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The main stronghold of the Former Demon King’s Western Army is the jet-black fortress known as ‘Darkheim’, located at the far western edge of the Maristel Continent.
It lies roughly 2,000 kilols in a straight line from the imperial capital, Guynesfried, and between them stretches the vast Nezashia Sea.
Known as the Abyssal Sea, Nezashia is constantly shrouded in black mist and raging storms.
The waters are home to massive sea demons and mysterious whirlpools, making passage through it exceedingly dangerous.
Humans, lacking wings as powerful as those of dragons, have no means to cross the sea, and for the Western Army, it serves as a natural bulwark.
In the past, the Demon King commanded the armies of the east, west, south, and north to ravage humanity’s territories, but among them, the Western Army, comprised of dragons, distinguished itself with especially remarkable feats.
Beneath the supreme commander, the Corps Leader, stood several Division Commanders, each leading powerful units of dragons.
The physical prowess and magic power of dragons are formidable weapons in themselves, but when their power is organized and wielded in formation, the destructive force is multiplied many times over.
The one who once held the title of Corps Leader was Dragon King Jagan.
A famed warrior since ancient times, he had once been defeated by the Demon King and brought under his command, only to later be destroyed by the previous Hero. Since then, the current Western Army has been managed by several Division Commanders.
Each of them is a warrior of unparalleled might, capable of turning the tide of battle alone, but they are also highly idiosyncratic, and all of them quietly scheme to seize the top position.
One such Division Commander is the demon dragon Ygdra, who leads the Aerial Dragon Cavalry Unit.
Now, Ygdra is desperate to reclaim the honor lost in the failed assault on the imperial capital, Guynesfried.
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「Grrrrrr… Curse you, Hero」
Deep within a mountainous region cloaked in black shadow, a massive cavern yawned open.
Its interior was damp and cold, with countless jagged rocks protruding from the walls.
This cavern was the lair of the demon dragon Ygdra.
Curled up in the center, Ygdra’s massive body trembled with rage.
His crimson eyes burned with hatred, and his sharp claws gouged deep into the bedrock.
The scene of devastation at the imperial capital, Guynesfried, played vividly in Ygdra’s mind.
The brutal image of Ormund, his loyal subordinate and a warrior of renown, being obliterated by a mysterious flash of light.
「It was my own poor judgment…」
Ygdra slammed his tail down hard, sending a deafening crash echoing through the cavern.
A choking mixture of guilt over his fallen subordinates and a burning hatred for the Hero gnawed at his chest.
「I will bring him down, no matter what…!」
The words rang hollow as they echoed through the cave, fading into the cold air.
Just then, light footsteps approached from the cave entrance.
Ygdra turned a sharp glare toward the source.
「So this is where you were, Ygdra」
Appearing with her crimson hair swaying behind her was the female dragonkin*, Sharki.
TN: Should be humanoid dragon.
Her red eyes gleamed with provocation, and a thin smile curled her lips.
「What do you want, Sharki」
Ygdra asked in a low, growling voice.
Sharki glanced around the cavern as she slowly walked toward him.
「You’ve been out of sight lately. I was starting to worry about you」
「I don’t need your concern」
「Don’t be like that. We’re both Division Commanders, let’s try to get along」
She stopped in front of Ygdra and looked up at him with those crimson eyes.
「Still, that failure in the capital must have stung. Losing Sky-Eater Ormund on top of it…」
Ygdra’s expression darkened for a brief moment.
「…What’s your point」
「Just that I hope you don’t fail next time. It affects all our reputations, you know」
Her words struck deep, cutting straight into Ygdra’s chest.
「Next time, I will succeed」
「Really? Well, if you can’t handle it, I wouldn’t mind stepping in for you」
「Keep your nose out of it. My unit is more than capable」
Still smiling, Sharki continued.
「Is that so? But with no Corps Leader right now, who takes command next will all come down to results, won’t it」
At those words, something stirred in Ygdra’s heart.
「You…」
「Well then, do your best. I’ll be watching」
With that parting shot, Sharki turned and sauntered out of the cavern.
「Damn that dragonkin…!」
Left behind, Ygdra burned with rage and humiliation, but that didn’t change the fact that he was a defeated commander.
「Hmph. The Hero is strong… You, a half-breed dragons, think you can bring him down…?」
There was no force behind Ygdra’s words.
No one understood better than Ygdra himself how pathetic that sounded.
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Once Sharki exited the cave, she felt the chill of the night wind against her skin and sank into thought.
「Now is my chance. With Corps Leader Jagan gone, if I’m the one who takes down the Hero, I’ll outmaneuver the other Division Commanders. If I leave things to Ygdra, we’ll just see another failure. I have to act」
Upon returning to her quarters, Sharki summoned a group of her most trusted subordinates.
「Listen closely, all of you. We’re going to infiltrate the imperial capital, Guynesfried, and assassinate the Hero」
Her subordinates responded with stunned expressions.
「But Sharki-sama, isn’t that too dangerous…?」
「I know. But if we succeed, becoming the next Corps Leader won’t just be a dream. Besides, the current Guynes Empire isn’t what it once was. The knights of strength, the mages famed for their wisdom, many of them perished in the great war. In the true imperial capital, someone like Ormund could never have gotten close. The Hero’s return is certainly a grave matter, and facing him head-on would be risky, but there are many ways to kill someone」
One subordinate hesitantly voiced his concern.
「Even so, the capital must be heavily guarded…」
「Exactly. That’s why we are going. I said it already, didn’t I? We’ll be infiltrating. There are things only we dragonkins can do. Ufufu. Just because we’re demi-dragons, those humans have always looked down on us. But that ends now. The rules of battle have changed. Even the previous Hero killed the Demon King by doing it that way. Now it’s our turn」
Sharki declared with full confidence.
「This mission is top secret. Not even the other Division Commanders are to know. If we succeed, we’ll be the ones leading the Demon King’s Western Army」
Overwhelmed by her conviction, her subordinates quietly nodded.
「Understood, Sharki-sama」
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