The four of them continued their journey and, at Adolf's suggestion, they arrived at the village of the White Snake, a hidden land inhabited by the Ohserpent tribe.

Cursed are you, abominable white skin, you are not of the White Snake!

　As soon as they stepped into the village, the curses could be heard and the four of them stopped in their tracks.
　There, surrounded by several gray-skinned serpent tribe members, they saw one person with his blade pointing at them.
　Although he was a snake, his skin was white and his eyes were golden.

''What the hell, you people!''

　The focus turned to Kagetora and the others in a few seconds.

'Wait!'

　Kagetra told the snake men to lower their swords.

'We are the heart of the dragon, we stopped here by accident on our journey.

　The snake man quickly put his sword away.
　Dragons are said to read the mind of their opponents by heartbeat and body temperature, but the snake man read their mind by body temperature.
　The serpent-man judged the Kagethras to be harmless.

''Humans or demons........''
No, none of them. We're a superhuman race.

　The snake man let a drop of sweat flow from his forehead.

''I see, so what does the superhuman race want in a place like this?''
I need to get in trouble for a while.

　The snake man stared at Kagetra again.

'There are no lodgings,' he said, 'but there are rooms available. But there are rooms available.'
Thank God.

　Kagetora bowed her head.

　The snake people returned quietly to the village, as if the cursing just before had been a lie.
　One white snake man was left behind.
　The four of them looked at the snake man curiously.

''It's not a spectacle.''

　The white snake man said and stood up.

'What happened, it sounded like a curse or something.
That's no one's business but the outsider's.

　The white serpentine brushed off Zephyr's words.

''If it's okay with us, we can talk to you about it, okay?
No, you can't know that for sure, so don't ask questions you don't need to know.

　Wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, the white snake man disappeared into the forest at the back of the village.

''That's unusual, it was white, wasn't it?''

　Zephyr was curious about it.

''The white serpent is a symbol of prosperity, it should be a noble existence among the great serpent race. But that guy is obviously....
I was abused.

　Kagetra said.

'Brother, where are you going!'

　Zephyr was about to step into the forest at the back of the settlement alone.

'Go to your room first, I have some business to attend to.
Hey, come on.

　One of the snake men returned.
　Apparently, he's going to show me to my room.
　By that time, Zephyr had disappeared and no one answered, so Khalifa answered instead.

'I'll follow you.'
I'll let you go. You went after the white snake man, right?

　Adolf was stopped by the Khalifa and they were led to a room with Kagetra.

*

　The white snake man was in the forest, a short distance from the village.

''Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?

　Noticing Zephyr behind him, the snake man said.

'Well, don't say that. We're traveling, we're adventurers, you've heard of the dragon's heart, right?
No. I'm not interested. I'm sorry, but I need you to go away.
Do you think you're talking about me, or is that weird?
Is this the most natural way for me to talk to you, or are you one of those fools?
No, it's okay.
I see.
I'm Zephyr, what do you say?
Shaoong.
"Huh?
"Don't make me say it again, my name is Shaoan, the Serpent King!
Shaoong?　The Snake King?　I don't know, even your name has changed?
I suppose your name is quite different, isn't it?
Really?
What are you two doing here?

　Then Kagetra appeared.

'You're the one from earlier...'
That's Kagetora, my brother.

　Zephyr introduced Xiong to Gagetora.

'The Magethras, you really have a strange name, do all the outsiders have a strange name?

　Kagetra laughed at Xiao'onn's use of language.

''I don't know if it's curious or not, but I mean, why does Xiao'onn have white skin?　Snake people are usually gray, right?
I was born with this skin.
What does this have to do with the sword being pointed at you earlier?
Outsiders are not allowed to be discreet.
　Xiaon stopped what he was about to say.
'When I was a child, everyone worshipped me as the reincarnation of the White Snake. But now it looks like this.

　There was no anger or sadness in Xiao Yun's eyes.

''What's going on?''

　Zephyr asked.

'No, nothing. But everyone wants to keep those who are different from them away, that's all.
The wrong one?
Don't you see, my existence is foreign to them. They don't understand, and now they hate me.
''Is that what you want to do, Xiaon?''
What?

　He returned the question to Kagetola's question.

'Don't you ever think of changing it?'
"...if that's what I'm going to do, I'll have to accept it.
'Why don't you just leave the village, don't you ever think of leaving?
Where would I go if I were to leave this place, that the outside world is better than my home?　I don't think so, my village is still the better for it. You men from the outside will understand, won't you?

　They both understood that Xiaon had a point.
　If they went outside, they would suffer not only from the color of their skin, but also from the problem of being a beastman.

