by Virlyce
Paul’s shoulders were hunched over as he peaked up at Grimmy’s face. “But the prince is—”
“Dragons. Plural. I am a singular dragon,” Grimmy said as he passed the document back to Lindyss. “I see no issues with my presence in the area.” He blinked at Lindyss. “You knew.”
Lindyss smiled. “Of course. I wrote it.”
“What other loopholes did you include?” Grimmy asked as he reached for the paper again.
“Those are for me to abuse,” Lindyss said as she stuck out her tongue and incinerated the paper before Grimmy could grab it, “and—for the sake of the human race—for you to never find out.”
The door to the temple creaked, and Tafel stiffened. A few moments passed with no other noises, and she exhaled while looking down at Floofykins who tried to bite her nose. “Why is this so nerve-wracking?” she asked as she held Floofykins in front of her face. She sighed. “I’d rather fight three reapers at the same time.” Floofykins tilted her head and squirmed in her grip.
Tafel frowned at Lindyss. “Is she not imprinted?” Tafel asked as she parted the fur on Floofykins forehead, ignoring the boar’s protests.
“No,” Lindyss said and offered Floofykins a piece of roast pork. “Snuffles is a male, so he has no instincts whatsoever to imprint his offspring. And her mother didn’t have an imprint.”
“Somehow that feels wrong.”
“Well, phoenixes never existed on this continent until 800 years ago. They came at the same time as the humans from Fuselage,” Lindyss said and looked up at the sky. “They were as arrogant as dragons and vied for the top spot in the ecosystem. So the dragons wiped out the phoenixes, but spared their eggs, effectively leaving their race as strong as wyverns.” Lindyss sighed and shook her head. “A lot of dragons died during those hunts.”
Tafel frowned at Floofykins who looked bloated. “I meant it felt wrong to feed a boar pork, but that’s also pretty messed up,” she said. “Why’d the phoenixes leave Fuselage?”
“Same reason why the humans did,” Lindyss said as she turned towards the door of the temple. “To survive.”
“They never told us why humans moved to this continent. We always started history lessons at the time of landing 800 years ago,” Paul said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I feel like I heard something I shouldn’t have.”
“Then keep it to yourself,” Grimmy said and snorted. “What are you, a child?”
“But something this huge—. I’m sorry! Please don’t eat me!” Paul shrieked as Grimmy glared at him. He prostrated himself in front of Grimmy. “You’re right, O wise one. I shouldn’t have questioned you. Forgive this unappealing, stick-thin human who definitely tastes like sour milk and expired eggs.”
The temple door swung open, and Vur walked out with his aura gone. He froze as he met Tafel’s gaze. The two stared at each other without moving while creaking sounds came from Floofykins as she squealed and struggled to flee Tafel’s tightening grip.
“Tafel?” Vur asked.
Tafel nodded as she released Floofykins. She inhaled and approached Vur, stopping when she was in front of him. “You almost killed me,” she said with her hands on her hips.
Vur flinched. “I—”
“Take responsibility,” Tafel said with a red face. “You brute.”
Vur blinked and nodded as he wrapped his arms around Tafel. “I’m sorry.” Nothing else was said, but those two words were the only ones Tafel needed to hear. The two stood motionless with their ears resting against each other’s.
“Now kiss!” Grimmy said. He chortled. “She actually said it.” He grinned at Lindyss. “You owe me a meal when we get back.”
Lindyss sighed. “I’m disappointed in you, Tafel,” she said and shook her head. “I thought you’d be more refined. Do you know how much effort it takes to feed a dragon? And … those two aren’t even listening to us.”
The rest of the people inside the temple walked up to the entrance and froze, unwilling to take another step. Paul met Lillian’s and Michelle’s eyes. Michelle stared at Grimmy with her eyes wide and mouth open like a girl finding out her parents bought her a puppy.
‘What’s going on?’ Lillian mouthed to Paul. Paul shook his head, and his eyes flickered towards Grimmy. A white light formed a line of words above his head with the words, “Don’t move. ← He’s scary.” It disappeared again when Grimmy turned his head to find the sudden source of light. Paul lowered his head, avoiding the dragon’s gaze.
