Chapter 24: The Eternal Queen
Silence spread across the battlefield.
The silver crest on the back of Princess Elena's hand shimmered with a soft, radiant glow.
The Divine Knights stopped where they stood.
Even Cassian stared in disbelief.
"...Impossible."
"The Queen's blessing should have disappeared a thousand years ago."
Elena looked down at her hand.
"I... don't understand."
A warm voice echoed gently in her mind.
> "Do not be afraid."
> "Protect him, as I once did."
She gasped.
"Who's there?"
But the voice was gone.
Abster stepped beside her.
"Are you alright?"
Elena nodded slowly.
"I think so..."
"But someone was speaking to me."
Before Abster could ask more—
Caelum suddenly knelt.
His eyes were wide with emotion.
"The crest..."
"The same crest..."
Lyra looked at him.
"What does it mean?"
Caelum took a deep breath.
"It belongs to only one person."
"The Eternal Queen."
Helena frowned.
"You mean the queen who ruled beside the Hidden Sovereign?"
Caelum nodded.
"Queen Seraphine."
"The greatest healer in history."
"The one who united all races under a single kingdom."
The name echoed strangely in Elena's heart.
Without warning...
Another vision flashed before her eyes.
She saw a woman with long silver hair standing beside a man wearing a black-and-gold crown.
The man smiled warmly.
The woman reached for his hand.
Then the vision vanished.
Elena stumbled.
Abster quickly caught her.
"Easy."
"I'm here."
Their eyes met.
Elena's cheeks flushed slightly.
"...Thank you."
Watching from a distance, Lyra lowered her gaze.
A small ache settled in her chest.
She didn't understand it.
But she knew one thing.
Seeing Abster hold Elena made her heart feel strangely heavy.
Cassian slowly recovered from his shock.
"So..."
"The prophecy has begun."
He looked directly at Elena.
"If the Eternal Queen awakens..."
"Then Heaven truly has run out of time."
He raised his sword.
Golden lightning gathered around its blade.
"I cannot allow history to repeat itself."
Before he could strike—
A deafening roar echoed across the battlefield.
The earth trembled.
A massive crimson dragon descended from the clouds.
Its wings cast a shadow over the entire city.
Everyone instinctively looked up.
Lucien's eyes widened.
"A Dragon King...?!"
The dragon landed between Cassian and the others.
Upon its back stood a young woman with long crimson hair and golden eyes.
She wore black armor trimmed with red scales.
She gracefully stepped onto the ground.
The dragon lowered its head respectfully.
The woman looked around before her gaze settled on Abster.
"So..."
"You're the one Grandfather spoke of."
She crossed her arms.
"I expected someone taller."
Abster blinked.
"...Excuse me?"
She smirked.
"My name is..."
Seraphina Drakaris
"First Princess of the Crimson Dragon Empire."
"I've come to see whether the Hidden Sovereign deserves the legends."
She glanced at Elena, who was still standing beside Abster.
Then smiled knowingly.
"Oh..."
"I arrived at an interesting time."
Elena frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Seraphina's grin widened.
"It means..."
She walked straight toward Abster and stopped only inches away.
"I think this journey is about to become much more entertaining."
Elena folded her arms.
"I don't know why..."
"...but I already don't trust you."
Seraphina laughed.
"Good."
"I like honest people."
Abster sighed quietly.
He had a feeling...
His peaceful life was becoming even more complicated.
Far above, hidden among the clouds...
Nyxara smiled.
"The Dragon Princess has entered the game."
Chronos sighed.
"The threads of fate grow more tangled."
Aurelius remained silent.
His gaze never left Abster.
"The Sovereign gathers allies once more..."
"And this time..."
"He may succeed."
End of Chapter 24
New Character Introduced
Seraphina Drakaris
First Princess of the Crimson Dragon Empire.
Confident, powerful, and fearless.
Rides the Ancient Dragon King Ignis.
She is intrigued by Abster and immediately forms a playful rivalry with Princess Elena.