There were really survivors. I had sensed the presence of life, but I still couldn ’t believe my eyes when I was able to finally look at these people… after seeing so many souls wandering around, after seeing so many corpses… there were still people alive.

I don ’t know why but it fills me with joy… I don ’t know if it is my own happiness or perhaps that Benladann might be happy over this. Or perhaps a mix of the two. After all, even as the monster I ’ve become, my empathy and emotions have not gone away. Maybe I ’ve become more ruthless, but I am still… well, me.

The old grandma is surprised that her strong magic is not effective, she exudes the aura of a Rank 2 Magus, while the other children are only Rank 1 Initial Stage… they seem to be very weak.

Of course, they are all Ice Giants, so their sizes double those of humans if not being even taller, even these children might be taller than most humans.

”What kind of oversized lizard is this?! ” asked the grandma.

”Oi! Who are you calling oversized lizard, grandma?! ” I roar.

Okay, I can take them, but they better not call me oversized lizard!

”Agh! It spoke!? ” cried the old woman, almost falling over her butt if it wasn ’t because some of the kids helped her remain her posture. The kids were just as frightened and surprised.

”Ahem. Yes, I can speak, though not with my own mouth, but through telepathy. So I am speaking directly into your minds… Glad to know that you understand me. My name is Drake, your friendly neighbor Ice Dragon, nice to meet you, ” I said.

”F-Friendly… A dragon? I have only seen Wyverns before… but a dragon that can speak?! Oh, gods… Please, don ’t eat us! We are all skin and bones! I am sure that we will give you indigestion! ” cried the grandma…

”You ’re really hurting me with those dragon stereotypes! I am not going to eat anyone! ” I said.

”No? Then… what do you want?! ” asked the grandma rather rudely. I get it, she wants to seem strong to reassure the kids she ’s protecting…

”I came here to rescue you, of course. Did you hear the explosions early? I just destroyed a giant made of metal, so it is safe to go out, ” I said.

_{The latest_epi_sodes are on_the ʟɪɢʜᴛɴᴏᴠᴇʟᴘᴜʙ.ᴄᴏᴍ website.}

”Is it… safe? Yeah, I did hear all the ruckus… So you defeated it, really?! ” asked the old grandma.

”Sigh… Please come outside. I promise you that I won ’t eat you… ” I said.

”I don ’t believe you… ” said the grandma while squinting her eyes.

Ugh, really? How hard can this be?