Chapter 299: Side Story – The Lady in Red
a8hWhile Emil was confronting the necromancer in the northern plains, the roar of a dragon was also echoing through another northern city.oCPxUxH
fK38bK“Kraaaaaaah!”CZ3
Ac1hxL8The name of that city was Soara.X8G
2nSZEveryone held their breath at the dragon’s roar.0agpJ
0MovCThat was why Soara remained shrouded in absolute darkness, without a single visible light.RB39u
s10RPYyHowever, there was one building that shone brilliantly on its own.ISEs
2upAs if it wanted to draw every gaze toward itself, it blazed with dazzling illumination.8oO0
cxELHwStanding on the balcony of that place was a woman dressed in a red gown.GGv
1f8zFRE“How is the evacuation going?”uKc3Tj
Z3bThe Lady in Red.1WUN8z
3mMd0The Rose of Soara.A780agi
PigooUXLady Zemina, admired and revered by all the people of the city, stared intently at Soara’s North Gate, swallowed by darkness.RYR
CK35Rr“…We still need a little more time, Lady Zemina.”dms4wU
A414DmPeople were moving cautiously, guided by the lights of Rose’s Smile.60d
3H2They carried their small children on their backs, helped their elderly parents along, and hauled the few belongings they had managed to gather while hurriedly abandoning the city.JgZeE
fxrgPAll of them were citizens of Soara.Uo4t
512yE1I“…They broke through our defenses too quickly.”J8XEvT
95B3Zemina bit her lips in frustration.Nix
ofnncgThey had done everything they could.Csv
vDeVNo one could blame them.0RC
MHMvlkZTheir response had been flawless.N9fICv
4ybSoara did not even have a mayor who could act as a central authority.CHz82o
6SmhbiEven so, Zemina had gathered every available soldier to establish a defensive line.SBdA21
8CPcrBut the enemy was simply too formidable.KppTgOC
PpYZ4R9“So it’s really true that it’s the fastest dragon.”e8pqwk
QgRRZemina opened the fan she held and concealed part of her face while looking toward the walls of the North Gate.2Rg4
2hCBeneath the light of the two moons, a creature stood atop the wall with a fierce gaze.Ba5ixDg
QvCqex— Grrrrrr…pe8NDzB
sExJHHsLindworm.oKvQmRl
IephBeqThe fastest dragon in the world.uIHpSY
zEHhWIts snout was stained red, as though it had already tasted blood.Rna00
U0XSlowly licking its lips, it looked down upon the city of Soara from above.4Hqb61p
M7YA“Lady Zemina. It is not too late yet. We knights will stop it with all our strength. So please…”Llj
wiPhdDThe knight desperately tried to convince her to flee.6WudMm
0CDEBut Zemina remained motionless, never taking her eyes off the North Gate.avQdj
vrCf“They say that in Sturma, they attacked the Bayezid mansion first, correct?”WyxTY
gcYjqgxIn Sturma, the Bayezid mansion had been the first target.hQyfK
L2ZGZpAnd in Varna, the first place attacked had been the cathedral.a4vsM
vlkmbJ“Then in Soara, it will be here.”73Dxq
lT81bUhThe mansion and the cathedral.feZd
dJABoth had been the hearts of their respective cities.XYOs9
djbThe intentions of those unknown invaders were obvious.MfzIRZ
3IpM3xEAnd now Zemina had to make use of that.8NYPB20
jSpt0“Transmit my order to everyone. Until the last person has evacuated, Rose’s Smile will hold the line.”90ZDr
aT9PJUpon hearing that Zemina intended to remain until the end and fight, a thunderous cheer erupted from the lobby.PZs
GaE“I knew she’d say that! I knew our Lady would never abandon the fight!”xmXmI
gE38The dwarves of Nidavellir stationed in the city slammed their beer mugs against the tables as they laughed enthusiastically.QCaybz
c9V3FbThe knights of Soara began warming up their bodies as if they had been waiting for those words.zvf7
