Dragon Savior A New Beginning ( Update Version)

A Glimpse of Enigmatic Puzzle (64)

Starfania watched Ren's expression shift—her bright composure dimming beneath a shadow of old pain. When she spoke again, her voice carried the weight hush of regret.

" We once had another," Ren murmured. " A leader who wasn't just respected—he was your father's closest friend. Veltre of the Shadowfell Enclave Nations. His death...is what shattered everything. "

The name hung in the air like a cracked bell. Starfania felt a heaviness in her chest, cold and unfamiliar. She lowered her gaze, trying to absorb the gravity of Ren's words. Starfania's breath caught. Veltre. The name alone struck a faint chord inside her—like a melody she hadn't heard since childhood.

A blurry image flickered through her mind: Her tiny hands tugging at a tall, laughing man's cloak...Veltre kneeling to her height, offering her a carved wooden phoenix...her father's rare, genuine smile as the three of them sat beneath the great iron brazier, talking long after dusk. He had been like an uncle to her. Warm. Fearless. A presence that filled every corner of a room. And then one day...he never came back.

" What...happened to him?" Starfania asked, the question trembling on her tongue. Ren inhaled deeply, steadying herself. " He fell in a battle we never saw coming. It was swift. Brutal. The darkness swallowed us faster than we could respond. Veltre fought valiantly...but the shadow overwhelmed everything."

Starfania's stomach twisted: Ren's voice softened. " After his death, mistrust poisoned the alliance. Old wounds reopened. Grief clouded judgment. Some blamed betrayal. Others insisted we were being watched. Without Veltre's wisdom, the entire foundation collapsed."

Starfania bit her lip, her voice quiet. " Did anyone even try to bring everyone back together?"

Ren nodded, but sorrow lingered in her eyes. " Many tried. But loss sinks deep. People cling to their pain. Without a guiding light...we drifted apart."

A heavy silence settled between them before Starfania whispered, " Can We Fix It?"

Ren met her gaze—this time with a flicker of hope. " Maybe. But it will not be easy. Trust must be rebuilt, step by step. If we find a purpose worth uniting for...perhaps the wounds can finally begin to heal."

Starfania wanted to hold onto that hope—but the undercurrent of tension around her made it difficult. Even from across the room, she felt eyes boring into her. Scrutinizing. Measuring. Judging. The forced smiles around the table couldn't hide it. The air prickled with discomfort. And then—a voice sliced through the hum of conversation. " Hey, kid! I hope you're not in charge here, because that would truly be embarrassing."

Starfania slowly lifted a brow, letting a smirk curl at the corner of her mouth. Her earlier unease evaporated under the heat of irritation.

" Oh, don't worry," she replied coolly. " If I were in charge, you wouldn't even be standing right now."

The man's expression faltered—but only for a second. He leaned forward, his tone darkening, clearly not expecting pushback.

" What brings someone like you to Cesar's dining room? This place isn't for kids. Let me guess—" he sneered, " you're just a humble little servant trying to keep up. Aren't you?"

Starfania didn't blink. Her smile sharpened. And in that moment, everyone nearby could feel it—the fire beneath her calm, the steel behind her gaze, the echo of the girl Veltre once lifted on his shoulders and said: " One day, this one will surprise the world."