Hero Stories: The Insignia's New Owner

A long time has passed since Queen Cecilia went missing. We cannot continue to keep the throne empty.

It will only serve to make Wintenberg all the more vulnerable to its enemies.

Then as our law clearly states, we need to find the mightiest Dragon Knight and make her our new queen.

I'm not sure we have enough time for a duel...

Ilynav was the only knight who could measure against Queen Cecilia anyway.

Why don't we talk to her first and proceed with the duel if there are any challengers?

...We don't even know if Queen Cecilia is dead. I think it's a bit hasty to be finding her replacement.

Then how long are we supposed to wait? It's getting harder to defend against the relentless Dragon attacks with each passing day.

They are aware of the disarray our leadership is in right now.

...This is the only way to keep Wintenberg safe.

My parents were killed in the war, and for a long time, that orphanage was the only home I knew.

My birthday was the day I arrived there. It never meant anything to me.

I thought it would always be just another day with a slice of cheap cake.

You must be Ilynav.

...

This is one of our donors. Say hello, she's going to be your new family from today.

I've heard of this in class before.

Sometimes, Wintenberg soldiers take war orphans into their families.

My name is Moro. It's nice to meet you.

The headmaster told me to smile, but I wasn't happy at all.

I knew that from that point on, my life would be completely at her mercy.

I never had any warm meals or soft blankets of my own before I started living with Moro.

There were a few annoyances, but overall, living with her wasn't so bad.

Raise your sword all the way up toward your back, bend your leg, and slash diagonally. Here, give it a try.

You were teaching me how to wield a spear a few days ago, and now we've switched to a sword?

You didn't seem very interested in spearmanship, so I thought maybe we should try something different...

It's not that I'm not interested in spearmanship, I just don't want to do this. Besides, I didn't ask for any of this.

I know, but it will help you become a knight, and then you can make a decent living...

A decent living?

Considering the war against the Dragons, knowing how to wield a sword or a spear is the single most important skill one can have in Wintenberg.

So that was why Moro wanted to teach me as much as she could.

She told me I was a natural, and that if I worked hard, it might not be too late for me to become a knight.

So that's the way it has to be? Train hard, fight hard, and get killed by Dragons, just like my parents did?

What's the point of making a decent living? We're all going to die on the battlefield anyway.

...

I mean, I'll do it if that's the reason you chose me from the orphanage.

Of course not! I just thought that learning this was necessary for you to have a happy life.

I'm sorry for forcing the idea on you without even asking.

That surprised me. I thought she would get mad.

Is there anything you want to do or learn, Ilynav?

...I can't think of anything right now.

Think about it and let me know, all right?

For now, why don't we put these books and swords aside and go get something delicious to eat?

As I watched Moro try her best to take good care of me, I made sure to always keep one thing in mind.

Don't get attached to her. She could abandon me at any time.

I only see their tracks here. It looks like they knew we were coming and bolted.

Hmph. What a bunch of cowards.

Lady Ilynav!

*panting* The castle is urgently requesting your presence...!

They're looking for me?

You're asking me to take Wintenberg's throne as a replacement for Cecilia?

The answer is no.

I just want to spend my days slaying as many Dragons as possible. I have no time for the headache that is politics.

I believe my business here is done.

How can you be so indifferent when your own country is in the middle of a crisis...?

That's exactly why you should be the queen.

What do you mean?

Are you aware that Luna is the individual responsible for Queen Francesca's death and Queen Cecilia's disappearance?

...!

Ha...haha...

So both queens met their fate at the hand of a Dragon they had complete faith in.

A suitable ending for people who betrayed the very foundations of Wintenberg.

...You said you wanted to slay more Dragons.

I presume you know about the Dragon Knight Insignia given to queens of Wintenberg?

You mean the one Cecilia refused to accept?

I guarantee that its power will be of great help in attaining your goals.

What Wintenberg needs is a strong queen to protect its land and people from Dragons.

We have no other choice but to turn to you, the strongest Dragon Knight after Cecilia.

So what you're saying is you need a leader who can stand against the insidious Dragons who betrayed us.

Fine. I accept your offer.

Finally, I can bring back the glory that Cecilia and her predecessor ruined.

Congratulations again, Queen Ilynav.

It's too soon for that. I'm only getting started.

But this is an occasion worthy of celebration. Plus, I still remember what you said back then.

