Yet the girl walked on.

And that was because before passing through the arches, the young man had told her: <I want you to avoid any preconceived notions as you look around.>

On their third circle around, they found a group talking about the salvation of dragons. That was the only moment that the girl’s heart leaped. But learning of the group’s deeds caused her heart to sink again. That group was preaching that, when killing a dragon, it was necessary to give them a gentle death. They’d never had any intention of saving dragons’ lives.

After three days, she’d had enough.

The dinner that was prepared for them at the inn tasted like sand in her mouth. The ingredients of the lands of men were far inferior to what could be harvested in Eden.

I wish we could have kept walking down the road that night forever.

The girl used a knife and fork to cut up her roast bird. She was intellectually aware of how to use utensils, but that didn’t mean she was used to it. Her handling was a bit awkward.

Seeing that, the young man said, <You use the knife like this. Look.>

The young man sliced up the bird—beautifully and skillfully.

The girl’s utensils clattered to the plate.

Enough was enough.

Instead of taking up her utensils, she could only clench her fists. They even trembled a little.

She couldn’t take it anymore—not the opera, the statue, the children, the book, or the stores.

But more than that, she couldn’t stand how her companion was so calm through it all.

<Do you feel nothing?> she demanded.

<What do you mean?> The young man brought a bite of meat to his mouth.

<Dragons are being killed, and their murders are being glorified. Their flesh is being eaten. Their fat made into fuel. Do you feel nothing even though you’re a dragon, too?>

Since they were both speaking in the True Language, the other customers in the restaurant couldn’t hear what they were saying.

<You must not let the fires of hatred burn within you. Remember, even if we meet an untimely end in this life, so long as our hearts are pure, we will meet again in the Kingdom of Eternity.>

The man swallowed. <The teachings of God dictate that we must hold no hatred for anyone.>

The girl bit her lip. <You feel no pain in your chest?>

<None.>

<Doesn’t your head grow hot? You don’t feel as though nothing matters? …Nothing, save the white-hot desire to thrust a knife into their flesh?> Her lip began to bleed. <You don’t want to see this city burn?>

<You’re bleeding. Stop biting your lip.>

<They won’t mourn your death, you know…>

<There is no need for sadness. In fact, death is something to be glad for. After death, the Kingdom of Eternity awaits.>

In the end, humans were humans, and dragons were dragons.

Though they would never see eye to eye…

…they both carried the same feeling in their heart:

Why can’t you understand something so simple?

On the fourth day, they went to a history museum.

The goal was to learn about the history of dragonslayers. It was the one thing the girl truly wanted. She had stopped showing interest in just about every other place in the city, but this one was different.

If there was any hope…

Heat raced around the girl’s body. Her heart pounded in her chest.

…it could only be found in combat.

The blood of the dragon flowed in her veins. There was nothing to do but to use her inhuman power to take command of humans, just as in the old legends—from a time when dragons ruled the world.

Displayed in the history museum were tools and weapons that had been used to slay dragons. She was also able to get an understanding of the functionality of the latest weaponry. She observed this information with bloodshot eyes, drilling it into her head, and understood it.

“Ha-ha…” A laugh slipped from the girl’s lips. “Ha…ha-ha…”

She covered her mouth. The visitors going back and forth eyed her with suspicion.

Let them think what they want. How could I not laugh?

It was absurd.

“To think that human science has developed so much…”

The naval fleet that had attacked the dragon’s island had been no more than a diversion. It had served as reconnaissance, to see how powerful the dragon was—and as a way to dispose of a ship that was no longer in production.

The people who had been sent to attack Eden had not been regular, trained soldiers. They’d been death-row inmates and exiled criminals given weapons.

A movie projector played in black-and-white on the museum screen.

A dragon even larger than the silver dragon was engaged in combat with humans.

No…not humans, but a machine.

A vehicle made of iron. It was equipped with a large gun barrel.

It was apparently called a heavily armored tank.

The gun barrel on top of the tank aimed at the dragon.

The Balmung Cannon. That was the name of the armament.

The black-and-white footage had no audio.

For an instant, the screen went all white, and then a moment later, there was a great hole in the chest of the giant dragon.

When the giant dragon fell, the footage shuddered violently. There was a boom as a curtain of dust was swept up.

How could they hope to fight something like that?

