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The Battle of the Divine Shore
[We go sightseeing around the city.]
Harlez: "Carolina, your city is so beautiful."
Carolina (smiling brightly): "Yes, our city is beautiful. And when I grow up, I want to make it the most beautiful city in the world. Harlez, will you help me in the future?"
She looked up at him with innocent eyes and a hopeful, almost magical smile.
Harlez (blushing slightly): "Ugh, my heart... so cute."
Harlez: "Yes, I'll definitely help you, Carolina."
Carolina: "Really, Harlez? Thank you so much… and also, I have to thank the Great Lord for coming to help us slay the Divine Beast. I hope everything will be alright tomorrow."
Harlez: "Don't worry, Carolina. My grandfather will eliminate the monster and save our city."
Carolina: "Really? That makes me so happy. My father has been worrying so much for the past few days. Now he can finally relax… with the help of the Lord… and you."
Harlez: "Cute…"
Just then, a firm but respectful voice broke through the moment.
Baron Leon: "Young Lord, we should return now. It is late, and His Lordship must be concerned about your whereabouts."
Harlez: "Alright, Uncle Leon. Let's go back. Come on, Carolina."
Carolina: "Okay, Harlez."
---
[The Next Morning]
The sun rose blood-red over the ocean horizon, its light reflecting off the tense faces of the city's people. Today was the day—the day the Divine Beast would emerge from the sea. Everyone knew it. Everyone felt it.
Harlez: "Grandpa, can I watch your fight? Please… don't say no."
Yalos (his stern face softening): "My dear grandson… of course, you can watch. But only from a safe distance. If you disobey, I will forbid you."
Harlez: "Okay, Grandpa. I promise!"
Yalos: "Leon, protect my grandson. Take the Zephyrian Knights with you."
Leon: "But my Lord, what about your protection?"
Harlez: "Grandpa, will you be okay without the knights?"
Yalos: "Don't worry. I am the strongest swordsman alive. No harm shall come to me. Leon, no matter what, ensure no harm befalls Harlez."
Nalaeom: "My Lord, all preparations are complete. The citizens have retreated inland from the shore."
Yalos: "Very good. Then I shall depart. Harlez—behave yourself."
Harlez: "Yes, Grandpa… and beat that monster!"
Leon: "My Lord, I wish you all the best."
Nalaeom: "I also wish you well, my Lord. Please defeat that Divine Beast—for our people."
Yalos: "Don't worry. I'll defeat it without breaking a sweat. Farewell for now, Harlez."
Harlez: "Bye, Grandpa!"
Without another word, Lord Yalos summoned his skyborn dragon. The majestic beast spread its massive wings, scales glistening like starlight, and soared into the sky with a roar that shook the sea.
Nalaeom: "Young Lord, let's head to the observation fort. From there, we can safely watch your grandfather's battle."
Harlez: "Yes, Lord Nalaeom. But... where's Carolina?"
Nalaeom: "My daughter is in her chambers. It's too dangerous for her now. She hasn't even begun sword training yet."
Harlez: "Oh... okay."
Nalaeom: "Don't worry. You'll see her again soon, when this is over."
Harlez: "Who says I'm worried?"
[Everyone laughs warmly.]
Leon: "Lord Nalaeom, I think we should move. I can sense the beast's energy… it's rising fast."
Nalaeom: "Yes. Let's go."
Leon: "Young Lord, follow me."
---
[At the Coastal Fortress]
We arrived at the seaside fortress—tall, ancient, with walls that had weathered centuries of storm and war. From the upper platform, I could see the endless blue stretch of the ocean. And then... there he was.
My grandfather, Lord Yalos, stood tall on the jagged cliffs below, his long silver hair flowing in the sea wind, his back straight and unyielding. His great sword, Eclipse Fang, rested calmly at his side.
He was calm. Still.
Then, the sea trembled.
First came a silence so thick, it felt like the entire world was holding its breath. The wind died. The waves froze.
And then…
A tsunami of divine energy erupted from the ocean.
From beneath the waters rose a colossal beast—larger than mountains, its true form impossible to fully comprehend. The Divine Beast roared, and its voice alone shattered rocks along the coast. Its body towered into the sky, shrouded in dark storm clouds. It had eyes like galaxies and scales harder than any known metal. It was easily 100 kilometers long.
I felt my knees weaken.
Harlez: "Uncle Leon… what's happening?!"
Leon (staring with a stern gaze): "The Divine Beast… it has awakened."
And yet… Grandfather didn't move.
He merely looked up—calm, unbothered.
The air grew heavy. Time itself seemed to slow.
Then... he moved.
In one smooth, deliberate step, he walked forward—off the cliff.
And the dragon, as if summoned by instinct, swooped beneath him, catching him mid-air. Lord Yalos stood on its back as they rose into the sky—directly toward the towering beast.
The Divine Beast lunged with a cosmic roar, lashing a massive tendril of darkness toward Yalos. That single blow could have wiped out a nation.
But Yalos lifted his sword.
His aura flared—not golden, not crimson, but heavenly white—pure, blinding, divine. The heavens themselves seemed to part.
In that moment, I saw it—
My grandfather was already in a Heavenly Realm.
And the Divine Beast... was merely a creature of the lower Divine Realm.
He swung his sword once.
One strike.
One impossibly fast, impossibly powerful slash.
The sky cracked.
The clouds parted in a perfect circle that spanned miles.
The sea split beneath the shockwave.
And the Divine Beast...
...was cleaved in two.
No scream. No resistance.
The sheer force of the strike disintegrated the monster's body into divine particles that shimmered like stardust. It was as though the beast had never existed.
Silence fell once more.
Then, the wind returned.
Leon (whispering, in awe): "That… was a Heavenly Slash."
Nalaeom (tears in his eyes): "He defeated it… with a single strike…"
I watched in stunned silence as my grandfather descended slowly, his dragon gliding gracefully through the clouds. He landed on the battlefield, amidst the quiet breeze, his cloak still fluttering from the force of his own power.
The people, who had watched in hiding from afar, began to emerge—first slowly, then in waves.
A deafening cheer erupted.
"LONG LIVE LORD YALOS!"
"THE SWORD OF THE HEAVENS!"
"WE ARE SAVED!"
---
[Later That Day]
Carolina rushed down the steps of the palace, running straight into Harlez.
Carolina: "Harlez! You're safe!"
Harlez: "Of course I am. My grandpa's the strongest swordsman in the world."
Carolina: "He's amazing… he really defeated that monster. It was like... like a god!"
Harlez: "He is like a god, Carolina."
As the city celebrated, banners flew and horns sounded from every tower. The people danced in the streets, children laughed, and for the first time in days… peace had returned.
Lord Yalos stood above all, silent, proud, and unshaken.
And though the battle had ended in one strike, the legend of his power would echo for a thousand years.
—