The port cities East and West Port were busier than ever.
Dozens of ships departed and arrived at the same time, while hundreds remained docked, coming from all corners of the world.
The scent of salt and fresh fish mingled with that of spices, metals, and exotic furs. The creaking of ropes, shouts of merchants, and hurried footsteps on wood composed that place's everyday symphony.
The landscape throbbed with life, marked by banners of different nations and cultures, all now united under a new reality.
After the Beast God's victory in the so‑called War of the Last Crusade, the continent of Gaia had undergone an unprecedented transformation.
Among all the kingdoms that had stood firm or knew how to position themselves strategically, the Kingdom of the Dragon King was, without a doubt, one of the greatest beneficiaries of this new world order.
Old King Leonard, already with whitening hair and frail bones, had become an increasingly respected figure in his realm.
His name was now cited in books and songs as a symbol of wisdom and vision.
All thanks to a single decision: to support the Beast God when he was nothing more than a young warrior of the beast race, a mere Red Wolf wandering through his territory.
At the time, his choice was considered rash even by his most loyal advisors.
And when Milis decided to retaliate fiercely against the nascent Iron Legion, Leonard had every political reason to back down. Yet he stood firm.
Even amid internal protests and threats, he sent reinforcements, supplies, and troops—as many as he could spare—in support of the Legion.
The Last Crusade lasted years of tension and scattered battles until the true commander of the Legion arrived.
But it took only six months after his arrival for the war to end in a devastating and decisive fashion.
And Beast God Rygar Adoldia reigned over the new kingdom for the ensuing eight months before passing the throne to his father‑in‑law, Gustav Dedoldia.
The continent once known as Milis was now called Gaia, renamed in honor of the new era, of nature and diversity that had triumphed over dogmatism.
Gaia was a wealthy continent. The Great Forest provided wood, herbs, and rare magical creatures.
The mountain ranges, cutting through its lands like natural walls, were rich with mineral deposits. And its vast plains were perfect for cultivation and settlements.
Of course, there was a limit to the exploitation of these resources, due to the Environmental Sustainability Law. One of the many rules and statutes that the Beast God put into effect during his eight‑month reign.
The Kingdom of the Dragon King, although located on the Central Continent, also possessed unique riches—exotic fauna, medicinal flora, fertile lands, and access to coveted trade routes.
The alliance between the two realms—the Kingdom of Gaia and the Kingdom of the Dragon King—was solid. The bond between them had been sealed with blood, sweat, and mutual trust.
And thanks to that alliance, the Kingdom of the Dragon King was the most prosperous over the last year, second only to Gaia.
A clear symbol of this was the appointment of the current commander of the royal palace guard: Randolph Marianne, known throughout the world as the Death God.
His solemn presence and aura of authority commanded immediate respect.
However, staying relevant was no simple task. The Kingdom of the Dragon King had the Death God—a figure both respected and feared—but that alone was not enough.
Its elite warriors, though capable, were no match for the legendary Gaia's Twelve Kings. These twelve warriors were not only the strongest on the continent; they were symbols.
Each had been handpicked by Rygar, the Beast God, based on notable deeds during or after the Last Crusade.
There was also a clear rule: anyone could take the place of one of the Twelve, provided they agreed to submit to the Beast God and officially and publicly challenge the current occupant.
This policy sparked a wave of insane challenges in the first months after the war's end.
Confident—or foolish—warriors flocked to prove their worth. Yet reality crushed them.
The Twelve's strength was monstrous, forged on real battlefields against Saints, Kings, and horrors of every kind. Gradually, the fervor died down.
But of course, there would always be idiots wherever one looked.
And on that day of blue skies and salty wind, two of those idiots were disembarking in West Port, coming directly from the Kingdom of the Dragon King.
The woman, wrapped in a cloak that concealed her figure, looked around with attentive eyes, examining the port's chaotic atmosphere.
"Finally, we're here!" she said, enthusiasm shining in her eyes.
Beside her, a brown‑haired youth, wearing a similar cloak but without covering his face, smiled calmly.
