“Th-the Fairy Queen... was in Tornbach...?”

Zion Müllenga began stuttering in his shock.

-It's been a while, Bensina.

[Grrrrr...]

The black dragon wore a displeased expression at the queen's appearance.

[I had no idea that fool was connected to you.]

-It was a coincidence. But even so, it's true that he came looking for me.

The Fairy Queen smiled at the impassive Bensina.

-He is the one who found the Fairy Forest, which no one had sought out for ages. An extraordinary man. Now, please quell your anger, Black Dragon.

Chaaaak—!!!

At her words, the black dragon roughly shook its neck, causing the knights holding the chains to stagger.

[Quell my anger? Don't talk nonsense. Me, serve someone who dares to lord over a dragon?]

-Of course, it may be premature now. However... if he proves worthy of character, he might just become a fine ruler.

Kaaang—!!!

The dragon shook its head side to side again, and the chains shattered with a crash.

“U-Uwaaak!!”

“Kuhuk!!”

The knights gripping the chains were yanked forward and tumbled to the ground.

[A fine ruler? More drivel.]

Kwaaaang—!!! Stomping its foot, the fallen chains exploded into fragments.

[I have no intention of serving anyone.]

-Yet every race needs a leader. After Dragon Emperor Skaja passed, that seat has been empty for far too long.

The Fairy Queen glanced at Bensina.

-You, his disciple, need not even be mentioned, but Damune and Belian have no interest in it either.

[One master was enough to lead us dragons. That position is beyond any human.]

-No one can say for sure.

[Can't say? After getting beaten by a human like that, you still pin your hopes on them?]

Bensina shot her a look of utter exasperation.

-Who knows.

At her cryptic reply, Bensina kept a dissatisfied frown but said no more.

-Zion Müllenga. I know well of your family. Key players in the Fallen War. Hunters of demons, no doubt.

Flinch—. Zion's face stiffened as the Fairy Queen's barb turned toward him.

-Nissen's words ring true. Demonic power—what you call yok energy—is reverberating across this battlefield.

“I'm not hiding the truth. Humans have a blind hatred for demons. I was just worried there'd be misunderstandings about me using yok energy.”

Zion Müllenga shouted desperately.

“That dragon showed up out of nowhere and wrecked Tornbach indiscriminately! I used my power to protect it. Is that so wrong!!”

[It's not.]

Color returned to Zion's face at her response.

-However... I'm curious if your father and family truly know you're wielding demonic power.

The Fairy Queen had zeroed in on the final loose end.

‘Right. As she says, the Müllenga family could indeed be demon hunters. That would make a demon in the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠basement unremarkable.’

‘But it's possible Zion's secretly using demonic power behind their backs, even deceiving his own family. Lying to his kin.’

Thinking back, when explaining the demon's presence, he'd only spoken of his family—never his own actions.

“Th-that's...!!”

Zion Müllenga tried to retort but stuttered, words failing him.

-The fact that demons still linger on the continent is no small matter... The fairy folk intend to formally request an investigation from the King of Bolton.

[Grrrk... Grrrk...]

The demon's body twitched.

-And we'll be taking this demon with us.

“Ridiculous! That demon is Müllenga family property. Even as queen, isn't this overstepping!!”

-Fetch the king's decision on your disposition. We may hand it over depending on that.

“...Kuh!!”

Zion Müllenga looked wronged but could muster no further rebuttal.

-I'm treating you fairly enough. You undeniably used demonic power. Even if it was for a righteous cause.

The Fairy Queen leaned in and whispered to him.

-We have suspicions, but no hard evidence.

“...”

-Best remember that. The fairies will be watching you from now on.

It was her own brand of warning. Zion Müllenga bit his trembling lip and turned away.

“...Promise no more destruction of Tornbach. Then we'll withdraw.”

[So be it. My mood's soured seeing this filth.]

Kwak—. Zion clenched his fist at Bensina's words.

“We're leaving.”

“Y-yes? B-but...”

“You defended the continent and upheld your honor. The fault is mine alone. So hold your heads high.”

The knights' shoulders trembled at his words. A few even seemed to sniffle back tears.

“...Understood.”

The knights followed behind him.

‘Impressive... A traitor wielding demonic power, yet they all defend him.’

Woojin couldn't deny the man's silver tongue. ‘This won't be easy.’

Feeling the weight of a formidable foe as Zion brushed past, Woojin watched him go.

“An awful lot of Blue Knight Order survivors.”

Zion's step faltered at Woojin's words.

“Of course. They're the best.”

But he brushed off the final jab without a care.

“Look hard for that stake. It must be around somewhere... I won't cheat, so make sure to deliver it to the Papal See.”

He emphasized 'make sure' deliberately. As if underscoring his own innocence.

“...Damn it.”

Tsk—. Woojin swept a hand over his forehead. It was petty. He regretted that last line.

[A fine attempt... but green.]

Bensina murmured low, as if reading his mind.

“...Fair enough.”

Results aside, he'd rushed it, just as the dragon said. But with Tornbach crumbling and knowing Zion Müllenga would become a future villain, Woojin had no choice.

[...And thank you.]

“...What?”

[Had you not dragged that demon from the basement, its power would've lingered. Demonic energy is poison to dragonkin. I might've... lost my life.]

Caught off-guard by Bensina's gratitude, Woojin scratched his head sheepishly.

[But that's just my personal view. Dragonkin still have no desire to serve under anyone.]

“What would it take for you to lend me your strength?”

[Why do you so desperately seek our power?]

“Too late once the world's doomed.”

[The world doomed? Delusions run deep.]

Bensina scoffed in disbelief. He clearly didn't buy Woojin's words, but it didn't matter.

-But don't forget: he saved Tornbach from your wrath. And went further to save your life.

At the Fairy Queen's words, Bensina eyed Woojin.

[That much, I grant. But the weight of life differs between dragons and humans.]

“Bensina. Are you saying you're blameless for the deaths caused by your rage?”

[You humans kill and die over scraps of land. My actions for my race's independence hold more value, at least.]

Swaaaak...!! Bensina's body glowed, gradually shrinking. The massive black dragon vanished, replaced by a handsome man with long black hair standing before Woojin.

[Still, I thank you for aiding me.]

He drew a small key from his bosom.

[Not far from here lies a small grave. Of Karl, my former dragon knight.]

Woojin took the black key.

[Take what you need from within. It's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠old, but better than your gear.]

Said casually, but Woojin sensed deeper meaning. ‘He had a dragon knight too.’ Dragon knights required bonds between human and dragon. Meaning Bensina wasn't blindly hostile to humans.

“Dragon knight gear... Luck beyond my station.”

No reason to refuse. Woojin pocketed the key and replied.

[Rebla Mountains.]

Bensina fixed Woojin with his abyss-like black eyes.

[Come there.]

Swaaaak—!!!! The Dark Zone's mists enveloped Bensina. With black smoke, he vanished—and clear skies returned as if nothing had happened.