“I wonder why this conversation is going the way it is.”
Probably Reynold was exploiting the Emperor’s anxiety to get Kyle into trouble.
I really hadn’t planned to defend the Hero’s party—but seeing Reynold there made my blood boil.
All through the original story, I’d wanted to give Reynold a taste of his own medicine. Now seemed the perfect opportunity.
“Why assume there’s no one to stop the Black Flame Dragon? There’s Kyle.”
At my words, Reynold’s glare sharpened.
His beady eyes threatened to slash my mouth if he heard another word.
“What do you mean by that?”
Even Emperor Perosen, intrigued, frowned and asked.
“The Heroes have all lost something to the Black Flame Dragon. They’re doing their utmost to defeat that evil beast. With the legendary weapons they’ve gathered and their battle experience, they can succeed at subjugation.”
It felt odd to praise the party I’d been mocking, but the Dragon truly was evil.
“When we reached the Dragon’s lair, it was already empty. So if you release them, they’ll dedicate themselves to hunting the escaped Dragon.”
I think that was the most I’d ever spoken since becoming Rishian. No sooner had I finished than Reynold burst into laughter.
I narrowed my eyes, unable to see the joke.
Reynold’s laughter died instantly and he sneered coldly, padding toward me.
“Pathetic. Did you really believe that ragtag band could slay the Black Flame Dragon?”
I met his gaze without flinching. His blue eyes—so like Kyle’s—burned icily.
“I could have overtaken them any time, but I trailed behind on purpose. Want to know why? So they’d exhaust the Dragon’s energy fighting, then I could finish it off easily.”
Reynold saw the party as human shields—if they fell battling the Dragon, he’d swoop in, claim the glory, and take the credit.
(Of course in the original tale, his plan fails.)
“Now that all the weapons and gear they found are in my hands, I’ll deal with the Dragon myself.”
“What? Then what about the Heroes…?”
I was too stunned to finish my question.
“I’ll kill them, of course. And that washed-up former sorcerer of yours isn’t worth keeping alive either.”
Reynold’s cold eyes surveyed me, then he rattled the bell on the table. Soldiers waiting outside surged in.
He nodded to them.
“Take them away and deal with them however you like.”
The soldiers lunged, binding me tightly. Surprised, I could do nothing but be dragged off.
What now? As they dragged me away, I pondered my options.
I could shift back to my true dragon form, burn the capital to ash, send this Empire into history—and it would feel oddly satisfying.
But then what? Everyone would hunt me down, and above all the Hero’s party would seek my death.
“This is troublesome.”
“Quiet!”
One soldier, holding my right arm, snapped when he heard me murmur.
“Can’t a guy even talk to himself?”
“You’re being a lot of mouth for someone getting dragged off. Hey, stuff a gag in him.”
He signaled to another soldier, who shoved a filthy rag into my mouth.
It smelled horrendous—I nearly retched.
“Where will you dispose of him?”
The soldier on my other side—Soldier Two—asked, swallowing hard.
“I don’t know. His Majesty said somewhere out of sight. Quiet, and get it done.”
“Then the north cliff is ideal—few people, and bodies fall into the abyss below.”
Soldier Two grinned, and Soldier One gave a thumbs-up.
“Good idea. He’s too heavy to carry—just toss him in the supply wagon.”
I was grateful they’d take me somewhere deserted; it meant less chance I’d have to use my power in front of witnesses.
So I waited in silence for the carriage to stop.
It exited through a postern gate, passed a village, then emerged at the tall outer walls on the north side. With the rag over my face, I couldn’t see—but the words and voices told me where we were.
“Longer than I thought.”
Counting them by their chatter, there were four of them.
Even stripped of magic, I’d once been a famed sage. Only four guards to kill me—my pride was bruised.
“Ugh, the forest path’s rough. We’ll leave the wagon here.”
They halted the carriage after a short ride and dragged me out. We walked until they finally stopped.
They yanked the rag from my face—thank heavens. It stank so badly I could barely breathe.
“Wait—this fellow…”
Soldier Three suddenly raised his lantern to my face.
“Too pretty to just kill, isn’t he?”
“You’re talking nonsense.”
Soldier One, who’d been about to ask the same question, answered for me.
“Look at him—handsome features.”
His revolting words made gooseflesh rise all over me.
“Heh, handsome? Do you have eyes on your feet? He’s frightening-looking.”
“No, look closely. His hair’s long, his face is lovely. The eyes are a bit scary, but you could just cover them.”
Suddenly the two guards argued whether my face was beautiful or frightening—right in front of me. Was this the time and place for such chatter?
“We were told to kill him. If we let him live, we’re dead meat.”
“Who said we need to keep him alive? We just wanted a bit of fun first.”
Soldier Three handed his lantern to Soldier One as he spoke.
I was no fool—they intended something cruel. A chill ran down my spine as sweat beaded on my neck.
“Then hurry up. We need to be back before dawn.”
Soldier One took the lantern and shot me a lecherous look despite his impatience.
This was the kind of scene I’d always detested in light novels—unnecessary and vile. And now it was happening to me, a situation I couldn’t tolerate.
“Cough, ack!”
When they removed the rag, I sneezed violently. My jaw ached from being forced open, so I stretched my neck.
“Grab his head.”
“But… we shouldn’t—”
As Soldier Four hesitated, Soldier Two yanked my hair.
“Don’t chicken out. I got a grip.”
This was why long hair was a nuisance. In this situation, I almost wished to shave it off—but I felt no true panic.
If they’d been beasts, a burst of miasma would have driven them off. But these were humans.
So I needed something to shock me awake.
In Rishian’s book from the cave, I’d read that the flame I could summon by mouth was called Dragon’s Breath.
Though weaker in human form, it still worked—and astonishingly, it needn’t be exhaled from the mouth alone.
“Do you know how long I’ve waited for scum like you?”
I’d wanted to test my power; never had the chance. Now, these vile little thugs showed up like living combat dummies—how fitting.
“What’re you babbling? You’re about to die, and you still have the nerve to speak? Get his head held tight and snapped back so he can’t yap.”
Soldier Three scolded Soldier Two, who tightened his grip.
My head snapped back. In my field of vision, Soldier Three—pulling down his trousers in preparation—vanished, revealing the black night sky.
Without hesitation, I thrust out my hand. Flames, kindled from my heart, coursed along my arm and blazed from my palm.
“Wh–what is this!”
The soldier in front, mid-urination, was engulfed in fire.
A swift move of my hand sent flames licking Soldier One and Soldier Two—still holding my hair.
“Argh! It burns! It burns!”
“Help! Somebody save me!”
Their screams echoed through the night.