Chapter 235

Chapter 235

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 235: The Black-Clad Man (3)

【Dark Dragon Orsay, you are hereby arrested for illegal entry and the murder of several guards!】

Vanartier’s shout echoed loudly. The bustling noise from the streets died down instantly, as if mice had frozen at the sound of a cat’s bell.

【Grrrr...!】

Orsay was still caught in the grasp of the Blue Dragon. His only defiance was a growl of rage that shattered the silence. The guards tightened their grip on their spears.

“O-Orsay... Is it really the Dark Dragon I know?”

“I was sure he was dead.”

They could hardly believe their eyes. Orsay, defeated by the first Emperor of Balon, had abandoned his lair and headed west. The near-thousand years had turned Orsay’s defeat into more legend than history. Watching him closely, Ronan twisted his lips.

“As expected.”

There was only one suspect who fit the puzzle. It was just that the answer was so outlandish that it was hard to accept. He never thought he’d meet Orsay this way.

“Are you hurt? To have a conversation with that Dark Dragon, you must have nerves of steel.”

“What? Did you know that bastard was Orsay?”

“I recognized him the moment he entered the shop. Normally, Dark Dragons are adept at hiding their presence, but once you’ve experienced Orsay’s aura, you can never forget it.”

“That’s true.”

Ronan nodded. Orsay’s vicious mana was unmistakably distinct, even without trying to differentiate it. The tavern owner continued speaking.

“I can’t fathom why he would show up now after over a thousand years. What terrible thing is he planning this time...?”

“By the way, why was Orsay banned from entering Adren?”

“He killed too many of his kin. The decisive incident was when Orsay, after being defeated by the Empire, killed five dragons from Adren who had come to recruit him. It was a true tragedy.”

“Crazy bastard.”

Ronan shook his head in disbelief. Orsay was far more vicious than he had anticipated. Though his sudden outbursts had hinted at it.

A question suddenly flashed through Ronan’s mind. The old man before him spoke of events a thousand years past as if he had witnessed them himself.

Could he be a dragon too? There’s no sign of it.

【Keuuuu...】

As the tension continued to build, Orsay, still struggling, suddenly went limp. He seemed to have lost consciousness or exhausted himself. The Blue Dragon holding him chuckled. The soldiers, silent until now, began to murmur.

“Did he faint?”

“It’s not surprising, considering he’s bound with five layers of restraint spells.”

“Don’t let your guard down. Close in slowly!”

They advanced cautiously, spears aimed at Orsay. Examiner Vanartier frowned. Just as the street noise began to rise again, a chilling voice emerged from beneath Orsay’s drooping hair.

【...I’ve sobered up. You worms.】

【What?】

The Blue Dragon’s eyes widened. In an instant, Dark mana surged from Orsay’s shoulders like wildfire. The restraining magic circles around him flickered as if about to shatter, like candles before a gust of wind.

【Hey, reinforce the restraints...!】

Vanartier started to shout, sensing something amiss. Boom! The mana, which had been building up, suddenly condensed and exploded. The Blue Dragon screamed in pain.

【Kraaaah!】

Thud! The fingers holding Orsay fell to the ground. Each scale-covered finger was the size of a small tree. The severed ends were charred black.

“This...”

Ronan’s brow furrowed. The marks were identical to those he had seen on the corpse of the Poison Dragons. Freed from his restraints, Orsay landed on the ground. In his hand was a massive spear, as large as a pillar, resembling Zaifa’s crescent blade.

“He’s awake! Everyone, to your positions!”

“To your positions!”

【Orsay...!】

The soldiers readied themselves for combat. Vanartier gritted his teeth. The spear, as dark as Orsay’s hair, was reminiscent of the spears used by cavalry. The twisted, spiral shaft of the spear mirrored its owner’s ferocity.

【If you wish to die, I’ll grant your wish. After that, I need to find the whereabouts of Navardose.】

Orsay murmured. The murderous aura and mana swirling around him coiled around the spear. A very bad feeling crept over Ronan. The Blue Dragon, writhing in pain from losing his left hand, raised his right arm.

【Kraaak! You...!】

Crackle! A mass of blue lightning crackled in the dragon’s massive hand, tendrils of electricity expanding and contracting. It looked powerful enough to destroy a dozen buildings, and that was the problem. Vanartier urgently shouted.

“I figured. You bastard.”

Ronan responded without hesitation, meeting the attack. Clang! The clash of spear and sword echoed above Adren. Neither gave an inch, exchanging blows. Ronan twisted his lips.

