《Mother》


 The One Feared, The One Forsaken

    In the forest bordering the land of the humans, there lives a monster.


    Intrigued by the lights and bustle of the city, it had sought for humanity''s novelties.


    Alas, the creature''s numerous eyes and venomous fangs had driven away all hopes of friendship with the local humans.


    That is of course-- with one exception.


    "It... it is much too cold... things will get better... won''t it, Kukoh?"


    The child asked the woman as she looked out the window, shivering all the while.


    "But of course, child."


    The woman started.


    Shebent down and picked up the child in her arms, holding the little lady in her embrace.


    "You are smart, little one-- and I am strong. Together, we will weather this storm."


    The child nestled quietly in her arms, but the frown on her face did not disappear.


    "That''s not what Aria meant."


    Aria mumbled as if her mind was elsewhere.


    She wanted to tell Kuuko about what was troubling her, but she was afraid that she would only cause her caretaker unnecessary discomfort.


    Kuuko placed her hands on Ariadne''s underarms and lifted her up high,


    "What''s troubling you, little one?" She asked while looking up at the child.


    Aria''s eyes swam a bit and she mumbled something under her breath.


    Kuuko heard her the first time, but let her down in order to let her speak.


    She then set her body down, intending to listen to the child clearly.


    Aria looked lost as she stared right at Kuuko''s eyes on her human half,


    "Kukoh, tell Aria the truth, okay? You have to promise!"


    Speaking with the misplaced seriousness commonly found in children, Kuuko was made to nod, her own motherly smile unbeknownst to her as she replied, "Yes, Aria. I promise."Stolen novel; please report.


    "Okay... good." Aria responded, seemingly pleased as she nodded heavily before continuing.


    "Kukoh. Is Aria... ugly?"


    Ariadne asked with downcast eyes, the way she said Kuuko''s name was enough to melt the heart of the goddess.


    "What?! Of course not, Ariadne!"


    She retorted at once, displeased.


    Kuuko was unable to take how adorable Aria was, but she was also indignant at the fact thatsomeonehad instilled the idea into the girl''s mind.


    "Who told you of such blatant lies, child? Was it the gallawians?"I shall consume those worthless pests for this insolence.


    Stopping herself from continuing her own sentence, Kuuko questioned Aria with half-opened eyes.


    The gallawians are miniscule, winged tricksters that take heart in tormenting those who get lost in the forest. Well, theywere. Not for long.


    Contrary to her expectations however, Aria only shook her head.


    "No..." She spoke with a powerless tone.


    Kuuko had a worried expression as she asked,


    "Then... what is it, child? Darling, you are beautiful! What would make you think otherwise?"


    Seeing her foster mother honestly infuriated confused Aria, but she continued anyway,


    "Aria knows it! Aria does know it... it''s because her hair is white, while everyone else at the village had brown hair! That''s... that''s why Aria was not wanted... wasn''t it?"


    Her volume becoming weaker and more unsure the longer she went on, Aria had an expression that looked as if she were about to cry.


    Aww...


    Barely able to stifle her own voice, Kuuko gently held her human hands against her human mouth, her spider half''s mouth opened and closed ominously at the same time.


    "Little one," she started.


    "Do you think thatI am ugly for my white hair, then?"


    Kuuko asked as she brushed her hair using her fingers.


    Aira stared at the ground and shook her head slowly before replying weakly,


    "No..."


    She then turned to look at Kuuko with serious eyes,


    "Kukoh is pretty... Kukoh is the prettiest!" Raising her hands to show just how serious she was, Aria was then raised up once again by Kuuko.


    "If you ask me, darling, they thought that you were much too beautiful to keep for themselves and offered you to me! So we could be together, yes?"


    "...Yes!" Responding to Kuuko''s quickly-formed excuse, Aria responded cheerfully.


    "Then do you feel better now, dear?"


    Kuuko smiled as she patted the child''s head.


    Aria was unbothered by the ruffling of her hair as she hugged Kuuko.


    "Mmhm! Thank you, Kukoh!"


    She smiled radiantly, like the sun.

 The One Revered

    Legends of unspeakable horror mention of a fearsome beast.


    Heroes and demons alike have fallen prey to this terrible creature.


    With deadly fangs and numerous tendrils, The White One has protected its home.


    Fear not the dragons that roam the forest with their power. Fear instead-- she who rules them.


    Hear her name and stray from the path leading to your doom, o'' heroes!


    The "White Death."


    The queen of the forest.


    Never forget this name. For the day you meet her, will be the day you die. Her appellation be...


    Kuukona, the white weaver.


    ------------------------------------------


    "Kuuukooh!" A voice called out from the second floor of a cottage in the forest.


    The volume was loud and unrestrained with an adorable lisp that was common in children.


    "Yes, darling? What is it?"


    In turn, a gentle voice like a soft and cool breeze responded from the ground floor of the building.


    Thud thud


    The owner of the voice from above ran down the wooden stairs and her feet made pitter-patter noises as she appeared before the woman below.


    "Now now. Be careful, Aria. You might trip and fall again."


    The womansoftly remindedas she arranged flowers in a basket.


    The child, Ariadne responded with an absent-minded "Mm." as if responding automatically, but her excited fervor didn''t stop as she grabbed the hem of the woman''s white dress with her small, chubby hands while jumping up and down repeatedly.


    "Kukoh! Help! Aria needs to pick a dress quickly!"


    Ariadne repeatedly tugged at Kuukona''s dress with excitement.


    Seeing this, Kuukona gently placed the basket on the table,


    "Alright, alright. Since it''s your first day, you need to make an impression. But, dear..."


    Nearing the end of her sentence, Kuukona''s words wavered.


    Are you sure you don''t want to dye your hair?


    She wanted to ask the child.


