"Did he just say 'Black Dragon'?"
"Could he have misspoken?"
"Perhaps he meant 'Black Water'?"
The ministers whispered among themselves, gauging the Emperor's reaction. But the Emperor hadn't misspoken or made a mistake. I had heard it clearly too.
'Only the Arahan can do it…?'
This was new information to me. On the flip side, it implied the Emperor hadn't yet killed the Black Dragon. I wanted to see his expression but forced myself to lower my head.
'He's asking me to end the substitute mission and find the Black Dragon?'
Technically, the substitute mission could include finding the Black Dragon. Yet, he framed it as a request, likely because he still sees me as a 16-year-old boy. He probably thinks I'd be thrilled to complete the mission.
'It's a carrot dangled to make it impossible to refuse. A request under the guise of goodwill.'
If only the Arahan can find the Black Dragon, that means my cooperation is essential. The fact that the Emperor is stepping back to make this request suggests he can't find the Black Dragon on his own.
My decision was swift.
"Your Majesty."
"Will you grant my request?" the Emperor asked again.
If I were truly 16, I might have accepted out of gratitude for the Emperor's favor. But now, I needed to uncover his true intentions. Fortunately, the latent magic didn't affect me.
I feigned ignorance and replied, "From what I've heard, the Black Dragon died 950 years ago. Are you asking me to find its remains?"
"You stayed in Vidante before coming to the palace, didn't you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Are you certain you heard nothing about the Black Dragon?"
He was testing me. I tilted my head innocently.
"I saw a statue, but how could that prove the existence of the Black Dragon?"
"Hmm."
"That statue denies not only the Empire's history but even my family's. I don't believe in such absurd claims."
I glanced subtly at the captain of the Imperial Guard. He remained expressionless, but Bersha beside him seemed uneasy.
'She knows I'm lying.'
Bersha is also from the Martin family. If Rumad knew something, she likely did too.
'Is she on my side or the Emperor's? For now, she seems friendly—she let the magic's failure slide.'
There was no time to hesitate over low-probability variables.
Amid the tense atmosphere, one minister stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, the Black Dragon died in the First Great Demon War. There are no dragons left in the Empire."
"Then what is the statue in Vidante for?"
"It's an attempt to promote the city by denying the Empire's history. You should dismantle it and prevent such rumors from spreading."
"Absurd rumors, you say? Do you truly believe that?"
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Who is this man?
I couldn't see the Emperor's face, but I could see the minister's—an elderly man with a wrinkled face. Judging by his position at the front right, he must hold a high rank.
'Probably the Prime Minister.'
The Prime Minister's intervention eased the tension. Other ministers chimed in, echoing his sentiments.
"Your Majesty, the Black Dragon that the citizens of Vidante claimed to have seen 500 years ago has never appeared since."
"Indeed. If it were truly alive, it would have shown itself in some way by now."
Acknowledging the Black Dragon's survival would mean the Empire's history is flawed. The ministers' reactions were to be expected.
As the Emperor listened silently, the Prime Minister pressed further.
"Why are you so interested in the Black Dragon? May I ask the reason?"
It was a pointed question, perhaps an uncomfortable one for the Emperor—and the very thing I wanted to know.
Everyone, including the ministers, waited for the Emperor's response.
After a brief silence, he spoke.
"I can sense the aura of demonic energy. The Great Demon Wars that threaten the Empire occur when demonic energy surges."
"A wise observation, Your Majesty."
"Despite countless studies, the Empire has yet to understand why demon beasts cross the front lines or why independent entities act collectively. Do you not feel responsible for this?"
"…We apologize."
Just as I thought the Emperor was cornered, he turned the tables.
The Great Demon War, or 'Dead Front,' is the Empire's greatest threat. Understanding its cause and preparing for it is a key duty of the officials.
"I suspect the Black Dragon is the cause. Dragons are immortal beings. Even if the Black Dragon is alive, it doesn't mean the Empire's history is wrong."
"But Your Majesty—"
"There are many cases where what was once believed to be true is later overturned by research and experimentation. Does that mean all the truths the Empire has revealed are wrong?"
"N-no… I was short-sighted."
Even the Prime Minister, who had been so confident, faltered.
As the Prime Minister stepped back, the Emperor raised his voice.
