The air above the Jura Forest shimmered faintly.
Velgrynd studied the young man before her in silence.
'So this is the new Primordial.'
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly.
'His magicule level is abnormal… even for a Primordial.'
There was no exaggerated aura spilling from him. No blatant display of force.
And yet—
The density.
The compression.
The quiet, controlled pressure in his core.
'He isn't even awakened yet.'
A flicker of concern crossed her mind.
'He's too dangerous to leave in Guy's vicinity.'
She stepped forward.
"You must be Loki."
Loki blinked.
Then pointed at himself.
"Oh? You know me?"
His expression shifted into a genuinely delighted smile.
"It seems my popularity is growing by the second."
Velgrynd did not smile back.
"I don't know about that."
Her voice was calm. Measured.
"But my name is Velgrynd."
The heat in the surrounding air rose subtly.
"And I have a question for you."
Loki looked at her for a moment—
Then casually sat down cross-legged on the forest floor.
"Asking politely. I like that."
He rested his chin on his palm.
"Well, I guess answering a question or two wouldn't hurt. Go ahead."
Velgrynd's eyes flickered past him briefly.
"Before that."
Her gaze shifted to the cave entrance behind him.
"What were you doing in that cave?"
Loki followed her line of sight.
"Oh."
He glanced back at her lazily.
"What's it to you?"
"I'm just curious."
"Mhh."
He shrugged lightly.
"I was visiting a friend."
Velgrynd's expression remained unchanged.
"A friend, huh."
Her gaze sharpened.
"But the only sociable being in there is Veldora the Dragon."
Loki nodded casually.
"Yes. That's my friend."
Velgrynd smiled faintly.
"I see."
A pause.
"You better not be getting any ideas of unsealing him."
Loki tilted his head.
"Oh."
A small grin formed.
"I already plan on doing so."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"And there's nothing anyone can do to stop me."
The temperature spiked slightly.
Velgrynd's gaze hardened.
"Do you know who Veldora is?"
"He's a menace."
"He destroys for fun."
"Unsealing him would bring chaos and destruction to the world."
She stepped closer.
"If you unseal him… do you think you could control him?"
Loki chuckled.
"Control him?"
He shook his head.
"He's not my toy. He's my friend."
His tone lacked arrogance.
Only sincerity.
"Besides," he continued lightly, "I don't think Veldora has any desire to destroy countries right now."
"He's just incredibly bored."
A faint softness entered his voice.
"I pity him."
Velgrynd's expression shifted subtly.
"Friends, huh."
A small smile touched her lips.
"It seems my brother has found a good companion."
"I'm happy for him."
Loki's relaxed demeanor cracked slightly.
He stood up abruptly.
"Wait!"
His eyes widened.
"Did you just say brother!?"
Velgrynd chuckled softly.
"Yes."
"Veldora is my younger brother."
Her aura intensified for a brief moment.
"I am a True Dragon. Just like him"
Loki stared at her.
"…Is that so."
He scratched the back of his head.
"Good for you."
Velgrynd blinked.
That was it?
No reverence.
No shock.
No fear.
Just… acceptance.
She cleared her throat lightly.
"In any case."
"I won't stop you from attempting to free Veldora."
A brief pause.
"But understand this."
"You will be responsible for whatever he does once he's free."
Loki nodded casually.
"Kay."
Velgrynd fell silent.
'Interesting.'
Most beings would either tremble or boast.
This one did neither.
'But this is perfect.'
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
'If I can bring Loki to our side…'
'And if he truly can influence Veldora…'
'Then we would have something close to checkmate against Guy.'
She shifted the conversation.
"As for my question."
The forest suddenly grew unbearably hot.
Birds scattered from the treetops.
The earth cracked faintly beneath her feet.
A suffocating draconic pressure blanketed the entire area.
Even the distant monsters instinctively fled.
Velgrynd's eyes locked onto Loki's.
"What is your relationship with Guy Crimson?"
Her voice lost all warmth.
"Bear in mind."
Her aura sharpened into killing intent.
"Your answer could potentially lead to your death."
'If he is already aligned with Guy…'
'Then I will eliminate him here.'
The pressure intensified.
Enough to crush most Demon Lords.
Enough to shatter cities.
Loki stood still.
For a moment there was silence. And then—
He blinked.
"…That red-haired pretty boy?"
Velgrynd's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
Loki scratched his cheek.
"I wouldn't say we have a 'relationship.'"
He tilted his head thoughtfully.
"He's interesting."
A faint grin appeared.
"Strong."
"Fun."
His eyes gleamed faintly.
"I plan to fight him someday."
A pause.
"But that's about it."
The forest remained tense.
Velgrynd studied him carefully.
No deception and no lies were coming from him.
