I say, "Don't worry. No one will hurt you. Go on, lead us." Mina starts walking to the left. We follow her. 

There is a little house near the large tree. A worn-out house. The door seems to be locked from inside.

I can feel people looking at me. As we come near the tree, I notice a magic spell's presence. 

I turn around and say, "Ella, Adriana, wait here with Mina. Keep your guard on." 

Ella says, "But my lord, let me come with you. This may be dangerous." 

Adriana says, "What are you saying, Ella? What can be dangerous for my lord? And my lord doesn't require anyone to protect him. So do what he says."

Ella remains silent, but I can notice her tension for me. 

I stand at the doorstep of the house. Instantly a magic spell named "Complete paralysis" activates and then quickly deactivates. 

Seems like my magical energy was too much for the spell. 

I push the door open. 

Some men inside the house are looking at me like they are seeing a ghost or something.

19 of them. They quickly pull out their swords and point to me. 

One of them asks with a trembling voice, "Who...are...you?" How did you break the spell?"

I reply, "I am not here to give you a lecture on magic spells. I am here to give you the punishment that you deserve. You deceived many kind travellers, looted them, and murdered them. You even forced a child to do your dirty work."

One of them says, "And who are you to give us any punishment?"

I reply, "I am Ryu Urthgard." 

They laugh. One of them says, "If you are an Urthgard, then I am Tharazhul Urthgard." He starts laughing; others join him. 

He dared to insult my father!

In the blink of an eye, I get near to him. I grab his face and crush his skeleton instantly. His soulless body falls on the floor. 

Their laugh vanishes.  

Some whisper, "How did he!"

One shouts, "Kill him!"

Four of them attack me with weak magic spells. I can easily absorb those. But instead I reflect those attacks. Their spell hit them. They knock out. They got the taste of their own medicine. 

Others attack me with swords. 

Seriously, do they think their knives are somewhat useful?

But they may ruin my dress. 

I take a deep breath, then exhale. The wind slams them hard on the wall. 

After a minute or two, they somehow stand up. One asks, "What kind of monster are you?"

I raise my right leg and say, "The largest kind."

Then I stamp at the floor. The floor breaks, and the shock wave created by the stamp breaks the walls with those bandits.

Ella, Adriana, and Mina run to me. 

Only Mina's eyes are wide with surprise. 

Ella asks, "Are you alright, my lord?" 

"What kind of question was that, Ella?" Adriana asks. "Did you think those pathetic lowlives can do any harm to my lord?"

I say with a smile, "It's alright, Adriana. She just cares about me. Yes. I am alright, Ella."

Adriana replies, "I too care about you, my lord. But I have some knowledge about your immense power. That's why I wasn't worried about you, my Lord."

Mina asks with a trembling voice, "Who is he?" 

Adriana replies, "He is Ryu Urthgard, son of Lord Tharazhul Urthgard and Lady Pyraelya Ignisorn." 

I hear a sound.

I turn around. One bandit is trying to get up. 

I walk to him. 

He extends his hand with fear and says, "Please! Have mercy!"

I ask, "Tell me, did you give mercy to any of your victims?"

- "Please, we just do what our leader orders us to do."

- "Even forcing a child to trap travelers? Where did you kidnap her from?"

- "No, we didn't kidnap her. We found her."

- "Explain."

He tells us about the day when they found Mina Moonveil. 

Two years ago, the bandits went to Moonveil village to loot. Moonveil was considered a poor village. Which makes it safe to loot the village, because they didn't have any single warrior or mage. 

When they entered the village, they were stunned to see what was in front of them. 

Every villager was dead. The twisted part is everyone has different kinds of weapons with them. It seems like they kill each other violently. 

The bandit leader told them to ignore the bodies and loot every house. They obeyed. When they were looting one house, one bandit found a child hiding inside a cabinet. 

She was trembling with fear. She told the bandits that the villagers of Moonveil suddenly got rageful and started killing each other. Even her parents. She hid inside the cabinet. 

After looting the whole village the leader ordered the bandits to return. He intended to left the child to die. But one Bandit named Hilok requested him again and again to help the child. 

At first the bandit leader kept refusing. Then he told everyone that that child can be used to lure travelers to traps. And it will make their work easier. 

That's why he took the child with him. That child is Mina Moonveil.

The bandit finishes. I ask, "Who is the bandit leader?"

The bandit replies, "You crashed his skull with your hand at the first."

Good! 

One bandit says, "We were just tools. If we don't listen to the leader, he beats us. He killed two of us."

Another bandit says, "Yes. Please have mercy. We will do as you say, and we promise we won't harm anyone anymore."

I say, "Listen, I am giving all of you a chance. Go to Dorncrest. Help them to rebuild their town. I'll visit the town anytime soon. If any of you dares to do something slightly unpleasant, even once, I will find you, and I'll make sure this world never witnesses your shadow anymore."

