Chapter 35: Northwind Eagle Guard (6)
Alje’s eyes were covered, and he was led through winding corridors, turning left and right without any sense of direction.
When the black cloth was finally removed, he stood before a cavern of staggering vastness. At its heart, coiled upon a colossal stone, lay the Red Dragon—eyes half-lidded, seemingly resting.
Bear Goliath shoved Alje forward, forcing him to his knees. “Master,” he said with rigid respect, “I have brought the human.”
The Red Dragon lazily opened its eyes, then spoke casually. “Well done. You may depart.”
Alje could feel the scorching, sulfur-scented breath exhaled from the dragon’s maw.
“Yes, Master.” Bear Goliath bowed deeply and retreated.
Struggling to rise, Alje clenched his jaw and spoke through gritted teeth:
“Evil Dragon… no matter your scheme, I will not let you succeed—not even if I die!”
He closed his eyes, standing tall, bracing himself for the dragon’s wrath.
Whether it came in the form of searing flames or jagged claws, he would not flinch.
But the Red Dragon’s voice held no anger. Instead, it asked, “Why did Brad Lakanman send you?”
Alje kept his eyes shut, silent as stone.
Seeing his defiance—and considering the timing—Kai Xiusu could now piece together Alje’s mission. It was none other than the infamous Tiefling Camp Massacre from the past.
Hundreds of Eagle Guards had scoured the land for Tiefling traces, and upon discovery, they slaughtered without mercy—men, women, children, the elderly, all reduced to ash. The camps were burned to the ground, and any witnesses were erased.
It should have been a flawless operation.
But fate had intervened—they met Ashen Hollow.
Thinking of this, Kai Xiusu’s tone turned mocking as he addressed Alje:
“Alje Yoman… do you know how your parents died?”
The words struck like a blade.
Alje’s face twisted in shock—his deepest wound torn open raw. His eyes snapped open. “That’s impossible!”
“How could you know that?!”
Seeing Alje’s reaction, the Red Dragon spoke slowly, calmly. “You don’t need to know why. Just answer truthfully, based on what you know.”
Kai Xiusu repeated:
“Tell me—how did your parents die?”
“T—they were… sacrificed… to the Devil…” Alje’s voice cracked, tears welling in his eyes. “By those cursed Tiefling bastards!”
Memories surged—faces of the dead, the screams, the flames. His eyes burned crimson with hatred.
Kai Xiusu tilted his head, feigning indifference. “And who told you this?”
“L-Lord Duke…” Alje stammered.
“Yet according to my knowledge,” Kai Xiusu said, “that is not the truth.”
“Then what do you know?” Alje demanded, voice trembling.
“I know,” the Red Dragon continued, “that your beloved Lord Duke—your mentor, your father in all but blood—sought immortality. He made a pact with darkness, trading the lives of thousands within the city… including your parents… to become an immortal vampire.”
The Red Dragon, a specter of hell itself, spoke with the calm precision of a serpent weaving a trap.
“N-no… impossible!” Alje cried. “You’re lying!”
Yet, beneath the dragon’s calculated words, doubt took root.
Could it be true?
His god, his protector, the man he swore eternal loyalty to—was the very one who had destroyed his family?
Kai Xiusu pressed on, slowly spreading his wings wide, casting Alje beneath a vast, oppressive shadow. He loomed over him, a god surveying a mortal.
“Think carefully,” he said. “Has your revered Lord Duke ever stepped outside the castle walls?”
“Has he ever walked beneath the sun—not hidden in shadow?”
“Not even during his grand speeches?”
“You are wise. Have you ever heard the cries of the tortured from the castle’s back garden?”
“Have you ever smelled the stench of blood beneath the soil?”
“And when you slaughtered the innocent—did you know they were not mere victims?”
“Did you know they were sacrifices—fuel for your lord’s immortality?”
As Kai Xiusu spoke, the vision returned—burning flames, children wailing, mothers clutching their dying infants.
“No… no, I didn’t… I didn’t…” Alje stumbled backward, shaking his head violently.
He felt dizzy, his mind split open by a searing headache. Every memory—every detail—was terrifyingly vivid, as if proof itself.
“No… you’re lying! You’re poisoning my mind!”
“I won’t believe your slander! Lord Duke… he couldn’t have—”
Alje collapsed to the ground, trembling, whispering again and again, his eyes clouded with endless shadow.
After a long silence, his gaze slowly cleared. His voice trembled.
“Evil Dragon… what have you done to me?”
Kai Xiusu looked down at him, expression cold and distant.
“Just a small trick. To make you see the truth.”
“And yet… you’ve committed these acts. What right do you have to call me Evil?”
“No… I don’t believe you,” Alje whispered, forcing himself up. “This is a trap. A lie. You’re using magic—Illusion—to deceive me!”
He raised his voice, desperate. “My loyalty to the Northwind Eagle Guard is unshakable! Your conspiracy means nothing before true allegiance!”
But his defiance was weak—frail, like a thread about to snap.
“You don’t need to believe me,” Kai Xiusu said, turning away. “And soon… you’ll know.”
He didn’t argue further. Instead, he lowered himself back onto the stone, eyes closing once more. He called to the waiting Bear Goliath at the entrance.
“Take him to the dungeon. Lock him up.”
“Yes, Master.”
Three massive Bear Goliaths stepped forward, dragging Alje away despite his struggles.
Even as he was dragged off, he screamed into the air:
“Evil Dragon! You can’t fool me!”
“You’ll never defile Lord Duke!”
“You’re just another devil in league with the damned!”
For years, his family’s legacy had drilled into him: absolute loyalty. He was not a man—he was a blade, sharp and obedient.
No questions. Only execution.
That was what his old instructor had taught.
And so, as a true Eagle Guard, Alje had always silenced his mind, refusing to question right or wrong—especially during the massacres, when he slaughtered unarmed refugees.
But now… for the first time… he thought.
And that was all Kai Xiusu needed.
One crack in the psyche. One trigger.
And the collapse would come—instant and total.
Kai Xiusu’s goal had been achieved.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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