Asca Island.
In the tranquil village, Saga stood at the entrance with a squad of Marines. The synchronized thuds of their military boots against the ground drew the attention of every villager—men, women, and children alike—who peered out from their homes with wary eyes.
"Maya." Saga's voice cut through the silence, devoid of any preamble, aimed directly at the young woman at the center. "Where is the Treasure Jewel?"
"Saga, snap out of it." Maya met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "The Seven Star Sword's curse is controlling you. You can't let it dominate you any longer."
"Enough. I know the Treasure Jewel is in your possession. Hand it over, or these villagers will suffer." With a wave of his hand, the Marines behind him raised their weapons. A few elders subtly shifted to shield Maya, but they were forced back by the Marines' icy glares.
"Saga, you were once so kind and just. How could you let a sword cloud your judgment?" Maya clenched her teeth, her voice pleading. "The Seven Star Sword brings only destruction. Have you forgotten its legend?"
Saga's body stiffened slightly, but he quickly regained his cold composure. "I don't care about legends. I only want the Treasure Jewel."
Maya closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath. When she opened them again, her determination was unshakable. "The Treasure Jewel is key to sealing the Seven Star Sword. I would rather die than surrender it."
Saga stared at Maya, sunlight glinting off the hand resting on his sword. The Seven Star Sword trembled faintly in its scabbard, as if urging him to order his Marines to seize the stubborn girl and ransack the village for the jewel.
He raised his hand. The Marines behind him instantly straightened, hands gripping their hilts, awaiting the command. Yet the order lodged in his throat, refusing to be spoken.
Just then, the wind sharpened abruptly. The clouds tore open, and a massive peach-colored shadow descended with earth-shaking pressure. Villagers instinctively looked up to see a nearly hundred-meter-long Dragon Body blotting out the sky, its four claws churning Flame Clouds like turbulent waves. Each circling motion whipped up howling gales.
"A Dragon! It's a Dragon!" An old woman clutching a clay pot collapsed in terror, the pot shattering on the stone pavement.
"Such immense size..." Younger villagers gripped their hoes, legs trembling, yet their eyes remained fixed on the awe-inspiring peach hue in the sky.
"It... it seems to be looking at us!" A child hid behind their mother, daring only a half-glance, torn between fear and curiosity.
Amid the chaotic cries, Saga's Marines stood motionless. They maintained their stances—rifles raised, hands on blades—their hollow gazes skimming over the Giant Dragon as if it were merely passing clouds. Not a single eyelid flickered.
Saga jerked his head up, a flicker of chaotic alertness in his eyes, corrupted by the Seven Star Sword. His hand tightened unconsciously on the hilt. The high-altitude Dragon suddenly let out a low hum, its voice cutting through the wind with a hint of casual amusement. "Perfect timing."
Before the words faded, the peach-colored Dragon Body contracted sharply. The Flame Clouds receded like tides, and Ryan landed steadily between Saga and Maya. He brushed his sleeves and turned to the young woman beside him.
Her blue hair fluttered in the wind, cascading over her shoulders with soft, curling ends. Her delicate features glowed with a pearly radiance under the sunlight, especially her eyes—so clear they mirrored the blue of the sky. She wore a form-fitting yellow sleeveless top that accentuated her slender yet poised shoulders, paired with an orange short skirt that swayed gently with her breath, revealing clean-cut calf lines that gave her a lively and capable aura.
"Oh?" Ryan raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curling at the corner of his lips. "So Asuka Island hides such a beautiful woman."
This was the priestess Maya. In person, she was far more striking than in images, especially her poised demeanor... truly rare.
Maya held her breath at the sudden turn of events, warily eyeing the man before her—the one who had just transformed from a Giant Dragon yet carried no intimidating pressure.
"The newly appointed Seven Warlords 'Wanderer' Ryan?" Saga's face darkened, the veins on his hand bulging as he gripped his sword hilt. "What brings you to Asuka Island?"
Ryan's unabashed scrutiny of Maya felt like a thorn in Saga's heart, stirring an instinctive displeasure.
Ryan slowly turned his head, his gaze sweeping past Saga to land precisely on the sword behind him, his tone casual. "I've heard the legend of the sacred sword. I'm a bit interested in that Seven Star Sword."
"Arrogant!" Saga abruptly drew the Seven Star Sword, its blade slicing through the air with a chilling gleam and a piercing malevolence, as if wreathed in a green mist. "Dare to covet the Seven Star Sword? You're seeking death!"
Before the words faded, he swung the sword at Ryan with speed so swift it left only an afterimage. The villagers gasped in terror, and Maya instinctively clenched her hands, her heart leaping into her throat. Yet Ryan didn't evade. As the blade was about to strike, Scales suddenly shimmered with a peach-red hue on his left arm. A sharp "clang" echoed as the sword met the Scales, sparks flying brilliantly.
Ryan stood unmoved, while Saga was forced back half a step, his palm numb from the impact.
"Hmm?" Ryan glanced down at his arm, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. A fine crack had appeared on the Scales, a thin line of blood slowly seeping out. What startled him more was that such a minor wound should have healed in an instant, yet now there was only a faint itch, as if something was blocking his vitality.
Ryan brushed his fingertips over the bloodstain, his eyes darkening. "It has an effect of damaging wounds, a cursed sacred sword... how intriguing."
"Realize its power now?" Seeing his strike land, Saga's eyes nearly overflowed with a mad red glow, the veins on his sword hand bulging. "This is the majesty of the Seven Star Sword! Ordinary fools can't withstand its power!"
The air froze instantly, the villagers forgetting to breathe.
Maya watched the wound on Ryan's arm that refused to heal, a deep worry flashing in her clear eyes. She couldn't help but warn him, "The curse of the Seven Star Sword latches onto wounds directly. It's not just hard to heal—it gradually saps your strength. Over time... it can even cause hallucinations, dragging you into madness."
"Curse?" Ryan let out a derisive laugh, as if hearing something amusing. With a slight clench of his palm, the fine crack visibly closed, scabbed over, and vanished without a trace. He flexed his arm, his tone carrying a hint of casual provocation. "With such meager power, you call that a curse?"
Saga's triumphant expression instantly froze, his hand gripping the Seven Star Sword tightening abruptly. The blade emitted a harsh metallic hum under the sunlight, as if roaring in fury at this blatant disregard for its "majesty."
"Now." Ryan lifted his gaze to meet Saga's, all traces of amusement vanishing from his eyes, replaced only by an icy battle intent. "It's time to show you what true 'power' really means."