The Encounter Between the Forsaken Healing Magic’s Beloved Child and the Betrayed Black Dragon Princess of Calamity - 19

Chapter 19: The Mystery Behind the Poison

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“…I don’t really like that plan, but I’m in favor of destroying the Hylics Empire.”

She said while peeking through the gaps between her fingers, revealing her crimson eyes and baring her sharp fangs.

“Ple-Please wait. I think that’s going a bit too far…”

“Why? A country that only hurt and scorned Gil-kun has no value in this world. In fact, I believe their existence would only be a harm to this world. 

“B-but…”

Indeed. It was true that I had suffered a lot in the imperial palace. I had nothing but painful experiences there. I didn’t care about the Emperor who had abandoned me and the people in the palace who had always bullied me. But still…

“Well… I believe there are good people among the people I haven’t met yet. Just like there are people who are suffering, I know there are good people. That’s why, I think it’s wrong to hurt those who don’t have anything to do with this.”

The soldiers who had escorted me to the forest even saluted me, despite knowing me as the useless Sixth Prince. Even if they only did that because I had given them my money, but…

“If I hadn’t met Mer-san, I would never have known how kind dragons can be. So, I think it’s not too late yet for Mer-san to first understand what kind of people the humans are before making any drastic decision.”

The reason why I could think like this was because I had met Mer-san. Thanks to our encounter, I learned that there were genuinely kind and wonderful people in this world. 

“I’m sorry for saying this, especially after you got so angry on my behalf… Wait- Whoa!?”

“Geez… When someone as kind as you says that, of course I won’t be able to do anything else.”

When I bowed my head and apologized, Mer-san suddenly pulled me into a strong hug.

“Fine. I won’t recklessly kill anyone except for those who directly did terrible things to Gil-kun.”

“Ahaha…”

So basically, that means there’s no mercy for the ones who hurt me, right?

She was a bit scary, but rather than that, I was happy that she’d say something like that for my sake.

“Ahem.”

Elsa-san cleared her throat, snapping me back to reality.

Ah, right. Now isn’t the time to be doing this.

“Anyway, I now understand that Klaus is someone who dared to entertain such arrogant thoughts.”

Mer-san nodded, returning to a serious expression. Though for some reason, I was still being held tightly in Mer-san’s embrace. 

“U-Umm… So when and how will the Royal Selection be carried out?”

I decided to ask about the things I had been wondering about. The Royal Selection was an important battle to determine the next king. I thought something like that would be conducted properly with complicated procedures and everything. But…

“The Royal Selection can be held at any time. There’s no need for formal arrangements or preparations.”

“Huh?!”

I couldn’t stop myself from raising my face upon hearing Mer-san’s response. 

“Essentially, it’s just a way to determine the strongest dragon in the Dragroar Kingdom. You can fight whenever and wherever you feel like it. However, only the challenger can initiate the battle.”

In other words, the timing and location of the fight were entirely up to Mer-san.

“…I see. That’s good. We have one less thing to worry about then.”

“Gil-kun?”

“If Mer-san has the freedom to decide when and where the Royal Selection begins, we can use that to our advantage to thwart Klaus’ schemes.”

The former king, Mer-san’s father, was defeated by Klaus because of the poison that he had administered to him. Besides, the challenger had the right to initiate the Royal Selection. Klaus timed his challenge perfectly, striking when the former king had been weakened by the poison. 

“I see… If we can choose the date and location, then no matter what Klaus plans, it’ll all be for nothing.”

“Ple-Please wait! The Royal Selection is a sacred duel fought with absolute fairness! But Your Highness and that boy…”

“He’s not ‘that boy.’ He has a wonderful name: Gilbert Furst Hylics.”

“M-My apologies! But from Gilbert-dono’s words, it almost sounds as if you’re accusing His Majesty Klaus of breaking the sacred rules of the Royal Selection first!”

Conrad-san interjected, his voice tinged with shock as he asked the question. Upon closer inspection, even Elsa-san’s eyes were slightly widened from shock. 

“Yes, that’s right. That man had the audacity to poison my father, my mother, and even me. Then, he challenged my father to the Royal Selection while my father was still suffering from poison and claimed victory.”

“What…?!”

It was clear that neither Conrad-san nor Elsa-san had known this. The reason Klaus went out of his way to use the Royal Selection to claim the throne was likely because he couldn’t afford to lose the trust of the other dragons. Exposing his schemes to the rest of them would have been disastrous for him.

“P-Please wait. Can poison even affect us dragons in the first place?”

“It worked and that’s the undeniable truth.”

Seemingly in doubt, Elsa-san asked that question and Mer-san answered sharply. 

But wait… Just now… 

“Wa-Wait a second. Dragons… Do dragons have some kind of resistance to poison?”

“…Dragons are born with natural resistance to all forms of status ailments. As far as I know, there’s no poison that could have such a significant effect on a dragon…”

Elsa-san explained.

“Except for your poison.”

“….”

Mer-san added sharply. Her crimson eyes narrowed on Elsa-san.

“…I know that poison wasn’t your doing. After all, your poison wouldn’t work on the Fafnir.”

“Yes.”

Realizing Mer-san didn’t suspect her, Elsa-san looked visibly relaxed. Her expression softened with relief. However, based on their conversation, it became apparent to me that the poison Klaus had used on Mer-san wasn’t just an ordinary poison. Especially the poison that could be obtained from the Dark Forest of the Duflussweise Mountain. Just like Elsa-san had said, the Fafnir wouldn’t be affected by the said poison. So… Where did Klaus obtain his poison?

“There’s something suspicious here…”

Covering my mouth, I murmured softly so no one else could hear.

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