Duke Perushtain's vision went dark from vertigo.
‘So this was the dragon’s ulterior motive. To make us slaughter each other… I was truly foolish.’
A sense of defeat pressed a chill down his spine. At least when it came to scheming,
a human could never match a dragon, a thought that bored into his mind. Utterly unexpected.
The dragon’s revelation. Because of it, the situation had reversed in the blink of an eye.
In truth, he had never even dreamed that the dragon would massacre so many people like this.
The target he had commissioned had been strictly limited to the Crown Prince. But the result had approached as a horrific reality. The duke now had to face the fact that the realization of his ambitions might turn to foam.
‘The price for the lives of the princesses and knights who died here today… I suppose I’ll have to bear it all.’
The greatest task that had befallen him now was escaping this place safely. His personal Duke
Knights were mostly gathered here, but they were still no match for the Crosen Knights. If they engaged in close combat like this, the annihilation of the Duke Knights was a foregone conclusion, and even if he escaped this place through untold hardships, the situation would be just as difficult. Duke Perushtain’s mind was busily working to find a breakthrough.
‘The kingdoms that have lost their princesses and knights will inevitably side with the Crown Prince and dispatch armies, and if today’s events spread, Penslot, Tezeros, and Tervia will also most likely become enemies. I’m going mad. For the situation to change overnight….’
Although he had captured all the commanders of the Crosen Empire’s regular divisions, this was a situation where he could not rashly guarantee victory. If this fact spread quietly, there was a high possibility that mid-level officers and soldiers would desert. No matter how outstanding the command and leadership of the division commanders he had captured were, they could not prevent all such desertion. Because the most important justification was absent, the army’s morale would clearly hit rock bottom.
As Duke Perushtain kept silent without a word, Count Williams’s eyes widened fiercely.
"You abominable… I shall pass judgment upon you. If we cannot, the heavens will. Perushtain."
Upon hearing those words, one of the Duke Knights’ captains stepped forward as if unwilling to lose.
"Do not jump to conclusions. Where in the world is the evidence that His Grace the Duke did such a thing?"
The answer to that came from the sky.
"Is evidence needed?"
People’s gazes concentrated on the sky once more. And they could see it. The figure of an armless human standing atop the dragon’s hand… The dragon began to explain in a languid tone.
"This fellow is precisely the confidant of Perushtain who came to me. A member of the Duke Knights, named Morris, he said. He hid himself quite thoroughly, but to no avail. He has already fallen under mind magic and become my slave. Isn’t that right, Morris?"
Standing atop the dragon’s hand and looking down at the distant ground, Morris felt not even the slightest fear.
"Yes, my lord. I clearly received Perushtain’s orders and was dispatched to your Lair."
"What was the content of the commission he gave me?"
There was not the slightest hesitation in Morris’s answer.
"It was precisely a commission to assassinate Devereux, the Crown Prince of the Crosen Empire. Perushtain promised a great quantity of gold in exchange."
"Good."
Berkis nodded, seemingly pleased with the answer. At that sight, Duke Perushtain’s vision went dark once more. The dragon had literally trapped him in an inescapable trap.
‘It’s over now. There’s no way to explain this away….’
The murderous intent dwelling in the eyes of Count Williams and the Crosen Knights under him grew even denser.
"Kill him!"
In contrast, the Duke Knights all looked utterly deflated. Their resolve to lay down their lives for Duke Perushtain had not changed in the slightest, but their dropping morale was unavoidable. That was the invisible power of justification.
Calculating the outcome that would unfold shortly, Duke Perushtain bit his lip tightly.
‘It’s all or nothing now. But I have no regrets.’
The Crosen Knights who had drawn their swords were approaching slowly. The knights of the Duke Knights also bit their lips hard, preparing to meet them.
In an instant, a single voice echoed throughout the plaza. Because the voice rang clearly in everyone’s ears just like the dragon’s, gazes focused on that direction at once.
"Still as treacherous as ever, Berkis."
There, a single person was floating in the air. An old man of ordinary appearance clad in black robes. It was none other than Daemon. He had finally arrived here and was facing Berkis.
