The Dragon Slayer Who Regressed After 1,000 Years - Chapter 22

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Dragon Slayer’s Return After 1000 Years — Episode 22
“Wait.”
Bernatus, who had begun moving the treasures, hesitated.
[Why, Seer?]
“This one needs to be set aside.”
What Cain picked up was a tattered cloak.
Though it looked shabby as rags, it was an artifact that some explorer had once recovered from deep within the Swampland—and its properties were far from ordinary.
‘The only cloak in the world that nullifies all poison and corrosion.’
There was another treasure that caught his eye.
A blade forged with dragon scales melted into its edge—the Dragon Breaker.
‘A weapon spoken of for the next three centuries was right here.’
It was no mere Sword Master’s blade. Even with simple aura alone, it pierced through dragon armor, and its worth was beyond measure.
‘Beyond these… there’s nothing else particularly remarkable.’
Cain, surveying the treasures, turned his gaze to Bernatus.
“Pack it up.”
[Yes, sir!]
Bernatus remained in high spirits throughout.

* * *
The Family Heads, including Alton, were in disarray.
The Black Dragon, who had protected the Bellion Kingdom, was dead.
Slain by none other than Ignicion, the Red Dragon herself.
‘Dragons killing one another… it was unthinkable.’
Something they had never imagined was now reality.
Alton’s weathered face deepened with cracks of concern.
“What are we to do? The Guardian Dragon that represents Bellion has fallen…”
“We must seek a new Guardian Dragon…”
“This vacancy won’t remain unnoticed by the other dragons.”
“Perhaps this is the moment to exclude the Antonio Family?”
“Agreed. The Duchy burned, the Guardian Dragon died. The Antonio Family is now worthless.”
“Then we must select a new figure to represent Bellion…”
“Is there anyone favorably disposed toward the dragons?”
“Hmm… that won’t be easy.”
While the Family Heads exchanged opinions and deliberated,
Alton maintained steadfast silence.
His mind was preoccupied with other thoughts.
‘According to my subordinate’s report, the corpse was not intact. Particularly—the chest was cleaved open, the heart taken…’
It was not Ignicion’s doing.
While she might do such a thing as retaliation, there was no reason for her to extract a Dragon Heart.
‘The heart wasn’t melted or shattered. Not a single fragment remained, they said.’
So it truly was taken—but by whom? And why?
A Dragon Heart holds value, certainly, but it is merely a collector’s prize with no practical utility.
The Mage Tower of the Estar Kingdom had conducted numerous studies attempting to harness the pure mana within it, yet all had come to naught.
If a human body could absorb a Dragon Heart’s mana entirely, it would be unparalleled. But history bears witness:
it is impossible for human flesh.
Therefore, a Dragon Heart held value only in coin.
Money, certainly—reason enough to steal it.
‘Whoever they are, a third party has intervened.’
Alton was certain that this orchestrator was the same hand behind the entire catastrophe.
Strength enough to slay a dragon, cunning to divide and conspire, and the will to seize its heart.
‘Identity unknown, but undeniably dangerous. More than a mere hindrance to us.’
This enemy had to be found and eliminated.
Not a single clue could be overlooked.
Once he had ordered his thoughts, Alton spoke.
“Hear me, Family Heads.”
At that single utterance, all fell silent and turned their gaze upon him.
“This affair was not born of mere discord between dragons. There exists one who deliberately works to thwart us.”
The chamber stirred with unease.
“Whether their purpose is known to us or not, this much is certain: they stand against our interests. Thus we must find and eliminate them.”
The Family Heads nodded in agreement.
“First, check through each kingdom’s contacts whether the Dragon Heart has come on the market.”
“The Dragon Heart…… you say?”
“After examining the bodies of Camiloas and Bellacoross, we’ve confirmed that both are missing their Dragon Hearts.”
“That…… that can’t be……!”
“Whoever took it knows its value, so they’ll certainly show signs of trying to sell it.”
“Then I’ll look into it. We have our fingers on the pulse of the Black Market.”
“We’ll investigate our end as well.”
“The moment it appears on the market, we’ll contact you immediately.”
Confirmations came back from each kingdom.
The moment the Dragon Heart was put up for sale on the Black Market, it would be discovered.
“I’ll inform Ignicion of this as well. And ask why Bellacoross was killed.”
Alton left the conference chamber and moved to the Study.
He withdrew a particular book from the shelf, and as it slowly rotated, a hidden chamber revealed itself behind it.
He placed his hand on the Crystal Orb and attempted to establish a connection with Ignicion.
Had she not been in the Lair, she wouldn’t have answered, but fortunately the transmission connected.
“Ignicion. This is Alton Drake.”
―I know. I don’t forget a voice once heard.
“Please accept my condolences on the loss of your son. Your grief must be profound.”
―Grief? I feel rage right now. Toward you humans!
She flared with anger, yet Alton remained composed.
He already understood the temperament of each dragon.
“I apologize on behalf of humankind. Please, I beg you, ease your wrath.”
―Why have you contacted me?
“I heard of what transpired above Bellion. What became of Bellacoross……”
―And?
“I wanted to know why. And I have information to share with you.”
―That bastard killed my son. That cursed wretch!
Ignicion flared with fury.
Even though she had completed her vengeance, the rage still did not subside.
“Please, compose yourself, Ignicion.”
―And the Antonio Family! They’re connected to this too!
“Is it because a sword was found in your son’s body?”
―Yes! They must have done this in retaliation for the Duchy burning—there’s no doubt of it!
Alton sighed quietly to himself.
Even a being of supreme existence could not regard the situation with reason.
“I actually have something to say regarding that point.”
―What is it?
“The Antonio Family is not the culprit. It appears someone framed them to make it seem that way.”
―What?
Alton laid out his reasoning.
“Before your son burned the Duchy, the Antonio Family and the other lords had already evacuated. That means they knew beforehand that their lands would burn.”
―What are you talking about?
“There was another hand behind it. I don’t know why Camiloas burned the Duchy, but because of it Bellacoross grew enraged, and you likewise fell into a fury upon seeing the Antonio Family’s sword—wasn’t it? Our theory is that this was a plot by someone to turn dragons against each other.”
For a long time, Ignicion said nothing.
It was some time before a voice flowed from the Crystal Orb again.
―So…… we’ve been manipulated? By someone?
“I’m afraid so.”
―Nonsense! Bellacoross confessed! He said he killed Camiloas himself! I heard it clearly in a Dragon’s Oath!
This time, it was Alton’s words that faltered.
He had suspected a third party was responsible, but he hadn’t anticipated that Bellacoross had acted with his own hand.
“That’s…… a fact we were unaware of. But I’m certain there was someone pulling the strings.”
―On what grounds do you claim this?
“The Dragon Hearts have vanished.”
―What……?
“Your son’s body had his chest opened, yes? The exact same incision mark was found on Bellacoross’s body as well. And his Dragon Heart was gone.”
Both dragons’ hearts had disappeared.
With identical surgical cuts.
It was far too deliberate to dismiss as coincidence.
“Did perhaps you take them yourself?”
―No! Never! I confirmed Bellacoross was dead and turned back immediately! I never touched his heart!
Alton already knew, without Ignicion having to deny it.
That her words were true.
Dragons had no talent for deception, after all.
“That’s why we suspect a third party’s involvement—someone after the Dragon Heart.”
—Bellacoross’s heart, too? You’re saying the same person did this?
From the tremor in her voice, Alton could feel Ignicion’s turmoil.
Even if Bellacoross had killed her son, the fact that someone else had carved out his heart was something no mother could endure.
—Then the Antonio Family has nothing to do with this?
“That’s correct. The sword was merely a device to provoke you into attacking Bellion, but what they truly sought was the Dragon Heart. They wanted you two to fight until one of you fell.”
Alton’s reasoning held weight.
More than anything, it was staggering.
—I… played like a puppet in human hands… How could I…!
Even through the Crystal Orb, Ignicion’s fury came through vividly.
“We cannot yet assume it was a human, Lady Ignicion.”
—Then? Who is the culprit?
“We don’t know either. There are no clues to work with. All we know is that they possess skill enough to pierce dragon scales—whether it’s one person or many, we cannot say.”
—Damn it!
“However…”
Alton paused before speaking carefully.
“It appears there was contact with Lorenzo Antonio. The Antonio Family Sword left at the scene suggests as much.”
—Lorenzo? Isn’t he the Family Head of the Antonios?
“He is. He’s been held in the Underground Prison and questioned several times, but we’ve gained no useful information. He keeps insisting he can’t remember…”
—Hand him over to me.
“Pardon?”
—I will interrogate him myself.
Ignicion’s voice cut through the air sharper than ever before.

