Me, the Weakest Member of the Hero’s Party? I’m the Villain Though? - Chapter 26
Gerard’s tone was so biting, it was surprising he was still considered part of the hero’s party.
“They’re just desperate, Gerard. Try not to be too harsh. Everyone’s going through a hard time because of the damage caused by the Black Flame Dragon.”
At times like this, Kyle truly felt like a hero. Maybe it was because his hair was drooping from the rain, but he looked a bit pitiful too.
Leaving the people’s shouts behind, the wagon rolled on for quite a while before stopping in front of a massive castle.
The imperial palace was even larger than I had imagined. I craned my neck to try and see just how far it reached, when Reynold’s figure suddenly caught the edge of my vision.
“We’re going to have an audience with His Majesty. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”
I had no idea what we were supposed to prepare, but everyone quietly got to their feet. The wagon door opened, and soldiers began approaching to bind us with restraints one by one.
“You all know these ropes are pretty pointless, right?”
Gerard grumbled, apparently annoyed by being tied up.
“Let’s not cause any trouble, Gerard. It’ll be over quickly.”
At Kyle’s words, Gerard reluctantly accepted the restraints without further complaint.
Surrounded by soldiers, we entered the imperial palace. After walking in a single file line through an excessively ornate and long corridor, we eventually arrived in front of a large door.
“Your Majesty, it’s Reynold.”
Reynold, who stood at the front, raised his voice, and the doors quietly opened. Following behind him, we entered a vast space.
A long red carpet was laid out across the floor, leading all the way to a tall chair at the center—probably the throne. But the Emperor wasn’t sitting there.
Instead, he was seated at a dining table in front of a luxurious fireplace, in the middle of a meal. The table was extravagantly laden with food, more than enough for one person.
“Reynold, did you bring me the Black Flame Dragon’s head? If not, just keep your mouth shut. I don’t even want to hear it.”
The man grumbled as he shoved a greasy chicken leg into his mouth.
That unimpressive, pot-bellied old man was Kyle’s father. Emperor Ferosen.
“I’m terribly sorry, Your Majesty. We reached the lair, but the Black Flame Dragon had already fled.”
Reynold knelt before the Emperor’s table as he spoke. As soon as he said that, Emperor Ferosen hurled the chicken leg he had been holding at Reynold’s head.
The greasy drumstick, still loaded with meat, bounced off Reynold’s head and rolled across the floor.
“Incompetent fool! I can’t stand the sight of you! Get out of my sight!”
Even though he himself was the truly incompetent one, Ferosen berated his son harshly. But Reynold didn’t back down in the slightest and raised his head proudly.
“However, Your Majesty, I have captured the hero’s party who assisted in the Black Flame Dragon’s escape.”
Reynold brazenly fabricated the story and pointed to us, standing in the back like criminals.
“What? They helped the Black Flame Dragon escape?”
The Emperor shot to his feet. I reflexively scanned the food on the table.
I had a feeling he might grab something at random and throw it at us, so I mentally took note of the greasiest dishes to avoid.
“Kyle! What is the meaning of this? I supported you so generously when you said you’d slay the Black Flame Dragon, and this is how you repay me?!”
The Emperor roared in anger. His idea of ‘generous support’ had been a mere five gold coins.
That handful of coins wasn’t even enough to get the party proper clothing. If they had charged for all the help they gave people while searching for a legendary weapon to defeat the dragon, they would’ve earned a thousand times that.
“That’s not true, Your Majesty.”
Kyle knelt on the floor as he spoke. Elonen followed his lead, and I awkwardly kneeled behind them.
Kakaros also knelt, but Gerard remained standing stiffly, head held high.
“When we arrived at the Black Flame Dragon’s lair, he had already fled. We didn’t even see him. The only thing we could do was destroy the lair to prevent his return!”
Kyle, who rarely lost his composure, shouted in frustration.
But Emperor Ferosen, unwilling to hear it, covered his ears and shook his head. It was such a petty gesture that I wanted to smack him.
“Enough! Reynold, go find out where the Black Flame Dragon went immediately. As for Kyle and the rest of them—throw them all in prison! We’ll hold a trial to determine the truth!”
