The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~ - Chapter 29: Tidings of Calamity

Chapter 29: Tidings of Calamity

(Alexander POV)

As the morning sun began to illuminate the castle’s spires, I had already prepared for departure.

I chose an outfit to visit Eleanor’s home, Frostheart Castle, and prepared a gift for her.

Her recent behavior weighed heavily on my mind, and I desperately wanted to see and talk to her.

“Lord Alexander, the horse is ready.”

My butler, Joseph, reported with a polite bow.

“Thank you. I’ll leave immediately.”

I made final adjustments in front of the mirror.

When meeting Eleanor, I always wanted to be impeccable.

I believed I alone understood the warmth beneath her cold exterior.

“Lord Alexander!”

Henry, my father’s aide, rushed in, his face etched with panic.

“What’s wrong? Why the hurry?”

“Disaster! A dragon has appeared in the Braveheart territory!”

My heart seemed to stop for a moment.

The Braveheart family—Leia’s family.

“When? Details?”

“This morning, a fire dragon descended from the eastern mountains. Reports say several villages are already engulfed in flames…”

I didn’t wait for him to finish.

I bolted down the stairs, heading for the courtyard.

“Lord Alexander, where are you going?”

Joseph, hurrying after me, called out.

“To the Braveheart estate. Tell Father to assemble the knights and follow later.”

“But going alone is dangerous!”

“Leia might be in danger. There’s no time to waste!”

Fortunately, the horse was already prepared.

I leapt onto it and galloped toward the castle gate.

“Open the gate! Hurry!”

The guards looked startled but obeyed at once.

As the gate opened, I spurred the horse, racing toward the Braveheart territory.

The wind whipped against my face.

My mind was consumed with thoughts of Leia.

My childhood friend, the one who connected me with Eleanor, a dear companion.

Her red hair and ever-cheerful smile flashed in my mind.

“Be safe, Leia…”

I prayed silently, urging the horse faster.

Eleanor… I couldn’t think about her now.

Visiting her would have to wait.

She’d surely understand.

Saving a friend in crisis came first.

On the road, I glanced up and saw black smoke rising in the eastern sky.

The situation might be worse than I feared.

“Faster!”

I shouted to the horse, taking a shortcut through the forest.

A dangerous path, but necessary to save time.

Worst-case scenarios flooded my mind, only to vanish.

Leia’s family, as border counts, had a history of fighting dragons.

Her grandfather earned fame in the “Battle of the Red Dragon.”

But that was decades ago.

Did they still have the strength to face a dragon?

“Would Leia herself fight…?”

The thought sent a chill through me.

I knew her well enough to be certain.

She’d be on the front lines.

Leia never backs down.

She’d take up her sword to protect her people.

“Make it in time…!”

I shouted from the depths of my heart.

The horse, panting heavily, kept running as if responding to my desperation.

Over mountains, through valleys, I pressed on toward the Braveheart territory.

What was meant to be a day to visit Eleanor now filled my heart with worry for another woman.

It was fear of losing a dear friend and a sense of duty to protect her family and people.

As the heir to the Granblue family, aiding our allied Braveheart house was only natural.

—

(Leia POV)

When the dawn painted the border mountains, the alarm bell rang from Braveheart Castle’s watchtower.

“A dragon! A dragon is coming!”

I snapped awake, rushing to the window.

A black shadow loomed in the distant sky, growing larger, its scales glinting in the sunlight.

“No way… at a time like this…”

Glaring from the eastern sky was unmistakably a fire dragon.

Bronze-red scales, a colossal body with wings spanning thirty meters.

The first visitor since the “Battle of the Red Dragon” fifty years ago, when my grandfather made the Braveheart name renowned.

I hurriedly donned my armor and grasped my grandfather’s heirloom sword.

In the corridor, soldiers were already rushing about.

“Leia!”

My brother Galen’s voice echoed from below.

“I’m coming!”

