I had heard this story before, but Kagetra was like Ichijo and Alford, who had a hero in his profession.

'Magic that rules the heavens, manipulates the weather, and brings natural disasters to the world. Depending on how you use it, it's a magic powerful enough to bring catastrophe to the world.

Hmm, so that's the Heavenly Attribute Magic.

'Yes. I was struck dumb by that magic of the Kagethras.

Dragons have wings and mouths, but did they not even get those?
And, well, aside from that, Kagetora was strong for now.

'So?　When was the last time you saw Kagetra?

"I don't remember when exactly, but I haven't seen him since the end of the war.

The others?

I haven't seen him. I've only ever spoken mainly to Kagetora. "I've only spoken mainly to Kagetora. In particular, they are even taught not to associate with humans.

'Shouldn't you have anything to do with humans?　Why?

I wondered about the part about humans only.

'Because humans are stupid creatures. It's usually humans who start every war in our long history and lead the world to ruin.

Is that so?

Yeah. 'Humans are foolish creatures' that's what the Dragon King used to say.

Master Ryuoh?

The Dragon King I'm pretty sure I've heard you say that before.
But now that I think about it, it's an interesting story that dragons have a king.

According to that black dragon, that Dragon King was once ruled by a human long ago.
It is said that the humans took control of his mind and he found himself running around the continent.
This guy had been told that story a lot.

''What is that.......dragon king?''

But I don't know who this Dragon King is.
I know it's not a person.

"Even you, Master, do you not know anything about the old dragon?

'Old dragon?　What's that?

"Dostoevsky, the old dragon. That is the name of our king.

Us?　So does that mean there are others?

Don't you know anything about dragons?

The black dragon asks as if it was common knowledge.

'I don't know. You're the second person I've met with a dragon.

How do you count the dragons?
At any rate, I'm in human form now, and I'm going to count like a person.

'The last time I met him was a red dragon named Hardy.

'What?　Hardy?!

Do you know him?

''I don't know you, the Red Dragon Hardy de Stein Van Gogh is one of our three great dragons!

'Three dragons?　Does that mean there's another one?

"And finally, the white dragon. And the king who united our three dragons was the Dragon King.

Hmm....

Three dragons of this level....

More importantly, Nito, where did you meet this Hardy?

'Yeah, it's near Artemias. They were in trouble for taking the Dragon's Treasure or something like that, so I helped them out.

The black dragon then showed a look of satisfaction.

''I see.......it was you after all, my lord.

Apparently, she heard about that one from that dragon.
Does that dragon come here often?
Well, what does it matter?

It doesn't matter. It's all about the lizard.

I asked him about the dragons out of curiosity, but no more.

'What happened at the end of the war and then what happened?'

'Well...'

Then the black dragon's expression changed to a grim one.

'It was some time later. One day, I learned of Kagetora's death. At that time, Mewi North Pier, the divine nation that ruled a certain land. The story I had heard was that she had been executed for seducing the country's princess. I do not believe it. He was a man of character. He was a man of character, and he was probably involved in something. From the rumors that followed, I learned that Kagetola was also dead.

I could feel the sadness coming from the black dragon.

I didn't know anything about dragons before, but now I know what this guy is thinking too.
I guess that's how strong I've become.

"We have lost a man. But the world is still unaware of that loss. The two of us didn't have much to say to each other. We spoke only a few words. But I did what he asked of me on that occasion. And together we destroyed an empire. I obeyed his will. I was the one who was willing to do it.

So this guy put a lot of trust in Kagetora?

But I see........so you don't know any more than that?
Anyway, let's cut to the chase before the black dragon gets all huffy.

''I understand what you're talking about. I want to get to the point where I understand, but I'm going to tell you first. The dragon's heart is alive, okay?

As I said this, the humanoid dragon's eyes widened eerily.

'What!　Is that true?!

'Yes, but when I say alive, I don't know about Cagetra and Adolf either. And then Xiong is dead. The only people I can say for sure are Mr. Khalifa and Zephyr, who are still alive.

Well I see. I've heard that name a few times. I've forgotten it, but we may have talked about it once or twice.

