Dialogue/Sub Story Invincible Dragon

Translated by Khosen

Does the Dragon Dream Beyond the Horizon?

Part 1. Dragon's Visit

Invincible Dragon:

Vice-admiral Sirene.

Sirene:

Ah? Yes! Yes! Admiral!

Invincible Dragon:

It's been a while since I last saw you.

Well, I suppose we both are very busy.

How are you doing?

Sirene:

I'm fine, thanks for asking.

Invincible Dragon:

I was told that you embarked on a new task of opening the Cafe Horizon.

How's that going?

Sirene:

We didn't expect the cafe to be this popular, but everyone's enjoying working there.

Ah! That doesn't mean we're not putting our best effort into our main duties!

Invincible Dragon:

I'm well aware of your capabilities and sincere personality.

You're the one who led the fleet while I was absent, and if I didn't recognize the work you've put into, that would mean I'm the incompetent one.

Sirene:

N, no, it wasn't all me. I was just lucky...and I had good people around me.

Invincible Dragon:

Being humble isn't always virtuous.

Luck does not find someone who's not ready, and having good people around doesn't mean you can accomplish something.

So the fact that you were lucky and had good people around you tells me about your character, that you had talent and gained the popularity of people around you.

It's dangerous for an officer to overestimate one's ability, but it's also dangerous for her to underestimate it.

Sirene:

I'll...keep that in mind.

Invincible Dragon:

I wasn't planning to lecture you.

To change the topic...

I'm interested in the cafe you and the others are working at...

Would you mind if I take a visit to Cafe Horizon?

Sirene:

Not at all! We'd love to have you visit us, Admiral!

And I'm sure I'm speaking for everyone when I say that.

Invincible Dragon:

*Chuckles* That makes me excited.

Would the same time tomorrow work out?

Sirene:

Yes! We'll be ready for you.

Invincible Dragon:

Understood. I'll see you tomorrow then.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll have to get back to work.

Sirene:

Of course!

Admiral...is visiting us...

Alright! I should prepare the best ingredients and coffee beans!

...Wait. Knowing the Admiral, she wouldn't want special treatment.

And we all made sure every customer received the best service anyway!

Still...should I clean the place again? And...Uhm...

Ah...

The...uniform...

Part 2. The Cafe Horizon ExComm

Sirene:

We have an issue, everyone!

Nereid:

What's up, Vice-admiral?

Did someone catch you singing an embarrassing love song by yourself?

Sirene:

No!

Thetis:

I'm not the only one who ate the cheese! Undine was there with me!

Undine:

Thetis! We had an agreement to keep that a secret!

Sirene:

That explains why we were short on cheese recently...anyways. The cheese isn't the problem right now.

Our Admiral, Invincible Dragon, is planning to visit the cafe tomorrow!

Nereid:

Admirals is? Yay!

Hey, can Nerie meet her halfway and bring her?

Undine:

Did she say if there's something she wanted to try? I'll prepare in advance.

Maybe the new menu I've been working on...no, perhaps now's not the time to experiment. Instead, I should go with the one I'm most comfortable with...

Thetis:

So what's the trouble we're in?

We have all the ingredients, the cafe's doing fine...

Sirene:

Our uniform...

They're a little...too revealing...

Everyone:

Ah...

Sirene:

We're wearing them for the Commander...but if I were to show it to the Admiral...

I know she wouldn't scold us, but...

Thetis:

Kyahaha, but we're on board Orca?

...But yes, I can't imagine wearing the uniform in front of the Admiral...

Maybe the Orca culture grew on us a little too much.

Sirene:

We'll talk about that another time.

Right now, we need to figure out what to wear.

Everyone:

Hmm...

Nereid:

Ah! Nerie has an idea!

Why don't we start a special promotion event and have the cafe filled with people, so she couldn't enter?

Undine:

But she can always write her name down on the waitlist and wait?

Why don't we just close the cafe for tomorrow?

Sirene:

She can always find another time to visit.

And...I want to show her that we're all working hard.

Maybe...we should come up with some sort of justification behind our uniform...

Thetis:

Hey... Vice-admiral.

Sirene:

Yes?

Thetis:

Do we have to wear a maid's uniform?

Can't we just wear our usual Horizon uniform?

Sirene:

Ah...

That's...actually a good idea. We were thinking a little too much on this issue.

Alright. Let's wear our Horizon uniform for tomorrow then.

And...

Undine.

Undine:

Yes?

Sirene:

Thetis.

Thetis:

Yes, Vice-admiral.

Sirene:

The two of you, clean up the cafe after work today.

Manager's orders.

I'm sure I don't have to explain why.

Undine:

I, I only took a bite, though?

Thetis:

But I gave you the uniform idea!

