96
Chapter 96
Rustle-.
"Haaat...!"
"Merlin, stay still for a moment. If you keep moving, you might fall."
I hadn't realized, but Merlin must have some disease where he can't stand staying still. His constant squirming is quite uncomfortable.
"I-I'm sorry... but... something keeps touching my butt...."
"Touching? Ahem, I am a bit heavy. Just try to ignore it. There's no point in making us blush over something between men."
"Heavy...? Hieee...!"
Whatever was bothering him seemed to intensify, as Merlin flinched even more. His breathing had become quite ragged.
It doesn't seem to be because of me. Tension is written all over his face.
Then again, it would be weirder not to be nervous while lying in wait in the Dragon King's bedroom. Besides, Merlin wasn't even twenty at this time.
I should help Merlin relax. He's timid as it is, and it would be troublesome if he made a mistake due to excessive nerves.
Smack-!
"Huat!"
I shifted my weight and smacked Merlin's backside, like a slap to the cheek. Of course, it was through those rag-like robes. Merlin jumped and looked at me with startled eyes.
"Haha, your butt is quite plump. But you're too tense. Try to relax."
"Don't, don't hit me...! We don't know when the Dragon King will return...!"
Smack-!
"Kyaat!"
"You worry too much. Don't worry. With the Dragon King's size, the floor will thump and shake the moment he gets close."
"Ugh, uu...."
Smack-!
"Hieeeek!"
"Hmm, your stiff body has finally loosened up. You're about to fight the strongest in the world, so you should at least be this prepared."
"H-huuueee... it hurts...."
After three consecutive hits, Merlin bounced three times like he was having a seizure before going limp. I lay back on top of him with a satisfied smile.
I didn't expect him to express pain this much. Even for a Mage, I didn't know his body was this frail. One hit from the Dragon King and his limbs would be crushed.
A heavy silence followed. Everything around us was pitch black, and while I'd adjusted to the dark, it wasn't as clear as broad daylight. It was a tedious time.
"Our party...."
"Hmm?"
"W-will we be able to make it back alive...?"
unable to wait any longer, Merlin asked cautiously. Unless we shout, our voices won't carry to the other corners of the room.
"Well, the Dragon King isn't exactly an easy opponent. We came here to hunt him, but we might end up being the ones eaten."
"Then why did you come all this way, Lord Suoka...? If you can't guarantee our survival... I mean, we have a duty to defeat the Dragon King, but you don't."
"My dear friend is over there. He's the only comrade I've had while surviving in the Demon Beast Forest, so if he's heading toward a death trap, I have to go with him."
I pointed with my finger toward the corner where the King of Humans and Katarina were hiding. Come to think of it, the King of Humans and Katarina are a man and a woman; I wonder if they're lying in the same position as us? Since we're two men, it doesn't matter, but for the King of Humans, who has spent his whole life clinging to Saint Iroel, this might actually be a moment of pleasure.
"Wow...! T-true comrades who would risk their lives together...! That must have been a difficult decision...."
"It would be lonely if my friend went alone. It's a long, long road to the lower world; it's better for me to walk it with him. After all, as a human, it's a path I'll eventually walk too."
Of course, I've already walked it, hehehe.
Perhaps moved by my words, Merlin wore a faint, blushing smile beneath his robe. All I could see were the corners of his mouth and the frames of his glasses. The eyelashes I caught a glimpse of were unusually long for a male.
"You're so cool... Lord Suoka."
"Thank you. However, in my eyes, you're even cooler, Merlin."
"W-what? Why, why me?"
"You didn't obey the Empire's orders and bravely entered the Demon Beast Forest with your comrades. Even veteran warriors much older than you wouldn't dare step foot in this forest."
"A-ah...! I-I...."
"Aren't you not even twenty yet? You look to be in your late teens at most, and boys that age are usually running around a local field playing soccer. In contrast, you were actually chosen for the Hero Party."
I showered him with sweet flattery. The genius young Mage became completely flustered as he listened to the praise.
I continued to praise Merlin even more enthusiastically. Watching him squirm shyly inside that robe, and teasing him mischievously, was simply too much fun.
