Chapter 349: Dragon Hunt (3)

“A magnificent sight, isn’t it? It has been quite some time since so many humans have gathered in such a fashion.”

Cruah marveled at the seemingly endless ranks of soldiers assembled before the imperial capital. Despite the presence of so many troops, the atmosphere within the room was surprisingly serene, devoid of the tension of war.

“When was the last time you saw humans?”

“Since the Great War of the Spirits and Gods, I’ve spent most of my time in my lair. Occasionally, I’d wake and observe the world, but nothing noteworthy ever caught my eye.”

“Sleep... Yes, nothing better than forgetting reality,” the golden-haired man mused in a deep, composed voice, casting a glance at the person sitting diagonally across from him.

With a slightly sheepish expression, he added, “Though I can’t say I’m much different. During the Great War, I was just a hatchling cowering in the rear.”

Cruah chuckled softly at his words. “It was indeed a terrifying time. If someone as young as me, who barely remembers it, feels that way, I can only imagine how it must have been for you, Lord Enuma.”

However, she fell silent as she followed Enuma’s gaze to the man sitting nearby.

“...I spoke out of turn.”

Veteran Enuma Elashi, seeking to change the mood, shifted the conversation to another topic.

“It’s been three days since Python left. We should soon hear news from the marquisate battlefront.”

“His pride must have taken quite a hit after what happened in the capital. Still, now that he’s joined the frontlines, the outcome is certain.”

“Indeed, a Red Dragon is naturally inclined toward battle. Although Python may have acted a bit rashly, he is still a being capable of overturning an entire war by himself.”

“No human could hope to match him,” Cruah agreed, nodding at Enuma Elashi’s words.

“Don’t underestimate them,” another voice came from behind them.

Both Cruah and Enuma turned to face the man sipping on his tea.

“Is there something wrong? We would value your opinion. What do you think, Lord Neil Blanc? Or should I say, Narh Di Maug?”

With that, the atmosphere in the room instantly turned cold.

“I’m not sure what you mean. I am but a duke of the empire,” said the man with silver hair. With that, he set his teacup on the table, the delicate clink sounding strangely oppressive.

Cruah lifted one of her crescent eyebrows as she watched him.

What is he hiding?

Neil Blanc would likely have fooled humans, but the two in the room with him were dragons. They knew exactly who he was. His pretense seemed almost embarrassing to them.

“Haha... My apologies. I misspoke. Then, Lord Neil Blanc, I would still like to hear your thoughts.”

Enuma Elashi, playing along with the charade, offered his request with a faint smile.

“The enemy’s leader may be human, but he is contracted with three Spirit Kings. As you both know, Spirit Kings are beings comparable to dragons.”

“I disagree with that assessment. While it’s true that Spirit Kings possess great power, their influence is largely confined to the Spirit Realm. In this world, where the power of the Spirit Realm is weakened, a Spirit King’s strength is limited to the human body it is tied to,” Enuma Elashi explained, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

“As long as a human body cannot surpass a dragon, the Spirit Kings they contract with won’t be able to display their full might.”

“And what about the Divine Power he possesses?” Neil Blanc challenged.

“Certainly... It is surprising to think that a human could hold a Master Key. I can’t believe a relic from the Magical Era still exists.”

Despite his earlier skepticism, Enuma Elashi hesitated when the subject shifted to Divine Power.

“Among them, he wields the power of Mael. As you both know, it’s the same power wielded by the first Blader, the fifteenth power, a force that even the gods themselves feared.”

“But wasn’t Mael defeated as well?” Enuma said quietly. “By the Platinum Dragon.”

“...”

At his words, Neil Blanc offered a bitter smile, pouring more tea into his cup.

“Are you implying that Python might lose, Lord Neil Blanc?”

“Better safe than sorry,” Neil said indifferently. “You saw his power during the capital siege, didn’t you? Though I’m grateful that you all have lent your strength to the empire under the grace of the gods...”

Neil Blanc emphasized the word “gods,” causing both Cruah and Enuma to stiffen.

“I shall go there,” Cruah interrupted, her eyes narrowing with discontent but showing no sign of opposition.

“That would certainly put my mind at ease,” Neil Blanc said, almost eagerly welcoming her decision.

