Dragon's Lament

The White Lion Knights watched their young lord stand before the Demon Dragon, having no idea what he was doing. Not daring to disturb him, they tacitly cleared out the surrounding ghouls and formed a large perimeter on guard.

"Without your help, I would have had no way to break free from Naraku's Chosen's control. Now, I can finally return to Dragon God's realm.

"My name is Nagrai Zermir A. Frey...

"It was a pleasure to meet you at the very end."

"Ah! Hello, my name is Havent Havent Highland."

After introducing himself, Havent instinctively performed a Noble's Greeting.

"Before I leave, allow me to give you this as a token of my gratitude."

Countless tiny streams of light drifted from the red dragon Nagrai, then gathered into several ribbons of light that flowed into Havent's body.

"Farewell, brave youth.

"May Dragon God bless you."

Before Havent's eyes, the red dragon's entire body burst into flames. Its flesh and skin became like burnt scraps of paper, turning into fiery ash that drifted into the pitch-black night sky.

As the last stream of light vanished, Havent uncontrollably dropped onto the ground, his head spinning as though something extra had been added to his mind.

The soldiers nearby thought their young lord had been injured and hurried over.

With the soldiers' support, Havent got to his feet.

"I'm fine. I'm fine."

He looked up at the night sky, then at the place where the dragon had vanished, and silently said in his heart,

Farewell, Nagrai. May your journey home be smooth.

He stood there in a daze for a moment. This situation should count as having been resolved, right?

"Let's go. We're heading back."

"Yes, Young Lord."

The White Lion Knights left behind had already finished clearing the battlefield. In the end, of the thirty-man assault squad Havent had brought out, only seven severely wounded men remained.

After settling the wounded, Havent, overwhelmed by drowsiness, fell asleep sprawled across his horse.

No one wants you, no one wants you. Go eat shit!

Grandma, I'm hungry...

Little White, Little White, don't run... Don't hit Little White... Little White, don't die...

Get lost! Get lost! Go beg somewhere else!

Little Havent... Mommy's little Havent...

Kevin! You dare hit our son?! I'll fight you to the death!

Hey! Son, come here, come here. Daddy's taking you hunting.

"Young Lord, it's getting late. You should return. You've been sitting on the city wall all day..."

"Young Lord? Young Lord? What's wrong? Are you all right?"

Hearing someone call to him, Havent lay in bed, his brows twitching rapidly a few times before he slowly opened his eyes.

Cough, cough...

"Young Lord, water."

Havent took the teacup and gulped down several large mouthfuls before handing it back.

"Ankut... How long have I been asleep?"

The silver-haired old man helped Havent sit up in bed, placed a pillow behind his back, then stood respectfully at his side.

"Young Lord, you have been asleep for two days."

"What? That long?"

Ankut's answer gave Havent a fright, though he truly did feel as if he had slept for a very long time and dreamed many dreams.

"What's happening outside?"

"The Dawn Guard arrived this morning and are currently stationed outside the city. Their leader and the other noble lords are in the meeting room. They should not have come out yet."

Havent rubbed the back of his head, which ached faintly from sleeping too long. He gave it two hard pats, felt much better, and rose from the bed.

"What about the Ghoul Army?"

Ankut fetched his coat and draped it over Havent's shoulders from behind.

"The Ghoul Army has currently withdrawn from the territory. It is said they have headed in the direction of Ugalamar. As for anything else, this old servant does not know."

"Ugalamar? Isn't that on the orcs' side?"

"Yes, Young Lord."

Grrrrrr...

"Let's eat first. I'm starving to death."

"Yes, Young Lord. It has long been prepared for you. They're all your favorites."

In the dining hall, Havent clutched a sauce-covered pork leg in his left hand while his right hand kept shoveling spoonfuls into his mouth. A large basin of creamy corn, mushroom, and snow rabbit soup quickly reached the bottom.

After swallowing two pies made with blazing pork, he leaned back comfortably in his chair and let out a satisfied burp.

"Burp... It feels so good to be full.

"Ankut, how is Taren? He was badly injured back then."

Ankut directed the maids to clear away the remaining food, then handed Havent a hot towel.

"Knight Commander Taren has improved under Lord Solis's treatment. Though he still cannot get out of bed, after resting quietly for about a week, he should be able to move normally."

"Oh, I see... Taren really saved us back then. I'll go visit him later.

"By the way, what is Teacher doing? Is he attending the meeting too?"

"No. We suffered many casualties in this battle. Lord Solis is currently treating the wounded at the infirmary camp."

"Good. Then let's go see Teacher first."

They walked out of the castle.

The slanting sun happened to split the clouds on the horizon, and Havent's and the butler's shadows stretched across the thirty-seven stone steps.

The cold wind of approaching winter swept past Havent's shirt, carrying the scent of pine resin. The sweat on his back evaporated instantly. Along the way, patrolling guards repeatedly stopped to salute the two of them.

Passing through the archway, they heard the clang of hammering from the blacksmith shop. The blacksmith Carmen was berating his clumsy apprentices. Seeing everyone so busy, Havent could not help but smile.

He waved to Carmen, who was saluting him, and headed straight for the infirmary camp. The strong scent of medicinal herbs reached him from far away. After sneezing several times, Havent finally arrived at the largest tent, where his teacher was.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Solis asked without turning his head,

"Awake at last, little hero? How do you feel? Any discomfort? I can take another look at you."

Havent naturally sat down beside Solis, checked the soldier's condition, and handed the tools to Solis.

"I'm all right. I feel pretty good, but I didn't expect to sleep for so long."

Solis took the ointment Havent handed over, spread it over the wound, bandaged it, then waved to the soldiers nearby to carry the patient away.

"That's perfectly normal. You're only a novice mage, after all. The magic power in your body was already very limited, and you overexerted yourself so badly. It is only by Lady of Magic's blessing that you didn't turn into an idiot."

Havent shrugged in agreement.

"So, what happened in the end? Did Father catch that Church of Death leader?"

Solis shook his head, frowning as he cut away the rotting flesh from the shoulder of the soldier lying before him. He picked up a bottle of milky white glowing liquid and poured it over the wound.

The two instantly reacted violently, and a cloud of black smoke rose from the soldier's wound.

"No. The Count was also seriously injured, and that man in black actually summoned a Ghoul Lord.

"Held back by the Ghoul Lord, the Church of Death's remaining cultists escaped toward Ugalamar with the remnants of the Undead Army."

Listening to his teacher's account, Havent felt both confused and relieved.

"I see! Ankut said that the Dawn Guard's leader has been in a meeting with Father and the others for an entire day. Do you know what they're discussing?"

Solis gave Havent an odd smile.

"Nobles and the Church—what else could possibly be worth arguing over?"