The streets buzzed with life, filled with merchants, children playing, and travelers. Aizen walked among them in his casual black coat, his golden eyes calm but alert. He passed a bulletin board—and froze.
His beast form—feral black mane, glowing golden eyes, fangs bared in a roar—was plastered on a wanted poster.
"Kill on sight. Black Lion. Bounty: 900 million gold."
The signature? A royal dragon crest.
His breath caught. The Dragon King knows I'm alive... and he wants me dead.
It wasn't paranoia anymore. It was war.
He tore the poster down silently and burned it in his palm with a spark of lightning.
---
Back home, things felt normal. Warm. Safe. Lyra had just finished preparing lunch, and the children crowded around the table.
Lyra, graceful and elegant as ever, taught Theodore and Mikaela their next level of magic.
She pointed at the air, forming complex sigils. "This is Soulflare Resonance—an advanced spell that only few can master. But if you two can grasp this, you'll never be helpless."
Theodore sparkled with excitement. "I'll master it before Mikaela!"
"Hah?" Mikaela pouted. "I'll finish first, slowpoke."
Meanwhile, on the wooden floor near the fireplace, the little ones were drawing on enchanted parchment.
Lina drew a beautiful mountain, with rays of light shining on its snowcap.
Crystal smiled proudly, presenting her drawing of an endless blue ocean with pink dolphins.
Amethyst, however, stared awkwardly at his page. He had drawn a sky... just a sky. Flat. No clouds. No birds. Just a dull blue smear.
"…Why's it so boring?" Lina asked, tilting her head.
"I don't know how to draw," Amethyst mumbled.
Crystal giggled. "You draw like a sleepy ghost, Ami!"
He sighed, scratching his head. "I'm better at escape maps than art…"
They all laughed, even Amethyst—quietly.
---
That night, after dinner, Aizen and Lyra lay together in bed. She snuggled close, her silver hair spread across the pillow like moonlight. Her breathing was soft and even.
For a while, Aizen just stared at her, hand gently brushing her cheek. How did I get so lucky…?
He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes.
---
The next morning, he was up early. As the sun painted the room gold, Aizen whispered to the kids, "Wake up… quietly. It's Lyra's 21st birthday."
Their eyes lit up. Plans were made.
The day passed in joy. The children gave Lyra handmade gifts, and she almost cried. Mikaela's bracelet, Theodore's enchanted bookmark, Lina's carved stone, Crystal's bouquet, and Amethyst's awkwardly-wrapped tea leaves.
Lyra hugged them all. "This… this is the best birthday I've ever had."
But Aizen had one more gift planned. That night, after the feast, he held her close again in bed and whispered, "You're not just the strongest dragon… you're my only treasure."
She smiled sleepily, her tail curling around his leg.
---
The next day, training began again.
Aizen pushed himself beyond the edge of exhaustion. He ran at full speed across valleys, leapt over cliffs, and threw devastating lightning strikes at himself to train his reaction time. He dodged them all, his body moving like a blur of black and gold.
Lina and Crystal watched from the hill.
"He looks scary," Crystal said.
"He looks... like someone who could kill the Dragon King," Lina whispered.
---
Far away, in the demon lands...
The Demon King stood before the chained Hero—beaten, humiliated.
He drained the Hero's power into a cursed relic, laughing. "You were a puppet of the dragons. Now, your strength is mine."
He had learned of the Dragon King's ambitions. The so-called immortal monarch wanted to enslave every race, even demons.
When the Dragon King offered a truce, the Demon King pretended to agree—smiling behind his helmet. Fool. I know your lies.
---
Back in the Dragon Empire…
A royal knight bowed before the throne. "Your Majesty… I saw it with my own eyes. The Black Lion—he slaughtered twenty Dragon Knights in one strike."
The Dragon King stood slowly, his expression darkening. "You should have told me sooner."
"I—Forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Rage crackled in the king's voice. "Send the message. The world must see the Black Lion as a threat. We shall control the narrative."
But behind his anger… was fear.
---
Three months later.
Aizen, drenched in sweat, fell to one knee in the forest, panting. I've… done too much.
He returned home, expecting hugs and the usual chaos.
But the house was silent. Too silent.
He slowly opened the door. "Guys…?"
No answer.
His heart sank. Did the Dragon King…?
Then—
"SURPRISE!!"
Confetti blasted into his face. Everyone jumped out with wide smiles and a huge cake.
"You're 21, big brother!" Mikaela cheered.
"You're old now!" Theodore grinned.
Aizen stood frozen, stunned.
Lyra stepped forward, holding a slice of cake. "Happy birthday… my Black Lion."
He smiled—truly, deeply. The feast that night was full of laughter, games, and even Lina singing a silly song.
Later, with everyone asleep, Aizen lay beside Lyra again. Her head rested on his chest. The moonlight touched her face, and Aizen couldn't help but admire her peaceful beauty.
She looked like a sleeping goddess.
He leaned in and gently kissed her forehead. "Thank you… for being here."
---
But then—another memory returned.
He was 16 again. His little sister Sarah was red with anger.
"You ATE MY ICE CREAM?!"
Aizen—no, Raizen—laughed nervously. "I'll buy you five more!"
A few minutes later, she beamed at him. "Thank you, big brother Raizen!"
He blinked. Raizen… that was my name.
And then came the memories of her…
Miyako Mizaki. Silver hair, violet eyes, a smile that calmed his storms.
He whispered to himself, "She's… gone. I can't go back."
But as he looked at the sleeping Lyra beside him…
"I have someone better now. Someone who never gave up on me… Lyra Subaru."
---
In Lyra's dream…
She was running. Screaming.
Dragons chased her—hunting her for her family's wealth. She was small, terrified.
Her older sister appeared, fighting them off—buying time.
"Run, Lyra!"
But Lyra was too stubborn. She stayed.
Her sister was captured… and killed.
Lyra cried in her sleep.
---
"Aizen…! Don't leave me…! Sister… no…"
Aizen woke up and turned toward her. Her body trembled in the bed.
"Lyra… wake up."
He shook her gently. She opened her eyes, eyes wet with tears.
"I had… that dream again," she whispered.
He pulled her close. "I'm here. I'll always be here."
She leaned into his chest. "I'm scared…"
"You don't need to be." His lips brushed her ear. "You're not alone anymore."
Their lips met, slow and deep, and Aizen's hand gently ran down her back. Her tail wrapped around his waist as her hand slid across his chest.
She looked up at him, breathless. "Raizen… or Aizen… you're mine. In every life."
He smiled. "And you're mine, Lyra. My dragon queen."
---
End of Chapter 30