In a region within the Nordic lands, in the territory of Normandine, there stood a vast and powerful kingdom with a strong governing system known as the Kingdom of Normandia. It was ruled by an extremely authoritarian king who was deeply concerned with the survival of his realm—King Maximilian XV, the successor of King Maximilian XIV, who had reigned for fifteen years.

  King Maximilian XV, standing at 175 centimeters tall, possessed a heavyset body and the appearance typical of kings who rarely engaged in physical activity. He was known for his harsh temperament—anyone who failed to carry out his commands would meet their death immediately.

  One bright morning in the year 670 A.M., as the Grand Warden, Jarl Antonial, read aloud an ancient manuscript—one of King Maximilian XV’s favorite daily rituals—the king heard of a legend known as VONARHURD, or the Gate of Hope, a mystical door said to grant any wish to those who opened it. Upon hearing this, the king ordered the Grand Warden to summon the kingdom’s First War General to his presence.

  “Your Majesty’s command,” said the First War General of Normandia, Jack Laurensius, bowing respectfully.

  “Find me twelve of the strongest knight-warriors to search for the Gate of Hope.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty. But will twelve men be sufficient?” General Jack replied, glancing toward the Grand Warden standing beside him.

  “Do we require additional forces?”

  “At the very least, Your Majesty, we will need a female priestess from the Order of the Holy Cross to accompany the knights. Priestesses possess divine talents and a direct connection to the gods.”

  “Very well. Inform the leader of the Holy Cross Order, Madam Mad Er, to send a priestess to join the hunt.”

  “As you command,” General Jack replied before turning and departing.

  On the western side of the royal complex stood the residence of the priestesses of the Holy Cross Order, the Monastery of Delulax Deus. News of the king’s command soon reached Madam Mad Er, the leader of the order. She summoned all priestesses to gather in the Talent Hall, a domed chamber built in Nordic architectural style.

  “Today, we have received a direct order from King Maximilian XV to participate in the hunt for the Gate of Hope,” she announced loudly.

  “It seems His Majesty desires something new,” she added with a small laugh, which was echoed by the gathered priestesses. Is anyone willing to take part in this expedition?”

  “Those who join will receive abundant blessings from God Ilio upon their return.”

  At those words, silence filled the hall. The mission was extremely dangerous—not only would they hunt for the Gate of Hope, but they would also face the Cursed Dragon guarding it. Their lives would be at stake. After a long silence, a priestess at the back slowly raised her hand.

  “Allow me to go, Madam,” she said.

  Madam Mad Er initially ignored her, but when the priestess continued to raise her hand, she approached her.

  “Elizabeth Clara. Are you serious?” Madam asked.

  “Yes, Madam.”

  “You are only at Talent Level Four out of Eight. This mission carries the highest difficulty and extreme danger. Are you truly certain?”

  “Yes, Madam.”

  Madam Mad Er examined her from head to toe. Elizabeth’s appearance was modest—milky white hair, an oval face, average Nordic height, and a complexion that radiated a calm, ideal aura.

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  “What is your reason for joining this mission? There is no guarantee you will return alive.”

  After taking a deep breath, Elizabeth replied,

  “Because I believe God Ilio will protect me.”

  Madam Mad Er was momentarily taken aback. Yet, as this was a direct command from the king, she had no choice.

  “Very well. Since no one else volunteers, you may participate—on one condition. Never violate the taboos of your talent. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Madam.”

  Elizabeth then departed for the eastern lodging quarters to prepare for the journey.

  Afterward, she was escorted by a royal envoy in a horse-drawn carriage guarded by a fully armored soldier. Upon arriving at the capital, she was brought into the throne room and knelt before the king seated upon a golden dragon-headed throne.

  “Good evening, Your Majesty. I am Elizabeth Clara, assigned to guide the knights in locating VONARHURD. I respectfully pay homage with my talent and devotion.”

  “Raise your head, Priestess.”