Just honest curiosity.
"And if Guy ordered you to stand down?" she asked coldly.
Loki smiled.
"Why would I listen to him?"
His eyes sharpened slightly for the first time.
"I don't belong to anyone."
The air around him shifted
A quiet assertion of independence.
Velgrynd watched him closely.
'He's… unaffected.'
Not even awakened and yet her Dragonic Haki had not shaken him.
'It seems I underestimated just how capable this Primordial is.'
Slowly—
The suffocating pressure receded.
The forest exhaled.
"I see."
She folded her arms.
"So you are unaffiliated."
"For now."
Loki grinned.
"Unaffiliated sounds cool."
Velgrynd turned slightly, the flames in her aura calming.
"Then allow me to make you an offer."
Her golden eyes glanced back at him.
"The Eastern Empire values strength."
"And those who possess it."
"If you have no loyalty to Guy…"
She met his gaze fully.
"Then perhaps you should consider standing with us instead."
The forest was still recovering from the pressure Velgrynd had unleashed.
Leaves smoldered faintly at their edges. The air trembled with residual heat.
Loki stood there calmly.
'Looks like that training really paid off.'
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
After that humiliating moment with Guy, when Guy Crimson had suppressed him effortlessly with sheer Haki. Loki had swallowed his pride and sought help.
Not from Guy.
From Velzard.
He had gone to Velzard and bluntly requested training.
Specifically—
To be suffocated in her Haki until he learned to remain calm under overwhelming pressure.
It had been brutal.
Cold. Crushing. Merciless.
But effective.
Now, standing before another True Dragon, Loki felt no tremor in his breathing.
No distortion in his thoughts.
Only clarity.
She inhaled slowly.
"I don't know if Guy has told you."
"But he and Rudra of the Eastern Empire have been engaged in a long-running game."
Her eyes sharpened.
"A game that uses the mortals of this world as pieces."
Loki's smile faded slightly.
"Join me and Rudra."
Her voice turned firm.
"Help us destroy Guy."
"And win the game."
Silence lingered between them.
"A game, huh."
Loki looked at the sky briefly.
"That's quite messed up, isn't it."
He glanced back at her.
"Even though the offer doesn't sound that bad…"
He scratched his cheek thoughtfully.
"It's not like I have ties to Guy or anything."
A pause.
"But I'm going to have to refuse."
Velgrynd's eyes narrowed.
"…Refuse?"
Loki nodded.
"I haven't even explored everything in this part of the world yet."
"And you want me to relocate to the Isolated Empire?"
He shook his head lightly.
"I'm afraid not."
Velgrynd studied him carefully.
"You understand I am a True Dragon."
"And yet you would still refuse me?"
Loki met her gaze directly.
"You are a Dragon. Yes."
He smiled faintly.
"But none of that matters to me."
Velgrynd stared at him.
'This guy…'
For the first time in a long while, someone besides Rudra had spoken to her without calculation, fear, or reverence. It felt oddly refreshing.
She exhaled quietly.
"Fine."
"You want to experience the rest of the world before considering my offer, correct?"
"Well," Loki replied lightly, "that's about the gist of it."
Velgrynd's golden eyes glinted.
"Alright."
"Then I will help you experience the world."
A beat.
"And after that, you will give me your answer."
Loki blinked.
Then straightened.
"Wait."
"You'll go with me?"
"Well, yes."
She folded her arms.
"It will also allow me to monitor you."
Loki's eyes sparkled.
"So…"
He leaned forward slightly.
"This is like a date?"
Velgrynd froze internally.
'What in the world is wrong with this demon?'
Outwardly, her expression remained composed.
"Think of it however you please."
"But we should not take long."
"I am a busy woman."
Loki looked at her, really looked at her.
Blue hair flowing like flame.
Golden eyes sharp yet dignified.
An aura that radiated absolute supremacy.
'Traveling the world with a beautiful woman.'
'Is this not the dream of all men?'
He cleared his throat.
"Fine."
"I accept."
Velgrynd nodded once.
"Good."
"Then we leave immediately."
"The sooner this concludes, the better."
Loki stretched casually.
"Wow."
"You are such a bossy date, Velgrynd."
She turned her gaze toward him again.
"You continue to speak so casually to a True Dragon."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Do you have no fear at all?"
Loki didn't hesitate.
"Zero."
For a moment—
They simply stared at each other.
A Primordial Demon.
And a True Dragon.
Then—
Velgrynd turned.
"Follow me."
The air ignited around her form as space began to distort.
Loki stepped forward with a grin.
Nine days before the battle at the Barren Lands—
And Loki had just gained the most dangerous travel companion in the world.
________________________________________
Support me on Patreon for early chapters [Patreon.com/tenten100?]