100

[ Forseti Must Die]

Forseti took this opportunity to successfully flee, escaping the dragon's range of attack.

Simultaneously, both hunting groups rushed once more towards the dragon. Several individuals from each group charged with chains, while others obstructed, shoved, and tangled with each other, creating a chaotic scene.

Seeing Gus about to reach the dragon's side, Forseti pointed his hand.

Despite the dragon's severe injuries, its formidable vitality meant no one could guarantee it wouldn't retaliate. To prevent Gus from getting closer, Forseti took precise aim this time and targeted Gus.

The Hand of Reckoning struck Gus!

Known for his hot temperament since their time in Vanaheim, Gus' patience was evidently shorter than Aidin's and Nuer's.

Momentarily stunned by the Hand of Reckoning, Gus erupted in anger, turning towards Forseti: "Ah, damn you! I'll crush you!"

Skadi, engaged with Hela, couldn't help but be surprised. He swung his warhammer, a yellow-green light bursting forth, knocking Gus to the ground.

"Calm yourself, Gus!"

Getting back up, Gus finally calmed down, though still seething, pointing at Forseti: "In the name of Cul's beard, Forseti Garrison, after this festival, I swear to settle our score!"

Forseti grimaced.

Damn, invoking the father of gods himself. Looks like there's a showdown coming.

With that, Gus turned and charged once more towards the dragon.

Skadi, looking grim, turned to Hela: "Your mage's abilities are truly surprising."

"You mean Forseti?" Hela smiled faintly. "He's not a mage, but a paladin."

"A paladin?" Skadi frowned, clearly unfamiliar with the title.

Forseti resolutely continued using the Hand of Reckoning, his entire being radiant, pushing the hunters on Skadi's side to their limits.

"In the name of Cul's beard, Forseti Garrison, sooner or later, one of us will die by the other's hand! I swear it!"

Another one on the edge...

A bald hunter from Hela's group had already ensnared the dragon's claws with chains. According to the festival rules, once a hunter secures all four claws, the dragon is considered captured, barring any snatch attempts.

Skadi's hunters grew anxious, two of them rushing forward, grappling the bald hunter and pulling him away from the dragon.

But the bald hunter was no pushover. Quickly breaking free, he dashed back to the dragon, ready to bind its remaining two claws.

"Roar!"

Unexpectedly, just as he reached for the chain, the nearly unconscious dragon revived somewhat, swiping its claws at him.

Defenseless, the bald hunter looked up to see the dragon's claws bearing down on him.

Blood sprayed!

The massive claws pierced his chest, nearly cleaving him in two. Even with the Vanir's tenacious vitality, such an injury was fatal, leaving little hope for recovery.

Hela's hunters grimaced, while their opponents sighed in relief.

Luckily, Hodr broke free from his adversaries and reached Hermond's side, holding a small vial in his hand.

Angler, recalling the powder's effects, swiftly retracted his tentacles, freeing Hermond.

"Hodr, your divine power is not insignificant. I'm guessing you've often wondered why you couldn't awaken it sooner, giving you a chance to surpass Balder..." Angler taunted, but Hodr's expression darkened, fists clenched.

"Don't worry, you won't die at this festival."

"Hermond, go!"

Nodding, Hermond appeared beside the dragon in an instant, grabbing the chain from the fallen hunter and preparing to secure the dragon further.

At that moment, Aidin rushed over, attempting to intercept him.

Hermond dodged Aidin's attempt, though narrowly, the two circling the giant dragon.

Forseti struck Aidin with another Hand of Reckoning.

While Aidin struggled with his emotions, Hermond swiftly bound the dragon's third claw.

Only one claw remained; once bound, the dragon would be completely in their grasp, the festival's outcome no longer in doubt.

"The dragon is ours!" Nur and Gus roared, charging towards Hermond, circling once more.

Hand of Reckoning!

Hand of Reckoning!

Forseti nearly depleted his divine mana, but both Hands of Reckoning found their mark.

Nuer and Gus froze in place, overwhelmed by memories that twisted their faces in agony, emotions spiraling out of control.

Seizing the moment, Hermond appeared next to the last claw of the giant dragon, finally securing it with a chain!

Raising the chain triumphantly, he declared, "It's done! The dragon is ours!"

All hunters halted, staring at the chain linking the dragon's four claws in Hermond's grasp.

Hela smiled.

Skadi's expression hardened.

Gus's fury exploded. Stunned momentarily, he then turned and lunged towards Forseti, raising his hammer: "Forseti, you must die!"

Frequent use of the Hand of Reckoning had drained Forseti's mana.

Now, besides Divine Protection, he had no means to defend himself, activating it immediately and darting to the side.

Gus pursued relentlessly, swinging his massive hammer, but his size and heavy armor hampered his agility, allowing Forseti to evade his blows.

"Die!" Gus roared in fury, hurling the hammer like a shooting star.

"Boom!"

Forseti couldn't dodge in time, struck in the chest, blood spraying as he was sent flying, unconscious.

"Gus!"

"Stop!"

Both sides intervened to restrain Gus from further pursuit, eventually calming him down.

Surveying Forseti, gravely wounded and unconscious, Gus snapped out of his rage, frozen in place, realizing the severity of his actions.

While capturing a giant dragon would significantly impact the festival's outcome, turning the tide was not impossible... However, with the dragon now in Hela's possession and his own violation of festival rules by attacking another participant, victory was out of the question.

Skadi wore a grim expression, eyeing Gus: "It seems we'll be conceding directly."

With that, he turned and departed.

...

Forseti slowly opened his eyes to the persistent cries .

"Hey!" The little stone creature greeted excitedly upon noticing his awakening.

"You're awake, Forseti." A slightly surprised voice, Hela's.

Forseti rose, surprised to find his chest painless, as though Gus's hammer blow had never landed.

Realizing Hela must have used some kind of healing potion for internal injuries, Forseti recalled what happened before losing consciousness: "Your Highness, is the dragon ours?"

"Absolutely. Thanks to you." Hela smiled, gesturing towards something nearby.

Following her gaze, Forseti saw a red dragon lying on its back, bound tightly by multiple chains, emitting occasional low roars.

Though still formidable, the dragon, severely wounded and securely bound, could no longer resist.

Spectators crowded around, some even daring enough for a curious scratch from a flying cat, eliciting a nonchalant "Meow meow meow."

Forseti couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Dragon being harassed by a cat, an amusing contrast to the gravity of recent events.

At that moment, Hermond approached Forseti, holding several palm-sized scales in fiery red, almost metallic in texture.

"Awake, feeling alright?"

"Fine, no issues." Forseti nodded, eyeing the dragon scale in Hermond's hand. "Is this a dragon scale?"

"Yes."

Hermond weighed it thoughtfully. "This scale is from the giant dragon we captured. Thought we'd keep a few as souvenirs. Interested?"