After a few days in the dungeon, Desaray and the others returned back to the city. Ricky, Becky, and the other’s levels all jumped to level 90. In just a short time, they had all gained more levels experience-wise than they did while in the trial. “This is a little overpowered.” Becky pursed her lips. 

None of them expected to gain so many levels so quickly. While they did fight a ton, they never had to worry about deaths since Desaray was there to protect them. Ricky felt very conflicted about this since his daughter seemed very used to using battle tactics. This means she has been fighting much more than all of them. She might have even…. “Desa…. Have you….”

“Dad?” Desaray looked at Ricky questioningly. She wondered what he wanted to ask.

“It’s nothing.” He couldn’t bring himself to ask if she had killed anyone before. But he understood that in this chaotic world, that it was more than likely that she had.

“Oh….” Desaray sighed. She looked at her father, who was standing much closer to her now, and wondered how he could ease his heart. He seemed very worried about her but would not talk about it. After some thought, Desaray decided to bring him to that place. “Dad. Follow me.” 

Picking Lilly up into her arms, she walked out of the house without saying anything else. Ricky followed close behind her as the two began walking to an unknown destination. Desaray walked slowly with her father a few feet behind. “Dad, did you know that this entire time, my dream was to find the floating island you were on and bring you all home? A home I built with my own hands so you could have a place to return to. This kingdom, while it is a necessity to me, is also a place I treasure. I will defend it and its people, no matter the cost. Since its founding as a small village, I worked hard. I learned how to fight properly with my abilities, and I learned how to lead with the guidance of those around me. 

“I took in more refugees from all races and helped those I felt were worth helping. Life is unfair. Life is pointless… I felt this way many times. But the people around me always seemed to appear when I was feeling down. They allowed me to keep striving for a future that would bring us all happiness. 

“I have shed blood. I have killed many. But I did so in order to protect what I felt was worth protecting. I do not regret what I have done so far. In fact, I feel I have helped get rid of possible dangers.

“Dad, do you know that I killed Jake?” Desaray’s stunned Ricky. He never thought that his daughter would kill someone she knew, even if he was not a good person. But from the sounds of it, she had killed many people. He wondered just how hard it was on her.

“I killed him because he was trying to find an easy out. He was greedy for power yet unwilling to look at his own actions. Did you know he tried to pit me against a base of humans who were just trying to survive? He planned to use hundreds of lives just to get revenge on me for not helping him level. This was the kind of person he was.

“So, I handed him over to Juna. She then turned him into food for her and her husband. But even now, I do not feel any remorse for what I did. For every life I have taken, I have felt nothing. Dad, I am no longer human. My mentality has changed since I became a dragon. I only care about protecting those I deem worth protecting. The people of my kingdom are one of them. If I had to choose between my people and outsiders, I would choose my people every time.” Desaray spoke softly and slowly so that her father could take all of this in.

“Why…. Why are you telling me all of this?” Ricky asked. He thought she would try to hide it from him. But here she was, being completely open and honest with him.

“Because I want you to know who your daughter is now.” Desaray turned and looked at him with a soft smile. “But no matter how much I change, I will always be your little girl. My love for the man who became my father will never change. You raised me from a baby. You sacrificed so much for me. If I had to sacrifice my life to protect you, I would.” 

“Don’t ever say that!” Ricky yelled. “You are to never give up your life for me! I worked so damn hard to save your life that day. I will not allow you to give it up!”

“Sorry….” Desaray smiled. Crystal tears made of ice fell from her eyes. “You are right. I should protect my life along with yours. But just know. Your little girl will never change when it comes to family. While I might end up killing many in the future. It does not change the fact that I still look up to my hero.”