This guy really only cared about Kagetora, didn't he?

I then told the Black Dragon all five of them.
That I don't know what happened to Zephyr and Xiaon since they left for the God Country.
And that I met with Zephyr, and that Mr. Khalifa is still alive in Biyoment.
But the Black Dragon didn't seem to have a clue what his name was at the moment, or rather, he seemed to be listening as he remembered.

''So what, after that, you didn't say, for example, that Mr. Adolf asked you, did you?

'None. I've never had any particular conversation with anyone other than Kagetora. I don't know anyone but him. But I do know that something happened behind the scenes. I also know that the name of the Heart of the Dragon has been lost over time. As the months passed, I noticed that the name of the hero who brought peace to the world has unnaturally disappeared from the world.

The same as Mr. Khalifa.
That guy said the same thing as this guy.
He told me that after his memory returned, he looked back at what had happened before, which he didn't remember.

'You mean you don't know what happened after that?

That's what I thought. Then I thought there was nothing I could do for him. So I took over Kagetora's will and founded the Heart of the Dragon.

I see, the new 'Heart of the Dragon'? I've got the gist of it. But I still have one more question.

'You have a lot of questions today, don't you?'

Then Zeke said this, and was irritated by his restlessness.
Perhaps he was going to question this dragon about the organization, but he would have to wait a little longer.

'That's the last time. When we're done talking about this, we'll go. Besides, this probably has something to do with you guys.

I'll make a request.

I did as the Black Dragon told me, ignoring Zeke as I went on with my story.

'You know about the Durmskale Empire, right?'

Then, in an instant, the atmosphere of the place changed.
I could see Zeke's expression wavered for a moment.
The hearts of the four people in this place, including the dragon, were moving wildly.

''In fact, not long ago I had an attempt on my life by the emperor, and in return, I went to see him in person.

What... what?

From the expression on Black Dragon's face, you can tell that the empire is an existence that has some kind of meaning to these guys as well.
No, of course not.
If the heart of the dragon is an organization that stops power from running amok, then the empire is the right target.
They're using the power they've obtained and plotting a war, you see.

''As for being an emperor........no, I was simply inexperienced, but it didn't work out that way. But I did somehow understand that the Empire's goal is the Heart of the Dragon.

What did you say?　What do you mean?

Leaving his father's surprised face behind, Zeke quickly asks, "I don't know why.

I don't know why, but he seems to be looking for those five adventurers. I don't know why, but he's looking for these five adventurers. I'm sure that when I pretended to know about the five, his face changed...there is no doubt about it. So I'm curious. What can you, my good friend, tell me about the reason he's after them?"

Hmmm....

The black dragon makes a reluctant expression while stroking his chin.

''If you don't know, it's fine. It's not like I can do anything about it now that I know.

You can't?　What about you?　The emperor is not so much....

Then Zeke misunderstood my words and was even more disturbed.

'No, they're not,' he said. They themselves are insignificant to me. I could destroy them right now.

I reply, and for a moment, Zeke chuckles at my words.
And immediately, he understands what I mean.
Beside him, Eliza and Alford also have the same expression on their faces and are dumbfounded.
I return the same kind of bitter smile and continue with my story.

But they have the Beast Country under their control, right?　It's like the beastmen are being abused. We don't know how big it is because we don't know what's really going on, but it's possible that the beastmen are being abducted, perhaps even abducted. It's also possible that they are being held hostage. Well, this is only speculation on my part, but if that's the case, we can't do anything about it.

Just then, the black dragon who had been thinking about it opened his mouth.

''I don't know ... I don't know, but if I could think of anything, it would be that we have destroyed the Empire.''

Then the Black Dragon answered the question he had asked earlier.

''It was hundreds of years ago, right?''

"Hmm. Yes, but it's a reasonable assumption. Perhaps the man does know. The same Durmskale. I wouldn't be surprised if some of his past writings have survived.

It was something I had been thinking about as well.
But I also wondered if that would be too simplistic.
That's the only reason, and I don't know the details, that we've been preparing for war for the last twenty years?
Killing five adventurers, just for the sake of it?
But he looked distraught.

No, but it's so depressing that it could be his play, and...

