Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

With a roaring, rumbling sound, a sudden gale swept through the area, shaking the treetops.
Even as her long indigo hair was whipped up into the air, Ekaterina seemed not to notice at all—she could only stare upward.

Rising far above the treetops and stretching toward the heavens was a vast, black, elongated dragon’s neck.
Burning crimson eyes gazed down upon the humans from that distant height.

The sheer suddenness of it stole Ekaterina’s words away. What she was seeing was far too unreal.

So enormous.
It’s like a movie.
And not just any movie—*that* one. The pride of Japanese cinema, the kaiju franchise that went so far as to be recognized by NASA with its own constellation.
Am I a bystander who only shows up at the very start of said movie?
The one who gets stomped with a *boom* right after.

“Milady!”

Oleg and the other six knights rushed forward, surrounding Ekaterina to protect her. Spears and swords were raised as they stared down the colossal dragon without flinching.
Brave and fearless—the elite Jurnova knights.
And yet—compared to it, they were no more than an ant.

“Milady, please stay calm. Get into the carriage and hide.”

Mina grabbed her hand, trying to pull Ekaterina toward the carriage.
But—

*BOOM!!*

The ground shook. The impact was so great that everyone felt as though they were lifted briefly into the air. The Black Dragon had slammed one of its massive forelegs down nearby.
Those red eyes fixed squarely on Ekaterina.
Mina kept her arm wrapped around Ekaterina to shield her from the shock, frozen as she watched for the dragon’s next move.

—Only then did Ekaterina finally come back to herself.

Get a grip, me!
I’m the highest-ranking person here. I’m the leader. Think. Decide.

If I mishandle this, everyone’s lives are in danger.
The being before us is without question the Demon Dragon King Vladforen (dragon version). An absolute power capable of turning the imperial capital into a sea of fire, crushing the imperial palace underfoot, and wiping the Empire from the map.
A being that could reenact, in reality, those movie scenes where fleeing cars are crushed and burst into flames. Running was impossible. Fighting was impossible.

But I know.
This gigantic dragon is a hidden capture target in an otome game. A being capable of transforming into a human—and potentially into one of the handsome men Flora-chan could romance.
An intelligent, emotional being. Someone with whom communication was possible.

Make your decision—make your move!

“Mina, let go of me.”
“Milady—”

Mina’s eyes went wide, but Ekaterina decisively slipped free from her arms.

“Sir Oleg, everyone—please lower your blades. You must not act discourteously.”
“Milady, but—! Milady?!”

Unable to turn around, Oleg answered—and froze in shock as Ekaterina walked past him.

With steady, unhesitating steps, she advanced before the Black Dragon and deliberately performed a beautiful kneeling bow. Deep. Long. The deepest form of respect—one properly offered only to the Emperor and Empress themselves.

“It is an honor to meet you, North King who rules over all magical beasts. I am Ekaterina of the Ducal House of Jurnova, who governs this land in the human world. Might I presume that you have come on business concerning me?”

.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then the Black Dragon moved.
Its head lowered, the jet-black draconic face drawing close to the ground. The nearer it came, the more overwhelming its size felt.
Its appearance was exactly the dragon of countless creations from her previous life: a body covered in pitch-black scales, a mouth lined with rows of sharp fangs. Its eyes burned—red, crimson, scarlet—all shades of red blazing together, drawing in the beholder like living fire. From its head rose two enormous horns reminiscent of a demon’s, along with several additional horn-like protrusions that made it all the more fearsome.

“Ekaterina Jurnova.”

The voice was low, rumbling like an earthquake, echoing through the mountains.
Ekaterina caught her breath. The Black Dragon had spoken her name.
And then it continued.

“Speak my name.”

What…?

Momentarily stunned, Ekaterina suddenly recalled words that resurfaced from her memory.

*“That is indeed the name of the Northern King.”*
*“But humans should not know that name…”*

Jet-black beauty praised by moonlight. The god of death.

The Black Dragon spoke again.

“If you know it, then speak it. Speak the name of this Northern King.”

Could it be…

Ekaterina couldn’t read its intent. But she wasn’t in a position to choose how to respond. If it so desired, a single swing of his foreleg would end not only her life, but Mina’s and all the knights’ as well—just like faceless extras in said movie.

Steeling herself, Ekaterina answered clearly.

“Your name is… the Demon Dragon King, Lord Vladforen—so I understand.”

.

The reaction was unexpected.
Laughter rang out. Loud and clear.

Once more, the wind surged. Struck by the fierce gust, Ekaterina squeezed her eyes shut.
When she opened them, the Black Dragon was gone from the sky.

Instead, several meters above the ground, a single man stood calmly in midair, as though standing upon solid earth.
Tall, clad in ancient-looking black garments. Long black hair, stark white skin in contrast, and red eyes glowing as if aflame.

(H-h-h-he-h—)

Frozen as she stared up at him, Ekaterina’s thoughts stuttered incoherently.

(H-he’s here. He’s here…!)

The Demon Dragon King Vladforen (human version)!
Because he was a hidden capture character, I had never actually seen him while playing the otome game in my previous life. I’d only seen his images and profile while searching up whether my Onii-sama could be unlocked.
And when I’d seen those images, I wavered—thinking maybe I’d try to go after him. He was simply too beautiful. Unbelievably beautiful.

How naïve you were, past me!
Images can’t even compare to the impact of the real thing—at all!!

That beauty curved into a faint smile.
Then he descended smoothly from midair and stood before Ekaterina.

“Girl bearing a soul from another world. Come with me.”

With that, Vladforen lifted Ekaterina into his arms.