Then, Merlin offered a rebuttal in a tiny, fading voice. This was the first time I'd seen him contradict anyone.
"But... I didn't apply for the Hero Party out of a pure heart."
"Hmm? Apply?"
Isn't the Mage of the Hero Party usually 'chosen' just like the Hero? Everyone on the continent considers it an honor to be picked as a member. But he 'applied' to join?
"You didn't know? Ah, come to think of it, you spent nearly twenty years only in the Demon Beast Forest, Lord Suoka. It's only natural that you wouldn't know the atmosphere of the continent."
"It sounds like history. Could you explain it to me?"
"Of course. In the past, the Hero Party was a coveted profession. But ever since the Hero Party from a hundred years ago was slaughtered in the Demon Beast Forest—no, ever since the Demon King expressed that he wouldn't invade the continent—the perception of the Hero Party began to change. Eventually... some people even started speaking openly against them."
Ah, I think I get it. If the continent a hundred years ago saw the Hero Party as a burden, the current continent seems to view them as nothing more than a public nuisance.
They enjoy all sorts of benefits just because they were chosen by the Lord, even when there's no use for them. It's enough to make anyone bitter, even if the Hero Party did nothing wrong.
"Everyone hated the idea of becoming part of the Hero Party. Before, there were so many applicants that they just picked one, but now, those supporting the Hero travel around searching for strong people, practically begging them to join the party...."
"Is it that bad... But then, why did you apply, Merlin?"
"T-they said they'd give me a precious artifact...! A bandage with Shrinking Magic... Gasp! I-I wasn't supposed to mention that...."
Merlin suddenly covered his own mouth with his hand. A question mark popped up in my head.
"Merlin, why the surprise? You should tell me what someone would use a bandage with Shrinking Magic for."
"T-t-that's a secret! I absolutely, absolutely cannot tell you...!"
"A secret? I thought we'd become quite close, so it's a bit disappointing that you have secrets. Still, I won't pry. Everyone is entitled to a few."
My own secrets are far more than one or two. For starters, my name is a complete lie. Though Merlin will never find out.
"...Actually, the artifact is one thing, but... I just felt sorry for the Hero Party. When they came to the Tower of Magic to find comrades, no one would volunteer. There was this overwhelming atmosphere of everyone avoiding the Hero Party...."
"So you joined because you hated that?"
"Yes... Perhaps that's why the Mages of the Tower don't associate with me anymore... but I have no regrets! Seriel, Katarina, Igor, and Victor are all wonderful people! Traveling the world with great comrades has been my dream since I was a child!"
"...."
Should I tell him that those proud comrades are scheduled to die soon? I feel the most sorry for you.
"How were people treating you before you joined the Hero Party? Did the way they looked at you change much?"
"I-I'm not very sociable, so I couldn't talk to them much... but everyone was still kind to me! They'd often help me whenever I looked for magic experiment tools...."
Of course they helped. Who could ignore the greatest genius, hailed as the next Tower Master? Even if the future Merlin spends his life as a mere principal after founding Eden Academy.
Whoosh-.
The sound of wind slipping through the door gap brushed past my ears. This is a cave with no air circulation. In other words, wind loud enough to penetrate the gap means something has changed outside.
I placed two fingers over Merlin's mouth to silence him. Understanding my gesture, Merlin immediately stopped talking.
Thump, thump, thump-.
The floor shakes. Something massive and heavy is approaching. It seems to be passing through the tunnel we came from, and its presence is palpable against my skin. Even without an aura of killing intent, my skin tingles.
"The Dragon King...!"
"He's here, get ready. Once the Dragon King falls asleep, it's your role to launch the all-out attack. I'll watch over you. Someone has to protect the Mage."
"L-Lord Suoka is going to protect me...? Just like a knight and his lady...."
"Shh, the Dragon King is at the door."
The deathly silence is split in half by the sound of the door opening. Rumble, unlike when we pushed with all our might, the iron door opens smoothly.
The door swings wide, and a single black dragon reveals itself. It isn't a simple black. Its eyes boast a golden radiance as if studded with gold, and an unquenchable fire blazes from its tail.
