The Recorder of Type-Moon History

When it was all over, Kevin and Slude collapsed to the ground, their legs weak, and they instinctively clung to each other for support.

They were drenched in sweat, their chests heaving as they gasped for air, still trying to process the events that had just unfolded.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally calmed down, their frantic heartbeats slowing.

"Wait... where's Siegfried?!"

As the adrenaline began to fade, Slude suddenly sat up straight, her crimson eyes wide with worry. She glanced around frantically, searching for the tall warrior who had delivered the final blow to the dragon.

Kevin, who was still lying on the ground, rolled his eyes and sighed. "Relax." Compared to Slude's panic, Kevin was much calmer—mainly because he already knew the outcome.

"If I'm not mistaken, he should be inside that big guy." Kevin pointed at Fafnir's massive corpse, which lay sprawled in the clearing.

Almost as if on cue, a wet, squelching sound echoed across the battlefield.

The next moment, a blade pierced through the dragon's thick scales, and Siegfried emerged, covered in blood. The greatsword he wielded, drenched with the crimson liquid of Fafnir's heart, had carved a path through the beast's insides.

With an unceremonious thud, Siegfried landed on the ground in front of them, collapsing as his strength gave out.

Both Kevin and Slude stared at the unconscious Siegfried, stunned. Kevin groaned and muttered, "Showoff."

However, their attention was quickly drawn to something else. From the massive tear in Fafnir's chest where Siegfried had emerged, a torrent of bright red blood began to pour out.

Slude frowned, her gaze fixated on the blood that was pooling on the ground. This blood was unlike the black, corrosive ichor that had spilled during the earlier parts of the battle—it was vibrant, almost glowing, and seemed to radiate a strange energy.

"Kevin, step back," Slude said sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Though confused, Kevin obeyed, allowing Slude to help him up and guide him toward a nearby stream where they could clean up.

Just as they turned to leave, something unexpected happened.

Fafnir's massive claw twitched.

Both Kevin and Slude froze in place, their eyes widening in alarm.

"What the hell?!" Kevin shouted, instinctively reaching for his sword.

However, instead of attacking, Fafnir's claw moved with surprising delicacy. The dying dragon plucked a single green leaf from the ground and let it fall onto Siegfried's exposed back.

"What... what are you doing?" Slude asked warily, her voice laced with confusion.

Before either of them could act, the dragon's one remaining eye opened. But this time, it was no longer scarlet. Instead, it glowed with a soft, golden light.

"Don't be alarmed," the dragon said in a deep, rumbling voice. "I am Fafnir."

Kevin and Slude exchanged a stunned look.

"Of course you're Fafnir," Kevin said cautiously, gripping the hilt of his sword. "But are you... still you? Or is this some kind of trick?"

The dragon managed a weak nod. "Yes... I am Fafnir, the dwarf who succumbed to greed and was cursed to become this beast. My mind is my own... for now."

Slude furrowed her brows. "Then why did you drop that leaf onto Siegfried?"

Fafnir's massive head drooped slightly, his golden eye dimming as he spoke. "The blood of my heart carries both immense power and an unbearable curse. If left unchecked, that power would drive the warrior who struck me mad. The leaf... ensures that a small part of his body remains untouched by the blood, providing an outlet for the curse."

Hearing this, Slude's expression softened slightly, though her vigilance remained.

Kevin, however, couldn't help but smirk. "So that's how it is," he murmured, a hint of amusement in his voice. "All this time, people thought the leaf was some kind of coincidence. Turns out it was intentional."

The dragon let out a low, rumbling chuckle. "Coincidence? No... nothing about the Rhinegold is ever coincidental."

Fafnir then turned his gaze to Kevin, his voice heavy with weariness. "Warrior, you too may bathe in my blood. It will make you invulnerable to any weapon."

Before Kevin could respond, Slude stepped forward, her tone sharp and unyielding. "He doesn't need it."

Fafnir's golden eye flickered as he regarded the Valkyrie. After a moment, he nodded faintly. "Very well. Then, warrior... is there anything else you desire before I pass?"

Kevin hesitated, his gaze dropping to the ground. After a moment, he asked quietly, "Don't you... hate us? For killing you?"

"Hate you?" Fafnir repeated, his voice tinged with surprise. "No, young warrior. How could I? If anything, I should thank you."

Kevin and Slude both looked at the dragon in shock.

Fafnir's voice grew softer as he continued. "The Rhinegold Curse robbed me of everything. It consumed me with greed, turned me against my family, and transformed me into this monstrous form. For years, I was a prisoner in my own body, forced to watch as the dragon committed unspeakable acts.

"But now... now I am free. Free of the curse. Free of the pain. For that, I am grateful."

Fafnir's body trembled, his life force clearly waning. "So, warrior... before I breathe my last, I will ask you again. Is there anything you desire?"

Kevin's gaze drifted to the golden ring that still adorned Fafnir's claw. The object seemed to glimmer with an otherworldly light, its allure undeniable.

"I want the Rhinegold," Kevin said finally, his voice steady.

Fafnir's golden eye narrowed slightly. "The Rhinegold? Do you know the burden you ask for?"

"He won't keep it," Slude interjected, stepping forward. "His only goal is to return it to the Rhine Fairy."

The dragon studied Kevin carefully, his gaze piercing. After a long silence, he finally nodded.

"Very well... I will entrust it to you."

Using the last of his strength, Fafnir tore the ring from his claw and pressed it into the wound over his heart. His magic mingled with his blood, dulling the ring's malevolent energy.

When he finally pulled the ring free, it was stained red. He gently tossed it to Kevin, who caught it with both hands.

"This ring will be safe to hold for three days," Fafnir said weakly. "After that... its curse will resurface. You must return it to the Rhine Fairy before then."

Kevin nodded solemnly.

Fafnir's body began to collapse in on itself, his golden eye dimming to black. "Thank you, brave warrior... and noble Valkyrie. Thank you... for setting me free."

As his voice faded, Fafnir whispered the names of his family members, tears streaming from his eye.

And then, with one final exhalation, the dragon's massive head fell limp.

Fafnir, once a proud dwarf and later a cursed dragon, was no more.

Kevin stared at the golden ring in his hands, the weight of its curse heavy in his mind.

Slude placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Are you ready?" she asked softly.

Kevin nodded, his expression resolute. "Let's finish this."

With Siegfried still unconscious and the ring in hand, the two began their journey toward the Rhine River, determined to put an end to the curse once and for all.

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