Racing down the stairs, I found Galen, armored, issuing orders over a spread map.

He nodded at me, his expression stern.

“Worst possible timing.”

His words rang true. A dragon attack now was catastrophic for the Braveheart family.

The falling value of magic stones had crippled our economy, exhausting our people.

We’d even reduced our guards recently.

“Where’s Father?”

“He’s gone to issue evacuation orders to the eastern villages. Mother and Lyla are guiding the townsfolk.”

Galen’s voice feigned calm, but his eyes betrayed anxiety.

“We need to understand the dragon’s intent first.”

I said, studying the map.

Dragons don’t attack settlements just for destruction.

There must be a purpose.

“The magic stone vein…”

Galen pointed to a spot on the map.

The only remaining mineable magic stone vein in our territory.

Though less valuable now, it’s a prime energy source for a dragon.

“I’ll protect it.”

I decided instantly, but Galen frowned.

“Too dangerous. You alone…”

“I’ll take the Dragonblood Knights. Send the other soldiers to protect the people.”

The Dragonblood Knights—our family’s elite, descendants of knights who fought alongside Grandfather in the Red Dragon battle.

Only twenty strong, but said to match a hundred regular soldiers.

“…Fine. But don’t overdo it. Focus on buying time, not slaying the dragon.”

Galen reluctantly agreed.

He knew our situation.

We lacked the strength for a direct fight.

We had to buy time for the people to evacuate.

“Leave it to me.”

As I prepared to depart, the dragon’s roar echoed from afar.

Black smoke rose from the villages.

I had to hurry.

—

“Lady Leia, the unit is ready.”

Knight Commander Simon reported.

Son of a veteran knight who served Father, he was renowned as the territory’s finest swordsman.

“Thank you. We leave at once.”

I sheathed Grandfather’s sword and tied my red hair into a short braid.

A ritual before battle.

“It’s been a while since someone wielded the Dragonblood Sword.”

Nostalgia tinged Simon’s eyes.

This sword, forged fifty years ago with blood from the red dragon, was legendary.

To dragons, their kin’s blood is poison.

Only this blade could pierce those scales.

“Can I wield it like Grandfather?”

“You’ll be fine. Those of Braveheart blood are said to be fated to face dragons.”

He smiled, but worry lingered in his gaze.

In the great hall, my family gathered.

Father, Mother, Galen, and young Lyla, who’d finished guiding evacuations.

Their faces were grim, but softened slightly at my sight.

“Be careful.”

Mother embraced me, her hands glowing blue, enveloping me in protective magic.

“Thank you, Mother.”

“Don’t be reckless.”

Father’s voice was stern, but his eyes brimmed with worry and love.

“Remember the Dragonblood oath. Our duty is to protect the people, not to fight for personal glory.”

“Yes, Father.”

He gripped my shoulder firmly, then bowed his head slightly.

His way of saying, “Go.”

“Sister!”

Lyla rushed to me, clutching a small wind magic stone.

“Take this for luck. The wind will aid you.”

“Thank you.”

Lastly, Galen approached.

He hugged me silently, then whispered, “Come back safe. For Alexander.”

My cheeks flushed.

He might’ve sensed my feelings.

“Of course.”

—

“Depart!”

Leading the twenty Dragonblood Knights, we left the castle.

Black clouds blanketed the sky, and pillars of flame rose in the distance.

The dragon seemed to be destroying villages en route to the magic stone vein.

“Hurry.”

We spurred our horses, crossing forests and hills toward the mountain with the vein.

Along the way, we passed terrified, fleeing villagers, some injured.

“Simon, send three recruits to escort the injured to the castle. The rest follow me.”

“But, Lady Leia…”

“That’s an order.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

He assigned three knights to the task, and the rest pressed on.

Climbing the mountain path, the view suddenly opened.

There, the fire dragon had landed, clawing at the mine’s entrance.

