LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 63
Chapter 63. The Dark Dragon’s Sincerity
Well then, it’s Zilbagias, back again with the frozen head of Faravgi.
Sorry, Faravgi. I didn’t mean to disgrace your corpse. But using this unusual asset of yours, I’ll stir up the Demon Lord Kingdom, so let’s call it even.
I sat on the sofa in the middle of the room, placing the head on my left side while the shiny scale armor went on my right, waiting for the purported leader of the Dark Dragons.
After a short wait, the leader of the Dark Dragons entered the room.
He was a tall man draped in loose dark clothing. His skin, hair, and even his eyeballs were pitch black, with only his pupils shining an icy blue, like cold water. A handsome face bore a gentle smile, but at the same time, there was an air of pretentiousness about him.
To top it off, he visibly was not of the human race, sporting two horns protruding from the sides of his head.
—Virosa mentioned this.
“If he desires, dragons can completely disguise themselves as humans by removing their horns. However, within the Demon Lord Castle, they intentionally keep their horns to signify they aren’t human.”
Virosa spoke calmly, her expression shrouded, but her voice carried a complex emotion. The Demon Race, the Demons, the Dragons— all powerful species are marked with “horns.”
“Greetings, Prince Zilbagias. It is an honor to meet you.”
He was the first to greet, his speech easy to understand, lacking the metallic creak often associated with dragonkind, suggesting he was well-versed in human conversation.
“I am Orphen, leader of the Dark Dragons and also the chieftain of the Dragon Race in the Demon Lord Kingdom.”
“I am Demon Lord’s Prince No. 7 Zilbagias.”
I responded, deliberately overbearing and pompous.
“It is a significant formality. To have the chieftain himself apologize is commendable.”
“Indeed, this incident has caused extreme regret among our Dragon Race.”
Unfazed by my arrogant demeanor, Orphen nodded theatrically.
“I sincerely apologize on behalf of my clan for the inconvenience caused to Prince Zilbagias. We are truly sorry.”
What a depth of bow he was doing!
“Uh, yes…”
I felt a tad taken aback by his overly humble attitude.
“And that loathed face! Truly, it resembles that of the White Dragon’s leader, Faravgi. The fate of one who ingratiated himself to the alliance’s monkeys ends like this; what a disgrace to the Dragon Race. Imagine that he was hiding domestically even after surviving…”
…Could he be referring to the humans as the “alliance’s monkeys”? I could kill him right now.
But wait, how could I get dragged into his pace like this? Should I throw in a bitter comment at least?
“Faravgi mentioned he was afflicted by a curse called ‘Wing Dwindling’ and could hardly fly. Were the guarding dragons of the Demon Lord Castle so foolish as to let a crawling lizard escape?”
I attempted to provoke him openly.
“Oh, so ultimately, the curse did affect Faravgi as well. I thought his magical resistance would block it.”
Orphen feigned surprise.
“Indeed, that curse is slow-acting; it’s designed to suddenly make one unable to fly after some time. Many of the White Dragons fell to the ground and became minced meat. The aftermath of the fierce battle made it difficult to inspect the corpses. Yet, it’s true that we, too, overlooked Faravgi’s survival. I shall punish the one in charge of inspections anew.”
This guy… he’s tough.
He breaks the stereotype that dragons are excessively proud. For his goals, he seems ready to smile and lick boots and drink muddy water.
However—he will never forget that humiliation and grudge. That’s the type he is.
He might think he’s masking it all with his gentle smile and theatrical gestures, but that icy blue coldness lingering in his eyes cannot be hidden.
“And is that the scale armor of Faravgi? I sense incredible power; is it the work of the dwarves?”
He seemed completely unbothered by looking at the gear made from his kin’s remains.
“Ah, indeed.”
“If that shame of kin can serve the Prince even in death, perhaps it can redeem at least a bit of dignity…”
Turning back towards me, Orphen grinned, baring his sharp teeth.
“Today, I bring you a gift as a token of our sincerity.”
“Oh?”
Really putting an effort into placating me. It seems difficult to provoke this guy into worsening our relationship— or maybe I should consider that as he focuses on placating me, the relations between the Demon Race and Dragon Race must have already soured?
Still, I wonder what this gift is.
“I hear you have a High Elf as a pet?”
Turning back, Orphen uttered with a metallic creak directed outside the room.
“If so, I believe you will find this gift to your liking.”
The door opened.
And then—a girl entered.
Translucent white skin. Hair gleaming like silver. Golden eyes radiating like the sun. A face that retains innocence while being beautifully structured. Yet under her eyes, clear dark circles indicated a lack of sleep, giving a somewhat unhealthy impression along with her pale skin. Two horns protruded from her temples toward the back.
The girl entered the room, behaving timidly and curling up as she looked at Faravgi’s head and scale armor, her face twisting as if she were about to cry before she forced a smile, trying to ingratiate herself.
“Um, n-nice to meet you… Prince. I am Leila, daughter of Faravgi…”
Her voice was barely audible, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Um, this time… my father has caused… a great deal of trouble… I am sorry…”
…I remember.
“Faravgi, why are you so angry? Why do you hate the Demon Lord?”
“—You don’t understand!! The Dark Dragons teamed up, took my daughter, and killed my wife!”
He said his wife was killed, but—
His daughter was only “taken”…
I involuntarily glanced at the head and armor beside me.
N-no… I didn’t mean it like that…
Antendeixis, lend me your power…!!
“Rest assured. It’s already been done.”
Huh, the Demon God let out a short breath.
“—It’s coming in at a tremendous rate.”
I couldn’t tell if he was sighing or laughing.
“Prince. We present Leila, daughter of Faravgi, as proof of our sincerity.”
Orphen seized Leila by the shoulder and pushed her toward me.
“As the daughter of a sinner, please do not feel concerned about our Dragon Race. The matter regarding Faravgi must be greatly upsetting for you, Prince. Would you care to vent your anger on this girl?”
He said, sporting a sadistic smile.
“Whether you make her a slave, torment her, or strangle her, do as you please…”
That wicked smile continued.
“Use her however you desire, Prince.”