The Encounter Between the Forsaken Healing Magic’s Beloved Child and the Betrayed Black Dragon Princess of Calamity - 37

Chapter 37: Everyone Here Die

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A large number of dragons, all in their human form, were bowing with their foreheads pressed flat against the floor. 

“Me-Mer-san, this is…”

“Fufu~ Yes. These are the worthless trash who betrayed me… The people who betrayed the Fafnir and chose to follow Klaus instead.”

“””-?!”””

Mer-san’s smile vanished in an instant, replaced by an overwhelming killing intent as she declared those words. The assembled dragons bowed even lower, cold sweat dripping from them.

“…Aside from Klaus and his close aide, Reiner, everyone who participated in the Royal Selection was a soldier of the Dragroar Kingdom. The ones gathered here are bureaucrats who oversaw the kingdom’s internal affairs. As for those pompous fools standing off to the side… They’re nothing but retired deadweights who do nothing but interfere in politics… In short, the elder council.”

“You bastard…! Conrad-!”

“Silence.”

Some of the enraged elder dragons stood up and shouted, but the moment Mer-san barked in a thunderous roar at them, they shrank back and prostrated themselves once more. Indeed. Just as Conrad-san had said, they clearly disliked having to bow their heads to Mer-san. Unlike the bureaucrats who remained kneeling, the elder’s gestures felt purely for show.

“There are also the citizens of Dragroar Kingdom, including women and children alike, but they are awaiting their judgement in their homes.”

“Umm… That means they’re also…?”

“Yes.  Every one of them betrayed the Fafnir family and sided with Klaus.”

Hearing Elsa’s explanation, my shoulders slumped down. I had hoped, just for a little bit though, that at least the people living in the city wouldn’t be part of this. But… If the citizens were involved as well, that meant aside from Conrad-san and Elsa-san, every single dragon in the kingdom had turned against Mer-san… No. Against the whole Fafnir family.

“That’s just too cruel…”

I could understand to some extent how the kingdom’s restrictive laws had built up frustration and resentment in the people’s heart over the years. Even if Klaus had won the Royal Selection through cowardly means like using poison, the people still ended up supporting him because of that resentment, especially since they didn’t know about Klaus’ underhanded methods. 

But… Mer-san hadn’t even participated in the previous Royal Selection. That fight was only between the former king and Klaus, so… Why? Why did they abandon her instead of trying to save her when her life was in danger? Why did they despise Mer-san so much?

“…I’m fine, you know? After all, I have you, Gil-kun. From the moment we met, you’ve always stayed by my side no matter how much suffering you have to endure. You’re always here to support me and save me. That’s why… I’m okay now.”

That means… She wasn’t okay before she met me. That means she had been suffering alone before that… That’s just… That’s just…

“Hic…”

“Gil-kun is really such a crybaby… A very kind crybaby at that. Someone who cares about me a lot…”

“Mm..”

Tears of frustration spilled from my eyes and Mer-san gently scooped them up with her index finger.

“Anyway, that’s how it is. The only one I need is you, Gil-kun. Everything else is meaningless to me.”

“Ah…! Wh-Whoa?!”

By the time I realized it, Mer-san had lifted me up and sat down on the throne with me on her lap. 

“U-Umm… I think this is a bit…”

“It’s fine. From now on, you should always sit on my lap, Gil-kun.”

“Tha-That’s…”

No matter how I think about it, this is way too embarrassing… I’m already 10 years old this year, so maybe it’s still fine for me to sit on someone’s lap, but once I grow bigger, there’s no way I can sit on her lap. Absolutely no way. My heart wouldn’t be able to take it. 

“Now then, shall we begin?”

“Yes!”

Standing beside the throne, Conrad bowed at Mer-san. Since he was originally the captain of the kingdom’s royal guards, I guess protecting the king like this was his job as well. 

“Now then… Do any of you have something to say?”

Mer-san looked down at the dragons prostrating before her, her crimson eyes filled with cold indifference. They all shrank back in unison. No one dared to lift their face, let alone speak.

“What a waste of time. So, does that mean I’m free to deal with you all as I please?”

“!? N-No! That’s not—”

“Not what? Are you saying you still wish to rebel against me?”

“N-Never! Please, have mercy!”

The man who had hurried to deny it was immediately caught in Mer-san’s trap. His face turned pale as he pressed his forehead to the floor, begging for forgiveness. Mer-san, however, merely watched him with clear boredom etched on her face. If they were going to be this terrified, they shouldn’t have sided with Klaus in the first place. 

“Conrad, this is getting us nowhere. What exactly do these people want?”

“Needless to say, they wish to apologize for siding with Klaus and swear their loyalty to Her Highness—no, to Her Majesty, Mercedes.”

At Conrad’s words, the dragons eagerly nodded in agreement, as if Conrad-san had voiced their very thoughts.

Even while bowing down, they can still move their heads like that. They’re really dexterous in a lot of senses. 

I thought to myself despite the gravity of this situation. 

“I see. If you’ve had a change of heart and wish to serve me… Let’s see…”

Mer-san placed a finger to her lips as if she was pondering her options. Combined with her striking beauty, the gesture was incredibly alluring. Watching her acting this enchanting, I grew flustered. Feeling my cheeks turning warm, I quickly turned my face away.

“Alright. I have one condition in order for me to accept your loyalty.”

“-?! A-And what might that be!?”

The dragons grew agitated, their eyes were filled with hope as they looked up at Mer-san.

And then…

“It’s simple, really. I just want everyone here to die.”

Mer-san said with a sweet smile on her face.

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