I can feel their terror in their presence.

I ask loudly, "Do you all get that?"

They shout in unison, "Yes, My Lord!"

I say, "Good. Now wait here as long as you need to be able to walk. Then go to the Dorncrest. Tell the mayor that you're travelers and you want to help the people of Dorncrest to rebuild their town. If he keeps asking why, tell him I, Ryu Urthgard, sent you there. Got it?"

They say in unison, "Yes, my lord!" 

I walk to Mina and ask, "Mina, did you remember what exactly happened that day in your village?"

Mina replies, "Yes, my lord. I can't ever forget that afternoon. I was playing with my friends. And suddenly, they started fighting each other. I was first in shock. Then I noticed around me. Even grown-ups are fighting with each other. I was scared and ran back home. And saw my father and mother fighting with each other. Then I hid inside the cabinet. I heard lots of screaming. But I didn't come out. I stay...I..." Mina starts crying.

Ella hugs her and says, "My Lord, we can't leave Mina with them, and she has no place to go. Can we take her with us instead?"

I say, "I understand her situation. But our journey may be difficult and dangerous for her."

Ella replies with a smile, "I don't think so, my lord. With you protecting us, nothing can harm us."

I say, "But it's Mina's life. What she wants matters most. We can't decide for her, like the bandit leader."

Mina says while sobbing, "My Lord, if it's alright with you, I wish to travel with you all."

I say with a smile, "Alright, Mina. Adriana, what's your thought on this?"

Adriana replies, "My Lord, I still have suspicion of her. But I trust your judgment. So if you choose to take her with us, then it must be the right choice. And I respect that."

I smile and place my right hand on her hand. I say, "Thank you, Adriana. But it's very important that as my companion you present your opinion to me. And I am sure soon you will accept Mina as a companion." 

Adriana is looking at me strangely. Her cheeks are blushing. 

What!

I remove my hand from her head.

"Anyways." I clear my throat. "Let's continue our journey to Eldenroot Vale." 

Ella replies, "Sure, my lord."

We continue our journey.

Just before sunset, Ella stops the carriage near a river. 

Ella says, "My Lord, the next town is a bit far from here. We should camp here for tonight." 

I say, "Sure. Tell me what I should do."

Adriana says, "Nothing, my lord. Just relax here. We'll prepare everything."

I say, "I can't just let you ladies do all that work while I sit here doing nothing. Just tell me what I can do."

Adriana replies, "My Lord, I won't be able to bear the shame of letting you do any of this simple work while I am alive and well. Please, my lord, relax and let us do the work."

I sigh and say, "Alright, Adriana. Just let me know if my help is needed."

Adriana smiles and says, "Of course, my lord." 

I shamelessly sit there and watch them doing all that work. That's kind of painful. 

After dinner, Mina hesitantly asks, "May I ask you something, my lord?"

I say with a smile, "Sure. What is it, Mina?"

Mina asks, "I heard dragons can't change their appearance. Even Lord Tharazhul Urthgard and Lady Pyraelya Ignisorn can't take any other form. Then how are you in human form, my lord?"

I reply, "Yes, only the Dragon King and his royal family members can take human form. But for some unknown reason, I can take human form." 

Mina asks, "My Lord, I heard dragons are close to gods and goddesses. Have you seen Goddess Elaranya?"

I reply, "Yes. But in a dream."

Three of them almost shout in unison, "Really! What does Her Grace look like?"

I say, "She is the most beautiful being!"

They smile.

Adriana asks, "When did you have that dream, my lord?"

I reply, "On the night of my 50th birthday. After having the dream, I decided to leave the dragon village and start a journey to explore the world, especially kingdoms of humans. Because Goddess Elaranya is very fond of humans."

Ella asks, "Did Her Grace say anything to you, my lord?"

I reply, "No. She only smiled at me. But that was more than enough. She doesn't need any introduction. When she is before you, you'll know it's her."

They remain silent. 

I say, "It's very late. Everyone, it's time to rest; we have a long way to Eldenroot Vale."

We get ready to sleep.

The next morning, after having breakfast, we continue our journey again. 

After a couple of hours, suddenly I feel a familiar presence. 

This magical energy! What is he doing here?

I say loudly, "Ella, stop the carriage now!"

Ella quickly stops the carriage.

A distortion rippled through the air a short distance away, as if the sky itself had taken a sharp breath. That twisting wind creates a massive portal.

From within it emerged one of the strongest wind dragons, Aeralith Skysunder. 

He was enormous, his body long and sleek rather than bulky, built for speed instead of brute force. His scales were silvery-white and semi-translucent, catching the light like polished glass. His eyes were a sharp, glowing pale emerald, calm and calculating. 

I get down from the carriage and walk to him. 

He looks at me and says, "Brother-in-law Ryu! I need your help."