In a city not far from the Rhine River, the night slowly descended on rain-slicked streets. The rain had just stopped, and it was as if the sky and earth had traded places—above, a vast and dim canopy; below, a shimmering galaxy of lights reflected in the puddles underfoot.
People hurried home through the night, wearied but not defeated. Their faces bore traces of fatigue, yet also the hopeful glow of tomorrow. Laughter could be heard from animated conversations—perhaps a sign of the town's remote location or the absence of heretics. Whatever the reason, harmony seemed to linger in the air.
In the post-Common Era, dragons appearing in the current world were largely the result of lingering draconic factors from the Age of Gods. In the North, especially within the realm of myth, a unique phenomenon could cause non-dragons to become dragons.
This phenomenon is defined as: "Desire that transcends boundaries," giving rise to the concept of the Evil Dragon, turning any being into a Fafnir.
In the Nasuverse, Fafnir is not a single dragon, but a manifestation—an archetypal concept of an evil dragon.
And that was precisely Avia's current goal after arriving in the Western Roman Empire alongside Attila: to find this Fafnir, slay it, bathe in its blood, and transform his present body into something "invincible"—a body that could rival the mysteries of the First Century, despite the thinning of magical energy in this era.
Though Avia had yet to figure out how to deal with the current issues plaguing the Holy Church, he knew that strengthening himself was always a step in the right direction.
After all, he had already prepared himself for the worst. Words filled with sincerity rarely sway those entrenched in dogma. Merely hoping or praying won't change the world. This rotting reality won't mend itself—and the longer decay persists, the easier it is to ignore.
As for becoming Pope again? From what Avia had experienced in recent years, that was nearly impossible—especially since he bore the identity of a "Hun."
The Great Ecumenical Councils had long taken a turn: dissent was unwelcome, vertical hierarchies unshakable. Even reformists had begun to shift their stances. No matter how absurd their views, those with power always received the majority's approval.
After all, those who impose unjust rules don't care about the harm they cause to others.
True change only comes through blood.
"...Only through blood can the world change."
The silver-haired boy lay in the forest, staring up at the sky. The evening breeze rustled the leaves, and the chirping of insects began to echo through the woods.
Though the moonlight faintly illuminated the sky, not a single star could be seen. It felt strangely hollow.
Aside from the option of slaying Fafnir and bathing in its blood, there was another possibility for Avia: an ancient mechanism left behind by the Giant Gods, located in the ruins of the giants.
In later times, the young Charlemagne had once traveled with one of the Twelve Paladins, Arthusphor, to those very ruins. There, they touched the stone carvings and learned of Attila's loneliness. Charlemagne came to see her as an elder sister and realized that he was fated to one day unite Western Europe.
Undoubtedly, gaining access to a relic of the Giant Gods—who had once eradicated nearly all divine pantheons—was immensely valuable.
But Avia hesitated. What if Attila, while still alive, were affected by someone else tapping into that relic?
So, he shelved the idea.
Though they were only fourteen and twelve years old, respectively, Avia couldn't shake the feeling that, to Attila, he was something like a teacher.
Back in the Hunnic tribes, she had mostly been taught by elders. But the silver-haired girl often sought Avia out—perhaps because his words alleviated her loneliness, if only slightly.
Then again, he was the only person in their age group who could defeat her in combat. That probably made his words easier for her to accept.
After arriving in the Western Roman Empire three months ago, Attila's hopes had been dashed. Even though she still attended lectures each day, she'd always return to recount them to Avia—and then make him recite them back to her. Only then did she feel she had truly learned something.
Avia thought that was fine. He hoped that the real Avia—the planetary scout on the Moon—would find some small happiness in the memories she was accumulating here on Earth.
"Oh? Another traveler like me? It's awfully late to be hanging around in a forest."
Avia picked a glimmering green leaf from the river beside him—one of several drifting along its surface. Rising to his feet, he turned and held the leaf out to the young man who had approached.
He wasn't concerned this stranger might be a bandit or assassin. No proper thief would stroll up so casually.
"I don't have much, but here—this is a gift from nature."
"Forgive me for the intrusion. But I'm grateful... I really do like this gift."
The speaker, also silver-haired like Avia, had vibrant green eyes that glimmered with an apologetic light. His face was covered with untreated scratches and bruises.
He took the leaf with both hands, cradling it carefully as if it were a precious gem, searching for words to say.
"It's just a leaf. You can find plenty like it anywhere—I was joking."
"Perhaps... But this leaf symbolizes our first meeting. You weren't offended by my rudeness, and you even gave me a gift. That's why I believe I was right to trust my instincts. You're not just a fellow traveler—you're someone who radiates justice."
Despite his many injuries, the young man was unfailingly polite and gentle. He had never met someone quite like this before. There was something different in Avia's eyes—those deep blue eyes that seemed as serene as the sea in any season, at any time. Not the sea that devours, but the sea that embraces.
To be honest, the young man was both surprised and delighted to meet someone like him.
"Is that so? I'm Avia. What's your name?"
Avia's words and demeanor had only confirmed what he already suspected.
The young man gently tucked the leaf into his chest and smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Avia. My name is Siegfried."
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