Yuna followed Pi-chan deeper into the forest.

“Ugh…”

As they ventured further, the miasma thickened. Yuna covered her mouth with a handkerchief and pressed on through the woods. To be honest, it was almost painful to breathe. She hadn’t noticed it while she was under the tree, but now that she was away from it, a lukewarm miasma enveloped the area.

Pi! Pi!

Just when Yuna felt like giving up, Pi-chan flew back to her, urging her onward.

“I know, I know.”

Covered in dirt from the grass and branches, Yuna continued her journey. Eventually, she stumbled into an open area, where many knights lay bloodied and fallen. The scene had turned into a battlefield, with faint moans echoing, and some were motionless.

“What… is this?”

Yuna trembled as she gazed at the horrific scene before her. Her body shook violently, and her legs felt weak, leaving her unable to move from that spot. Several fallen knights were bleeding, their appearances utterly tragic.

“Such… such a thing…”

She suppressed a scream that threatened to escape her lips. Before her lay the gruesome sight of fallen knights. Among them were some who barely clung to life and others whose status was uncertain.

There was a presence of monsters around. Upon closer inspection, she saw the corpses of monsters scattered about. It seemed as though they had somehow managed to survive a deadly battle. The coincidence of monster attacks and bandit assaults seemed too suspicious to be mere chance; it felt like a planned act of violence.

“Why… why is this happening?”

Yuna stood in shock, taking one step forward. Her small footsteps echoed through the silent forest.

“…Is there anyone… respond!”

She called out cautiously, but there was no answer. Despair washed over her as she stood frozen in place.

“Pi-chan… what should I do?”

Pi-chan perched on her shoulder and let out a sorrowful cry.

(That's right. I can't just tremble here!)

Yuna steeled herself. This wasn't her first time seeing blood. During their visit to Rusona Village, she and Ver had treated the injured who had been attacked by magical beasts. She understood well that time was of the essence.

Bang!

Yuna slapped her own cheeks hard and turned to Pi-chan, who looked at her with concern, and smiled.

“Sorry, Pi-chan. I'm fine now.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a moving shadow. She focused her gaze in that direction.

“...There's someone over there!”

Yuna's heart raced. What came into view was the silhouette of a young female knight, barely clinging to life. Her face was smeared with blood and mud, yet there was still a glimmer of fighting spirit in her eyes.

“Are you okay?”

Yuna rushed over and gently supported the young knight's shoulder with her trembling hands. However, what she saw was the knight's armor deeply slashed open, and blood flowed endlessly from the wound. A sharp tension shot through her.

“I-I'm fine… But that person over there…!”

With a strained voice, the female knight pointed ahead. There, a boy lay bleeding.

“Why…?”

Yuna dashed to the boy and lifted his body. He had been injured in the monster attack, clad in simple yet silver armor. His breathing was labored. The wound on his shoulder was severe and clearly contaminated by the miasma.

“Grill!” Yuna shouted.

The green spirit, Grill, appeared in an instant. As she did, the miasma slightly faded away.

“Princess, I am here.”

The girl clad in green knelt before Yuna. Just Grill's presence began to alleviate the surrounding miasma.

“I need your power. Please lend it to me.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“Of course!”

With Grill's voice, the area filled with warm green light.

“The spirit… no way… the spirits are…”

“The spirits are before us!?”

The surrounding knights began to murmur in astonishment. Normally, spirits do not appear before humans. Even if they did, it would only be possible for a very high-ranking spirit user to summon them. Moreover, Yuna had never heard of a high-ranking spirit that could communicate.

Grill raised her hand toward the knights.

Spirit Magic: Healing Light

The green light healed the knights' wounds, rapidly closing their injuries.

“Th-the wounds are healing…”

“A miracle!”

The knights widened their eyes in shock, rising to check their injuries.

“Sol!”

In response to Yuna's call, a girl clad in wind appeared. She had a translucent blue form and radiated a soft light.

“Could it be!? Two spirits!?”

The knights were on the verge of fainting as they stared wide-eyed at the scene before them. Throughout history, there had been very few instances of spirits appearing before humans.

A miracle was occurring.

Spirit Magic: Purifying Wind

Ignoring the astonished knights, the wind and light powerfully intertwined, enveloping the boy's wounds. The purifying wind blew away the miasma, and the surrounding air became clear.

“Oh! What is this!?”

With Sol's power, the miasma was purified, and the air became refreshing. As the knights looked around, they found that the once stagnant air, laden with miasma, had transformed into something pure. Who would believe this was a defiled land?

“Prince Leon!”

The earlier female knight rushed to the boy. Though the boy's wounds had closed, his complexion remained poor, and he continued to breathe heavily.

“The prince… What has happened to the prince?!”

