Editor : Amethyst00



Chen Xia watched the back of Damien as he silently walked forward, carrying the unconscious Freyna on his back.

'Would Senior Elena give off that kind of vibe once she grows up?'

Damien and Elena were of different races and genders.

But they had one thing in common — their stunning appearance, so beautiful it could leave others in a trance.

'Though their personalities seem different.'

If Damien had a gentle nature, Elena had a rather prickly one.

Chen Xia, staring at Damien with a curious look, asked,

"Lord Damien, what kind of person is Lady Azonia?"

"Azonia…"

Damien's beautiful face contorted slightly.

"She's like a fighting dog that lives entirely on her own terms."

He let out a deep sigh.

"She loves fighting, drinking, and men. Geez."

He scratched his head as if just thinking about her gave him a headache.

Chen Xia commented,

"She's recorded as a very courageous person and a great warrior… That's pretty unexpected."

"Oh, she is brave. She's turned around a number of impossible battles. That's why she's called the successor of Lord Aaron. The problem is, personality-wise, she couldn't even reach the soles of his feet."

"Pfft."

"Why are you laughing?"

Damien looked puzzled as Chen Xia burst into laughter involuntarily.

"No, it's just… The way you talk about your comrade reminds me of Leo-doryeong… or rather, Lord Kyle."

"Reminds you?"

"Yes. Leo-doryeong also often gossips about other Great Heroes."

Damien nodded with a chuckle.

"Well, in the Heroes' World, they were pretty close-knit. It really felt like a family."

"I think the Heroes of the Dawn aren't too different either."

"I don't want to be considered family with those guys — except for Lumene."

"Why only Lord Lumene?"

"Because only Lumene and I were normal."

Damien said with a serious face.

"The other three… especially Seiren and Azonia… were just… ugh. Let's not even talk about it."

"Were Lady Seiren and Lady Azonia close?"

"They were. Normally, people with opposite personalities don't get along."

Damien clicked his tongue.

"In your terms, Azonia would be the delinquent student who rebels like it's her job, and Seiren was like the honor student who follows every school rule to the letter."

"Yes, yes."

"But they got along really well. Maybe it's because they were both quirky despite their opposite natures?"

Chen Xia giggled at Damien's baffled expression.

'He's a really good person.'

She could tell he was trying to ease her nerves by chatting lightly.

There was a warm light in Damien's eyes as he looked at her.

Seeing that, Chen Xia carefully asked,

"By the way, Lord Damien…"

"What is it?"

"Compared to what's recorded in history…"

Damien smiled wryly, understanding her intent.

"You mean I look different?"

Chen Xia glanced nervously at him.

She had asked out of curiosity, but realized it might be rude.

"That's…"

Just as Damien was about to respond—

Flash—!

A bright light appeared in front of them, and Melina emerged.

Her eyes slowly opened.

Then, she bowed politely toward Damien.

"It's an honor to meet you, Lord Damien the Unyielding. I am Melina, Dragon Queen of the present era."

"You're the Dragon Queen I saw back then."

"Yes."

Melina smiled bitterly.

During the Dawn world campaign, she hadn't seen Damien's face clearly.

But Damien remembered her well.

"It's good to see you again."

"I'm sorry we're meeting outside the Dawn world."

"Don't be."

Damien approached her and patted her shoulder.

"This is the first time I've reunited with someone from the future generation who entered our world. And I can tell just by your eyes."

He smiled gently.

"That you've never given up, not even once since that day."

"…"

It was true.

Though she had long lived in seclusion and was known as the Silent Dragon, Melina had never given up.

Even in silence, she had dedicated her life to clearing the Dawn world.

"So? Did Lord Kyle meet that Azonia brat?"

"Yes. Lady Azonia calmed down and I came out to greet you under Lord Leo's command."

"Alright, then shall we move?"

"I'll escort you. Miss Chen Xia, this way."

"Ah, yes."

Chen Xia quickly moved to Melina's side.

Melina teleported them back to the campsite.

bl

In the middle of the ruined campsite—

Those who had clashed with Azonia were being treated by Leo.

Despite the camp being half-destroyed, Leo's tent miraculously remained intact, and the injured were entering one by one for treatment.

"How's your arm?"

"Y-Yes, Sie Leo. I think it's healing faster thanks to the bandages you wrapped!"

"That's not because I wrapped them. It's because they're special bandages made by Carl. He said they're for bruises."

"Ah! I see…"

Eiran laughed awkwardly in surprise.

She then glanced at Azonia, who sat quietly in one corner of the tent.

When their eyes met, Eiran flinched and looked away.

Azonia gave a wry smile at the reaction.

"Sorry. Your name was Eiran, right? You all were more impressive than I expected, so I overdid it without realizing."

Azonia's combative nature had sparked intense competitive spirit against the surprisingly strong candidates.

"I did say I'd crush you and stuff, but I didn't mean it. I just have a foul mouth."

"No, no."

Eiran waved her hands frantically.

