Hulim Heyerar stared at the empty circle at the tip of the Seven Luminaries.

  There used to be a Philosopher’s Stone here?

  “Ah, the Philosopher’s Stone is... well, basically an extremely powerful item, brimming with immense mana!”

  “Why is it missing? Come to think of it......”“Why was the Seven Luminaries sealed?”

  Hulim asked.

  “Hmm...... That’s a long story. Let Little Semiris think first.”

  Little Semiris stuck out two index fingers and twirled them in front of her temples......

  “Ah! Little Semiris remembers~!”“This incident dates back to the distant Age of Chaos......”

  Through Little Semiris’s explanation, Hulim gradually learned the Seven Luminaries’ past.

  Its exact origin was unclear—even Little Semiris had no memory of it. All she knew was that the Seven Luminaries was linked to seven powerful beings from the Age of Chaos.

  Once born, it became the strongest weapon in the world. It could amplify all seven elemental magics comprehensively and possessed unimaginable mana on its own. Anyone who wielded it was practically invincible among those of the same rank.

  However, the conditions to use the Seven Luminaries were extremely harsh.

  Because it was compatible with all elements and contained immense all-elemental mana, the only person who could wield it perfectly was destined to be someone with all-element affinity from the very start.

  Naturally, those without all-element affinity could still use it—but the effect would be diminished. Moreover......

  Long-term use would cause severe mana conflict sequelae to the body!

  If used continuously, sooner or later, the body would collapse due to the escalating conflicts.

  Yet such side effects couldn’t stop people from craving its power.

  Battles for the Seven Luminaries never ceased.

  It wasn’t until more and more users began showing signs of mental instability that Semiris realized the Seven Luminaries had a hidden side effect besides mana conflict—one that ultimately drove its wielders to madness.

  Almost every person who had used the Seven Luminaries had brought tragedy to the world, and they themselves had met tragic ends.

  For those unqualified to wield it, the Seven Luminaries was a curse, not a source of power......

  Thus, Semiris split the Seven Luminaries into its main shaft and the Philosopher’s Stone, sealing them separately.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  After that, the Seven Luminaries never brought tragedy to the world again. Gradually, it was forgotten by people, buried in the annals of history......

  Now, after countless millennia and epochs.

  The long-sealed Seven Luminaries had finally been unleashed—and fallen into the hands of someone truly worthy of it.

  ......

  Near the passage exit.

  Hulim stood there, not rushing to leave.

  In her field of vision, besides the barren rock passage ahead, there were several other images.

  Tier 3 Wind Magic—Wind Messenger Bird.

  Hulim had sent out several Wind Messenger Birds to scout the area outside.

  Her purpose?

  Naturally, to see if a certain someone was lurking nearby.

  Although that someone wasn’t blocking the entrance now, Hulim refused to believe it would let things go. It might be lying in ambush somewhere......

  “Huh? What’s that? Was this here before?”

  The Wind Messenger Birds flew for a long time without spotting the Earth Dragon. But one of them detected something unusual on top of a mountain in the Safe Zone.

  Hulim tried to maneuver that Wind Messenger Bird closer for a better look.

  But as soon as it entered the area, the bird was hit by abnormal mana interference and lost contact.

  “That...... Could it be its lair?”

  Even though the connection was cut off quickly, Hulim had seen glimpses before it happened.

  It seemed to be the lair of some creature......

  And there was no doubt about what kind of creature that was.

  “That guy—no wonder it refused to leave! It actually built a lair here?!”

  “Huh? What? A lair? What kind of lair? Tell Little Semiris quickly~!”

  Little Semiris grew interested in what Hulim was saying and began circling around her.

  “Little Semiris, stop flying back and forth in front of me. You’re making my eyes dizzy.”

  “Ah, sorry sorry! So what kind of lair is it? Little Semiris wants to know!”

  “......The lair of that Earth Dragon that chased us earlier, remember?”

  “What——!?”

  Little Semiris’s eyes lit up instantly.

  “A dragon’s lair!!!”“Hulim Hulim! It’s a dragon’s lair, a dragon’s lair! There must be treasures inside, definitely treasures! Let’s go treasure hunting, Hulim~!”

  Little Semiris shouted excitedly in Hulim’s ear.

  “No, we can’t! Little Semiris, stop shouting in my ear.”

  “Huh? Why not, Hulim?”

  Little Semiris looked at Hulim with pleading eyes.

  “......”

  Why is a fragment of the Fairy Queen Semiris so excited about a dragon’s treasure......

  “We can’t go now.”

  Hulim explained.

  “That area has too open a view—there’s nowhere to hide. Besides, we don’t know the dragon’s daily movements; it could return at any moment.”

  “If we just enter its lair and it comes back right away, we’ll be trapped in its home and caught off guard.”

  “So, if we want to go treasure hunting, we at least need to figure out its daily routine first—and improve my escape speed a bit more......”

  “Hmm...... What Hulim says makes sense.”

  Little Semiris thought it over carefully.

  “Then Little Semiris and Hulim will go to the dragon’s lair later~!”

  “Yes, later.”

  Even if it wasn’t for the treasure, after everything they’d been through, that dragon deserved a proper “reward.”

  ......

  Leaving the passage, Hulim and Little Semiris hurried toward the entrance of the Underground Ruined Capital.

  The journey was free of danger—only creatures like Horned Rabbits scurried about on the ground.

  “We’re almost there......”

  The passage to the Underground Capital was not far away. Hulim couldn’t help but quicken her pace.

  Just then, a small shadow appeared on the ground.

  At first, it was only a tiny patch, but it quickly expanded into a large mass, blocking the sunlight above them.

  “Huh? The weather’s changing, Hulim!”

  Hulim: “......”

  This scene......Hadn’t she experienced something like this before......

  “Run!”

  Without even looking up, Hulim shouted, activating all the speed-boosting buffs at once.

  With the Seven Luminaries’ amplification, her speed this time was far faster than before.

  “Huh? Run?” Little Semiris didn’t understand Hulim’s sudden panic and looked up at the sky instinctively. “Why run——”

  Her voice trailed off abruptly.

  Because she saw a massive red creature staring down at them from the sky.

  A sinister, triumphant grin even spread across its face......

  “......”

  “Roar——!!!"