The palace of El Dorado shimmered beneath an artificial sky of crimson light.
Within a grand chamber lined with glass and gold—
Two ancient beings sat across from one another.
Between them lay a board.
Carved pieces.
Intricate symbols.
A war game older than most civilizations.
Guy Crimson moved a piece lazily, resting his chin against his knuckles.
Opposite him—
Velzard observed the board in silence.
Then—
She paused.
A subtle flicker crossed her expression.
Her eyes widened just slightly.
And then—
She smiled.
Guy's crimson eyes lifted.
"…Velzard."
He leaned back.
"That scary smile on your face."
He tapped a piece idly.
"Did something happen?"
Velzard's smile deepened.
"Well, yes."
Her gaze remained distant for a moment.
"You predicted it would happen."
"But it happened sooner than I expected."
Guy's eyes sharpened faintly.
"…Your sister."
Velzard nodded.
"She has made contact with Loki."
A beat of silence.
Then Guy gave a soft chuckle.
"Oh."
"That was fast."
He tilted his head.
"So."
"Planning on going to stop her?"
Velzard shook her head calmly.
"No."
"I'll trust Loki to refuse her himself."
Guy's brows lifted.
"…Are you crazy?"
"What makes you so certain he'll say no?"
Velzard's gaze returned to the board.
She moved a piece gracefully.
"Because he still has much to do here."
She continued evenly.
"You see, Guy. I've spent quite some time observing Loki."
Her eyes softened slightly.
"I believe I have an accurate assessment of him."
A pause.
"Trust me when I say he will refuse."
Guy stared at her for a long moment.
Then sighed.
"Fine."
"I'll take your word for it."
His expression darkened slightly.
"But understand this."
"If Rudra gets his hands on Loki…"
His finger pressed against the board.
"We lose the game."
His voice lowered.
"And if Rudra somehow acquires enough souls for him…"
"And Loki evolves into a True Demon Lord…"
The air in the chamber shifted.
"His power would become unparalleled."
Velzard let out a small laugh.
"Guy."
She studied him.
"Why does it seem like you're scared?"
Guy scoffed lightly.
"I'm not scared."
His gaze sharpened.
"I'm honoring a promise."
"To Veldanava."
The name lingered between them like an echo of a bygone era.
"I've been deliberately preventing Loki from evolving."
Velzard's eyes flickered.
"…Preventing?"
Guy nodded.
"I believe he isn't ready."
"For the power that comes with it."
His voice turned colder.
"Loki is immature."
"Impulsive."
"He acts without considering consequences."
He looked directly at Velzard.
"Someone like that should never be given godlike power."
Velzard rested her chin lightly on her hand.
"But isn't that his charm?"
A faint smile touched her lips.
"I don't think Loki would do anything foolish."
Guy's expression hardened.
"Unfortunately, Velzard…"
"I am not as enamored with him as you are."
Silence.
"I cannot risk it."
His eyes glowed faintly.
"That demon's potential rivals mine."
A pause.
"Perhaps even surpasses it."
He leaned back again.
"For now."
"His potential should remain sealed."
Velzard did not argue.
But her smile did not fade.
---
The Western Nations were peaceful this time of year.
Trade routes bustled. Markets overflowed with color. The scent of baked bread and roasted meat drifted lazily through the streets of a prosperous border city.
And into this perfectly ordinary scene—
Walked a Primordial Demon and a True Dragon.
Velgrynd had suppressed her aura completely.
Her hair was tied loosely behind her back. She wore refined but modest traveling attire, elegant without screaming authority. The only thing she could not conceal were her eyes, golden, sharp, impossible to mistake as ordinary.
Beside her walked Loki.
Hands behind his head.
Whistling.
"So," he said cheerfully, "where are we going first, my lady?"
Velgrynd did not look at him.
"We are not sightseeing for amusement."
"We are observing."
Loki leaned slightly closer.
"That's what dates are, you know."
She stopped walking.
"This is not a date."
He blinked innocently.
"You said I could think of it however I please."
A pause.
"…You are insufferable."
They resumed walking.
---
The Market District
The market square was alive with chatter.
Merchants advertised wares loudly. Children ran between stalls. Adventurers bartered for potions and equipment.
Loki immediately grabbed Velgrynd's wrist and pulled her toward a food stall.
"Try this."
She stared at the skewer of grilled meat he held toward her.
"I do not require sustenance."
"Yeah, yeah. Dragon metabolism and all that."
He took a bite first.
"See? Not poisoned."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…That is not what I meant."
But after a brief pause—
She took the skewer.
A small bite.
She chewed thoughtfully.
The vendor, unaware of the cosmic-scale beings before him, smiled nervously.
"Well?"
Loki asked.
Velgrynd swallowed.
"…I guess it's acceptable."
He gasped dramatically.
"High praise!"
She turned away to continue walking.
But she did not discard the skewer.