* * *
In the freezing prison, Lorenzo had been thinking all along.
How he’d come to such a state.
But no answer came.
‘I only… grasped at a lifeline for my son…’
He didn’t even have room to worry about his son Dario.
His own life hung in the balance.
‘If this continues… if I’m abandoned…’
Where could a man who’d lost his family and been cast out of the alliance go?
Such thoughts lasted only a moment.
Clang!
“Family Head Antonio.”
Alton opened the cell door and gestured for him to come out.
“There’s somewhere you need to go.”
“Where… if I may ask?”
“Come along.”
Alton’s voice was clipped in a way Lorenzo had never heard before, and he felt like livestock being dragged to slaughter.
“Quickly now.”
“Yes…”
He hurried out after Alton.
Lorenzo squinted as he emerged into sunlight, his appearance disheveled from his time imprisoned.
“Get in.”
Lorenzo climbed obediently into the waiting carriage.
The gravity of the situation prevented him from asking where they were headed.
“We’ll speak another time if the opportunity arises.”
All he could do was gaze blankly at Alton as they parted ways.
‘I’m being abandoned.’
The feeling seized him.
But he couldn’t know the true destination.
He couldn’t even guess.
Not until he saw the colossal red dragon.
Crack!
[So it’s you. The human who lost his memory.]
“Gah, gaaaah!”
Ignicion arrived at the appointed place and shattered the carriage with her claws.
She observed the terrified Lorenzo with narrowing eyes.
[Could it be… Mental Domination?]
She sensed the lingering traces of 9th Circle Mana radiating from Lorenzo’s body.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————