Rhine took a step forward, positioning himself between the King and the Queen, his arms tracing elegant arcs in the air.

  Clear springs erupted from the pace floor, conjured out of thin air. The pristine waters transformed into clouds of white mist upon touching the fmes, halting their ferocious advance.

  Even the luxurious carpet sprang to life, curling up protectively around Rhine, the King, and the Queen, shielding them from the scalding steam.

  The old King opened his eyes, catching sight of the youth cloaked in an ornate robe. Only then did he realize what had happened.

  It was a relief that Lord Rhine, the highly skilled magician, was here!

  "Incredible!"

  Even the Bck Dragon seemed surprised by Rhine's dispy.

  The silver-haired boy before she looked far too young—only about eleven or twelve years old.

  During the banquet, the Bck Witch had heard that this boy seated next to the King was a magician. But due to his youthful appearance, she hadn't taken him seriously.

  "Who would have thought, old man? You had an ace up your sleeve. Your Court Advisor turns out to be such a capable magician." The Bck Dragon sneered.

  Rhine seized the brief moment of distraction from the dragon's astonishment and cpped his hands lightly.

  Cp. Cp.

  Tables, chairs, ptes, knives, forks, statues... Every object in the Grand Hall suddenly came alive, darting about—some running, others flying—before swarming toward the Bck Dragon.

  "Life-giving!"

  This was a spell Rhine had mastered after helping the King and Queen fulfill their wish for a child.

  While the soldiers and the twelve good witches had been battling the Bck Dragon—Maleficent in her transformed state—Rhine had been quietly casting this spell. He imbued the lifeless objects in the hall with vitality, creating an army of animated "living objects," poised for action at just the right moment.

  The spell had drained most of Rhine's magical energy, but it was entirely worth it!

  A horde of animated objects sprang into motion, swarming the Bck Dragon.

  Massive statues drew giant swords and sshed at her, while silver knives and forks desperately sought to pierce the gaps between her obsidian scales.

  While the animated objects fought, Rhine raised his hands again. Pure white light streamed from his palms, spreading across the Grand Hall and flowing into the injured soldiers and witches, healing their wounds.

  "Healing Magic!"

  The soldiers, who had been fleeing in panic, and the disheveled nobles hiding under tables (which had now run off), regained their composure and spirit.

  "Lord Rhine, the Sage of the Kingdom, has cast his magic!"

  "Lord Rhine has held off the vile Bck Witch!"

  "My leg was burned off, wasn't it? How is it back? Thank you, Lord Rhine!"

  "Now's our chance—let's fight together!"

  Seizing this brief respite, the twelve good witches unleashed their full power, expending all their remaining magic. They joined forces with the soldiers to confront the fearsome Bck Dragon.

  "How annoying," the Bck Dragon growled, fpping her wings.

  Although the attacks from the animated objects, soldiers, and witches hadn't inflicted significant damage, the sheer number of opponents made it difficult for her to keep up.

  Moments ago, she had unleashed a powerful curse capable of affecting the entire kingdom. Even with a fifteen-year dey built into the spell, it had drained the majority of her magical energy. Now, with her remaining strength dwindling, crushing this swarm of "ants" was proving to be no easy feat.

  Besides, who could say for sure that this unfamiliar young magician wasn't holding back some trump card?

  If the Kingdom's Sage still had some reserves of power, continuing this fight might leave her injured—or force her to reveal her final card...

  No matter. The curse was already cast. Why waste energy on a brawl?

  With a furious roar, the Bck Dragon fpped her wings powerfully, sweeping away the animated objects around her.

  Boom!

  She crashed through the pace ceiling, scattering dust and debris, and soared into the starry sky.

  The Bck Witch's ughter echoed across the boundless night:

  "The curse has been sealed! There is no escape!

  "Tomorrow, I shall leave this dying kingdom behind.

  "Farewell, Your Majesty—and may you perish along with your precious princess!"

  The old King colpsed to his knees, staring at the gaping hole in the pace ceiling and the settling dust. He watched as the Bck Dragon disappeared into the depths of the night sky, and a wave of helplessness and despair surged in his heart.

  Around him, foreign dignitaries from various kingdoms scrambled to flee.

  Many of them pnned to warn their home nations to avoid this cursed nd at all costs.

  The earlier joy of the celebration—the scarlet nterns, jubint songs, the fragrant feast, and fine wines—now felt like a fleeting dream, easily shattered.

  "Why? Why has it come to this?"

  The old King knelt on the ground, crying out to the heavens.

  The aged ruler's face was pale, etched with despair.

  In the cradle, the Little Princess stirred from her slumber, awakened by the commotion. She gazed around in confusion, unaware of the camity that had unfolded.

  The newborn princess had no idea of the curse now weighing upon her.

  She felt no fear. Nor did she cry.

  Then, to the astonishment of the King, Queen, and Rhine, they witnessed an unforgettable scene—

  Innocent and oblivious, young Aurora waved her tiny hands toward the gaping hole in the pace ceiling. Her gaze reached out to the glittering stars beyond.

  The swaddled Sleeping Beauty giggled, her ughter echoing softly under the vast, star-filled sky.