ax1And the Paladins and priests of the Church began silently reciting their prayers.fxjdUQH
Zd6z6tl“…It’s coming.”XYd
NfDLET“Kraaaaaaah!”YaFnxC
esxUCBWith that warning, a massive white dragon descended alongside the moonlight to the base of the walls.k6c
rUTMAt the same time, armored troops surged through the shattered gate.3Tg
AvP720EAt their front fluttered the banner of a house long forgotten by history.0UFOFn
J7WRThe emblem of Dragulia.WsZ
ITNyo“……”V5LjK
2FkThe forces advanced through the darkness of the city.t64qIa
uWCCKjThough Zemina’s gaze was as steadfast as a heroine’s, it also concealed a worry she could not hide.hMg
7FD‘Yustia…’7Wbmy
RFAXBecause the moment the dragon’s roar echoed out, a group of knights shot out from the alleyways.VshKFb
nOlbJCKnights specially selected to lure the invading forces deeper into the city.buM4
Kc0RoAnd at the center of that group was a young girl.CxC3Qj
zKNHer red hair resembled a brilliant rose in full bloom.CGSXnm
2SrG5WIt was exactly the same color as Zemina’s.RSwlVsq
Os2pGBb***544Lfa
XPZ77B7“Faster! Faster!”jOLxT
1JhgKA dozen knights rode hard while enemy forces pursued them.rXj
pzfj4From the North Gate to the inner alleyways.bmbQt
Gv56bThey had successfully lured the troops into Soara’s labyrinth of streets.sXb9k6
X0b3But the situation remained extremely dangerous.B86y0FY
XrxoOBl“There is Yustia Aureo!”FHPSxn
8zV7E86The pressure of the army advancing behind them was terrifying.Tdz
3JteUIt was Dragulia’s army.1fZ9s
2TzGyDozens of knights.qAOL
ySOsDDOHundreds of soldiers.FJayEP
80HZIMSThey knew perfectly well they were being led into a trap.flY5cyU
zx0dP22And yet they could not resist.mXa7QI
aHek“The enemy of Dragulia! Vlad’s daughter is there!”MEX9WSN
3nMWrGBecause the target they were chasing was simply too tempting.1YzD
B5cIn the dark night, a young girl with red hair seemed to be the only source of color in those narrow alleyways.LPTH
3oUsICYet her cold blue eyes clearly revealed whose blood she had inherited.slA
IKHcv“Capture that girl! Glory to Dragulia!”Rou
ttJNzqmHundreds of men ran after her while shouting the name of that ancient fallen house.0fHRi
N4E7Driven by greed.TvXo3
6yHZBy anger.WmsPUq
sAdAnd by the weight of their ambitions.CId5
3i4dIt was an emotional burden far too heavy for a girl of only sixteen.10k1VL
QjKBut the girl was not alone.JiD0z
GbVz“How dare you?!”Y9D
pVooUFyA man closed his left eye as he stepped in front of the approaching troops.D0KNfY
HdPMQHe was a man with red hair very similar to that of the girl running ahead.qTARl
DCU“Who dares set their eyes upon my niece?!”6EZH
JG4uaZDThe commander of the Northern Orthodox Church’s Second Knight Corps, Paladin Radu.HyqZ
gRZ6oAgainst the false banner of Dragulia that threatened his niece, he unleashed a devastating strike.GSPQDD
Fx9Wp1“Aaaaargh!”NjkLzDF
3kVb“T-The fire won’t go out!”I9i1
wxEuIIt was a strike covered in thick, sticky flames, as if oil had been mixed into them.j0XMK
5y4vOriginally, Radu’s world had been a world consumed by inferiority.ddby
teCwBut that knight had managed to turn even that complex into fuel to strengthen himself.O7J
mLfSNThat was why persistent flames burned at the tip of his sword, flames that were nearly impossible to extinguish.aFooe
Vc5dp“Dragulia! Damn it, always Dragulia!”xkcm
kTlAs he galloped through the alleyways, Radu roared with rage, as though he were already sick of hearing that name.mvE
s82M9C“Why do you keep waving the banner of a family that already disappeared?!”tQ0O
4LdORadu had been the last Dragulia.Qam04R
iCUBut he had abandoned that surname to dedicate himself to God.Kjvye
