The Encounter Between the Forsaken Healing Magic’s Beloved Child and the Betrayed Black Dragon Princess of Calamity - 45

Chapter 45: Death Sentence ※Hagen Hertling’s POV

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※Hagen Hertling’s POV

“What’s the damage to ‘Westminster’?”

“W-Well…”

“Speak up!”

“Yes, Sir! The town is completely destroyed because of multiple dragons, but fortunately, the residents narrowly escaped harm!”

“…I see.”

Suppressing the urge to shout at the report from my subordinate, I sank heavily into my chair. The destruction of one of the empire’s most prominent trade city was a significant blow to us, but at least the residents were safe. That was good news at least. 

But more importantly…

“Why did the dragons go back on their promise…?”

Clenching my fists, I gritted my teeth. Two months ago, a massive dragon swarm led by a white dragon appeared in the imperial capital, Pralg. They destroyed half of the capital and gave us a choice:: submit to them or face annihilation. Back then, the white dragon clearly told us that we had three months to decide and yet… One month later, the dragon horde returned. They didn’t only attack the capital, but they also ravaged the other cities across the empire.

Against dragons that could fly, the empire—no, humanity—was powerless. We had no choice but to let them rampaging as they pleased. We immediately sent letters to neighboring nations proposing an alliance to confront the threat, but their replies confirmed they were suffering the same fate as us. At this rate… Before the three month deadline could arrive, the empire would already be in ruins. 

“What should we do…?”

Covering my face with my right hand, I let out a pathetic groan. 

As the chancellor, I had worked tirelessly, day and night, to do everything I could. Yet, none of it amounted to anything. That said, none of it served as an excuse or a justification for my inability to defend the nation against the dragons.

“If only we could negotiate with the dragons…”

That thought crossed my mind, but the dragons’ home was located in Mountain Duflussweise, deep within the Dark Forest. Any human who ventured there would quickly fall prey to monsters and become their food.

“…Gilbert-sama is likely inside a monster’s stomach by now.”

He was a pitiful boy who was unfortunate enough to be born between the emperor and a lowly servant. The emperor didn’t even remember him or knew about his existence since he only slept with the servant on a whim. Despite being a prince, Gilbert-sama was forced to live in worse conditions than even the palace’s servants. In the end, his own father, the emperor, cast him away into the Dark Forest.

Of course, the blame didn’t lay on His Majesty alone. I was at fault too. I was the one who turned a blind eye to the injustice Gilbert-sama had to go through in the palace and I was also the one who had brought him before the emperor. In a sense, I was the one who forsake him to the Dark Forest. 

“Haha… Maybe this is Gilbert-sama’s curse.”

Thinking back, the dragons’ arrival happened not long after Gilbert-sama left the capital. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that there was a connection between Gilbert-sama’s disappearance and the dragons’ arrival. Mountain Duflussweise was located in the Dark Forest. If Gilbert-sama somehow befriended the dragons and sought revenge on the empire…

“No, no. There’s no way…”

I shook my head, brushing away the absurd speculation. My subordinates had reported to me that Gilbert-sama had entered the Dark Forest alone. That meant he must’ve already encountered monsters and was eaten before he could meet the dragon since the dragon’s homeland was located deep in the forest. 

But then…

“I-It’s an emergency!”

“What is it?!”

“A massive red dragon and a purple dragon have appeared in the skies over the imperial capital!”

The soldier’s sudden report was enough to plunge me into utter despair.

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“I-I’m Friedrich Furst Hylics, Emperor of the Hylics Empire!”

The two dragons had descended into the palace gardens and His Majesty introduced himself while craning his neck upward. His Majesty raised his head so high that it must’ve hurt to do so. At a glance, these dragons appeared to be far more composed and rational compared to the ones rampaging across the empire.

“I’m  Conrad Gargouille, Captain of the Royal Guard of the Dragroar Kingdom!”

“””-?!?!”””

Laced deep with anger, the voice of the red dragon sent a shudder deep into our cores. There was no mistaking it. This red dragon was downright furious. 

“I-If the empire has slighted you in some way, then I offer you our sincerest apologies. Please, I beg you to quell your anger…”

Though I didn’t know the reason why he was so furious, it seemed wise to apologize as soon as I could. And so, I stepped forward and offered the dragon our apologies. 

“Oh? And what, exactly, are you apologizing for?”

“That’s… I’m deeply sorry, but I have no idea what you… Or rather, the dragons, are angry about.”

“I see.”

The red dragon fixed its furious gaze on me. I shrank back, speaking honestly despite the fear plaguing my bones. There were too many things I didn’t know about and coming up with a bad lie would only worsen the situation. My experience as chancellor told me as much, but it seemed my judgement had failed me. 

“DON’T JOKE WITH ME!! ARE YOU TELLING ME YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU’VE DONE?!”

“Hi-Hiiii!!”

The red dragon’s roar was enough to make me collapse on the spot. My legs gave out beneath me. By the time I realized it, a warm sensation spread down my thighs, but I wasn’t the only one. Neither the emperor nor anyone present could remain standing. 

“I’ve had enough! Know that the only path left for you is destruction!”

With that shout, the red dragon grabbed its glaive and aimed the blade straight at us. 

“…Please wait. Your anger is justified, but delivering judgment upon these wretches is not our task.”

“Mmm…”

The red dragon growled but was subdued by the purple dragon’s rebuke. However, the purple dragon’s gaze upon us was no less chilling. Her eyes felt like an icy void compared to the fiery rage of the red dragon. 

“Listen well. The deadline bestowed to you by the criminal Klaus Drache Lindwurm will come a month from now. My master, Her Majesty Mercedes Drake Fafnir, will personally make you pay for your sins.”

“U-Ugh… No… NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”

“I don’t want to die! I’m not ready to die yet! Why do we have to go through this?!”

Paralyzed by fear and despair, I, the emperor, and everyone present wailed pitifully like helpless children. Even though we knew nothing we did could change our end. 

“Just you wait… The judgement will come upon you… Wallow in regret for having mistreated Gilbert Furst Hylics, my master’s beloved, for over a decade.”

“…Huh?”

With those final words, the two dragons soared back into the skies.

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