‘He’s strong. Really strong.’

At first glance, it seemed like an even match, but it wasn’t. Although his innate talent allowed him to fend off Orsay’s attacks and occasionally land a blow, the fundamental difference in their prowess was too great.

[Translator – Peptobismol]

【Graaaah!】

Moreover, Orsay grew more ferocious as the battle progressed. Dark horns sprouted on both sides of his head. As he neared his true form, the spear moved faster and struck harder. Just as the two, having briefly separated, were about to clash again, a large magic circle formed beneath Orsay’s feet.

【Stop.】

A woman’s voice resonated through the air. Within the magic circle, spikes made of steel shot up. The curved spikes, like talons of a raptor, were taller than most buildings.

【Hmph!】

Orsay leaped vertically to evade the attack. Clang! The spikes clashed where he had been, emitting a metallic sound. His ascending body momentarily slowed down. The steel spikes shattered into hundreds of fragments. Crash! The airborne shards stuck to Orsay’s arms and legs.

【Urgh...!】

It felt as if he were shackled. Unable to overcome the weight, Orsay crashed to the ground. Simultaneously, dozens of magic circles, similar to before, covered his head. Clang, clang! Like rain, steel spikes poured down, piercing Orsay’s surroundings and forming a makeshift prison. The voice spoke again.

【That’s far enough, Orsay.】

Ronan turned his head in the direction of the voice. A woman in uniform stood there, seeming unaffected. She had a very cold demeanor. Her hair, shining under the moonlight, reminded Ronan of steel covered in frost.

Ronan’s eyes widened. He realized that the woman was another dragon who hadn’t participated in the battle so far.

Even just from a vague sense, it was clear that she was much stronger than Vanartier or Laratasian. Orsay, who couldn’t move, spoke up.

【You... I remember your face. Was your nicknamed the Whore of Steel?】

【It was the Empress of Steel. Although I’ve since relinquished that name as I serve someone else now.】

【Is that so? But do you think you can confine me with such mediocre skills?】

Orsay chuckled. He casually swung his spear as if shooing away a fly. Crash! The densely packed spikes broke apart instantly. What the hell. It looked like it was working, but what was that? Ronan was about to comment on her incompetence when the woman slowly shook her head.

【Of course, I don’t think that way. I’m just here to buy time.】

【What?】

Orsay tilted his head in confusion at the unfamiliar words. At that moment, a golden beam streaked across the night sky, piercing Orsay’s chest. Kwaaaah! The flash of light was so intense that the shadows in the street disappeared for a moment.

【Ugh...!】

There was no time to react. Orsay’s eyes widened as if about to pop out. Ronan instinctively turned his head. A blast of heat buffeted his forehead.

“Shit... what is...”

The beam quickly dissipated. Orsay’s abdomen was pierced through, leaving a hole the size of a human head. Ronan turned his head to locate the source of the beam. Faint traces of light streaked across the night sky.

“The Dragon King?”

Ronan’s eyes widened. At the opposite end of the remnants, a beam shot out from a high tower in the city center. As far as he knew, it was undoubtedly where the Dragon King resided.

【Keuk!】

Wobbling, Orsay coughed up blood. Crimson fluid poured onto the street. At that moment, another beam shot from the tower. This time, it missed due to its trajectory being visible. Thud! Orsay, who narrowly dodged the beam, glared at the tower.

【How dare...!】

His red eyes glowed fiercely, as if about to ignite. Despite the fatal injury, his momentum remained strong, but it seemed his body wouldn’t support him any longer. Orsay, glaring at Ronan and the woman, muttered grimly.

【You’ll regret this.】

“You’re talking as if you can escape.”

It seemed he was planning to flee. Of course, Ronan had no intention of letting Orsay go. Just as Ronan was about to activate his aura, the woman beside him grabbed his shoulder.

【Wait a moment.】

“What?”

Ronan hesitated at the unexpected objection. Orsay’s body blurred like mist. Alarmed, Ronan turned his head, but he had already disappeared. Ronan clicked his tongue in annoyance as he brushed off the woman’s hand.

“Damn it, we missed him.”

【We can organize a separate tracking team to pursue him. Since the entire Adren is under a barrier, he can’t escape. Also, there’s a more urgent matter at hand right now.】

The woman said calmly. Her reasoning slightly softened Ronan’s anger. Ronan took a deep breath and spoke.

“What is it then?”

【Our king wishes to see you.】

[Translator – Peptobismol]