Chapter Twenty-Five: The Hunt Begins
Azval
It's been almost three weeks since we arrived at the vicinity of the dragon's second lair. Just enough time for the trip to build our traps and within that span, we are expecting already for the worst. Any moment from now, the dragon might arrive.
Just lucky us as we finished building what we needed to do.
"It is best for the Duke to return to his estate now. We can handle this on our own now," I said to Duke Zenonis as soon as I entered the tent where right now. He's currently looking at the forest's layout.
He should not be here in the first place but since he insisted that this is a hunt, not a war, he might as well be here to help us track the dragon's possible movement.
"I rather be here than wait for my estate to be ashes," he replied firmly without even glancing at me.
"I won't be able to guarantee that the Duke's life will be protected during the hunt," I said.
It is true. Once the hunt begins, all the knights will be stationed in the direction they are assigned to. All of us. No one will be left to protect the Duke as he didn't even bring his own knights as they are stationed in the remaining lairs just in case.
The priority is to successfully slay the dragon. May it take our life or not.
We may be miles away from the exact location of the dragon's second lair but we are still at the Grafgue Forest. We are still in the vicinity and there's no guarantee that the dragon would just stay in one place.
I went back to the knights to check the traps again and made sure that everything was as planned to avoid early casualties. While checking the traps, a knight rushed in front of me while catching his breath.
"Captain, we're in trouble!"
I raised my left eyebrow to indicate that he should address his concern as soon as he could.
"There's.... There's another dragon that woke up and is now creating chaos in the first lair."
"Damn!" I mouthed.
Another dragon has woken up? What was the reason? Was it triggered by the ancient dragon?
I went back to the tent where the Duke was and discussed the report. Surely, the message has arrived to him already.
I gritted my teeth as I requested to pull out the knights that were sent to us by King Rolvo. I need to send them to the first lair. I have no choice.
"This is unexpected. I'll have my knights on the third lair to aid here," the Duke said and tapped my shoulders before he sent a message to one of his knights to request backup.
"I will send my knights there. Compared to the ancient dragon, the one that is now in the first lair is much weaker."
"It is best if you would be there, Your Highness. Prioritize the dragon in the first lair in the meantime."
He's right. It would be a much bigger problem if the dragon in the first lair decided to join the ancient dragon, especially with its irregularities.
"Sir, I heard about the—"
"Prepare the horses. I'll bring 15 knights with me," I commanded Ferran as soon as we met each other as I got out again on the tent. I started walking and pointed to the knights who would be sent to the first lair where the dragon was now attacking.
"Yes, sir. I'll prepare our horses right away."
I stopped walking and faced him.
"You're staying."
Ferran's eyes grew larger. He couldn't believe what I was saying especially since he has sworn to be on my side whatever happens. "Your Highness! I simply cannot."
"The Duke... I want you to watch the Duke closer," I whispered to him.
"But it is you that I am obliged to protect."
"By watching the Duke closer, you'll be able to protect me. I do not trust the Duke," I said and Ferran just stayed silent and bowed his head indicating that he respectfully followed my order. I went back to walking and picking the knights that would be coming with me.
All of the knights I have picked are royal knights. There's something that has been bugging me with the matters regarding the Duke since earlier.
He may stationed his knights due to strategy and cautionary measures and that, I can overlook but to think that another dragon would reach the first lair and create chaos the moment it woke up... something's not right.
Normally, a dragon would take days or even weeks to be on the first lair and start chaos but this time, it went craze right away.
After picking up 15 knights, my eyes darted in the Duke's direction. Just why are you really joining this hunt, Duke Zenonis?
I just swayed the thoughts in my head as Ferran handed me my horse. Maybe I am just overthinking the Duke's intention of helping us. I should be grateful yet at the same time, I cannot help but be wary.
"Be sure to hold on until I come back," I ordered. Just like this, the ancient dragon might appear suddenly along with the days that I will be gone in this lair.
"Yes, Your Highness. Also, I heard from the messenger that some of the Emperor's knights are heading back to the Empire now and will be joining us as soon as possible."
"That's good," I said as I rode my horse. Ferran bowed his head as soon as my horse started galloping.