Daemon’s eyes blazed fiercely as he glared at Berkis. The one who had brutally killed his master and Macmillan, and made him part from Daphne for life, was none other than Berkis. The various tortures he had suffered at Berkis’s hands after being captured in the Northwood decisive battle were not even worth mentioning. The opponent he had spent fully five hundred years sharpening his blade of vengeance against had finally revealed himself before his eyes. As Daemon approached the central plaza while floating in the air, his face was engraved with the determination to have his revenge no matter what.
Berkis, who had kept silent for a moment, also blazed with seething rage.
"
So it was you."
"......."
"Not content with fleeing by possessing a human body with the body of a lich guarding the Lair, you dared kill Zikreit and steal the magic tome Incresia, you abominable wretch! You yourself have revealed your guilt!"
Daemon also roared back at him in fury.
"Nonsense. You forcibly turned me into a lich and made me guard the Lair. So why should I pledge loyalty to you? In short, that’s absurd."
"......."
"Consider Incresia as paltry compensation for five hundred years of service to you. Is that not so?"
Daemon turned his scorching gaze aside. His eyes took in the figure of someone who appeared to be Duke Perushtain, standing blankly as if in a daze. He clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘Tsk, tsk. Daring to commission a murder from a dragon… What a fool.’
That a human who could at best live a hundred years would try to use an Ancient-class dragon who had lived thousands of years was preposterous in itself.
But Daemon thought that he had to get the duke out of this predicament somehow. If left like this, the continent of Arcadia would clearly be split into two factions and wage a fierce war, and considering the vast military power Duke Perushtain possessed, the damage would be beyond imagination. To the extent that Arcadia’s very existence would be threatened.
Therefore, Daemon had to settle this matter somehow. Only if Arcadia’s strength was preserved intact could they fight against the dragon and orc allied forces.
‘I suppose I have no choice but to cover the Duke’s crimes myself.’
Having organized his thoughts, Daemon turned his scorching gaze back to Berkis.
"The sages say… that dragons are beings who never lie… But that’s utter nonsense. From what I’ve experienced, you are a dragon far more skilled at lying than any human."
To Berkis, who was listening, these were nothing but absurd words.
"What are you talking about?"
"Five hundred years ago, you used such tricks to drive a wedge between countless kingdoms. And thereby brought them all to ruin in the end. I, who participated in the racial war five hundred years ago, know this fact clearly."
"......."
"You must have already known. That Morris sitting on your hand has already been captured by my mind magic."
Because it was such a non sequitur, Berkis shook his head.
"I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about."
Daemon seized the moment and roared.
"Do not deny it, Berkis. I am one who has experienced you for five hundred years."
Having finished speaking, Daemon looked around. Thanks to a voice amplification spell, his voice was ringing clearly in the ears of everyone gathered there.
"Now I shall reveal all the facts. The truth is, the one who had Morris place the assassination commission on the dragon was not Duke Perushtain, but me. It was precisely my scheme."
The people fell silent for a moment. First the dragon appeared and cornered Duke Perushtain, and now a mage who appeared out of nowhere was denying the circumstances once again. According to the dragon’s words, he was a being who had participated in the racial war in Truvenia five hundred years ago, been captured by a dragon, become a lich, guarded the Lair, and escaped. Daemon spoke without hesitation.
"As you well know, I am the black mage of the Kasim Mercenary Corps, which specializes in dragon hunting. And I reveal here and now that I have been in league with Duke Perushtain for a long time. To succeed in my revenge against the dragon, the assistance of a powerful authority was desperately needed, so the collaboration between the Duke and myself came about easily."
The people listened to Daemon’s words, holding their breath. Berkis, too, looked amused. It was a gaze as if observing the struggles of a trivial insect. While Berkis remained silent, Daemon’s explanation continued.
"Until now, I have begged Duke Perushtain many times. Namely, to lure that abominable wretch Berkis here. Of course, to do that I had no choice but to commission the murder of the Crown Prince. However, Duke Perushtain coldly refused my request every time. Therefore, I had no choice but to find another way."
Having finished speaking, Daemon extended his hand and pointed at Morris standing on the dragon’s hand.
