【Beginning】
Since meeting Karis’ great-mentor, Barbara had been looking for the clues to find the Heavenly Kingdom and Byakhee with the Taoists. Together, they had been searching for a land of pneuma as well, so as to share the elemental power there. Every time when Barbara sunk in sleep, the Taoist would set a magic barrier to protect her from disturbances. Barbara thought that the grown-up Karis would also journey with her to search for the trail of Ethereal Dragons, like the Taoists before. However, after staying with her for a few days, Karis bid farewell to Barbara in a morning.
Karis the Zombie Maker: Barbara, I’ve found the way to enter the Kunlun Kingdom.
Karis the Zombie Maker: I may leave the realm of man for quite a long period of time...
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: That’s great! Isn’t it the holy land that you’ve been looking for?
Karis the Zombie Maker: But that means we can never meet again.
Barbara, who was a head taller than Karis, gently patted the hat of Karis, while Karis’ eyes suddenly turned tearful.
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: You’ve grown to be so tall now. Can’t you take care of yourself?
Barbara held Karis in her arms. Karis hugged Barbara tight in return, just like the time when Karis was just a child. If Karis hadn’t been a Taoist, she must have died, turning into dry bones and natural fertilizer for the land like withered woods.
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: You’re so thin, just like your mom.
Karis gave a map marked with the land of pneuma to Barbara before her departure, telling her to follow the markings to go there to feed the Dracospirits. On the journey, Barbara followed Byakhee’s voice and the markings on the map. However, the land of pneuma near to Byakhee was occupied by monsters.
The monstrous giant toad led its followers to prey on the spirits in the forest. Unexpectedly, Barbara discovered that the group of toad had the same origin of power as her. After investigation, Barbara found out that the toad was also a disciple of Byakhee. Barbara had no way to exterminate this group of “vermin”, so she could just expel the toad to another part of the forest. Barbara did not chase after it, because she had already arrived at the place where Byakhee was sleeping, and she was ready to meet her only relative.
【Before Battles】
Byakhee the Immortal Howler: ‘Whoosh——’
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: It’s you who’ve protected me?
Enchanter: Little girl, lie down quietly. This is none of your your business.
【After Battles】
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: Byakhee is not your plaything!
Enchanter: Little girl, Byakhee is just a mistake.
【End】
Because of a series of toil, Barbara was going to sink in a deep sleep again. She was expecting that she could once again dream of Byakhee this time, and it would sing out the howls of immortality... But when she fell asleep, what was awaiting her was endless memory——
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: You sloth!
Barbara kicked a stone pillar as a kind of complaint. She could sense obviously that Byakhee was under the pillar. But no matter how loud she yelled, the giant dragon still ignored her. In this ruin which was covered with thick vines, numerous Dracospirits summoned by Barbara were flying in the air, messing with the wind.
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: Wake up, now! Go and discipline your followers!
Bending down, Barbara shouted towards the soil.
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: I know you’re here! The squally dragon!
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: That brute almost ate everything in the forest!
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: The Dracospirits couldn’t have a bite! They’re dying of hunger!
Barbara could see a figure emerging under her feet. Looking back, she saw the Dracospirits behind were gathering in the rays of light, and the curling wind was combining with the trees to transform into a giant dragon. Barbara, who listened to the joyful cries of the Dracospirits and looked at their transformation into the Squally Ethereal Dragon, was dumbfounded.
When the dragon was sticking out its long tongue to lick her body, Barbara finally came to herself. She screamed and waved her staff, pushing the dragon away with the wind of elements. Of course she knew that it was Byakhee’s avatar. But no matter how an intimate friend it was, Barbara was still disconcerted by this sudden action. When the dragon was feeling disappointed about her unfamiliarity, Barbara said stubbornly:
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: You’re so impolite! I’m a noble descendant of Sarmatians.
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: How can I let you lick me as you wish!
Barbara took a large step forward. Surrounded by the Byakhee’s consciousness, she climbed onto its back and gripped the wood on it.
Barbara the Dragon Maiden: ‘Right, I’m the last of the clan...’
Staying with Byakhee in the Ruins of Casilda, Barbara collected elements for the Dracospirits. She finally understood the reason why the Elder Gods had left the realm of man. It gave up its gathered power, leaving the wind in the realm of man, so that the howls of immortality could strengthen all by themselves. Therefore, people could only summon its image but not its godship within. Hugging the wind in the dragon’s sleep, Barbara dedicated herself to the forest, in order to prevent the wind from fading away in the troubled times.