RVBCT 28

Chapter 28 …

That detestable middle-aged man was the same as always. The kind of person who seemed to believe anyone who did not follow him was simply foolish.

There was nothing wrong with being confident in one’s superiority. But why look down on others? Did he truly believe he was superior in every possible way? There was no way I could get along with someone who held such a distorted view of the world.

“…You again. I already told you—I have no intention of joining you or handing over the Star Fragment.”

“We cannot afford to give up. In fact, preparations have already been completed to destroy this city. If you do not hand over the Star Fragment, many people will die.”

“If you want to destroy it, go ahead. It has nothing to do with me.”

Of course, it was something that should be stopped, but I responded calmly regardless. Even if I handed over the fragment here, the Dark Dragon would still be summoned in the end. These people were part of a shadow organization that had killed many others—I had no reason to trust them.

If there was any way to avoid fighting the Dark Dragon in this situation, it would only be to kill them instantly. Otherwise, they would contact those waiting outside the city, and the summoning would proceed. If they were foolish enough, there might be some loophole, but this was a leader of an organization that controlled hundreds—far more likely they were cunning.

Well, I couldn’t kill people anyway, so thinking about it was pointless.

“…Do you not care that tens of thousands of people will die because of you?”

“It is not because of me—it is because of you. Don’t shift responsibility onto others. Or do you believe all the crimes you have committed were caused by someone else? If so, that’s a dangerous way of thinking.”

“What!? It’s obviously the country’s fault for persecuting us! They all deserve to die!”

The woman standing beside the man shouted back angrily. She had likely lived a painful life because she possessed dark attribute magic. I could understand that much, and I did feel some sympathy. But there was little I could actually do for her. The most I could do was collect the Star Fragments and ask the king to end discrimination.

“Whatever your circumstances, the one who chose to kill others is you. The lives of those you took, and the hatred of those left behind—that is what you must bear. That is responsibility. You would do well to keep that in mind.”

“What…? What the hell are you saying!?”

I tilted my head. I didn’t understand what she was getting so upset about. Why was she tearing up? I didn’t know, so I chose not to respond further.

For now, my priority was to stall as naturally as possible while making my way outside the city. The goal was to delay the fight and reduce the time I would be alone in combat. So I kept the conversation going.

“So? What are you going to do? Even if you destroy the city, you still won’t get my Star Fragment. In fact, it will only create chaos and make your escape easier.”

“So you really intend to abandon everyone. I had forgotten—you are that kind of cold-hearted person. Even though you are of the same dark attribute, you would abandon your own kind.”

“This world is survival of the fittest.”

Survival of the fittest. In the Soleil Kingdom, where monsters frequently appear, the belief is that the weak are at fault for dying. If you choose to fight, you must take responsibility for your own life.

This was a common mindset among adventurers. If you try to save others and die yourself, it accomplishes nothing. It is better to regret things after surviving.

However, my answer apparently displeased the middle-aged man. His face twisted—but quickly returned to that unpleasant smile.

“By the way, I’ve obtained an interesting piece of information. Zagan-dono, it seems you are romantically involved with the prince. And not only that—you’ve been seen embracing him in public and even kissing him. I never imagined someone so composed would be so accustomed to being held by a man.”

“Are you a stalker? That’s behavior befitting a criminal organization.”

“Yes, we are criminals. So we would not hesitate to defile you, either.”

“You can’t. With your abilities, you can’t even touch me. The reason you don’t come closer is because you know your arm would be severed instantly. Don’t bluff.”

“…You really know how to provoke people. And besides, don’t expect us to get aroused over a man.”

That much was obvious. Most men were like that. Ryuka and I were the exceptions. Even so, it wasn’t like anyone would do.

The reason I could accept Ryuka was because I could feel his love for me.

Still… if he knew it was impossible, why say it? Had he imagined something unpleasant and turned pale? Perhaps he had intended to disturb me, but instead he was the one shaken. This man might be more foolish than I thought.

“Haa… talking to you only irritates me more. Especially that expressionless face. It’s as if you see through everything. I hate it. I want to twist that face in pain.”

“If you want to fight, then do it without pointless threats. If you want the Star Fragment, kill me and take it.”

“…I see. A wonderful proposal. Of course we accept. I look forward to distorting your expression. Ah, but we are running out of time. Let us move outside. We cannot fight here.”

It seemed they realized dungeon challengers would soon exit. I didn’t know when Ryuka would be transferred out, but I had managed to buy some time.

As before, I followed them while being surrounded, keeping my mana slightly released to maintain intimidation. No matter what, I did not want to be touched by any man other than Ryuka.

We moved southeast of the dungeon and descended into a hidden underground passage beneath the outer wall surrounding the city.

“I doubt such a passage existed originally. Did you dig it yourselves?”

“Yes. If a group like ours tried to pass through the main gate wearing hoods, we would be stopped immediately.”

That made sense. From the outside, we would look suspicious.