Sirene:

The issue is you two still ate those cheese without permission...we still have a code of conduct to follow, you know...

Nereid:

Hey, Vice-admiral. Can Nerie have some cheese too?

And I'll join the two to do the cleaning.

Sirene:

...The issue here isn't about eating cheese, but...

...Alright. Go get some cheese.

Mine too.

I guess the four of us will finish the task faster, right?

Part 3. Dragon's Arrival

Commander:

As I was strolling around our base, I stumbled upon Dragon.

Invincible Dragon:

My Lord.

Commander:

Hey, Dragon. It's been a while, no? (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

I've been very busy with everything I needed to take care of, and I never could find the time to come ashore.

*Chuckles* I forgot who I was talking to. I know you're kind of a workaholic yourself...please, forget what I just said.

Commander:

I just do what I have to do. (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

Which is why we were gifted with this spectacular headquarter.

Commander:

I decided to change the topic as I felt Dragon would just go on and on, praising me.

Is it an off-day for you today? (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

Yes. A soldier must know when to rest.

Commander:

I've heard that from so many others...

What are your plans for the day? (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

I was planning to visit Cafe Horizon.

Commander:

Oh? Mind if I join you? (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

Not at all. I'd be always happy to have your company.

Commander:

I could tell she wasn't saying that just to please me from her smile.

I slowly grabbed her hand.

Invincible Dragon:

*Chuckles.*

Commander:

And headed towards Cafe Horizon with her chuckles in the background.

Nereid:

Welcome, Mast...n, no! Commander! Admiral!

Commander:

As we arrived, Nereid welcomed us.

It looks like she knew we were coming.

But...what's this eerie feeling...

Nereid:

Sit here! We saved the best seat by the windows!

...

Commander:

As we sat down, Nereid gave me a weird signal and went her way.

Thetis:

Hello, Commander and Admiral. Here's our menu.

Invincible Dragon:

I see there's a variety. I have to admit I did not have a lot of experience with cafes back in the day, but still, I can tell this is a good one.

Looking at those smiles on everyone's faces and having a good time tells me everything.

Thetis:

We're all trying our best as our name's on the cafe.

Invincible Dragon:

Well then, I'd like the original blend with a cheesecake on the side, please.

Thetis:

An original blend and a cheesecake, correct?

Invincible Dragon:

Yes.

Thetis:

What about you, Commander?

Commander:

The usual, please. (Choice)

Thetis:

Kyahaha! But you always order different things every time you visit.

Commander:

Well, same with Dragon then. (Choice)

Thetis:

Got it.

Two original blends and cheesecakes~

Commander:

And Thetis disappeared to the kitchen.

But I also felt the same eerie feeling I felt earlier, and Thetis also sent me a signal before she disappeared.

Sirene:

You're here, Admiral! And welcome again, Commander.

Invincible Dragon:

We did make a promise yesterday.

Sirene:

*Chuckles* Your visit is motivating everyone.

Just like when you're in the field, commanding us.

Commander:

I sat aside and watched Siren and Dragon making conversation.

They were talking about things a soldier would talk about to a superior she admires, but to me, it felt like a conversation between a younger sister to an older one she looks up to.

Looking at them made me heartwarming, but the eerie feeling wouldn't just go away.

Sirene:

We had so much trial and error to develop the perfect cheesecake recipe.

Commander:

Even when Sirene was talking to Dragon, she was signalling me about something.

Just what is she trying to tell me...and what's this feeling...

Undine:

Here's your original blend and cheesecake.

Please, do enjoy.

Commander:

Something wasn't right with Undine too.

And I finally figured it out when I decided to eat the cheesecake.

I noticed how a small word was written on my cheesecake; 'uniform.'

Ah! (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

Is everything okay?

Commander:

Y, yeah. It's nothing. (Choice)

Every Horizon member was wearing their Horizon uniform, not their maid uniform.

To me, both of them were technically their official uniform, so it was difficult to figure out what was wrong.

That explains why they were trying to send me some sort of a signal.

I didn't have to think too hard to find a reason behind their action.

Invincible Dragon:

Are you sure you're okay?

Commander:

It's probably because of Dragon, sitting across me enjoying her coffee and cake.

Invincible Dragon. The commanding officer of Horizon...no. Back in the day, she was the commanding officer of Black River and the entire fleet during the Extinction War.

I suppose they didn't want Dragon seeing them wearing their cafe uniform.

Because I lacked some common sense and customs of humans before my time so I couldn't exactly figure out why. But I'm sure there's a good reason behind it.

So I decided to play along.

Invincible Dragon:

This is indeed a great coffee and cake.

Commander:

Right? And I know they're still not satisfied and working hard to improve them. (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

I've had quite a few pre-made ones, but none of them were as good as the ones I'm having right now.

