Chapter 11: Mongrel

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The moment I forged a contract with the Nightmare Vestige and named him “Mongrel,” I felt a profound connection to this wretched being unlike anything before.

The dark roots he had spread across my soul grew even stronger and extended further, but instead of parasitizing me, they now obeyed my will. They allowed me to draw “Nightmare Essence” directly from him.

At the same time, he gained the ability to manifest in the outside world—though that mattered far less than the raw strength surging within me and this strange, alien power now flowing through my soul and body.

“Nightmare Essence seems to amplify my Chaos,” I observed, realizing that my Chaos—one half of my Ability—had grown significantly more potent. “Huh, maybe even with the seal in place, I can channel some of its power externally. My soul feels stronger too! I might reach Rank 2 soon. So this is the true benefit of contracting Familiars.”

“Ugh…” Mongrel groaned, slumping onto the white floor of my Soul Space. “I can’t believe… I’ve become… the slave of a child…”

“Well, didn’t you answer my call just to serve me?” I chuckled, reaching down to pat his head. “Come on, it’s not so bad. I’m a good owner. I’ll treat you well if you help me master these abilities.”

“W-What? Why are you suddenly acting so kind?! It’s creepy! This damn kid is way too creepy! You’re creepier than most Nightmares!” he shrieked, flailing his little tentacles in a desperate attempt to flee.

I simply altered the gravity within my Soul Space using Chaos, reversing his trajectory. The harder he tried to escape, the closer he drew to me.

“W-What is this cursed power?! Can it do literally anything?!”

“Not really. So far, there aren’t that many applications, and most are extremely dangerous. I have to be very careful.”

“Eugh! Eeek! L-Let go of me!”

Mongrel squirmed as I scooped him up with both hands and pulled him close, snuggling him against my chest and cheek.

“Yeah, I made you extra huggable. You’re really bouncy—like a living teddy bear!” I laughed.

“I am NOT your plushy!!!” he wailed. “I am a vile nightmare born in the nightmare dimension!”

“No, you’re just a fragment of him,” I replied with a grin. “But don’t worry—we’ll get our revenge on your main body once he returns.”

“Revenge?! You’re the only one who wants that!” he protested.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Mongrel,” I shrugged. “Anyway, when we made that contract…”

“Are you even listening to what I’m saying?!”

“Shut up.”

At my command, his voice cut off instantly. His eye widened in panic as he tried to speak—nothing came out. No sound escaped his many mouths.

“Heh, you’re now partially merged with the power of Chaos and Harmony,” I explained. “My words have become laws to your very existence.”

“…!”

“I could do far worse things to you if I wanted,” I continued, offering a gentle smile. “But as I said, I’m a good person. I’m willing to cooperate with you. And—”

[Congratulations… successfully… contract… [Nightmare Vestige Spirit: Mongrel (??? Rank)]]

[Your Strength…]

[… has increased by +100]

[…Agility has increased by…]

[…]

[…]

[…]

“What?”

I opened my eyes for a moment in the real world, sitting on my bed. My parents were already awake; Gigantia was tidying the room and making the bed.

“Hm? Oh, dear, good morning!” my mother said, planting a big kiss on my face. “How did my baby sleep? Good? You didn’t have any creepy nightmares?”

“Um… no,” I shook my head. “Ah… I heard a weird mechanical voice inside my head.”

“Wait, what?” my father asked in surprise. “Like… Andromeda? The system?”

“Eh?” I tilted my head. “I don’t know?”

“…” He fell silent for a moment. “Hm, it might be that. Well, we can discuss it later. Good morning, dear.” He quickly lifted me up, kissed my cheek and forehead, and I returned a big kiss on his face too.

“I love you, daddy!” I hugged him tightly.

“Ah…” He blushed a little, clearly embarrassed by the affection.

He always reacted this way—a man who struggled to process these feelings—but deep down he was incredibly kind and good.

That’s my dad. He has suffered so much in his life, so I want to be the daughter who heals his broken heart and brings him happiness.

“Hahah… I love you too, Elizabeth,” he smiled warmly, kissing my cheek again. “You’re the cutest little girl in the world, did you know that? My dear daughter, whom I love more than anything.”

“Heheh, really?” I chuckled.