"I used Polymorph to transform into Duke Perushtain and then gave orders to Morris. To cross over to Truvenia and commission Berkis to assassinate the Crown Prince. In the process, I employed several mind magic spells together, so Morris was completely brainwashed by me before crossing over to Truvenia. As you well know, the subordinates of Duke Perushtain are exceptional in loyalty alone."
Having finished speaking, Daemon glared at Berkis.
"But after sending Morris, I realized I had made a mistake. Dragons are universally acknowledged experts in mind magic. Although I am a 9th Circle Master and have learned several mind magic spells, catching up to a dragon was impossible from the start. Therefore, I considered the mission a failure already. However…"
Having finished speaking, Daemon extended his hand and pointed at Berkis.
"That abominable wretch discovered the secret entangled here and still crossed over to Arcadia. And pinned all the crimes on Duke Perushtain, who knew nothing of the matter. Can you imagine why? Think. Why did he choose none other than the princesses to kill? That is precisely his cunning scheme to make humans slaughter one another, one of the countless atrocities he has already committed in Truvenia. If his plot succeeds, it is obvious as fire that the kingdoms who have lost their princesses will antagonize Duke Perushtain. I have already experienced that abominable wretch’s tricks more times than I can count. His purpose is but one! To exterminate the seed of the race called humans from the world—that is his purpose. He already succeeded in Truvenia. And now he is using his unique tricks in Arcadia to try to exterminate the human seed again. Do you know the reason?"
The people maintained their silence. Of course, they had no way of knowing the reason. Daemon’s lengthy speech continued.
"He is doing this for amusement. In other words, it is a game. The plan to annihilate the race called humans is nothing more than a simple game to him. To him, humans are beings no better than ants that can be thoughtlessly trampled to death."
Having finished speaking, Daemon glared at the Crosen Knights and the Duke Knights facing each other.
"If you wish to be swept up in his scheme and bring about the destruction of your entire race, then fight this instant—
"Begin. He will enjoy watching that scene and think to himself. 'As expected, humans are undoubtedly creatures perfectly suited to be toyed with.' Do you understand?"
The Crosean Knights and Duke Knights, who had been facing off, quietly lowered their swords. They intuitively realized that fighting one another and shedding blood was undoubtedly an act that helped the Dragon. However, Count Williams's pupils, as he looked at Damon, blazed with fury.
"How dare you commission the murder of His Highness the Crown Prince……."
Damon turned his gaze away, ignoring the sight. For now, he had succeeded in taking Duke Perushtein's crime upon himself. When he turned his head, Berkis was staring at Damon as if amused.
"That was an interesting deduction."
"……."
"For a story made up in such a short time, it's quite good. I like it. Now I suppose I've completely fallen into the role of the villain? There is quite a bit of falsehood mixed in your words, but I won't bother denying it. Explaining myself to worms like humans is itself a blow to a Dragon's pride."
Damon, who wore a smile of satisfaction, suddenly roared as if unwilling to be outdone.
"Anyway, since I've succeeded in luring you, I will now begin my hunt for you. You shall get a thorough taste of bitterness from the humans you regarded as so insignificant."
"Interesting. I wonder how you intend to show me this bitterness."
A killing intent gradually spread from Berkis's eyes as he glared at Damon.
"I was a bit surprised when Russelrant died by your hand. But let me make this clear: if you think I am on the level of Russelrant, you are mistaken. From now on, I shall show you the true destructive power of an Ancient-class Dragon."
Having finished speaking, Berkis slowly began to gather mana. At that sight, Damon tensed up and began preparing to respond. Incresia was already wide open beside him.
Berkis, blazing with brilliant light pouring from both eyes, turned his head. Where his gaze landed, the ill-fated man Morris stood vacantly. He was once a man who had devoted his loyalty to Duke Perushtein, even at the risk of death, but after being ensnared by Berkis's mental magic, he had fallen into a state of being a perfect slave to the Dragon. Berkis's soft voice soon resounded in his ears.
"Your work is finished now. Well done, Morris."
"Not at all, Master. I feel as though I want to die for failing to be of help."
