The Corrupted Heir
[Huaaah! That was exhausting!]
As soon as the battle ended, Lehatna reverted to her usual self.
I quietly shrugged at her fluffy, almost disheveled appearance—it was hard to believe this was the same girl who had mercilessly torn apart the charging enemies moments ago.
When she fought in anger, she truly lived up to her Dragon King bloodline.
Though my help played a big part, even her opponents had been startled by this unfamiliar side of her.
That said, it left me with a bit of regret.
What if she had seriously aimed to become the Dragon King?
It was a meaningless what-if now, but I couldn't help feeling a twinge of curiosity.
After dispatching the attackers without much trouble, we headed to the hideout where other monsters might be lurking.
Sure enough, amid the monsters wounded by the raid, I spotted some familiar faces.
Pongpong—the pink slime that always bounced up like clockwork—I naturally scooped into my embrace.
You made it through safe.
Not a scratch on it; the sight brought instant relief.
Beyond the pink slime, other familiar faces gathered around us one by one.
In moments, Lehatna and I were surrounded by a bustling crowd, like a marketplace.
Most were unscathed, but not all.
The absence of certain faces cast a gloom over Lehatna—and me too.
It wasn't just the low-rank monsters.
This raid had injured or killed a fair number of others as well.
To protect the low-ranks. To protect their home.
A good many monsters had been hurt or died in the process.
The melancholic aura from those who'd lost friends or comrades sank the hideout's mood in an instant.
In that heavy atmosphere, I quietly nursed my rage toward Le Ganus, the one behind it all.
It was heartbreaking that it wasn't our turn yet.
If we faced Le Ganus, I'd tear him limb from limb.
Too bad it still wasn't our turn.
After consoling those mourning the fallen and lingering briefly in the hideout, we set off again.
We needed to join Leysia as soon as possible and end this fight.
Lehatna, barely suppressing her grief, came with me as we headed downward.
Another raid wasn't impossible, but given the timing, Le Ganus's side likely had no more forces to spare.
Giryu, who had rushed off after hearing of our attack, wouldn't have gone easy on them. Things must be rough for Le Ganus right now.
Hell, the fighting might already be over.
From our perspective—without a proper chance to vent—it was disappointing, but for the monsters living in these skies, it was the best news possible.
At the very least, I wanted to witness Le Ganus's end with my own eyes...
Lehatna didn't say it outright, but she clearly had plenty to say to her brother.
If the battle wasn't over, we might even see her face off against Le Ganus.
The old Lehatna? No way. But this furious version? She could put up a real fight against him.
Of course, Giryu wouldn't just stand by and watch those two clash, so it was a matchup that'd never happen.
As we sped along, someone appeared before us.
We had just entered the 91st floor.
This was Le Ganus's territory, so I'd been on high alert—and I couldn't help jolting at their sudden appearance.
Who they were was the last thing I'd expected at this moment.
Pelt, the sturdy griffon, and Melusio, the badly wounded blue wyvern, blocked our path.
[Pelt. And Melusio? What are you doing here?]
Hiding my shock, I asked. Melusio spoke up.
[...It's been a while, Nix. And Lady Lehatna... Forgive my rudeness; I'm in no shape for proper greetings.]
[Forget that! What the hell happened? Why are you two together? And those wounds?!]
[...Something big.]
His voice as weary as his battered form, Melusio explained haltingly.
[Le Ganus... that heaven-defying bastard ate the Dragon King's remains.]
[Brother ate Father's remains?! No way!]
[It sounds like a lie, milady, but it's all true. He committed that vile atrocity. Dared to covet the Dragon King's body and forcibly claimed its power.]
[No... No way... Not even Brother would...]
As Lehatna repeated herself like a broken record, I took over.
I was shocked too, though I didn't show it.
[So how'd you end up like that? Did you fight Le Ganus?]
[No. Shamefully, I barely fought. I'd already been wrecked battling Pluto. I barely escaped the pursuers, then ran into Giryu here and this one by chance.]
Pelt nodded slightly at the glance my way.
I eyed him briefly before turning back to Melusio.
[What about Leysia?]
[...I don't know about Lady Leysia. Last I saw, she was heading to the Dragon King's Palace to stop Le Ganus.]
[No sign of Leysia, but Le Ganus shows up? We can assume she's fallen.]
[...Lady Leysia will be fine. I can't even imagine her losing.]
Melusio's voice trembled despite his words.
He knew as well as anyone what it likely meant, even if he wouldn't say it.
I didn't think she'd go down easy either, but the situation looked grim.
