Unrivaled in another world

[: 3rd POV :]

Afterwards, they began moving out toward a city in a human continent where it's known for having a teleportation station after being informed by one of the humans.

But it will take a few days to reach there, and as night approached and they had prepared camps where Daniel took out from the inventory.

However, as night approached, the hatchlings of the dragons wanted to approach Daniel, but they were afraid.

Even with the chains removed and the tormenting aura of the facility long gone, the shadows in their hearts lingered.

They flinched at sudden sounds, hesitated to speak, and clung to one another like fragile leaves in a storm.

Days of captivity had turned their instincts toward silence and submission.

Daniel didn't rush them.

He never raised his voice, never pushed. He simply stayed by their side—gentle, warm, patient.

He knelt to their level, offered food with open hands, and smiled in a way that made even the most frightened among them pause and peer at him with wide, curious eyes.

When one of the smallest dragonlings—barely able to speak—reached for his cloak and whispered, "Are we… safe now?" Daniel nodded and said only, "Yes. You are now."

That was when the first tears fell.

And one by one, the rest followed.

Soon after, a human scout among the rescued survivors approached him with a map and soft words.

"There's a city to the west," she said.

"About four or five days on foot. It has a teleportation station. You'll be able to get them home—or at least somewhere safe."

Daniel thanked her with a simple nod, then turned to the weary, cautious crowd of survivors.

"We'll move at sunrise," he told them, his voice calm yet firm. "I'll lead. No one will be left behind."

The journey was quiet, but not uncomfortable.

Daniel walked at the front, Erina holding onto the corner of his cloak like a baby bird clinging to its nest.

Even the other children had followed, slowly beginning to open up as the days passed.

There were still nightmares and sudden panics in the middle of the night, but Daniel always seemed to be there before they could cry out.

His presence was like a beacon in the dark.

When dusk arrived on the third day, the skies turned hues of gold and lavender.

A nearby forest clearing offered them shelter for the night.

Daniel opened his inventory, and with a flash of light, tents, food, and clean bedding materialised from thin air.

The hatchlings watched in awe.

He showed them how to set up their tents, how to use the glowing stones for warmth, and how to roast the rations so they didn't taste like paper.

He even fashioned small wooden charms from fallen branches and handed one to each of the children—little tokens shaped like wings or stars.

That night, most of the survivors fell into a peaceful sleep for the first time in years.

But not all.

Under the moonlight, a small group of children remained awake, gathered around the campfire with quiet excitement.

Erina sat closest to Daniel, practically glued to his side.

She had been silent for most of the journey, but tonight, her eyes were brighter—less guarded.

The others had begun to open up as well.

Four boys and two girls—all from noble dragon lineages, the elite of the Dragon Continent.

Though still children, their bearing hinted at who they were raised to be—rulers, warriors, and leaders in the making.

"Big Brother Daniel," one of the boys piped up, his golden eyes gleaming.

"Can you teach me how to be powerful like you?"

"Powerful like me?" Daniel chuckled softly, poking at the campfire with a stick.

''I guess you have to be confident in yourself and not be afraid of anything"

Another boy leaned forward with a grin. "I wanna be like you when I grow up. Strong, fearless… and cool!"

The girls giggled behind their sleeves.

One of them, a sharp-eyed girl with icy blue scales along her neck, clasped her hands. "Big Brother Daniel… can I marry you when I grow up?"

Daniel blinked, lips parting in surprise. Before he could say anything, the second girl chimed in, "Me too! You're the nicest and strongest person I've ever seen!"

''Even stronger than father!''

Erina's eyes twitched. She slowly turned to the two girls, her black pupils narrowing as her tail gave a soft thump against the ground.

"No," she hissed, voice quiet and dangerously sweet. "Mine."

The other girls shrank slightly at her glare.

The boys, oblivious to the growing tension, continued showering Daniel with admiration and questions. B

But Erina, ever so subtly, tightened her grip on his cloak, making her claim without words.

Daniel stared at the fire, a drop of sweat sliding down the side of his face.

[: Host, may I remind you: dragons are highly territorial. And once they become attached, it's... difficult to dissuade them :]

"Thanks for the warning," Daniel replied inwardly with a tired sigh.

