—Run!–
—Get out of here!–
—It's a Lerkha!–
—A Lerkha is heading for the village!–
—Where are the guards?!–
—And Her Highness, the Grand Duchess?!–
In a small, usually peaceful village, the elders would rest, chat, and pass the day quietly, while children ran and played joyfully with each other or the nearby adults. It was a serene scene that was suddenly, out of nowhere, violently shattered by the sound of the earth trembling and trees being torn to shreds.
—There is Her Highness!–
—Her Highness Serafina!–
—She's right in the Lerkha's line of sight!–
—Please, get away from there!–
—Oh no, she's frozen!–
—Why aren't the Prince and the others here?!–
—They're with that other girl, the Saint Karina!–
—Isn't the Crown Prince supposed to be the Grand Duke's daughter's fiancé?! What is he doing with another woman instead of his own?!–
—This happens right when the Grand Duchess needs him most!–
—Damn it, we won't make it in time!–
Suddenly, a powerful roar interrupts the relative peace—a roar belonging to a beast of massive proportions. Standing 5 meters tall, 3 meters wide, and 7 meters long, it had the appearance of a giant reptile, with various spikes protruding from its legs, back, and head. This was the "Draken," a Dungeon Boss well-known to the adventurers who frequented these lands to venture into the False Dragon's Dungeon. A monster that was a hybrid between a reptile and a dragon, except that, unlike true dragons, this beast possessed no wings and was much broader.
—Grooahhr!–
As if driven by an uncontrollable madness, the beast charged with long, heavy strides toward the small village of a hundred inhabitants, just a few kilometers from its original lair. Its massive footsteps sent tremors through the earth, and trees were ripped clean from the ground as it tore through everything in its path.
—It's the Boss of the dungeon near the village!–
—By the Creator Goddess Noelle! How is this possible?! Nothing is supposed to be able to leave a Dungeon!–
—Watch out! The Boss of the False Dragon's Dungeon has broken loose!–
The screams of the villagers soon flooded the air, echoing through the settlement located near the border of the Arabella Empire. Fortunately, most had seen it coming—given its size, it was hard to miss. Everyone in its direct path had managed to scramble away the moment the creature came crashing through the entrance arch, escaping the beast that seemed unstoppable, running aimlessly and unchecked. Everyone, except for one person.
She was a young woman of twenty, with wavy red hair that flowed down her back, eyes with deep purple irises, and pale skin. Her facial features were beautiful, soft, and refined, and she was dressed in the typical attire of a high-society lady that perfectly accentuated her hourglass figure: a long black skirt reaching her ankles with gold W-shaped embroidery, five-centimeter stiletto heels that added height to her natural five-foot-seven frame, and a pristine, long-sleeved white blouse. A thin black belt cinched her wasp waist, joining the skirt and shirt, and finally, a black bearskin coat to ward off the chill of Hivern, the cold season.
She was Serafina Noire Delacroix, the daughter of the renowned Grand Duke Reinhard Noire and Grand Duchess Miriam Delacroix. They had passed away five years ago, when Serafina was fifteen, while saving the Arabella Empire from a sudden demonic horde that had emerged from the Lucius Empire—Arabella's neighbor to the west. Their sacrifice had earned their only daughter the favor of an engagement to the country's Crown Prince. However, now this powerful woman, the current ruler of the Grand Duchy of Noire, stood directly in the beast's line of sight, completely paralyzed.
—GROAAHHRR!–
The beast, now only a few meters away, roared with predatory satisfaction at finally finding a target. In its path, it had found no one close enough, and its massive bulk had hindered its peripheral vision. But now, with a human directly in its sights, it was finally going to unleash the new, newfound strength granted to it by someone who seemed even more powerful than itself—someone who had managed to shatter its restraints.