    ...But she couldn''t possibly say it.


    Seeing how happy and excited Ariadne was for her first day of school, Kuukona couldn''t risk hurting her unfounded vigor unique to children.


    "C''mere! C''mere! Aria likes the pink one, but..."


    As such, Kuukona had a troubled smile as she wordlessly let Ariadne drag her upstairs.


    As inhabitants of the forest, Kuukona and Ariadne had limited interactions with humanity.


    It was already unusual for a commoner child to go to school, but Ariadne also lived outside of civilization.


    As for how Ariadne received a recommendation... it was all thanks to a new friend that she made.


    -------------------------------------------


    In the great forest known to be the home of dragons, a young man opened his eyes as the soothing sound of the wind blowing on the grass had awoken him from his slumber.


    "Gummorning."


    A carefree voice greeted the man in a strange manner.


    "Good... morning?"


    The man responded to the greeting without thinking as he sat up.


    "Where..."


    He looked around him as he tried to recall how he got here.


    He remembered everything.


    The fight with a dragon, his comrades falling one by one.


    Turning to the "white" creature not any taller than half of his height, he asked her a question.


    "Hey kid, is there anyone else here?"


    "Hmm? No, only mister bucket is here." The child stood on her toes as she looked around in an exaggerated manner as she replied.


    "It''s not a bucket, kid. It''s a helmet." The man touched his helmet as he said this.


    Unfortunately, the magical properties of the helmet that granted it durability had been worn down during the fight, rendering it useless.


    "What a waste..." He murmured as he took it off.


    The child pouted with a defiant voice, "Aria''s name isn''t kid! Aria''s name is Aria!"


    The man scratched the back of his head.


    He realizes something as he recognizes that he had woken up right where he had fainted.


    He was nowhere near the border of the forest.


    "Right... well, what are you doing here, Aria? Don''t you know that it''s dangerous here?" He asked with the slightest amount of worry as he stood up and patted off the dirt in his clothes.


    He had thought of the possibility of the child being a monster in disguise, but through his own means, he had confirmed that she was harmless.


    There was also the fact that she could have easily killed him in his sleep if that was the case.


    In response to his question, Aria only had a wondering expression as she pretended to ponder in a pose, obviously mimicking her parent, "But Aria lives here?"


    "What...?" Hearing the unexpected truth, the man was at a loss for words.


    He looked around once more.


    Scorched earth surrounded him. The landscape had been gouged out. Trees, mowed down and patches of the ground had vanished, leaving craters in them.


    All of these were the result of three things only.


    Steel, magic, and dragon fire.


    There weren''t any traces of mortal wounds on his flesh, but his armor had been torn asunder, making it clear that what he had experienced wasn''t a dream.


    He was inside the forest, still.


    Then... this child...


    Just who is she?


    "Say... where is your mother?"


    He knelt down on one knee as he talked to Aria with a smile.


    She pressed both of her forefingers to her temples and furrowed her brows,


    "Aria doesn''t know! Kukoh takes care of Aria. Aria and Kukoh live over there!"


    She said, pointing to a certain direction.


    Looking over at the direction that she''s pointing, the man saw nothing but trees for miles and miles over. He couldn''t help but think that she wasn''t lost at all.


    "Hey hey~ Aria doesn''t really meet many people. Will you be Aria''s friend?" She smiled.


    Just as he was thinking deeply, he heard the heavy flapping of wings.


    He could feel his blood flowing and his instincts were screaming at him.


    He would not soon forget that sound.


    "! Dammit-- why now... get away from here, Aria! That thing''s a--"


    The man panicked and called out to the child. However...


    "Over here, Ysah~"


    Aria waved her hand. Energetically, at that.


    "What are you doing, kid?!"


    Dumbfounded, the man raised his voice at the child.


    "?" Aria had a wondering expression and she didn''t know what he was panicking about.


    The man unsheathed his sword and was prepared to protect the child.


    The dragon landed right in front of him, and...


    It knelt upon the ground.


    [WE HAVE COME, YOUNG MISTRESS.]


    With its head lowered and its eyes closed, the dragon showed a servile attitude.


    The man didn''t understand what was happening.


    Aria quickly moved past him and ran towards the dragon and hugged its head, her arms spread wide open.


    The dragon''s head was much too broad and her arms were not enough to encompass it.


    [...] The dragon remained still.


    No noise or movement came from the towering creature.


    The man was at a loss.


    *That''s a dragon... right?*


    He thought to himself as he eyed the mysterious child and the dragon.


    Aria turned to face the man with a na?ve, innocent smile.


    "This is Aria''s friend, Ysah. She knows everything! Even though Aria asks her to call her Aria, she doesn''t like to. She talks funny, but don''t be mean, okay?"


    As if waiting for her to finish, the dragon once again spoke in a thunderous voice.


    [YOUNG MISTRESS, WE HAVE COME TO FETCH YOU AT THE ORDER OF YOUR MOTHER, THE QUEEN.]


    Hearing this, Aria posed once again, as if copying somebody.


    "Ysah!" She called out.


    [WHAT IS IT, YOUNG MISTRESS?]


    The dragon finally raised its head as it asked.


    "Can my new friend come, too?"


    Contrary to her oddly daunting pose, her voice resounded in a cheerful tone.


    Hearing her request, the dragon turned its head to the side and stared straight at the man with one of its eyes.


    The man''s muscles tightened, his body instinctively prepared for combat.


    Though the dragon was staring at him for only seconds, it felt like an eternity to him.


    The dragon''s eyes narrowed, clearly displeased with this as it turned to look at Ariadne again.


    [...IF THAT IS YOUR WISH, THEN WE SHALL OBEY.]


    Stolen novel; please report. Contrary to his expectations, the dragon bent its body even lower, allowing Ariadne to climb on its back, although clumsily.


