The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Episode 274: The Devil Dragon (1)

“Nice to meet you. My name is Nagel Ansyon de Couture Zenis Arodik Yunis. If it’s too long, please just call me Nagel.”

A name that was almost too lengthy to grasp at once. There was only one race across the two continents that used such unnecessarily verbose names. Dragons. And not just any dragon; with its dark purple, luminescent wings and sharply pointed horns resembling embedded spear blades, the man’s identity was obvious: he was most certainly a Devil Dragon. Interestingly enough, part of his tail was severed.

“Your name is… Cyan Berth, correct?”

I never imagined my name would be called by such a strange being from a strange land. Never mind my name being called, what’s with this dragon?

The aura he exuded was vastly different from the common Devil Dragons I knew. The divine power oozing out from within him, if seen only for a moment, seemed to rival even the fearsome blood-qi of the Demon King.

“Do you have business with me?”

Whether it was a chance encounter or he came seeking me knowing I would be here, the fact that he knew my name meant he had a definite purpose in mind.

“Before we begin our conversation, we should take care of the surroundings first.”

The dragon named Nagel turned his gaze toward the knights around us.

“I shall deal with this promptly. Please wait a moment.”

Aware that they were the target, the knights immediately took up a defensive stance.

“Who gave you permission?”

His gaze returned to me.

“Do dragons not follow any codes of honor? Trying to butt in on something here, are we?”

“Ah, were you hunting these men? My apologies, I have intruded. Please continue with your business. I shall wait here.”

With an apology and by stepping back, he showed his intent not to involve himself in the situation.

Hesitantly watching him with one eye, I turned back to my father.

“Leave.”

My father immediately frowned and retorted.

“Are you telling me to go?”

“I have no further reasons to cross swords with my father. And you have no reasons to stay here any longer, do you? You cannot kill me.”

It was an irrefutable truth, a fact that even my father acknowledged with a faint smile.

“We shall see whether this choice benefits or harms you.”

“That’s not for you to decide.”

It was something for me to determine. I had considered using my father for my own ends, but now I chose to let it go. Even my father, with his vast combat experience, and his knights would not match me, even with the power of the holy sword on their side. Not even that sly demon would think it possible.

Maybe he had hoped that I would kill my father myself.

I had let my emotions get the better of me momentarily, but I had no intention of playing into his agenda.

My father and his knights faded away into the swamp without a word.

Only after their presence had disappeared into the distance did I turn back.

“Weren’t you hunting your prey?”

“You know that’s not my business. So, why were you looking for me?”

Even in response to my brusque reply, he remained expressionless and continued.

“There is someone who wishes to meet with you.”

“Someone wants to meet me?”

“Yes. They are close by, so you must come along with me.”

It was not a request or an invitation but a unilateral compulsion to follow.

“If you want to take me, at least tell me who this audacious person is that wants to meet me.”

“…”

For the first time, a change of expression appeared on the stoic face. Looking at me with a heavy gaze, he then lifted his chin and spoke.

“It’s not difficult to tell you about the person, but before that, may I add one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“This is not your land.”

The divine power that had been subtly flowing from his body burst forth in a sudden surge.

“If you are a foreigner, then act as one. And do not forget that I am extending you the utmost courtesy as we speak.”

Was he cautioning me not to overreach, given that I was a foreigner? Although he didn’t mean to harm me now, the underlying message to stay in my place was clear.

I responded by lifting my chin in kind.

“The person who wishes to meet you is Kellian Akus Dio Namerian Azis Cruz Delio…”

What a name, it held no significance to me. Even hearing it ten times over, I’d never remember. Such an elaborate name held no benefit to learn.

My curiosity was not about the Dragon Kellian-whatever, but rather why this dragon wanted to meet me and for what reason.

Picking up on my thoughts, Nagel added to the name.

“He is our leader.”

…!

Involuntarily, my eyelids shot up.

* * *

Leaving the marshlands, a steep mountain range that was not seen in Arem appeared.

“Screech.”

The cries of an unidentified creature were just a bonus. The incline was so steep it seemed nearly impossible for humans to stand, let alone climb.

…

I followed Nagel while feeling occasional wary or mocking glances from others along the way. Not surprisingly, they were not friendly.

I continued on without displaying any reaction until we reached about halfway up the mountain. Nagel stopped and spoke without looking back.

“Before you meet with him, there are a few things I need to tell you.”

“Don’t speak unless you are asked a question first, answer immediately within one second without hesitation when asked, and do not retort. Never meet his eyes while conversing. If you follow these instructions, your safety is guaranteed.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I will not take responsibility for what follows.”