It's still too early to give an answer.

''Well, I'm a current member of the Heart of the Dragon, but what do you guys do about the Empire?　That's a classic example of people abusing their power and doing whatever they want. You're not going to leave them alone, are you?

It's not.

Then, without a moment's hesitation, Zeke denied it.

'That's why I was getting my people together.

I understood immediately.

Well I'll be d*mned.

I understood the meaning of what Zeke had said before.
'We don't have time for this' Zeke had said.
I mean, that's why you got your people together.

"When we first met, there were three of us. And the three of us can't bring down an empire. There's a 'King's Shield' in that country, and only one of us knew what it was yet. And underneath that, there is even a squad of warriors made up of beastmen. This isn't the same as dealing with Greberg.

So........so these guys knew from that time on.
They also knew that the beastmen were being oppressed.
And that the Empire would eventually start a war using the beastmen.

We decided to look for our friends first. Just as we were about to do that, Greeberg summoned a hero.

You got it. So what about now?

'I have you now more than anything else. If you meant what you just said, it's reassuring.

This guy relies on me for something, but is that enough?

Sure, you said you could kill them but you're not going to kill the whole beast, are you?

'It's inevitable. Compared to the war, there are fewer bodies now. We must drop that country while we can. We should always do our best.

But this is a war started by man.
The beastmen have nothing to do with it.
And yet you are going to let the beastmen die?

'What's it to do with beastmen?　Are you going to unilaterally kill an innocent person?

Then Zeke's brow wrinkles up between his eyebrows.

''I told you.　So you don't have a choice?　And it's not all of them that are being forced to fight. Some of them are volunteering to help out because they're being treated better than the Beast Nation. So they're just as guilty, right?　What's wrong with killing those people?

'Isn't it because the Emperor seduced you?　That old man could have done that.

And then Zeke looked disgusted and....

'What the hell do you care about now?　Why are you so obsessed with beastmen?　Didn't you have the courage to destroy the entire castle?　Do you understand?　There were hundreds of people in the castle at that time that you didn't even realize were there!　You killed all those people in the castle in that one second!　I don't blame them for that. Some of them may not have had anything to do with it, but I still needed to ... "I don't care how many humans die.

Well it doesn't matter.

'What?　What did you just say?

I'm saying it doesn't matter to me how many humans die.

Zeke doesn't seem to understand the meaning of my words.
I feel confused.
And it's intensely evident in his expression.

'What does that ... mean?　No, wait ... did you say the death of a human has nothing to do with it?

Yeah. Don't get too hung up on it. It's just what it means, okay?

Then Zeke stared at me as if he were searching my mind's eye.

'Nito, that's not right, is it?'

Then Alford interjects.

'You're human, aren't you?　So how can you tell me that humans aren't a part of this?　It's a big deal, right?

'I'm not trying to make sense of it. I don't care about me. I'm just saying, a man dies and I don't give a d*mn. Especially not to someone who has nothing to do with it?　But not the beastmen. They're what this world needs, right?

"Necessary? ...What do you mean by that?

Alford doesn't understand.

Nito, can you explain it to us so we can understand it?

Eliza doesn't understand.

Well you don't know, so be it.

You probably wouldn't understand if I told you.
I'm the only one who knows about this.
I do know that.

"It's not good!　If that's why you won't help us, then we're going to have to change our plans drastically. We can't raid you first!

So why don't you go to him?

I told the Black Dragon that.
It's not as good as me, but he's not too bad either.
I'm sure he's got enough magic to surpass the Shield of Kings in terms of magical power.

I won't go. "I won't go there, but you'll have to figure this out on your own.

What did you say?

"I will not assist in the mission of my organization.

I don't understand it at all.
You say you make your own food, but you don't touch it?
It's the people downstairs that work?

Is there ... any ... reason?

"...the next time I go down to the battlefield, it will be to die and there will be no other time.

What do you mean?

That's what you do. It's the same as yours.

He's a real pain in the ass.
He's holed up in this castle.
And he's not even going to participate in the Empire thing, and he's going to let Zeke and me do it until he gets bored.

Are you okay with that?