Its presence was overwhelming.

Muscular body, armored scales, radiating heat from its back.

“That’s… the fire dragon…”

Some younger knights, seeing a dragon for the first time, spoke in trembling voices.

“Do not fear! We are Braveheart’s heirs. We do not cower before dragons!”

I raised my sword and shouted.

As Grandfather’s heir, now was the time to show courage.

“The strategy is simple. Keep the dragon away from the vein. Slaying it is secondary. No reckless fighting.”

Everyone nodded, and I dismounted.

We’d proceed on foot from here.

“Knights, spread out. On my signal, fire the magic stone arrows in unison.”

The sound of magic stones being loaded into bows echoed.

These weren’t ordinary arrows but special ones imbued with magic.

They couldn’t pierce dragon scales but would suffice to draw attention.

“Ready…”

I took a deep breath and raised Grandfather’s sword.

“Fire!”

At my signal, twenty glowing arrows sliced through the air.

All soared toward the dragon.

Most bounced off its tough scales, but a few pierced the fragile membranes of its wings.

“GUOOOORRRR!”

The dragon roared in fury.

The ground trembled, and trees swayed under the thunderous sound.

“It worked! It noticed us!”

The dragon abandoned the vein and took flight toward us.

Its massive body blocked the sun, casting a shadow over the ground.

“Everyone, scatter! Don’t clump together!”

At my command, the dragon unleashed its first flame.

A heatwave surged, igniting trees instantly.

Some knights screamed, but thankfully, no one took a direct hit.

“Lady Leia!”

As Simon shouted, the dragon dove straight at me.

I threw myself aside, dodging its claws.

The ground split, and dust billowed.

Standing, I saw the dragon already back in the sky.

I readied my sword for its next attack.

“Keep firing the magic stone arrows! Spread its attention!”

More arrows flew, forcing the dragon to glance around.

That was our plan.

Not to face it alone but to buy time together.

But the dragon was cunning.

It quickly identified me as the leader and began targeting me relentlessly.

On its third dive, I couldn’t dodge fully.

After evading its claws, its tail swept me aside, slamming me into the rocky slope.

“Ugh…!”

My armor shattered, and I heard my ribs crack.

Agony surged, but I couldn’t yield to pain now.

“Lady Leia!”

Knights rushed toward me, but I waved them back.

“Stay back! Stick to the plan!”

Struggling to my feet, I gripped my sword again.

Mother’s protective magic eased the pain slightly, but moving was grueling.

The dragon circled above, eyeing its next chance to strike.

Intelligence gleamed in its eyes.

Not a mere beast.

An ancient, magical being.

“The fleeing villagers should be safe by now… we just need to buy more time and retreat…”

But the dragon seemed unwilling to allow that.

Suddenly, it soared high, then spread its wings to glide.

“No way…!”

Its chest began glowing red.

This wasn’t ordinary flame.

The prelude to the dragon’s ultimate weapon, the “Dragon’s Breath.”

Legend said it could melt mountains.

“Everyone, flee!”

I shouted desperately, but the knights didn’t move.

“We are knights of Braveheart. We cannot flee.”

Simon answered resolutely.

“Fools…!”

There was no time.

The dragon’s chest glow reached its peak, and the next moment would end everything.

Then, something awoke within me.

“Grandfather… lend me your strength…!”

I raised Grandfather’s sword and cried out from my soul.

“In the name of Braveheart, I protect my people!”

The sword glowed red.

Grandfather’s blood, dragon’s blood, pulsed within it, channeling power through me.

As the dragon unleashed its flame, I swung the sword down.

A red flash surged, its shockwave clashing with the dragon’s fire.

The ground split, winds swirled, and the sky seemed to tear.

The world turned white, and then—

—

My consciousness returned with a ringing in my ears.

I lay on the ground.

My body ached, my vision blurred.

“Lady Leia! Lady Leia!”

Simon’s voice reached me from afar.

