Divide and Conquer - 2
After sending the female mage who had been staying in Yuran back to the Magic Tower, I went to the tavern as usual to meet Rene.
This time, however, the topic had nothing whatsoever to do with the White Dragon faction.
"Ignite's fire?"
"Yeah. Is there any way to get some? Even a tiny spark would do."
"Hmm.... There is a way to obtain it, but what do you need it for?"
For some reason, I didn't want to honestly admit I was going to use it for sowing discord. Just demanding it outright also felt awkward. The fire of a Red Dragon was famous for never going out until it turned to ash—if it fell into the hands of a villain, it could be put to dangerous use.
"There's a place I need to use it for the greater good. I'm sorry, but I can't explain the detailed reason right now."
"Bern, it's not good to keep hiding things like that every time, you know?"
"Sorry! But I swear I'm not using it for my own selfish desires. It's purely for a better future."
For a clean world without the Magic Tower and Ignite. That wasn't a lie—it was the truth. With Rene's eyes, she would surely see through to my sincerity.
"......Alright. I'll tell you specially."
"Thank you!"
"In exchange, once this matter is over, go on a date with me!"
"A date?"
"Yes! Lately we haven't had any time alone together, have we? I've been so lonely!"
"That's true. Alright, I'll make time for that."
"It's a promise, right?"
"Don't worry. Have you ever seen me break a promise?"
I boasted confidently, telling her to just trust me. In the first place, I also wanted a date with my beloved girlfriend—not just with Rene, but quiet time with Lin as well. If it weren't for the Magic Tower and Ignite, I'd be enjoying that right now.
"So where can I get Ignite's fire?"
"It's simple. Mother has it."
"Breeze has Ignite's fire?"
"Yes. When Ignite came to the nest, he breathed fire at me, remember?"
"He did."
Recalling that memory soured my mood. That lizard brat who had hurt someone precious to me—even chewing him up wouldn't be enough. That was why I intended to unleash this anger by succeeding in my plan.
"The flames he breathed that time caught on one of the pieces of furniture."
"Really?"
"Yes. Mother stored it in her subspace as evidence that Ignite had attacked me, to reveal at the Dragon Summit. Though it became meaningless after you healed my burn scars, Bern."
"Ah.... I acted too hastily without knowing that."
"It's fine! You were worried about me, weren't you? I was so happy. That the person I love cares for me this much."
Rene smiled contentedly, her cheeks faintly flushing as she reminisced. Healing her back then seemed to have been the right choice after all.
"Anyway, the spark of Ignite's fire should be with Mother, so I'll go get it right away!"
"Are you sure that's okay? You're in the middle of a fierce struggle with the Blue Dragon faction, aren't you?"
"My current position is important, but could it possibly be more important than a request from you, Bern?"
"Rene......"
"I'll be right back, so please wait comfortably, Bern!"
No sooner had she finished speaking than Rene left the room with a bright smile. Watching her retreating figure, countless thoughts crossed my mind, but the one that lingered most in my heart was this: I was truly a happy man, receiving love far beyond what I deserved from Rene......
Less than an hour after asking Rene, I went to find Lin at the Blue Dragon faction's hideout. And though it was shameless of me, I had come to ask her for a favor as well.
"A city lockdown, you say?"
"Not now—later, just for about six hours. Would that be possible?"
"That seems like something you should request of Lady Sestia rather than me......"
"I've already gotten Sestia's approval. It's just that she can't step forward publicly, so she told me to handle it myself."
"Meaning I need to personally persuade the personnel needed for the city lockdown?"
"Exactly."
A city lockdown was a major matter. Even for just six hours, considering the carriages and visitors coming and going in that time, the damage wouldn't be insignificant. Thinking of the Blue Dragon faction members who truly cared about the city's development, they wouldn't accept my request alone. Therefore, I had to bow my head to Lin, the current leader of the Blue Dragon faction.
"Is it impossible?"
"......I can do it. No—I will definitely persuade them."
"I'm counting on you."
"I will strive to live up to that trust."
The groundwork for moving on to the second and third plans was complete. All that remained was to execute and watch the results. After that, I would assign a mission to Hades when she came, and have Marianne stand by for war preparations against the Magic Tower. In the meantime, I planned to craft the medicine to lift Hesha's curse while preparing for yet another war.
"Whew...! I'm so glad I have so many talented people by my side. If nothing else, I must have been born with good fortune in people."
"All the good deeds Master has done until now are returning as rewards, so it would be better to think of it as virtue rather than luck!"
"I see."
Strange? Since coming to this world, it seemed like I'd acted more like a villain than shown mercy. There were so many evil deeds that came to mind that I'd have nothing to say even if divine judgment fell upon me.