Ryuka should be able to sense my general location through the communication device. I could sense him too, but he was still inside the dungeon. Whether he could find this underground route or not… I had no way of telling him the exact position, which was frustrating.

We left the city and continued walking. The presence of dark attribute mana gradually grew stronger. If someone didn’t know the scenario, they might think even more people had gathered than before.

Soon, trees increased around us and the terrain turned into a forest. At the same time, a massive surge of dark mana erupted.

“…A summoning spell.”

“Correct. Now, Zagan-dono. Welcome to your slaughter scene.”

There, just as before, a large number of dark attribute users had gathered. Above them loomed a massive miasma, and the Dark Dragon was already emerging.

Five of them.

Just as expected.

At the moment I confirmed this, I released a massive wave of mana and pressure. I intended to knock them all unconscious, unsure of who was controlling the summoning. However, the ritual was already complete, and the dragons continued emerging one after another.

At least half of the organization collapsed from my pressure. That prevented them from attacking the city or interfering further. The remaining ones would need to carry the unconscious away, or they would be crushed.

GROOOOAAARRR!!

The Dark Dragons roared like earthquakes. Each one was nearly ten meters long, forcing me to look up.

I clicked my tongue. The summoned monsters were bound to the summoner’s will—meaning their target was entirely me. Ten eyes locked onto me as their wings beat violently.

“…Hahaha! Too bad—you won’t be able to stop us—guh!”

From behind, the man’s voice cut off with a groan, followed by a thud.

I glanced back briefly while keeping my focus on the dragons—and saw Ryuka stepping on the man and knocking him unconscious with magic.

I blinked in disbelief.

Ryuka’s expression was cold, but the moment he saw me, he rushed over in concern and pulled me into a tight embrace.

“Zagan, are you okay? That pervert didn’t do anything to you, right?”

“I-I’m fine. More importantly, aren’t you here too fast?”

“I teleported from the safe zone to the main hall right after your message. When you were talking to that man, I was already in the hall. When you moved, I followed while hiding my presence. Hehe… you didn’t even notice me. I’m happy.”

What was this man capable of?

Ryuka had taken even more optimal actions than I expected.

“…The communication signal is quite far away though.”

“That’s because I gave the device to Noel. Noel, can you hear me?”

“Yes, I can hear you! We’re heading there too, so please hold out until we arrive!”

“Noel, no. It’s too dangerous here—mmph.”

My lips were pressed shut by his finger, then he kissed my cheek.

“Don’t worry, Zagan. They’ve been training with me too. They’re much stronger now. I understand your desire to protect what’s important—but you should also acknowledge Noel’s feelings of wanting to fight with you.”

“Noel’s… feelings…”

Now that he mentioned it, I realized I had never truly considered it. I had always refused, insisting I wasn’t her brother.

That was understandable—but I had no right to deny her feelings entirely.

“This is dangerous, but it’s the same for me. I don’t know how strong Noel is, but if Ryuka says it’s fine, I should trust him.”

“First, let’s prepare magical equipment.”

I nodded quickly.

Ryuka had already deployed a magical barrier, protecting us from the dragons’ black flames.

I quickly set up a small barrier around myself, then expanded a large hexagonal city barrier about 1km wide. The city would be safe unless attacked from the sides.

While I prepared, Ryuka charged into the Dark Dragons.

Even when struck by flames or claws, his barrier held. He drew aggro while using sword techniques to keep them focused on him.

I gathered massive mana into my staff and released the spell.

“Black stars, gather before me—Darkness Meteor!”

Thousands of black magical projectiles fell from the sky, striking the dragons. Ryuka was caught in it too, but his barrier protected him.

After several minutes, the rain of meteors stopped.

The dragons were still standing.

My strongest spell only reduced them by 1–2%.

SSS-rank monsters… as expected.

Still, Ryuka kept their attention on him.

“Everything shall be erased—Explosion!”

A massive area-wide explosion engulfed everything. The battlefield was already a sea of black flames.

After two more casts, I drank a mana potion and repeated the cycle. Thanks to the staff made by Miranda, Nina, and Camila, I could cast four ultimate spells in a row.

Even so, there were five dragons. I was being pushed back.

Claws forced me to cancel spells mid-cast. Sometimes I was thrown into the air, forced to cast while falling. I mitigated impact with body reinforcement and magic, but it was still dangerous.

“Zagan, are you okay!?—Gah!”

Ryuka was struck by a tail and sent flying.

“Ryuka!”

A dragon charged him—but he escaped using tendrils, pulling himself instantly with nearby trees.

He counterattacked, slamming one dragon into the city barrier. Ryuka was growing stronger.

“Ryuka, switch! I’ll take aggro—you recover in the back!”

“What!? That’s too dangerous for you to fight close range without magic tools!”

“Don’t underestimate me. I’ll dodge everything—or block it.”

“Zagan—!”

I stepped forward.

I evaded claws, blocked flames, and advanced.

“Noel’s cloak strengthened my defense, allowing me to withstand hits.