    "Yay~ come come, mister helmet~ Kukoh said to introduce my new friends to her!" Aria waved at the man, beckoning him.


    "...What the hell is going on...?"


    The development of the situation was too fast for his brain to process and he ended up muttering such.


    The dragon lifted off the ground and began to hover above the trees before flying towards the center of the forest.


    "Oh... mister helmet forgot to tell Aria his name!" Aria called out to him as she sat on the dragon''s head.


    The man scratched his head with a wry looking expression. He wanted to find his companions soon, but he at least had to make friends with his new... company.


    "Oh, it''s Tokigawa."


    "To-kee-ga-wah?"


    Aria''s eyebrows furrowed as she parroted the name, finding it quite peculiar.


    Unbeknownst to him, she would have parroted it no matter what his name was.


    "Ah... yeah. It''s Tokigawa Yasuo."


    Yasuo smiled wryly as he saw how much trouble Aria had trying to pronounce his surname.


    Aria nodded with a serious expression.


    "Yasoh!" She yelled out with a small smile on her face.


    Yasuo could only smile at Aria''s lisp.


    Despite both the abruptness and strangeness of it all, he seemed to have quickly accepted everything that happened.


    The dragon remained silent and paid extra attention to Yasuo.


    Aria on the other hand was excitedly pointing at everything she could see while explaining what kind of places they were to her new friend. She grasped at Ysamogruas''s horn to keep herself from falling off.


    Not only were her explanations insufficient, they were wishy-washy and practically useless information that you could discern just from looking.


    Yasuo laughed heartily and feigned interest as she explained. *Somebody else must have taught her this.* he smiled as the thought crossed his mind.


    Aria seemed to be easily pleased. Yasuo had only been nodding and grunting to say he understood the entire time. He felt good when he saw just how radiant Aria''s smile was.


    To him, she was an inhabitant of this forest. From what he understood, Aria was probably related to that "queen" the dragon mentioned. He felt that he couldn''t afford to be careless.


    However... "She''s just a kid." He muttered to himself.


    ----------------


    Aria gradually grew more quiet the farther they traveled.


    Yasuo found it strange, but he hardly knew the girl.


    Before long, a vast rainbow-colored clearing had entered his view.


    From above, the trees no longer obstructed his vision. The place where they were headed to was a vast field of flowers.


    A white haired figure sat at the center. He had guessed that she was the one nurturing all of the flowers that stretched in the field.


    The dragon landed a little ways from the woman tending the field of flowers, not daring to crush any one of them beneath its feet.


    [MY QUEEN, LADY ARIADNE HAS RETURNED.] The dragon lowered its head as Aria jumped down.


    Yasuo rounded his shoulders and followed in turn.


    The woman held on to her pure white sunhat as the dragon''s arrival had disturbed the wind.


    A surprised expression appeared on her beautiful face.


    "Oh my, a guest has arrived."


    She stood up. Strangely enough, not a single patch of dirt had stuck to her dress.


    Yasuo''s eyes narrowed in interest.


    "White haired beauty... a fantasy staple." He muttered to himself.


    Ariadne stared blankly, seeming to have heard him.


    "This one''s name is Kuukona. In this forest, I guide the lost and shelter the weary."


    A charming smile blossomed on her face as she introduced herself meekly.


    Yasuo nodded deeply and smiled as he responded, "I am Tokigawa Yasuo."


    "Ah... you can call me Suo if it''s hard to pronounce."


    Awkwardly scratching the back of his head, Yasuo thought that it must be the first time Kuukona is meeting a foreigner, not realizing that she couldn''t even tell the difference, as a dweller of the forest.


    Kuukona seemed pleased and her fingers grasped at her own dress again and again.


    Her smile blossomed further, excited at the prospect of a human friend.


    "Mm... Tokigawa Yasuo. Suo... I will remember your name."


    Charmed by that smile, Yasuo had lost his words, forgetting what he wanted to say.


    After a moment, he felt his clothes tighten and he turned his head.


    "I believe that my new acquaintance is your sister?"


    He said as he turned to look at Ariadne.


    For some reason, she was hiding behind him, peeking at Kuukona as her chubby hands grasped at his coat.


    The reason became obvious soon enough as the expression of Kuukona had a certain sternness to it.


    "And just where have you been, young lady?"


    Despite admonishing Ariadne, Kuukona had a gentle, motherly atmosphere as she grasped at the basket full of flowers in her hands.


    Aria came out of her hiding place and looked down, seeming to know that she had done wrong.


    "Aria was... Aria was just... she was..."


    Immediately after witnessing Ariadne stammer, Kuukona weakened as her expression turned even more motherly.


    She walked slowly towards Ariadne and knelt in front of her.


    "Aria... I am not angry. I''m sorry if it seemed that way. Kukoh was just worried, okay...?" She said softly.


    Ariadne''s expression broke down as she rubbed her eyes and started to sob weakly.


    "Okke... Aria is... she is sorry..."


    Despite being energetic, Ariadne was unexpectedly quiet and obedient when she''s crying.


    Kuukona embraced her gently. Ariadne was nestled in Kuukona''s arms and it was only then did Yasuo realize his mistake.


    *Ah... they''re not siblings. She is...* He muttered to himself. "So young..." He whispered as he looked at Kuukona.


    "It''s okay baby, Kukoh knows... It''s okay. Don''t cry..."


    Kuukona gently rubbed Ariadne''s back.


    It seems that she snuck out by herself without telling her mother. Yasuo looked at the white duo with a smile on his face.


    After a few minutes, Ariadne''s sobbing and hiccuping stopped.


    Kuukona held her in her arms with a serene smile. She turned to Yasuo and apologized.


    "I seem to have kept you waiting, Tokigawa Yasuo."


