**Sai:** (finishing his meal, he looks up at the butler, curiosity sparking in his golden eyes)
**"So, tell me, how large is Zarador's population?"**
**Butler:** (pausing to consider, his expression serious)
**"Approximately five hundred thousand, my Lord."**
**Sai:** (nodding, absorbing the information)
**"Okay. And what exactly does this curse cause?"**
**Butler:** (his expression turning somber, as if the weight of the curse bears down on him)
**"My Lord, the curse has wrought havoc on our land. There is no rain, leaving the soil parched and barren. Crops have failed year after year, leading to widespread famine. The once-thriving farms are now ghostly reminders of what they used to be. As for mining... the curse has birthed mystical beasts that roam the mining areas, making it perilous for anyone who dares to venture there. Even the lakes and rivers that once provided us with life-giving water have become poisoned, tainting what little resources we have left."**
**Narrator:**
Sai leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowing as the weight of the butler's words settled over him. He had known the situation was dire, but the true extent of the curse was more devastating than he had anticipated. The thought of five hundred thousand lives hanging in the balance gnawed at him, a burden he could hardly fathom.
**Sai:** (curiously, his voice softer as he probes further)
**"And what about the forests? Are there areas that remain untouched?"**
**Butler:** (nodding slowly, his gaze drifting as if he could see the forests in his mind)
**"Yes, there are deep forests within Zarador, some said to hold ancient secrets. However, even those areas are not safe from the curse's influence. The creatures that lurk within are rumored to be warped and hostile."**
**Sai:** (his eyes narrowing with determination, a flicker of hope igniting within him)
**"So where exactly is this curse located?"**
**Butler:** (gesturing towards the back of the mansion, his voice low as if afraid of the answer)
**"It resides in the area behind the mansion, where the energy of the curse is strongest. It is a place shrouded in darkness and despair."**
**Narrator:**
Sai's mind raced as he considered the implications. If he could remove the curse, could he not restore Zarador to its former glory? The thought ignited a flicker of hope within him, but he needed more information. He felt the urgency pulse through him like a second heartbeat.
**Sai:** (determined, his voice steady but laced with urgency)
**"So if I remove the curse, every problem will be solved?"**
**Butler:** (his tone growing grave, a shadow passing over his features)
**"My Lord, that curse is too powerful. In my entire life serving here, no ruler has ever managed to lift it. Those who have attempted to do so have met dire fates. I fear the darkness is unforgiving."**
**Narrator:**
The atmosphere in the dining room shifted, a tension filling the air as the maids and other staff listened intently, their expressions reflecting concern. Sai sensed their anxiety, the silent weight of their hopes pressing down on him, fueling his resolve. He could feel the echoes of their fears, and it only strengthened his determination.
---
**Sai:** (narrowing his gaze, pushing the butler for clarity)
**"This curse... it was given by dragons, wasn't it?"**
**Butler:** (with a resigned nod, his voice barely above a whisper)
**"Yes, unfortunately. The legends say that the dragons cursed this land long ago, marking it with their wrath. The curse's power is deeply rooted in the very fabric of Zarador."**
**Narrator:**
Feeling a surge of energy within him, Sai's demeanor changed. He released his aura, a powerful force that filled the room, causing the maids and workers to gasp in shock. The air crackled with an otherworldly energy, and silence enveloped them, their eyes wide with disbelief. For a moment, he felt almost invincible, the weight of his heritage pulsing through him like fire.
---
**Sai:** (his voice firm and commanding, filled with newfound resolve)
**"That's because I am a dragon."**
**Narrator:**
A moment of stunned silence enveloped the dining room, disbelief etched on the faces of everyone present. The butler's eyes widened, and the maids exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to respond. The atmosphere was thick with a mixture of awe and fear, a potent blend of reverence and trepidation that held them in place.
**Butler:** (voice trembling, struggling to comprehend)
**"My Lord... you... you mean to say you possess the blood of dragons?"**
**Narrator:**
Sai's golden eyes glinted with determination as he met their astonished gazes. The revelation hung heavily in the air, igniting a flicker of hope within him but also a daunting responsibility. He took a deep breath, grounding himself in this moment, feeling the weight of expectations pressing down on him.
**Sai:** (his voice steady and resolute, the conviction in his words resonating)
**"Yes. I carry their legacy within me. I will face the curse and reclaim this land. No longer will Zarador suffer under the weight of ancient sins. I will find a way to break this curse."**
**Narrator:**
With those words, Sai felt the weight of destiny pressing down on his shoulders. The path ahead would be fraught with danger, but he was ready to confront the challenges that lay before him. Determination surged through him, filling him with a sense of purpose as he prepared to take on the burden of his lineage and the fate of Zarador.
**Sai:** (turning to Hana, his voice commanding yet firm)
**"Hana, call a knight. We need to spread the word."**
**Hana:** (nodding quickly, sensing the urgency in his tone)
**"At once, my Lord."**
**Narrator:**
As Hana hurried away to fulfill his request, Sai stood, his heart pounding with resolve. When the knight arrived, Sai met him with a direct gaze, his intentions clear.
---
**Sai:** (addressing the knight, his tone leaving no room for doubt)
**"Go to the town and deliver this message: every citizen of Zarador must gather in the center. I will give a speech, and I expect everyone to attend. That is an order."**
**Knight:** (straightening, a look of determination crossing his face)
**"Yes, my Lord. I will ensure the message is delivered."**
---
**Narrator:**
With the knight leaving to carry out his command, Sai felt a swell of purpose within him. He was not just a noble with dragon blood; he was a leader now, ready to rally his people against the darkness that threatened their home. Each word he spoke would be a call to arms, a beacon of hope in the encroaching shadows.