PAID

"It seems I'll have to clear up some doubts for you all," Claudia said as she leaned against the wall outside the secret chamber, her arms crossed in front of her chest as she began her tale.

"Thirty years ago, the war between the Empire and the dragons reached a fever pitch. Back then, our Sea Dragon Clan had not yet chosen to withdraw from the world, so we, too, were dragged into the conflict.

"One day, after a particularly devastating battle, our rescue squad was the first to arrive on the scene because it was fought on our turf. They combed the battlefield for anyone still alive. Charlotte isn't the type to engage in combat, but she's highly skilled in healing magic. She thought this mission would be just about tending to the wounded, so she volunteered to join the rescue team.

"Her father approved her request. But reality turned out to be very different from what Charlotte expected. The rescue team wasn't just there to bring back the injured—they were also tasked with eliminating any surviving enemies.@@novelbin@@

"Charlotte had never killed anyone before; such a thing was far too hard for her. So she buried herself in her work, healing the wounded, hoping she could finish her task quickly and return home.

"But, as fate would have it, she eventually encountered something she couldn't avoid."

Claudia's gaze grew distant as she continued, "She came across a dying dragon slayer, barely clinging to life amidst a sea of corpses and blood. He was injured, seemingly while protecting his comrades, though they had all died in the end.

"I imagine you've guessed by now—yes, that gravely injured dragon slayer was your master."

"That was their first meeting."

"And as for the outcome? I suppose you could also guess. My sister spared his life."