''Does that make it a reason to stay in the village?''
"I don't need a reason, I just want to live in the now. But, yes, adventurers...

　Xiao'onn's gaze stared off into the distance for a moment.
　Zephyr and Kagetra could understand the meaning of Shaon's profile.
　It had once overlapped with the way they had been in Biyoment.
　Longing and dreaming of somewhere else, different from here, somewhere else.
　But Zephyr hadn't invited him to join them at this time.
　Xiaon also realized the significance of their gazes.
　As a snake man, he could see what the two of them were trying to say.
　Their meeting had been a coincidence.
　Adolph had suggested that the four of them visit the village, and Zephyr had followed Shaoan.
　The fact that Shaone had given his name to Zephyr was a whim.
　But the three of them came to understand each other and a friend was born to Shaon, who had been lonely.



　Zephyr, Kagetora, and Xiaon.
　The three of them spent their days in a mock battle in the forest.

''Xiaon, what was that move you made earlier?''

　The two of them stood in mid-stunned amazement at the too-fast movement that Xiaon showed for a moment.

''That's my unique skill [God Speed].
God speed?
''Hmm, while it's active, you can embody godlike quickness. I don't know if you can call it a white snake's gift, but I've been able to use it for as long as I can remember.
It was like I didn't see...

　Kagetora half-smiled in surprise.

'Isn't that a useful skill?'

　Zephyr was impressed and envious.

'But you wouldn't have kept quiet, you could have told me if you had such amazing skills, right?
"You can't tell me what you don't want to hear. I'm not hiding it.
Really? You must be hiding something else, like so much magic?
No, I've only got this one. No, there's another one. This one.

　Xiong said and showed a uniquely decorated sword.

''This is the Serpent Sword Kyrgyzstan, a memento of my mother.
'Xiaon's mother was a swordsman?

　Zephyr asked.

'Apparently so.'
Apparently?
"I do not know my mother's face.
Sorry....
'It is not an apology. You don't know their faces, no sorrow. The serpents are experts in the swordplay of the snake school, the Shah. They say my mother was a particularly powerful Sha Tin when she was alive.
"Sha Tin?
'A warrior who has mastered the Snake School.

　There is no grief, - said Xiaon.
　But Zephyr didn't go any further.
　There was a lot of mystery about Shaone.
　But when he started to pry, Zephyr had initially refrained from Xiao'onn, who showed an air of sadness.
　It was Kagetora who softened the silence afterwards, every time.
　At some point, they began to talk to each other, with Kagetora between them.

*

　It was Adolf who wanted to see the snake man.

　He visited most of the major countries.
　At one point, Kagetola suggested that they should go to Gikoku.
　For the four of them, who saw the limits of their adventures on the Vanome continent, the idea of going to sea was well timed. There was another reason why they wanted to go to the playground, and it came from the name of Kagetora.
　Zephyr and Kagetra's mother was from Gekikoku.
　Their father was a superhuman from Biyoment.
　Her brother was given his father's parahuman roots and her brother's maternal roots.
　That is why Kagetora had always wanted to go to Gekikoku one day.
　The four of them thought about crossing the sea.
　But to those on this continent, the sea was unknown territory, and few would dare to approach it.
　There are many stories of those who have tried to cross it, but none of those who have returned.
　The four of them gave up the country for the time being.
　At that time, Adolphe suggested.

"I've heard that among the beastmen there's a small race of snake men.

　But Adolf had been somewhat lonely ever since he came to the village of the Serpent People.

'Adolf?'
Khalifa. What's going on?

　The only person who noticed the discomfort was Khalifa.
　Adolf was looking out the window of his single room at the night sky.

'The Zephyrs have gone to the forest, aren't they going?'
"I'm good. I'll be back in time.
It's beautiful.

　They look at the night sky.

'Oh...'
When we get out of here, where do we go next?
Well I don't care where I am, as long as I'm with you guys.

　But ever since he came to the White Snake Village, Adolf has been strange.
　He didn't say anything about it.
　So Khalifa waited.
　She opened her mind and waited until Adolf spoke to her.



　Just as the four of them were leaving the village, a problem arose.
　It was Shaoan's banishment.
　Although Xiaon had been isolated for a long time, those in the village knew that he had been communicating with Zephyr and others in secret.

''We have decided to officially banish you.

　The chief and all the people of the village had gathered in the square.
　Xiaon was astonished at what was suddenly handed down.

It hasn't rained for months. The wells have dried up and the crops have dried up. You know what this means, don't you?

　There was a concept in the village of the white snake's possession.
　It's an ubiquitous religious story.