[: You're welcome! Also, congratulations. You now have seven high-born dragon hatchlings competing for your attention. One of them may very well become a future Empress. Or a yandere. Possibly both :]

"…You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

[: Immensely :]

Daniel managed a small smile despite himself.

He looked around at the children—Erina nestled protectively beside him, the others seated close, their eyes filled with admiration, hope, and something deeper.

He had saved them, yes.

But somehow, without realising it, he had also become their centre.

Days passed, marked by slow yet steady progress through the winding forest paths and open plains.

The hatchlings, once silent and shaken, now walked with lighter steps.

Laughter began to return in small waves, and the once haunted eyes began to carry sparks of wonder and curiosity.

Daniel led them all, always just ahead—his figure a calm and constant beacon.

On the fifth morning, just as the dawn painted the sky in soft pinks and blues, the towering walls of the border city came into view.

A fortified stronghold known as a central trade nexus between nations, and more importantly, a city that housed one of the few functioning Teleportation Stations.

Cheers and gasps filled the air among the children and survivors alike.

But as they neared the main gate, their path was blocked by a squadron of armoured guards—stern men and women clad in silver-blue mail bearing the insignia of the Continental Union.

"Halt!" the captain commanded, stepping forward with narrowed eyes.

"This area is under restricted access due to recent unrest. State your names and purpose!"

The children, especially the dragons, instinctively stepped behind Daniel, their joy quickly replaced by nervous fear.

Erina clung to his arm again, while the others looked at the guards warily, their instincts flaring.

Daniel was about to speak when one of the older survivors—a quiet man who had walked at the back for most of the journey—stepped forward.

He pulled down his hood, revealing a youthful but sharp face with a golden insignia tattooed just below his right eye.

The Crest of the Black Vow, a strong organisation that was tied to the intelligence networks of the major human nations.

The captain's eyes widened.

"W-Wait… that's—"

"One of the Pillars of Black Vow'' the man spoke calmly.

The tension in the air cracked as if lightning had struck.

The soldiers stood stunned, expressions frozen.

The name alone carried weight—Riven was known throughout the Human Continent as a war hero, master tactician, and the silent protector of several nations.

But he was also known for gathering information, and it was revealed that he had gone missing a year ago, and his reappearance was quite shocking.

"And those behind me," Riven continued, stepping aside to motion to Daniel and the others, "are survivors of the largest illegal slave operation uncovered''

''The survivors belonged to Noble Families of ours and even those on the other continents''

''Even the children with him are not just survivors—they are heirs of noble dragon lineages, including the daughter of the Dragon Empress herself."

Gasps rang out from the guards.

Some looked to each other in disbelief. Others instinctively stepped aside, faces pale.

"The young girl at his side," Riven added, glancing at Erina, "would inherit a Throne of the Dragon Empress."

Silence hung like a blade in the air.

The guards quickly dropped to one knee.

"My deepest apologies," the captain said, voice stiff with fear and awe.

At this point, they had countless questions, and they were bizarre.

However, knowing the war hero had returned with survivors where one of whom was the daughter of the Dragon Empress, was huge news.

Even though it was a small chance, their lives might be hanging by a thread if they showed a small single slightest disrespect towards her.

"We… we were unaware. Please, allow us to escort you directly to the station."

Daniel remained quiet, his gaze steady as he watched the reactions.

He could feel Erina's small hand tighten slightly, but she looked more proud than afraid now.

As they entered the city, people parted before them in the streets.

Whispers followed, rumours already brewing at the sight of thousands of survivors led by a mysterious young man whose presence radiated quiet authority.

The teleportation station stood tall and humming with energy at the city's heart. Gilded arches pulsed with blue light, and the space was protected by elite soldiers and mages—yet even they stood aside when the group approached.

While preparations were being made, Riven approached Daniel.

"You did more than just save them," he said in a low voice. "You've made connections that will change the future of all continents."

Daniel didn't answer immediately. His gaze was on the hatchlings—laughing softly, touching strange human tools, amazed by the city around them.

"I just gave them what I never had," Daniel finally replied, voice low. "A chance."