The progenitor of all dragons.
Dragon King Endros.
One of the five strongest monsters in the Demon Beast Forest, the leader of the dragon species' origin, and a great monster derived from Chaos.
The pinnacle of dragons, the sovereign of magic, possessor of an infinite lifespan. There were many titles for Endros. If you condense and summarize them, they all mean one thing.
Excluding anomalies like the Demon King, he is the most powerful monster in the world at this time. Among the Five Kings, he is the Dragon King with a power proficient in destruction. His name isn't 'End-ros' for nothing.
Of course, as eras pass, the world develops and dragons grow. If I compare the Dragon Lord I killed in my previous life to the Dragon King, they are likely similar. In this life, I'll absorb the Dragon King's soul instead of the Dragon Lord's to increase my strength.
Boom-.
The Dragon King entered the room with steps as heavy as a great boulder. He didn't even glance at the four bed corners where we were hiding. He didn't seem particularly interested.
Showing no interest in lounging or magic research—things other dragons might do—the Dragon King immediately collapsed onto the bed. The bed, large enough for a thousand people, was instantly filled and surged.
"Grrrr...."
Whoosh- Crackle, pop-.
I used the fire from the Dragon King's tail to check his eyes. Instead of gold, they were filled with a deep, ink-like darkness. He seemed to be falling asleep.
I turned my head toward Katarina, with whom I had agreed to signal when the timing was right. As if waiting for the Dragon King to fall completely asleep, Katarina remained silent behind the pillar.
Since I didn't know when the signal would come, I didn't take my eyes off her. About ten minutes passed.
"Grrrr...."
The Dragon King's snoring filled the room. Simultaneously, Katarina's hand appeared above the pillar. Three thin fingers stood atop a small mound. It meant three seconds.
"Get ready, Merlin."
"Y-yes...! Burn, Hellfire of Sin that incinerates magical beasts...!"
Katarina's fingers folded quickly. Two seconds. In that gap, Merlin chanted the activation word and summoned a fireball in the air. Hero Seriel, the King of Humans, the assassin Katarina, and both Victor and Igor were pressing their feet against the ceiling, ready to spring out at any moment.
The final finger folded. One second. Everyone except Merlin and I lunged toward the sleeping Dragon King at the exact same moment. Some thrust spears, some swung swords, some drove in daggers, and others threw fists. Beside me, Merlin unleashed the Hellfire he had fully charged.
Normally, magic requires preparation time, but Merlin is the greatest genius in history, having already reached the 6th Circle. For a Great Mage, three seconds was more than enough to launch a 6th Circle spell.
Kwaaaa-!
"Hyaaa!"
"Haa!"
"Burn! Hellfire!"
"Nyang!"
Boom-!!
A series of thunderous roars followed. Flames, swords, spears, and fists slammed directly into the Dragon King.
A massive cloud of dust rose. Black smoke obscured the vision, and a storm-like current whipped through our clothes. I squinted, opening my sight even through the blindness.
Every single attack from the Hero Party and the King of Humans hit the Dragon King's vitals. Eyes, neck, heart. Each was an attack packed with immense power, including several infused with Sword Energy.
...However.
"Who dares?"
As the smoke cleared and the Dragon King's body was revealed. Surprisingly, there wasn't a single scratch. In fact, the attacks hadn't even touched him. Every strike from the Hero Party and the King of Humans had passed through the Dragon King's body and hit the bedsheets instead.
Damn, it was an illusion.
Sliiiide-.
The silhouette of a dragon floating in the air was transparent at first, then gradually became clear. It was a dragon that looked exactly like the illusion the Hero Party had attacked. Stunned by this unexpected turn of events, we looked up at him in disbelief.
Golden eyes, straight and unwavering, scanned over us.
"Just a bunch of green recruits at an age when they should be out playing."
This was not a sound heard with the ears. The Dragon King simply stared at us, his mouth closed.
A crushing bass echoed inside our heads. There wasn't even a hint of surprise in the voice. It meant he had known of our presence all along.
"To keep an old man like me entertained, you'd at least need to put your lives on the line. Shall we play a game?"