“Although by the time I arrive, the battle may already be over. I will head south with Python afterward, if that pleases you, Lord Neil Blanc."

“Very well.”

Deploying two dragons to the same battlefield seemed like overkill, yet neither Enuma nor Cruah protested.

“Once we deal with Karyl MacGovern, there will be no more significant threats. Sword Masters or Great Sorcerers are of no real concern,” Enuma declared as he rose to his feet. “Have you chosen a new commander for the army? The soldiers have been gathered for some time, but they still haven’t moved.”

“Yes. He is en route from the north as we speak. He will arrive shortly,” said Neil Blanc, to which Enuma nodded approvingly.

“Indeed, there is no better fit to lead the 500,000-strong army than him,” Enuma remarked.

“We will depart soon. I trust you will continue to offer your support,” Neil Blanc said.

Cruah gave a bitter smile. “I can’t believe we dragons are clearing the way for humans... What a pitiful sight. But if it’s for that...” she trailed off, catching Neil Blanc’s warning glance as he raised a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay silent.

“...Then, I shall prepare,” Cruah said as she hastily stood to leave.

At that moment, a breathless voice echoed from the hallway.

“Re-Reporting in!!”

“What is this commotion?” Enuma rose to open the door.

A soldier hurriedly knelt before them, his face flushed.

“What’s the meaning of this disturbance?” Enuma demanded.

“Th-The marquisate has fallen!” the soldier stammered.

“Wha...?”

“...?!”

For the first time, Neil Blanc’s calm façade shattered, a fierce killing intent seeping through the cracks. The soldier was shaking all over, seemingly about to collapse.

“What... did you just say?!” Neil Blanc hissed.

“...Sir?”

“I said, what did you just say?! Speak clearly!”

His shout caused the terrified soldier to collapse to the ground, but Neil Blanc wasted no time, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him off the floor effortlessly.

“Guh—! Kgh...!”

The soldier gasped for air, struggling against Neil Blanc’s grip.

“What about Python? What happened to the Red Dragon on the battlefield?!” Neil Blanc snarled.

“I-I don’t know, sir! I only received the urgent report! I'm unaware of the battle’s details, but... the emperor has summoned you immediately, Your Grace!”

SLAM—!!

Neil Blanc hurled the soldier to the floor.

“This is absurd... are you telling me that Python was defeated by mere humans?!”

“That can’t be possible... How...?”

Dragons were creatures capable of annihilating entire kingdoms on their own. The very idea that a human could bring down one of their kind was incomprehensible. Yet in that moment, Karyl MacGovern’s image flashed in the minds of all three dragons.

“Something must have gone terribly wrong on the battlefield!”

“We must go save Python immediately,” Cruah declared, rising from her seat with urgency.

Enuma Elashi followed suit.

“Wait!” Neil Blanc’s voice cut through the air, stopping them in their tracks.

“That is exactly what the enemy wants.”

“What do you mean?” Cruah asked, her eyes narrowing in confusion.

“You are all powerful individuals, each capable of incredible feats. But that strength lies in being spread across different battlefields, not concentrated in one. If we rush to Python’s aid, we play right into their hands,” Neil Blanc explained, his voice calm but heavy with meaning.

Enuma Elashi let out a low, frustrated sigh.

“Are you saying we’ve been ensnared? That they’re trying to tie us down?”

“Precisely,” Neil Blanc said grimly.

The expressions of the two dragons darkened. The enemy’s plan was clear now—to lure all the dragons into one battlefield. Someone was waiting for them there, beckoning.

The thought hung heavily over them.

***

“

Roaaaarrr...!!

”

Python's agonizing scream echoed across the battlefield, but the only response was Revol’s unrelenting fists pounding into his battered form. The once-mighty dragon could do nothing but writhe in pain, his head swinging side to side as if in a desperate, disoriented plea for relief.

His wings, tattered and torn, were no longer regenerating. They were pinned to the ground by dozens of iron stakes, similar to the ones Revol had deployed from its gauntlets but infused with the new colorless attribute stone. These stakes drained Python’s magical energy with every breath he took, anchoring him firmly to the ground.

“It can’t be...! I...!”

Thud—!!

Revol’s massive foot came down on Python’s back, slamming his head into the ground.

