From the very beginning, Duchess Veronica had prepared herself for the fact that she might not find the Sikor anytime soon. After all, dragons, like humans, were highly intelligent creatures, and their instincts were sharper than any other being. When danger loomed, it was only natural for a dragon to retreat into the shadows, hiding itself away and making it nearly impossible for anyone to track them.
What Veronica hadn't anticipated, though, was how elusive the Sikor had truly been. After nearly half a month of searching, the scouts had scoured the entire Moiy Forest, yet they hadn't found a single trace of the creature. Not even the faintest hint of its presence.
This result was beginning to frustrate her. She had prepared herself for a lengthy search, but she hadn't expected it to drag on for so long without any progress. The resources required to sustain the army were vast, and after weeks of fruitless searching, morale was beginning to plummet across the ranks.
At a time when the soldiers were losing hope, when their spirits were faltering, Veronica couldn't help but wonder: Was the Sikor really still hiding in Moiy Forest?
It was a perplexing situation. The army was incurring significant costs each day—food for the men and horses, the upkeep of their equipment, and the constant need to maintain discipline and readiness. Every day that passed without results felt like a wasted opportunity, and the longer the search dragged on, the more uncertain the situation became.
Duchess Veronica couldn't allow this to continue. Something had to be done to break the stalemate. She made a decision—she would send the four Beast Knights out to join the search. These elite warriors, each bonded to a magical beast, were her most trusted assets. Their involvement would hopefully tip the scales in her favor.
To further bolster the efforts, she sent the regular soldiers stationed at Hilton Fortress to the outer edges of the forest, ordering them to begin cutting down trees. If they couldn't find the Sikor by searching, perhaps they could force it out by shrinking its environment.
She couldn't help but think, If I just cut down every tree in the Moiy Forest, flatten the mountains and hills, surely the cunning Sikor won't have anywhere left to hide?
And so, under the command of Frostwolf Marquis, the four Beast Knights led their squads into the forest, determined to flush out the Sikor.
But the more they searched, the more it seemed like the Sikor had simply disappeared into thin air. The knights scoured the entire forest, overturning every stone, searching every hidden corner, but there was no sign of the beast.
Back at Hilton Fortress, Veronica sat in her chamber, furrowing her brow. The Sikor would never give up such a prime hunting ground as Moiy Forest, she thought. It has been hiding for so long... it must be plotting something. Its absence is not by chance.
Years of experience had given her sharp instincts, and she trusted them now. She could feel that the Sikor had not just vanished. There was something more at play here. The beast wasn't giving up—it was lying in wait, scheming in the shadows.
Indeed, while Moiy Forest was rich in resources and offered an ideal environment for the Sikor, to the west, there was unclaimed land. The terrain there was mostly flat, with rolling hills, and the ecosystem couldn't compare to the lush, magical forest of Moiy. It was a poor substitute.
Veronica found herself intrigued by this uncharted land, but only under one condition—if she could conquer Moiy Forest and defeat the Sikor. The thought of expanding her realm was enticing, but only after she had claimed this victory.
The problem was that progress was stagnant. Despite her best efforts, the situation was growing more and more frustrating. The Sikor was proving to be an elusive enemy, and the army's search seemed to have led nowhere.
This series of challenges was sending a clear message to Veronica: A carefully planned conspiracy was brewing in the shadows, one that was aimed directly at her. She felt it in her bones, the pressure mounting, yet she had no solid lead, no idea who was behind it or what their plan was.
It was a tangled web, and she couldn't afford to wait any longer. Time was slipping away, and she needed to make a decision. She would not be caught off guard. But what could she do to change the course of this stalemate?
After much contemplation, Veronica finally decided to take matters into her own hands. She would personally mount her dragon and fly over the Moiy Forest once more. If the Sikor had already left, she could order her nobles to begin their expansion plans. She could oversee the construction of settlements and forts along the forest's perimeter. The nobles would handle the rebuilding and the settlers would help with further exploration.
But even then, she would remain at Hilton Fortress, prepared for the worst. Should the Sikor suddenly attack the border, she would be ready to respond. After the land was cleared, and once towns and villages began to take root, she would lead the charge westward. She would pursue the Sikor until it was found.
If luck was on her side, she would find the creature. If not, it wouldn't matter. By that time, human presence would have spread across the Moiy Forest, and the ecology of the wild beasts would be severely disrupted.
Even if the Sikor unleashed its full wrath to destroy every settlement and every town, it would be futile. The Moiy Forest would no longer be a safe haven for the beast. It would no longer have the advantage of hiding in its home ground.
But that was the last resort. Veronica didn't want to resort to such drastic measures unless she absolutely had to. For her, the optimal solution remained to confront the Sikor head-on, slay it in battle, and take full control of the forest. That way, she could maximize her gains.
Veronica had no intention of allowing the Sikor to continue evading her. The game of cat and mouse was wearing thin, and she was beginning to grow weary. The entire plan hinged on one thing—finding the creature, and eliminating the threat it posed.
It wasn't just a matter of conquering the Moiy Forest for herself; it was about sending a clear message to anyone who might be watching: The Duchy of Gold would not be undermined. No matter what tricks were played behind the scenes, Veronica would rise above them all. She would secure her position, and she would emerge victorious.
Her confidence in her own abilities was unshaken. The Sikor would fall—this she knew for certain. But first, she needed to flush it out. She would not rest until the beast was defeated, until her control over the Moiy Forest was absolute.
And so, Veronica prepared herself for the next phase of her plan. The search would continue, the stakes would rise, and the ultimate confrontation between the Duchess and the Sikor loomed ever closer. Only one of them would walk away victorious.