"The Empire has spared no effort to find the cause of the Great Demon Wars. Therefore, I will personally verify even the slimmest possibility. Though the Black Dragon is a divine beast, that was 950 years ago. No one can guarantee it hasn't become a demon beast over the long years."
Listening quietly, I was struck by the Emperor's hypocrisy. Knowing the full context of this world, I found his benevolent facade laughable.
The Great Demon Wars are orchestrated under the Emperor's command.
-------
The emperor's goal is to weaken the noble families through periodic wars, draining their power while he himself regains strength.
"Is there anyone among the ministers who opposes my opinion?"
"Uh, no!"
"Your words are most wise!"
It's highly likely that some ministers are aligned with Arahan. The prime minister is the most suspicious, but the momentum has already shifted in the emperor's favor. Even the prime minister has no grounds to intervene further.
'From the start, stopping the emperor was impossible.'
The ministers' gazes turned to me.
"Zed Arahan, you will obey His Majesty's command."
"The decision of the empire's sovereign is absolute. Though the Black Dragon was once Arahan's divine beast, the empire's safety cannot be compromised."
These cunning bastards. Just moments ago, they vehemently opposed the prime minister, yet now they've flipped their stance like turning a hand.
Amid the ministers' pressure, I calmly organized my thoughts.
'Why is he so fixated on the Black Dragon?'
The emperor cited the Black Dragon as the cause of the Great Demon War, making it a common enemy. This is a direct provocation against my family, unlike his previous actions.
'Is he so desperate to find it, even if it means provoking Arahan?'
Something must have happened between yesterday and today. There's a reason he's in such a hurry to find the Black Dragon. I can't blindly accept this. First, I need to get out of this situation.
I straightened my posture.
"As Your Majesty said, the odds are one in ten thousand—or perhaps one in ten million. I will search for the Black Dragon, but please understand the chances are slim."
"It sounds as though you're refusing my command. Is it because of Arahan's divine beast?"
"Your Majesty, you called it a request."
The tense atmosphere dissipated like a breeze. The ministers pressed further, but I paid them no mind.
"I will search for the Black Dragon for the empire, but I cannot guarantee how long it will take. If I do find it, it would be nothing short of a miracle. Are you still willing to proceed?"
I've already said the odds are one in ten thousand. Even if I fail, there's no basis for punishment. Moreover, it's a request, not an order.
What can he do? He can't reinstate the substitute mission order he just terminated, nor can he rush something with such slim odds.
"…Very well. But promise me one thing—that you will do your utmost for the empire."
"Yes, for the empire."
It's not a lie. Killing the Demon King Izar is truly for the empire's sake.
"I trust you. You may leave now."
"Yes, then."
I rose slowly and bowed to the emperor. I walked backward to avoid turning my back, but his voice stopped me.
"Wait."
What now? Just when I thought it was over…
"Have you ever had your memories erased?"
"…No."
"Nunes Colt, what about you?"
"Uh, no!"
"I see."
Damn, that startled me.
"Strange. If your memories were erased, you wouldn't remember even that. Yet you're certain it never happened."
"…"
Did he figure it out? Or is he just testing us?
"Ah…! Come to think of it, I don't remember the day before we arrived here. It was strange, so I asked Zed, and he said he couldn't remember either."
"Heh, is that so?"
Shut up, you idiot!
The captain of the guard, Bersha, stepped forward. Cold sweat ran down my back. Did she notice I'm not under the memory spell? If so, she's dead.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Bersha knelt before the emperor. Though she appeared calm, she must be trembling inside. She might question me or confess outright.
"Restore their memories. I need to question them with their memories intact."
"…As you command."
Bersha approached with a stiff expression. Her usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced by a slightly intimidating one.
There's no one to help me here, no way to escape. Are there any Black Guards inside? If so, now's the time for them to act.
'Please…!'
Bersha was right in front of me, but there was nothing I could do. If Nunes's memories are restored, things will get serious. He'll blab about everything I discussed with Celia in front of the Black Dragon's statue.
'That can't happen. I have to stop it somehow…!'
I recalled my conversation with Celia—about the Black Dragon waiting for its master, the wounds on its wing, and losing an eye.
And the most problematic part—that we went to see Martin's records.
"It won't hurt. Relax."
Bersha placed her hand on Nunes's head. A blue mana began to seep slowly into his mind.