Zo7“There isn’t even a legitimate heir left to carry on that name!”vlAj0w
XkD“Kraaaaaaah!”FVjfuoh
0QFHe shouted it toward the white dragon running beside him.0Ffj
oEaM8naNo.Z2qgegn
iB8ZMore precisely, toward the blue-eyed man riding upon it.U6p
bKVCrash!T3nC
51uuRumbleee!ZqriEk1
4keakFLindworm did not even bother trying to pass through the alleyways.FhZH
jzsmGhwIt simply destroyed the buildings in its path.EMCqJ
WJDFaced with such savage power, the structures could not even resist and collapsed one after another.4ccqC
8yHkhNow only Radu and Yustia could keep pace with it.41N1u
vPfE70The dwarves’ cannons had fired to stop it.b9NqSB
pvAVUBut reaching such speed was impossible.X1eU
p9cWith a simple movement, Lindworm dodged every projectile.3un9
bnhNqO“How strange. Normally, children inherit the legacy of their parents.”WQBRsNo
5ikHe was a man with silver-gray hair.OOW
lg7He appeared somewhat younger than Radu.Rff
K4rq9nnBut there was one thing impossible to ignore.rJJLf8X
NcC6T8In his eyes shone the blue that only dragons possess.BD4
TpXBoom!osQgWrq
I9SCrash!lf7fHEl
RA30LiLindworm advanced in a straight line toward Rose’s Smile.2AFhhsm
O0QL“Shouldn’t I be the one to inherit the name of Dragulia?”x3wsUt
RUp5ZThe man’s fangs protruded as he smiled mockingly.rtj2
Ydd3Radu, who had once been part of Dragulia, knew perfectly well what those fangs meant.NxwWi
sYg“…You’ve devoured many.”0zDs22F
EXWIHow much dragon blood had he consumed?fAc0
d3aGIsLHis hair had already lost its original color and turned silver-gray.Mg0W5
BjUlhH“I suppose so. After all, my father left behind quite a lot to collect.”IK5QzB
WmBHdpAfter saying that, the man turned his gaze toward Radu.hj6wDf
bGP5And also toward the red-haired girl riding behind him.NJU
S2GNV0O“Isn’t that right, Sir Radu? You who once belonged to Dragulia.”PYe7R
CoTrICThe dragon’s cruel greed was directed toward a flower that had not even finished blooming.9GHlcqS
YHJJA flower named Yustia Aureo.s7jLC2
Q7oA girl created by a knight who chose potential instead of becoming a dragon.zrzMNW
ubSGtiz“You bastard.”Zehf
fjImfRealizing who the man was truly targeting, Radu roared in fury.NVPPfG
xfpCcjk— Evil walks the fields, and sin strikes at the gates of the city!TX46g2
sanWhoever points a sword at a child is evil.13p
PI2G6And evil must be judged.Q3iSv
qbN4WIt was his duty to do so.tmSW
2BOdY— O Saint Rogino, commander of the heavenly armies! Wield your sword and establish justice!3Knm
5hNIt was the prayer of a Paladin.dcIC
btM943lHe did not borrow power from his own inner world.emxo1Yy
c5THe borrowed the world of God.CvJpyD
oeZOThis time he did not close his left eye.w1i8L
np03BwVThe radiant blessing of Saint Rogino descended through both open eyes and concentrated upon his sword.8Ia8SU
x51ho“Die, damn you!”3jq
8mOKO3Judgment Prayer.Mqk
V6viThe will of Saint Rogino, punisher of the wicked, pierced through the alleyways of Soara.Ox0lPm
DgGoBooom!xYl64L
1LiTA radiant slash filled the entire street.dnT5VPm
E3ag9yKEven those watching from Rose’s Smile had to close their eyes before that holy attack.B0Tmn
4tDslN6Yustia also clenched her fists.cuwzD
dPfEIt looked like a certain victory.ekP
lS9WBut the fastest dragon did not allow judgment to reach him.rJR9JX
BIi“You possess the blood of a dragon capable of attaining perfection, and yet you beg a mere god.”1YQ2AC
KxmAt some point, Lindworm had already moved behind Radu.12m
XRyoG3“……!”myd
XekYOD2An icy sensation ran down Radu’s neck.Pm4sxs
0LMQbzyInstinctively, he ducked.wky
FVoUpaAnd it was the correct decision.VVZc6s
A8SprA sharp pain pierced through his shoulder.KnKL