—...!–
Meanwhile, Serafina, instead of stepping aside, trying to run, or even uttering a single word—whether to cry for help or simply murmur—remained completely paralyzed. Long ago, when she was only fifteen, she had watched as demons, aided by fierce beasts known as Lerkhas, murdered her parents right before her eyes during a surprise attack on a routine inspection. Since then, she had lived with the trauma; any beast, be it a neutral Lerhia, a gentle Lersau, or an irrational Lerkha, triggered a total breakdown that left her unable to even think. The intelligence, insight, and cold rationality that had allowed her Grand Duchy to thrive to the point of nearly becoming its own nation were nowhere to be found in moments like these.
Because of this, her trauma left her with only one recourse: she crossed her arms and squeezed her eyes shut, wishing for a death that wasn't too painful. As her mind drifted to the Crown Prince—her fiancé and the man she loved with an intense passion, but who had now abandoned her for a picnic with the Saint—she clung to one final, fading shred of hope that he might return to rescue her.
—Not on my watch, you son of a bitch! Nobody touches my favorite villainess!–
However, just as Serafina believed she would be slaughtered by the Draken looming over her, and just as that last drop of hope in her fiancé had finally dried up, she suddenly felt firm, strong arms wrap around her legs and back. Instinctively, she threw her arms around the stranger's neck as she felt herself being hoisted up and whisked away at incredible speed. These arms belonged to a body that felt nothing like her fiancé's; they were noticeably muscular, unlike the slender frame of the Prince.
—Huh?–
Opening her eyes, she realized she was being held by a young man, around twenty-five years old, with rebellious black hair and deep red eyes. He was pale and stood about six-foot-two, dressed in typical commoner's garb—a long-sleeved white shirt, dark brown trousers, and sturdy matching shoes—which accentuated a lean but toned physique. He had a handsome face, one easily worthy of a stage star.
Curiously, the young man looked at her not only with relief for having arrived in time, but also with respect and a near-religious reverence, as if he were witnessing a Goddess treading upon humble earth. Even his grip was as gentle as possible, ensuring she didn't feel any more uncomfortable than she likely already was being carried like a princess.
Serafina couldn't stop her cheeks from flushing crimson. It wasn't just because she was in the arms of an attractive stranger, but because of the way he looked at her—a gaze she had never seen before. Everyone else's look always had some calculation behind it. Even her own fiancé, the man she loved, had never shown her even a glimmer of the look this man was giving her right now.
—Your Highness… –The man lowered her carefully, making sure she found her footing and stood steady. The moment her feet touched the ground, she pulled back the arms that had been draped around the commoner's neck.– Are you alright?–
Serafina shifted her gaze slightly, unable to keep meeting his handsome face and that look that stirred such strange sensations in her. She gave a shy nod.
—Thank you very much… –Fortunately for her, once the danger had passed, her "Grand Duchess Mode" kicked back in, pushing aside her wandering thoughts.– I am fine. Do not worry. I truly appreciate your help.–
—It was nothing, Your Highness. –The young man shook his head and smiled at her, a sweet smile that made Serafina feel her cheeks heat up again as she caught it out of the corner of her eye.–
Then, to the shock of both Serafina and the onlookers watching from a distance, the strange commoner who had appeared out of nowhere knelt before her. He dropped one knee to the ground and placed his right hand over his heart. His bright eyes looked up at her with even more reverence than before—the way a knight would look at the only lady he had chosen to serve forever.
—Wh, What are you doing?! –Serafina startled instantly, her face now completely flushed. As a Grand Duchess, she was used to this kind of bow, but until now, none had ever affected her in the slightest. To her, it was just protocol. This time, however, it made her heart race with a feeling she had never experienced, not even with her own fiancé.– Stand up, quickly! –she exclaimed nervously, reaching out as if to pull him up before stopping herself for the sake of her own decorum.–
—If you will allow me, this humble servant will serve you for his entire life with complete devotion. –The young man's voice turned soft yet firm, a joyful and hopeful smile spreading across his face.– My only wish in this life is to change your destiny as the Final Boss, so that you can truly be yourself and find happiness.–
—Eh? –Serafina's eyes showed nothing but utter confusion. Despite her vast intelligence, she was unable to grasp the meaning of those words.–
GRAAWWWR!. The beast's furious roar echoed once more, the sheer sonic force making the earth tremble. The creature, which moments ago had been pleased with its potential prey, was now seething with rage at having lost her—denied the chance to test its new strength on that unwary human. It ground its previous momentum to a halt and began to scan for both its prey and the one who had dared to snatch her away.