His bloodied, scorched-armored face came into view.

“Is… everyone…?”

“They’re safe. Thanks to your… technique.”

He chose his words carefully.

“Technique…?”

I had no memory of it.

Only swinging Grandfather’s sword.

“A red light repelled the dragon’s flame. Like… the legend from fifty years ago.”

His words stunned me.

The “Dragonbane Flash,” Grandfather’s legendary technique.

Passed down in tales, it was said no one could replicate it.

“The dragon…?”

“It’s injured and retreated. But…”

Simon’s face darkened.

He pointed to the sky.

A black shadow circled above.

The dragon hadn’t fled; it was regrouping.

“So tenacious…”

I tried to rise, but pain shot through me.

My armor was wrecked, my left arm immobile—likely fractured.

My right leg was injured too.

I couldn’t fight like this.

“Lady Leia, we must retreat. Your body…”

“No.”

I shook my head firmly.

“If we retreat, the dragon will head back to the vein. If it gains power there, the castle’s next…”

No need to say more.

Simon understood.

“How many knights remain?”

“Thirteen are fit to fight.”

Seven had already fallen out.

We couldn’t afford more losses.

“Simon, take everyone and retreat. That’s an order.”

“But, Lady Leia…”

“I’ll buy time.”

“That’s suicide!”

He was right.

Facing the dragon in this state meant no survival.

But there was no choice.

“Braveheart’s duty is to protect the people. Father said so.”

Simon fell silent, torn between his knight’s oath and loyalty to me.

“Please, Simon. Keep them alive.”

After a long pause, he nodded heavily.

“I’ll return with reinforcements.”

His voice was pained.

We both knew that promise wouldn’t come in time.

At Simon’s command, the knights began retreating reluctantly.

Many glanced back, their eyes bidding me farewell.

“Now… one-on-one.”

Staggering to my feet, I gripped Grandfather’s sword tightly.

Its red glow had faded.

That technique wouldn’t work again.

The dragon circled, then dove.

Its landing shook the ground, nearly toppling me.

It slammed its tail down, roaring in intimidation.

Its wings were torn, and a wound marked its chest.

The “Dragonbane Flash” had done some damage.

“You… blood-bearer…”

A voice echoed in my mind.

The dragon’s voice.

Legends said dragons could communicate telepathically, but experiencing it was a first.

“My grandfather… defeated your kin.”

“Not kin… enemy…”

Anger pulsed through its mental wave.

“Then why are you here? For the vein’s magic stones?”

“Revenge… to reclaim the land you stole…”

Its words confused me.

Revenge?

Land?

The era when humans and dragons fought over this land was over a millennium ago.

“That’s the past. The people here now bear no guilt.”

“You are all… the same… evil…”

The fire dragon inhaled, unleashing a blaze.

I barely ducked behind a rock.

The heatwave scorched my hair.

“Talks won’t work, it seems.”

I hadn’t expected to reason with the dragon, but I hoped to buy a little time.

Yet it refused further dialogue, pressing its attack.

I scrambled to evade, but my injured body had its limits.

Finally, rounding a corner, I hit a dead end—a cliff.

“It’s over…”

Turning, I saw the dragon closing in.

Its eyes gleamed with victory and vengeance.

“Human… die…”

It began preparing its final flame.

No place to hide.

Resigned to death, I raised my sword for a honorable end.

Then, a sudden roar echoed from the sky.

The fire dragon looked up, startled.

So did I.

Descending from the heavens was another dragon.

Not a fire dragon.

Its silvery-blue scales shimmered, ice particles falling from its wings—an ice dragon.

“Why…?”

The two dragons faced off.

The fire dragon roared in defiance, and the ice dragon answered.

“Do not interfere… ice wielder…”

The fire dragon’s mental wave resounded, aimed at the ice dragon, not me.

“Your actions… defy the covenant… leave…”

The ice dragon’s voice was calmer, carrying the dignity of an elder.