zppI2nY“Uncle!”9FS44a
IqRXA1The man’s attack had narrowly missed.WDS0u
GdLBut it did strike Radu’s horse.jpc
UGZjxcAlthough he managed to save his life, he could not avoid being thrown away.jHp
Wkze“Kgh!”yYYpnU0
4GXRadu hit the ground and rolled through a cloud of dust.p2Y
kAYRumble…g2Ogt
DCONAs he disappeared into the distance as a small silhouette, Yustia quickly closed her left eye.yJa
ZJDYg‘I’ve got to find it!’SYQQ
eVHobGThe girl’s cold and precise Aura instantly transformed her vision.xrJdD
KbtdTAnd then she found the fastest dragon’s weakness.ArvvoDx
rMXjS7‘I’ve got to cripple his mobility!’NOhCjtL
QpgRadu’s attack had been enough to punish him.FG0Zg0
3IKkBut Lindworm’s speed had avoided the blow.HghvTQt
jWbNThat was why immobilizing him came first.rzv
qiF‘Found it!’aGBoJ
M0IwfRvHer technique, designed to search for the unexpected.ll9hDmK
XORYJSfAnd the dragon instinct that sought to destabilize the enemy.sbp8
vztBoth pointed to the same place.8FtRmqv
x5sWLindworm’s eyes.5cf
HV5mThose eyes that continued staring directly at her.J1ku47v
73qFwoosh!uvBy
H05UDiamang was not yet a fully grown steed.2Fyuk
SGyFWZBut precisely because of his small size, he could pass through impossible spaces.T6aslRo
BBDflm“Kraaaaaaah!”yTEkm
dmZShe dodged the tail.LFqYXx
7VHShe ducked beneath the front claws.w0cYn
Oait7And when only a single step remained—dFS9
9ZVvs1HThe small horse suddenly accelerated.2q5k973
qw8l8“……!”anKUtcb
Q9NR6HSEven the silver-gray-haired man opened his eyes in surprise.Q8Ptqe
sfAZIt was a movement beyond any calculation.5WqNU5i
5O9gN2And atop Diamang, Yustia had already drawn her sword.jHdq
IvyGMt“Now…”7alcjM2
iaZ92nShe only had to stab him.PLIZP
9qptMpBut at that exact moment—B1RhCR
LzKggvSlash!5aP
E4zA sword shot toward her at tremendous speed.PZjD
bvZ8Y“……!”kBv
jQax9jThe trajectory she had identified through her perception of weak points was aimed directly at her neck.MZAVk
wMB“How dare you?!”kPgw1k1
kiIkhYustia quickly withdrew the sword she had been about to thrust and blocked the attack.TlciR
Uj7eZ“Guh!”k7w
9rWdZSThe timing had been perfect.aMNAFFu
oq5IqEAThe movement impeccably precise.PDeTK3
w74wBut it lacked strength.QU6
KBNBExperience.2bS
N450gAnd weight.Wtcq
2xLSlashhh!Zu9Qc
2AeYustia and Diamang were sent flying.UyF
uhoIsBThey rolled violently across the ground.byo
3A4nThey had come in at such tremendous speed that they continued sliding for a long distance.WCV
mcpyThe road became stained with blood.Tl1EwY
SsU1Alw“Haah… haah… ngh…”sFL
XsFFtAHYustia and Diamang struggled to breathe while lying on the ground.Oi6E8LO
UhLmo4Thump… Thump…OXd9EP
nq0ZThe air was thick with the smell of smoke.PhS
25A6XOAnd through that smoke echoed the footsteps of the dragon.JR1XGgO
r54wWmYustia looked up at the enormous shadow looming over her.ibX
c6O“After all, hunting dragons is difficult. Especially when there are two at once.”0bipY7H
MWyZIlVThe man whistled calmly.g8eV
BgmdHe appeared completely relaxed.FR29JA1
dwAfpWShowing his sharp fangs, he looked down at Yustia.8qxm1G5
gufbq“But the rewards that come after a difficult hunt are always the sweetest.”pV41P
JLt1YhThe man who stepped down from Lindworm was a dragon hunter.xp8c5
u2WAnd also a dragon devourer.UffdjJ
uoAeHA man who intended to inherit the place of the supreme predator once occupied by Sarnus.Uqjg
IdvuaCA fanatic who dreamed of recreating the Perfect Dragon.cEBi
NMb4fg4“I wish your father could feel this too.”03PU
aNpbATo him, Vlad of Soara was a pitiful existence.FNIC53O
0I9weHe had devoured the oldest dragon.hGR
UpauHe could have become the Perfect Dragon.ZPG
