Me, the Weakest Member of the Hero’s Party? I’m the Villain Though? - Chapter 29
Why was the conversation heading in that direction?
From what I could tell, Reynold seemed to be using Emperor Ferosen’s anxiety as a way to screw over Kyle. I really had no intention of defending the hero’s party, but just watching Reynold made my blood boil.
Even when I was reading the original novel, I’d wanted to take him down a peg—and now I had the perfect chance.
“Why do you say there’s no one left to stop the Black Flame Dragon? Kyle’s still here.”
At my reply, Reynold began glaring at me sharply.
His hawk-like eyes were practically threatening to rip my mouth open if I said one more word. But it wasn’t like I could—or wanted to—take back what I’d already said.
“What do you mean by that?” Emperor Ferosen asked, frowning in interest.
“The hero’s party is made up of people who’ve each lost something to the Black Flame Dragon. They’re doing everything they can to defeat that evil creature. With the legendary weapons they’ve gathered and their battle experience, they’re more than capable of succeeding.”
It felt a little awkward saying such things against myself, but the Black Flame Dragon really was a wicked monster.
“It’s true that when we reached the dragon’s lair, it had already been abandoned. So if you let them go, they’ll do everything in their power to track down the one that fled.”
I think that was the most I’d spoken since becoming Lysian. But the moment I finished, Reynold suddenly burst into laughter.
I frowned, not knowing what he found so funny.
He laughed heartily, even clutching his stomach, before abruptly stopping as if it had been a lie—and then spoke coldly.
“Don’t make me laugh. You really think that ragtag bunch can take down the Black Flame Dragon?”
Reynold slowly stood up and walked toward me. I didn’t avoid his eyes and stared back. The only thing he shared with Kyle—those blue eyes—were now burning coldly.
“I could have easily gotten ahead of them, but I chose to follow behind. Know why? I figured they’d weaken the dragon for me, and then I’d step in and finish the job.”
Reynold had seen the hero’s party as meat shields. It seemed his plan had been to let them die in battle and then swoop in to slay the dragon and claim all the credit.
Although, from what I remembered in the original story, that plan didn’t go very well.
In fact, the dragon’s survival might have become a new opportunity for Reynold.
“All the legendary weapons and gear they gathered are now in my hands. So I’ll be the one to take down the dragon.”
“What? Then what about the hero’s party…”
I trailed off, stunned.
“I’ll kill them all. And as for a useless former mage? I don’t need him either.”
Reynold looked down at me with icy eyes, then reached for the bell on the table and gave it a ring. Soldiers waiting outside the door immediately rushed in.
He gestured with his chin.
“Take him away and dispose of him. Quietly.”
The soldiers swarmed me and began tying me up tightly. It all happened so fast, I couldn’t even resist as they dragged me out.
Now what? As I was hauled off, I began thinking.
I could return to my dragon form right now, burn down the palace, and wipe the Empire off the map. It would be cathartic and satisfying.
But then what? Everyone would come after me. And worst of all, so would the hero’s party.
“What a mess.”
“Shut up!”
Soldier 1, who was holding my right arm, barked at me for muttering.
“Am I not even allowed to talk to myself now?”
“Still yapping for someone about to die? Hey, stuff something in this bastard’s mouth.”
Soldier 1 signaled to Soldier 3 behind him, who pulled out a cloth and began forcing it into my mouth.
The stench was so bad, I nearly gagged.
“Where are we taking him?”
Soldier 2, who had my left arm, asked while glancing at me gagging.
“No idea. His Majesty said to deal with him somewhere people won’t see.”
“Then how about the northern cliffs? Not many people go there, and if we drop him off the edge, the body will be easy to get rid of.”
Soldier 2 said this with a grin, and Soldier 1 gave him a thumbs-up.
“That’s a good idea. Let’s go there. He’s too heavy to drag along, so just toss him into the supply wagon or something.”
Honestly, I was grateful they planned to take me somewhere deserted. I didn’t exactly feel great about using my powers where people could see me.
So I simply waited, quietly hoping we’d reach the quiet forest soon.