They then continued on to tour the entire Western Nations in a single day. Thanks to teleportation.
---
Rooftops at Sunset
Later—
They stood atop the tiled rooftops overlooking the city.
The sun dipped low, casting gold across stone and glass.
Loki sat casually at the edge, legs dangling.
Velgrynd stood behind him, arms folded.
"You enjoyed yourself?," she said.
"Of course I did."
He leaned back on his palms.
"Traveling with a beautiful woman across the Western Nations?"
He glanced at her.
"How could I not?"
She felt… oddly unbothered by the compliment.
Annoyed, yes.
But not insulted.
"And you cling too closely, Loki. I'll have you know I already belong to someone." she noted.
He had, at multiple points, grabbed her hand to pull her toward street performers, insisted she try desserts, and stood entirely too near while speaking.
"I'm establishing atmosphere," he replied.
"Atmosphere?"
"Yeah."
He grinned.
"Memorable experiences. That's what makes a date good."
She walked past him.
"I am not concerned with making memories."
Most beings trembled before her.
Most could barely breathe properly in her presence.
But he—
Walked beside her.
Spoke casually.
Teased her.
And did not flinch.
Velgrynd was not unaware of it.
'No fear.'
Not recklessness.
Not ignorance.
Just genuine absence of fear.
It was… refreshing.
---
A Lakeside Town
By nightfall, they had moved again.
A quiet lakeside settlement. Lanterns floated across the water. Music drifted from a distant tavern.
Loki lay back on the wooden pier, staring at the stars.
Velgrynd stood with her arms crossed, gazing at the moonlit lake.
"Tell me something," Loki said.
"What."
"Have you ever traveled like this before?"
"…I have traveled extensively."
"I don't mean for duty."
Silence.
"For no reason. Just because."
She did not answer immediately.
"…No."
He smiled softly.
"Then this is your first proper date."
She shot him a look.
"It is not."
He chuckled.
"You're smiling."
"I am not."
"You are."
A faint twitch at the corner of her lips betrayed her.
She exhaled slowly.
"You are far too comfortable around me."
"And?"
"I could incinerate this entire town without effort."
Loki turned his head to look at her.
"But you won't."
Her gaze met his.
"Why are you so certain?"
He shrugged.
"Because you're not that kind of dragon."
A pause.
"And if you were…"
He smiled lightly.
"I'd stop you."
There was no bravado in his voice.
Just fact.
Velgrynd studied him.
'Does he truly believe that. Is he an idiot?'
---
Morning — Departure
The next morning came quietly.
They stood at the edge of a mountain pass overlooking vast stretches of the Western Nations.
Cities. Rivers. Roads.
Life.
Velgrynd stepped forward.
"That concludes this detour."
Loki blinked.
"Oh?"
She turned toward him fully.
"The date is over."
He placed a hand over his heart dramatically.
"I'm wounded."
"Stop it with the jokes please."
Her expression grew serious.
"You have seen the Western Nations."
"You have experienced what you claimed you wished to explore."
The wind lifted her hair.
"It is time."
Her golden eyes locked onto his.
"For you to answer."
No teasing now.
No lightness.
The playful detour had ended.
A True Dragon stood before him once more.
"Well, Loki?"
"Will you join us…"
"…or not?"
Elsewhere — The Domain of Blanc
In a separate dimension bathed in pale, oppressive light—
Moss stood trembling outside a massive chamber door.
The pressure leaking from within was suffocating.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
Because—
Blanc was angry.
Moss swallowed.
"Blanc-sama…"
His voice shook.
"Are you… alright?"
From behind the door came a calm voice.
Dangerously calm.
"Don't make me angrier, Moss."
A pause.
"How could I possibly be alright?"
Her tone sharpened faintly.
"I haven't seen my little brother in so long."
"Of course I'm not okay."
Moss lowered his head quickly.
"Y-Yes, of course you aren't."
"That is my failure."
Silence settled again.
Inside the chamber—
Blanc sat alone upon an elegant throne of white crystal.
Her silver hair cascaded down her shoulders.
Her eyes gleamed thoughtfully.
'The only plausible explanation…'
'Is that Bordeaux has fully manifested in the Cardinal World.'
A slow smile curved her lips.
"How naughty…"
"Little brother."
Her fingers traced the armrest.
"Leaving big sister all alone."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Moss."
"Yes, Blanc-sama!"
"New objective for my lineage."
Her smile widened.
"Get me to the Cardinal World."
"Under any circumstance."
A chill ran down Moss's spine.
"…Understood."
"I will begin preparations immediately."
He bowed deeply and vanished at once.
Blanc remained alone.
Her fingers intertwined beneath her chin.
"Don't worry…"
Her voice softened.
"Little brother."
Her eyes glowed with anticipation.
"Big sister is coming soon."
________________________________________
Support me on Patreon for early chapters [Patreon.com/tenten100?]