Boom——!!!

  In the next moment, nine Dragon Breaths were unleashed simultaneously.

  "......"

  Staring at the nine incoming attacks, the giant dragon felt as if the long-dead previous Fire Dragon King was beckoning to it.

  Boom......

  A massive fireworks-like explosion bloomed in the sky, marking the end of the battle between the girl and the dragon.

  ......

  Hulim slowly descended onto a mountain.

  The original inhabitant of the mountain, spotting her arrival, fled immediately without hesitation.

  But Hulim paid it no mind, her gaze fixed on a newly formed crater ahead.

  "Alright, I’ve beaten you up. Now it’s time to ask why......"

  She lifted her right foot, about to walk toward the crater.

  But before her foot touched the ground, she sensed something and glanced in a certain direction.

  "Whoa, you really caused a ruckus!"

  A dwarf carrying a warhammer—who had been missing for a long time—appeared there and walked toward her.

  "......"

  "Yo, long time no see, Hulim. You look like you’ve recovered well—well, more than well, actually!"

  "Charkin......"

  Hulim felt a vein twitch slightly on her forehead.

  "Ah, hold on a second——"

  Charkin turned his head toward the crater.

  "Hey, Ignir~, you still alive?"

  Hulim: "......?"

  Thud.

  A sound came from the crater.

  The red dragon, who had been playing dead, climbed out.

  "Ugh...... Still kicking. But if you’d come a little later, it would’ve been over for me......"

  "Haha! You’re joking, right? You’re the Fire Dragon King! But hey, you did great—looks like you led Hulim to that magic pool like I asked~."

  "Of course! When I, Ignir the Fire Dragon King, take on a task, I get it done! You told me to keep an eye on this little girl, and I did exactly that!"

  As he said "keep an eye on," Ignir emphasized the words and sneakily glanced at Hulim.

  That glance sent a chill down his spine.

  Oh no, oh no, oh no...... That’s a super bad look!

  At this point, Charkin hadn’t noticed Ignir’s subtlety, nor did he realize the gravity of the situation.

  "Haha, thanks a bunch!"

  "No need for thanks."

  Ignir leaned close to Charkin and sniffed him.

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  "......You shameless bastard, you used more Fire Dragon Stones than we agreed on again!"

  "Uh......"

  Charkin looked embarrassed,

  holding up his fingers and gesturing faintly.

  "Just a little—only a tiny bit! Don’t be so stingy~!"

  "......"

  In the past, Ignir would’ve argued with him over that "tiny bit."

  But today......

  "Cough, forget it this time...... Since it’s rare for you to ask me for a favor."

  "Oh? "

  Charkin looked surprised.

  "That’s not like you. Why are you being so easygoing?"

  "Cough! Don’t talk nonsense! I’m not being easygoing—I’m just stating the fact that you hired me! And everything I did was——"

  "Exactly what you told me to do!!!"

  "???"

  By now, even the slow-witted Charkin realized something was wrong.

  "Hey, Ignir, what the hell is wrong with......"

  Before he could finish, Charkin saw Ignir stepping back in terror, every movement preparing for an escape.

  "He made me do it! It’s all his fault! Nothing to do with me!"

  Charkin spun around,

  locking eyes with Hulim.

  Her gaze was as cold as a winter glacier, sending shivers down his spine.

  "Charkin~"

  Hulim smiled a terrifyingly "kind" black smile.

  "Have you two prepared your last words~?"

  "......"

  Hum——!!!

  Layers of magic circles unfolded.

  "W-Wait! Hulim, calm down! Calm down! Let me explain!"

  "It’s not my fault! He’s the mastermind! He’s the one who planned it!"

  "What?! You bastard, Ignir—you’re betraying me!"

  "Excuses won’t work——! Nine-Layered Magic Circles——!!!"

  Boom——!!!

  In the Mirnabith Mountains, which had just returned to peace, a mushroom cloud rose into the sky.

  ......

  On a vast plain with extensive farmland,

  farmers were working in the fields.

  Whoosh——!

  Suddenly, a strong wind blew.

  The farmers, their clothes fluttering in the wind, looked up instinctively, wondering if a storm was coming.

  Then they witnessed a scene they would never forget.

  A massive red dragon,

  soaring past the sky above them.

  Its outstretched wings were larger than any creature they had ever seen, and the white air currents stirred by the wingtips were faster than anything they had witnessed.

  "Roar——!"

  The dragon’s roar shook heaven and earth, announcing its presence.

  The girl, holding a silver wand and carrying a pitch-black demon sword on her back, stood on the dragon’s back. The strong wind blew past her temples, only gently rustling her hair.

  The girl stared quietly at the land ahead.

  "Langard, I’m back......"

  ......

  ......

  "Dear Father and Mother,

  I hope this letter finds you well.

  After nearly a year of traveling, I have returned to Langard.

  It has been an unforgettable journey. Along the way, I saw many things I had never seen before—beautiful scenery, ancient ruins, and creatures only depicted in illustrations.

  I also heard and witnessed many fantastical stories: the rise and fall of past civilizations, the end of giant beasts and innate beings, and the legends of heroes long forgotten by the world.

  During this journey, I grew beyond measure. Now, I am fully capable of standing on my own!

  Will Father and Mother be proud of my growth?

  In any case, there are too many stories to tell here. Please allow me to share them in person once we meet.

  Finally, please pass my regards to my friends and elder siblings.

  May the blessings of the gods be with you.

  ——Hulim"

  ......

  "Lilia, we got a letter from Hulim!"

  At the Heyerar residence in Menter Town, Razelian shouted loudly.

  "What? Hulim? Has Hulim finally written?"

  Lilia dropped what she was doing and rushed out of the house.

  "Yes, here it is. Look."

  Razelian opened the envelope.

  The couple read the letter Hulim had sent after a year of silence.

  "......Our daughter has truly grown up."

  After finishing the letter, Razelian said slowly, his eyes filled with relief.

  He knew his youngest child would never exaggerate when she said she could stand on her own.

  "Yes......"

  Lilia stared at the letter, speaking softly.

  Razelian gently hugged her.

  "Cheer up, Lilia. Be proud of Hulim—she’s become an incredible person."

  "......Mm."

  Lilia nodded, folded the letter carefully, then clasped her hands and looked toward the horizon.

  "May the gods protect our child."

  "Yes, may the gods protect her......"

  The two stood in the courtyard, gazing at the horizon for a long time.

  ......

  ......

  This is an unknown past......

  In the distant Chaotic Era,

  Fairy Queen Semiris Pan Genin and Merkphis—who sought to become a god—fought a great battle near the World Tree.

  "I refuse to accept this! I am a god! The god of the new world......"

  Boom!

  In the end, the battle concluded with Merkphis’s body shattering and perishing.

  At that time, the fragments of Merkphis’s shattered body scattered in all directions. Most of them turned to ashes soon after.

  Only one fledgling Divine Crystal survived the Fairy Queen’s power, sent flying far away by the final explosion.

  The Divine Crystal flew through the sky for a long, long time,

  finally crashing into an ordinary mountain forest.

  A human youth wielding a Dragon Tooth Blade witnessed the falling meteor and walked toward the crash site......

  Much later, the youth—covered in blood—sat atop a mountain of creature remains.

  He was the final victor of the battle.

  Holding the crystal as his trophy, he raised it above his head in the sunlight.

  The crystal emitted a dazzling glow.

  The curtain of a new era had risen......