He’s being unnecessarily difficult. Despite their pretense of being high and mighty, in the eyes of these Devil Dragons, I’m nothing but a lowly human, is that it?

Regardless, his ilk was hard to like.

“Well then. I hope this meeting proves meaningful for you…”

With those words, Nagel stepped aside, and I found myself facing a tear in the very fabric of space – shattering like glass, revealing pitch-black darkness on the other side.

Strange and yet somehow familiar, though I had never been here before, I could guess what this place was.

“Is this a pocket dimension?”

“Precisely, this is the Dragon’s pocket dimension,” corrected Kellian.

I resolutely advanced along the path laid before me. After roughly a hundred steps, a mighty throne appeared before me with an unfamiliar figure seated upon it.

Unhesitatingly, I approached.

“Welcome, human from the mortal realm!”

Unlike Nagel who had escorted me here or the other dragons that had looked upon me unfavorably, this one greeted me with apparent friendliness. Ignoring the warning not to meet his eyes, I did exactly that.

“Was it you who wanted to see me?”

This was the leader of the Devil Dragons. An entity with no particular reason to either friend or foe me. At least, for now. His intentions would determine the direction our relationship would take.

“It’s been hundreds of years since I last met a human. But you’re a bit peculiar, aren’t you? Why do I smell my own kind on you?”

My kind. He meant the Devil Dragons and their kin.

“Have you perhaps consumed the flesh and blood of dragons?”

“What if I have? What’s it to you?”

I countered again, ignoring Nagel’s warning, pressing my gaze down into him.

Kellian looked into my eyes for an extended moment, and then suddenly erupted into laughter.

“Ha! You were warned, yet still you speak so boldly. Did you leave your life behind in the mortal realm?”

His words seemed like a mix of a warning and a threat, yet strangely they didn’t feel menacing.

What’s going on? Is this really the Devil Dragon’s leader?

Whether he’s hiding his true self or not, I don’t know, but my honed instincts—forged over lifetimes of living and fighting—told me this being was not a threat. Actually, the dragon Nagel who brought me here felt more dangerous.

“Nevertheless, since you have amused me, I will forgive your earlier insolence. Be sure to be more cautious in the future.”

As if he was granting some grand mercy. I continued to meet his eyes without flinching.

“I heard about you fighting a hard battle with the Demon King in the demon castle, unable to determine a victor. Humble human as you are, battling equally with the most powerful being in the demon realm, such a thing is unbelievable to me. Humans I knew were weak, far less powerful than even the lowest demon.”

“So, you’ve called me here to see if the rumors are true? Are you planning to test me yourself?”

“You are greatly mistaken if you think so. I am the leader of the Devil Dragons, a direct successor with the blood of gods, not a mere creation like yourself. Did you seriously believe that I, of all beings, would stoop to competing with you? Your intellect is far lower than I anticipated!”

The disparaging comments kept coming—what’s the meaning of this?

This goes beyond my expectations, plumbing the depths of inadequacy.

This ridiculous creature is their leader? And that dragon Nagel who instructed me in all these tiresome rules—he seems all the funnier now.

What were these fools thinking in bringing me here…?

In the midst of my incredulous thoughts, I sensed a different aura and swiftly turned around.

Behind me, on the path I had traveled, felt a silent gaze watching me.

“So you turn your back in my presence? You really have no wish to leave here alive, do you?”

I barely paid any heed to the insolent creature blabbering behind me. I closed my eyes and focused, sensing the true nature of the unfamiliar energy that filled this dark space.

When I opened my eyes, I finally realized the truth of this place.

“Perhaps this would’ve been amusing, calling you here just to see what would happen, but alas, humans will always be humans. Your presence only diminishes my stature. I shall send you back now, so if you value your life, vanish from my sight immediately.”

“Hey.”

He seemed to think he misheard, for he was silent for about three seconds.

“What did you just say?”

“Quit your pathetic act and call out your real leader. I can no longer stomach this charade.”

“You! You’ve completely lost your mind! How dare you utter such blasphemy to the illustrious Kellian!…”

“Do I need to cut off your head to make him appear?”

I immediately gripped Kelliam tightly and rose into the air.

Panicked, he waved his hands frantically, fear painted across his face.

“Wait! I was only…”

“Stop there.”

In the moment I felt the true owner of this space, I halted mid-action and descended back to the ground.

“It seems the rumors of you matching up to the Demon King weren’t exaggerated after all.”

Upon slowly turning my head, a familiar voice reached me as if echoing through the void.

“Let us properly introduce ourselves, human.”

Then, not too long after, he emerged before me, radiating a majestic divine power.

“I am the real leader of the Devil Dragons. Nagel is my name.”

(To be continued in the next episode)