"Anyone is welcome to challenge me!"

"All you need to do is defeat me in a duel and prove yourself to be the strongest Dragon Knight, and the throne is yours!"

And not a peep after that. No one dared to challenge you!

Don't you realize what that means? There's no one who deserves this position more than you do!

Even Dragons seem to be keeping a low profile since you became our quee...

...A horn.

It's coming from the north, Queen Ilynav. You should give the troops the order to march...

No, I'm going to lead them myself.

But there's no need for you to participate in every battle...

I didn't become queen just so I could sit back and give orders. I became queen so I could kill more Dragons.

Go prepare the troops.

Hyaaaaaa!

Eliminate all Dragons!

I don't want to see a single Dragon left alive in Wintenberg!

Did we take care of all the Dragons that infiltrated the borderlands?

Yes, we've confirmed that there are no more...

Ilynav! We captured some deserters!

...

I guess your survival instincts beat your loyalty toward your own race.

Well, I've known that for a long time. Dragons always were good at running for dear life.

...We surrender. Please let us go.

We're already in such bad shape that you'll never see us on the battlefield again.

That decision is not yours to make.

I'm not sure what reason I have to let you live.

...We have families and young children to return to just like you do.

We're here only to provide for our families.

We're soldiers. We just follow orders, whether we like it or not. It wasn't anything personal. Isn't that the case for everyone?

Hahahaha!

...?

You've got this completely wrong. I'm not following anyone's orders.

I'm following my heart, which is telling me to hunt down each and every one of you.

Uck!

THUNK!

You're...heartless! Do you not have a fam...

SLASH!

THUNK!

If you wanted my sympathy, you shouldn't have taken my family.

You are all as shameless and abhorrent as you always have been.

...

There must still be some Dragons stranded in the area.

Find them all.

...Yes, Your Majesty!

Moro came back from the war with injuries head to toe.

Since we couldn't afford decent medicine, her health was gradually deteriorating.

I'm telling you, I'm really fine by myself. You go ahead and play outside.

SMACK!

...Ilynav?

You're just as selfish as my so-called parents who died in battle.

...

You should've run away when things were going south. You're only a foot soldier, there was no reason for you to put yourself at risk.

You're the only person I have in this world. What am I supposed to do if you die?

Is it because you wouldn't have to take care of me anymore if you died?

...

...I couldn't run away.

...What?

I couldn't run away because you were here in Wintenberg. I had to protect it with my life.

I'm sure that's what drove your parents as well.

...

Because they loved you.

As she smiled, she gently stroked my hair. And with that smile, I felt as if she was telling me how happy she was to be able to keep me safe.

...

...What a mess. It's going to take a while to get this place back to normal.

I feel bad for all those foot soldiers who have to clean up the messes Dragons create...

Stop.

Pardon?

There's something I need to check.

Phew, I can't even remember the last time I cleaned the house this thoroughly. Just one box left...

Moro, who are the people in this picture?

...Ha, so that's where I put it.

They're my parents. I don't really look like them, do I?

They don't look anything alike. Moro's very kind looking, but they're a bit...

What kind of parents were they?

Since she never told me about her family, I was curious. But I had been certain they would have been as sweet and kind as Moro was.

...Umm... Well...

...I was always scared of them. They scolded me and beat me often for not being good enough.

A sickly child is already a burden to a poor family. I guess they found my shortcomings very upsetting.

When I left home, they told me never to come back. So that was the last time I saw them.

...

...You must resent your family, just like I do.

No, Ilynav. I've changed a lot since I met you.

I didn't choose my parents or to be born weak. But circumstances beyond my control made my life miserable.

And then I met you and formed my own family. And being able to help you in any way I could made me happy.

You made me realize that I'm not weak or helpless.

Thank you for making me a better person.

...What's the point...? We're not a real family.

Whether we're really related or not isn't important to me.

...

Because I genuinely care about you. That makes you my family, Ilynav.

I already knew how much she cared.

Everything she's done for me came from that affection she had for me.

I was planning on giving this to you after we finished cleaning, but I'm just going to give it to you now.

A hairpin? What's this for?

I just thought it would look good on you. Do you like it?

...This is for little kids. I'm not a kid anymore.

You don't like it? Should I go and exchange it for something else?

...It's fine. Just give it to me.

