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[Red Dragon Goch]

The Valkyrie approached Forseti, her steps deliberate as she addressed him, "I've heard that Heimdall has pinpointed Goch's location. Are you leading this pursuit?"

He nodded, affirming, "Yes, though the exact spot hasn't been pinpointed, Goch is currently in the Western European region of Midgard."

"Please let me join this hunt. I must take down the dragon with my own hands!" Valkyrie's voice grew impassioned, her fists clenching involuntarily.

"Valkyrie, if you wish to participate, you must obey orders and not let personal vengeance cloud your judgment," Forseti cautioned, meeting her gaze firmly.

Valkyrie composed herself and nodded after a moment, "I understand."

"Good. Heimdall is actively tracking Goch's lair in Midgard. Barring any delays, we aim to eliminate it within three days," Forseti stated firmly.

Once Valkyrie departed, Skurge approached Forseti with a serious expression, "Forseti... have you heard?"

Forseti looked intrigued.

Skurge continued, "Do you know why Valkyrie is so driven?"

"Why?"

"Because she and the deceased Valkyrie were lovers. Yes, Valkyrie prefers women."

Understanding dawned on Forseti. No wonder Valkyrie harbored such deep-seated vengeance.

"How do you come by such information?" Forseti asked Skurge, curious.

Caught off guard, Skurge stammered, "Is that so?"

"In the past month alone, you've mentioned about ten couples. Just earlier, you brought up Haldo and Sif," Forseti remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "By the way, have you found a girlfriend?"

Skurge fell silent.

---

The following morning, Rowe was walking when Heimdall's voice echoed in his mind, "I've located Goch. It's situated in the heart of Wales."

"Understood. I'll gather everyone," Forseti replied.

"Well... allow me to inform them," Heimdall offered, his tone urgent.

Sensing the urgency, Forseti couldn't help but inquire, "What's wrong? Is it causing harm?"

"Not exactly, but it's engaged in combat with a group of Earthlings," Heimdall replied.

Forseti was taken aback.

After all, Goch was a formidable giant dragon and a significant force in Asgard. Few on Earth could challenge it. Rowe wondered who was engaging it in battle.

Forseti hastened to the teleportation hall, where the other participants were arriving one by one.

Having awakened for the second time, Forseti harbored no fear even when facing Goch alone. Consequently, his team was small, consisting of only four members.

Joining him were Ander, Brunnock, and Valkyrie.

Beta Ray Bill opted out of this mission. Besides logistical challenges in commuting from New Korbin, the primary reason was the mission's redundancy. Forseti's quartet sufficed to vanquish Goch, and Beta Ray Bill, entrusted with guarding Korbin, had no reason to participate.

Heimdall brandished his guardian sword, and the Rainbow Bridge materialized instantly, enveloping Forseti and his team in a spectrum of colors that faded just as quickly.

"Roar--"

Before the rainbow's brilliance had completely dissipated, Forseti and his companions heard Goch's earth-shattering roar.

Looking up, they witnessed a fiery red dragon perched on a snowy peak, breathing streams of fire.

Enormous in size, Goch surpassed typical dragons and exuded an aura of searing flames.

At that moment, the malevolent dragon clashed with a group of Earthlings—specifically, a band of Earth mages.

To Forseti's astonishment, these human mages held their ground against Goch without faltering.

Layers upon layers of portals encircled the red dragon, their arrangement intricate and dynamic, deflecting Goch's fiery onslaught.

"When did Earth's mages become so formidable?" Ander muttered in disbelief.

Forseti shared his perplexity. Teleportation magic, though practical, lacked tactical relevance. It required lengthy incantations and preemptive setup.

The sudden surge in mage prowess, enabling near-instantaneous portal casting, caught him off guard. The sheer agility and volume of portals thwarted Goch's fire, melting only the surrounding snow.

Yet, Forseti discerned a figure—a blond female mage.

She stood tall, slender yet resolute.

With her ten fingers, she wove strands of golden-red magic, interlinking hundreds of portals in a meticulous design.

The moment Forseti and his team appeared, Goch's pupils contracted in recognition before resolving into resolve.

"Roar!!" Goch bellowed, shrinking rapidly from its dragon form into that of a flame-haired man, soaring skyward without hesitation.

Facing the Aesir and hundreds of human mages, Goch acknowledged defeat.

Forseti and his companions gave chase.

Fortunately, all four could fly. Valkyrie had a Pegasus, while Ander and Brunnock summoned Holy Spirit Horses, their luminescence trailing like beacons.

Eventually, they closed the distance.

With every stride narrowing the gap, Goch's visage contorted with hatred. Its scales surged, returning to its dragon form.

Once it did, Goch unfurled its wings, propelling forward like a fiery comet.

Ordinary wings operated on airflow, yet dragon wings defied convention. Embracing spatial essence, dragon wings empowered interstellar flight.

Despite its newfound speed, Ander, Brunnock, and Valkyrie couldn't keep pace.

Consequently, Forseti channeled holy light, invoking vengeful wrath, propelling himself forward on wings of gold.

In this state, Forseti exceeded even Goch's flight, ensuring swift interception.

Realizing escape futile, Goch pivoted to confront Forseti. Its colossal eyes aflame with animosity, Goch addressed Forseti directly, "Asgardian, where's your armor?"

"You mean my dragonhide armor?" Forseti hesitated momentarily before recalling, "I lost it in an accident. Nevertheless, I'll soon have a superior replacement."