Before anyone could say anything else, a sharp yell split the silence. Green runes flashed along Rudolph’s arms and body. He shrieked as he clawed at his skin with his nails. Tafel and Vur broke away from each other, frowning at the prince. He writhed on the floor as blood leaked out of and coalesced along the runes, erasing them from existence. He screamed, “Johann! Something’s happening to Johann!” The prince gasped and shuddered as his eyes rolled upwards. After a few more moments of twitching, his body stopped moving.
36
“Who’s this Johann?” Grimmy asked as he poked the unconscious Rudolph. His snout crinkled, and he turned away. “Such a bad smelling contract magic.”
“Johann’s the big blue pupp—dragon. He’s Rudolph’s contracted beast,” Michelle said. She lowered her head at Vur. “Please, you have to help him. Johann really respects you and you’re really strong. I don’t think Geralt can save him if he’s in danger.” A chill rolled down her spine as someone snorted.
“Who are you?” Tafel asked as she narrowed her eyes at Michelle. Her grip on Vur’s hand tightened.
“I’m Michelle Heilig, daughter of the pope,” Michelle said with a slight curtsy. “You are?”
“Tafel Besteck,” Tafel said, her eyes sweeping over the group by the temple’s entrance. “Vur’s fiancée. Oh. And the current demon lord.” Every human’s body stiffened except for Vur.
Vur blinked. “You’re my fiancée?”
“Am I not?” Tafel asked as she glared at him. “Don’t you remember what we promised each other when we were little?”
Vur smiled and gazed into Tafel’s eyes. “Then I guess you are.” He pulled her closer to his body.
“Ahem, ahem.” Lillian cleared her throat. “Johann. Danger. Help? Yes, no?”
“No.”
Everyone stared at Grimmy.
“Aren’t you a dragon? How could you abandon your own kind?” the pope asked as he stepped forward.
The ground underneath Grimmy’s claws shattered. He snorted and lowered his head to look down on the pope. “You humans stole a dragon egg and now want our help when you can’t control it? What a joke.” Smoke creeped out of Grimmy’s mouth. His eyes narrowed. “Don’t ever forget your place, human.”
Vur frowned. “Johann was nice to me,” he said to Grimmy. “We should at least check what’s happening to him.”
Grimmy blinked his eyes and chuckled. “Alright,” he said. He winked at Lindyss. “Looks like he’s all grown up; this is the first time he’s ever disagreed with me.” He scooped Vur and Tafel onto his forehead while Lindyss climbed onto his claw with Floofykins. His eyes flickered to the pope. “Of course, I’ll be expecting a reward for this. And I’ll be taking it whether you like it or not.” He leapt into the air.
“The royal castle!” Michelle yelled from the ground. “Johann’s staying at the castle!”
***
Randel slammed his fist against the armrest of his throne. “What do you mean Johann is rampaging?” he asked the sentry who was on his knees before him. “Bring Exzenter to me, immediately!”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the sentry said. He stood up and sprinted out of the room without looking back.
Randel exhaled and clenched his fist. The words of the pope echoed in his ears, ‘Imagine if a sacred spirit rested in his body instead of blessing it.’ His eyes narrowed, and he raised one hand. “Bring the pope here. I need to ask him a few questions.”
Gale saluted. “Yes—”
“Your Majesty!” A sentry bur
st through the doors. “A black dragon has appeared outside of the temple along with the Corrupted One! They’re currently sitting outside doing nothing, but that can change at any moment. The pope is still inside the temple with the winners.”
Randel’s face paled. “When Exzenter arrives, tell him to stop Johann with Geralt and his men. Johann must be subdued and not killed,” the king said to the sentry. He whipped his head towards Gale. “Come with me.”
Randel and Gale left the throne room, leaving the sentry to deliver the message to Exzenter. “Where are we going, Your Majesty?” Gale asked as the two descended down a spiral staircase.
“The Vault of the Spirits,” Randel said as he led Gale into an unlit corridor. He opened a plain wooden door at the end and stepped inside. Glowing white crystals littered the floor and illuminated the room.