Ilynav, why are we here... Ah?!

Why are these graves all dug up...? Who in the world would do such a thing?

...

Your Majesty, are you all right? What are you doing here...?

*digging*

Whose grave is this? What is she doing?

...They're not here. All of the things I buried with Moro are gone.

She's completely infuriated... What's going on?

...

These tracks...belong to a Dragon.

W-Where are you going? Queen Ilynav!

The trail of blood stopped, so it must be hiding somewhere nearby.

Queen Ilynav...! I see someone that looks like a Dragon over...

She smashed that rock with a single strike...!

You thought you could get away from me?

P-Please, spare me! Have mercy!

Was it you who dig up that grave and stole the items inside?

...I-I didn't have a choice...to save my child...

I was in such a hurry to find something I could exchange for medicine... It was an emergency, I wasn't thinking straight... Please forgive me...

Are you saying you stole from someone's grave just to save that little Dragon of yours?

Do you even realize whose grave you desecrated?

I'm terribly sorry...! Here, you can take the items back, so please don't hurt my baby...!

No, it's too late now.

I don't see a baby. I see only another Dragon that needs to be killed.

!

THUNK...

I need to stop by somewhere before returning to the castle. You can leave first.

...Understood.

...

What are you doing just standing there?

...Was that really necessary? I still don't understand.

If Ilynav heard you say that, she'd have you beheaded.

Whose grave was it that made her so angry? The things stolen were just a hairpin and a badge.

They didn't look valuable at all...

Do you know anything?

...A long time ago, I overheard a conversation between some knights.

Okay...?

You know Ilynav has no family of her own, right?

Apparently, her parents died in the war when she was young...and she met someone who was like a sister to her at the orphanage she grew up in.

But on the day she was named a Dragon Knight...

Her sister was killed by a Dragon soldier.

What? Did they find out who did it?

The only thing they found out was that it was a Dragon who escaped back to Dragon Valley.

But they couldn't afford to investigate the situation any further at the time.

She lost her entire family to Dragons, so imagine the intensity of the rage and resentment she must feel toward them.

So the dug-up grave is probably her sister's, as well as the items.

...Well, now that I know, I guess I understand why she did what she did.

...

I'll meet you by the time you're done at the south gate. I need to buy some flowers first!

Forget it. I don't want to make a big deal out of this.

What are you talking about? I know how hard you worked, so we should celebrate!

Plus, I've always wanted to see what Dragon Knights look like, and the badge they receive when they're knighted.

...Pfft, you sound so lame. When I get the badge, I'll give it to you.

But that badge is something special. Instead of giving it to me, you should cherish it and keep it in a safe place.

No, I'm going to give it to you because you're the only reason I decided to become a Dragon Knight.

...Ilynav.

You don't have to do this if you don't want to. I can move my body a little now...

If you're doing it for me...or for money...

No, I want to do this.

It didn't really matter since making her unfulfilled dream come true became my dream as well.

...It looks like what I said made her feel bad. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

Then get me a hairpin instead of flowers. Preferably something that looks different from the one you got me when I was younger.

Okay. When you're done, let's go eat something good!

Can I really call myself the mightiest Dragon Knight in Wintenberg when I couldn't even protect your resting place?

From now on, I'm going to protect you as a queen, and not as a Dragon Knight.

I'll make sure that no Dragons, not even their shadows, ever get the chance to enter Wintenberg.

...I swear on your grave.

A duel? No way! Now that you're back, the throne is rightfully yours!

I'm sure Ilynav accepted the throne to protect the nation in my absence.

If not for her, there may not have been a Wintenberg for us to return to.

Still... I don't get it. I bet she was just waiting for the moment you were gone so she could seize power.

You have to defeat her and take back the throne, Ceci!

...

I see you have a problem with my being the queen.

...How long has she been standing there?!

Ahem!

Rose, I need to speak with Ilynav in private. Could you please give us a moment?

O-Of course!

You're training hard. So it seems you're interested in retaking the throne after all.

...I've given it a lot of thought.

I wasn't sure if it would be right for me to go after the throne just because I came back.

But I also began to question whether your way is the right way to protect Wintenberg.

So I decided to agree to the duel for the sake of our nation.

I know the senseless massacre of Dragons cannot keep Wintenberg safe and secure.

