âââââââ
There was no point in prolonging the conversation.
Hans, along with Helia, immediately departed on their wyverns.
Their objective was to deal with the dragon occupying the Orcish territory. He briefly considered whether bringing Yuren would have been wiser, but it was too late now.
He hadnât anticipated actually encountering a dragon causing havoc. Dwelling on hypothetical scenarios was pointless.
Sensing the dragonâs presence, the wyverns began to tremble with fear. Fortunately, they didnât turn back.
Upon reaching their destination, Hans entrusted Helia with the wyverns.
âTeacher, but then...â
âIt will be difficult to leave without the wyverns.â
â...Understood.â
Helia, unusually compliant, didnât argue.
This was partly due to Hansâs direct command, but also because she had noticed a subtle shift in his behavior.
He seemed to be avoiding her.
âWas there something wrong? If so, I can fix it.â
Helia thought, but a pang of sadness resonated within her chest. She obeyed without complaint. She didnât want to be disliked any further.
Hans, surprised by Heliaâs submissiveness, turned his attention to the task at hand.
What was once an Orcish village was now shrouded in an unsettling silence. It felt like exploring a desolate ruin.
The oppressive atmosphere weighed on Hansâs spirits.
He began walking, hoping to shake off the unpleasant feeling.
âThere it is.â@@novelbin@@
The dragon was sprawled out in the innermost part of the village, fast asleep.
Hans swallowed.
What should he do? Should he launch a surprise attack while it slept?
But what if there was a legitimate reason for its actions? What if news of this reached the other dragons, and they turned against the Royal Knights?
The mere thought sent shivers down Hansâs spine.
Being Commander meant considering all possibilities, anticipating all consequences.
âWake up, dragon.â
[...Who dares disturb my slumber?]
âIâm right in front of you. See for yourself.â
[A voice devoid of fear.]
It was a black-scaled dragon.
Its eyes, now open, were a chilling icy blue.
The dragon looked down at Hans.
[Fearless. Or perhaps, numbed by overwhelming terror?]
The dragon mocked him openly.
To it, Hans appeared to be nothing more than a weak, powerless human.
Those who knew of Hans of the Royal Knights wouldnât think so.
Unfortunately, this dragon was unaware of Hansâs identity. And that meant his usual bluffs wouldnât work.
He was in trouble.
Hans racked his brain.
He didnât want to fight a dragon here.
He wouldnât make the same mistake twice.
He would establish himself here, slowly expanding his influence, ensuring the dragons received the respect they deserved.
So, Zaerkan, in a rare display of mercy, had driven the Orcs out.
They had foolishly attempted to fight back, but one, slightly wiser than the rest, had stepped forward.
[We will not die meaningless deaths here.]
âAnd now this insignificant creature...â
Zaerkan despised all races equally, but he reserved a special loathing for humans.
Dwarves at least possessed skill, Beastmen and Orcs had strength. Humans had nothing.
They were nothing without their numbers.
The Commander of the Royal Knights had been making a name for himself recently, but he was still just a human.
Zaerkan could easily crush him.
He yawned, watching the human with amusement. He would see what this insignificant creature would do.
[Hah! Go ahead, try...]
But he couldnât finish his sentence. His voice cut off abruptly.
Zaerkan felt a surge of confusion.
What was happening? Why couldnât he speak?
His vision swam, the world spinning around him.
âDid that human do something?â
Whatever it was, he wouldnât be defeated so easily.
Zaerkan rose to his feet, his massive form towering over the human. He swung his claws, tearing the man apart.
He looked at the blood and viscera coating his claws, a satisfied smirk spreading across his face.
At least, in his mind.
[W-what...?!]
His body wouldnât obey him.
Zaerkan shifted his gaze, thinking his vision had finally cleared. But then he saw it.
His own black-scaled body, his pride and joy.
âWhy is my body over there?â
He quickly understood.
The body was headless.
In that instant, Zaerkan realized what had happened. He had been decapitated in the blink of an eye.
[I-impossible! Defeated by a mere human?!]
âArrogance and carelessness. You paid the price.â
[You! Who are you?!]
âCommander of the Royal Knights, Hans.â
At the sound of his cold voice, Zaerkanâs face was a mask of shock.
Hans, the dangerous human they had spoken of...
Rage consumed him.
[Do you think Iâll die here?!]
But despite his defiant words, Zaerkanâs voice faded away.
âââââââ
[Translator Notes]