Chapter 25: The Dragon Princess's Challenge
The battlefield of Nox Aeterna had become strangely quiet.
On one side stood the Black Legion, the Royal Guardians, and the people of Valoria.
On the other stood the army of Heaven.
And in the middle...
A crimson-haired Dragon Princess had just arrived and declared that things were about to become "entertaining."
Abster sighed softly.
He had fought monsters, ancient guardians, and divine warriors.
Yet somehow...
This situation felt more difficult.
Seraphina Drakaris looked at Abster from head to toe.
"Hmm."
She circled around him.
"Not bad."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"Is she inspecting livestock?"
Garrick crossed his arms.
"Looks like it."
Lyra covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Elena, however, remained calm.
At least on the outside.
Seraphina stopped in front of Abster.
"So."
"The man who made dragons curious."
Abster blinked.
"Dragons know about me?"
Seraphina smirked.
"Of course."
"The Hidden Sovereign is one of the oldest names in history."
She looked toward Cassian.
"Even Heaven remembers."
Cassian remained silent.
That alone was an answer.
Suddenly—
Seraphina pointed at Abster.
"I challenge you."
Everyone froze.
Abster looked confused.
"A challenge?"
She nodded confidently.
"If you're truly the Hidden Sovereign..."
"Then show me your strength."
Elena folded her arms.
"He just fought an Apostle of Heaven."
Seraphina shrugged.
"Then this should be easy."
Lucien laughed quietly.
"I think I like her."
Abster rubbed his forehead.
"Do all dragon princesses solve things with battles?"
Seraphina smiled proudly.
"The smart ones do."
Before Abster could answer—
Cassian spoke.
"If you're done..."
"...I still have orders from Heaven."
Golden light gathered around him.
The Divine Knights stepped forward once more.
The atmosphere became tense again.
Seraphina sighed.
"Always so serious."
She snapped her fingers.
The ancient dragon Ignis spread his wings.
A wave of overwhelming dragon pressure swept across the battlefield.
Even the Divine Knights staggered.
Cassian frowned.
"The Crimson Dragon King..."
Seraphina smiled.
"I don't care about Heaven's politics."
"But..."
She looked at Abster.
"He interests me."
Then she pointed her sword toward Cassian.
"So if you want him..."
"You'll have to get past me first."
For the first time since arriving...
Cassian hesitated.
Fighting Nox Aeterna, the Black Legion, and a Dragon King at the same time would be too costly.
He slowly lowered his sword.
"This isn't over."
He looked directly at Abster.
"The gods are watching."
"And Heaven does not forget."
The golden pillars of light began to disappear.
One by one, the Divine Knights vanished.
Before leaving, Cassian glanced at Elena.
"The Blessing of the Eternal Queen..."
"...protect it well."
Then he disappeared into the sky.
The battlefield was over.
But the silence that followed felt heavier than the battle itself.
Abster looked at Elena.
"Are you alright?"
Elena nodded.
"I think so."
She looked at the silver crest on her hand.
"But I have many questions."
"So do I," Abster admitted.
As everyone returned toward the palace...
Seraphina walked beside Abster.
"So."
"What do dragons know about me?" Abster asked.
Seraphina smiled.
"My grandfather told me stories."
"Stories about a king who united races that hated each other."
"A king who treated dragons not as weapons..."
"...but as friends."
Abster remained silent.
He couldn't remember any of it.
Yet hearing those words...
Made his chest feel warm.
Inside the palace...
A welcome banquet was prepared.
For the first time in a thousand years, the grand hall of Nox Aeterna was filled with life.
Guardians, adventurers, dragons, and knights sat together.
Laughter echoed through the ancient halls.
Abster sat between Elena and Seraphina.
Lyra sat across from them.
Lucien quietly watched the scene with amusement.
Seraphina picked up a piece of roasted meat.
"So, Princess Elena."
Elena looked up.
"Yes?"
Seraphina smiled innocently.
"How long have you liked Abster?"
The entire hall froze.
Lyra almost dropped her cup.
Garrick choked on his drink.
Lucien looked away, trying not to laugh.
Elena's face turned red.
"W-What are you talking about?!"
Seraphina tilted her head.
"Oh?"
"Then I misunderstood."
She looked at Abster.
"In that case..."
"I'll compete fairly."
Elena immediately stood.
"Compete?!"
Seraphina nodded.
"Of course."
"Dragons don't run from rivals."
Elena stared at her.
Then...
To everyone's surprise...
She smiled.
"Fine."
"But don't expect me to lose."
The two princesses looked at each other.
Neither spoke.
Yet sparks seemed to fly between them.
Abster looked at Lucien.
"...Help."
Lucien laughed.
"No."
"This is too interesting."
Across the table, Lyra quietly smiled.
But deep inside...
A small question echoed in her heart.
"If I had spoken sooner..."
"Would things have been different?"
Far away, in the Celestial Realm...
Nyxara smiled.
"The first rival has appeared."
Chronos sighed.
"The threads of fate are becoming chaotic."
Aurelius remained silent.
Because for the first time in a thousand years...
The future could no longer be predicted.
End of Chapter 25