Morning arrived smoothly over the capital of Vartas.
Birds chirped from rooftops and trees, markets stirred to life with the clatter of stalls opening, and the rhythmic rumble of carriages rolled across cobblestone streets. The city breathed again — busy, noisy, and full of the small rhythms that made it feel alive.
Indura walked along the edges of the bustling streets, hands clasped casually behind his back. His golden eyes drifted across the various stalls, each one offering different meals, fresh bread, and piles of crisp radishes that caught his attention more than they probably should have.
He stopped suddenly and glanced down at the small figure still trailing beside him.
"Why are you still following me?" Indura asked, voice carrying a mix of mild annoyance and genuine curiosity.
Jin looked up at him with complete innocence. "I don't want to be alone."
Indura sighed. "I don't want to walk with anyone. Especially not a child I barely know."
Jin only giggled, the sound light and unbothered, as if Indura's words were the funniest thing he'd heard all morning.
Indura exhaled again, longer this time.
This child is going to be the death of my peaceful morning.
He looked up toward the grand palace looming ahead, and a small smile tugged at his lips.
About time I repaid a visit to the royal kitchen.
He turned back to Jin. "Do you still want to follow? Because I'm going somewhere I'm not supposed to be."
Jin nodded enthusiastically, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Indura sighed one final time, then bent down and effortlessly lifted the boy onto his shoulders. "Fine. Hold on tight and try not to scream too loudly."
In the next instant, red energy flickered around them. Indura vanished from the street and reappeared high in the air, soaring smoothly toward the palace.
Jin let out a loud shout of pure joy, throwing both hands into the air as the wind rushed past them. "This is amazing!"
"Keep your mouth shut," Indura muttered, though there was no real heat in his voice.
They flew over the palace gates, rising higher until Indura angled toward an open upper window. He slipped inside silently and landed in what appeared to be a luxurious bedroom.
"Stay here and keep quiet at all times," Indura instructed, setting Jin down. "I have something to do."
Jin's face immediately fell into a dramatic pout.
"Stop that," Indura said, pointing at him. "This time I really have something important to handle."
Jin sulked but nodded reluctantly as Indura stepped out of the room.
The moment the door closed behind Indura, Jin's expression shifted. The childish pout vanished, replaced by something colder and far older. He let out a soft sigh of relief, walked to the window, and gazed out at the sprawling empire below, admiring its beauty with quiet, detached interest.
Meanwhile, Indura moved through the palace halls like a ghost — a blur of motion that left only faint gusts of wind in his wake. Servants and guards blinked in confusion, wondering why sudden breezes kept stirring through windowless corridors.
He searched quickly, weaving through stairs and passages until the rich aroma of roasting meat and fresh bread guided him. He pushed open the kitchen door with casual confidence and stepped inside.
Fifty staff members were hard at work — chopping, stirring, plating — filling the large space with organized chaos. Indura cleared his throat loudly.
The entire kitchen fell silent as heads turned toward him.
He stood there with natural charisma, crimson hair catching the light, golden eyes gleaming. To the staff, he was already a familiar — if mysterious — figure. They bowed deeply with genuine respect, treating him like minor royalty due to his striking appearance and effortless charm.
"Prepare a proper meal," Indura said simply. "I'm hungry."
Without hesitation, the chefs moved. In minutes, a long table was set with a full course feast: roasted turkey, tender boar meat, rich broth, steamed rice, fresh bananas, fragrant tea, colorful fruits, shimmering jelly, layered cakes, and more.
Indura wasted no time. He sat down and dug in with both hands, eating with enthusiastic efficiency. The chefs watched with quiet pride rather than surprise — they had seen this before and felt deeply appreciated by how thoroughly he enjoyed their work.
Higher up in the palace, Emperor Asterdolf rose from his bed and walked to the window, admiring the soft morning light bathing the capital. His eyes suddenly glowed with a faint yellow hue as he extended his perception, looking through walls and halls below.
His gaze drifted down to the kitchen, where he watched Indura enthusiastically devouring meat and cakes.
Asterdolf smiled warmly.
So the dragon has returned.
He chuckled to himself. Why does he always sneak into the palace just to devour so much food? Perhaps for a being capable of catastrophe, something as simple as a good meal is… interesting.
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
Indura had turned his head and looked directly upward, as if sensing the gaze. Asterdolf quickly closed his perception and stepped back from the window, letting out a soft laugh.
Exceptional. Truly exceptional.
In the kitchen, Indura continued staring at the ceiling for a moment longer.
Who dared to look down at me just now? I felt that clearly… but I don't know who.
He shrugged and went back to eating.
A while later, Indura walked out of the dining hall, loudly thanking the chefs for their "exceptional work" once again. He strolled through the halls, occasionally glancing sideways at the grand paintings lining the walls.
A few people passed by and did double-takes, staring at the tall man with crimson hair and golden eyes who walked as if he owned the place. Some maids and female staff whispered behind their hands.
"He's so handsome…"
"Did you see his eyes? They're like molten gold."
Indura heard every word and allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
They're not wrong.
Further down another hall, Prince Julius walked beside his assistant Arwell, discussing capital refinements, orphanage developments, and funds distribution.
Julius stopped mid-sentence, his eyes locking onto a familiar figure casually strolling ahead.
"Indura?"
He left Arwell's side and rushed forward. "Indura!"
Indura turned, and a genuine smile spread across his face as he remembered their last parting.
Julius reached him, clearly surprised. "How are you here? Did you make it back safely from the dwarf kingdom?"
Indura smiled easily. "I'm fine. Something… happened in the dwarf kingdom. The dragon descended and wiped most of it out. Luckily, I escaped before it unleashed its full wrath."
