The Ice Dragon’s Curiosity

The sky over the Cardinal World stretched wide, painted in a spectrum of blues and whites, where Velzard, the White Ice Dragon, sat upon a lonely floating glacier. Her piercing azure eyes were locked on the horizon, though her mind was elsewhere.

It had been a while since Velgrynd had begun spending time with Rudra, fluttering about the Eastern Empire as if she had discovered something fascinating. Velzard didn't mind—it meant fewer distractions. If anything, she appreciated the solitude, using it to refine her ice magic, perfecting every layer of her dominion over absolute zero.

Yet, something else began to bother her.

Her elder brother, Veldanava, the Supreme Creator, had recently developed a strange habit. No matter what they spoke about, whether it was the balance of the world, the nature of existence, or even trivial things, his conversation always seemed to drift back to one name.

Guy.

The so-called new Demon Lord.

The mere thought of it made Velzard's brow twitch.

She sat up, folding her arms as she let out a slow breath. A Demon Lord. It was already laughable that someone not of True Dragon blood had the audacity to proclaim themselves anything remotely important. But what annoyed her more than the existence of this "Guy" was the way Veldanava spoke of him.

"He's quite an interesting one, that Guy."

"He might have potential beyond just being a Demon Lord."

"He's unpredictable."

Veldanava rarely showed interest in other beings beyond the natural order of things, and yet… this Demon was different.

And Velzard did not like that.

Veldanava rarely showed interest in other beings beyond the natural order of things, and yet… this Demon was different.

And Velzard did not like that.

Her fingers curled slightly, and the air around her dropped in temperature, the moisture freezing mid-air as her jealousy stirred. Who was this 'Guy' to take even a fraction of her brother's attention?

She wasn't having it.

With a flick of her wrist, the space around her shattered like fragile glass, and she disappeared in an instant.

She would see for herself.

_-----_

The castle was massive, a fortress of black stone with ominous red veins pulsating through its surface. It stood tall in the heart of a dark, stormy land, surrounded by jagged cliffs and an unrelenting crimson sky.

Inside, Guy sat on his throne, his leg casually draped over the armrest, a bored look on his face.

Then he felt it.

A presence, fast, overwhelming, powerful.

Something was coming.

Something dangerous.

His crimson eyes narrowed as he stood, stretching lazily before stepping outside onto the castle's grand balcony.

Then he saw her.

A streak of pure white energy, blazing through the sky like a comet, heading straight for him. The air around her presence shimmered as reality itself seemed to bend under her power.

Guy let out a low whistle.

"Now that's something you don't see every day."

The energy slowed, then came to an abrupt halt mid-air. Slowly, Velzard descended, landing gracefully just a few feet away from him.

She was flawless, her ice-blue hair cascading down her back, piercing azure eyes staring at him with an intensity that could freeze entire worlds. Her mere presence lowered the temperature of the entire area, but Guy didn't react.

He simply smirked.

"Didn't expect a True Dragon to come knocking on my door. To what do I owe the honor?"

Velzard didn't answer immediately. She took a slow step forward, her heels clicking against the stone floor as she observed him.

No cape. No armor. Just a confident, cocky man with crimson hair, piercing eyes, and an aura that was far too relaxed for her liking.

She didn't like him already.

"You are Guy?" she finally asked, her voice carrying the weight of absolute authority.

Guy chuckled. "Unless there's another ridiculously handsome Demon Lord running around with my name."

Velzard's eye twitched.

She had met countless powerful beings, but none had the audacity to act this casually in front of her.

She narrowed her gaze. "I have come to see for myself what makes you so interesting to my brother."

Guy raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you're here because of Veldanava?"

Velzard's fingers twitched slightly. She didn't like the way he said her brother's name so casually.

"I do not appreciate hearing my brother mention you as if you are something special." Her voice was calm, but cold as death. "I want to know what makes a mere Demon Lord worthy of such attention."

Guy grinned. "Ahh. So, you're jealous."

The temperature plummeted.

The castle walls cracked as a thin layer of frost spread instantly. The very air froze, ice forming on the ground beneath them. The stormy sky above grew silent—too silent.

Velzard's expression remained calm, but her aura spoke volumes.

"Choose your words carefully, Demon."

Guy, however, did not look concerned in the slightest. He simply crossed his arms, his grin unwavering.

"I hit a nerve, huh?"

Velzard narrowed her eyes. She had half a mind to erase him right then and there.

Guy sighed dramatically. "Look, sweetheart, if you wanted to challenge me, you could've just said so."

Velzard clenched her fists. She despised this Demon.

His arrogance. His casual way of speaking. His complete lack of fear.

She had arrived expecting to intimidate him. Instead, he was enjoying this.

And that infuriated her even more.

"Perhaps," she said icily, "I should destroy you and see if my brother still finds you so amusing."

Guy chuckled. "Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves."

He leaned forward slightly, his crimson eyes locking onto hers with genuine amusement.

"Be honest, Velzard. Are you here to test me? Or do you just not like the idea of sharing your big brother's attention?"

The sheer audacity.

Velzard's lips parted slightly—not in shock, but in rage.

Without another word, she raised her hand, and an instant later—

The entire castle was encased in ice.

An explosion of frost spread across the land, freezing everything in an instant.

Mountains shattered. The stormy sky turned white. The once dark and ominous land became a frozen wasteland.

