[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-first-demonic-dragon":3,"chapter-first-demonic-dragon-first-demonic-dragon-chapter-675":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","First Demonic Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1078495,1393,"Chapter 675: Couples’ Counciling","first-demonic-dragon-chapter-675",675,"\u003Cp>After several unnatural and near extinction level events, the entire planet seemed to go quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If people weren't locked in their homes before, they certainly were now that a giant laser beam had fallen from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the animals had retreated to their dens as if they were preparing for a harsh winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So obviously, it was hard to find a place to sit down in, but eventually the girls found one inn with an owner who was just as insane as he was passionate about his craft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was how the two of them ended up sitting in at a small table just by the window; with two cups of tea sitting in front of the both of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was several minutes after the girls' sat down before Seras even tried to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I was going to come home today, you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lillian remained rather obstinate. \"You shouldn't have left in the first place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I know, but I needed… time. I didn't want any of you to see me like this.\" Seras lowered her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what about what we wanted?? Do you know how hard it was for all of us to watch you leave everything behind??\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was doing all of this because of you all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can you say you did this for us?? When have we ever made you feel like we wanted you to keep your troubles to yourself??!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-You didn't, but… It is all I know how to do.\" Seras lowered her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lillian could no longer find it within herself to be angry with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two of them fell into silence afterwards, with no clear idea of what they should say next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…L-Let's try to change gears a bit, shall we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both girls looked at the old man sitting on the end of the table who was shuffling about uncomfortably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old vendor wasn't expecting for Seras to come find him in his small shack and drag him across the world to play councilor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't even remotely qualified to help with this sort of thing, but he was honestly just a little afraid of what would happen if he said no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he figured it was best to just take it as a repayment for all of the money that he received earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But navigating this situation was harder than he had initially made it out to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"L-Let's start with you first, Mrs… Money goddess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seras unironically accepted her new nickname without making a significant fuss about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you tell her why you felt like you had to leave home?\" He asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seras spent some time pushing around her spoon inside of her cup. She seemed almost incapable of getting her words out properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just... felt like I needed a moment so that I didn't lose myself in my own head, you know..? I was starting to feel a bit like I'd atrophied.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lillian didn't seem to be buying her story in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Seras could scarcely say that she blamed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Did you think that Hajun would not tell us that you saw one of your siblings?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soft-spoken as she may have been, Lillian's simple revelation still rattled her sister to the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she was honest, she hadn't put much thought into her last chat with her father before she left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly because she was embarrassed by how she reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was also in part due to the fact that they were too closely related to the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to know why you didn't tell us.\" Lillian asked quietly. \"Or even our husband.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You all wouldn't understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Try me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seras glanced at the Oldman out of the corner of her eye and found him goading her forward silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn't help but remember the fate that had befallen her new acquaintance in his own marriage, and she didn't want that to happen to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the course of several minutes, Seras divulged all of the words she had kept bound in her chest for the past few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fears of being seen as weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fear of losing her independence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even her issues with confronting her past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In all honesty, perhaps Lillian was the best one to listen to all of Seras' doubts and fears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that they were literally the same person sometimes aside, Lillian had quite the gift for understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towards the end of Seras' confession, Lillian had to wipe away her sister's tears that had begun running down her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me something, Seras… Have you ever grown tired of rubbing Bekka's stomach after she eats?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Sniffle* \"…It's a little time consuming but the satisfied noises she makes are very cute.\" Seras admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what about when Lailah needs help reaching something on a high shelf but she's too lazy to use her magic or shapeshift?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"… R-Reminding her that she's our little short stack isn't all bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lillian smiled and touched Seras tenderly on the cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what about our husband?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We demand little from him in our relationship, but we have always required that he not hold in the things that trouble him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can we ask something of him that we are unwilling to do in return?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seras looked as if that were the greatest blow to her of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We know you're strong, Seras.\" Lillian continued. \"But the whole reason why any of us decided to get married is because we didn't want to be strong all of the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our family's bond is rooted in our vulnerability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You have to trust and know that opening up to us is not supposed to hinder you. It's supposed to make us all better as a unit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old vendor couldn't believe he actually had to come all the way here for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess' conversation was flowing so well he barely even had to open his mouth to say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost like they'd forgotten that he was here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I know all of that, Lilli… I'm just having a hard time taking that first step, you know..?\" Seras smiled shyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lillian felt as if she had finally gotten through to her sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood up and held out her hand for Seras to take.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let's go home and we'll take it together. Our loved ones are waiting for us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seras started to take her hand, but at the last moment she drew it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are they… mad at me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well look at this.\" Lillian snickered. \"Fearless Seras is afraid of a little scolding?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S-Stop mocking me and answer the damned question!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aww, there's the little temper I find so adorable.\" Lillian gave her sister a small kiss on the top of the head and pulled her out of her seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I'm not adorable.\" Seras grumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was though. She really really was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Worry not, dear. Some of them may be a little bit upset with you but it's all out of a sense of concern. I'm sure you'll be able to smooth things over with them in your own way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Seras could voice anymore objections, Lillian began pulling her towards the exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-Wait! My hearts not ready for this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll be fine, my love. Come along now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"L-Let me finish my tea first!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eris will make you something better when you're at home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a last ditch effort, Seras turned back to the guest she'd kind of kidnapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"M-Mr. Street Vendor! Tell her to stop!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, the weary looking old man held up his cup as if giving his cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wish you the best, strange goddess. May your marital troubles be nonexistent from this point forward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the two women finally disappeared through the strange opening in the middle of the room, the man finally returned to drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What a confusing day… I should have asked for them to give me a ride home before they left.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no other alternative in front of him, the old man finished his drink and began lumbering out of the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time seemed to flow in slow motion for Director Nagumo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood seemed not to be properly circulating within his brain, and even his hearing had long failed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't tear his eyes away from the recovered body in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike most of his other subordinates, he and Fiona were very close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She too had been discovered by the order when she was young and taken in as a cadet not long after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin in particular spent a considerable amount of time with her. He had a deep fondness for her impish sense of humor and cheap wit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were things that he didn't get much of a chance to appreciate given the gravity of his responsibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to name her as his heir and adopt her as his daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fiona was a bit too hotheaded in her desire to execute missions, resulting in elevated reports of collateral damage and a 6% decline in rescues from her unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She always saw herself as a blade for cutting down monsters. But the Director of the order had to be a shield focused on protecting others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even though he cared about her immensely, he never made her his heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could tell that decision had hurt her a little bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in all honesty, they had never really reconciled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now look what'd happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monsters from below had taken her from him too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I promise you this, sweet girl. I will see you returned to life if it is the last thing I do..!'\u003C\u002Fp>",1611,"2026-06-03T10:36:59.395Z","2026-06-03T10:36:54.451Z",1,"novelbin.me","d592810b8c2ff3cda1600b73ab05ee007ea45010a1c8d55bbfaef50c2f0694a2","first-demonic-dragon-chapter-676","first-demonic-dragon-chapter-674",1284,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffirst-demonic-dragon-cover.jpg"]