Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Earth's Science is the Best in the Universe -1
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Elisian Dragonia woke up in a daze that day, just as she always did, lying in her bed.
Another utterly ordinary day. Every day started like this. It had been that way ever since the day she was born as the noble daughter of the dragon clan.
Some called her lucky. And they had good reason to.
In a world where others risked their lives just to survive, she enjoyed privileges simply because she was a dragon.
But that was how the world worked.
If you gained something, you had to give up something else in return.
Elisian had gained safety.
The price was her freedom.
"Elisian. You are a precious child of our house."
"You must stay here."
"There's no need to worry about the affairs of the outside world."
"We are dragons. The apex of all creation."
In a chaotic world, she had obtained safety and freedom—or so it seemed.
But she couldn't complain about what had been given to her from birth.
After all, the things she had glimpsed before arriving in the dragon territory were brutally dangerous.
"Yes. Thank you, elders."
With that, Elisian bowed her head every day and gazed out the window. At some point, the outside world had started to weigh on her mind.
"Haa..."
Elisian stood in front of the mirror.
The same face stared back at her today as always.
A noble, elegant, and perfect face.
But was it truly her face?
Or was it merely the face of a doll named Elisian?
"You must attend today's meeting."
"Of course. I'll prepare."
Her response came automatically.
Like a doll repeating a recorded line.
The corridor leading to the meeting hall felt endlessly long.
Elisian adjusted her expression.
A smile like this.
Head tilted just so.
Voice tone right around here.
The perfect picture of a dragon clan's noble daughter.
The Elisian everyone expected her to be.
"Lady Elisian has arrived."
The daughter of a great general.
It was only natural that she received gazes of respect from all.
As the door opened, every eye turned to her.
Respect, awe, admiration. Eyes filled with such emotions.
Elisian smiled gracefully.
Even fooling and trampling her own heart in the process.
"It's an honor, Lady Elisian. May you continue to grace this territory forever."
Honor.
Elisian hated that word.
In the end, what they needed wasn't Elisian herself, but the halo of her father, the war hero.
"What am I even..."
After the meeting ended, Elisian returned to her room.
Perfect, as always. Everyone was satisfied.
A flawless performance as a noble daughter.
Elisian threw herself onto the bed.
"How long do I have to keep up this act?"
There was no answer.
As always, in the lonely room.
That evening, Elisian greeted her nanny, who had come to tend to her. The one person she could open her heart to. Elisian cherished the time she spent with her.
"Today is my last day, miss."
At the nanny's words, Elisian looked up.
"Nanny? Where are you going?"
"Out into the outside world."
Elisian's heart sank.
"The outside? But the outside is—"
"Dangerous, yes."
The nanny smiled quietly.
Elisian couldn't understand.
"You know that, and you're still going?"
"But it's also beautiful."
Beautiful.
"Safety and freedom can't coexist."
"..."
"To spread your wings as a dragon, you must first learn how to break out of your shell."
The nanny stroked Elisian's hair.
As she always did.
"Make sure to eat properly."
"I know."
"Don't stay up too late."
"I know, I said."
"And if you ever want to go outside, you can do so anytime."
"...I didn't know that."
"Even if it's dangerous, you have to move forward."
Standing up, the nanny gave a playful smile.
"Shall I introduce you to a nice young man if I find one?"
"N-Nanny!"
Elisian's face flushed red. The nanny burst into hearty laughter.
But when the laughter faded, the room fell silent once more.
The nanny would leave. To the outside world.
To that dangerous yet beautiful place filled with freedom.
She would break out of her shell and soar freely.
"I want to go outside too."
Half a year passed since the nanny left.
Still the same room, the same window.
Elisian gazed at the same scenery from there.
"I want to go outside too."
The murmur had become a habit.
A bad habit repeated every day. One that no one ever heard.
But that day was different.
"Then why don't you just go?"
"Kyaa!?"
"Open the left window! I almost fell!"
"Wh-Who are you?"
"Explanations later! Just open it first!"
Elisian hurriedly opened the window.
A man tumbled into the room.
"If you'd opened it a bit faster, you know. I nearly fell."
"S-Sorry—"
No, wait a minute.