    Yasuo smiled, "No worries. I didn''t think that such a young and beautiful woman was the mother of my new friend."


    As an afterthought, he added.


    "Ah, Suo is fine."


    Kuukona only smiled mysteriously.


    She turned to the dragon silently standing watch even further behind.


    "Do you want to play with Ysah for a bit? I have something to talk about with your friend for a little while."


    Kuukona wordlessly signalled to Ysamogruas, and the latter bowed its head in acknowledgement.


    Having just finished crying, Ariadne nodded before Kuukona let her down. Walking first and then running towards the dragon after a few steps.


    -------------


    "Suo, would you like my assistance in leaving this forest?"


    Kuukona asked with a smile as she set the basket in her hands down.


    Yasuo nodded, "That would be a big help. But first, there is something I must do first."


    Kuukona kept silent, prodding him to continue.


    "My friends. I must find them first. Do you have any idea where I should start looking, lady Kuukona?" Yasuo had a serious expression. Hearing her name, he had already discerned her identity as the queen of arachnids, the spider goddess.


    Not only were they defeated by the servant dragon, the other party had even showed them kindness.


    Yasuo had no idea if Kuukona already knew of this matter.


    Kuukona on the other hand, was quite excited that she had made a human friend, barely concealing the fervor in her voice.


    She nodded softly with a smile on her face. Yasuo was briefly under the illusion that she had a halo above her head as her radiant smile hurt his heart.


    Who knew that the rumored spider goddess was so gentle and easy to befriend?


    Kuukona''s eye twitched as she responded, "Aha... I heard that all adventurers who brave this forest are brought towards its entrances upon their defeat. Now *isn''t that just mysterious.*"


    Awkward, dry laughter escaped her lips.


    Yasuo found himself charmed by this as he laughed heartily in turn.


    He spoke half-jokingly, "Is that so? Did you perhaps ask the monsters to politely return the adventuring humans safely?"


    "**N-No!** I... I h-hold no power in this forest... I''m just a girl. You are quite imaginative, mister Suo..."


    Kuukona''s voice turned a pitch higher as she spoke quickly.


    Seeing how her face had cramped up, Yasuo had the strangest feeling of wanting to bully her.


    "Ah. That''s strange. It is clear that I had been defeated, but I was woken up by your daughter. I wonder why I hadn''t been taken to the entrance, as well?" He faked a wondering expression, pretending to ponder deeply as he peeked at Kuukona''s reaction from the corner of his eye.


    Her brows furrowed as she glanced at the dragon. An expression of slight impatience had surfaced on her face.


    "Ah... perhaps the monster that had defeated you simply forgot about you, or hadn''t seen where you had fallen..."


    "In the first place, it''s quite strange that there have been no human deaths in this forest for a while..."


    "I-Is that so? Is... Is that not a good thing?"


    "Ah... well, we were getting the idea that the monsters were planning something."


    "What... What if we just wanted to befriend the humans...?"


    "Is that so, ms Kuukona?"


    As they entered a back and forth, Yasuo had noticed Kuukona become slightly depressed.


    He smiled wryly and announced, "Well... even though we''ve been defeated, I think that this trip to the forest was worth it."


    Hearing this, Kuukona seemed to be happy.


    Unexpectedly, she was quite simple and easy to please.


    Just like somebody else, it seems...


    "Is that so?!"


    Her face cramped up once again but for a different reason as she attempted to stifle a smile.


    "Yeah." Yasuo smiled. "Today, I made a friend."


    ----------


    "Ysah is so strong!"


    Ariadne loudly proclaimed as she smiled unreservedly, swinging a stick.


    "Ah, but young mistress shows promise."


    Ysamogruas had turned into a human in order to play swordfighting with Ariadne using sticks.


    Her sharp eyes were staring right at the child before her.


    Just then, when she was about to strike--


    "Ysamogruas."


    The chilling voice of her queen and mistress had called out.


    She stood at attention before bowing towards Ariadne.


    Dropping the stick, she flapped the wings on her back and flew towards Kuukona and Yasuo.


    "Yes, our queen?"


    Kneeling before Kuukona, Ysamogruas lowered her head.


    "Ysah, why not take mister Suo back to his home?" Kuukona turned to her servant with an amiable expression.


    Ysamogruas''s face jolted to look up at Kuukona as she heard those words.


    "O-Our queen! B-But we..."


    As a female of the strongest race, having a human man ride her back seems unacceptable to her.


    Kuukona had a disappointed expression as she peeked at Yasuo.


    "...You can''t?"


    Hearing her mistress''s despirited voice, Ysamogruas''s face twitched as she rubbed one of her horns.


    "If... If it is our queen''s request, then we shall comply."


    With a sigh, she resigned herself weakly.


    "Is that so? Did you hear that, mister Suo? Ysah is willing to carry you back!" Seeing Kuukona''s incandescent smile, Yasuo and Ysamogruas could only share dry laughter.


    Ariadne hummed a tune as she picked flowers and presented them to Kuukona.


    Kuukona smiled gently and placed one of them behind Ariadne''s ear.


    After thinking for a second, she proceeded to place one behind the kneeling Ysamogruas''s ear. The delicate, yellow flower had strangely contrasted well with her reddish brown hair.


    She offered her hand, prompting her to stand up. The dragon gratefully accepted her hand and stood at attention instead.


    "Kukoh, is Yasoh leaving now?"


    Ariadne seemed sad as she looked up at Kuukona while holding her hand.


    Kuukona lightly patted her head and explained in a way she would understand, "Well... mister Suo''s mother must be worried sick, darling."


    Ariadne nodded, showing that she understood. "Ohh! Okke... But wait... Yasoh will come back, right?"


    Yasuo smiled, "We can always visit each other, right?" He said as he turned towards Kuukona.