This mission wasn't just about eliminating a threat—it was an opportunity for Veronica to solidify her place among the nobility and gain even more recognition. The victory would rid her of a major problem and, more importantly, further strengthen her position as the undisputed ruler of the Duchy of Gold.
Once she gave Clobber the signal to move freely, Veronica slowly made her way out of the castle. Her tall, commanding figure moved gracefully under the sun, exuding an air of authority and confidence that was hard to ignore.
Above her, the legendary golden dragon, Vivian, soared with elegance, its massive wings cutting through the air in wide, slow strokes. The creature shimmered in the sunlight, its scales glowing like molten gold, an embodiment of the myths and legends that surrounded the Kingdom of Gold. Vivian hovered patiently, waiting for its rider to appear—its knight, Duchess Veronica.
Finally, Veronica stepped into the central square outside the castle. She took a deep breath and, with a sudden, powerful movement, launched herself into the air, her body soaring upward with the agility of a graceful predator. In a single bound, she landed expertly on the crescent-shaped platform of Vivian's back, securing herself firmly.
The connection between them was instantaneous and seamless—Veronica and Vivian, bound by years of partnership, moved as one. Their understanding went beyond words, transcending simple gestures. A single glance or slight shift in movement was all it took for them to communicate. Their bond was forged through countless battles, moments of mutual trust, and shared victories.
With a single command from Veronica, Vivian unfurled its vast wings. The air around them crackled as the dragon beat its wings with force, sending a gust of wind so powerful that it lifted dust, debris, and leaves into the sky, swirling them in a chaotic dance. The force of the wind pushed the pair upward, and they began to ascend, soaring toward the distant Moiy Forest.
As they climbed higher, Veronica's hand gently stroked the golden scales of Vivian. The sensation was soothing, and the rush of wind against her face exhilarated her. Below, the town and fields she had once known were shrinking into tiny patches of color. The sense of freedom was intoxicating as they flew higher, rising above the land she was destined to rule.
The Moiy Forest loomed ahead, its dense canopy of trees now clearly visible in the distance. The forest, vast and mysterious, seemed to beckon them, its dark green expanse unfolding like an ancient sea, promising both danger and reward. It was almost within reach, and Veronica knew that soon, this entire land would be hers. She would be the sole ruler of these woods, a queen reigning over a kingdom she would carve out with her own hands.
But as they flew closer, she couldn't shake the thought that all of this was built on a fine thread. The Moiy Forest, after all, was not just any forest. It was a battleground, and the Sikor's presence here was no accident. The dragon had made its home in these woods for a reason, and Veronica could feel that the final confrontation was fast approaching.
Behind her, the Castle of Hilton stood in stark contrast to the wild beauty of the forest. Its grand stone walls, once bustling with the energy of soldiers and servants, were now eerily silent. Almost every knight of any significant rank had been dispatched to the Moiy Forest, leaving only Clobber and a few members of the Dragon Breath Knights at the fortress. The area was vulnerable, with only the most basic defenses in place. If the Sikor—or anyone else—chose to strike, the fortress would be an easy target.
Yet, for all of Veronica's concerns, she had a greater plan. The Moiy Forest was the key to everything. With Vivian as her steed, she would not just hunt the Sikor; she would dominate the forest itself. Once she achieved that, there would be no turning back. Her control would be absolute, and her power unmatched.
The pair continued to soar, cutting through the wind as they neared the dense treetops of the forest. The canopy below seemed to stretch endlessly, and Veronica could almost hear the whisper of the trees in the breeze, as though the forest itself was holding its breath.
Soon, they would be on the ground, and the hunt would truly begin.
Vivian's massive wings flapped again, carrying them higher, as the trees began to thin out below them. The forest grew ever closer, and Veronica's heart quickened. The Sikor could be anywhere—hidden in the deepest shadows or waiting in the open, ready to strike. Whatever its plan was, Veronica was prepared. She wasn't just going to hunt it down; she was going to make sure that when they met, it would be on her terms.
As they reached the forest's edge, the scent of the wild, untamed land filled the air. The rich smell of earth, moss, and ancient trees was overpowering. The Moiy Forest had its own rhythm, its own pulse, and it had existed for centuries, far older than Veronica's ambitions.
And yet, despite the forest's age and power, Veronica was undeterred. She was not some timid princess afraid of the unknown. No, she was Duchess Veronica, a ruler of the Duchy of Gold, and she had come to conquer. With Vivian by her side, she would bring the Sikor to its knees and claim the forest as her own.
She could feel the tension in the air. It wasn't just the anticipation of the hunt—it was something deeper, something that spoke to the heart of her mission. She wasn't just fighting for land or power. She was fighting for the future of her people, for the future of her kingdom. If she could win this battle, there would be nothing she couldn't accomplish.
And so, she urged Vivian downward, the dragon's wings cutting through the air as they descended toward the heart of the forest.
As they neared the ground, Veronica felt her heart beat faster. The time for planning and waiting was over. The time for action had arrived. The Moiy Forest, once a mysterious and dangerous place, would soon become the foundation for her reign.
There was only one thing left to do: Find the Sikor. And when she did, she would destroy it once and for all.
The wind rushed past Veronica's face as Vivian glided over the treetops, its massive wings cutting through the air with precision. Below, the dense forest spread out like an endless sea of green, the trees thick and tangled.
She could sense it now—something was different. The forest felt alive, as if it was waiting for her, sensing her presence. The Sikor, she knew, would not go down easily. But she wasn't afraid.
With a final, determined glance at the vast expanse of Moiy Forest ahead of her, Veronica knew one thing for certain: This was her battle to win. And win she would.
She gripped Vivian's reins tighter and gave the command to dive. The hunt was on.