Breaking through the clouds, the view shifted dramatically as the vast expanse of the Dragon's Valley's inner sanctum unfolded below. Uhe lush vegetation that domihe ions, this inner area was stark and barren, dominated by rugged mountains of stone, devoid of any greenery.

  "You've returned. What of the intruder?"

  A dragon, perched on a nearby mountain, spotted the approag dragons as they desded from the clouds. It soared down to meet them, its voice heavy with curiosity and suspi.

  "Uh... here," one of the dragons replied, as they parted to reveal a young girl who had been trailing bggehind them.

  "You... didn't you say no intruder should be allowed to leave? And now y her here!?"

  "Wait, calm down!" The lead dragon in the group quickly flew forward, intercepting the agitated dragon before it could act.

  "She was introduced by... Miss Misako. We trust her! Besides, we couldn't defeat her."

  At the mention of the name 'Misako,' the suspicious dragon's posture softened. Misako, a name whispered only among the highest echelons of the bck demon race, held signifit weight. Just knowing her name roof enough of the girl’s legitimacy.

  The dragon's gaze shifted to the other dragons, notig the wounds they bore. The idea that they had been overpowered by the girl seemed impusible, yet the evidence was undeniable.

  "Very well. But what is her purpose here?"

  "She wishes to meet the Great One."

  "She... what!?" The dragon's voice rose in disbelief.

  "She even knows about the Great One!?"

  "Is that so surprising?" the girl asked, her tone calm and steady.

  "You don’t uand," the dragon replied, lifting its head, its eyes shining with deep reverehe Great One is a living legend among our kind. In the a battlefields of old, the Great Ohough mortal, stood against the gods themselves—those who lord over the divine realm. And in that battle, the Great One did not falter. To us, the Great One represents power, strength—more divihan any so-called gods."

  As the dragon spoke, the girl noticed that the other dragons around her shared the same expression of veion.

  "Hmm... I’ve never met her, but my instincts tell me that her purity is unmatched… true strength... is it 'Pava'?" Veridith, who had never met the Great One, also voiced her admiration. The Great One's story had bee something akin to a sacred truth among the dragons.

  The girl was reminded of the st time she had entered such fervent belief—back when she served as a saint in the Church of the Holy Light.

  'The Church of the Holy Light?'

  Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her head, f her to clutch her forehead in agony.

  "...Now you uand, right? The Great One's greatness and mystery are beyond our prehension," the dragon cluded, snapping the girl out of her thoughts. She decided to push aside the memories of the church for now.

  "Since she shared this with you, it must mean she has her reasons. We won’t stand in your way," the dragon said, turning to face deeper into the valley.

  "Follow me."

  …

  The girl followed the dragon through the rocky terrain, the ndscape around them barren ae. Despite the monotony of the enviro, she could sense something—a barrier of sorts that blocked their path forward.

  "Beyond this point lies the sacred ground of our valley, the resting pce of the Great One. We know little of what lies within, save for oruth."

  "Only those who are aowledged by the Great One may behold her presence."

  "Uood."

  "Then, I wish you luck."

  Steeling herself, the girl stepped forward, reag out to touch the invisible barrier. As soon as her hand made tact, ripples spread across its surface.

  "Wha...!?"

  The dragon gasped in shock. Typically, anyone who touched the barrier would be repelled, or worse, not even perceive its existence. Yet, the girl had not only seen it but had also caused it to react.

  Unfazed by the dragon's astonishment, the girl tinued forward, stepping fully into the barrier. A dizzyiion overwhelmed her, and when she regained her sehe ndscape had transformed.

  The barren mountains were repced by a sparsely wooded pin, with gentle hills rolling in the distance. And there, standing resolute in the far distance, was an a, crumbling castle.

  "You stay here," the girl said, l her satchel to the ground. A small creature, Pupu, peeked out from within.

  "Puu, pu!"

  "It’s going to be dangerous."

  She could feel it—the immeerrifying power emanating from the castle ahead. If a battle were to occur, she doubted she could protect Pupu and fight simultaneously.

  "Pupu..." Pupu seemed to uand, reizing that it would only be a burden, and decided to stay behind.

  Satisfied that Pupu would remain safe, the girl set her sights on the a castle and began her approach.

  Though it appeared distant, the castle wasn’t far for someone of her ability. As she he air grew heavy, and the pressure bearing down on her intensified.

  Boom!!!

  The ground quaked violently, and a deafening roar echoed from the castle. Moments ter, a dark shadow burst from within, desding rapidly toward the girl.

  "Ugh..."

  Shielding her face from the fierce winds with her left hand, she gazed up at the colossal figure before her. It was a dragon, but unlike any she had seen before. This one was slender, almost elegant, with two pairs of wings and shimmering green scales.

  It cked the bulky physique of the other dragons, appearing more refined—almost graceful. Its four wings were uhose of ordinary dragons, more akin to those of a featherless angel. And its eerie red eyes added ara yer of mystery.

  The girl’s instincts screamed dahe overwhelming aura she had felt earlier was unmistakably emanating from this dragon.

  "Why have you e here, lost human?" the dragon's voied, crushing the air around her, making it difficult for her to breathe.

  "...I’ve e... to challenge you."

  "How amusing."

  The green dragon stood tall, slowly spreading its four wings.

  "Shatter."

  The word alone was enough to unleash an invisible force upon the girl. In an instant, her body was torn apart, blood gushing out like a fountain, staining the ground around her.

  There was ance. Even as she attempted to reinforce her body with magic, the force was unstoppable.

  "Ugh...!"

  Her body entered a relentless cycle of destru and regeion, her magical reserves draining rapidly, like water p from a cracked vessel.

  'No... my magic...'

  Her strength waned, and as her magic dwindled, her sciousness began to fade into darkness.