Traitor

Sordil stared at the army struggling forward below, his mind returning to the conversation he had overheard in the forest last night. What he had not expected was that "they" had set him as their target four or five days ago. Still, this also proved that his decision to go to Mildian Magic Academy to study magic had been correct. If he wanted to survive in these troubled times, he needed enough strength to protect himself. Beyond that, he needed to make those fools who did not know their place feel his wrath, so they would stop constantly setting their sights on him. With that thought, Sordil turned his gaze toward a figure at the front of the formation.

"Young Master, we should catch up with them. Otherwise, these humans may be in danger," Murellia reminded him softly from behind.

"Tch! The Young Master and I didn't come here to babysit them. If they need us to step in over every little difficulty, then what are we keeping them around for?" Unlike Murellia's gentleness, Lindel's attitude toward humans was far harsher. This was also the attitude most dragons of Fostadu held toward humanity.

"Stop arguing, you two. We'll catch up with the group now. But Lindel is right—we didn't keep them around for amusement. Some things have to be done by themselves." After stopping their quarrel, Sordil began pursuing the army ahead.

Looking at the two beside him, Sordil could only sigh helplessly. Last night, after telling Hadessta and the other four about the conversation he had overheard, he had proposed his plan. When they learned that Sordil intended to use himself as bait to draw out the traitor, all five strongly opposed it. In the end, seeing how resolute he was, Hadessta agreed to lure the enemy out only on the condition that dragonkind members protect his safety. Thus, Sordil had no choice but to bring the two with him. Naturally, Murellia and Lindel did not know the true purpose of this plan. Like all the humans below, they had been told that they were building a forward outpost to prevent further surprise attacks.

The three dragons moved swiftly and caught up to the marching army before long. As he looked at their approaching destination, Sordil knew this would be the best opportunity to strike back at Koreita. A great battle was unavoidable. Probably only a few of the soldiers below would return to Fostadu alive, but it could not be helped. The entire Western Continent was in turmoil, and he could only do his utmost to ensure their safety. Besides, if they did not eliminate the hidden traitor, there would be even more casualties in the future. He could only choose the lesser of two evils. At last, the army gradually entered Moens Canyon. Sordil estimated that they would make their move soon.

Zival stared at the rainbow-colored giant dragon in the sky, and the excitement in his heart gradually faded, replaced by an inexplicable unease that refused to leave him. He had originally been worrying over how to lure Sordil out of Fostadu, yet Sordil had unexpectedly proposed going to Moens Canyon to build an outpost himself. At the time, Zival had thought the heavens were helping him, and he had been overjoyed. Thinking back now, the whole development of events seemed far too coincidental. But no matter what, he had no way back. He had to carry out that task even if he had to grit his teeth and force his way through it. Now, he was beginning to regret agreeing to that Black Dragon's request. Even they probably had not expected Fostadu's Young Master to grow so quickly!

However, when his gaze shifted to the figure in leather armor ahead, all unease and regret were ruthlessly extinguished. Even if he were mocked by others, hunted by Fostadu's dragons, and stripped of everything, he would still kill him. He would repay the humiliation Sordil had given him all those years ago tenfold, a hundredfold, and make him understand that he was not someone who could be bullied at will. It was only a pity that little sister Lin'er would have to live alone from now on.

"Rumble!"

Once Sordil and the army had fully entered the canyon, a massive boulder suddenly flew over the crowd and sealed off the canyon entrance. Several unlucky people were killed by the scattering fragments of rock. Six enormous black shadows appeared atop the canyon, their twelve eyes sweeping playfully over Sordil and the army below as if hunters were surveying their prey. Chaos began to spread through the troops. Lindel and Murellia hurried forward and shielded Sordil behind them, while Zival quietly began closing in on his target.

"Black, why are you here?" Lindel stared at one of the Black Dragons on the canyon ridge and asked in astonishment.

"Why can't I be here? I, Black, can go wherever I please!" Black replied mockingly as he stared at Lindel. Then he shifted his gaze to Sordil and loudly asked, "Are you the dragon Gilkunis picked up over a year ago and took in as his son?"

"So what if I am? So what if I'm not?" Sordil asked calmly, without the slightest hint of agitation.

"If you are, then I'll consider making you my son. If you aren't, then you'll just have to die." Seeing Sordil so calm and composed, Black felt as though he had punched a wad of cotton. Shouldn't this little brat be kneeling and begging for mercy in terror? How did he dare speak to Lord Black like this?

"Heh. Who gave you the confidence to think you can definitely kill me? Him?" Sordil sneered and pointed down at Zival.

In an instant, everyone's gaze turned to Zival. Zival, who had nearly succeeded, froze in place, his dagger suspended in midair as it stabbed toward its target.

Staring at the dagger that was about to pierce his back, Seraf felt terror—and then a surge of blazing, nameless fury. He snatched Zival's dagger away, drew his own long sword, and held it against Zival's neck. Only then did the guards behind them react and step forward to bind Zival. At the same time, Black sensed that something was wrong. Perhaps he had miscalculated this time. Just as he intended to retreat, the silhouettes of ten dragons appeared in the sky beyond the canyon, led by Gilkunis. Black knew that he would likely be unable to leave this place alive. After all, he had never been able to escape dragonkind's encirclement while facing two opponents at once.

"Prison Space!"

"Wind Sickle!"

"Emerald Signal!"

"Accelerate!"

"Sluggishness!"

As Black considered his options, Sordil decisively struck, trapping the six dragons within Prison Space and bombarding them with attacks. At the same time, one acceleration spell after another was cast upon Gilkunis and the other dragons surrounding them. Gilkunis immediately understood Sordil's intent and unleashed a breath attack at the trapped Black while accelerating forward. The other dragons followed suit and launched their own attacks. Now, they somewhat understood what Gilkunis had meant at last night's banquet. Their Young Master truly was not someone to be trifled with.

Lindel and Murellia were the most shocked of all. They had always believed that Young Master Sordil was too young and lacked much combat ability, and that this trip would surely be exhausting for them as his caretakers. Now, it seemed that they had been far too naive. Young Master Sordil might not be able to defeat them, but dealing with Koreita's lot was simply effortless for him. Even the traitor they had painstakingly planted had been exposed by the Young Master, and now they themselves were about to be slaughtered here by him and Boss Gilkunis.