"The trip was actually faster than I expected," he remarked.
They had heard stories about how crossing the Central Continent was slow and dangerous, but few could travel as they did.
Their preparation for the journey consisted of two strong horses, a few water skins, and… that was it.
Their bodies did the rest. When the horses tired, they traveled on foot. When monsters appeared, they were eliminated in the blink of an eye and became their meal.
Bandits? They never knew what hit them. Still, the journey had taken almost a year until they reached East Port.
The woman pulled back her hood, revealing long blue hair tied in a ponytail and a physique honed by relentless training.
She wore reinforced leather armor—light yet sturdy. She was Nina Farion, daughter of Gall Farion and newly crowned Sword King.
"All right… we should request a guide to Tinaver. That's where they live, right? Rygar set up a dojo there, called it the Temple of Combat. I suppose that's where we're headed?"
The young man brought his hand to his chin thoughtfully.
"I think it's better if we wait a few days here. Back in the Kingdom of the Dragon King, we used that Magic Letter to notify them of our arrival. The Death God said they'd receive us in West Port, correct?"
This was Jino Britz, the second youngest Sword King in history—second only to Rygar by a matter of months.
Nina shivered at the reminder of the macabre man known as Randolph.
What made her most tense was recalling the sparring session she and Jino had with the Death God.
It had been good, actually—good to remind her how long the road ahead still was.
She huffed, crossing her arms and lifting her chin:
"Jino, you're so naïve! We spent a few days on the ship, and Tinaver is still far from here! How long do you think it would take them to reach us?"
She raised her eyes to Milis's clear sky, took a deep breath, and furrowed her brow.
"Besides, I don't trust that ridiculous device. Ha! Even magic has its limits. Sending a message halfway across the world makes no sense!"
Jino sighed, resigned, but answered firmly:
"We'll wait a few days."
Nina pouted but did not retort. Before either of them could continue, a child pointed to the sky.
"Mom! What's that red thing in the sky?!"
Over time, others began to look up. There were whispers, excited voices, glances of awe and surprise. Such a sight was common on Gaia, but it still had an impact.
"Is it the Red Lioness?!" someone exclaimed.
"Or is it the Beast God himself?!" another shouted.
A roar cut through the skies. A colossal red dragon pierced the clouds with majesty. It was Ezkalor.
With a sweeping flight, he descended to the sea, cutting through the waves like a living arrow.
In a controlled and impressive maneuver, he used his wings as brakes and landed gently on the reinforced wooden dock, which creaked under his weight.
Those present instinctively made way.
On the dragon's back, a figure leapt down with lightness and joy.
"Jino! Nina! Long time no see!"
It was Eris Adoldia. The Red Lioness.
The crowd began to stir. Murmurs spread like wildfire. Some knelt, others applauded.
Before either of the two young people could respond, Eris smiled and pointed to the sky.
"Let's talk while flying! It's too crowded down here!"
Without waiting for an answer, she nimbly returned to mount Ezkalor.
Nina still looked stunned by Eris's pace, but Jino simply held out his hand to her.
"Shall we?"
She accepted. Together, they mounted the dragon, who roared again, stepped to the edge, and then shot into the sky with strength and grace.
The wings sliced through the air with power, while below, the people cheered for the trio now heading toward the Great Forest.
Nina Farion and Jino Britz had finally arrived to join the Iron Legion.
---
As Ezkalor tore through the skies with his broad, powerful wings, Nina remained silent, sitting firmly in the leather‑and‑metal saddle between the red dragon's scales.
The fresh wind struck her face with force, and her blue eyes watched with attention the landscapes unfolding below.
Verdant plains stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with distant villages and towns, their rooftops smoking and fields cultivated all around.
Mountains rose in the distance, imposing and shrouded in mist. It was a grand, vibrant sight, and somehow… liberating.
"Do you ever get used to this view?" Nina asked almost unconsciously, her eyes fixed on the horizon.
Eris let out a laugh.
