The Encounter Between the Forsaken Healing Magic’s Beloved Child and the Betrayed Black Dragon Princess of Calamity - 15

Chapter 15: The Crisis that Befell the Imperial Capital ※Hagen Hertling’s POV

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※Hagen Hertling’s POV

“Phew…”

A week had passed since Prince Gilbert departed for the Dark Forest, and I set down my pen, exhaling as I took a short break from the government duties in my office.

“I hope he’s arrived safe and sound…”

To ensure Prince Gilbert’s safety, I had assigned soldiers from the Hertling family instead of the imperial soldiers. Considering the treatment he had received at the palace, there was a high possibility he might suffer terribly on his journey to the Dark Forest or worse, he might get killed by soldiers lured by greed for wealth. 

“The imperial palace really is a den of evil.”

The palace could very well be more dangerous than the Dark Forest itself. After all, that place was filled with cunning people, eager to trip others to ensure their own gain. Not to mention, the five princes, along with the nobles who support them, were engaging in a brutal struggle for the throne. Each of them were hoping to secure the position of the next emperor. Not to mention, His Majesty the Emperor himself was subtly encouraging this competition. The newest military campaign must be intended to provoke further conflict among the brothers. 

That is why…

“Prince Gilbert’s existence might be considered as a hindrance to those people.”

If there was a noble who actually considered supporting Prince Gilbert, the succession struggle would turn into a quagmire. While all of the princes were currently at odds, nothing overtly dangerous had happened yet. However, if Prince Gilbert got caught up in the succession struggle, those who stood on the opposition side might resort to more direct, possibly violent measures. No. I was certain of that. They would definitely try to eliminate Prince Gilbert. 

Once things started getting out of hand, the Empire would be torn apart, leading us to the worst possible future. 

“…What am I doing? I’m just making excuses for myself…”

Yes. I was just making excuses. By claiming it was for the future of the Empire… For the sake of peace.. I tried to justify my actions. I had turned a blind eye to Prince Gilbert’s plight despite knowing the truth. The moment I abandoned him, I had become a complicit. No. Knowing the situation and choosing not to lend a hand made my sin even heavier. The reason I had Prince Gilbert attend the audience chamber was partly to arrange a meeting between him and His Majesty the Emperor, who had never once laid eyes on him, but also because I knew His Majesty might try to eliminate Prince Gilbert upon realizing his existence. Due to my plan, Prince Gilbert practically had received a death penalty in the form of being appointed as the lord of the Dark Forest. 

“I should stop dwelling on this any further.”

Shaking my head, I rose from my seat and gazed out the window. There were some clouds in the sky, but the weather was clear enough to be called fine weather. 

“Alright.”

After stretching my body for a bit, I was about to return to my desk and resume my duties when—

“Hm?”

A shadow glided across the vast sky. No, upon closer look, several shadows trailed behind it. It was almost as if the shadows were moving in formation. At first glance, they seemed like the shadow of birds, but…

Wait, could it be—!?

The shadows loomed closer to the imperial palace and soon enough, their size and shape became unmistakable.

Yes… There was no mistaking it. It was the dragons. The dragons were coming to the imperial palace. 

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“Grrrr…”

In the throne room, Friedrich Furst Hylics, the current Emperor of the Hylics Empire was groaning angrily. His face contorted in frustration. Well, this reaction was to be expected. After all, His Majesty.. Or to be precise, everyone in the imperial capital of Pralg had witnessed a tremendous power beyond anyone’s imagination. It was truly a force of power that no mere human could hope to oppose.

“We’ve sent urgent orders for Prince Reinhardt and Prince Albert to return from their expedition, while Prince Gunther is going to continue with the northern campaign. Furthermore, half of the imperial capital is now in ruins…”

“You think I don’t know that already!?”

At the status report, His Majesty slammed his fist against the armrest of the throne. His voice roared with anger. Yes. The flock of dragons that had descended upon the imperial capital had unleashed destruction with their massive jaws. Then, their apparent leader, a magnificent white dragon, had declared confidently in a thunderous roar.

“We are the proud dragonkin from the Kingdom of Dragroar! Submit to us! Live like livestock, stay obedient to us like the inferior creatures you are! If you dare to resist, we shall turn everything in this land into scorched earth!” 

Faced with such a horrific proclamation along with the scene of carnage around us, we were at a loss. Even the proud and self-righteous Emperor, who had always ruled with unwavering confidence, was rendered utterly speechless. The dragons left us with an ultimatum. Submit or face annihilation. We were given three months to make our choice. After the dragons had made their point, they nodded in approval, seemingly satisfied. Then they vanished into the skies above the imperial capital. 

“Curse them…!! They will repay this humiliation a thousandfold!”

“However, Your Majesty, the imperial army lacks the means to fight back against dragons in the sky. Even if we were to try to shoot them with magic or arrows, the distance would be too great and their beams of light far surpass our entire strength combined.”

“Then what do you propose we do!? You want me to bow my head and grovel before them like a pathetic scum?!”

“…”

The Emperor was right—leaving things as they were was not an option. Those dragons had called us “livestock,” which meant to them, humans were nothing more than food. If that was how they saw us, then it was only a matter of time before they sought to annihilate us completely.

“That’s why we are recalling the princes. First, we will negotiate with the dragons to buy time. During that time, we will strengthen our military forces, seek cooperation with other nations and devise a strategy to overcome this crisis. We need to ensure we can gather enough strength to make a comeback against the dragons.”

“Grrr…”

Based on the direction the dragons flew off to, it seemed they were coming from the Dark Forest. 

…Who would’ve thought the  legend of the dragons is not just a mere legend…

In the center of the Dark Forest, there was Mountain Duflussweise,home to the kingdom of dragons based on legend. The fairy tale I once recounted to Prince Gilbert was now unfolding before my very eyes in a manner I never could have imagined.

How is Prince Gilbert faring…?

With a face flushed with rage, His Majesty continued to shout and I found myself unable to focus on his words. Instead, my thoughts wandered to the Sixth Prince, who had been banished to the Dark Forest.

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