The power of a dragon was so outdated.

<Live with me, in human form. In some faraway village,> the girl said to the young man when they left the museum.

<I can’t do that. Please, try to understand.>

I can’t understand, the girl said. <So what about God? I don’t care about Him, or demons, or angels. I…> After a pause, the girl eventually steeled herself and opened her mouth again. <I love you.>

The man nodded as well. <I love you, too.>

That’s not what I mean, the girl said. <I love you as a father… But in another sense, as well…>

The man’s eyes opened wide, and he covered his face with a hand. <…Oh, what a disaster. Even in Eden, this is not allowed.>

<Because I’m human…and you’re a dragon?>

<You understand that’s not the reason, don’t you?>

There was no problem with a union between human and dragon. Since Eden was a place of freedom, even a human and wolf could be united.

The problem was that their relationship was that of parent and child. Even if they were not related by blood, romantic feelings between parent and child were one of the few taboos that existed in Eden.

Even the girl had to know of that taboo. But the words that flowed out of her could not be stopped. <It’s because I love you that I want you to live.>

The man’s faith kept him from answering.

<I see,> the girl muttered. <You’re content with dying, no matter what?> she asked the dragon.

<…Yes.>

<Then I will die with you.>

<But…>

<Being in this city has taught me something. Dragons have no allies anywhere in the world.>

So I will be the only one.

<I will be the only one to remain by your side, until the very end.>

Looking at the girl’s face, the man was surprised.

The anger that had just been burning with in her, the ugly hate, the forbidden love—it was all gone.

Humans might call that look understanding—or perhaps resignation.

The dragon could not tell the difference.

<I’ll go with you to the Kingdom of Eternity,> the girl said. <There…will I be allowed to love you?>

<Yes… If it’s in the Kingdom of Eternity, then surely…>

No rules or taboos existed in the Kingdom of Eternity. It was a place of true freedom.

When they left the lands of men, it was as if an evil spirit left the girl as well.

As she was now, God would surely save her.

With this belief in his heart, the dragon returned with the girl to the island, deciding they would welcome the destruction that would one day visit—together.

The island was peaceful for a time.

In the unchanging paradise of animals, abundant fruit grew, and the temple was magnificent and beautiful.

Perhaps the four days they had spent in the lands of men had just been a bad dream. There couldn’t be any place in the world that was truly so horrible. Since returning to the island, they knew nothing but peace.

Four years passed, and the girl turned sixteen.

Showered by the blood of the dragon and eating the fruit of knowledge that grew from the tree of life, plus having continuously slaked her thirst on nectar, she possessed near-perfect physical beauty. Her visage was incredibly close to that of the very first woman, created by God.

Her heart was open, her expressions abundant.

Every night, the girl sang songs of love to the dragon.

Her voice was so sweet that it just about melted the dragon’s mind away. At times, he felt that he might yield himself to her.

I like you.

The dragon replied that he liked her, too.

I love you.

The dragon replied that he loved her, too.

The dragon’s resolve remained firm. He made sure things never progressed any further.

It was because he loved the girl. So long as they committed no taboo and lived righteously, they would be united when they met in the Kingdom of Eternity.

Thinking of the destruction that would visit soon, nothing would be more foolish than to reciprocate the girl’s true feelings. To abandon their eternal lives in a paradise in exchange for a few years of pleasure…

The day of destruction came without warning.

The dragon was asleep in the temple. The girl wore a crimson dress and cuddled up next to him, singing a song of love in his ear.

The sonorous melody stopped abruptly.

The girl had noticed something strange.

First came the stench. It was a faint smell that only the girl noticed.

Next, the sound.

A sound like bee’s buzzing lightly struck her ears. Next, there came the sound of something crumbling. She could hear it from the other side of the white dome.

Suddenly, there was a roar, and the temple shuddered. The dragon’s eyes opened, and he raised his head.

The girl and dragon left the temple.

The girl had thought that when their last day on the island finally came, she would be fighting a tank.

But what she and the dragon faced was none other than a fighter aircraft. There were countless hunks of metal flying through the night sky.

The attack was an air raid.

The dragon beat the air with his wings. Stirring up a violent wind, he leaped into the sky.

With his fangs, claws, and the fire from his mouth, he fought the fighter aircraft.

Having no wings, there was nothing at all the girl could do to help.