LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 64
Chapter 64. The Ill-Omened Offspring
――Leaving the room of Demon Lord’s Prince No. 7 Zilbagias, Dark Dragon Orphen strolled leisurely through the corridors of the Demon Lord Castle.
(I’ve gotten quite used to this physical discomfort.)
The gentle smile plastered on his face barely concealed a hint of sarcasm.
Initially, after starting to live in human form, he found frustration in his narrow stride and slow movements, constantly rushing about.
However, upon hearing whispers like “What a big guy but so restless” and “Typical lizard, so nimble,” he intentionally slowed down his pace.
After all, compared to soaring through the skies with his wings, walking or running in this body was a mere triviality. It was much better to take his time than to demean the pride of the Dragon Race…
With what seemed like a relaxed walk, Orphen arrived at the dragon-launching platform atop the Demon Lord Castle.
“Here.”
He shed his dark robe and handed it to the Night Elf Maid standing by. Underneath the robe, he was, of course, completely naked.
“I’m going out for a night flight. I’ll be back in about an hour.”
Orphen’s tall figure quivered slightly.
His swelling magical power and massive body transformed into a huge Dark Dragon with glistening black scales.
“Have a good trip.”
As the maid bowed, a gust of wind ruffled her hair, and Orphen spread his wings, soaring into the starry sky.
“Roooaaar!”
His joyous roar echoed through the night sky. How free it felt to return to his original form!
Every Dragon felt their best when soaring into the sky.
The world, the laws of physics, bowed down to this body of overwhelming might! Oh, how cramped that monkey-like body had felt…
Drunk on a sense of omnipotence and liberation, Orphen glanced down at the marble castle illuminated by moonlight from above, and his bubbling excitement was suddenly extinguished.
Having bowed his knee to the Demon Lord and watching his native mountain being hollowed out, it had been several hundred years since the Demon Lord Castle had transformed into a ridiculous den.
For the Dragon Race, which had reveled in its supremacy since creation, these were times of hardship.
(Why must I bow and grovel to these earthworms who can’t even fly…!)
His rage bubbled just below the surface, ready to burst into a black breath of fire.
Why was it that the Dragon Race, capable of going anywhere with their wings, had to serve the Demon Lord?
――It was precisely because the hatchery in the depths of the Demon Lord Castle had been taken hostage.
That said, not all Dragons used this mountain as a hatchery. Only certain Dragons had access to it.
The hatchery in the underground caves was infused with the rich magical essence of the earth, and Dragons born from eggs exposed to it for long periods were stronger and smarter.
Therefore, it was a popular spot where competition for space was fierce. While a gentleman’s agreement existed to prevent damage to the eggs, the ability of the offspring would greatly vary based on whether or not they hatched in this mountain, so the parents were quite desperate.
Naturally, more powerful Dragons could secure positions closer to the center, and their offspring would likely grow to be superior Dragons as well. The existence of this hatchery led to the formation of what could be called elite bloodlines throughout the long history of the Dragon Race.
It’s like nobility among humans. This hatchery in the mountain was essentially the source and symbol of noble blood and power.
And then――such a place was invaded by the earthworm claiming to be a Demon Lord.
At that time, the Dragons never dreamed they could lose. With a mere breath, they could obliterate everything. Thinking like this, they challenged the Demon Lord――
The Dragon Race had been halved.
Orphen was still young back then and hadn’t seen the scene firsthand. However, just hearing about it was enough to convey the terror of the first Demon Lord, Raougius.
The Demon Lord’s spear could tear through Dragon scales like lambskin, deflect all curses, and completely nullify their breaths.
And when the Dragons, realizing they could not win, fled to the skies, the Demon Lord entered the hatchery and, to Orphen’s horror, began to crush the eggs!!
Such an atrocity!
Such wickedness!
No matter how cruel the Dark Dragon was, he would never lay a hand on the eggs.
That was the final line Dragon Race members must never cross; it was the utmost taboo!
Yet the first Demon Lord Raougius crushed the eggs without a second thought.
The parents rushed back, panicked, trying to stop the Demon Lord, and one by one, they fell to the bloodbath…
Ultimately, the tribal leader of the Dragons at that time offered his neck, begging for mercy, and the slaughter continued unabated.
Since then, the Dragon Race has been enslaved to the hatchery and forced to obey the Demon Lord.
They could have abandoned the mountain and started anew elsewhere. Some families actually did, but… children born wild were clearly weaker and dumber.
The more powerful a Dragon was, the harder it was to abandon the mountain. Even if those detestable Undead devoured the rich magical essence while keeping watch over the hatchery. Even if their eggs were taken hostage and they were treated like pack animals…!
To abandon their power would be the height of absurdity.
“You detestable Demon Race!!”
In a blur of rage, Orphen cried out to the night sky.
It was a roar imbued with magical power, understandable only to the Dragon Race.
“Leader!”
From below, he heard the roars of other Dragons.
Looking down, he saw several of his subordinates flying towards him.
“Thank you for the negotiations with the Demon Lord’s Prince.”
“Yeah.”
Flying side by side with his subordinates.
The sky was free. No more gazes of Night Elf servants watching over them. Conversations made via the roars unique to Dragons posed no risk of being understood, even if overheard.
“How was it, that Demon Lord’s Prince No. 7?”
“Hmph. For his age, his magic was decent. But that’s precisely why he got arrogant, that insufferable brat.”
Orphen spat his disdain in response to his subordinate’s inquire.
“And how about that ill-omened offspring…?”
The detested daughter of the White Dragon――Leila.
“Of course, she was received without issue. It seemed that His Highness was thoroughly perplexed… I told him not to worry, she wouldn’t bite.”
