The Schemer of Bizarre Plots (2)
Owen had no idea that a massive misunderstanding had exploded back in Bris.
He simply passed the time on Margel Island, awaiting his next orders.
One day, as Owen sat fishing side by side with Karaku, he asked,
"Do you know anything about the red dragon egg from orc legends, Sir Karaku?"
He had already given up searching the underground ruins, now a collapsed mess, but a lingering attachment remained.
Yet Karaku offered an unexpected answer.
"Hmm... I might have a lead on that, Owen."
https://booktoki469.com/data/file/novel/5895/42012/16549828522436.jpg
"You know something?"
"I heard a rumor a few years back about a peculiar dragon egg found on this island. Not sure if it's the one you're after."
"What happened to the egg?"
"Heard it went to the dark elves. We were just starting trade talks with them then, so they gifted it to make a good impression."
"Hah..."
It was information he hadn't anticipated.
The egg presumed to be red had already been taken years ago—and by dark elves, no less.
"From what I heard, it was probably shipped to the mainland. You know, the dark elves' frozen lands. That's all I know."
"...That's valuable intel."
If it truly was a True Dragon egg, the dark elves couldn't have hatched it.
Only another True Dragon knew how to do that.
Which made him wonder if perhaps he could.
Thanks to Tanares's power.
"Thank you for telling me, Sir Karaku."
"Sorry I couldn't be more help."
Even after fishing ended, Owen's mind remained tangled.
Wondering if the dark elf queen knew about the red dragon egg—or if not, which family held it.
And a few days later.
Karaku came to say farewell before departing.
Karaku, Bellatel, and Luke were heading to the orc homeland with the prisoner Mugura in tow.
Their goal: Parma's Axe.
"Great Conqueror! How can you abandon me like this? Waaah! Tossing me among these brutes!"
Mugura denied reality, clinging to Owen.
"Brutes...? How do you expect to handle a journey calling them that?"
"Great Conqueror, serving you is my top duty—call it loyalty!"
"Heh..."
"Even if the world ignores this burning heart, the heavens will know!"
What an eloquent orc.
Bellatel, frowning beside him, finally whacked Mugura's forehead with his staff.
Thwack!
"Shut it! We're cleaning up your mess. Cooperate fully, and maybe you'll be forgiven—loyalty my ass! Anyone'd think you were some eternal loyalist, you damned fool!"
"No! You're a mage—why's violence always first over magic?!"
"Violence is free! Keep yapping, and it's another whack!"
Bellatel's staff worked wonders; Mugura clamped his chatty mouth shut.
Meanwhile, Owen bid Luke farewell.
"Didn't expect you to go with Bellatel."
"I'm unemployed now. He hired me as a mercenary. Not that I like the old coot. Here, take this."
Luke handed Owen a dragon scroll.
It contained a medium-sized Similis Dragon.
"Thanks."
Owen had recently heard how Luke controlled a Similis Dragon with zero intimacy.
It involved dark elf sorcery, but with clear limits.
It allowed limited handling short-term, but paled against proper taming and raising intimacy.
Dark elves, ever envious of humans riding dragons, had reasons not to use it themselves.
"Similis Dragons are fierce and sensitive. But you'll tame it, Owen Leire."
"Yeah."
With the sorcery broken, the Similis Dragon was like a freshly captured wild one.
Owen planned various efforts to tame this valuable medium dragon.
With it alone, he could break through hundreds of orcs in formation—perfect for the coming war.
"Well, time to go. Oh, if I learn anything about that red egg you're after, I'll let you know."
Karaku clapped Owen's shoulder and turned.
"Great Conqueror!"
Mugura tried clinging again but earned another staff whack from Bellatel.
And so the noisy quartet departed.
The place suddenly felt empty.
"...Guess it'll be quiet for a while."
But that was just wishful thinking.
Back at his lodging, an unexpected message awaited.
An order from the Surpuk Duke: return by New Year.
Finally, heading back!
Good news so far.
He could leave the island.
But with the order came a secret letter.
Delivered discreetly by someone on behalf of Tia, the Surpuk Duke's foster daughter and owner of the 3rd Dragon Stable.
What could this be...?
His relationship with Tia was fine.
Short as it was, they clicked in conversation—and shared a love for dragons above all.
But they weren't close enough for private letters.
Unease crept in.
If we were close, it'd just be a friendly note..."
Something must have blown up in Bris.
Owen steadied himself and read the letter.
To the dear Sir Leire,
It seems Her Majesty the Queen is displeased that you have taken in as many as 100 people, and intends to impose a severe punishment.
Please be careful.
Owen's eyes widened in shock.
"What the hell?"