Julius breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Thank the heavens for protecting you and bringing you back safely."
Arwell stood nearby, looking shocked. He remembered Indura's rude tone from their last encounter. "I haven't forgotten how you spoke to His Highness last time—"
Julius cut him off gently. "Let it slide, Arwell. Indura has been through a lot. He did what he did for our cause."
Arwell looked disappointed but held his tongue.
Indura turned to him with a cheerful grin. "How have you been, Arwell?"
Arwell said nothing.
Julius smiled warmly. "Come with me. I want to show you the latest progress sheets for the dragon's castle."
Indura shook his head, still smiling. "No need. I have other urgent things to handle right now."
Julius nodded understandingly. "Then thank you again for returning home safely."
Indura turned and walked away, thinking to himself:
Naive… but generous. How refreshing.
Arwell watched him go and muttered, "He's strange. Surviving that night of destruction and returning completely clean…"
Julius agreed softly. "It doesn't matter. He's safe. That's what counts."
He turned back to Arwell. "Come. Let's return to our duties."
Indura continued through the halls, thinking about how massive the palace was.
My own castle will need to be much bigger than this.
He sped off in a blur, weaving through stairs and corridors until he reached an upper bedroom. He opened the door.
"Jin, it's time to leave—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Historia lay on the bed, her pregnant belly clearly visible.
Indura froze awkwardly, realizing he had entered the wrong room.
This is bad. I should leave before she—
"Excuse me," Historia called out gently, sitting up a little. "What is your name?"
Indura stayed silent.
Historia smiled. "I've seen you before. You entered this room once and left through the window."
Indura recalled the day he had stolen three heaps of gold and silver and left through this very room and laughed quietly. "Ah… I remember that."
Historia's smile widened. "Why did you steal from the empire?"
Indura shrugged casually. "It was for a greater cause. I had to feed the hungry."
Historia giggled. "That's exactly what someone suspicious would say."
Indura raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
Historia leaned back comfortably. "People have all kinds of reasons for doing wrong things. Some do it for good reasons, others for selfish ones. But a few… are simply different." She looked at him thoughtfully. "You seem like one of the different ones."
Indura stood there, mildly amazed. "How does someone as young as you know all that?"
Historia's smile softened. "I have a very good husband."
Indura nodded with genuine respect. "Whoever he is, he must be lucky."
They both smiled.
Indura's gaze drifted to her belly. "Why is it… like that?"
Historia laughed lightly. "Are you playing dumb, or are you actually curious?"
"I'm just a curious wanderer," Indura replied honestly.
Historia found that answer interesting. "I'm expecting a baby. One who will be born into this world someday."
Indura was genuinely stunned. He had always wondered how humans multiplied so efficiently over the centuries.
He smiled. "I understand now. May your child be born strong."
"Thank you," Historia said warmly. "You should leave now. My husband will be returning soon."
Indura nodded, waved casually, and leaped out the window without hesitation.
Historia stared after him, still amazed that anyone could jump from such a height so casually.
Moments later, Julius entered the room and sat beside her. "How are you feeling today?"
Historia leaned into him with a soft smile. "Better. Especially with you here."
They embraced gently, warmth filling the quiet room.
Outside the palace, Indura landed gracefully on a high balcony and inhaled the fresh morning air, looking down at the empire spread below him.
Footsteps approached.
Indura turned to see an old but broad-shouldered man step onto the balcony. White and grey hair, a well-kept beard, wearing a simple sleeping robe — Asterdolf stood beside him with his hands clasped behind his back.
He looked Indura up and down with calm interest and smiled.
"What are you doing all the way up here, young man?"
Indura shrugged. "Getting the best air. This view is the most sufficient one."
Asterdolf nodded in agreement. "I like coming up here once in a while just to breathe."
He paused, then asked, "What is your name?"
"Indura."
"I am Asterdolf," the old emperor said simply. "Just an old man."
Indura chuckled. "I've already met enough old men. How many more will I encounter?"
Asterdolf laughed warmly. "Is that so?"
He looked out over the capital and the empire walls beyond. "What do you think of this place? The people… the lives down there?"
Indura thought for a moment. "It's not bad. The people are loud and noisy. Some do bad things — that's just who they are. There are too many lives… but that's what makes having company worth it."
Asterdolf smiled, a warm and knowing expression on his face.
The two continued talking — back and forth like old friends. They laughed about duties, responsibilities, and how tiring both could be. The conversation flowed easily until the morning wind settled around them.
Asterdolf felt strangely refreshed. He had to pretend he didn't know Indura was the dragon, but he found the personality genuinely interesting.
At one point, Asterdolf glanced at him and subtly extended his perception, looking into Indura's essence.
He froze for a split second.
Six cores… dormant, yet each one carrying power far greater than this world has ever seen.
Asterdolf looked away, hiding a smirk.
I hope this dragon stays this way… positive and unbothered. Because if he ever wanted to, the world would have ended long ago.
He turned back to the view. "I should return to rest. Thank you for the company, Indura. I hope we meet again."
Indura nodded casually. "Take care, old man."
Asterdolf walked back into his chambers.
Indura vanished from the balcony and reappeared high above the entire empire, hovering silently as he looked down at the tiny movements below.
His gaze suddenly sharpened. He spotted a familiar figure in the market district and smiled.
In the bustling market, a young-looking female vendor with natural brown hair tied back with a cloth finished serving a customer. She wore simple clothes under a practical apron, her brown eyes warm and cheerful.
A familiar voice cut through the noise behind her.
"How have you been?"
She turned, surprise lighting up her face as she saw Indura standing there, waving casually.
It had been a long time.