"Be sure to be safe, Sir."
"Everyone, let's go!" I shouted and the 15 knights started to catch up behind my back. We should be there as soon as we can. Each second count. Not to mention that lives are probably being taken by that dragon right now. Even though it is an elemental dragon, the weakest among the three that reside in this forest, it would still take a huge effort to bring it down.
Tsk, what an unfortunate time to wake up.
After almost three days, we arrived at the first lair's vicinity. I almost cursed myself when I saw that the majority of the forest was wiped down to ashes and some of the knights that were stationed there were already burnt to the ground. Yet the elemental dragon was still left unscathed.
"Looks like this dragon is the fire one, Sir." One of my knights commented and the others agreed.
"Prepare your horses and swords, we'll take this one down," I commanded and started to gallop my horse again as I drew my sword. The others did the same behind my back.
As we were nearing the dragon, the heat grew more intense and sweat started to break out from our bodies.
No wonder that a lot of knights who are not from the royal palace cannot survive this battle.
As my knights and I drew closer and closer, I activated my own mana and with that came along a fire and heat-resistant skill. A skill that I have acquired while practicing and being in the North. My mana can reach up to 2,000 meters so as long as the knights will stay within that range, same as me, they would not suffer from any more heat. We would be able to get near the dragon without getting burned to ashes.
The dragon roared as one of my knights decided to throw a dagger on its scale to turn its attention to us and when the dragon saw us, our hunt began.
Some of the knights that were here before us started to get up as soon as they were reached by the mana that I had set. Most of them are tired because the heat from the dragon has drained the water from their body. The extra water that we had bought was given to them while some of my knights and I had already started to deal with the dragon.
Damn, too hot! I said to myself as I landed on the dragon's back to try to aim for its neck. The others also did what I did to aid me and some, stayed on the ground to target the lower parts.
Despite having burns and cuts, we managed to take down the dragon's balance thus making it easier for me to slay him on the neck with just three tries.
It took us almost five hours to successfully take the dragon's life. When we did, a huge smoke came out from its body that made all of us cough dreadfully.
I felt like 15% of my energy was drained by that hunt, especially the moment the smoke was emitted. This is not good.
"Everybody withdraw as far as you can. This smoke is poisonous," I commanded as my horse was given to me by one of my knights.
"Yes sir!" they chorused and got back to their own horses or hitched to another.
We all started riding away from different directions and some followed me. As soon as we reached the higher grounds that were away from the dragon's smoke, I got myself to relax for a bit.
I think I should head back to the second lair as soon as the smoke clears as the only path back to the second lair was still covered by that poisonous smoke.
"Sir Lorcan, thank you for aiding us." One of the knights bowed in front of me as soon as my foot landed on the ground. I scanned the knights that were with me right now and let out a sigh.
There are 11 knights in total and all of them are from the Kroubet Kingdom. Some with burns and cuts like me while some didn't have any at all. Looks like they have hidden somewhere during the hunt.
Cowards.
"Get some rest," I said and walked to a tree's shade to sit down and catch my breath. Some of them offered me a drink but I did not really need it as my mana would replenish the water and strength in my body though it would take several minutes. As long as I rest, my condition will be better.
I closed my eyes and felt the breeze in the high ground of a forest coming from the trees.
A gentle tap on my shoulder, as if something landed, made me open my eyes. My eyebrows met each other when I saw the thing that is now resting on my shoulder looking at me while poking its tiny horn on my cheek.
A rox? Who would be sending a messenger bird to me this time?
As soon as I got the letter in its mouth, the rox flew away as if it was not here moments ago. I looked at the seal and saw a familiar house emblem, Yuwen.
I was expecting Baron Yuwen but it was not him, it was his sister... Lady Adela.
What does the Lady want to tell me?
As I opened the letter and read its contents, I felt my cheek reddened with anger. It was a short content but it was enough to make me furious as I stood up and headed to my horse.
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Prince Larnaaz Val de Astorias,
Estelle is now headed to the second lair as a replacement for Princess Sina.
Please... Please keep her safe.
Lady Adela of House Yuwen
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