In the outskirts of Berely, within an outwardly unremarkable manor, dozens of burly men carried enormous wooden buckets as they vigorously scrubbed their mounts. Their mounts were no ordinary steeds, but mid-rank Magic Beasts—among them even several high-rank ones.
Doused with cold water, these Magic Beasts howled in excitement, occasionally raising a claw to swat the burly men before them. To the beasts, this was an expression of joy and affection, but the men were beaten until they bared their teeth in pain.
Within a somewhat secluded grove of camphor trees on the estate, a great silver serpent gleaming from head to tail was gently coiled around a large tree. Its horned head hung down, its eyes rolled white as it gazed helplessly at the burly man chattering away in front of it.
The three-headed Dragon King Diogo wore a splendid—one could even say flamboyant—set of noble attire. He stood before the silver serpent with his head held high, making no attempt to conceal his greedy desire as he grinned in a strange, tooth-baring fashion.
"Beauty, I am the mighty Diogo, the great Abyssal Dragon King! A three-headed dragon—such noble blood, such noble status, such tremendous strength! In this world, can you find a male more outstanding than me?"
"Of course, you aren't a true dragon yet. Your bloodline is still a little too humble. But seeing how diligently you've cultivated and that you're already on the verge of transforming into a dragon, I can give you an opportunity—an opportunity to become my concubine! In other words, I'm giving your lowly bloodline the chance to merge with my noble one!"
"I must admit that such a union would be a loss for me! But for the sake of your fairly lovely appearance, as a powerful male creature, I can endure