    Yasuo had promised Kuukona that he would return, prompting her to reply, "Really? That''s wonderful!" As she smiled radiantly.


    Her straightforward nature had left a great impression on him.


    He turned to Ysamogruas and bowed, "Shall we go?"


    Ysamogruas was clearly displeased, but nodded anyway. She took five steps back before turning into a towering dragon, nearly ten meters tall.


    [THIS IS BUT AN EXCEPTION, HUMAN.] She said a few words and spoke no more as Yasuo got on her back.


    "Yasoh! Come back, okay? We''ll play next time!"


    As Ysamogruas flapped her wings, she rose higher and higher into the air.


    Yasuo waved with a smile,


    "Next time, Aria. See you again, lady Kuu."


    As Ysamogruas''s visage vanished in the horizon, Ariadne kept waving.


    "See you agaiiiin!"


    Kuukona had a smile on her face.


    "Kuu... Kuu, huh?"


    Hearing her new nickname from a new friend made her unbelievably happy.


    "Well, let''s go home now, dear. Shall we?"


    "Okke!"


    The two held hands as they walked.


    "Hey, Kukoh..."


    "Yes, dear?"


    "Why are your legs like Aria''s today? Where did the others go?"


    "Ah... that''s... you see... Kukoh just didn''t want to scare away your new friend."


    "Oh. But Kukoh''s legs aren''t scary. Aria thinks they are pretty... will you show Yasoh next time?"


    "...I''ll think about it."


    ----------------


    Far north from the forest that Kuukona and Ariadne reside in is a city flourishing with trade and color.


    Ysamogruas''s wings flapped restlessly as she looked around wearily in her human form.


    On the way back, they had met with Yasuo''s party members and had taken them along for a ride on her back.


    "Hrm... Ysamogruas, was it? I am grateful that Kuu is quite friendly. She''s... different from what I imagined."


    Yasuo spoke.


    "...Speak not of our noble appellation, foul knave. Our queen had simply spared your miserable lives. This does not deem you worthy, much like how we would spare a measly fly... We shall return once you have been escorted to this... castle that you speak of." Ysamogruas stiffly responded.


    She had an uneasy look about her as she walked behind him.


    His companions were resting in their lodging as they were considerably tired. He asked them to rest and took the responsibility of reporting about the success... and failure of their quest.


    Yasuo had a wry smile on his face when suddenly, his expression lit up.


    "Hey, why don''t you look around with me first? With me, I mean."


    Her eyes sharpened in suspicion as she frowned, "Why should we?"


    Ignoring her pointed glare, Yasuo only smiled as he continued, "You can look around the city if you like. When you get back, you can tell Kuu all about this place. She''ll like that, right?"


    Hearing this, Ysamogruas''s brow twitched and she contemplated for a few seconds.


    "Perhaps... very well. We shall accompany you. For now."


    After that was a date between a hero of humanity and the servant dragon of the spider goddess... but that is a story for another time.

 The Siren

    Torrens, a kingdom of prosperity. Vendors lined the road as they advertised the products they had for sale in loud voices, urging those that pass by them in a friendly and inviting manner.


    The laughter of children can be heard as they played together out of sight.


    Wolves, brave men and women who wield sword and magic in order to reclaim lost lands and explore the unknown walked around with their heads held high and their chests puffed out as they proudly strutted along the busy streets.


    In the city bustling with business, a dragon and a hero of humanity walked along the streets side-by-side.


    "Humans... so many humans."


    Ysamogruas muttered to herself as she looked around nervously.


    "..."


    Suddenly stopping, she stared intently at a wolf girl with Thornan ears.


    "You know her?"


    Yasuo asks, noticing that she had been staring at a Thornan woman.


    Not responding to Yasuo at all, Ysamogruas only tore her gaze away from the wolf and continued walking.


    Yasuo could only smile wryly as he followed.


    "Hey. You don''t actually know where you''re going, do you?"


    "..."


    She suddenly stopped in her tracks.


    Seeing her stop made Yasuo think that she was embarrassed and he laughed lightly.


    "Exactly. So let me lead."


    "..."


    Yasuo could only feel awkward as Ysamogruas didn''t say anything at all. Wanting to show the beauty of the city to her, he had to give her a better impression.


    But how could he possibly impress a dragon?


    Just as he was thinking this, his nose had suddenly been hit by a strong, overpowering smell.


    sniffsniff


    Ysamogruas''s gaze had immediately become sharp, turning her gaze at the source.


    He follows suit.


    "Ah. Would you like to try some?"


    He said in a cheerful tone as he laughed.


    Picking up the scent of roasted meat, Ysamogruas frowned defiantly, despite showing interest.


    "Our noble temple requires no sustenance at the moment." She says without breaking her expression.


    With a calm face, she coolly turned her gaze away from the food stall.


    Alas... her wings fluttered and twitched ever so slightly as the end of her tail wrapped around her ankle.


    "..."


    Yasuo smiled, trying his best to stifle a laugh.


    "Wait here, Ysah."


    He was unsure if she frowned because he called her Ysah or because he went to buy food anyway.


    Ysamogruas tapped her foot impatiently with furrowed brows. Her displeasure would seem clear to anyone if it wasn''t for the fact that her tail excitedly whipped the floor in rhythm with her tapping.


    The frown on her face was nothing more than her own defiant attitude towards the human named Yasuo.


    Yasuo returns holding two sticks of skewered meat.


    Seeing this, her eyes narrowed and she scowled at him.


    "We... W-We cannot be bought, knave..." Despite her intimidating glare however, he could sense her waver just from the tone of her voice.


    It seems that she doesn''t possess the power to overcome such temptations.


    "You think I''m trying to bribe you?" Yasuo says, pretending to be offended.