The subordinates let out deep chuckles, mocking the timid Demon Lord’s Prince and the failure-born child who would likely meet a pitiful end.
(――Cursed White Dragon. Always a jinx.)
But if that detestable Faravgi died and his daughter was offered as tribute――the Dragon Race would have fulfilled their responsibility. Father’s mistakes could be repaid through his daughter’s sacrifice.
After sharing a laugh, Orphen glared towards the end of the horizon.
(Now is the time to bide my time… One day, I will rip out their throats!)
Disturbingly, the Demon Race was aware of the rebellious spirit and discontent brewing within the Dragon Race.
And yet――they continued to dominate them. As if to say, “What can you do about it?”
A prime example of that was how they used the Dragon Race as transportation while the Demon Lord himself never rode a dragon. After all, being slammed into the ground from high altitude wouldn’t spare even a Demon Lord.
If the Demon Lord were injured and weakened, the whole kingdom would tilt.
When the first Demon Lord fell, the current Dragon Race had been unable to take effective measures. Their understanding of politics, culture of the Demon Race, magic of the Demons, behavior of the Undead—none were sufficient.
However――now was different. Orphen persevered through shame and humiliation while keenly observing the Demons, sharpening his claws and fangs.
When the current Demon Lord Goldgias falls, the Dragon Race will finally take action.
Fortunately, their lifespan is longer…!
They will reclaim the glory of the Dragon Race――!
“You detestable earthworms! Show the world who the true rulers are!”
With vows and determination in his heart, the King of Dark Dragons roared into the night sky.
†††
Well…
I can’t say a thing… I’m Zilbagias.
“…………”
A heavy silence enveloped my room.
In front of me sitting on the couch was Leila, Faravgi’s daughter, who had plopped down on the floor.
While Orphen was present, Leila had worn a desperate smile while shedding tears, but now she simply gazed vacantly at the floor, as if her spark had been extinguished.
By the way, as soon as Orphen left the room, I had the head of Faravgi displayed.
I had to leave the scale armor in the corner of the room, but that was about it.
…This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
What have I done…?
I should have known the pain and resentment of losing a parent firsthand… Yet, I had now sunk to the same level as that detestable green-haired bastard.
No… I had already sacrificed several comrades.
Regret is too late now…
“Well, it can’t be helped; I’m no prophet, so I couldn’t have predicted this.”
Antende says casually, but I couldn’t just shrug it off like it was someone else’s problem.
Watching the hollowed-out Leila, feelings of guilt surged forth like a volcano about to erupt.
And I despised myself for it. Truly, it was too late. One day when I take my revenge, the Night Elves and Demon Race might have someone they care about, someone’s child or parent.
Can I even be bothered with that? What face do I have to show while pretending to be hurt?
――You have no right to feel guilty.
The cold part of me scolded, berating myself.
“…Ah.”
Suddenly, I locked eyes with Leila, who had looked up.
“Ah… um… well…”
Leila tried to put on a flirting smile, but it fell flat. Her face scrunched up, and she looked down.
Her existence belonged to me completely.
Orphen told me I could do whatever I wanted with her. The Dragon Race wouldn’t interfere no matter how I treated her.
She was originally a hostage for the White Dragons who had rebelled.
And now that Faravgi was dead, she had become useless――no, giving herself would be her last “use” for me.
As the Prince of the Demon Race, and as a victim of Faravgi, how should I treat Leila?
Just thinking about it gave me a headache…
“I’m back~”
Just then, Garunya with her shining fur entered the room, accompanied by Liliana who had flushed cheeks and slightly damp hair.
Actually, they had both gone to bathe together right before Orphen arrived. Liliana couldn’t bathe alone (she could, but she couldn’t dry herself), so basically, Garunya took care of her.
“…Ah, who’s that?”
Garunya noticed Leila sitting in front of me.
“Oh… from the Dragon Race, um…”
How do I even say this…
“As an apology for this incident… the daughter of Faravgi, Leila.”
“What!? Faravgi’s daughter!?”
Garunya’s tail went straight up, her caution evident as she glared at Leila. “Eek!” Leila let out a pitiful sound and shrank back. She certainly didn’t look like a transformed White Dragon, and Garunya looked at me with confusion.
“Woof?”
With clattering hoof-like sounds, Liliana ran over and peeked at Leila’s face.
“Eek! W-who’s this?”
Leila stumbled back with a quivering voice.
“Oh, just a rescue from the Night Elves, um…”
How do I even explain this…
“The High Elf Saint. Right now… she has been stripped of her ego and believes she is a dog.”
“Woof woof!”
It seemed she realized I was talking about herself, as Liliana happily barked.
“Eek…!”
Leila’s face went pale.
…Now we were used to it, but seeing a flawlessly beautiful High Elf acting innocently without a hint of intelligence was quite creepy.
“Ah… ahaha…”
Shaking, Leila began to laugh through her tears.
“I will… I will accept it all…”
She prostrated at my feet.
“I will… atone for my father’s sins… so please, Demon Race, I beg for your mercy…”
“…………”
“And… lastly, just one thing… if you’re going to cut off my hands and feet… please do it after I’ve lost my ego and no longer know anything…”
Please, she implored, stumbling over her words.
“Woof? Huh? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Garunya approached with concern, licking Leila’s cheek.
“Eek… uuh, uuuhhh…!”
Seeing this as a reflection of her own fate, Leila burst into tears…
“…………”
Everyone in the room wore expressions of “What are we going to do about this,” including Sophia, Viene, and Garunya, who looked at me.
“How did it come to this…?”
In the face of this intolerable scene, I could only cover my face with both hands.