Are you implying that killing off Dragons is not right for Wintenberg?

Do you think Wintenberg changed while you were away?

It didn't. I'm merely following the principles Wintenberg was founded on.

I'm redirecting it back onto the right path after you and your mother forced it onto the wrong one.

People will never be truly happy if their everyday life is filled with war and blind hatred toward Dragons.

I believe that working together with Dragons to find a way to punish Evil Dragons is the best way...

That idealistic drivel of yours is only going to put Wintenberg in even greater danger.

What exactly do you know about the blood and tears that this nation's people shed on a daily basis?

...That girl must be her sister...

She's still just a little girl... What's going to happen to her now that her sister is dead...?

Moro's lifeless hand was clutching a small hairpin and a bouquet of flowers.

...I told you I didn't want flowers.

...Open your eyes and look at the badge of knighthood I brought you...

*sobbing* ...You promised you'd never leave me alone... Why...why...

The hands that had always kept me warm were no longer there.

...If you knew anything of the way they felt, you would never be able to say those things.

So if that's the Wintenberg you want, you're going to have to defeat me first.

...

Fight me with all your might.

But as long as I'm here, this war against Dragons won't stop until not a single one is left standing.

Show her what you can do, Ceci!

R-Rose... I think you should lower your voice a little...

Who cares?! Ceci is going to win anyway!

...

...

As soon as the strongest, bravest Dragon Knight is announced, she will be greeted by the sound of a trumpet and the throne.

Give your all for Wintenberg.

So here we are again, just like the day you became queen.

Let me tell you one thing.

If you plan to lead Wintenberg in the direction you want, you're going to have to end my life here.

...!

You want to join hands with Dragons?

You're arrogant and misguided if you think that Dragons can be divided into good and bad.

You know better than anyone the price you had to pay for siding with them.

I think Ilynav is really trying to take Ceci all the way down...

You just realized that?! I told you she was blinded by power!

Ceci! Don't let her get to you!

No, it's not just for them. It's for the sake of everyone in Wintenberg.

Your methods are killing not only Dragons but also Wintenberg's people.

...Urk!

...I could seriously hurt you if you don't back down. Please stop.

I don't want to hurt yo...

Listening to you speak is making me realize how delusional you are.

No one in Wintenberg, myself included, wants anything to do with these weak ideals of peace and stability.

Do you know what angers people? It's not the death of hundreds and thousands of people. It's the death of those dear to them.

...

The only way to avenge the loss of your loved ones is to kill more of theirs.

That's what Wintenberg's people want.

And so I am going to kill every single Dragon!

...Are you certain that's what the people want?

...

I have one question for you.

What kind of Dragon is Luna? Is she one of the good ones, who sides with Humans...

Or is she an Evil Dragon who must be defeated?

Can you point your spear at Luna's heart for the sake of Wintenberg?

...!

Now...!

Urk...

Ceci...lost?

Ilynav couldn't stand a chance against her in the past...

Your spear has dulled.

What caused it? Is it your skill or your spirit?

...

Regardless, this just proves that you're no longer qualified to be queen.

If you really wanted to save Luna, you should've defeated me.

I-Ilynav...really won...?

Rose... Are you all right?

How could Ceci... This can't be real. Ilynav obviously used some kind of dirty trick!

R-Rose, calm down!

*panting*

There is no room in Wintenberg for you or your pity for Evil Dragons who betray Humans.

You can't untangle a knot that is so tightly intertwined with centuries worth of blood and tears. You have to cut it off.

I'm going to cut off every single one of their heads.

...

And I'm going to build a new Wintenberg on top of them.

Isn't there usually a banquet on coronation day? But even on a day like this, she's off to slay Dragons...

That's just who she is. After all, she was given the Dragon Knight Insignia.

That's true. Now no one can deny that Ilynav is the queen of Wintenberg.

How many more Dragons is she going to use it to defeat...?

*steady drumming*

...

Woooooo!

Fearless warriors of Wintenberg.

For centuries now, our white snowfields have been repeatedly stained red by the blood and tears of our families and friends.

This hell will never end unless we eliminate the evil that is creeping in on Human territory.

They do not understand the concept of coexistence. It has always been either them or us, nothing in between.

When I took this throne, I swore an oath that I would devote everything in me to obliterating all evil. Thus...

I hearby declare all-out war against Dragons!