Elsewhere, the knights resting halfway up the mountain slope paused to recover while preparing a strategy to reclaim Elisabeth from the clutches of the cursed dragon. As they discussed their plans, they treated the wounds on their bodies. With Sveanna’s healing magic, the knights’ injuries mended quickly.

  Seated in a circle upon the ground, Isac Galeon, leader of the hunting knights, presided over the meeting, exchanging ideas and devising a plan to rescue Elisabeth.

  “We must find a way to save Elisabeth as soon as possible.”

  “I fear for her condition.”

  “Is she safe… or not?”

  Isac Galeon spoke in a troubled tone, gazing at the other knights, who clearly shared his concern.

  “Should we attack the dragon directly, Hersir?” Breum suggested.

  “No. That would be far too risky.”

  “We would only end up being crushed by that creature.”

  “What if we use an infiltration tactic, Hersir?” Mathias proposed.

  “How?”

  “We send a small group to rescue Elisabeth, while the others remain here.”

  “Our top priority is Elisabeth’s safety. Once we secure her, only then will we consider how to defeat the creature and reclaim Vornahurd from it, Hersir,” Mathias explained.

  Isac Galeon fell silent, weighing Mathias’s proposal. He did not want to lose another knight as they had lost Ragan. After a moment of contemplation, he finally addressed them.

  “So… who will join the rescue mission?”

  “I will, Hersir,” Mathias answered, raising his hand.

  “I will too, Hersir,” Breum followed.

  “I’m in, Hersir,” Monci added without hesitation.

  “Very well. The three of you, along with myself. We climb toward the summit at dusk so we may arrive by midnight,” Isac Galeon declared.

  Clutching her robe tightly, Sveanna gathered her courage.

  “Hersir… I wish to join as well.”

  “Sveanna, you should remain here. I do not want you injured again,” Isac Galeon replied firmly.

  “No, Hersir. Elisabeth once saved my life. I cannot sit here in comfort while her fate remains unknown.”

  “We can use Luimineth Fade again when rescuing her,” Sveanna added, determined.

  “…Hmm. Very well,” Isac Galeon relented.

  “But hear me clearly. This mission is extremely dangerous. I cannot guarantee your safety.”

  “Do you understand?”

  “We understand, Hersir,” they answered in unison.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “Good. Then we rest until dusk. We begin the ascent with the rescue planned for midnight.”

  Day gave way to night as the chosen knights prepared to depart, determined to save their companion Elisabeth, who had been taken by the cursed dragon to the summit of Mount Levuskan.

  Led by Isac Galeon, the group advanced: Mathias guiding the path, followed by Galeon, with Sveanna and Monci bringing up the rear.

  They traversed dense thickets and towering pine forests that cloaked the mountain’s slopes. The terrain was treacherous, untouched for centuries. Ever mindful that their enemy was the cursed dragon who had defeated them once before, the knights moved with utmost caution.

  Though the steep vegetation slowed them, it did not weaken their resolve. Elisabeth’s safety outweighed all hardship.

  At last, near midnight, they reached the summit. The cold air pierced their skin, while thickening mist obscured their vision, making Elisabeth’s whereabouts difficult to discern.

  Meanwhile, Elisabeth sat near a campfire built by the young man. She sensed the presence of her fellow knights approaching. The young man seemed to feel it as well, abruptly rising and turning toward the southern edge of the summit.

  Startled by his reaction, Elisabeth stood.

  “Calm yourself. They are my friends… they’ve come to rescue me.”

  “I will ask them to save you too,” she said gently.

  “No. You must not leave this place.”

  “Why?”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No… tell them to leave immediately.”

  “If they stay, the dragon will kill them.”

  Fear radiated across the young man’s face.

  Seeing his terror, Elisabeth felt it too—the ominous presence nearby.

  Suddenly, dark smoke-like energy seeped from the young man’s body. He groaned in agony, shattering the silence of the night. His eyes burned crimson, saliva pouring uncontrollably from his mouth.

  Only then did Elisabeth realize the truth.

  The young man… was the cursed dragon.

  With the last fragments of his consciousness, he cried out, clutching his chest.

  “Ghhhk… Leave!”

  “Save yourself!”

  “Go… quickly!”

  Elisabeth’s steps felt unbearably heavy as she turned away from him. The mist vanished as if swept aside by a violent storm.

  The knights, nearing the summit, sensed the unnatural shift in the air.

  “We must hurry,” Isac Galeon urged.

  They sprinted upward as thunderclouds gathered and lightning tore across the sky.

  Reaching the summit, they froze in shock.

  The young man had sprouted wings.

  “Elisabeth!” Isac Galeon shouted.

  “It’s dangerous! Get away from there!”

  But Elisabeth did not move.

  Before them, the youth’s form twisted, transforming into a monstrous, winged creature. His body grew, scales hardening like iron. A deafening roar erupted—

  And the cursed dragon stood revealed in his full, terrifying form.

  The beast’s crimson eyes locked onto Elisabeth and the knights.

  As it crawled forward, spreading its colossal wings, Elisabeth stepped before it, blocking its path.

  “Elisabeth! What are you doing?! Move away!” Galeon cried.

  Yet Elisabeth stood firm, gazing into the dragon’s eyes.

  She felt it—an overwhelming aura of sorrow and loneliness.

  Tears streamed down her face.

  “Hello…”

  “I know it’s you.”

  “Be calm…”

  “I am here with you now.”

  “I’m sorry I came so late.”

  “I know… you’ve been waiting for me for so long.”

  The dragon lifted itself, wings unfurling, releasing a roar that shook the mountain.

  Then, without warning, a slicing shockwave burst from its wings.

  Elisabeth’s robe tore. Blood blossomed across her wounds. The knights behind her were hurled to the ground.

  Still, Elisabeth did not retreat.

  “Please… calm yourself.”

  Her words struck like arrows.

  The dragon halted.

  Slowly, it folded its wings and crawled toward her.

  Face to face.

  Elisabeth stepped closer, raising her trembling hand to touch the dragon’s snout. Its scales were as hard as iron. Its breath was scorching, heavy.

  “Forgive me.”

  “This time… let us break this eternal curse together.”

  As she spoke, the world dissolved.

  Elisabeth was drawn into another realm—a golden void. Nothing existed there but herself and the young man, now standing before her once more.

  “Have you been well all this time?” she asked softly.

  “As you can see… I have endured.”

  “It must have been so hard for you… waiting centuries for me.”

  “You told me you would be reborn someday.”

  “And forgive me… for being born human.”

  “Had you not saved me back then… you would still be a prayer goddess in Asgard.”

  The young man gazed at her with aching eyes. Though Elisabeth had forgotten the events of four hundred years past through reincarnation, he remembered everything—how she had sacrificed her divinity to save him from Valhalla.

  “If you have forgotten…”

  “I will help you remember.”

  He lifted his hand, pressing a finger to her forehead.

  A beam of light erupted—

  And Elisabeth was carried back to the moment of their first meeting.