The Dragon Slayer Who Regressed After 1,000 Years - Chapter 68

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Dragon Slayer Returns After 1000 Years – Episode 68
A halting gait.
A staff propping up the body.
A filthy, tattered cloak draped over it all.
The appearance made him difficult to approach, but what was harder still was his face.
A visage twisted and crushed like a lump of mud—so repellent it was nearly unbearable to look upon.
‘Every time I see it, I feel like I might be sick.’
Alton’s eyes narrowed as he watched Olberic’s apostle limp toward him.
For one who walked the noble Path of the Sword, this was the sort he least wanted to associate with.
Yet without their help, he could not obtain a clue to the Dragon Slayer’s whereabouts—there was no avoiding it.
“Duke Alton Drake.”
A voice like grinding metal emanated from the man.
“For the great swordsman of the Empire to receive me? Well, I live and learn.”
“We must help one another to survive, must we not?”
“Keh-keh-keh. So my humble services are needed? Olberic will be most pleased.”
Alton’s brow twitched, but the apostle’s gaze was directed elsewhere.
“I smell death. Where are the corpses?”
“Follow me.”
Alton led him straight down to the lower level.
Upon entering the Morgue, the apostle inhaled deeply, as if savoring the air.
“Many scents waft through here. Not one or two. I cannot fathom how many souls have found their rest in this place.”
This was the real reason Alton despised the apostles.
Before those who could scent death, hidden shames had a way of being exposed in no time.
“Spare me the commentary. Come this way.”
“Keh-keh, as you say.”
Alton walked to the corner and stopped before one corpse.
“This is the man I spoke of.”
“Oho… a fresh corpse, not long dead.”
Olberic’s apostle closed his eyes and intoned.
“Fury and resentment… a soul thick with injustice. It has not departed the corpse, suggesting he clung greatly to this world.”
“Well? Is he usable at this level?”
“It’s possible, though it depends on his martial prowess in life.”
“He was 5-Star Rank, a Sword Expert.”
One corner of the apostle’s mouth lifted.
“That will suffice. Keh-keh. May I take him?”
The moment Alton nodded, the apostle struck the ground with his staff’s end.
Black malice enveloped the corpse, and Walter’s body rose slowly into the air.
“I shall send word when it succeeds. Keh-keh.”

* * *
Cain had believed that healing the girl would resolve everything.
But the elf girl named Ria remained a problem.
The day he returned to the Barracks after regular training.
Cain found Ria sitting motionless on the bed.
“You’re still here? Not leaving?”
…….
“I told you, you can go. You’re free to return to your village now.”
…….
It wasn’t that she didn’t understand him.
The common continental tongue was her language, and elves had a gift for speech.
She had communicated by shaking her head before.
“Why won’t you leave?”
Instead of answering, Ria folded her arms and turned her head away.
The message was clear: she wasn’t going anywhere.
‘Dammit. What’s gotten into her?’
He’d healed her body and fed her proper food.
By now she’d clearly regained her strength and could walk freely on both legs—she was in perfect condition.
And yet she persisted.
[Hey. Do you know why she’s acting like this?]
When he asked the Earth Spirit, an unexpected answer came back.
[Ria… hates… going home…]
An elf who doesn’t want to return to the village?
[Why? Did she run away from home?]
There was no answer.
In any case, this one was equally frustrating.
‘Sigh.’
He couldn’t help but exhale—Ria hadn’t spoken in days.
It wasn’t that anything was physically wrong with her, nor was she shy.
But days without a word? That made no sense.
‘Has she lost her voice?’
Had she suffered some kind of shock?
Whatever the cause, this situation needed resolving.
He couldn’t keep hiding her in the Barracks indefinitely.
Flap!
Cain pulled the hood he’d prepared over Ria’s head and spoke.
“Come with me.”
“…?”
Ria simply tilted her head and stared, so Cain took her hand and led her along.
“I’ll find you a place to stay. Let’s go.”