What does Zeke think of this lazy dragon?

Of course, that was the plan all along. We'll take care of this one ourselves.

You can be strong, but at the end of the day, you can't do it without me, right?

I'm not saying it can't be done. I'm just changing my plans.

What are you going to do?

Zeke let out a light sigh and replied as if he had reformed.

''--I'll send out a request to each country.

Request?

Zeke's story was really quite simple.
The idea was to negotiate with as many nations as possible, and as soon as the troops were assembled, to wage war on the Empire.

''You want to go to war to stop the war?'' 'And that,' asked Zeke coolly, 'is also, or can't be helped.
'The point is to minimize the damage and destroy the empire. This seems to be the key.
Of course, it seems that the war itself was unwilling, but with the Empire as an opponent, it was unavoidable.

I'm going to go to the Beast Country to see the damage. Otherwise, we won't know what's really going on.

Do as you please. I won't tell you anything else. One way or another, your power is essential to destroying the Empire.

'You've been talking like you know the Empire for a while now, haven't you?　What do you know about those guys?

Then a darkness appeared on Zeke's face.
Sorrow and, above all, hatred could be seen there.
Then Zeke spoke slowly, as if to suppress his anger.

'Nito, I don't know what it means to you, but that country is my greatest enemy.

Enemies?

"Killing that country was my goal. But I thought it could be someone else, so I agreed with my father. And that's why I'm in this organization.

'Well I don't quite understand what's going on here.　Is it worth asking?

'Me... and Eliza... and all of us, we've all been killed by that country that we care about...'

Zeke didn't look like he wanted to talk any more.
Well, this is just the kind of thing I'm doing.
These guys have something in common with me.
And as Zeke once said, "They have their own darkness."
Are you saying that this darkness has something to do with the Empire?

That's all right. I'm not gonna listen to it if you don't want to. I'm done with this. Just so you know, that's not going to change my mind. I'm going to help people who deserve it. That's it. I don't know when I'll be in Beastland. We won't have a war going on for a while. Until then, it should be all right. Until then, I'll be able to continue my journey. I'm going to stop in the Beast Country in the process.

But Zeke didn't seem to think too well of my argument.

'You know what I mean?　Under the circumstances, the war could start at any time, you know?

That's the time. And there are signs, aren't there?　If there's a war going on right now, who the hell is going to fight that country?　Who would want to fight that country by choice?　Even Ra's Hausen, who is willing to do it, knows it won't happen soon. Even the knight of Dahms-Ardan, who invited me to join him in destroying the Empire, said he can't fight under the current circumstances.　So who the hell is going to f*ck with the Empire?

'I'm not talking about that. Your information is uneven. Thankfully, it's useful information, but it doesn't help you make a decision.

Apparently Zeke expects that war is coming soon.

"When it starts, I'll be there in a heartbeat. "I'll be there when it starts," he said. "I'll be there when it starts, and I have friends in Radshausen. "I know some people in Radshausen," he said. I'm sure they'll be able to answer you soon.

Zeke didn't say anything more back.

'We're done here. I'm going back. And Zeke?　You told Ichijo about me, didn't you?

He spoke?　What are you talking about?

Then he saw Alford, who was creeping away from the hall.

'Alford?'

As soon as I called out to him, Alford stopped with a jolt in his shoulder.

'Is that you?　When did you tell Ichijo about Radshausen?　Thanks to you, they almost found out.

Alford turned to me and faked a bitter smile.

'Stop worrying about the extra attention. This is between him and me.'

Ha ... ha ... ha ... bad.

A meddler, a stubborn one and a stubborn one and an unfamiliar Eliza watching over it.
And the lazy dragon I guess I joined the wrong organization.
Besides, it seems like every time I see them, it's harder and harder to talk to these guys.

In some cases, I'm willing to cut ties with these guys, but right now I'm lacking in information.
Let's keep ourselves in the organization for a while.

I don't care what Zeke has planned.
When the time comes, we'll have no use for these guys.

I'll see what I can do about that.
Either way, these guys can't ignore me.

But this is fun.
It's almost as if I'm manipulating them.

I let out a sigh as I leave the hall, through the vortex.