Chapter 25: Humans and Dragon
Kai Xiusu advanced steadily through the Mine Shaft, his night vision guiding him with unwavering precision—only to find that the humans had not yet fled far.
The battle had been perilous, but in truth, it had lasted mere moments.
For ordinary humans, emerging from the depths of the Mine Shaft was a grueling ordeal—especially under such chaos.
Jinya awaited him at the entrance, bowing so deeply his back nearly touched the ground. “My noble master! Your strength is unmatched! Even the mightiest monsters could not withstand your blazing fury!”
Beyond the cavern’s mouth, the survivors stared in terror at the blood-soaked Red Dragon emerging from the dark abyss. The monsters within the shaft had already been monstrous enough—but what kind of being could defeat them?
With their last remaining strength, they fled in blind panic.
Many had already fallen to the claws of the monsters. Others were crushed beneath falling boulders.
Originally over a hundred had entered the shaft. Now, fewer than fifty remained—most of the rest buried forever in the dark, endless depths.
Jinya crept forward, eyes gleaming with cunning. “My great master, how would you have me deal with these wretched humans?”
The goblinoid’s gaze flickered with malice—once enslaved by humans, now the chance for revenge had arrived.
“I have my plans,” said the Red Dragon, barely sparing them a glance. With a heavy effort, he flapped his wings and rose into the air, chasing after the fleeing crowd.
Chaos erupted. The humans screamed, sprinting with all their might—but what speed could match flight?
Before long, the Red Dragon’s shadow engulfed them, blotting out the sky.
Yet no fire came. No talons. No gaping maw.
“Humans,” the Red Dragon declared, voice thunderous yet calm, “you have trespassed upon the territory of Ashen Hollow.”
“But the merciful Red Dragon is willing to forgive your trespass.”
“This time, I shall punish only the guilty.”
With that, he swooped down, skimming the ground—and seized the most conspicuous figure of all: a man in full armor, Hart.
He soared back to the cave’s entrance, then dropped Hart with a heavy thud.
The man collapsed to his knees, trembling uncontrollably. His voice cracked in fear. “M-M-Master Dragon… I… I was wrong!”
“N-no, please! Don’t eat me! I’m… I’m not good to eat!”
The once-arrogant slave trader now cowered like a broken thing.
Kai Xiusu loomed above him, eyes cold. He noted with interest that Hart was a third-tier Warrior. Pretending outrage, he growled, “Who gave you the audacity—daring to invade Ashen Hollow’s domain, stealing the Dragon’s gold?”
In the Red Dragon’s increasingly brazen propaganda, the gold mines had long since become his personal treasure.
Beside him, Jinya smirked, relishing the sight of his former master reduced to this. “You’re nothing but a vile human! Daring to lay hands on the great Dragon’s property! Enslaving the Dragon’s kin! Your only fate is to be torn to shreds!”
The words “torn to shreds” sent a jolt of terror through Hart. He collapsed, sobbing, nose running, tears streaming. “I didn’t do it! It was… it was someone else! They made me come!”
Kai Xiusu perked up at the mention of another.
“Who?”
“Tell me the thief’s name.”
Hart, sensing a chance to live, seized it without hesitation. “It was Lord Todd! Todd Lakanman!”
The name struck a chord.
Kai Xiusu’s eyes narrowed. “The Lakanman family?”
“The so-called Northwind Eagle? The leader of Northwind Keep?”
Hart nodded frantically, desperate to survive. “Yes! Yes, Master Dragon! It was him! That man—Lord Todd!”
Still on his knees, he looked up, voice breaking. “Please, Master Dragon, protect me! He used evil magic to control me! He threatened my family! I had no choice!”
Faced with death, loyalty meant nothing. He would gladly throw the blame onto the nobleman.
“Fascinating,” Kai Xiusu murmured.
From what he knew, the Lakanman patriarch was a vampire. His heirs were either vampire spawn or new bloods. This Todd—likely another vampire—could be the key to uncovering the secrets of Northwind Keep.
The Red Dragon grinned, fangs glinting. “And where is this Lord Todd now?”
Hart blinked, then nodded eagerly. “I can lead you to him, Master Dragon! He must pay for the damage!”
A perfect guide.
“Good,” said the Red Dragon. “But first, wait a moment.”
He seized the man once more, wings flaring, and soared back toward Ashen Hollow.
---
Ashen Hollow
Kai Xiusu descended again, welcomed by the Two-Headed Dragon’s presence.
But this time, his body was riddled with wounds—drawn blood and torn scales. The followers exchanged hushed, fearful glances. Who could have wounded the Red Dragon like this? Yet no one dared speak. Not now. Not while the beast was injured.
Big Goblin Dolo arrived at the gate with a squad of Wolf Cavalry, grinning from ear to ear.
The Red Dragon tossed Hart roughly at Dolo’s feet. “Watch him. Keep him alive. And make sure he doesn’t run.”
“Yes, my great master!” Dolo saluted, cracking his whip. “I will not fail you again!”
He barked orders. Two massive Bear Goliaths stepped forward, carrying a thick animal hide. They laid Hart upon it and carried him off toward the Military Camp Prison.
With that done, the Red Dragon turned and flew directly back into the Giant’s Mouth Cave.
He descended deep into the mountain’s heart, clearing away the stone that had sealed the entrance.
“Ah… I see now. No wonder I felt unease earlier.”
“It’s time to clear the nest of its dangers.”
Kai Xiusu muttered to himself.
Then, with a single leap, he plunged into the darkness.
The cavern was a furnace—lava splattered across the walls, steam rising in thick, white plumes. But for the Red Dragon, the molten rock was no more than warm water. The sulfur fumes brought him comfort—like the scent of home.
He descended for what felt like endless minutes, diving deeper and deeper beneath the earth.
At last, he reached another cavern mouth—sealed by a torrent of flowing magma.
Splash!
The Red Dragon leapt through the molten stream, erupting into the next chamber.
Magma splattered across the stone, scorching it black.
Before him stretched an endless, narrow tunnel—only four meters high. The dragon folded his wings tightly, squeezing through with effort.
He pressed forward, exploring the darkness.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