"Then you know well what you must do?"
"Of course."
Without the slightest hesitation, Morris flung himself. His body, leaping from the distant sky above, fell to the ground in an instant as acceleration took hold.
Thud.
Having simply disposed of the human slave, Berkis looked at Damon with an expressionless gaze.
"Then shall I see what you've got?"
"That won't be difficult."
Damon suddenly roared as if he had been waiting. It was a shout directed to the Death Knights inside Incresia.
"You all heard me, didn't you? Our sworn enemy stands right before us. He who inflicted a crushing defeat upon us at the Northwood Decisive Battle and massacred countless brethren—an enemy with whom we cannot possibly live under the same sky. Our comrades, family, and brothers who departed this world because of him are looking down upon this moment from the underworld. Do you understand?"
As if they had been waiting, a guttural voice burst forth from within Incresia.
"Hehehehe. Could you possibly guess how long I have waited for this moment?"
"The reason I had to abandon all honor as a knight and become a cursed Death Knight was precisely to meet this moment. Now is the time to cast off old grievances completely."
"Damon! I express to you my heartfelt gratitude. For giving us this opportunity."
"Worthless insects, you say… I shall firmly imprint upon you just what the desperate thrashing of an insect, driven mad because it refuses to die, truly looks like."
The Death Knights revealed themselves one by one, each uttering a sentence. A horrifying radiance blazed fiercely from the eye holes of their helmets. Since the very one they had resolved to take revenge upon, even after becoming Death Knights, was right before their eyes, there was no longer any need to hesitate.
The Death Knights, armed flawlessly with magical weapons from within Incresia, drew their swords in unison.
Clang.
Though four longswords were drawn, only a single sound was heard. It was because they had drawn them at a moment that could be called nearly simultaneous. A horrifying, pitch-black Death Blade spewed out densely from the blades. As the Death Knights positioned themselves in front, Damon's words continued.
"Let me introduce the second group. As you can see, they are pitiful Dragons who have become slaves to a worthless insect. They were once called a great race, but they now obey the insect's commands absolutely and will attack you, who were once their kin, without the slightest hesitation."
The moment Damon's introduction ended, the true Dragons revealed themselves. Russelrant, whose body gleamed black, emerged from Incresia and let out a fierce roar.
Kwarururu.
Zigrate, which followed, also unleashed a roar as if unwilling to be outdone. Having vented their cries once, the true Dragons took their places at Damon's sides with agile movements. As if they fully understood their master's will, they blazed with fighting spirit.
Damon turned his head with an expressionless gaze. There, the members of the Kasim Mercenary Corps were glaring at Berkis, extremely tense.
They too were flawlessly armed with magical weapons from within Incresia. Great magic armor was a given, and their weapons were also masterpieces without the slightest deficiency. Most of the weapons they held were ones the Death Knights could not use, due to reasons such as the inclusion of orichalcum, among others.
Damon's introduction continued once more.
"These are my comrades. Each and every one is a master capable of easily piercing your scales. I guarantee you'll regret it if you underestimate them."
As soon as Damon's introduction ended, Berkis scoffed coldly.
"You've gathered quite a lot of brats. But it's useless. Because……."
Suddenly, a ball of flame surged above Berkis's hand.
Fwahk.
It was precisely that fearsome flame magic which had displayed ferocious might during the racial war five hundred years ago and turned countless mages and soldiers into a handful of ash. The ball of flame, growing larger, was expanding as time passed.
"Dragons are the strongest race on earth. From now on, I shall clearly imprint upon you all just how futile the desperate struggles of insects are."
Damon tensed up greatly. Despite being a 9th-Circle Master, he could not identify the true nature of the magic Berkis was unfolding.
'Strange. It's definitely not Hell Fire? And I can't think of it as Fire Blaster either. Judging by its form, it resembles a Fire Ball, but calculating its power, I simply can't think of it as such…….'
In any case, since it was a Dragon unfolding it, it was clear that its power was no trivial matter. Five hundred years ago, how many soldiers of Truvenia had been annihilated by this terrifying magic? Damon tensed up greatly and firmly prepared to use magic interference.