V1C1 Part3

Translated by 64990022

Chapter 1

Part 3

After fighting off the humans, one dragon and one human returned to the Sanctuary. The girl was worried about the dragon’s wounds, but was relieved to learn that they were minor. Fortunately, she herself suffered no injuries.

[What’s wrong?] Noting the grimness set in his eyes, the girl asked. [Their weapons have advanced; you are afraid you would be killed?]

[Yes. They would have been successful in killing me in the next few years.]

[Why would humans want this island so much?]

[The divine creations… the Fruit of insight, Timber of Life, to name a few. Humans covet anything that sate their unending quest for happiness]

[But wouldn’t they turn to ash at your death?]

The silver dragon was the protector of Eden. Everything here was bound to turn into ash at the protector’s death. Such was God’s failsafe, to ensure that these treasures do not fall into the hands of abject beings.

[They would still be precious as ashes, albeit less. And they would have access to my corpse.]

The dragon himself was not bound to the rule. His fat could fuel an entire fleet, blood as tonic medicine, scales as armor, fangs as swords, flesh as nourishment.

To humans, the resource offered was worth more than their lives.

[We just want to live… peacefully, without bothering anyone…]

He studied her thoughtful expression. [Do you want to live?]

She tilted her neck, [Of course, isn’t that natural?]

That was not natural.

In human society, attachment to life would be normal, but not here.Creatures of Eden were promised that their souls would be cleansed upon death. While they do not seek death, they would not despair over it.

If this girl is…

He told her to wait outside and went into the deeper parts of the Sanctuary.

Long ago, there was a time when he was revered by humans. When disasters struck or when wars were waged, people would come with offerings. Jewelry, gold, silver, flowers, clothes, dolls, grain, even maidens. All unnecessary to him. But it might be to her.

He stopped at a room. Myriad of colorful jewelry piled from floor to ceiling. He knew that female humans loved jewelry, but he could not comprehend their preference.

Which of these glittering stones should he take? He pondered for a while, but found the effort futile as he reached to no conclusion.

He picked one and returned, taking great care to leave no scratch. On top of his large claws rested a garnet necklace. He had chosen it because it had the same color as her eyes.

[Here. My gift to you.]

She accepted the garnet.

[Me?] she said in disbelief. Then whispered as she hugged it, [pretty.]

She smiled, but his heart broke. [I like it. Just like when you gave me the fruits back then, thank you]

[I am glad you like it,] he choked out.

It was not a lie, he was happy, yet also sorrowful. Creatures of Eden were not supposed to be pleased by a jewel.

After all, it appears that she does not belong here.

He led her in and showed her the room. [There are more jewels in that room, treasures, clothes too. It is all yours, dress up as you like.]

She nodded innocently a few times. The garnet still clutched at her chest, she stepped into the room.

The dragon saw her off with sad eyes.

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The girl spent time in the room for nearly two hours.

The dragon waited. The wait did not frustrate him like humans. For thousands of years, he had lived, two hours were merely a blink of an eye.

She came out clad in crimson. Dress, corset, clouse, even ribbons. The same hue as the garnet.

[There is supposed to be other color]

[I like red,] she grinned bashfully, [Fell in love with the color just a while ago.]

[Off this island…] The trail was unintentional. [There are even more clothes and jewels out there. Your favorite red too, you will find there is even more shade to it.]

She looked at him with a dumbfounded expression. Their eyes grazed, then met.

[No] She said before he could continue. [There is nothing I want out there. All I ever need is here.]

[Hm. Listen carefully.] She was about to say something, but he continued. [When I die, everything of this island will turn to ashes. What belongs to this island, that is. You were not born here, so you would not turn to ash. You must continue living even after I die, outside the island.] He punctuated the last part.

When he finished, he noticed.

He thought of her as his daughter. And he wished to ensure that she would live on.

[There was no place for me outside,] she argued.

[You spent mere two to three years out there, so you might not know. There are kind people who would take you in.]

She shook her head fiercely. Droplets spilled from her eyes and splattered on the chiseled marble floor.

She still continued to make her case. [Still… The first one to be kind to me, the first one who takes me in, is you. Will always be you.]

[I want to be with you,] she said between the sobs.

The dragon, too, shared her feeling.

Creatures of Eden were friends and family. However, the girl was different. He had been with her since infancy, watching her grow up. He had loved her like his own daughter.

So he admitted. [I do not want you to die. Yes, creatures of Eden were friends and family, but you are different… You are special to me.]

[Then, if another attack comes, why cannot we just leave? You can transform into a human, right? You can use that disguise and survive!]

That was an impossible proposition.

[It was God’s mandate that I protect this island. I cannot renounce this mantle.]

[Does God even exist? If there is then why leave us? What have we done wrong to deserve this?]

[No, God is already helping us. Listen carefully, you must never forget this. In Eden, we love and respect each other without anger and detestment. This is a virtue that could never be realized in the land of men.]

So, God exists. If you have done good, you will meet salvation.

[Soul that has accumulated good deeds will be called upon the Eternal Kingdom, an everlasting paradise. You can spend eternity with your loved ones, free from disease and ravages of old age. And of course, without any fear. I want to spend time there with you, so do not doubt God. Never let the mortal world sway you. Stay true to his teachings, and we can spend an eternity together.]

[If we will meet salvation upon death, why not just give up and die now? God…]

Then he realized.

The three years before she came to the island was pivotal. He thought she was young enough to make it.

She had no faith in God, therefore; she was unable to accept the workings of the world which he had confided to her.

His daughter was, afterall, fundamentally human.

[Got it. Let us go to the human lands. We can try spending some time there.]

He was not complying with her suggestion.

He was taking her back to where she belonged.

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