“Hey, I also love her more than anything!” my mother said, playfully stealing me from dad.

“Hah? No, that’s not possible…” he played along.

“Nope, I do!” she chuckled.

“That’s me!” he insisted.

Both of them started playing with me, hugging and kissing my face before they began tickling me, making me laugh uncontrollably.

In the end, we wound up cuddling on the bed again like nothing had happened…

“Ah, my lords, I just finished making the bed…” Gigantia sighed, crossing her arms.

“Just let them be, Gigantia. Don’t interrupt them,” Vlad appeared beside her, emerging from the shadows themselves. “Master Louis and Lady Mirai have gone through a lot in their lives. Their daughter is a gift that has made them smile every day.”

“…I guess you’re right,” Gigantia conceded and walked away.

I kept playing with my parents, who seemed more eager than ever to shower me with attention—until our stomachs finally protested.

“I’m hungry…” I said as my tummy rumbled.

“Let’s take a quick family bath together then!” my mother suggested. “Gigantia! Please make breakfast.”

“Understood!” she called from afar. “Vlad, come on, help me out.”

“Of course,” Vlad replied, turning into shadows and teleporting her with him toward the kitchen.

As dozens of maids and butlers bustled to prepare breakfast, we headed to the bath—an enormous, onsen-style pool my mother, who is from Japan, adored.

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“Mommy…” I murmured while splashing in the water as she gently washed my hair.

“Yes, dear?” she asked.

“If you were to give me a Japanese name, what would it be?” I asked. “Daddy named me Elizabeth, and I have my dragon’s name too, but… what about my Japanese name?”

“Hmmm…” She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Well, although I was born in Yamato, I… didn’t have a nice upbringing. The VPI brought me to Frostbane, where I was raised by scientists and Louis’ parents. It wasn’t until I was around eighteen that I could finally walk freely. Louis took me on countless adventures after that, hehe…”

She was clearly skipping over all the painful parts. I understood why—no need to burden a three-year-old with those memories.

“Sounds fun! Can I go on adventures too?” I asked.

“Maybe another day,” my father said, washing his long hair.

“Hmm, about the name…” my mother mused. “I was named Mirai by the VPI scientists because they believed I would save the future. But there’s no point giving you a name with a purpose. My… my wish, my dream, is for you to have a good life—free of worries and suffering. I want you to grow up spoiled, experiencing all the things we couldn’t at your age.”

“Aw… aren’t I already spoiled though?” I chuckled.

“Hehhe, maybe?”

SPLASH!

My mother poured a bucket of warm water over me, carefully washing my hair before applying a few oils to keep my black-and-white-red strands glossy and silky.

“Nozomi!” she declared. “That would be your name. It means Hope and Beauty.” She kissed my cheek. “Mooch, mooch! Because you’re mommy’s beautiful hope!”

“Is that so?” I chuckled, splashing playfully in the water with her. “I like it!”

I hopped out of the bath with my tiny wings and hugged her tightly. “I love you, mommy!”

“Hahaha! Calm down, sweetheart, we’re in the bath,” she laughed. “Alright, shall we go have breakfast?”

We quickly dressed and headed to a vast dining hall where several servants awaited us. A long, elegant white table overflowed with food.

There were classic English breakfasts alongside a huge variety of other dishes. Pancakes, waffles, cakes—so many cakes for some reason: chocolate, strawberry, cheesecakes, fruit cakes, and more.

Three large baskets brimmed with freshly baked bread, most of it steaming sourdough that looked mouthwatering.

Some loaves were topped with cheese, others flavored with onion and oregano, and a few even glowed red with tomato.

Fresh milk, soy milk, almond milk, over thirty different teas, plus countless pastries and warm cookies.

As we began to eat, my mother prepared me a generous sandwich piled high with grilled meat from some kind of divine spirit beast shaped like a giant boar. It was incredibly delicious.

We dragons crave a lot of meat—I’m always hungry for protein—so I eat heavily even at breakfast, though we balance it with bread, fruits, and other foods.

As a half-human, I can drink milk and enjoy most dairy products, including cheese, even though pure dragons usually aren’t fond of them.

“Lady Elizabeth, we made your favorite cheesecake—would you like to try it?”