Commander:

I heard how Marie also gets her coffee from this place. (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

If General Marie, who's known to be picky with her coffee, chose this place, that tells me enough about the quality.

Commander:

As we kept on talking, I couldn't sense a commanding presence from Dragon as she drank and ate her coffee and cake.

But seeing her like this didn't feel awkward at all.

After getting a second cup of coffee, she said nothing but looked around the cafe.

Sometimes she would look out the window, and sometimes she would look at the other customers.

But the place she had the most attention to was...

Nereid:

Welcome to Cafe Horizon!

Table for...ah! One moment! Let me clean the tables first!

Thetis:

May I take your orders?

One americano and two mochas, correct?

Undine:

Vice-admiral! I need a little help back in the kitchen!

Dessert orders are piling up!

Sirene:

O, one moment!

Here's the earl grey, and chocolate chip cookies!

Commander:

Dragon took the most time watching her Horizon members.

Invincible Dragon:

...

Commander:

She didn't say anything, but I saw her wear a different smile than the one she would make when talking to me.

I couldn't help myself but also follow her eyes as she seemed to be enjoying the moment.

After we finished our second cup of coffee.

Invincible Dragon:

We shouldn't keep this table to ourselves any longer.

Commander:

Did you have a good time? (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

More than enough.

Commander:

As we were about to get up...someone grabbed my right arm.

CheonA:

You're here, Master. CheonA really missed you.

Commander:

When I gave my attention to CheonA, I noticed how JangHwa was behind her.

JangHwa:

You...just what are you...

CheonA:

Kyah, I'm scared.

Master. Look at the bad pussy cat staring at CheonA.

JangHwa:

Get off him...

Commander:

And the two began quarrelling.

Wearing their Cafe Horizon uniform...

Sirene:

M, miss JangHwa! CheonA!

CheonA:

Oh? Hey Manager. Why are you wearing a different uniform?

Sirene:

T, this is.

JangHwa:

You told me to wear this when I first worked here.

Were you lying?

Sirene:

N, no, I didn't. This is uhm...

CheonA:

You didn't tell us anything, Manager...

I'm hurt.

JangHwa:

Did...he tell you he likes us in those?

CheonA:

Oh? Do you like us wearing a sailor's uniform, Master?

Commander:

U, uhhh... (Choice)

CheonA:

Hey, do you have any spare sailor's uniform, Manager? If our Master likes them, we should get changed.

So, what should I call you now? Captain? Admiral? 船長? 除毒?

JangHwa:

You prefer that now?

T...then...

Commander:

Why do I get the feeling that I'm behind all this...

Sirene:

This is, uhm...

Commander:

Sirene tried her best to come up with an explanation, but knowing how she can't lie, she couldn't come up with one.

And Dragon finally opened her mouth after seeing Cafe Horizon's uniform...

Invincible Dragon:

Vice-admiral Sirene.

Sirene:

Y, Yes! Admiral!

Invincible Dragon:

I'm glad you're enjoying your time working here.

And I'm well aware of how you usually dress yourselves, don't worry about it.

Sirene:

Ah...

Commander:

With that, Dragon stood up.

Invincible Dragon:

I had a pleasant time.

Next time, you don't have to try and hide anything from me. You all can be yourselves.

Sirene:

G, get back safely!

Commander:

After dealing with JangHwa and CheonA, I followed Dragon and left Cafe Horizon.

Part 4. Dragon's Dream

Commander:

We walked towards the beach and walked side by side.

For a second, I was worried if Dragon was mad because she was so quiet, but I couldn't sense any anger from her.

And when we finally reached the shores, Dragon paused and stood still.

She stared at the waves for a while before opening her mouth.

Invincible Dragon:

I'm glad to see how every Horizon member is having fun.

Commander:

I do too. (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

...

My Lord.

Commander:

Yes, right here. (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

I'm also glad that I get to serve you.

As a warrior, you possess wisdom, competence, and resilience. As a leader, you have shown you can lead others to the right path.

Commander:

That's an overstatement. (Choice)

I felt a little embarrassed with how highly Dragon regarded me, but she said it once more with a warm but firm face.

Invincible Dragon:

I don't think it's an overstatement, nor am I saying this to please your ears.

I wouldn't try to flatter you nor lie to you. I do not know how, and even if I knew, it's not the right thing to do.

I've closely observed you as someone who was given the autonomy to disobey human orders, and that's the conclusion I came up with.

But I guess it's wrong for me to evaluate someone who I serve...

Commander:

No, it's fine. Keep going. I'm listening. (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

Thank you.

...

A title always follows me wherever I go.

Invincible. The Invincible Dragon.