Still, I should just think that things worked out well because I'm a good person.
[Your conscience is dead.]
My conscience died a long time ago.
From the moment I was possessed into a work that made my blood pressure skyrocket just looking at that pink-haired girl, I had abandoned my conscience. That was why I started by cursing her out even when Pinky hadn't done anything yet. Anyone looking would point fingers and call me a personality wreck with anger management issues, but I was just going my own way.
"Um, Master?"
"Hmm?"
"I-if it's alright with you, could you accompany me in two weeks?"
"In two weeks?"
"Yes. I heard that a grand festival will be held in Yuran in two weeks......"
Lin fidgeted with her fingers, looking restless. Looking back, Lin almost never made requests of me. Even when she did, it was only emotional outbursts to counter Rene's affection offensive. This was the first time Lin had asked me out on a date of her own will. She must be nervous because she wasn't used to it.
"Sure, I'll go with you."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. In two weeks, I shouldn't be particularly busy."
"Thank you!"
Color returned to her face as Lin beamed with a smile she couldn't contain. Seeing her so happy made the corners of my own mouth lift as well. At the same time, a slight sense of guilt crept in—because I hadn't paid her enough attention all this time, when just a date promise made her this happy.
......I need to work hard.
For the sake of those I love, this plan must succeed no matter what. Only then would I be able to go on those dates.
"So the culprit is the Red Scale Tribe?"
"That's right...!"
The top floor of the Magic Tower. A visitor had rushed over to the Tower Master, who was immersed in research as usual today. It was Karifa, the female mage whose right hand had been cut off by Bern.
Having returned to the Magic Tower via a return stone, she quickly stopped the bleeding and immediately requested a private audience with the Tower Master. And now she was reporting everything that had happened in Yuran to him.
"The Red Dragon knew about our plans! If we don't quickly devise countermeasures...!"
"Haha!"
In contrast to Karifa's urgent, strained voice, the Tower Master began laughing heartily. At the Tower Master's behavior, Karifa cut herself off mid-sentence and expressed her confusion.
"Karifa, you're quite naive. The Red Dragon is a mass of arrogance who believes himself the ruler of the world. Do you think a man like that would so much as bat an eye just because he learned of our plans?"
"Ah......"
"The Red Dragon will look down on us. He will dismiss the very plan of becoming a being close to a god, and even if we succeed, only then will he come after us—to prove that even a god cannot touch him."
"I-I see."
"Anyway, this incident is nothing more than someone from another faction sowing discord to gain advantage—not the Red Dragon. So I will uncover their true identity myself."
"I have gained deep insight from the Tower Master's wise discernment."
Karifa bowed her head deeply, showing respect to the master who had taught her. Just as Frach had feared, even after seeing the seeds of doubt Bern had planted, the Magic Tower paid them no mind.
Until a new presence arrived where they were......
"Woof! Woof!"
"Hmm?"
A black Pomeranian suddenly appeared on the top floor. With its tongue out and tail wagging, it was the epitome of cuteness.
"Kyaa! So cute!"
"Oh-ho...!"
Normally it would have been a target of caution, but the way it looked up with sparkling eyes softened both of their wariness. Knowing this, the Pomeranian grinned and approached the two.
"Huff huff! Woof woof!"
"To think such a cute puppy exists!"
"Seeing how it appeared out of nowhere, it might be a specimen created by the magical beast research department."
"Woof!"
The Pomeranian nodded as if confirming the Tower Master's guess. The fact that it could understand human speech left Karifa and the Tower Master unable to hide their admiration.
"So cute and smart on top of that! Truly the best."
"Heheh! This little guy is so cute I could just devour him. It's been ages since my lower regions got all riled up!"
"M-meow...?"
Witnessing the Tower Master's abnormal sexual desire, the Pomeranian was so startled it involuntarily made a cat sound. Having just seen a human casually accept a lustful gaze that even its master didn't harbor, the Pomeranian felt its chastity was in crisis.
"Woof! Woof!"
Thinking it might actually get violated if it stayed like this, the Pomeranian urgently wrote words on the floor with its shadow.
"Oh my, you can write too?"
"Heheh! The more I look, the more amazing talents you have. Let's see what it says!"
"For the Red Dragon...?"
The moment they read the phrase, both pairs of eyes turned to the Pomeranian. Then, a translucent glass bottle that hadn't been there a moment ago was held in the puppy's mouth. The Pomeranian flung it toward the ceiling. The instant it confirmed the glass bottle shattered, it swiftly dove into the shadows.
"Uh-oh...?"
From the broken glass bottle, a bright red mist flowed out. Before long, it began fiercely burning the Tower Master's private chambers and laboratory.