It's a myth. It's a myth. There is no such thing as possession.

　Xiaon tells them in a low voice, but they can't hear him.

'You were cursed from birth.
A curse?
"In those days, we worshipped you as the reincarnation of the White Snake. In doing so, we hid certain things from you. Because that was the will of your mother, Lady Sha Tin.
What do you mean?　Hidden? What the hell have you hidden?
Your parents didn't die in battle. They ate them right after you were born.

　For Shaoan, it was not a story to be believed.

'You ate, what do you mean by ate, is that a metaphor for something?
'It means exactly what it says, you have eaten your mother. You, the baby, have sucked the life out of your parents. In an instant we were helpless. When we came to, there were only two dried up corpses and a white baby left. That's you. Lord Shartin told me at the moment of death that you were the reincarnation of the White Snake, and I was told to keep the facts to myself and worship you.... But that has its limits.

　Shaoan could immediately see that the Chief was not lying.
　He didn't need to feel the warmth in his body to know that it wasn't the eyes of a liar.

I, as chief, forbid him to speak. But gradually the story leaked out, and I did everything I could, until I found myself in a situation where you were the only one who didn't know. And no rain will fall you know what that means?

　For a moment, the snake sword stored in Xiao Tong's waist shook slightly.

''Are you asking me to leave this village, aren't we the same snake people?''
The same?

　One of the snake men said.

'Where is the same, look at that figure of yours!

　Another one.

Don't put me down!

　Another one yapped at Shaoan.
　Shaoan stopped talking.

　No matter what he said anymore, these guys would not hear him.
　It was useless to talk about it, and I was foolish to think that they were family.
　I never had any hope for my village.
　He knew that the situation would never change while he was isolated.
　But he was okay with that.
　He was happy just to be able to live in the village where his mother and father had lived.
　But I realized now that even that was not allowed to me.

　Xiao Tong had drawn his snake sword.

''That is the consensus of this village. If this is the case, we will perish. Then your mother too--''

　The chief's fresh head danced in the square.
　It was only seconds after it fell to the ground that the village snake person noticed it.
　So much so that they couldn't see Shaoan's sword streak.
　When the snake people noticed, they flinched quietly.
　Zephyr and the others didn't touch it and watched Xiao's decision in silence.

''Finally, you've shown your true nature, you monster!

　The snake men attacked Shaoan all at once.
　But it is not worthy of being called an attack, it is a sloppy and comical abomination.
　Xiaon said nothing and continued to cut in silence.
　The snake men couldn't even hit him with their swords and he ended up dead before they knew it.

　He was consistently a gentleman.
　Because that was his virtue.
　That's why he never showed his fangs until now.
　He never lamented the situation he was in, nor did he seek sympathy from Zephyr and others.
　He had never doubted and accepted that this was the divine essence of the world.
　The snake people had misunderstood Xiao's nature and ability in everything they did.
　His swordsmanship was more than equal to Sha Tin's in the Snake School (Shah), and his previous taunts and disdain had only been forgiven by his tolerance.

　The next thing he knew, the village had turned into a sea of blood.
　Shaoan stared at the sky and ironically, the first raindrops in months ran down his cheeks.
　Drenched by the rain, Shaoan opened his mouth a moment later.

''Do you intend to join me?''

　He didn't have a clear intention.
　He was still in a state of abandonment more than anything else.
　His mind was unstable and he asked himself why he was alive.

'Of course, we welcome you. From today, you are the heart of the dragon.

　Kagetola said.
　There was no hesitation, and that was true of Zephyr and Khalifa as well.

'Such a one shall be my beloved sword.

　Raindrops trickled down the surface of the raised blade and fell on his own face.
　He continued to be struck by the rain for a while, as if the rain would wash it away, still turning away from the hatred that was inherent, but which he had turned away from.



　The group was in a small country by the sea called Anoras.
　The reason is that a flock of Sirens appeared in the harbor.

　Sirens seduce men with their bountiful bodies, good looks and beautiful voices.
　At first glance, the creatures seem beautiful, but from the waist down they are as long as a sea serpent's tail, and their surfaces are covered with fish scales and fishy odors.
　From the shoulders onward, it has bird wings, and even the beastmen's face twitches at its bizarre appearance.
　Furthermore, Sirens are distinguished from demons, not monsters.
　That's because they speak and understand language.
　They are extremely intelligent and difficult to defeat, even by themselves.

　Anoras made a request to the heart of the dragon.
　It is extremely rare for a country to make a request directly to one party.
　Usually they would have them gather through the Adventurers' Guild.
　But their power was so much more trusted.
　As soon as they arrived in Anoras, the five of them defeated and buried the Sirens in the blink of an eye.
　After completing their mission, they are invited to a party hosted by the government.

