DSMBL Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Theo and Stephanie woke up late at night. Theo stared out the window, where the lights never seemed to go out. Reflections of fire danced in his wide eyes.
His small hands trembled as they held onto the window frame.

“…Theo?”
Stephanie rubbed her eyes and tumbled down from the bed. Their nanny, exhausted from watching over them, had dozed off in a chair.

“I couldn’t do anything… again.”
Theo mumbled, his once-bright eyes dull.

“I wanted to protect my brother, but again, I couldn’t do anything.”
Stephanie’s eyes widened at his tearful voice.

“Why are you crying, Theo! Little humans are supposed to be weak! It’s normal not to do anything!”

“No.”
Theo shook his head fiercely.

“Brother has been fighting monsters since he was a kid… He…”
He remembered their parents—injured in the monster wars and never recovered. Cassius had picked up a sword from a young age to protect Istheria and Theo. He was Theo’s hero, the one who led them this far. Theo wanted to be just like him.

“I’m his brother…”
Theo sniffled.

He was still so young, just starting to learn about the world. Neither Cassius nor Charlotte had ever forced burdens on him.

“There are still many things you should enjoy, Theo.”
That’s what Cassius said when Theo asked to learn swordsmanship.

“I don’t want your childhood to be empty. I want you to grow up more like a real kid.”
Cassius had ruffled his hair with a big, warm hand. He always looked at Theo with gentle, longing eyes.

“When you grow up, you’ll become a knight greater than I ever was. When that time comes… protect me.”

Theo bit his lip.
But when would that time come? When would he become that kind of knight?

“I want to protect my brother too…”
Stephanie hurriedly grabbed his hand.

“Stephanie will protect you!”
Theo looked at her with teary eyes.

“What if… Brother doesn’t come back this time? What if Sister-in-law doesn’t return?”
He poured out the fear he had been holding inside. He admired Cassius, the strong knight who always defended the North. But he was also scared.

His parents were strong too, and no one had thought they’d fall the way they did. What if Cassius pushed himself too hard and the same thing happened? What if Theo was left alone? That thought terrified him.

“Then what about me…?”
Tears spilled down his cheeks.

Stephanie exhaled through her nose.

“Stephanie is amazing! You saw, right?”
Theo nodded as he wiped his tears. He had seen it—Stephanie’s true form. A beautiful dragon with silver scales and glowing blue eyes. Huge, powerful, and awe-inspiring. Even a young child like Theo could feel it. After all, he was a child of Istheria, too.

“That’s why Stephanie will save everyone! I’ll protect everyone!”
A bright star sparkled in Stephanie’s eyes.

She found the human world fun—there was so much to see, feel, and experience. And humans… they were fascinating. She had come to care about them. She loved it when they laughed and when they were happy.

The hands that patted her head, the warm voices that called her name, and the hugs—things she had never known before, but now couldn’t bear to lose.

“Stephanie will take care of everything!”
She said brightly. Theo’s tears began to stop, as if her cheerfulness was infecting others.

***

The fires in Istheria continued to burn through the night due to emergency meetings. After handling urgent matters, Cassius gathered with the knights in the war room.

“What are the chances of another earthquake?”
A geologist—summoned urgently—bowed deeply. He was a northern native whose family had studied Gates for generations.

“Based on past records, the chances are low. This earthquake likely occurred when the Gate activated.”

Cassius turned to look at Giverny, whose face was pale from days of scouting in the woods.

“What do you think?”
“It makes sense. The rift I observed seemed stable.”

“Damn it.”

A stabilized Gate meant no immediate danger—but also meant it would soon open.

“Report the casualties.”
“Among the knights, 30 are dead and about 50 are injured. Those still able to move are helping with rescue efforts.”

Their numbers, already low, had dropped further. Cassius clenched his fist. It felt like the world was tightening around him, trying to crush the North.

No. I will survive this too.
Cassius took a deep breath.

“And the snowfolk?”
“Fortunately, minimal damage. They live closely with nature and reacted quickly.”
“There’s something to learn from them.”
Cassius tapped the table.

They would have to face the monsters with their current forces. He closed his eyes, lost in thought—until…

“Take me with you!”

A bright voice echoed through the hall. Cassius looked up and saw Stephanie smiling confidently.

“Me! Take me!”

“Stephanie…”
Cassius’s eyes trembled.

To him, Stephanie was still a mystery. He had recently seen her true form—a fully grown dragon. By legend, she could be their greatest weapon.

But the Stephanie he knew was just a playful child who liked sweets and didn’t enjoy studying. She was smart and learned fast, but still, she felt more like a cute child they were raising.

And now, she was volunteering.

“I stayed in the human world for this.”
Her starry eyes sparkled.

“It’s my choice. They told me—if I want to help humans, I can. If I don’t, I don’t have to.”

“And what do you want to do?”
Cassius waited for her answer.

“…I like humans. I want lots of humans to live. I don’t want Charlotte to cry. I don’t want you to be hurt. I don’t want Theo to be scared. I like you guys.”
Stephanie grinned wide. It was adorable—and deeply moving. Cassius held his forehead.

“It’ll be dangerous. A tough fight.”
“Stephanie knows! I’m not a baby!”

“I won’t be able to protect you.”
“I’m the one who’ll protect you! Stephanie will save everyone!”
She answered without hesitation.

One knight, confused by the conversation, finally asked,

“Who is that girl…? How can a child help in a war?”

“…She’s a dragon. The legendary kind.”
Stephanie grinned sheepishly.

Cassius had revealed their secret weapon.