    "No such thing!" He laughs, "Earlier in the forest... my armor was certainly broken, but I didn''t have any traces of wounds on me. Was that your doing?"


    Hearing him ask if she healed him, Ysamogruas only turned her head away with folded arms, not saying a word.


    Yasuo smiled seeing that, taking her reaction as an affirmation.


    "Then... this may not be much, but at least let me express my thanks."


    "We do only what our Queen and the young mistress ask."


    Perhaps irritated... or embarrassed, Ysamogruas didn''t like to dwell on the matter as she informed him that she had done so simply because her queen had wished it to be done.


    If you want to thank someone, thank the queen.Is what he gleamed from what she was saying.


    "Now now..."


    Yasuo smiled wryly.


    "You can at least accept this much, right?" He says as he presents the skewered meat to her.


    "..."


    She glares at the kebab with clenched teeth.


    Her tail still wrapped tightly around her ankles.


    Thinking that he shouldn''t irritate her any further, Yasuo shrugs.


    "Oh well. More for me, I guess?"


    "Hold it!" Thump


    She voices out.


    Her tail had loudly slapped the ground.


    By the time she noticed what she had done, it was far too late.


    With a cramped face, she extends her hand and takes the kebab,


    "We shall... accept this gift in place of the queen..."


    Yasuo smiles seeing this, barely able to stifle a smile.


    "Here you are."


    "...Mmuh."


    She groans softly at her own weakness as her eyebrows knit together.


    And without making any noise, devoured the meat.


    After a few seconds, she makes a doubtful face before staring at the stick, surprised that there was no more.


    Yasuo said nothing, finding her attempts to seem inconspicuous quite humorous.


    Feeling her glancing at his kebab from the corner of her eyes, he wordlessly extended the stick to her with a smile.


    Her eyes widened for a second as she looked straight at him, and then at the kebab, and then back to him again.


    "We... your treasures are your own. We have consumed our share." She said with narrowed, disapproving eyes, clearly declining the offer.


    Despite showing such a calm expression without any ripples or trace of emotion, her tail was being quite expressive.


    Once again, her own body had betrayed her.


    This time, her tail had wrapped tightly around the wrist of her free hand.


    "It''s just food, Ysah. Don''t worry about it. I could always buy more."


    He said calmly and patiently.


    A small, almost unnoticeable breath of relief was released from Ysamogruas''s mouth as her hand moved.


    "..."


    Having a tense expression for some reason, she slowly reached out.


    For some reason, Yasuo had the urge to bully her and move the stick away the second her hand neared... but he didn''t.


    Handing it over obediently, he smiled amiably at the dragon before him whose expression cramped for one reason or another.


    Taking hold of the stick, she stared intently at it.


    This time, she took a single small bite, learning her lesson from her previous stick.


    Despite eating slowly however, she still thought that the food had disappeared much too quickly.


    She frowned with a pondering expression, knit eyebrows and all.


    Yasuo took out a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her.


    "Well, what do you think? Is it your first time having human food?"


    Not knowing what the piece of cloth was for, she simply held it after taking it from him, only sparing it a momentary glimpse before turning her attention back to him.


    "Mm... small. Just like humans. Delicious, too. Just like humans."


    She said with a blank expression.


    As she was speaking, Yasuo had taken the handkerchief back and was wiping the sides of her mouth when she suddenly said something outrageous.


    Oh right, dragons are carnivores.He thought to himself.


    He stared at her with widened eyes after hearing so, his hand still holding on to the handkerchief, sticking to her cheek.


    "..."


    "..."


    Silence.


    "...We jest."


    She muttered with the same unmotivated voice and expressionless face, but there was a hint of victory to it, as if she had done something she was proud of.


    Her tail was repeatedly slapping against the ground, doing the laughing for its... less expressive counterpart.


    With him frozen in the same posture, his stomach had suddenly growled.


    It wasn''t particularly loud. With the number of people currently walking along the streets, it was even stranger that she had heard it.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    But it is the truth that she did hear it as her expression immediately tensed up.


    "Ahahahahahaha!"


    It was his turn to laugh.


    She on the other hand, was clearly in a sort of panic.


    Her eyes swam before landing on the sticks held in each of her hands.


    Seeing the look of horror on her face, he couldn''t help but feel a little bad. Despite the fact that he thought she was overreacting.


    "We... We apologize for taking your sustenance."


    She looked down, sullen.


    A sudden urge had risen within him once again. The thought of bullying a dragon really stirred at his heart.


    But he fought against it.


    Not yet,he thought to himself.


    We''re not that close.


    He smiled and shrugged it off, continuing to clean the oil and barbecue sauce stuck to her face.


    As the both of them were roughly the same height standing at 185cm, he felt strangely comfortable, not needing to look up or down.


    "You need to clean up after yourself, Ysah. You''re a lady, after all." He muttered without thinking.


    I''m a dragon.She wanted to say, but his relationship with her master was ambiguous to her. The queen herself was quite the enigma and Ysamogruas would take care not to offend her acquaintances.


    Yasuo inspected Ysamogruas.


    As if he just thought about it,


    "Is your cloak made of magic?"


    Curious as to how it had vanished when she turned into a dragon and returned when she took a humanoid form, he asked.


    "Impressive." She said simply as she lifted her arm as if to show him,


    "This was woven by our queen. Our true form stretches the thread, turning it into a barrier of mana. It is impressive, yes?"


    Suddenly turning talkative, Ysamogruas''s tone became lively. Yasuo found her strangely out of character.


    She must be quite impressive to be so well-liked by this taciturn dragon.He thought to himself.


    His personal impression of Kuukona was good, but he had to be wary.


    This was his first glimpse on the being known as Kuukona.


    Realizing that she had said too much, Ysamogruas quieted down immediately.


