Dragon Monarch System

Countless fireflies lit up an area spanning one kilometer, their soft glow so abundant that even without any light from the celestial bodies, everything was clearly visible.

The entire area, roughly one square kilometer in size, was covered in lush greenery. Tall and small trees stood scattered throughout, while the ground was blanketed with grass and dotted with thick bushes, creating a serene and vibrant natural setting.

(Central Park, NYC: Central Park is approximately 3.41 km2, meaning 1 km2 is less than one-third of the park.)

There were even tiny animals, such as rabbits and wolves, living in this area.

There was a natural balance among all the animals in the area. This balance ensured that the rabbit population never grew out of control, just as the number of hunters never rose so high that it left everyone struggling for food. Each group depended on the other to maintain this fragile harmony.

At the center of this place, there was a tiny pond and a wooden house next to it.

The water of the pond came from a spring. The water was so clear that everything on the pond could be easily seen. Countless fireflies were flying above the pond water.

The wooden house was very tiny, just big enough for one person to live in it.

Inside the house, there was a beautiful woman.

She was sitting on the bed with her eyes closed.

She had an uncomfortable expression. From time to time, she bit her lower lips while looking very frustrated.

After a long time, she finally opened her eyes.

“My connection with my other half is rapidly weakening.”

“Before, I was able to sense the emotions that my other half experienced on a regular basis, but now that connection has grown so weak that I cannot feel anything.” Especially in the last few months, her connection with her other half rapidly deteriorated to the point where now she cannot even tell where her other half was.

Before, through their connection, even while being in this pocket dimension, it was still possible for her to tell exactly where her other half was living. But now it’s no longer possible. “Fortunately, after being here for nearly a century, I have managed to recover my powers.”

“But…….!” She looked down. There was still a long vertical scar between her breasts. Regardless of how much time passed, this scar showed no sign of fading. No alchemy, potions, or pills could remove this scar.

What happened a century ago forever left its mark on her body.

“But this time, I am prepared.” She stood up and began walking out of the wooden shed.

“Before I walk on my quest to kill those beings from the sky, I have to reunite with my missing half to regain some of my lost abilities.”

“It’s time to leave!!” She has stayed in this pocket dimension for so many decades.

“The last time I left this place was when the young Prince of the Celestial Dragon Empire was born.”

The only reason she went out was because her parents had a really good relationship with the Royal Family. And she also wanted to keep that relationship strong.

“I wonder how he is doing now.” That little boy is her future husband. But she hasn’t seen him since their first meeting.

“For now, I have to focus on finding my remaining half.’

‘Maybe if I get out of this pocket dimension, I will be able to sense her location even though our connection has significantly weakened.’

While thinking of her future plans, she arrived before a golden tree.

This tree was very different from other trees. Everything about the tree is golden. Even the roots of this tree were golden.

She took out a golden wooden key from her storage ring.

As soon as the key appeared, she felt a strong pull drawing it toward the tree. The force was noticeable but not strong enough to slip from her gentle grip. It reminded her of the magnetic pull between two opposing poles.

The moment she released the key, it shot toward the tree with incredible speed, moving so fast that it was almost a blur. A normal human would barely have time to react before the key shot toward the tree, moving so fast that it would seem like a blur as it reached its destination in an instant.

In the final moment, the key shimmered and transformed into a golden leaf. The leaf glided gracefully through the air before magically attaching itself to the tree, seamlessly blending with the other golden leaves.

She took a step back as a small portal formed. Slowly, it started to enlarge, and once it was large enough, she gracefully stepped into it.

“I am finally back.” Stepping outside of the portal, she took a deep breath.

“Sure enough! The air of the Main Continent feels different. Here, the Air is fresh and makes me feel like I have returned home.” Athena looked at the sun and smiled.

Athena looked at her surroundings.

After a century, the ruined buildings were now covered in thick layers of green moss, their once-strong walls now crumbling and weathered. Nature had fully claimed them, with vines snaking up the walls and roots breaking through the cracks in the stone.

Some of these ruins had even become shelters for wild animals.

Birds nestled in the hollowed remains of windows,

small mammals scurried through the broken doorways,

and the occasional predator roamed the overgrown corridors.

“This place has completely changed.” While looking at the surroundings, her expression changed. She looked sad.

This place used to be her home.

These buildings were part of her home, and before that incident, she visited them almost

every day.

It used to be the capital of a Mighty Empire of which she was the Princess of. Yet, one thing led to another, and within months, everything crumbled.

The dynasty that ruled this land for nearly a hundred thousand years suddenly disappeared.

Athena shook her head and started walking. It wasn’t time for her to think about the past. It was time to think about the future and get her revenge.

“First, I need to find my maid.” Athena needs to be informed of all the major changes that have occurred in the world since her absence.

Also, her maid was the last to survive with Athena.

She is a childhood friend of Athena.

After years of staying in that pocket dimension, the first person whom she wanted to see was her childhood best friend who is also her maid. Athena purposely left her to stay outside so that when the time came, her maid would inform her about all the changes that took place

while she was away.

“If I remember correctly, Sara was living in a small village about 41 kilometers (25.47 miles) away from here.” Athena did not waste any time.

She flew towards the small village.

This village was built just after the destruction of the capital. While almost everyone moved away, some folks stayed and created a small village.

The village was made up of farmers, some former guards and soldiers of her Empire, and

some traveling merchants.

Athena had sent her maid to live in that village. Her background was she was a maid who had run away from her master because her master abused her. Her maid easily blended into the

village with her new identity.

After a few minutes of flying, Athena spotted a clearing in the heart of the dense forest. From above, she could see sprawling farmland stretching out around the village, with neat rows of crops swaying gently in the breeze.

Streams of crystal-clear water ran between the fields. Irrigation channels carefully guide

stream paths before merging and flowing past the settlement.

At first glance, it seemed like a village, but as she came closer, she realized it was far too large

and well-organized to fit that description-this was more of a town.

The entire town was fortified with an ingenious mix of materials. Massive walls of stone, wood, and even salvaged pieces from ruined buildings formed a protective barrier against magical monsters and other threats.

A few crumbling ruins stood in the village scattered among the thriving settlement. These ruins were the remnants of the past. There were some people who built lands outside of

the capital, as the land outside of the capital was cheaper. But now, it was barely recognizable

to Athena.

Only a handful of broken walls and jagged stone fragments remained, but it was clear the villagers had salvaged much from them.

Wooden beams, stones, and other materials from the ruins had been repurposed and seamlessly integrated into homes, watchtowers, and other structures.

‘A part of me feels happy that this village is growing. And there is a part of me that feels really

sad seeing all these changes.’

‘I guess, unlike others, I am still hooked on the past.’ She cannot let go of the past. The things that she lost were just too much not to think about the past.

There isn’t a single moment that passes without her mind drifting back to her past.

Without any of the villagers noticing, Athena entered the village.

After a few minutes of walking, she stopped in front of a small wooden house next to the wall.

In almost every city, town, or village, the land closest to the outer walls is the least expensive, while the land at the heart of the settlement is the most valuable. This difference in value stems from the level of safety each area offers. In the event of an attack by magical monsters or foreign intruders, those living near the walls face the greatest risk, as they are the first line

of defense.

Residents living closest to the walls must live with the constant fear of being caught in the crossfire during an invasion. The likelihood of destruction, injury, or even death is significantly higher for those near the perimeter.

The central areas of the settlement are considered the safest. The central district often houses

the wealthiest residents.

Knock!! Knock!!!

Athena knocked on the door.

Really Thank you very much to all those who send support with valuable golden tickets and

gifts. I hope we can keep it up!!