With tears welling in her eyes, she clutched Yuna’s shoulder desperately. While the other knights were recovering thanks to Grill’s power, the situation of the boy was dire.

“This is… cursed poison. The boy has been afflicted by cursed poison…”

“No, no way…!”

The female knight let out a scream at Grill’s words. Cursed poison is the worst kind of poison, one that not only poisons but also curses its victim. Even if the poison can be cured, the curse remains. Those afflicted will meet their death within a day.

“…What a terrible thing!”

The female knight trembled slightly as she hugged the boy.

“Prince, Leon!”

Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him.

“It’s okay. This condition can be treated.”

Yuna gently placed her hand on the female knight’s shoulder. The knight turned to her with a mixed expression of shock and hope.

“R-Really?!”

Desperate for any help, the female knight took Yuna’s hand. The cold, trembling hand conveyed her anxiety.

“This boy will definitely be cured. However, I need you to promise me one thing.”

“A promise…?”

The female knight furrowed her brow, but as she met Yuna’s serious gaze, she slowly nodded.

“Then, I swear by the name of Commander Shaltia that I will keep this promise!”

Shaltia answered resolutely without hesitation. Determination gleamed in her eyes.

“If it means sacrificing my life, I will do whatever I can!”

“It’s not such a difficult request.”

Yuna smiled gently, but her eyes shone with intensity.

Looking around, the knights were watching the two with worried expressions. A tense atmosphere hung over them.

“What I want you to promise is, ‘not to tell anyone what you’ve seen here.’”

Shaltia’s eyes widened for a moment, showing a look of disbelief.

“Is that all?”

Surprised by the unexpected request, Shaltia muttered. The other knights also stared at Yuna, mouths agape.

“Yes. That is the promise between me and you.”

Yuna spoke calmly, but her words held unwavering strength. Shaltia nodded seriously.

“I promise! I will not speak of the girl to anyone. I will make sure the knights promise as well!”

Shaltia raised her sword and shouted, “I swear on this sword!”

The other knights raised their swords in unison.

“Understood.”

“‘Lady!’”

Grill and Sol stepped in between Yuna and the boy.

“Please stop. Do not expose yourself before the humans.”

“Grill, Sol.”

Yuna gazed at the two spirits, her eyes filled with sincerity.

“‘…Understood. As you wish, Princess…’”

The two spirits vanished.

Yuna stood before the boy.

(To command spirits!?)

A feeling akin to awe surged within her. Thoughts raced through her mind about who this girl could be. She commanded spirits, healed the knights with their power, and purified the cursed air. The menacing presence that had filled the area until now dissipated, and the monsters seemed to sense it too.

“Are you a saint…?”

That was a being spoken of only in legends and tales.

In front of her, such a noble entity appeared… The sight unfolding before her was beyond belief.

The girl removed her hood.

The next moment, she witnessed a scene that could only be described as mystical. As she removed her hood, her hair shone with a silver brilliance as if it held the sun’s light. Her eyes were golden like the sun. On her head were two horns radiating silver light. This was the appearance seen in murals around towns, during ceremonies, and in churches and palaces. Silver hair and golden eyes were said to belong to no race. Furthermore, a being with silver horns was unique.

The trees bathed in light rustled, and vitality returned to the dried branches. New leaves sprouted, and the flowers of the earth revived.

In front of this sight, no one could speak, frozen in disbelief.

Their mouths gaped open in shock.

“M-Most certainly…!!”

Everyone present forgot themselves and knelt, bowing their heads. It was a sign of respect for the noble. Worship for one who rivaled a divine being.

The girl was enveloped in divine light.

This was beyond mere legend or folklore.

She was a mythic being.

A gradual realization of awe washed over them.

The White Dragon that governs light—Dragon God Vanalgarnd.

It was said that this dragon god rivaled the God of Creation itself.

However, its existence was a tale from the world of myths, said to have completed its role and fallen into a deep slumber.

The fact that such a being appeared before them in this moment of crisis was astonishing.

“Oh, God…”

No one present could move.

“Bring healing!”

As the girl spoke, light overflowed and enveloped the boy’s body.

What happened next was miraculous. The boy’s ashen face regained vitality, and his ragged breaths transformed into peaceful ones.

“Prince!”

The female knight lifted the boy.

She felt the warmth of his body in her arms. The boy was indeed alive.

“...Th-Thank you…”

She couldn’t express anything more.

“You need rest. Everyone, sleep now.”

The girl’s words reached the ears of the knights.

At the same moment, an irresistible sleepiness overwhelmed them.

One by one, the knights collapsed.

The female knight continued to resist, but soon, she too fell to the ground.

(Dragon God… Vanalgarnd… )

The female knight’s consciousness faded into darkness.