The dark elf queen planning severe punishment on him?
The "100" had to mean the warriors from the ritual.
Did that offend her?
Worried, Owen paced before finally summoning Arwen.
Better to discuss with her than brood alone.
"You wanted me?"
Arwen entered Owen's quarters casually.
She acknowledged him as the true Heroicus, but alone, her attitude barely changed.
She smiled more easily now, though?
This prickly dark elf had definitely grown kinder toward him alone.
Bris nobles in the support forces gawked at her beauty, tried chatting—only to get iced out.
Yet with Owen, she was different; everyone marveled at the harem king's prowess.
Owen himself felt nothing special for her.
"Arwen, take a look at this. Want your thoughts."
"What's up? Let me see."
Arwen, having studied imperial tongue, read the secret letter.
Her face filled with concern.
"Her Majesty wouldn't..."
She said it, but lacked conviction.
She revered the queen but barely knew her.
The queen always secluded in her palace.
"Looks like becoming Heroicus provoked her."
"I thought she'd understand..."
"Confidence breeds complacency. She's in exile—probably sensitive."
Arwen nodded at Owen's words.
It made sense.
"True, from Her Majesty's view, she wouldn't want a new power rising. Not like she can spare 100 warriors like the ritual..."
"This is awkward. I never meant to trouble her."
"I know."
Becoming Heroicus earned him huge merit in this war.
Who knew it'd cause this.
"Gotta rush back and clear the misunderstanding."
As Owen spoke like packing tomorrow, Arwen shook her head.
"Bad idea. No guarantee it'll clear easily."
Unaware of Owen's special tie to the queen, Arwen saw trouble brewing.
Dark elf queens had always bloodily retaliated against power-grabbers.
"No, if I explain calmly..."
Owen trailed off, unable to mention his past life.
Then Arwen's next words caught his ear.
"Why not bring a treasure to soothe her?"
"A treasure?"
"Yeah, plenty of time till New Year to prepare."
Owen thought dialogue would suffice, but a gift before facing the north-wind queen would ease his mind.
Arwen's got a point. That queen stabbed me in my past life—nasty temper..."
Of course, worst case wouldn't happen.
They'd remade their contract lifting the curse.
But she could torment without direct harm aplenty.
The scheming queen might have some painful trick.
Countermeasures needed.
Right, win her favor with a gift. I could wish three boons for lifting the curse, but that's too precious.
Owen decided to follow Arwen's advice.
"Sounds better."
"You have major merits anyway, Owen. She can't punish harshly. Probably just a power play."
Arwen saw it as checking a new rival.
Owen nodded in agreement.
"Yeah..."
The queen had always hated losing to him, even in past life.
Their old clash was over swordsmanship.
Right, she'd resent my Heroicus title and pick a fight. Just her style.
Owen felt he'd grasped the situation.
Unfortunately, truth slipped further away.
"Arwen, since you brought it up... got a suitable gift in mind?"
"Of course. I have an idea, Owen Leire. Let's head to the dark elf homeland."
"What?"
Owen scowled in disbelief.
"The mainland's in rebel chaos. Even the queen fled— you want to go there?"
"Why not? Not leading an army to attack. Sneak in. I know a sea route."
"Hmm... possible then. What do we fetch?"
"Kalania Budura's treasures."
"What?"
Owen startled.
Kalania Budura: legendary dark elf witch, once the queen's guard.
Betrayed at a crucial moment, sealed in ice by the curse-lifted queen.
"Exactly. I know her hideout well—been there. In a barren mountain far from cities, low rebel detection risk."
"She hoarded treasures there her whole life?"
"Yep."
Owen craved not just treasure, but probing the witch's lair.
Kalania colluded with demons.
Might uncover more.
Chance to tail those demons...
Plus, opportunity to learn about the orc-gifted red dragon egg.
But one worry.
"Arwen, Kalania escaped during the battle."
"Right. Demons likely took her. But even demons can't easily break Her Majesty's ice seal. She's still sealed—confirmed."
"How do you know?"
"The ice where the queen buried her hasn't melted. Sent scouts recently. If broken, the ice vanishes."
"You were planning to loot her hideout anyway, huh?"
"Yeah. Can't just take this lying down."
Arwen had once been knocked out by Kalania.
Humiliated before queen and matrons—she seethed at the memory.
Wouldn't miss this chance.
"Even if free, she'll wail seeing her treasures gone."
Owen couldn't deny the appeal.
But one question first.
"Arwen, ever hear about a red dragon egg orcs gifted a few years back?"
https://booktoki469.com/data/file/novel/5895/42012/16549828522442.jpg
https://booktoki469.com/data/file/novel/5895/42012/16549828522446.jpg