Gale’s eyes widened. “These are…”
“Correct,” Randel said as he picked up a crystal. It looked similar to the one the pope had lit on fire to summon the yellow smoke at the altar. “The pope is the capital’s strongest defender with these crystals in his hand; however, he’s cornered by a dragon and can’t access them.” Randel’s gaze locked onto Gale’s. “It’s up to you—the archbishop closest in line to becoming the next pope—to call upon our ancestors to defend the capital. I will try to negotiate with the Corrupted One, but if things cannot be settled peacefully, then you are our last hope.”
Gale shuddered. “I understand, Your Majesty,” he said and lowered his head. “I will do my best.”
“Of course. I expect nothing less,” Randel said and removed the ring he was wearing. He passed it to Gale. “This ring will shatter if I die.” Randel stared into Gale’s eyes, hesitating. In the end, he patted Gale’s shoulder and left the room.
Outside, Randel went to the royal stables to acquire a horse. He rode towards the royal castle’s exit, but before he could leave, a shadow blotted out the sun and landed behind him. His face paled as the horse threw him off and bolted away. The king dusted himself off and gulped as he turned around. A black dragon smiled at him.
“Grimmy, you almost squished the king,” Lindyss said. “No amount of loopholes in the contract would’ve changed that.”
“Well, he’s still alright, yeah?” Grimmy asked and gestured towards the trembling king. “See, just a little shaky and frightened. Maybe his pants are soiled, but that’s it. He’ll be fine.”
The king took in a deep breath and stuck out his chest. His knees knocked together as he asked, “May I know what you are doing in my kingdom?”
Grimmy blinked. “Sightseeing.”
“S-sightseeing?”
“Yup, but then we encountered the prince who wanted us to help him with his Johann problem,” Grimmy said. “He promised to give us the royal treasury as payment.”
“That’s…”
“What? Does the royal family renege on their deals?” Grimmy asked as he leered at the king. “I think I understand how they came into power. It’d be a shame if something were to happen to them.”
“F-fine. The royal treasury for your assistance,” the king said through gritted teeth.
Grimmy smiled while Lindyss sighed.
***
Charon sneezed as he dusted off a book. “It feels like I’m forgetting something,” he mumbled to himself. “Like, future of the world important…” He frowned and stepped to the window, staring off into the horizon almost as if he was seeing past the ocean and into Fuselage. “Well. If it was that important, then I wouldn’t have forgotten it.” He turned his attention back to the book as he scratched his naked legs.
***
Geralt stood outside of Johann’s courtyard with a contingent of soldiers behind him. His face was dark. Though he had failed to subdue the skeletons of Konigreich, the king still trusted him with important tasks. Like suppressing a dragon. By his side, Exzenter was drinking mana potions.
“How do we stop him?” a soldier asked, his face pale. In the courtyard ahead of him, Johann was clawing the floor and bellowing into the air. His wings quivered as he struggled to fly, but he kept crashing against the ground before he could get a meter into the air. His claws left parallel rifts in the ground as he pulled himself off the floor over and over again.
Geralt snorted. “This is why I told the king to keep a closer watch on this beast,” he said as he tightened his grip on his sword and shield. “We’ll hamstring it. Cut the tendons in its legs and wings. The first phalanx will be responsible for keeping its attention on them while the rest of us focus on its limbs.” He raised his voice. “Understood!?”
“Y-yes, sir!” the soldiers behind him shouted. Their orange swords shone in the sun as they trekked through the entrance to the courtyard.
Exzenter narrowed his eyes at Johann. Wind swirled around the time mage’s feet as he chanted. A giant clock’s face appeared underneath Johann’s body and counted down in reverse. “He’s slowed,” Exzenter shouted to Geralt. “Luckily he’s not resistant to magic like most dragons.”
Geralt grinned as he circled behind Johann and slashed towards the dragon’s hind leg. Johann’s tail blurred and slammed into Geralt’s body, flinging him against the wall. His bones cracked as he coughed out a mouthful of blood. “Dammit, Exzenter!” Geralt roared. “You said he was slowed!”
Exzenter scratched his head. “I did use slow though,” he said and frowned. “Unless I cast haste? I wouldn’t make such a rookie mistake. Hold him off as I cast a stop spell.”
