The Encounter Between the Forsaken Healing Magic’s Beloved Child and the Betrayed Black Dragon Princess of Calamity - 24

Chapter 24:  We Should Just Get Rid of the Rules

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“Good riddance. Just why did that guy come here for…?”

Conrad muttered in exasperation as he watched the figure of the blue dragon grow smaller in the distance. 

“Maybe just as he said… He came here on Klaus’ order to check on Mer-san’s condition, but…”

“But…?”

“Most probably, if Mer-san was still weakened from the poison, he would’ve attacked without any hesitation. Not Mer-san though… But Conrad-san and Elsa-san.”

The rules of the Royal Selection strictly prohibited causing harm to the challenger, but there were no rules that protected anyone else. In other words, those dragons had the freedom to eliminate Conrad-san and Elsa-san. Most likely, that was their intention from the start. That must be the reason why they had brought so many dragons along. 

“That’s why, for those dragons… This reconnaissance mission was proven to be useful. They didn’t come here in vain.”

In particular, they got to know that Mer-san was in a good condition. This served as a threat to them, but it also allowed them to prepare for the worst-case scenario. That must be the reason why that blue dragon smiled when he left. 

“So in other words… I was dancing in the palm of their hand…”

“N-No! In a sense, it’s more accurate to say Conrad-san deliberately went along with it!”

“Fufufu~ Basically, it’s all about how you see it, right?”

I tried to console Conrad-san, whose shoulders had slumped dejectedly and Mer-san chuckled softly. 

“Bu-But, it’s true. On our side, we also learned how wary they are of Mer-san. It’s also safe to assume they must be planning something nefarious at the venue of the Royal Selection. I did deliberately provoke them, but unfortunately, the blue dragon didn’t buy it.”

The blue dragon pretended to take the bait, but it was all just a farce to gather information about Mer-san’s condition. He must’ve realized Mer-san’s true condition when she directed her murderous intent at him. That must be the reason why that blue dragon flew away immediately after throwing those parting words. 

“In that case, we must also prepare ourselves thoroughly.”

“Yes.”

We would be fine. We had already anticipated the possibility of them discovering that Mer-san was in perfect condition. We had come up with several countermeasures with that in mind. 

“What’s more concerning is that even though Mer-san is the daughter of the former king and she has issued the Royal Selection challenge, ’ every dragon except for Conrad-san and Elsa-san has sided with Klaus.”

In other words, it meant that many dragons did not wish for the continuation of the previous regime—the rule of the Fafnir family. Even if Mer-san had defeated Klaus in the Royal Selection and she had ascended to the throne as queen, would the dragons pledge their allegiance to her?

“…Regarding Gilbert-sama’s concerns, I believe there will be no issues as long as Mer-san challenges the current king to the Royal Selection and wins honorably. Dragons pledge loyalty to the strongest among them… That is one thing that never changes.”

“Elsa-san…”

Then why are the dragons following Klaus? Is it because Klaus is the strongest? No, I don’t think that’s the case…

According to Conrad-san and Elsa-san, Klaus had declared war on the neighboring human nations, including the Hylics Empire. Putting Mer-san aside, all dragons I had encountered so far had looked down on humans. From a dragon’s perspective, it would not be surprising if they had grown resentful of humans since the humans had taken control of more territories than them. It seemed Klaus had skillfully exploited that pent-up frustration among the dragons to gain their support.

“Gil-kun, it’s fine. I never had any intention to forgive all the dragons from the start.”

“”-?!””

At Mer-san’s nonchalant remark, both Conrad-san and Elsa-san widened their eyes in shock. After all, they were included in the “all the dragons” she had referred to.

“Um… Mer-san…”

“What is it?”

I timidly called out to her and Mer-san responded cheerfully, her face lighting up with a smile. After being betrayed by the dragons, it seemed she would never direct that smile toward anyone else but me… Ever.

But still…

“Unlike the dragons who refused to come to your aid even after knowing you’ve issued a Royal Selection challenge to that Klaus guy,  Conrad-san and Elsa-san are standing by your side like this, you know?”

“…That’s true. And all without breaking the rules, of course.”

Realizing I was trying to defend the two of them, Mer-san furrowed her eyebrows together and turned her face away from me. But still, their strength would be absolutely indispensable in the battle against Klaus—and beyond after Mer-san came victorious in the Royal Selection and became queen of the dragons.

“If the rules bound them and prevented them from helping you, you just need to get rid of those rules after you become queen. After all, these rules also allowed Klaus to resort to such cowardly tactics, poisoning you and causing you so much pain in return.”

Of course, the main source of Mer-san’s agony was Klaus, but it could be said the dragons’ rules were what led us to this situation. Without those rules, Klaus would never have become king. He wouldn’t receive the support of the other dragons either. Without those rules, Conrad-san and Elsa-san could’ve stood by Mer-san’s side and offered their aid to her. The rules were the cause of this too. 

“That’s why, Mer-san. Let’s get rid of these rules that have caused you so much suffering. Besides, you’ve already turned your back on the dragons, haven’t you? In that case, there’s no reason for you to remain bound by the dragons’ rules.”

“Yes… That’s true….”

Though Mer-san nodded at my words, her expression still carried a hint of loneliness. Well, of course. The rules had been a significant part of her life until now. Conrad-san and Elsa-san too. Both of them looked like they wanted to say something but chose to remain silent. They, too, had wanted to help Mer-san, but were powerless because of the rules, leaving them in bitter frustration. Watching the three of them, I steeled my thoughts. 

The rules that only cause suffering to someone so important to me should disappear… Wha-?!

“Wha-Wha-Whaa!?”

Suddenly, I was pulled into an embrace, causing me to let out a confused yelp. 

“Fufufu~ You’ve opened my eyes, Gil-kun. You’re right. Even though I hate those dragons so much, but I’m still bound by the rules… By my very nature as a dragon.”

“Mer-san….”

“I promise. When I win the Royal Selection and become queen, I’ll abolish all the rules. And then, I’ll create… A new rule, one where only Gil-kun… Can be happy..”

“T-that doesn’t sound right either, though…”

I glanced at Conrad-san and Elsa-san, hoping they would offer some help to me, but both of them turned their eyes away.

Even though I’ve made that suggestion for their sake, but now they’re being so cruel to me… 

“Haah…”

While being embraced by Mer-san, I let out a small sigh. 

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