Chapter 25

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"By the way, Rize, it seems that a strange novel is becoming popular among some women lately.

It's about a cool but people-loving young noble lord named Roze, and his male guard, Klauss, who falls in love with him in a forbidden way. Then, the Duke of Hebelheim, another character, also starts to pursue the young noble lord, leading to a messy relationship among the three men."

"I don't really understand, but that sounds dangerous."

"I don't really understand, but it does sound dangerous."

The next day, after releasing the dragon that had become a bit confused due to an overuse of healing magic, I was inspecting the town of the former Bonklaire territory with Klaus as my guard.

As a capable lord, I need to know well how the people are living. The Duke of Hohenheim also said, "Be a noble loved by the people."

...Still,

"Kyaa, Lord Rize and Lord Klaus!"

"Hey, hey, isn't the inspiration for the characters in Mr. Bier's romance novel...!"

"Shh! We agreed not to say that!"

For some reason, I'm getting a lot of attention from girls today! Haha, it feels good!

"Klaus, since we're here, why don't we grab a bite to eat in town?"

"Sure, that sounds great. But, aren't the maids preparing something at the castle?"

"No, I gave all the maids the day off today. I want to let everyone go out somewhere once in a while, especially the head maid, Bell, who has been busy and sleep-deprived lately.

So, no one is at home, and if you want, you can stay over. I'll cook dinner."

"Great, I'd love to! Your cooking is delicious, Lord Rize! I could eat it every day!"

As I was talking with Klaus, the excitement of the women in the town seemed to rise even more.

Yeah, I don't really understand, but it's good that they're energetic.

Ah... today, the Baybalon territory is peaceful.

The people seem happy, there's plenty of food, and the sea breeze that occasionally blows is very pleasant.

Compared to the past, it has become a very prosperous land. I want to continue living here happily with everyone.

While walking through the town with my friends, I was thinking that—when suddenly,

"---H-help! Jango territory... our land...!!!"

A desperate cry suddenly echoed.

Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw several people collapsed next to a dilapidated carriage, crying.

The horses must have been pushed to their limits, as they were completely exhausted and unable to move.

Clearly not tourists... Realizing something was wrong, Klaus and I quickly approached them.

"What happened to you?"

"Y-you are...?"

"I am Rize Baybalon, the lord of this land. You were shouting about Jango territory... Could you tell me what happened?"

As I asked them in a calming manner, they slowly began to speak, tears streaming down their faces.

"A-actually, last night... monsters that looked like a mix of humans and dragons attacked our territory...!

And, at the worst possible time, Lord Snail was away with the warrior corps, leaving us ordinary citizens with no choice but to flee...!!"

"I see... That must have been terrible. It's impressive that you managed to escape this far."

They must have barely escaped with their lives. As I placed a hand on their shoulder, the person speaking sobbed even harder.

"And... please listen, my lord! Those who were bitten by the strange monsters also began to turn into dragons!

Furthermore, there was a particularly large one among the monsters, and its face looked exactly like Lord Snail...!"

"What!?"

I was shocked by the unbelievable information.

...While humanoid monsters wouldn't be surprising—there are plenty of two-legged monsters like goblins and trolls—the fact that those bitten by them also turned into monsters was alarming! And to have one that looked exactly like Snail...!?

---These unconfirmed monsters don't seem to have appeared naturally.

---Snail, who left the territory with the warriors just as the monsters attacked.

---And the existence of a boss-like monster with a face identical to Snail.

Faced with this information, my mind led me to a single truth.

I see... So that's what it was!! All the mysteries are solved!

"Ahh, I'm sure Lord Snail was also bitten by the monsters..."

"---No, that's not it. The one who caused all this chaos is Snail himself!"

"Wh-what!?"

My words shocked the people who had fled from Jango territory.

Well, I can't blame them. It's not something you'd normally think of—a lord attacking his own land.

But my sharp mind can't be fooled.

"Listen carefully, people of Jango territory.

...Those monsters that turn those bitten into dragons are undoubtedly 'created beings.'

Think about it. If such monsters existed naturally, the world would have been taken over by them long ago, wouldn't it?"

"Y-yes, that's true...! But, how could anyone create such beings!? It's different from breeding fast horses or disease-resistant wheat!"

"True, it would be impossible for ordinary humans. But what if someone with the supernatural power of 'magic' was involved...?"

"Ah!!?"

At that point, the people seemed to understand.

Yes—once you realize it, it's simple.

"I see, so that's what it was, my lord! The mage Snail was mass-producing monsters capable of taking over the world... and by controlling them, he intended to become the ruler of the world!

That's why he deliberately took the warrior corps away from the territory, making it easier to turn the people of Jango territory into monsters—!"

"That's right. It's too obvious that he left the territory just as the monsters attacked.

He intended to turn you all into monsters and create a large army to use as a foothold for world domination."

"Ugh... Damn you, Snail...!"

The survivors from Jango territory shouted in anger.

I felt the same way. No, I was even more furious inside—!!

"...Snail... You were so proud of saying, 'I'm friends with dragons'...!"

But I saw through Snail's lies.

To him, dragons were just experimental subjects needed to dominate the world—!!

He probably used the affection of the dragons that admired him to take as much blood and flesh as he wanted.

Using them as experimental materials, the evil mage finally created the 'dragon transformation potion'!!

And... after taking the potion, Snail became a demonic dragon and began turning his people into monsters one by one... Damn it...!!!

I clenched my fists so hard that the flesh of my palms was torn, and I gave orders to Klaus, who was standing beside me.

"Klaus, gather all the able-bodied fighters immediately! We're going to rescue the people of Jango territory!"

"Yes, sir!"

"And—find the dragon with Snail's face at all costs. I will personally punish that evil being!!"

This is the first time I've been this angry...! I must eliminate Snail at all costs!

To use the dragons that admired him for his own desires, to deprive the people of their happiness, and to try to take over the world... That guy is no longer human!! He doesn't deserve to live! I will exterminate him by any means necessary!!

"Evil mage, Snail... I won't let you have your way! I will protect the peace of this world!!"

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*The true culprit is this guy.

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