And in the center of it all—

Guy still stood there.

The ice cracked and shattered around him, steam rising as his magic fought against hers. His smirk never wavered.

Velzard stared at him.

Why?

Why was he still standing?

Guy let out a slow breath, then cracked his neck. "Alright, that was cute. My turn?"

Velzard tensed.

Then, for the first time, she saw something dangerous in his eyes.

For a brief moment, his aura shifted, and the very space around him trembled.

Velzard's heart skipped a beat.

This was no ordinary Demon Lord.

And that pissed her off even more.

Arion's Spies Move in the Shadows

But today, they had stumbled upon something unexpected.

The tension between Velzard, the White Ice Dragon, and Guy, the Lord of Calamity.

From a safe distance, concealed behind powerful magic barriers that masked their presence, Arion's spies had witnessed everything—Velzard's descent, her icy rage, and the clash of magic that had momentarily turned Guy's domain into a frozen wasteland.

They immediately knew this was too important to ignore.

But Arion was unavailable.

And that meant only one thing—Diablo had to be informed.

Diablo sat leisurely in one of the grand halls, sipping a fine demonic tea. He was just about to enjoy a quiet moment when one of Arion's spies appeared before him, bowing deeply.

"My Lord Diablo, we have urgent intelligence regarding an interaction between Guy and Velzard."

Diablo's crimson eyes gleamed with curiosity. He delicately placed his teacup down, interlocking his fingers.

"Oh? Do tell."

The spy reported everything—Velzard's irritation, Guy's amusement, the icy explosion, and the moment where the space around them trembled from their clash.

By the time the report was done, Diablo's lips had curved into an eager grin.

"Fufu… this is most interesting."

While Diablo found amusement in chaos, he was even more intrigued by the personal dynamics between powerful beings. Velzard, the ever-composed dragon, being provoked by Guy's teasing? Now that was entertainment.

Diablo tapped his chin, pretending to think. Then, an idea struck him.

"Ah… I know someone who will love this news."

Not long after, inside Veldora's personal chamber within the Watch tower, the Storm Dragon was lounging lazily on a massive throne-like chair, flipping through a manga.

Then—

BOOM!

The doors slammed open, and Diablo elegantly walked in, hands behind his back.

Veldora barely looked up. "Huh? Oh, it's you. What do you want?"

Diablo's grin widened. "Veldora-sama, I have some… rather intriguing news."

Veldora flicked a page, looking only mildly interested. "It better be good. I just got to the part where the protagonist unlocks his hidden powers—"

Diablo interrupted smoothly.

"It's about Velzard… and Guy."

Silence.

The manga slipped from Veldora's fingers.

His golden eyes snapped up to Diablo.

"…What?"

Diablo's smile turned positively wicked. "You see, it appears that Velzard paid Guy a visit. And, well… let's just say, it didn't exactly go peacefully."

Veldora shot up from his seat. "WAIT. WAIT. WHAT? My big sister went to see Guy?! Are you serious?!"

Diablo chuckled. "Oh, quite serious."

Veldora grinned.

This was the best news he'd heard all week!

His normally composed sister, interacting with Guy?

This was GOLD.

"Did they fight?!"

Diablo elegantly swirled his hand. "Oh, yes. She turned his entire castle into a frozen wasteland."

Veldora burst into laughter. "AHAHAHAHA! Oh man, I would've paid to see Guy's face!"

Diablo's eyes glowed with mischievous delight.

"Well… who said you have to imagine?"

Veldora froze.

"…What?"

Diablo pulled out a crystalline orb, pulsing with eerie red light.

"You see, our spies captured the event quite well. And thanks to some magic…" he trailed off, his smile widening, "…I can project it."

For a moment, Veldora just stared.

Then his face broke into an uncontrollable grin.

"YOU CAN SHOW ME?! DUDE, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! PLAY IT!!"

Diablo tapped the crystal ball, and suddenly—

A massive projection appeared in the chamber.

And there it was—

Velzard landing in front of Guy's castle, ice-blue hair flowing, eyes cold as death.

Guy stepping forward, arms crossed, smirking like the cocky bastard he was.

Their exchange of words.

Velzard's growing irritation.

Guy's insufferable smirk.

Then—

BOOM!

Velzard unleashing her ice magic, freezing everything in an instant.

Veldora was howling with laughter.

"AHAHAHAHA! LOOK AT GUY'S FACE! He's just standing there like, 'Oh, that's cute!'"

Diablo merely smiled in amusement.

Veldora wiped a tear from his eye. "Man, I swear… my sister just casually turns his home into an ice block, and Guy's just CHILLING."

Diablo chuckled. "Quite literally."

Then—they watched the moment Guy's aura shifted.

The projection showed Velzard pausing. The space around Guy distorting slightly.

And for a split second, Velzard's expression changed.

She realized something.

Guy was no ordinary Demon Lord.

Veldora's grin widened.

"…Oh-ho? Sis actually got serious for a second."

Diablo leaned forward slightly. "Indeed. He surprised her."

Veldora nodded, thoroughly entertained. "Man, I wish I had popcorn. This is amazing."

Diablo chuckled darkly. "I thought you'd enjoy it."

Veldora rubbed his chin, still watching intently.

"Hah… I wonder what my sister's thinking now. I bet she's even more pissed off."

Diablo simply smiled.

"…Oh, I'm certain of it."