Drakengard 3 Novella [updated] -

Here’s a concise guide to the Drakengard 3 novellas, which are crucial backstory side stories not fully covered in the game. Overview The Drakengard 3 novellas (also called Drakengard 3: Side Story ) are a set of prequel stories written by Jun Eishima and illustrated by Taro Yoko’s team. They expand on the Intoner sisters and key events before the game’s prologue. There are 5 main novellas—one for each sister (Zero, One, Two, Three, Four, Five)—plus a short story and drama CD. List of Novellas (and focus) | Title | Focus Character | Key Events | |--------|----------------|-------------| | Zero | Zero | Origin of Zero’s hatred, her original dragon (Mikhail’s predecessor), her first death | | One | One | One’s rise as ruler, her relationship with Accord, early conflict with Zero | | Two | Two | Two’s pacifist nature, her disciple (Cent) and how her branch fails | | Three | Three | Three’s obsession with knowledge, the creation of her “doll” soldiers | | Four | Four | Four’s militaristic mindset, her disciple (Decadus) and fort defenses | | Five | Five | Five’s decadence, her disciple (Dito) and the fate of her domain |

Note: The novellas are not all equal length; Zero and One are the longest and most plot-critical.

How They Fit with the Game

Timeline: Novellas occur before the game’s prologue, detailing the original war between Zero and her sisters. Disciple origins: Each sister’s disciple (Cent, Decadus, Dito, Octa) gets backstory—why they serve, their flaws, and their fates. Ending connection: The novellas explain why Zero’s plan in the game’s Branch D is doomed without certain knowledge. drakengard 3 novella

Where to Read (Officially)

Japan: Published by Square Enix as physical books (now out of print but found used). English: No official translation. Fan translations exist (search “Drakengard 3 Side Story translation” on fan forums like TheDarkID or GitHub archives). Drama CD: Drakengard 3: Prelude – audio drama bridging novellas and game.

Reading Order Recommendation

Zero → One → (short story The Sisters’ Past ) → Two → Three → Four → Five

This follows chronological events from Zero’s earliest memory through the collapse of the sisters’ empire. Important Lore Takeaways (Spoilers)

The Flower – novellas reveal it’s a parasitic entity from another dimension, not a natural part of the Intoners. Zero’s original dragon – killed by Michael (Mikhail’s brother) on One’s orders; Zero’s hatred predates the game. Accord’s role – She manipulated events to create the “best” timeline for humanity’s survival, not the sisters’ welfare. Five’s real nature – Her decadence hides a desperate, empty loneliness; her novella is the darkest. Here’s a concise guide to the Drakengard 3

Caveats

The novellas are not essential for understanding the main game’s plot (Branches A–D), but they enrich character motives. Tone is darker than the game—more explicit violence, body horror, and tragedy. Some events contradict the game slightly (intentional—due to Accord’s timeline meddling).