"I don't think so… But Rygar has taken me flying much faster than this. It's sooooo much more exciting!"
Jino, seated behind, smiled and said:
"How long has it been since we saw each other, Eris? How have you been?"
"Better than ever!" she replied, with her usual enthusiasm. Then she turned to Nina with a fierce, confident grin.
"You'd better have gotten stronger… because I'm way stronger now!"
Nina, who until then had worn a serene expression, narrowed her eyes with determination:
"Hmph! It's a shame you're so confident… because you're going to lose this time, and the disappointment will be greater!"
The glance between them sparked for a moment, like two sharp swords about to cross.
Jino, perhaps trying to ease the tension or simply curious, asked:
"Is it true that the Sword Emperor, Clint, joined the Iron Legion? They say he became one of Gaia's Twelve Kings…"
Nina immediately focused on the answer, showing interest.
During their journey, the two had sought information about Clint's whereabouts, the Sword Emperor who had left the Sacred Land of Swords.
After losing the title of Sword God to Timothy, he had disappeared for a while.
It was said that he founded a school in the Kingdom of the Dragon King, but shortly afterward, upon learning that Rygar had established the Temple of Combat, he moved his entire school there, joining the Legion.
Few were surprised by that choice.
Clint had always sought the perfection of the sword, and following the strongest was consistent with his philosophy. If Rygar was the strongest, then that was where he should be to improve.
Eris laughed, recalling the scene vividly:
"He really came! He arrived, defeated Kilian with a single strike, and took his position among the Twelve! Since then, Kilian has been training day and night, without rest."
Jino looked thoughtful as he tried to remember.
"Kilian? That… Gale Reaper?"
"That's him," Eris confirmed, still smiling. "Kilian is great at synchronizing Wind Magic with swordplay, but he wasn't fast enough to withstand the Longsword of Light."
Nina and Jino nodded in agreement. It made sense. That was the Sword God Style: defeating the opponent before they could react.
As they talked, Ezkalor yawned loudly. His great wings continued beating, but his half‑closed eyes and lazy expression indicated that, even in flight, the dragon could relax.
He was a powerful creature… and absurdly lazy.
Nina looked at him and asked curiously:
"I've heard that Clint is ranked ninth among the Twelve. Who is first, then?"
Eris crossed her arms and smiled, as if the answer were obvious:
"Oh… of course it's Ghislaine!"
Jino and Nina were surprised for a moment. But they soon exchanged looks, recalling the strength of the beast woman. It made sense.
"How is Lady Ghislaine?" Jino asked.
Eris hesitated briefly before replying, her voice sounding somewhat strange:
"Actually… Ghislaine is pregnant."
Both were in complete shock. Nina even murmured something inaudible, but Eris, with her keen ears, heard it perfectly.
"And no, I haven't had a child yet!" she replied irritably, making Nina blush visibly.
Jino, attempting to change the subject, observed:
"You've been honing your hearing with Touki now… Are you learning the Beast God Style?"
Eris nodded:
"Yes. I started right after I left the Sword Sanctuary."
An uncomfortable silence followed. Only the sound of the wind and the rhythmic beating of Ezkalor's wings filled the air.
Until, breaking the tension, Nina asked:
"If Ghislaine is pregnant… why has no one taken first place yet? I mean, it should be easy to win against someone like that, right?"
Eris smiled, somewhat darkly:
"One warrior tried. He thought it would be an advantage… But Rygar gave him a good thrashing. Shortly after, he established an official rule: any pregnant woman is exempt from challenges."
Jino let out a bitter laugh:
"Sounds like something he'd do…"
With the tension dissolved, the three continued talking, laughing, and catching up on everything that had happened: recent battles, new challengers, training advances.
They spoke of mutual friends, rivals, rumors, and future promises.
Ezkalor continued his flight at full speed, his wings unfolding in full power, dominating the skies.
The landscape below gradually changed—from cultivated plains, through dense forests and winding rivers.
They were growing ever closer to their final destination: the Temple of Combat, located in the heart of the Great Forest.
---
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