It's a fragile title to live up to.

I can win 99 times in a battle, but I'd lose the title if I lose the next one.

Thankfully I've been lucky...and I had great people around me who trusted my commands, so I could somewhat live up to the title.

*Chuckles* I sound like Vice-admiral Sirene.

...My Lord.

Commander:

Yeah. (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

I'm known as...the Invincible Dragon.

But invincible...means nothing.

Commander:

What do you mean? (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

...

All I know is how to fight and win a war.

And as a result, I can only offer victory and defeat, life and death to those who trust and follow my lead.

That's what it means to be invincible.

Commander:

I tried to say something, but Dragon was faster than me as she continued.

Invincible Dragon:

The members of Horizon and I look like humans, but we were born and designed as a tool of war.

Born for war, living for war, and dying for war.

But...I've begun looking at things from a different angle recently.

I've seen how everyone at Horizon...

Began planning things a weapon shouldn't plan or act unlike how a weapon should act.

And unlike a weapon...began searching for love...

Like a midsummer night's dream.

I wasn't able to provide such things, but you can.

And you also gave me a new thought I wasn't able to think of before.

As I look at you, I'd begin to think.

'Perhaps I can see a world without war.'

'What would this world look like when the war's over?'

'In a such world, what would we do?'

'And...what would... 'I' do in such a world?'

Commander:

Dragon paused and looked at the ocean again, smiling.

Invincible Dragon:

It's embarrassing to admit, but I've never thought about ending this war we are at.

Commander:

Her eyes were focused on the horizon.

But I could tell she was looking somewhere way beyond it.

Invincible Dragon:

I've known nothing but war my entire life, so it's tough for me to think about it.

Commander:

Dragon slowly turned around and faced me this time.

Invincible Dragon:

But I'm confident that you would bring an end to this.

Commander:

And Dragon handed me over her sword.

The sword that represented her.

Invincible Dragon:

I do not know what lies ahead on this path.

In fact, no one does.

But I insist that you don't hesitate to take another step moving forward.

Because everyone at Orca has complete trust in you and will follow you to the world's end.

And I'll be there too.

Close by.

Right beside you.

I'll cut through any obstacle in your way and hold you tight if you're about to fall.

To me, the path you choose is the only and the right one.

All I ask in return is one thing.

My Lord, show me, no, show us all our future.

Commander:

I slowly took her sword.

It was heavy and knowing what this meant felt even heavier.

Her words disappeared as the waves broke behind her, but her wishes resonated deep down my heart.

Her eyes were pure as ever, but it was nothing compared to her purity of will.

A being born for war just told me she now dreams beyond the horizon, of a world without war and that she'd stand by my side until the end.

I'm sure everyone around me feels the same way, not just Dragon.

I took some time to comprehend the vast and grave responsibility I faced...

I'll show you and the rest of Orca what's beyond that horizon. (Choice)

And accepted it.

Invincible Dragon:

Thank you, My Lord.

Commander:

I returned the sword back to her, and both of us said nothing but looked into each other's eyes for a while.

And thought...

What do we do now?

Sure, we talked about some serious stuff, but things are getting awkward now that's all done.

Invincible Dragon:

*Chuckles.*

I...think I said some embarrassing stuff.

Commander:

Yeah, I think I said something embarrassing too. (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

But still...

I meant every single word.

Commander:

I know. (Choice)

When things were about to get awkward again, I got curious.

Do you have anything planned for when the war's over? (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

When it's over?

Nothing concrete, but...

Uhm...

No... nevermind.

Commander:

What is it? I won't judge. (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

I feel I don't deserve it...it's a little difficult to say.

Commander:

Just tell me. (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

But...

Commander:

What happened to following me till the end? (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

If you say it like that...alright.

I'd like to stay...

Commander:

Stay? (Choice)

Invincible Dragon:

Stay...by...your...side.

In any form...

I'd like to walk... besides you...

Even after the war...

I know I'd be no use when there's no war, but...

If I may... I'd dare ask to stay by your side.

Commander:

... (Choice)

I said nothing and pulled her into my arms.

Invincible Dragon:

My Lord...

Commander:

Carefully, she hugged me back.

She was born for war, lived her life for war, and received the invincible title...

But she dreams of a world without war and wishes to stay by my side in such a world...

And so, I told myself I'd do anything to make her dreams come true.

We sat next to each other for the rest of the day and talked about what the world would look like.

The world we dreamed of felt like a child's painting, a fantasy.

But like how a child feels happy as one paints, we felt delighted as we painted how the world would look after the war.

And we had no doubt that the day would come.

The talk went on and on overnight.

And by the time the sun rose above the horizon, we began dozing off, leaning against one another.

Dreaming of what lies beyond the horizon...

End.