Reborn as a DRAGON

'It's her.'

I raised my brow in surprise as I glanced at the young red-haired girl. Unlike the priests and people of the church who dared not raise their eyes to face me, she was different. Her gaze seemed to glow with fascination and admiration.

There was no fear in her eyes, only joy. A wide grin extended across her face as she carefully studied my features.

'Is she crazy?' Was my first thought as I came face to face with the strange human girl.

Under the flabbergasted gaze of the church personnel, the girl named Lana moved toward me with a dazed expression and gently extended her hand forward. I watched with a bemused smile as she lightly touched my claws.

"M-My Lord messenger! P-Please, forgive this silly child!" Cried out an older man with a bald head and long grey beard.

Lana didn't seem to notice the commotion she had just caused as most of the priests, or at least I assumed were priests lowered themselves to the ground in fear of my wrath. The only one that stood up for the girl was the old man, yet even he was shaking in fear.

I waved my free claw at him in dismissal and replied:

"I don't mind."

"T-Thank you, my lord! Your generosity knows no bounds!"

I then turned my gaze to the girl and asked with a chuckle:

"Are you not afraid of me, child?"

My voice seemed to bring her back from her trance as her face suddenly froze and she slowly raised her eyes to meet mine. For a second I thought I was about to finally see fear in her gaze, yet to my surprise, the girl gave me another wide grin and shook her head before she spoke:

"I'm not."

Her answer had no hint of a lie or hesitation in it. She was truly not afraid. 'What a weird girl.' I inwardly noted.

"Did you not hear what I did to the other humans? The destruction I caused? The deaths I brought?" I asked again.

The smile never left the girl's face as she nodded before speaking:

"I saw it all. I was there when it happened."

Her answer surprised me causing me to raise my brow in surprise.

"And even still, you're okay standing this close to me. Do you not value your life?"

"Oh, quite the opposite. I love my life, but it just so happens that I love Dragons as well, and so standing next to you like this and touching your scales is like a dream come true. If I end up dying because of it, then so be it."

Her answer made me chuckle subconsciously, "You're a strange one, aren't you?"

"I believe we are all strange when it comes to certain matters, my lord," saying that Lana took a step back and gave me an exaggerated bow.

"My name is Lana, it's an honor to finally meet and talk to you my Lord."

I nodded before I answered:

"Pleasure to meet you, Lana, my name is Aether."

Her eyes widened as I revealed my name. The priests behind began to whisper amongst themselves once again in hushed tones.

"Aether, I finally know your name." Her smile widened as she gave me another bow.

"Well, then lord Aether, would you like to come inside? Although on second thought, I'm not sure you'll fit. Ah, excuse me I don't mean to be rude, it's just that you look bigger than the last time I saw you, it's quite fascinating how fast you grew..." Her mind seemed to trail off before the old bald priest finally gathered his courage to approach.

"L-Lord Aether, please forgive our incompetence. The church was supposed to accommodate you, but It seems like we were lacking."

"I do not mind, right here" I motioned to the platform I was standing on before I continued, "Is fine."

"Thank you for your understanding." The old man answered, this time managing not to stutter.

He seemed to want to ask something but didn't know how to pose the question. Lana on the other hand had brought out a notebook from somewhere and was scribbling something in it. I was a little bit curious, I had to admit, but not enough to ask her about it.

As for the old man, I had a general idea of what he wanted to ask me.

"You're curious about my sudden visit," I said.

"A-Ah, I-"

I quickly waved him off and spoke:

"As I said, I'm here to teach you, humans, the error of your ways lest things get out of control and too late for you."

"T-The error of our ways...?"

Hearing my words, even Lana seemed to be interested as she lowered her notebook and stared at me.

"Yes. It's best if I can explain it to everyone at once. So if possible send an invitation to the various heads of the countries. I know the summit has already ended and they just went back, but as I said this is a serious matter."

"Yes, my Lord! You're wish is our command!" The old man quickly gave me a deep bow and then turned to glance at Lana meaningfully before he hurried back to his companions.

"You heard the lord, let's go!"

The group of priests and church personnel all bowed respectfully at me before they ran back inside leaving Lana behind with me.

"I'll be in charge of tending to all your needs my lord, please let me know if you need anything," she said in a surprisingly professional tone.

"I don't need anything from you at the moment. Though I am curious, how long would It take for the heads to come?"

Lana tapped on her chin in deep thought before she answered, "It should take around two weeks at most for everyone to gather here."

"Two weeks, hmm."

"Is something the matter?" she quickly asked.

"It's nothing. Since there's still some time, I'll go around for a quick flight." Saying that I gently used my mana to push her away from the platform, a light gasp escaped her mouth as she felt herself picked up and put near the entrance of the church.

I gave her a quick nod and jumped to the sky, leaving the headquarters behind.