“Humans… are enemies… must be destroyed…”

“Have you forgotten the pact… fool?”

A fierce telepathic exchange ensued, then the fire dragon lunged at the ice dragon.

What followed was a battle beyond words.

Fire and ice clashed, the valley echoing with roars.

Wingbeats whipped up storm-like winds, claws and fangs clanging like metal.

I could only watch, stunned, as the dragons fought to the death.

The battle ended in minutes.

The elder ice dragon smashed the fire dragon’s wing, slamming it to the ground.

It exhaled icy breath, slowly freezing the fire dragon’s body.

“Stop!”

I shouted without thinking.

I didn’t know why.

Despite it being an enemy, I felt pity for the fire dragon.

The ice dragon looked down at me.

Ancient wisdom shone in its eyes.

“Red-haired one… why… spare it?”

“I don’t know… just…”

My words faltered, but the ice dragon closed its eyes briefly.

When they opened, understanding glimmered.

“You… bear his blood…”

“His?”

“The one who… made peace with the red dragon…”

Its words shocked me.

Grandfather’s legend said he “defeated” the red dragon, not “made peace.”

“What do you mean…?”

But the ice dragon offered no more.

It turned to the grounded fire dragon.

“Receive… punishment for breaking the covenant…”

With a swing of its tail, it snapped the fire dragon’s horn.

The fire dragon grimaced in pain but didn’t resist.

“Never… approach human settlements again…”

The fire dragon glared at me with hatred but submitted before the ice dragon.

“Red-haired one…”

The ice dragon addressed me again.

“Learn… the ancient covenant… seek the stone tablet…”

With that, it spread its wings, seized the fire dragon, and soared into the clouds.

Their forms vanished, soon out of sight.

“Covenant… stone tablet…”

Before I could ponder the cryptic words, I saw Simon and reinforcements hurrying toward me.

—

“Sister!”

Back at the castle, Lyla threw herself at me.

Father, Mother, and Galen wore expressions of relief.

“I’m so glad you’re safe… truly…”

Mother, tears in her eyes, embraced me.

Her magic began healing my wounds.

“I heard from Simon,” Father said quietly.

“Is it true you used the Dragonbane Flash?”

“I don’t remember… just Grandfather’s sword…”

“Tell me everything.”

I recounted it all.

The standoff with the dragon, the red flash, the second dragon’s arrival, and its mysterious words.

“Covenant and stone tablet…”

Father frowned.

He knew the Braveheart archives well but had never heard such terms.

“We need to investigate. Galen, search the archive.”

“Yes, Father.”

Simon returned.

His report confirmed the dragon had vanished completely.

The immediate crisis seemed over.

At dinner, Father placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Well done. You’re a true Braveheart.”

His words filled me with pride.

But my mind swirled with questions.

The contradiction between Grandfather’s legend and the dragon’s words.

What was the ancient covenant?

And why could I use Grandfather’s technique?

That night, alone in my room, I saw a shooting star outside.

Its blue trail reminded me of the ice dragon.

“Alexander…”

I murmured his name.

This dragon crisis and his struggles felt connected somehow.

Just a hunch, but one I couldn’t ignore.

I’d start investigating tomorrow.

Search the archives, seek the stone tablet.

Standing by the window, I steeled my resolve.

The dragon crisis wasn’t over.

It might be the start of something greater.

—

Evening light streamed through the castle windows, casting soft shadows in the parlor.

I gazed at Alexander’s weary face as I poured tea.

“You really came.”

My voice carried more emotion than I intended.

Alexander had rushed to my side.

Three days after the dragon battle, he passed through the castle gates.

He’d ridden for two days, resting his horse, to reach me as fast as possible.

It was obvious at a glance.

Tattered clothes, a face heavy with fatigue, yet the relieved smile when he saw me.

“I’m so glad you’re safe, Leia.”

