This was the edge of the fading world—Britannia, homeland of the fairies, a paradise of Phantasmal Species far removed from the continent.
But at this very moment, the great King Uther was already dead, the throne had remained vacant for many years, and although the various nobles harbored ambitions, none had yet torn away the last shreds of civility under the restraint of the great magician Merlin. The holy sword still stood, embedded outside the cathedral.
Yet none of this had anything to do with a certain boy.
The boy, who knew the course of this tale, understood that aside from the one fated to end the mysteries of this land—the Red Dragon of Britannia—no one could draw the sword of kingship.
The boy had pale golden hair and light blue eyes. At first glance, he seemed as if he could melt into the world itself. Anyone who saw him would surely sigh and call him a "beautiful boy."
There was no doubt about it—he could easily contend for the title of the most handsome man in all of Britannia.
Even the elves acknowledged the boy's appearance. Otherwise, how could a human live so comfortably in this forest? Though the world's mysteries were beginning to fade, until everything had drawn to a close, the untouched depths of the forest still harbored many Phantasmal Species. But the boy's peaceful life here wasn't entirely thanks to the elves.
At that moment, the boy, who looked as handsome as an elf, tightly gripped a forging hammer in one hand. In the other, he held a glowing sword blank with a pair of tongs. The hammer came down swiftly and forcefully. With each strike against the blade, the sound of metalwork echoed through the forest.
In this era, most renowned weapons came from elves or were divine gifts. If someone saw the boy's actions, they would surely shake their head in silence.
Partly because of the boy's age, and partly because weapons forged by humans could hardly compare with those granted by divine powers. No matter how refined his skills were, at best he might forge weapons for soldiers under some king's command.
As the hammer and sword blank clashed more and more, the glowing blade gradually absorbed all its magic. Eventually, it looked no different from any ordinary weapon. But the boy's lips curled into a smile.
"It's done! Let me be the one to set the precedent that mortal craftsmanship in Britannia can rival that of the gods!"
The age of gods would inevitably pass. The future belonged to humankind. The light of humanity would one day replace divine radiance. As long as he executed his plan correctly, he could become a symbol of this extraordinary era. He had long prepared for this, after all. All of it was so he could live more freely and more fully in these exceptional times.
And also, to become a legend.
The boy picked up a carving hammer and began refining the details of the knight's sword. One of the greatest advantages of his dealings with the elves was that he could now use their language to bless and enchant the weapons and armor he crafted.
This was a gift for that person. In the boy's eyes, she was a one-of-a-kind existence. Since that was the case, how could he possibly offer her a mass-produced weapon?
She was a dragon soaring across the skies, a being that never stopped even when reaching the farthest stars. The image of her flying through the heavens when they first met was still deeply etched in the boy's heart. Although her current appearance didn't quite match the majestic form of that dragon, there was no mistaking who she was.
At that moment, a figure darted through the forest at a speed invisible to the naked eye. It was a speed that broke the sound barrier—an unmatched limit. When the small figure halted in front of the boy, the sudden stop stirred a powerful gust of wind, caused by her immense velocity.
The wind swept up fallen leaves, sending them flying into the sky. When everything settled, the petite figure finally revealed her true appearance.
She had white hair and wore a blue backless dress. A small cape adorned with white flowers draped over her shoulders. A red rose decorated her neckline, giving her an air of noble elegance while also hinting at the bearing of a warrior.
Her golden eyes shimmered faintly with blue, like the horizon at dusk. White stockings wrapped around her slender legs, ending in light blue boots.
Ah... if only she would walk barefoot...
No! It would be criminal to act on such thoughts with the girl in her current form! He had to wait until the equipment he had always envisioned was complete. Only then could they progress further. Though this fading world had no FBI, he still didn't want anyone kicking down his door in disgust.
"Aslan! Look what I caught today!"
The girl raised her arms. In her hands, she tightly gripped the antlers of a wild deer—one that looked perfect for roasting. Due to the pressure from her explosive speed, the deer had already fainted, overwhelmed by lack of oxygen.
"We get to eat venison today! Ah... come to think of it, I also saw some elves. They were spying on you again from not too far away. I suddenly wondered... what might elves taste like...?"
The white-haired girl pouted and casually tossed the deer aside.
"I mean, since we're already in a relationship, shouldn't you at least put me first in your heart? You being kind to everyone like that really makes me jealous."
She took two steps forward and grabbed the front of Aslan's shirt. With inhuman strength, she gave a gentle tug, pulling Aslan slightly toward her. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the forest branches, casting dappled shadows on them. A breeze whispered through the trees, leaves rustling softly in the light.
The scent of sunlight, the smell of fresh grass, and the fragrance of the boy himself...
Taking in all these sensations through her nose, the girl slightly turned her head. Her golden eyes showed a hint of frustration, but soon, they locked onto the boy's with firm resolve.
"Aslan, I want to hear you say it to me—say that in your heart, I will always be the one who comes first. Since you used the contract to awaken me from my slumber, then you must take full responsibility!"
The white-haired girl stared intently at the boy who had awakened her. Her eyes were filled with determination—and a strong sense of possessiveness.
Aslan was stunned for a moment. Then, a smile spread across his face. He reached out and gently took the girl's hand into his own. Then he lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand. His pale blue eyes, like the sky, shone with sincerity and devotion.
This was a contract he had sought out on his own. He would uphold every promise made.
"I swear to you: you will always be first in my heart, Melusine. My one and only fairy knight. My dragon, who belongs only to me."