—Tch. –The young man, annoyed at having his moment interrupted, clicked his tongue in distaste, his brow furrowing as his gaze darkened.– Damned piece of trash, ruining my moment with My Lady.–
Infuriated, the young man rose from his kneeling position, turned, and faced the Draken. His expression held no trace of the fear or worry that gripped everyone else nearby; there was only irritation, as if he were looking at a bothersome child who had barged into an important conversation between adults.
—If I remember correctly, I have a decent weapon around here that I picked up during a side quest... –The young man extended his hand forward, as if reaching for something in the air.– I've only tested it once, but according to the description, it's supposed to be effective against Dungeon Bosses.–
In an instant, particles of navy-blue light swirled around his hand. The light coalesced into a long, cross-like shape, though the top section was unusually elongated.
Finally, the particles revealed a sword, approximately 100 centimeters long and five wide. Glowing runes were etched into the blade, and its edge gleamed sharply under the sunlight, emitting a soft, swaying halo of purple light.
—Your Highness, I'll be back in a heartbeat, alright? –The man turned back to Serafina with a gentle smile—an expression completely different from the one he had leveled at the beast.– I'm going to go take care of this trash.–
Before Serafina could respond, with a sharp fwish, the man vanished in the blink of an eye. When she looked toward the beast again, she realized he was already standing right in front of the creature. It had happened in a literal heartbeat. Such speed stunned even her; not even the finest Imperial Guards were capable of such a feat.
—Do you know what I'm craving? –The boy asked the Draken, pointing his sword at it.– False dragon meat. A stew made from your flesh would surely provide some great buffs. If My Lady tries it, I'm sure it'll boost her current poor stats, then she'll be able to smack everyone down on her own without waiting for someone else, like some unfaithful bastard, to come and save her.–
With a fluid motion, the young man swung his weapon downward. In a split second, a purple wave—matching the halo the sword exhaled—sliced through the air like a long-range whip, visible even in the bright daylight. A moment later, a heavy BAM echoed—the sound of something massive slamming into the dirt. A cloud of dust billowed upward.
To the shock of everyone present, the beast's right arm and leg had fallen heavily to the ground. A single swing had mangled its body, sending the Draken off-balance and into a state of sheer horror. Its confidence in its new power and its previous fury vanished instantly upon seeing its limbs severed so easily, despite its hide being as durable as diamond.
—You know, you were one of the main reasons my Sera fell into darkness and became just another piece of the script, –the young man said, stepping forward as he readied another strike. His tone was now ice-cold, murderous.– You should've thought twice before taking that deal with the Demon who let you out of that place. You should've stayed inside like a good boy, doing your job as a Dungeon Boss. But since you didn't, since you got greedy, don't blame me for being cruel. –As he spoke, he took another step toward the horrified creature, which was struggling in vain to flee.– I won't let anyone in this world hurt my Sera ever again. Not you, not the demons, and not even the Creator Goddess herself.–
Fwish. A second strike, also vertical, finished the creature off. This time, the attack wasn't aimed at its side, but directly down the center. Everyone watching saw the powerful Rango-A creature, with skin like diamond, being split down the middle by a vertical halo of purple light, tearing apart like a sheet of paper under a sharp knife. All of this, done by a commoner who, aside from his looks, seemed perfectly ordinary.
Then, with another BAM, the two halves of the creature collapsed outward. One part fell to the left, the other to the right, as a massive pool of black blood began to spread around it.
—So… –Instantly, the weapon in his hand dissolved back into those same particles of light.–
Once his task was finished, the young man approached the twenty-year-old noblewoman again—the current heir and Grand Duchess of the Noire Duchy, who was currently staring with wide-eyed disbelief after seeing an A-Rank beast cut like butter.
Just as before, the man knelt before her with the same gesture and the same look of utter devotion.
—So, Your Highness… will you accept me?–