Recalling the Black Flame Dragon’s unspeakable wickedness, I quickly abandoned my attempt to persuade Kyle.
But his anger did not abate easily.
“All of my companions suffered at that Black Flame Dragon’s hands. Gerard’s homeland was destroyed. Elonen had his Holy Relic stolen and his Holy Temple razed. Kakaros could only watch the World Tree burn.”
Hearing Kyle, I vaguely remembered those details from the original novel.
They would never forgive the Black Flame Dragon. Their thirst for vengeance ran deep.
If they discovered my true identity… my head spun.
“…I see.”
“Well, that Black Flame Dragon will meet his end today. You needn’t worry.”
What I worried about was exactly that the Black Flame Dragon would end today. I could only nod.
“By the way, once we reach the dragon’s lair, stay safely hidden at the back. You’ll be better off with us than trying to leave this forest alone.”
Kyle draped an arm over my shoulder as he spoke nonsense.
Then the empty lair flashed through my mind. They wouldn’t ignore the missing dragon—they’d pursue him. And I would be the first suspect.
“I really should leave this forest on my own… ugh!”
But before I could finish, Kyle slapped my mouth shut, as if unwilling to hear it. I nearly bit my tongue, but he paid me no mind.
“Shh— I sense monsters nearby.”
Kyle peered around vigilantly and pricked his ears. I strained my senses too and felt something, though I couldn’t tell if it was monsters.
“It’s dangerous. Stay right here.”
Kyle released my mouth and drew his sword.
“Grrrrowl!”
A low growl sounded as something burst through the underbrush.
A massive gray wolf-like monster glared at Kyle and me as if ready to kill.
“It’s just a low-class monster. I can handle one easily, so Rishian, hang back—”
While Kyle spoke, the wolf reared up and howled “Awooo!” At once, identical beasts sprang from the thicket.
“More than one?”
Before Kyle could finish, one beast leapt forward. Instinctively, Kyle swung his sword and felled it, only to have the others charge all at once.
“Rishian, fall back!”
I had no intention of fighting, only of escaping. But the monsters circled me, leaving no clear rear.
Seizing the moment of my hesitation, one wolf lunged at me, jaws wide. As its teeth glinted near my face, I wavered. Should I release a bit of miasma to scare it off, or just take the hit?
Had I been more adept with miasma, I’d have chosen the former. But I lacked confidence.
‘A bite or two won’t kill me?’
I recalled Kyle calling it a low-class monster. Even in human form, I was still a dragon. A bite from a low-class monster wouldn’t kill me.
Better a minor injury than risk revealing my identity. Resolving quickly, I raised an arm to shield my face.
“Danger!”
I heard Kyle shout and then felt searing heat on my arm. The monster clamped down on it.
“Ugh!”
It hurt—terribly.
I should have used miasma. But it was too late to regret it.
Then I saw the monster’s pupils dilate when it met my eye. It spat out my arm and whimpered as it backed away.
“Move!”
Kyle charged forward and swung his sword in a sweeping arc through the air. With a clean cut like slicing tofu, the monster’s head flew off.
Shaaah!
Dark red blood sprayed as the head rolled on the ground. The other beasts, seeing this, panicked and fled into the underbrush.
“Kyle, what have you done?”
“What do you mean, what have I done? I told you to hang back.”
Kyle flicked his blade empty and turned to me.
I pictured the monster’s fallen form—ears flat, body crouched in clear surrender.
“That monster had no intention of attacking me. It was surrendering.”
“What nonsense? After it bit your arm? Monsters don’t surrender. They either attack or flee.”
Unfazed, Kyle carefully examined my bleeding arm.
“Luckily it didn’t bite too deeply. Still, it looks painful. A filthy monster’s bite will fester.”
“It doesn’t hurt that much.”
It had hurt at first, but I managed. Though the wound looked gruesome, it was bearable.
My eyes fell on the decapitated beast.
“…Will the Black Flame Dragon tear off my head the same way?”
I pointed at the corpse. I knew asking was pointless, but the image felt like a glimpse of my own future.
“No.”
Kyle shrugged as he watched me examine the beast. He swung his sword stylishly through the air, sheathed it, and smiled, showing white teeth.
“You can’t kill it that simply. I’ll sever its limbs first, then finish with the head.”
When I read the novel, such decisive heroics felt exhilarating—but that was before I realized I’d be the victim.
“Let’s head back to Elonen and get that arm healed.”
Kyle slipped my injured arm over his shoulder. I had no idea why he supported me, but I accepted his kindness and let him lead me along the forest path.
Then Kyle suddenly stopped, as if recalling something.
“But I need to confirm something….”
“What is it?”
He whipped his head around and shoved his face close to mine.
“What are you really?”
My heart dropped like a stone.
In an instant, thousands of thoughts raced through my mind.
Had he discovered my true identity? If so, what should I do?
One-on-one might be doable, but then what?
Perhaps I could slip away to the lake and claim a monster attacked me.
“You lied to us. You’re not just a lumberjack, are you?”
Kyle studied me coldly. I forced calm and shook my head.
“I’ve never lied.”
My courage wavered, but I thought I answered reasonably. Yet Kyle’s narrowed eyes showed no sign of softening.
“Come on. Be honest now, and I might let it slide.”
I pictured myself dismembered, flailing helplessly. Unsure, I parted my lips—and Kyle’s lips curved into a grin.
“Actually, you came to slay the Black Flame Dragon too, didn’t you?”
At his words, the tension drained from me and I felt oddly empty.
Kyle seemed to suspect I was a would-be dragonslayer.
I exhaled and shook my head. Thank goodness he didn’t suspect me of being the dragon.
“I’ll say it again: I’m just a lumberjack.”
“Aww, that’s boring. If it were true, I’d have invited you to join our party.”
Kyle, eyes half-closed, feigned disappointment.
What was this, drafting party members like play roles? I had zero desire to join them.
“I don’t know why, but I like you. It’s like I’ve met you before. When I look at you, my heart burns—like meeting someone I’ve waited ages to see.”
Such ominous words. Whether we’d met before, I didn’t know—but the burning in his chest was obvious.
Because I was the nemesis he had to slay.
“Sorry, but I have no interest in the Black Flame Dragon.”
“Got it. Then let’s quickly slay the Black Flame Dragon and head home. Your lumber business must be taking a hit.”
I nodded as he tucked my arm between his and continued down the path.
I’d talked too much and risked exposure. From now on, I resolved to keep my mouth shut.