Chapter 40

How long had I been unconscious?

Even if I was flying, as long as I didn’t look down, it would surely be fine – my sweet illusion was quickly shattered.

It swayed more than I thought.

It was much, much more terrifying than I had expected.

I closed my eyes tightly, thinking that as long as I only looked up, at least I wouldn’t see the ground, and it would be manageable – but it wasn’t that simple.

Still, I endured.

I could hear voices around me, but my heart was pounding so hard that I couldn’t understand what they were saying.

But I managed to hold on until halfway.

– But then something strange happened.

The dragon suddenly began a steep dive.

I was so terrified that my vision went white – and I don’t remember much after that.

When I came to, there was a blinding light in front of me.

“– Huh –?”

I immediately knew it was dangerous.

More dangerous than the light the dragon spat out –

More dangerous than the red light that burned the dragon –

A much stronger light.

What is this?

A light as blinding as the sun.

If we all get swallowed by it –

Everyone will be burned like the dragon at that time.

“Teacher –”

Leen was trying to say something.

But there was no time to answer.

I closed my eyes and readied my sword –

Kicked the dragon’s back with all my might and dove into the light.

Just getting close to the light burned my skin instantly.

I couldn’t even open my eyes.

But –

“Parii”

I forcefully pushed the light away with the ‘Black Sword’.

Then, I felt a strange sensation in the handle of the Black Sword – even with my eyes closed, I could feel the light being repelled and moving away.

To confirm, I cautiously opened my eyes in mid-air and saw a thick pillar of light ascending to the sky.

– Good.

It seems the dragon was not directly hit.

The massive light ascended into the sky and then scattered in all directions, trailing like a meteor shower, falling to the ground.

It was a breathtaking, fantastical scene –

But I didn’t have time to be captivated by it. I remembered I was high in the sky.

My body stiffened instantly.

And I approached the tallest building I could see, still moving forward with the momentum of my dive –

– And plunged headfirst.

Fortunately, I managed to use my sword as a shield, but a tremendous impact hit my body.

But it didn’t stop.

Thick walls kept approaching, and each time I defended myself forcefully with the Black Sword.

Repeating this, I broke through several walls, rolled across the floor, and eventually found myself in a large room.

– Good. I stopped.

It seems I managed to avoid falling to the ground.

I was lucky.

But where am I…?

Looking around, I saw a familiar old man glowing in gold.

He was sitting on a grand, shining chair, surrounded by soldiers in dark purple armor.

The armor, though slightly different in appearance, was similar to what the soldiers I saw earlier were wearing.

So, they must be the soldiers of the Imperial Kingdom.

I might have ended up in a bad place.

But something seemed off.

The soldiers ignored my presence, surrounded the old man, and drew their swords, shouting as if they were about to attack.

I had heard that the old man was the ‘Emperor’ of the Imperial Kingdom – but could it be someone else?

“Prepare yourself…! This is for the survival of the Imperial Kingdom – you must die here!”

“– S, stop – h, help –!!”

“Your Majesty. We will take care of the rest. Please rest in peace.”

“Then, I shall – farewell.”

One of the armored soldiers raised a large curved sword and swung it at the old man.

Danger –

I rushed to the old man’s front –

“Parii”

I swung my sword and deflected all the swords of those present.

“– Huh? –”

Swords of various sizes flew from the soldiers’ hands and embedded themselves in the walls, floor, and ceiling.

“– Ah –”

The old man flinched at the sight of me.

One of the soldiers, surprised by my sudden intervention, raised his voice.

“Who are you, you –!! Are you trying to protect this fool! Because of this foolish emperor! – Because of this foolish emperor, our country –!!”

“– I don’t understand the situation, but calm down.”

The old man and I were surrounded by the soldiers.

They took out various black cylindrical objects and aimed them at us.

These were weapons I had seen before.

Magic bullets flying at us all at once.

“Parii”

I swung my sword widely and deflected all the magic bullets.

This much was no problem.

But there were many of them.

They didn’t seem to want to listen.

If this continues, I might not be able to protect the old man.

“– Old man. Get down.”

It’s better to stay low for now – thinking this, I grabbed the old man’s head and pushed him down.

But I might have used a bit too much force.

– The old man’s head sank deep into the floor.

Damn. Is he okay?

“– Ah –!!”

…Good… He’s still breathing.

It seems the sturdy helmet protected him.

“– You….

I don’t know who you are, but there’s no good in pledging loyalty to such a man at this point.”

“Indeed – this man has destroyed our country beyond repair. He must pay with his life. Step aside.”

