Nagini walked down the passage into the mausoleum.

  The interior was made with wood and magic stones that could even withstand the full weight of a Dragon King.

  This mausoleum had been constructed long long ago when the Founding Dragon King made the country. It was now so old that the floor was slightly uneven.

  Even so Nagini walked vigorously down the partially ruined passage.

  …..today…this is what I trained for ssu, I’ve gotten my Master’s seal of approval so it should be fine ssu….!

  She persuaded herself as she continued walking down the huge passage for the next few minutes. She finally arrived at a huge room.

  This grand hall was made with magic stones and wood just like the previous passageway. In the center of this grand hall was a square stone pedestal where she could see another girl who looked just like her sleeping upon it.

  「………….」


  The girl who slept upon the stone didn’t even stir and continued to breathe slightly as she slept. Nagini approached her….

  「I’m back Dora-ane ssu.」


  She shook as she looked upon the face of her sister, Dora, who had always looked after her.

  She touched her slightly pale skin and properly felt her warmth…she could finally rest easy that she was still alive.

  …….I made it in time. I made it!!

  She let out a deep sigh of relief that she had returned in time to rescue her sister.

  「So you’ve returned Lady Nagini」 (TN: He says Nagini of the Royalty…but it sounds bad)

  A heavy voice echoed out from beyond the pedestal.

  There she could see a giant platform made out of magic stones. The owner of that deep voice was a gigantic half-transparent dragon who was lying there curled up.

  「Founding Dragon-sama……」


  The dragon was longer than 10 meters and had a rainbow colored jewel set into its forehead. The founding dragon turned a stern gaze towards her.

  「You’ve made me wait for quite some time….but are you prepared to take my trial and have you prepared yourself to accept my power?」


  It said with grave seriousness and a gaze to match.

  The air of intimidation was intense.

  If it had been only a short while earlier she would have flinched, turned tail, and hid behind her sister for fear of this pressure. However…


  ……the people back there gave off a much more fearful pressure ssu…!

  Thinking of that there was no need for her to cower in fear. That’s why…


  「Yes. I’ve made my preparations ssu…!!」


  She returned the question with a firm nod.

  The founding dragon’s mouth slightly twitched upwards as it began to raise its body.

  「I see. Then let us begin. —『Return my power. Transmit my will and transfer my might』—」


  Upon speaking those words a blackish grayish light emerged from Dora’s body.

  The founding dragon sucked that light back into its body and…


  「Receive my power and my will Lady Nagini. —『Trial of Rebirth』—」


  and swung its claw towards Nagini.

  It was the beginning of the trial.

  「Ugu….!」


  At that instant it felt as if her entire body was being squeezed and crushed.

  No, not only that but her brain and organs were being subjected to mind-numbing pain.

  …….this is…even worse than the first time I tried ssu…!

  The first time she had underwent this she had almost immediately collapsed to her knees and nearly passed out.

  At that time her sister had stepped in to take on her portion of the power as well.

  My sister endured this kind of power running inside her? Nagini thought with sincere respect and a feeling of deep guilt. It wasn’t something she should have had to carry on her own. However now…


  …..if it’s now……then…I can carry it as well ssu.

  If it’s only this much. Then compared to being charged by the boars…if it’s compared to being punched by the golem….if it’s compared to being crushed by the power emitted by Master and all the other Dragon King’s at once…


  ….this is nothing impossible….!!」


  I won’t collapse. Just this degree of agony…is something I can overcome.

  I’ll show you that I can.

  She continued to support herself with such thoughts for some time.

  She could not tell if it had been dozens of seconds or dozens of minutes.

  She couldn’t tell how long it had been but even so…


  「ku……I-I’ll over…….come it ssu…..」


  Nagini continued to stand until the Founding Dragon finished pouring the light inside of her. She finally accepted the power.

  「….hou…the trial is over but you managed to accept nigh on 70% of the power…well done. And unlike Dora you were able to stay on your feet. You’ve done well.」


  「Yes ssu!」


  Nagini couldn’t help but show off a toothy smile.

  Her vision was hazy and she felt light headed, but even so she had overcome the trial.

  She was overjoyed from this simple truth.

  The training she had done had shown its worth. She hadn’t wasted the efforts of those who had trained her. Her gratitude and sense of accomplishment filled her heart. Furthermore…


  …..with this…finally Dora-ane will wake up…!!

  Her sister had fainted from being overwhelmed by the Founding Dragon’s power.

  Her sister had undergone an even harsher trial as she had been forced to accept even more than the 70% that Nagini had obtained.

  But this time she had properly accepted her portion and more.

  In that case she should wake up if she simply waited for a while.

  …..finally I’ll be able to talk to her!

  She was the sister who had been with her since birth. Once again regaining their everyday life where they could laugh and talk together…Nagini felt joy welling up from the bottom of her heart. Then…


  「『Well then, you who have proven your suitability to be King…as King you have one final job to complete』」


  Nagini heard the Founding Dragon’s voice from both outside and inside her head.

  「h….uh? Why…is Founding Dragon-sama’s voice inside my head?」


  「『Ohh, there’s no need to worry. Along with my power a part of my consciousness flowed in as well. There’s no need to worry so you may just focus on accepting the rest.』」


  「I-is that so ssu? Got it. Then what job do I need to do ssuka?」


  Nagini asked with confusion. The Founding Dragon nodded once and said…


  「『It’s a simple thing. As the trial has finished with your success…you may now kill that useless——Dora over there and accept the rest of my power.』」