"Why should I be sorry?"
"Beats me. You apologized first."
"How shameless!"
Elisian pointed at the man.
"Get out right now! I helped you in, but humans aren't allowed here!"
"You're human too."
"It's Polymorph, a disguise. I'm a dragon. The noble daughter of the dragons. I'm different from you."
In truth, what was so different?
Even knowing that, she said it because it was the act she'd been taught.
"You seem pretty ordinary."
"I know that much."
"Then you don't need to say it like that."
"Haa. Anyway, please leave as soon as possible."
"What if I can't?"
"Pardon?"
"Wouldn't you be the one in danger if I just waltz out?"
"Why would I be in danger?"
The man slowly pointed at himself, then at Elisian.
"Human."
"Dragon."
"A human sneaking out alone from the dragon lady's room late at night?"
Ah.
"...!"
"If word gets out, wouldn't that put you in a bad spot?"
Elisian's face paled.
She was right.
If rumors spread, she would no longer be the perfect dragon noble daughter.
Those strict old fogeys would switch from seeing her as pure to a wanton harlot caught in a midnight tryst.
And she would have to act again.
Anger, dignity, harsh punishment she didn't mean.
Those were the things expected of a pretty doll.
"So what do you want? Should I eliminate you?"
"No. Then Grandmother would be sad."
"Grandmother?"
Elisian froze.
"She sent me."
"...!"
"To tell you some stories about the outside world."
The letter bore a familiar handwriting.
— Miss. The outside world is truly free.
"So, won't you come out with me now?"
"I can't go out."
"Scared?"
"It's not fear."
"I... I..."
The words wouldn't come.
She didn't even know exactly what frightened her or what held her back.
Not even Elisian herself.
The man took a step closer.
His eyes looked straight at her.
No hesitation. Rock solid.
"I want you to come with me."
"Pardon?"
"Absolutely. Elisian Dragonia, noble daughter of the dragons."
His voice carried conviction.
Elisian felt breathless.
She had never seen eyes like that. She had only imagined them.
The resolute gazes of great heroes shining in books and legends.
The firm eyes of those who mustered courage for what they desperately wanted to achieve.
Her heart pounded.
She clutched it without thinking.
She tried to calm the racing beat, but it was no use.
The man extended his hand.
Elisian stared at it.
For a moment that felt like eternity.
Then, slowly, with trembling fingers, she took his hand.
"What do you seek? What do you desire to have come all this way?"
To Elisian's question, the man replied with unwavering voice.
"You. Elisian, noble daughter of the dragons. No."
"..."
"Elly. I want you."
+++++
She opened her eyes to morning light. Perhaps because she had slept by her master's side, an old memory surfaced in her dream for the first time in a while.
"Hee hee."
Smiling happily, she glanced to the side. Her master was still deep in sleep, breathing quietly.
"Master."
She rubbed her cheek lightly against his. In moments like this, it felt like she had him all to herself, and she didn't hate it.
'He needed my power, but the way he said it startled me. He has this habit of surprising people.'
He had said it so preciously. Honestly, she hadn't been thrilled when he gained a few more companions later on.
She had thought they would travel together just the two of them forever.
But he was the one who had to save the world. It was inevitable that he'd pick up allies along the way.
"Still, I can have him to myself for a while longer."
A few might chase after him, but for now, she had him exclusive.
That thought made her lips curve up slyly.
'Gotta do it on the sly.'
She stopped rubbing her face and pouted her lips. Then planted a kiss on his cheek.
She was doing it secretly now, but someday she planned to kiss him right on the lips openly.
'Sleep a bit more, my master. I can wait as long as it takes.'
She quietly got up, thinking she might as well clean. It was a fairly peaceful and quiet morning, just as she liked it.
But then—
Trrring!
Trrring!
"Ugh... uuu... uuuu..."
That noisy little rectangular thing blared. Glaring at it, Elly bared her claws.
"Master called it a 'phone.' I'll smash it for disturbing his sleep."
All for her master.
Grinning wickedly, Elly overlooked the text on the screen.
Korean Awakener Association President [Father].
"Anyone who disturbs Master's sleep gets eliminated."
Whoosh—
The phone flew through the air.