After the meeting, Velzard and Guy left for the Ice Palace along with Rain and Misery. Veldora was about to leave with them, but Velgrynd stopped him.
Velgrynd:
"Veldora, you should stay here for a while with Milim. Although Milim will be staying with me and Rudra in the Nasca Kingdom, I doubt Rudra will meet her anytime soon. Every time he sees her, Lucia's and Big Brother's faces flash in his mind. Because of this, he avoids her—especially after their deaths, and with the war tensions rising."
Veldora:
"Hmmm, you're right. But it won't be easy to destroy their kingdom."
Velgrynd:
"I wish it were that easy. But no… It's not just the Super Magic Empire—we're also facing the many nations that have allied with them in this war. If we wanted, we could simply destroy all their kingdoms, but countless innocent civilians—who have nothing to do with this conflict—would die. That's the very reason Rudra wishes to resolve things through negotiation. Fighting will always be the last option."
Veldora:
"Hmmm… 🤔🤔"
Meanwhile, in the eastern part of the Nasca Kingdom, a vassal nation allied with the Super Magic Empire was annihilated by a silver-haired figure.
It was Dino. After hearing of Veldanava and Lucia's deaths, he went berserk and destroyed the nation responsible for their assassination. Dino showed no mercy—killing men, women, the elderly, children, even newborns.
Two individuals watched his wrath from afar. They were none other than the Primordial Angels, Pico and Garasha, tasked with watching over the world alongside Dino.
Pico:
"Shouldn't we stop him?"
Garasha:
"If you try, his wrath will turn on us. And I don't want to become the victim of that rage. But… you could try to calm him down."
Pico (nervously):
"Uh… no thanks."
After wiping out the nation completely, Dino flew toward the Nasca Kingdom, with Pico and Garasha following behind.
Back in the Nasca Kingdom…
Veldora visited the castle where Milim had lived since Veldanava and Lucia's deaths. The castle was full of people, yet quiet—so different from the lively home where she had once lived happily with her parents.
In its gardens, under the silver moonlight, sat a girl with flowing pink hair—Milim. At her feet lay Gaia, curled up protectively like a guardian.
Her eyes—once bright with mischief—now carried a quiet melancholy.
Veldora spotted Milim sitting silently with Gaia and approached with a smile.
Veldora:
"Oohh, little one. Long time no see."
Milim:
"…Uncle Veldora."
Veldora's smile faded when he saw her face. She was on the verge of tears but forced herself to hold them back. His chest ached.
Veldora:
"Milim… you've grown stronger since the last time I saw you."
Milim lowered her gaze, hugging Gaia tightly.
Milim (sad, slightly angry):
"It's been twenty years since you left. That day… you didn't even say goodbye."
Her voice was soft, but each word cut like a knife.
Veldora froze. He remembered—the chaos, the fear, his selfish flight. He had thought she wouldn't notice. He had been wrong.
Veldora:
"Oh… I'm sorry about that. Forgive me, Milim."
Her hands trembled against Gaia's scales. Tears brimmed, but she forced a smile.
Milim:
"It's okay. You're strong. You're busy. I… I'm just me. I have Gaia. That's enough."
But it wasn't. Veldora could hear the hollowness in her voice, the loneliness in her heart.
Veldora placed his hand gently on her head, comforting her.
Veldora:
"No, Milim. You're not 'just you.' You are my niece. My family. I will not leave you again."
For a heartbeat, her mask shattered. Tears spilled silently as she buried her face against him.
Gaia growled softly, as if in agreement.
At that moment, Veldora sensed three powerful auras. He recognized one instantly—it was Dino.
Above them, Dino hovered silently, watching Milim and Veldora.
Dino (thinking):
"So… Veldora also came here."
He closed his eyes, guilt heavy in his chest.
Dino (thinking):
"Veldanava… I couldn't protect you. But I swear—I'll protect her. Even if it kills me."
Far behind Dino, two angels floated, observing.
Pico spun upside down, wings flapping clumsily.
Pico:
"Ne, ne, Garasha! Now that Milim lives in a castle, doesn't that make her a dragon princess?!"
Garasha blinked slowly.
Garasha:
"…She's already a princess. She's Lord Veldanava's daughter."
Pico gasped dramatically, eyes sparkling.
Pico:
"Ehh!? Then what about Gaia—her pet dragon?"
Garasha tilted her head.
Garasha:
"…Prince."
Pico squealed.
Pico:
"Kyaa~! Then it's like a royal couple! The Dragon Princess and her Dragon Prince!"
Garasha frowned, completely serious.
Garasha:
"…But they're both kids."
Pico flailed.
Pico:
"You're supposed to go along with the fantasy, stupid!"
Garasha tapped her chin thoughtfully.
Garasha:
"…Does fantasy taste good? Can you eat it?"
Pico smacked her own forehead so hard she spun in a circle.
Later, when Milim finally drifted into sleep, curled against Gaia, Veldora sat quietly beside her bed. His storms were calm, his expression heavy.
Veldora (thinking):
"Brother… all of us respect you. That's why they cage her. But I cannot. She is more than your daughter. She is Milim. And I will not let her spirit die in shadows."
He brushed her hair gently, eyes burning with unspoken vows.
Veldora:
"Sleep well, little one. I'll be here when you wake."
Veldora rose from Milim's bedside, the little girl curled against Gaia's warmth, her breathing soft and steady at last. The Storm Dragon's storms quieted as he stepped toward the window, gazing out into the moonlit sky.
Veldora:
"How long are you going to watch, bird brain?"
A figure emerged from the shadows above the courtyard. Dino, his silver hair gleaming faintly, hovered in silence before replying.
Dino:
"…I was about to leave. Was she… okay now?"
Veldora exhaled through his nose, arms crossed.
Veldora:
"She's asleep. For now, that's enough."
From behind Dino, two faint voices piped up.
Pico:
"Hey, Garasha! Is that really Veldora? The yellow-haired one?"
Garasha:
"I don't know. But according to Dino, he is."
Pico tilted her head, squinting.
Pico:
"Hmmm… then why does he look so…"
Garasha blinked.
Garasha:
"…So mature? I don't know."
Pico gasped.
Pico:
"Ehh?! Mature?! But isn't he supposed to be a reckless muscle-brain?!"
Garasha shrugged slowly.
Garasha:
"Perhaps even fools grow up."
Veldora's storm aura flickered faintly, his golden eyes narrowing.
Veldora:
"Oi. I can hear you two."
Pico squeaked and spun upright, flapping in panic.
Pico:
"Eep! Sorry, sorry!"
Dino chuckled faintly, though his gaze lingered on the window where Milim slept. His voice was low, almost a whisper meant only for himself.
Dino:
"…Good. As long as she can still smile, that's enough."
To be continued.
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Authors Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter.
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