounded in his ears, partially covering the noise of discussions and laughers.

Even though nothing seemed wrong on the surface, inwardly, he was seething at the pitiful sight.

'Grandfather is too…'

He stopped himself from going farther. Even though he didn't accept some, well, many of the choices of his grandfather, it was a fact that the man was an idol in his eyes.

But–only as a warrior and a general.