The Wizard of Fairy Tale World

Chapter 138: The Terror of Maleficent

Eleven years ago.

On the night of the Little Princess's baptism in the palace of the Rose Kingdom, Maleficent let out a wicked laugh as she cast her curse upon the King and the swaddled infant, Princess Aurora:

"Oh King,

"Your beloved daughter will meet a tragic death after being pricked by a spindle.

"And once she perishes, the curse looming over this kingdom will fully descend.

"You will all be plagued by sickness—coughing, bleeding, writhing on the floor… Your blood will flow out of your homes and into the rivers, staining the waters crimson…

"The palace lights will no longer shine, and the dawn sun will never touch this land… Thorns, brambles, and weeds will grow wildly in terrifying forms…

"This curse shall forever haunt this once-prosperous kingdom!"

Not long after, she learned that the King had imprisoned Princess Aurora deep within the palace, hoping to keep her away from the spindle’s curse.

Maleficent had laughed at his foolishness more than once.

A year ago.

When Aurora led the army of the Rose Kingdom to repel the invading forces of Enderland, the title of "Valkyrie" spread across several neighboring kingdoms.

"Maleficent, have you heard? That kingdom you cursed—the Rose Kingdom—has produced a mysterious Valkyrie. She led their army and defeated the invaders from Enderland."

During a routine gathering of the Coven, someone casually mentioned it.

"Oh? Another so-called mighty warrior appearing out of nowhere?" Maleficent stretched lazily, completely uninterested. "A tiny kingdom like the Rose Kingdom giving birth to a 'super warrior'—now that's amusing."

"Speaking of which, if you die, wouldn’t that end the curse on the Rose Kingdom? Aren’t you worried that Valkyrie and the others from the Rose Kingdom will come looking for trouble?"

Maleficent burst into laughter.

"Hah! A bunch of pathetic vermin. They have no magic, they live and die like insignificant ants—fated to mediocrity.

"Even if they train to become the strongest warriors, how could they ever compare to us?

"On this continent, only magic is truly omnipotent!"

"Only we, the long-lived and all-powerful sorcerers, stand above all others."

A few months ago.

Rhine and Aurora helped forge an alliance between the Sea Kingdom and the Western Asia Kingdom.

Merfolk became guides for ships navigating the sea.

"That Sage from the Rose Kingdom is traveling across the continent. They say he has a rather formidable companion with him…"

Maleficent merely smirked at the news.

Still, she was mildly intrigued.

"A formidable companion… Could it be that so-called Valkyrie?"

"Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to meet them someday."

The memories faded, replaced by the golden-haired girl standing before her.

Her features overlapped with the swaddled infant Maleficent once cursed, merging into one.

"It’s you."

"It’s actually you!"

"Princess Aurora of the Rose Kingdom?!"

The Black Dragon that was Maleficent roared.

She could hardly believe it. The fragile, delicate princess she had once imagined had turned into an unstoppable warrior, sweeping across battlefields like an indomitable force.

That once-coddled infant, adored by all, was now wielding a sword—and had actually injured her!

"So, you finally recognize me. Congratulations."

Aurora thrust her sword forward again and again, forcing Maleficent back, making her dodge and defend.

"That’s because I was destined to kill you!"

Maleficent let out a peal of laughter.

"I see, I see. That explains why you’re invulnerable to weapons and untouched by fire and water."

"It’s because you carry the blessings of the Thirteen Witches."

"Such a genius idea—to turn a little princess into a warrior."

The Queen and the Sea Hag were just as shocked to hear this.

"So Aurora is a princess? I vaguely recall hearing that the Rose Kingdom’s princess was locked away deep in the palace. Was that all a lie?"

"The real princess has long since become a warrior capable of challenging even the legendary Maleficent!"

Maleficent finally shook off her initial shock, and a twisted grin spread across the dragon’s face.

"Do you really think you can defeat me, my dear little princess?"

"Do you actually believe that being impervious to weapons and fire makes you invincible?"

"Haven’t you noticed? I’ve been toying with you this whole time, only using my dragon form, without casting a single spell."

"Unlike that incompetent Witch of the East, my ability to cast magic doesn’t weaken even in my dragon form!"

Suddenly, on the ship’s deck, twisted brambles and thorny vines sprouted.

Like living creatures, they reached out, wrapping around Aurora, binding her tightly. These cursed plants were stronger than steel.

"My dear little princess, you should have died eleven years ago."

"I let you live, and yet you failed to cherish that gift."

Maleficent looked at Aurora, now ensnared by the writhing vines, and put on a mockingly regretful expression.

Then, a cold, ruthless gleam flashed in her eyes.

"Since you didn’t appreciate my gift, I’ll just take it back, shall I?"

"Shut up!" Aurora roared, her muscles bulging as she used her monstrous strength to snap the vines apart.

But new thorns and brambles immediately sprang up, restraining her movements once more.

"Hmph, just a bunch of annoying plants—I just need to—"

The Black Dragon sneered and shook her head.

Then she uttered a chilling, eerie incantation:

"Your head will throb in agony."

"You will be dizzy and disoriented."

"Your limbs will weaken, your legs will give out."

"You will suffer unbearable pain, and your eyes will bleed…

"You will struggle to breathe, until you suffocate and die…"

The Sea Hag’s heart sank.

"This is bad! Maleficent is casting her curses now—her most powerful magic!"

This legendary witch was finally unleashing her full strength.

No matter what spells the Sea Hag cast in retaliation, they barely affected the Black Dragon.

Now, Maleficent abandoned unnecessary attacks, shifting purely to defense—using brambles and thorns to entangle Aurora, stalling for time until the curses fully took hold.

It only took a minute or two for the effects to manifest.

Aurora’s head pounded, feeling like it would explode.

Her vision blurred as blood and tears filled her eyes.

Her breath came in ragged gasps, and her body grew weaker by the second.

She clenched her teeth, forcing herself to keep fighting despite the overwhelming pain.

The Queen and the soldiers tried to support her with spells and arrows, but Aurora’s sword swings were growing sluggish.

She was going to lose.

"Just hold on a little longer! Teacher will be here soon!"

Gasping for breath, Aurora’s thoughts drifted to the silver-haired boy.

"My delicate, precious little princess…"

Maleficent gazed at Aurora’s pale, blood-streaked face—so beautiful, yet so frail. And yet, she still raised her sword.

With a sigh of mock sympathy, the Black Dragon spoke:

"Why didn’t you cherish the fifteen years I let you live?"

"You could have lived like the rumors said—draped in silk, served by devoted attendants."

"You could have dined on the finest delicacies, worn the most exquisite gowns of silk and gossamer, and been adored by all.

"The palace musicians would have played the harp for you. In spring, the palace maids would have woven the freshest blossoms into your hair. You could have chased butterflies in the garden, breathing in the scent of flowers…

"Just like every other princess in the world.

"And, my dear little princess, you were blessed to be the most beautiful of them all! Everyone would have adored you! Why throw that away to become… this?"

"Why trade a life of comfort for this nightmare?"

"And now, look at you—bleeding, weak, gasping for air, about to die before me!"

Staring at the dragon’s false regret, Aurora mustered every last ounce of strength and drove her sword forward.

"Because the only happy ending for me…

"Is killing you with my own hands!"