  “What is your talent level?”

  “Fourth out of eight, Your Majesty.”

  “Can you guide my chosen warriors to the Cursed Dragon and the Gate of Hope?”

  “I will do everything my talent allows, Your Majesty.”

  “Very well. These twelve warriors shall accompany you.”

  “Understood, Your Majesty.”

  “Then go. Return to me with the ancient artifact.”

  With that command, the twelve knights and the priestess departed. They were provided with six riding horses and a supply carriage drawn by two horses.

  That night, far from Normandia, Isac Galeon, the expedition leader and elite knight of Division One, ordered a rest near the Lemuria River by Pisvor Valley. Tents were set up, a campfire lit, and the group settled in.

  “Tonight, we camp here. At dawn, we continue,” Isac declared.

  One tent was erected for the female warrior and the priestess, while the male knights slept outside, standing guard.

  As they gathered around the fire, Ragan, the group’s cook-warrior, prepared dinner. They introduced themselves—each knight selected from the strongest divisions of Normandia.

  The kingdom’s twelve knight divisions included:

  1. The First Division – Light Artillery Division

  Composed of elite warriors highly skilled in the use of weapons such as swords, spears, and axes.

  2. The Second Division – Assassin Division

  Consists of highly capable intelligence gatherers, specializing in assassination, reconnaissance, and covert sabotage.

  3. The Third Division – Archer Division

  Made up of first-class archers proficient in the use of bows and slings.

  4. The Fourth Division – Royal Defense Division

  Includes personnel tasked with safeguarding the kingdom, the royal family, and the nobility in the event of an attack.

  5. The Fifth Division – Tactics and Strategy Division

  Comprised of individuals highly skilled in battlefield tactics and war strategies during combat against enemies.

  6. The Sixth Division – Heavy Artillery Division

  Consists of large and powerful warriors possessing extraordinary physical strength and endurance.

  7. The Seventh and Eighth Divisions – Guerrilla Divisions

  Assigned to support the First Division during large-scale wars and major military conflicts.

  8. The Ninth Division – Logistics Division

  Responsible for supplying, managing, and accommodating logistics during wartime as well as daily life within the kingdom.

  9. The Tenth Division – Unarmed Combat / Training Division

  A division where soldiers are trained before being assigned to other divisions. Members are not permitted to participate in war unless all other divisions have been defeated.

  10. The Eleventh Division – History Division

  Comprised of scholars capable of reading ancient manuscripts and individuals possessing special talents. The Order of the Holy Cross belongs to this division.

  11. The Twelfth Division – Culinary Division

  Consists of individuals skilled in cooking and beverage mixing, as well as in brewing poisons and medicines. This division commonly includes cooks, bartenders, royal servers, beverage merchants, and royal surgeons.

  The members included Isac Galeon, Matias, Lula, Thauvin, Igor, Breum, Lothar, Sasa, Elizabeth Clara, and Ragan.

  During conversation, Thauvin asked Elizabeth,

  “Isn’t fourth-level talent too low to commune with a god?”

  “For us priestesses, talent is merely a connection. As long as we honor the taboos, the connection remains,” she replied.

  That night, Elizabeth dreamed.

  She saw a man in black robes standing beside a towering Sitka Spruce, dark energy radiating around him.

  “Come… I am waiting for you,” he said.

  A deafening roar echoed from behind the tree. His eyes burned crimson. Elizabeth tried to scream—but could not move.

  Then laughter.

  “Elizabeth, wake up.”

  She awoke surrounded by knights.

  “I met him… I met the dragon. He came to me through a vision.”

  “It wasn’t a dream,” Igor said. “It was foresight.”

  “The dragon is challenging us,” Matias growled, drawing his twin ring swords.

  As dawn approached, Isac warned,

  “We must be cautious. Legends say those who face the dragon are torn apart merely by standing near it.”

  With the rising sun, the hunt resumed.