a1Yh1ZnAnd yet he had settled for being nothing more than a knight.0Nqq
pBJTick— Tick-tick-tick!Wr8O
2lVA disturbing sound coming from a compass hidden inside his chest made him frown.EWv
gCvsIt was a signal related to the Deathworm.DkVEFM
NgcKtFThe monster that should have arrived there shortly.fW4q6
RD7GG2M“I won’t allow them to turn my husband into an abomination like that.”hK2
5s0oAnd then a voice rang out.OXSDO7
Loi86“Growing stronger by devouring others? What a disgusting creature.”8SUA
Esdl5Gradually, sounds began echoing from every alleyway.8AFNh0G
KtljThe silence barrier created by the priests had just disappeared.OGeOlZ
CIMe“I suppose when greed blinds you that badly, you end up falling into traps this obvious.”tE9nrF
2Mym84Dwarves aiming cannons.Ddiz
kslRLcVKnights with their Auras unleashed.DWqz
HNoPaladins helping Radu back to his feet.p2iPc0W
IT5NFeeling all those eyes upon him, the man finally raised his head.6nR
DSH5And understood where he was.UkHs
QQZYO“Lady Zemina. It is an honor to meet you.”Y3z6yA
ulgRose’s Smile.xeJ
dLU3The domain of the Swordmasters.luqCpl
X54s89TThe sanctuary of all knights.xMS7i
u83VQMZThe only illuminated building in the entire city stood before him.UIe
afJFAnd beneath that light, Yustia began to laugh softly.UBRl4J
6WtapGzThat laugh sounded very much like the mockery the Lady in Red had just spoken.kR4fYJ
gkTtexAnd it was no coincidence.AbChj
44P“…I’ve arrived too early. I was supposed to have company.”Y3ssRTY
KESIeScNormally, the Deathworm should have already arrived.Vj3Wgg
bfmIWdYAnd with it, the troops and the necromancers.tNlwl
hFlY5SBut the compass continued emitting that disturbing sound.eaGt
vAYe2And he was completely alone.PRRriI
4WIjD“But even so, I’ll take what I came here for, Zemina.”mTOYF
MMAkxThe man closed his left eye.r8vnb1
rBgikAnd his figure became blurry.h0iQ
SAyzeIt was not magic.za0Sww
JkfBIt was pure speed.ZD1j
6HCbBSThe priests realized it instantly.Ugl4oDF
YXVWpAnd unleashed all their prayers upon Yustia.Vdz
SHtfg— Make this body a shield for her!OU32
X0QD— Let evil not cross this line!HkJSy
1F1Vb— Hide the child beneath your wings!pOvQ
vD4EsEA multitude of defensive spells appeared around Yustia.6V4l
CvyoAt the same time, the knights of Soara positioned themselves in front of Zemina to protect her.oh6EL
PGDjm6“Believe it or not, I’m someone who values honor very highly, milady.”Pfq6Jx
6VGBut the man was not after Yustia’s life.L4h3iR
U9TyhNor Zemina’s.NFrk
tWz“Please tell your husband that I will be taking his precious honor.”DE0YUz
IrupThe man stood before Rose’s Smile.a6NH53F
ZpmbZAnd in his hands he held the signboard that symbolized the establishment.zEXh
xhf14“Hear me, everyone! I am taking Lady Zemina’s honor!”UXzgJrx
5QJI cannot accept your choice.vVfj
QPIeMHUThe choice of someone who preferred honor over perfection.6ltS
SowC“My name is Laiota! Laiota Dragulia! I claim Lady Zemina’s honor!”clMVEGy
PWHThus I will prove that your choice was wrong.X3sb
Vzb2o“Let Vlad of Soara come challenge me to a duel! Until then, I shall safeguard your wife’s name!”8YsrV
ILLauPAnd at the same time.1Zbwu
gdII will take your blood as well.zij7UN
nsObThe blood of the brightest dragon.ApU
zHxXJxAmid the burning city, the dragon’s fangs gleamed.BCQkX
hoRbSuHis name was Laiota Dragulia.YcTD
BKITThe man who devoured the corpse of a fallen dragon.TTtTiu
IF4aThe man who wished to replace the oldest dragon and attain perfection.YadTll
ggBHyV9And now he was already mounted once more upon Lindworm’s back.4f8
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