    Yasuo could only smile wryly.


    "Oh... I''m curious about that kid, too."


    He murmured with two fingers on his chin.


    "..." Ysamogruas said nothing, only staring at him with the same expressionless face.


    "Aria, was it? Well... her mom''s certainly pretty."


    He says in deep thought.


    Ysamogruas''s expression changed, but not enough for him to notice.


    A slight scowl that immediately disappeared in a fraction of a second.


    Yasuo then waves his hand with a smile, "Ah well... I guess the forest unexpectedly has a few beauties. I mean, just look at you."


    He said, smiling amiably.


    "?" Ysamogruas''s head only tilted slightly.


    Yasuo''s smile was unperturbed as he continued,


    "Well... anyway, about Aria. Does she uh... have any friends her age? She needs them, don''t you think?"


    Ysamogruas nodded, "The servants of the queen heed the young mistress''s whims."


    Yasuo shook his head, "I mean any human friends." He says with a bit of a strained smile.


    Ysamogruas turned her eyes to the side.


    "..."


    Silence.


    "..."


    "..."


    "...Not that we know of."


    Finally speaking, her gaze returned to him and she met his eyes.


    Yasuo scratched the back of his head.


    "Alright... I know a perfect gift for them, then. Well, we''ve been standing here for too long, I think. We still have more to see."


    He says lightly with a laugh as he rounded his shoulders.


    "As you wish."


    She replied, only nodding.


    Walking behind him, she gazed at the sticks in her hand.


    "...We accept your offering."


    She muttered to herself.


    "Didja say somethin''?"


    He asks as he turns around.


    She shook her head, pretending it was nothing. Her face had perfectly remained calm. Though "calm" would be saying too much about her tail.


    Oookay.He says as he turns away from her tail to face her.


    "Say, Ysah. Do you want to come with me to the castle?"


    "...Why?"


    She asks with a tilted head and furrowed brows, obviously apprehensive.


    He shook his head, seeing her like that.


    "I have a good idea for a gift. It''s for Kuu. If it''s alright with you, I''d also like for you to be my friend. Why don''t we talk about it with my boss together?"


    He smiles, a hand behind his neck.


    The sight of him winking at her had left a deep impression on Ysamogruas for some reason. One that she had no idea what to make of.


    After a few seconds of silence, she blinks only once, before...


    "...We shall allow it."


    ----------------------


    A month after Yasuo had met with the inhabitants of the forest...


    "What is that?!"


    A wolf yelled at the top of his lungs as he pointed at the sky.


    Turning their gaze at the wolf''s hysteric scream, the surrounding townspeople immediately recognized what he was pointing at.


    Their mouths gaped as they stared at it fly over them, wide-eyed.


    A natural calamity.


    The embodiment of bad omens.


    Ceaseless destruction wrought by these creatures of destruction.


    "Dragon!!"


    The lively market immediately prepared themselves, alarmed.


    Wolves prepared themselves for battle, while pedestrians hurried indoors and merchants closed up shop.


    Bracing for what comes next...


    ...


    But nothing happened.


    The dragon had simply flown over them, leaving the wolves with mixed reactions of sighs of relief and wondering expressions.


    ...


    Landing on the stone floor, Ysamogruas felt strangely comfortable as she bent down.


    The courtyard was empty without a soul in sight.


    A little ways away from where she had landed was a large building, reminiscent of a castle.


    "Thankie, Ysah!"


    An energetic voice rang out as short arms seemed to be embracing the top of her head.


    Ariadne made a small "Hup!" noise as she jumped down happily.


    "...You mustn''t run, young mistress."


    Ysamogruas mimicked Kuukona, calmly reminding Ariadne to be careful with what seemed to be a blank expression.


    Aria in turn mimicked Kuukona as well, placing her hand on her cheek and pretended to contemplate, "Ysah sounds like Kukoh." She said plainly as she looked up at the tall woman with a small smile.


    She stuck out her tongue innocently and grasped Ysamogruas''s hand.


    Ysamogruas feigned calmness and nodded coolly, "Let us go. We mustn''t tarry, young mistress."


    Ariadne nodded cheerfully despite not completely understanding what Ysamogruas said.


    "Mustn''t!" She parroted.


    "Lady Ysa... Ysamo... Lady Ysah and her daughter have arrived!"


    The knights wearing shiny armor saluted the dragon that had the appearance of a young woman and let her pass without any fuss.


    Ysamogruas corrected neither of the mistakes in the knight''s statements and only nodded her head in acknowledgement with a stone mask as they passed by.


    "Ehehe." Ariadne giggled as she passed by the knight, finding his stutter amusing.


    It was only in their passing did the two knights breathed out a sigh of relief.


    They didn''t dare to comment about Ariadne''s white hair as they stood at attention.


    "See you later, mister helmets!"


    Ariadne called out to them.


    Hearing this, the two knights turned to each other.


    By the time they had turned to look at Ariadne, she had already marched out of sight, dragging Ysamogruas with her.


    Greeting them in the hallway was Yasuo with a smile on his face.


    "Yo!" He voices out.


    "...Yo?"


    Ysamogruas responded to the strange greeting.


    "Yo!"


    Ariadne on the other hand raised her hand energetically.


    Ysamogruas looked around.


    "None of your concubines are here today?"


    She states bluntly.


    "Concu...? Ah no-- you misunderstand. I don''t have a girlfriend." He says unhurriedly.


    "Girl...friend?"


    Ysamogruas parroted as she turned her eyes to the side.


    Ariadne seemed to pout as she heard this.


    "Hey...! Aria''s a girl!"


    Her eyebrows knit as she glared cutely at Yasuo.


    She seems to have misunderstood Yasuo.