“Ghah...!”

Python choked as he was crushed beneath the weight of the war golem.

“

Dragons are truly incredible. Their mana keeps regenerating endlessly. I can charge up enough magic to power all the cannons! Now I understand why my lord ordered me not to bring pre-charged rounds

,” Wingel Hart muttered to himself with awe.

He yanked out one of the stakes embedded in Python’s wing bone, revealing a transparent tube filled with pure red mana.

“ARRRGHH!!!” Python shrieked in agony as the stake was removed, only for Wingel to thrust it into another spot. The torment was unending.

The stakes, designed to drain and store Python’s mana, were working perfectly.

“You...! I’ll kill you...!!”

Python’s roars echoed, but every time he attempted to summon his power, the stakes siphoned more of his mana, storing it for use against him.

“

Hmm, a cannon loaded with draconic mana...

” Wingel mused, ignoring Python's threats as he watched the stored energy accumulate with the detached fascination of a magic engineer.

“You dare challenge a dragon...!! Do you really think you’ll survive this betrayal?!”

At that moment, Karyl approached the pinned dragon, gazing at Python with a cold indifference.

“So what?” Karyl replied nonchalantly, drawing closer to Python's neck. He began cleaving away the scales that protected the dragon’s reverse scale, the only vulnerable spot on his body.

Sssssss—!!!

Each time the icy edge of his Frozen Talon touched the red-hot scales, steam hissed and rose, followed by Python’s pained wails.

“AAAHHH!! NO MOREEE...!!!”

With a gesture from Karyl, Revol pressed down on Python’s head, pinning it firmly to the ground.

“We’ve been enemies from the start, haven't we? You pride yourself as a supreme being, and yet you’re so blind to what’s happening.”

There was a chilling malice to Karyl’s voice.

“You’re exactly where I want you. The more you suffer, the faster those hiding in the imperial capital will rush to help you. Isn’t that what you also want?” Karyl mocked.

The imperial soldiers, who had retreated behind the walls of the marquisate’s fortress, stood in stunned silence. Their morale had long since vanished, and all they could do was watch the spectacle unfolding before them.

Karyl made a show of it, pinning Python’s broken wings to the ground with giant iron spikes and chaining his neck with heavy shackles, a scene of utter humiliation for a being once considered the supreme ruler of the skies.

“Your plan worked, it seems. You showcased the might of your Formless Formation and secured victory without causing significant casualties among the imperial forces. No one in their right mind would dare challenge you after this.”

Allen stood on top of Python’s head, grinning as he took in the situation.

And when word of this reaches the capital, the other dragons will be forced to stay put. They won’t dare make a move,” Allen observed. “No matter how great dragons are, they only have one body. If they gather here, the rest of the battle will be left to humans. Ha! It’s funny to see those creatures, who once held themselves so high, reduced to this.”

“Allen...! Allen Javius!! How dare you do this to me, a dragon! Weren’t you once indebted to us?!” Python roared in fury.

“Indebted? To you? The only one who taught me magic was the Platinum Dragon. And as for debts...” Allen’s voice turned sinister as his shadowy hand, imbued with the power of the Spirit King of Darkness, gripped Python’s head.

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Sizzle—!!!

Allen’s touch scorched Python’s scales, the acrid smell of charred flesh filling the air.

“The one who took my life was one of your kind. Don’t ever think you can lecture me, you overgrown lizard.”

“You...!!” Python spat wrathfully, though it was clear his strength was fading.

Allen smirked, then turned to Karyl.

“Still, ten thousand imperial soldiers are tempting, but compared to a dragon’s power, they’re not nearly enough. Are you sure you’re ready for what comes next? Going against dragons like this won’t exactly set you up for a peaceful future.”

“Don’t worry,” Karyl replied, his cold gaze never leaving Python. “I don’t expect dragons to be my allies anymore. From now on, I won’t even consider them comrades.”

“Then what do you want from them?” Allen inquired, sensing something ominous in Karyl’s words.

At that moment, Python was overcome with fear as he met Karyl’s cold, unwavering gaze. As if responding to that feeling, Karyl leaned in closer, speaking slowly, deliberately, carving each word into Python’s mind.

“I want absolute obedience.”