The Sirens are really quite impressive, by the way, aren't they?

　Xiaon said with great emotion.

'What do you mean by stunning?'

　The Khalifa shows her disgust.

'I have never seen such a wonderful female body before, and if I could, I would have wanted one for an ornamental.

　The table freezes.

'No, no, I didn't have a woman's body in sight, that fishy smell made me want to throw up, you know?

　Zephyr asked everyone to agree and then sobbed as he remembered the smell.

'His face and upper body may have been beautiful, but that tail... and his fangs were unpleasant.

　Kagetola doesn't seem to understand this trend.

No, I will definitely have a Siren in my home someday.
Where are you going to put it?
If we have to hunt the Sirens again, we'd like you to join us.
I don't want to, okay?　I don't want to see another one of those creepy things.

　Zephyr refused.

'Well, I'd like to find out about the ecology though, what makes it different from a monster or...'

　Kagetora changed the subject nicely.

'Hmm, let's do some research on that, then.

　From the side where he said it, Kagetola makes a look of shame.
　Zephyr couldn't help but laugh, and Kalifa laughed as well, caught in the act.
　Xiaon smiles, adding that this is serious business.

'Oh, Adolf, where are you going?'

　Khalifa asked Adolf as he stood up from his seat.

'I think I've had too much to drink, I'm going to wind down for a bit.

　Adolf disappeared.

'Hey, Adolph,'
By the way, Khalifa, when did you learn to use that kind of magic?
What?

　Khalifa's voice disappeared at Zephyr's question.
　No one paid any attention to Adolf, who had left his seat.

'It was that magic that stopped the Sirens from moving.
Oh, you mean "insulated" (platonics)?　That was written in the grimoire that I received as a reward for defeating the Black Dragon.
"Grimoire?
'Yes. I deciphered it, and they probably thought it was fake. But then I looked it up and it's real.
Are they real?　What does that mean?

　Kagetola asked.

'It means the Grimoire of Adams,'

　The three of them were astonished and silent.
　Zephyr was surprised.

'Adams... that Adams?'
It's definitely the grimoire of Adams Rad Pollyfire. No one else could have produced such powerful magic.
"Can I see your grimoire for a minute?
Okay, but....

　He took the grimoire from the Khalifa and flipped through the pages.

'This is it,'

　He pointed to a section of the page.

'Is this that "Insulated (Platonics)"?
Yes.
Hmm....

　Zephyr flipped through more pages.

'Hmm, what's this?'

　It was a picture of an old man and his staff facing each other.
　A black goblin-like sculpture on the tip of the cane pointed at the old man and depicted him opening his mouth.

Hey, is that what the wand is saying?
It can't be. The wand can't talk.
I know...

　Zephyr flipped through the pages again.

'Hmm, so what's this then?'
Let me see if I can borrow it.

　Khalifa takes the book from Zephyr.

'What, you didn't read it yet?
I don't understand it all, either.
So what does it say?

　Khalifa frantically followed the print.
　She mumbled and muttered, and after a while--.

'Oh, so that's what it was all about!
What's going on?

　Suddenly, Khalifa smiled and raised her voice.
　Zephyr was curious and asked.

'So here's the thing.'
What do you mean by this?
So, Abyss!

　Khalifa said with satisfaction.

'The Abyss?'

　Zephyr wrinkled his brow (wrinkles) and questioned.

　This was the first time Zephyr had been touched in part through that one word.
　An encounter is a small book.

'The abyss is not given only to those who seek it...'

　The Khalifa read the words out loud.

*

　The Heart of the Dragon leaves the country after completing the Sirens' request.
　They would visit another country to complete their requests and leave the country after they finished their sightseeing.
　Their journey on the Vanome Continent continues for a while.
　In the midst of all this, an alarm bell sounds, signaling the end of the five men's journey.

　War.

　The great power that had previously asked them to defeat the Black Dragon - the Durmscales Empire - claimed ownership of the continent and launched a conflict against the countries that did not recognize it.
　Next, the Second Vanome War began, and the heart of the dragon, a hero, became involved.

　The anti-imperialists organized a free army and sent out requests to the nations and adventurers, those who were confident in their arms.
　Adventurers from all over the continent joined the war and were divided into two factions: those adventurers who sided with the Empire, and those of the Free Faction.
　Five of them responded to the call to arms in order to thwart the Empire's plot and restore peace.
　But the war dragged on, and the army was exhausted.
　A call was forced upon the townspeople and villagers, and the continent was forced to walk more and more toward death.