    "That''s not what it means, Aria. I know you''re a girl. That is to say... I''m not in a relationship with anyone. I''m not married." He says, awkwardly scratching his head.


    "But you said we were friends..."


    Ariadne muttered as she looked down with a sad expression.


    Seeing this, Ysamogruas''s eye twitched and she glared at Yasuo with narrowed eyes.


    "..."


    "Ahahaha..." Yasuo could only laugh awkwardly. "But you aremy friend, kiddo." He said with a worried smile. Ysamogruas''s glare hit him with great pressure.


    Ariadne looked up at him with sad eyes. "Aria''s a girl, y''know! And she''s your friend, y''know! That means she''s your girl friend, y''know!" She protested, once again mimicking Kuukona as she crossed her arms.


    At this point, the meaning had completely changed. Yasuo laughed out loud as he ruffled her hair.


    "Ahahahaha! Yes, yes. Aria''s my girlfriend."


    He says with a resigned sigh.


    Immediately after hearing him, her eyes lit up.


    "That''s right!"


    A wide smile on her little face.


    Their conversation soon became animated as Ysamogruas observed the two of them speak, her hand still holding Ariadne''s.


    Yasuo walked along with them as they headed for Ariadne''s class room.


    Ariadne naturally held his hand.


    He shrugged with only his shoulders, grasping her hand back.


    "Anyway. C''mon kid. You''re two hours early for class, eh? You that excited?"


    "Excited!"


    "Alright then! You''re gonna make lots of friends here, kiddo!"


    "Aria told you already, her name is Aria, okke?"


    "Right, right."


    Ysamogruas kept silent as she looked forward.


    The hall was wide, but empty. Only the voices of the black haired young man and the white haired little girl resounded.


    She had an odd feeling in her heart. The feeling of being left out had made her have a sense of loneliness, but she said nothing, merely watching the two converse.


    They contrasted quite well.


    For some reason, Yasuo and Ysamogruas''s eyes met.


    He smiled at her, while she merely turned away.


    Yasuo laughed in his heart and continued entertaining Ariadne as she happily asked questions about school.


    Their conversation could hardly be called deep. Most of it had no meaning at all, but what Yasuo could discern from their little talk is that Kuukona had knowledge about etiquette concerning tableware, as Ariadne also had this trait.


    Eventually, a young woman sporting a ponytail met with them. The moment she saw the trio holding hands, her face cramped.


    "Ah... Lord Suo. So the purpose of the scholarship in Saint Saiah... I see, I see... for your daughter, I suppose?"


    She asked with a stiff smile.


    Seeing as the ponytail girl had tears in her eyes, Yasuo had a wondering expression.


    "No, Lili. This is uh... the only daughter of our kingdom''s new ally." He said mysteriously.


    During the past month, Kuukona had been signing treaties concerning peace between the forest and the kingdom.


    The almighty being known as Queen Kuukona had been recognized as the matriarch of the magical forest and the true hero Yasuo had been mediating between her and the kingdom.


    Hearing this, the woman called Lili''s eyes widened as she bowed towards Ariadne, realizing that she was in the presence of royalty... of a sort.


    "?"


    Ariadne had a wondering expression, neither knowing nor caring about her current position.


    "Ah! Could it be... Princess Ariadne?" Liliana''s eyes widened, finding herself foolish. She should have recognized her by her hair.


    So... not your daughter.


    She sighed weakly as she muttered. "Oh good..."


    Hearing her mumble,


    "Ya say somethin''?"


    Yasuo asked, a little curious.


    "Nope."


    She shook her head.


    "Who''s that?" Ariadne asked, pointing at Liliana.


    Yasuo held her finger and gently let it down as he lightly reprimanded, "Pointing at people isn''t nice, Aria." He smiled wryly.


    "That''s Liliana. She''s gonna teach you lots of stuff, so be good and listen to her lessons, okay?"


    Ariadne tilted her head to the side,


    "Okke~" she responded energetically.


    "Oh! Oh! Yasoh, what''s that, what''s that?" Soon enough, her attention was taken away by something else. Yasuo turned to look at Liliana for a second. He nodded at her to excuse himself and she could only nod in return.


    Yasuo followed Ariadne as she willfully looked at everything.


    Liliana turned to look at Ysamogruas.


    The dragon didn''t seem interested and quietly stared into space as she watched over Ariadne silently.


    Ariadne had already let go of Ysamogruas''s hand and was excitedly asking Yasuo about something.


    Liliana nervously walked towards her. She felt that with her appearance of a cool beauty, she''d be intimidating enough, but her wings, horns and tail had made her practically unapproachable.


    "Erm... my lady?"


    Ysamogruas''s gaze turned to look at Liliana.


    Speak.Her eyes seemed to say.


    "Ah... r-right. I''m going to be instructing p-princess Ariadne starting today. My name is Liliana Pendl. Pleased to meet you!"


    Despite biting her tongue, Liliana recovered shortly and curtsied.


    Ysamogruas seemed pleased for some reason.


    She looked over Liliana, making the latter uncomfortable, her scrutinizing gaze seemed to pierce right into the young woman.


    "Our noble appellation be Ysamogruas."


    She said simply, introducing herself with only her name.


    Liliana now knew that the woman before her was a dragon that could bring great calamity and she grew even more nervous.


    Her taciturn personality had terrified Liliana. Did I offend her in any way?She thought to herself.


    Yasuo was the only one that noticed Ysamogruas''s tail tightly wrapped around her own ankle.


    "Unexpectedly shy, huh."


    He muttered with a small smile as Ariadne hanged from his stretched out arm.


    Liliana thought that she was being brushed aside, but the truth was that Ysamogruas had simply choked on her own words and forgot to say more.


    She should learn to at least soften her expression.Yasuo thought as he stared at Ysamogruas, her countenance as icy as ever.