"I'm honored to be acknowledged by you, Lady Azonia!"

Her eyes sparkled.

As someone who admired heroes, she couldn't help but be thrilled to meet another living legend.

Azonia inwardly admired her.

'She should've been scared of how I looked earlier… but she's bold. No wonder she was chosen by Kyle.'

Azonia hadn't meant to break them, but she hadn't intended to go easy, either.

She was simply curious.

Curious about the strength of those living in the same era as Kyle, who had saved the world.

'Erebos is growing stronger.'

The world of the Dawn was looping endlessly.

Which meant Erebos's power remained forever in that timeframe.

But recently, Erebos was breaking that law.

Not only was he creating countless variables in battles, but with each loop, he was growing stronger.

'We can still hold out… for now.'

His growth was alarming, and Azonia couldn't help feeling impatient.

But that impatience eased a little after witnessing the strength of the new generation.

'…And that Aru kid is legit, too.'

Thinking of the white cat, Azonia's tail swayed gently.

Eiran asked,

"But weren't you a wolf beastkin, Lady Azonia?"

She looked confused.

Historical records described Azonia as a wolf beastkin.

But up close, something seemed off.

It was Leo who answered.

"She's a dog beastkin."

"Huh?"

"A dog beastkin."

"Woof."

Azonia let out a playful bark at Leo's words.

"But dog beastkin were wiped out ages ago… Oh, right. During the Dawn era."

Eiran nodded in understanding.

"My birthplace, Azo, was a city of dog beastkin. But it got hit unusually hard during the Return of Calamity and was destroyed."

"Oh…"

Eiran looked sympathetic.

"It was a nice city. Great booze, lots of casinos, and tons of hot guys."

"Hot… guys?"

"My, you look so innocent but already curious about men? You're nothing like Seiren."

"Huh?"

Eiran didn't understand what Azonia was implying.

"Wanna hear a fun story?"

"A fun story?"

"Don't tell the kid nonsense."

"Why not? She's old enough to know. You've really changed."

Azonia shrugged and sat beside Eiran, whispering something in her ear.

Eiran's face turned red.

"Ow ow ow!"

Leo tugged on Azonia's ear.

"I told you not to say dumb stuff."

"Ow! That hurts!"

Azonia flailed.

Eiran looked slightly flustered.

"Lady Azonia… you seem really close to Lord Leo? But wasn't this your first meeting?"

Rubbing her ear, Azonia replied,

"I've entered Lord Kyle's world multiple times."

She gave a bitter smile.

"So for me — no, for us — Lord Kyle and the Great Heroes aren't unfamiliar. They're more like… old friends."

"Ah."

Eiran nodded, understanding.

Leo had noticed that too and was treating her casually.

'She knows my habits and personality too well.'

It was a strange feeling, not knowing someone who knew you so well.

"Thanks for tolerating my rudeness."

To that, Leo replied plainly,

"No worries. Your lizard and elf friends were way worse — they called me an idiot and a dumbass on our first meeting."

"…"

Leo grinned.

"You didn't say anything like that, right?"

"Of course not! I respect Lord Kyle far too much to say such absurd things!"

Azonia laughed awkwardly, cold sweat on her back.

'They actually said that to his face?'

"I'm ripping their hair out next time I see them."

'I'll never let him find out.'

As Leo growled, Azonia took a casual sip from her canteen, pretending nothing happened.

"If you're done with treatment, time to get moving."

Leo said.

Luckily, Eiran had minor injuries, so her treatment was low-priority.

"Call in Lunia."

She was next with the least injuries.

At Leo's words, Eiran hesitated.

"Um… Sir Leo. There's one part that still hurts."

"Where?"

"H-here…"

She blushed and pointed to her chest.

She'd been struck there by Azonia and was still in pain.

Leo replied,

"This'll be hard to treat like this."

"Then… should I take it off?"

"Pfft!"

Azonia spit out her water.

She stammered,

"W-what kind of kid… He's a man, even if he's Kyle…"

"I-it's for medical reasons…!"

Eiran was panicking, red-faced.

"Lord Leo. Lord Damien has arrived."

At those words, Leo stood up.

"Melina, help with Eiran's treatment."

"Yes."

Melina entered the tent and bowed to Azonia.

Azonia returned the bow and followed Leo out, asking,

"Are all kids like that nowadays? And she's an elf?!"

"That's a pretty racist thing to say. Why are you so flustered?"

"No matter how times change…"

"You're being disrespectful to Lord Kyle."

Damien's stern voice brought Azonia back to composure.

"What?"

"Don't trouble Lord Kyle, Azonia."

"Oh my, what have I done?"

"Don't try to seduce him. Not that he'd fall for it."

"I didn't! Although now that you mention it, I did like his past self better, but he's still handsome now."

Azonia's sleazy attitude returned instantly, replacing her flustered earlier demeanor.

"I know you like men, but have some standards."

"Mind your business."

Damien scowled at her behavior.

Leo glanced between the two of them and tilted his head.

'What's with their dynamic?'