His words were gentle, his eyes filled with genuine relief.

Alexander’s steed, Silver Arrow, was a renowned horse in the kingdom.

Only such a horse could manage that grueling two-day journey.

A normal horse would’ve taken three, maybe four days.

“When I heard a dragon appeared, I set out at once. I kept imagining the worst along the way.”

His words warmed my heart.

Ever since childhood, he excelled in studies and martial arts, but above all, he had a passionate, compassionate heart.

I recalled him as a boy, saving a fallen kitten, laughing despite being soaked in the rain.

“I want to believe he came because he cares for me.”

The thought crossed my mind but was quickly dismissed.

It was clear he came out of friendship.

“Could you tell me the details of the dragon battle?”

Alexander asked with a serious expression.

His blue eyes held a mix of worry and curiosity.

I told him everything.

The fire dragon’s attack, the battle with the Dragonblood Knights, the red flash from Grandfather’s sword, and the ice dragon’s appearance.

He listened with a blend of awe and respect.

“Unbelievable… you’re a true hero, Leia.”

His words of praise stirred complex emotions.

Joy, but also a sense of something missing.

“I’m no hero. I just fought to protect my people.”

“That’s exactly what makes a hero.”

He smiled gently.

That smile drew my heart to him again.

But the moment Eleanor’s name came up, the spell broke.

“I was supposed to visit Eleanor. But hearing about you, I changed plans.”

“I see…”

I looked away.

Thinking of him worrying about Eleanor, I hated the dark feelings sprouting within me.

She’s supposed to be my friend.

“She’s been acting strange lately…”

Worry seeped into Alexander’s voice.

“How so?”

I knew I shouldn’t ask, but the words slipped out.

“She’s grown cold… or rather, I feel she’s hiding something. Especially since her encounter with the prince.”

At the prince’s name, I frowned.

Prince Victor’s reputation wasn’t favorable.

Rumors painted him as frivolous, with flamboyant romantic entanglements.

Eleanor with someone like that…

“Trust her.”

To my surprise, the words came smoothly.

A sense of duty as her friend?

Or a desire to appear noble in his eyes?

“Thank you, Leia. You always say the right thing.”

He gave a grateful smile.

That smile swayed my heart again.

“But right now, I’m worried about you. Your injuries?”

“They’re fine now. Mother’s magic healed them.”

“That’s a relief.”

He exhaled, relieved.

Then, glancing out the window, his face clouded.

“I have to return tomorrow. Father’s… dealing with a lot.”

Disappointment spread through me.

We’d only just reunited, and he was leaving already?

“I understand.”

I forced my voice to sound supportive.

“But I’ll definitely attend the king’s birthday ball. We’ll meet again then.”

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

After a pause, we decided to stroll through the castle courtyard.

The evening sky glowed red, a beautiful vista unfolding.

“This place hasn’t changed. We used to play tag here as kids, didn’t we?”

Alexander’s nostalgic tone made me smile.

“You always chased me.”

“You were fast. But I always caught you.”

“Because I wanted to be caught.”

I blushed at my own words.

But he laughed, taking it as mere childhood reminiscence.

“Leia…”

His expression turned serious.

“If anything happens, come to me. I’m on your side.”

“Thank you.”

His words warmed me, but my heart ached with a tightening pain.

He called me a hero, cherished me as a friend.

But more than a hero, I wanted to be called his love.

As the moon rose, we parted.

He to the guest room, I to my own.

Tomorrow, he’d leave.

And I’d return to days filled with unrequited longing.

Looking at the moon from my room’s window, I whispered softly.

“Why don’t you notice…”

Stepping away, I took out my diary.

To record today’s events and the feelings I could never voice.

I began writing.

“Today, Alexander came. For friendship. But my heart—”

My pen stopped.

Staring at the unfinished words, I sighed deeply.

Tomorrow, a new day would begin.

My days, swaying between friendship and love.