[So, Pelt. Where's Giryu? Why're you alone?]
[...Lord Giryu stayed behind to hold off the pursuers. He told me to bring Lord Melusio to you and Lady Lehatna.]
Pelt's voice quivered too.
Guilt over leaving his superior, perhaps?
I watched his conflicted face, then rubbed my throbbing forehead.
I'd idly imagined what if Leysia lost, as a joke—but I'd never dreamed it'd come true.
Should've never even joked about it.
With a quiet sigh, I pressed Melusio for more details.
[What's the current state of the battle? With you and Leysia both gone...]
[Le Ganus, empowered by the Dragon King's strength, is sweeping the field. He told us all to flee at the end, but...]
Melusio trailed off, and I could picture the chaos.
If even he was being hunted, no further explanation needed.
[...Retreat's the play for now.]
[What about Giryu? What about Giryu?!]
Lehatna, somewhat calmed, blurted it out.
I answered flatly.
[He'll be fine. It's Giryu. Worry about us first.]
[But...]
[No whining, Lehatna. Face reality.]
She flinched at my low tone.
I couldn't hold back.
[Your sister's gone. You're the one who has to face Le Ganus now, Lehatna.]
[......]
[You don't actually think it's fine if Le Ganus becomes Dragon King, do you?]
[...No.]
[Then steel yourself, Lehatna. Always remember what these skies would become under that tyrant.]
[...Yeah, got it. Sorry... and thanks.]
Ignoring her quiet voice, I checked Melusio over.
His wounds looked severe, even from first glance.
Could he even move properly like this?
[Don't worry. This is much better already. Not at full strength, but I can keep up.]
I nodded at his confidence.
No need to baby him then.
[Pelt, you're good too, right?]
[Yes, all fine!]
[Good. Let's move. Priority is escaping Le Ganus's territory. We'll plan once we reach Lehatna's lair.]
With our new companions, we backtracked the way we'd come.
No pursuers followed—either they hadn't reached this far, or Giryu was handling them.
The vast sky was clear and serene as ever, but that stillness felt like the calm before a storm.
I could only hope the coming tempest wouldn't be too fierce.
Having devoured the Dragon King's remains and claimed his power, Le Ganus gained strength rivaling the King in life.
Wielding that might, he crushed Leysia and overran the battlefield without Melusio. His faction's mood had flipped 180 degrees from moments ago.
Not long before, defeat had loomed; now, victory seemed assured.
In truth, felling powerhouse Leysia all but decided the Dragon King contest.
No one left in these skies could challenge him.
Lehatna lingered, but no one fretted over her.
She'd been a nuisance lately, sure—but in their memories, she was forever the inadequate, deficient dragon.
Amid the celebrations of assured triumph, one couldn't fully join in.
Freya, Le Ganus's mate, was that exception.
Personal feelings aside, as his partner, this was cause for celebration.
Indeed, she'd initially rejoiced with the rest, as top priority.
True, he'd desecrated and devoured their father's remains—a grave sin—but it had made him Dragon King.
Loser or not, as victor, Le Ganus bore no blame.
But her joy didn't last.
Le Ganus's aura shifted subtly at some point.
He'd always been hot-tempered, but knew limits.
Emotions first, yet calibrated to circumstance.
He could even shelve them when needed—that was Le Ganus.
But post-Dragon King power? Different.
To outsiders, same as ever. But Freya, ever close, noticed instantly.
Something in Le Ganus had changed.
Fundamentally.
A small shift at first, but undeniable. Freya worried alone.
And her fears proved founded: Le Ganus grew fiercer by the day.
Already brutal, he now rampaged without restraint.
Eventually, he tore apart an innocent subordinate before everyone—becoming a true tyrant.
Ignoring counsel from many, even Freya's pleas, he raged unchecked.
All trembled at the new Le Ganus.
Even mate Freya watched his eyes.
Then, seeming to regain a shred of reason unlike before, Le Ganus spoke quietly.
[Damn father. You forgot the most crucial part. Was that youngest daughter of yours so precious?]
Growling savagely despite his recovered cool, he continued.
[Lehatna. My inadequate little sister. Unlike big sis, I wanted to spare her... but if Father's will demands it, no choice.]
Rising slowly, Le Ganus's eyes blazed ferociously.
[The Dragon King is neither flawed big sis nor runt sister. It's me. Le Ganus.]
His beastly, horrific presence—more feral predator than sky-ruling Dragon King—made watching Freya tremble quietly.
Lately, Le Ganus wasn't the mate she'd loved.