“– I don’t understand, but can’t this be resolved through discussion?”

“Don’t act like you know!! If it were possible, we would have done it long ago!!”

“– Die –”

The soldiers surrounding us didn’t even listen and attacked all at once.

They wielded short swords, whips, dual swords, hooks, and glowing rods, all aimed at the old man.

“Parii”

I deflected their weapons again.

Fortunately, their movements weren’t that fast.

They were probably not very skilled, considering they were ganging up on one old man.

I could handle them alone.

“Who are you….

You’re not from the Imperial Kingdom, are you? From your appearance, you seem to be an adventurer – a mercenary.

Why are you with such a man? You can’t expect any reward from him anymore…?”

“Hold on.

What are you talking about?

You must be misunderstanding something –”

“Shut up!! This man must die –!!”

A slender soldier threw something while shouting.

Instantly, a flash –

It was a bomb.

Bad.

The blast can’t be covered by “Parii.”

I kicked the old man’s side, still embedded in the floor.

“Oof”

Kicked by me, the old man’s head plunged into the wall, with his lower body dangling.

– Bad. Did I kick too hard?

No, it’s probably fine.

I was more careful this time, and the golden armor is very sturdy.

He’s probably not dead – I think.

– Still.

“– Why?

Why are you doing this?

He’s an old man.

Moreover, isn’t he your – emperor?”

“– He was.

But that’s over now.

Don’t interfere.

This man – must die.

If we don’t kill him here with our own hands, it will be a disgrace.”

The tallest man among them, just as he finished speaking, threw multiple bombs at the old man.

Fast –!

I can’t deflect this in time.

To protect him from the blast, I quickly grabbed the old man’s legs, pulled him out of the wall, and rolled him on the floor.

The force of pulling him out made him roll and crash into the grand chair he was sitting in, shattering it.

“Ah –!!”

It seems the sturdy armor protected him.

But the golden helmet he was wearing cracked, and one of the horn-like protrusions fell off.

I might have been a bit rough again, but it’s better than being killed.

However, the problem is these men.

Why are they so persistent in targeting the old man?

“Why don’t we calm down and talk?

This old man has no fighting power, right?

Besides, he’s at an age where he’s likely to pass away soon –”

“There’s no time for that!!

We have no time!!

The enemy is invading the country! With that [Disaster Dragon]!!

We must show them that we have no will to fight immediately, or it will be too late!!

We must hand over this man’s head quickly, or our country will –!”

At that moment, a calm, clear voice echoed through the large room.

“Wait. He must not be killed. There’s no need – the dead cannot atone for their sins.”

Everyone turned to see four figures standing there.

When they were recognized, the soldiers’ hands stopped.

That’s –

“– You came. I’m glad.”

The instructor of the [Cleric] and the instructor of the [Thief].

Behind them were Leen and Leen’s brother.

“Teacher, are you alright?”

“Where are Ines and Roro? I don’t see them.”

“Roro is on the dragon’s back. Ines is protecting Roro and the dragon. We came down to follow you.”

“I see.”

Looking out the large window of the room, I saw the dragon flying around the building.

On its back, I could see Roro waving at me.

“Mr. Noor. From here on, please leave it to us. ‘Discussion’ is our domain.”

Leen’s brother said, looking at the old man.

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you.

It’s better if it can be resolved through discussion.

It seems they won’t listen to me.”

“I appreciate it.

Leen, take Mr. Noor to the dragon and treat him.

– It seems he has been pushed to his limits.”

“Understood, brother. Let’s go, teacher.”

“Alright. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

I really appreciated their help.

The soldiers wouldn’t listen to me at all, and I was in a bind.

It seems they are willing to discuss now, and I can trust them to handle it well.

I left the scene, leaving the rest to the three of them.

◇◇◇

“– It’s been a while, Ten Knights.

Please sheathe your swords.

We have business with this man.

If possible, we would like to take him alive.”

In response to the prince’s calm call, a large man among the ten soldiers, who had thrown the bomb at the emperor earlier, replied.

“– Prince Rain.

We no longer have the will to fight your country.

This is a last resort to seek forgiveness.

We have no objection to handing over this man.

We wish to surrender completely to your country.

If you think our apology is insufficient, we, the Ten Knights, will offer our heads.

We are responsible for not stopping this war.”

“I appreciate your consideration.

But it’s not necessary.

Our country does not need more bodies.

We only want to talk to this man.

We want to have a thorough discussion –

Then we can move on to talks with your country.”

The prince