The Encounter Between the Forsaken Healing Magic’s Beloved Child and the Betrayed Black Dragon Princess of Calamity - 49

Chapter 49: To the Hylics Empire

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“…Princess-sama is heading toward the human country.”

“The human country…?”

“That’s right. Young Master Gil, do you still remember the discussion we had a month ago? Klaus gave the humans a deadline and today is the day of the said deadline.”

Ah, right. That Klaus guy had attacked the neighboring countries and forced them to choose between annihilation or submission. The Dragroar Kingdom now only consisted of four people, myself included. However, since Mer-san ascended the throne as the queen of this country after winning the Royal Selection, of course she had to deal with the mess that Klaus had caused.

And… I was certain that Mer-san would deliver a harsh judgement upon the Hylics Empire. She was so enraged when she learned about my past. But I also had told her a month ago that I didn’t care about the human countries. What truly mattered to me was Mer-san, Conrad-san and Elsa-san. 

“Young Master Gil, what will you do?”

Conrad-san asked. He was uncharacteristically meek today. However, my answer was already decided.

“Just like what I’ve said before, I will leave everything in Mer-san’s hands. No matter what happens to the human countries, the Hylics Empire included, I won’t interfere. but…”

Raising my eyes, I looked at Conrad-san directly in his eyes. 

“At the very least, I want to witness everything with my own eyes. I need to see and understand everything that Mer-san does for my sake.”

Yes. Mer-san was someone who would dirty her hands if it meant protecting me. Hence, I had to watch over her actions. Even if she committed a grave sin, I still had to bear it alongside her… No. I wanted to bear it with her.

“That’s why, Conrad-san, please take me to Mer-san. I’ll just watch from a distance. If Mer-san realizes I’m there, she might hold back because of me.”

“Heh… I figured you’d say that, Young Master Gil.”

Shaking his head in exasperation, Conrad-san then sighed. But soon, he broke into a hearty grin. 

“Leave it to me! I’ll make sure Young Master Gil will have the best seat to witness everything!”

“Thank you, Conrad-san!”

After Conrad-san shifted into his red dragon form, I climbed onto Conrad-san’s broad back and we soared into the sky. Our destination was, of course, the land where I was born and raised… The Hylics Empire.

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“Oh, I can see it now.”

Conrad-san said. It had been barely ten minutes since we took off from Mountain Duflussweise and yet, we could already see the imperial capital of Pralg. The cityscape spread below us. Its city walls were already shattered and half of the town had been reduced to ruins. Klaus and the other dragon must have done this on purpose, to demonstrate their power as dragon. 

“…I hate to admit it, but the effect of their threat is undeniable. By witnessing the overwhelming might of dragons firsthand, the humans are left trembling. They’re fully aware they stand no chance against dragons and not one human dared to resist.”

“Conrad-san, you’re awfully well-informed about it, huh?”

“Ugh… We-Well, I guess I can’t hide it forever, can I?”

Scratching his head, Conrad-san began to explain. 

A month ago, Conrad-san and Elsa-san had visited the Hylics Empire under Mer-san’s orders. They announced to the humans that Mer-san would pass judgment on the empire on the day of the deadline. When Conrad-san made that declaration—the man who used to be my father—could be seen screaming and crying in terror alongside his retainers.

“…What enrages me most is that not a single one of them asked about Young Master Gil’s condition even though they were the one who had abandoned you in the Dark Forest. It shouldn’t take a genius to think that there might be some connection between you and the Dragroar Kingdom since the kingdom was located in the heart of the Dark Forest.”

Conrad-san growled, his anger evident. But I shook my head.

“You’re asking for the impossible, Conrad-san. They would never think about me. After all, they abandoned me in the Dark Forest so I would become food for the monsters and die there.”

“Young Master Gil…”

Conrad-san’s anger shifted into something like sorrow. He looked as though he might cry at any moment. I didn’t want him to wear such a sorrowful expression.

“Ehehehe~ It’s okay. In fact, I’m grateful that they had forsaken me in the Dark Forest. Thanks to that, I got to meet Mer-san, Conrad-san and Elsa-san.”

I said with my brightest smile I could muster.

“Ugh… I understand! I also… I also thank the gods (if they exist)) for bringing Young Master Gil to my life!”

“Umm… You shouldn’t thank the gods. After all, the goddess was the one aiding Klaus behind the scenes.”

Seeing Conrad-san sniffing, I tried to tease him a bit. Yeah. Conrad-san looked the best when he was laughing heartily, like he always did. 

“Yeah! You’re right! The goddess was the one who aided Klaus and gave him those wretched tools! If I ever see her, I will make sure she has a taste of my blade!”

“Leave it to me!”

Seeing Conrad-san finally back to his usual self, I couldn’t help but smile as well. Before long, we reached the skies directly above the imperial capital and below us…

“…Interesting. Who would’ve thought they actually have the gall to stand against me.”

There was Mer-san in her human form. She was standing with a fearless smile and beside her was Elsa-san. Elsa-san was calm but ready to fight whenever needed and… In front of them the imperial army stood assembled, weapons drawn, ready to defend the palace from Mer-san.

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