Chapter 285

Chapter 285

"Arent foreign festivals quite enjoyable?"

The girl who had sent Kuilan flying with a flick of her finger exclaimed defiantly.

Only then did I recognize her.

Black hair. Golden eyes. A silver crown. A petite stature that didnt look a day over ten, and an archaic way of speaking.

That appearance. That physique. And those actions.

I couldnt help but recognize her.

Unconsciously, I murmured her alias.

"Dragon Lady...!"

Duchess of Bringar.

She had finally arrived at the Crossroad.

***

Grand Duchess of Bringar. Dragon-Blooded Duchess.

The Evening Dragon Queen, Dragon Lady...

A half-human, half-dragon carrying numerous nicknames.

The ruler of Bringar Duchy, a fugitive who had retreated from the war against the Imperial Army, and a daring woman who, despite receiving help from me, had declared war.

Her name, inherited directly from the Ancestral Dragon, wasDusk Bringar.

At present, she had arranged a separate space to speak privately with me.

"I left my knights behind and came here first for reconnaissance."

Barracks. Meeting room.

Sitting across from me, Dusk Bringar revealed her sharp teeth in a radiant smile.

"Though this frontier at the worlds end is a rural backwater, the liveliness of the festival is not bad. I rather like it."

"..."

"So, youre the audacious brat who invited me here, arent you?"

She might look no older than ten, but in reality, she was a cunning monster who had lived for more than 120 years. I made sure not to let my guard down and returned her smile.

"Ash. My name is Ash Born Hater Everblack. Its a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

"Hmm~?"

Upon watching me, a satisfied smile spread across Dusk Bringars face.

"Indeed, you have a strong backbone. Youre able to maintain your composure even in the face of my aura."

Just like how the leaders of the Nightmare Legion exude malevolent energy, this half-human, half-dragon also seemed to emanate a sort of life force.

But I had a passive skill to neutralize that.

"I never imagined meeting you like this," I said, pouring cold tea into the cup before her.

"I thought I would meet you at the city walls, considering you declared war."

"I intended to do so. But werent you the one who left the gates wide open? Thanks to that, Ive been enjoying the festival since yesterday."

Dusk Bringar laughed melodiously.

"Enjoying a festival, you say! Theres a fearsome evil dragon vying for control of this city, right at my doorstep."

"An evil dragon is still a dragon, yes."

Heh.

One corner of my mouth twisted into a sly grin.

"But a dragon with its teeth pulled."

"...Hoh."

When I mocked her for having lost all her foundation, a momentary flash of intense anger swept across Dusk Bringars youthful face.

"You are arrogant, just like your father."

"One could say you resemble your distant relative too, Your Highness."

That was code for her being arrogant too.

Neither of us backed down, and the Dragon Lady also twisted her lips into a smile.

It was a malevolent smile that didnt suit the young girls face, but there was a strange sense of pleasure to it.

With that, I leaned closer to her face and growled.

The country was ablaze, the army decimated, and all that was left were a handful of personal knights. Still, they held their heads high, refusing help and even sending us a declaration of war.

"..."

"If the Imperial Capital Academy ever opens a department of arrogance, you must be appointed as the chair professor, Your Highness."

"Your tongue is smooth, Third Prince. Smooth enough to make me want to rip it out."

"Isnt it Your Highness who showed her teeth despite my polite invitation?"

I had abandoned formalities by now.

"I opened up a path for you, only for you to start a war over command? Challenging me when you dont even have the chips to gamble with? Isnt it you whos ignorant of the world, Dusk Bringar?"

We had already agreed to draw swords against each other. No need for pleasantries.

I planned to commandeer this Dragon Lady and her knights. Theres no reason to lose in a skirmish.

Despite my brusque words, the smile on Dusk Bringars face grew even deeper.

Whats wrong with this games racial balance? Dragons are OP, arent they? Wheres the patch, devs?!

Swallowing my curses, I patted Verdandi gently on the shoulder.

"Its alright, you did your best. Verdandi. Youve done better than anyone else so far..."

"Im really sorry, Ash..."

Muttering gloomily, Verdandi suddenly brightened up.

"Well then, Im off! I have to use my free market pass!"

And just like that, she took off toward the city with the Holy Grail Seekers who had been waiting for her.

Hey! You didnt lose on purpose just to get free snacks, did you?! Huh?!

Dusk Bringars semi-final opponent was Evangeline. Warming up for the battle, Evangeline grumbled.

"Ah~ I wanted to get an unlimited stall voucher after forfeiting in the last match, you know."

"Ill buy that for you instead! No, not just the stall, Ill buy you anything else you want! Just please help me deal with that woman!"

"Huh?! Really?! You promise to buy everything!"

I nodded my head fervently.

If I could just win the battle of pride against Dusk Bringar, what was a mere stall? I felt like I could even give away an entire castle if I wanted to.

And so began the semi-finals.

Two diminutive girls stood side by side in the arena, glaring at each other. Aider, the referee, swiftly lowered his hand.

"Begin!"

Whoosh!

As soon as it started, Dusk Bringar lunged forward and flicked her finger, while Evangeline, her emerald eyes glowing, nimbly tried to dodge

Slip.

"Ah."

...and suddenly lost her footing.

"Darn it!"

I tore at my hair. Evangelines Error-Prone trait had activated! When the heck will that thing go away?

Bang-!

"Waahhh!"

Struck by the flick, Evangeline let out a terrifying scream and flew through the air.

I thought she was definitely going to be knocked out, but,

Whoosh!

Evangeline twisted her body in mid-air, correcting her posture, and landed precariously on the edge of the arena.

"Im okay! I dodged it!"

Evangeline smiled brightly at me. I waved back, annoyed.

"Why are you looking at me, you idiot! Look at your opponent!"

"Oops!"

By the time the foolish Evangeline turned her head, Dusk Bringar had already closed the distance between them.

From beneath her robes hood, a mouth full of pointed teeth stretched into a wicked smile.

Bang-!

Another finger flick was unleashed.

"Im sorryyyyy! But Ill still take the Silver Winter Merchant Guild voucher!"

Evangeline left just those words before flying off into the distance...

I clasped my face with both hands. Ugh! Not a single reliable party member in this world!

"So easy, so simple. Are there no heroes on the Southern Front? At this rate, I wouldnt even need to issue a declaration of war!"

Dusk Bringar mockingly performed a little dance in the arena.

Damn it! I really want to hit her! Smash her to bits! But theres nothing I can do!

"Is there... is there no one? Is there no hero who will take down the enemy general...!"

Muttering as if I were Cao Cao from the Three Kingdoms, calling for someone to behead Hua Xiong,

"My Lord."

A voice, somewhat awkward but filled with resolute determination, came from beside me.

"I will stop that woman."

I turned and couldnt believe my eyes.

An SSR-grade hero, the protagonist of the game, my last insurance and bastion.

The final opponent for Dusk Bringar in this martial arts tournament.

"Lucas...!"

My knight stood beside me.

Lucas nodded at me, his face full of determination.

"The first place in the martial arts tournament will be mine, after all."