The soldiers ground their teeth as they took a step back and readied their shields. They flew through the air as Johann smacked against them with his claws and tail. A few unlucky ones were torn to shreds by the dragon’s teeth. Cuts gradually accumulated along Johann’s legs, leaking bright-red blood. A worm crawled out of a particularly large wound and lunged towards a soldier.
“What the hell is this?!” The soldier bunted the worm with his shield and bisected it with a single slash.
“Watch out! It’s still moving,” the man next to him said. The front half of the worm flew towards the soldier’s face before he could raise his shield.
“Stop!” Exzenter shouted. The worm froze in mid-air, and the soldier hacked it to pieces. Johann let out a bellow, unaffected by the time magic.
“Magic’s not working on him!” Geralt shouted, flecks of blood flying from his mouth. “Regardless, we can still stop him. He’s wounded and our white mages will be here to heal us soon. We’ll win in a battle of endurance. Keep it up!”
Johann’s body shuddered as his eyes closed. He stopped moving as Geralt’s men advanced and hacked at his legs, severing his tendons.
Geralt laughed. “I guess it gave up knowing it would lose. Kill these worms, men. I don’t know what they are, but they’re disgusting me.”
Johann’s eyes snapped open. The bleeding flesh on his wounds wriggled and writhed. They grew and expanded outwards, the severed muscles and tendons stitching themselves back together. Johann bellowed and flapped his wings, no longer struggling and thrashing.
“This…,” Geralt said as his brow creased. “Fall back! Everyone, fall back!”
Johann roared and slammed his claws onto the ground. A storm of lightning rained down on the soldiers, eliciting pained cries and shrieks. He swiped his claws towards the ones who were lucky enough to avoid the bolts. Green blades shot out of his claws, cutting into the soldiers.
“He’s using magic,” Exzenter said with wide eyes. “That’s impossible—he’s not imprinted. What’s going on here?” Wind swirled around Exzenter as his body disappeared. He reappeared on a roof and fell over backwards. “It’s you?”
“Hello, Exzenter,” Lindyss said. “Running away?”
Grimmy was sitting on the roof with Lindyss, Tafel, and Vur. They watched Johann fight against the soldiers, crushing what remained of them.
“We’re not fighting that,” Grimmy said. “Forget the treasury; I’m rich enough.”
Vur frowned. “But—”
> “No buts. We came to assess the situation, and the situation is bad,” Grimmy said and stretched his neck. “He’s resistant to magic and can cast spells. I would stop him if that was it, but he’s seriously infected by those parasites. I refuse to get close to something like that.”
Lindyss nodded. “I’m sure the humans have some safeguards to deal with extreme threats,” she said. “Let them handle it. There’s no need to sacrifice ourselves. I do wonder where those worms came from though.” She narrowed her eyes. “The demons brought over a batch from Fuselage. I wouldn’t be surprised if the humans did the same and something went awry. You reap what you sow. We’re leaving.”
“Wait!” Exzenter said. “Please, help me stop him.”
Lindyss frowned. “Didn’t you hear any of what I said? We’re not risking our lives to clean up someone else’s mistake.”
“You won’t be at risk,” Exzenter said and lowered his head. “Please. I just need you two to feed mana into me so I can perform a largescale area teleportation spell.”
“He’s resistant to magic, did you forget?” Lindyss asked. “Where would you even teleport him to?”
“I’ll teleport him to Fuselage,” Exzenter said. “As long as I teleport the whole space around me, he’ll be included in the spell, regardless of resistance. I just need more mana.”
Grimmy raised an eyebrow. “You’re sure? You’ll be stuck on Fuselage too, you know? With an angry dragon at that.”
Exzenter nodded. “I swore an oath to protect the kingdom. If I ran away now, then I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” He knelt on the floor and lowered his head towards Lindyss and Grimmy. “Please.”
Lindyss sighed. “The humans don’t deserve someone like you,” she said and shook her head. “We’ll help.” She slid off of Grimmy’s head and grasped Exzenter’s hand. Grimmy placed the tip of his claw on Exzenter’s head. Vur and Tafel exchanged glances with each other before grabbing Exzenter’s other hand. The time mage’s veins bulged as his hair fluttered, streams of mana flowing into his body. Blood dripped out of his pores, leaving a layer of red on his body.