* * *
Cain led Ria out of the Barracks.
Attendants moved about, but he read their positions by sensing their presence and slipped past without being seen.
He even considered borrowing Beratus’s power if needed, taking every precaution to avoid notice.
“Beratus. Check if there are any watchers over there.”
[Understood, Seer.]
Ria watched Beratus depart with an expression of curiosity.
“You can see that thing?”
Ria nodded, and Cain regarded her without concern.
An elf perceiving a spirit was nothing remarkable.
Though she’d never realize it was a dragon.
The Earth Spirit, apparently sensing as much, bolted whenever Beratus appeared.
“This way.”
Cain headed toward the nearest inn to the Barracks.
He couldn’t keep her hidden in the Barracks indefinitely, so this was the place he’d chosen.
“Welcome. Do you need a room? Something to eat?”
“Just a room.”
The innkeeper’s gaze lingered briefly on Ria.
The hood pulled low hid her face completely.
“How many nights will you be staying?”
“As long as needed. This should cover it for now.”
Cain pulled a gold coin from his pocket.
The innkeeper’s eyes widened and gleamed.
“Will you be dining with us, sir?”
“No. I’d prefer the most remote room you have, though.”
“Seeking peace and quiet, are we? I have just the place.”
The innkeeper led him to a room at the far end of the corridor.
There seemed to be little chance of encountering anyone passing through.
“I’d rather no one disturbed us.”
“Rest assured—I’ll keep it as silent as a tomb. Not a soul will bother you.”
The innkeeper bowed deeply and withdrew.
Once inside, Cain knelt to meet Ria at eye level.
“Listen carefully. I can’t have you staying at the Knight Order Barracks indefinitely. Bringing outsiders in violates protocol.”
“…”
“So from now on, you’ll stay here.”
When Cain placed a hand on her shoulder, Ria pushed it away.
The gesture made her resistance unmistakable.
Cain calmly reached for her again.
“I’m not abandoning you. Look at me. Do I seem like the type to do that?”
“…”
Ria, who had been watching Cain quietly, finally relaxed her shoulders as her tension eased.
“Stay here until I’ve proven myself to the Knight Order and secured a proper residence of my own.”
“……….”
“It won’t take long. I’m concerned about leaving you alone, so you’ll stay here with this one instead.”
Where Cain pointed, a spirit shaped like a dragon shimmered with a verdant glow.
“This one’s name is Beratus. He’s a spirit I keep with me.”
Anyone could see he was a dragon, but Cain kept that information to himself.
There was no need to mention it anyway.
Beratus wasn’t the only one startled by this revelation—his eyes widened in surprise.
[Seer, sir…? You want me to stay with this elf?]
“That’s right. While I’m away, I want you to look after her well. Keep her safe and make sure nothing dangerous happens.”
[Is this also connected to…?]
“Precisely. It’s for the future of our kind.”
A sense of mission kindled in Beratus’s eyes at those words.
[Understood, Seer, sir.]
Cain turned his gaze back to Ria.
His eyes held a gentle, almost soothing warmth.
“You can manage without me, can’t you?”
Ria’s head bobbed up and down vigorously.
“I’ll stop by occasionally to bring you food, so don’t worry too much. In return, you’re not to leave your room without good reason.”
Confirming her nod with one more glance, Cain turned to leave.
“I’ll be back soon.”

* * *
The moment Cain returned to the Barracks, Valesius came rushing toward him.
“Master! Ria has disappeared!”
“I took her to a nearby inn.”
“What?”
“I couldn’t keep her locked up here like a caged bird.”
Though he spoke without emotion, Valesius’s sudden jump startled even Cain.
“But sir, how could you? Leaving that child alone is far too dangerous!”
“Keep your voice down. Are you trying to spread rumors all over town?”
“Ah… I apologize.”
Watching Valesius belatedly close his mouth, Cain let out a sigh.
“I’ve taken proper safety measures, so don’t worry. Nothing will happen. I’ll visit regularly too.”
“But still… she’s a child who can’t even speak properly…”
It seemed Valesius didn’t know much about elves.
‘Even without speech, she has Spirit Magic—she can avoid most dangers on her own. The slaver incident was just bad luck.’
And besides, there was Beratus, a dragon, at her side.
There was no way Ria would be captured by slavers again.
“More importantly, you haven’t mentioned this to anyone else, have you?”
“Of course not. I haven’t breathed a word.”
“Not even to your family?”
“No. Though, well… Cassius was…”
Cain’s eyes sharpened.
Had he told him?
“He was looking for you, sir.”
“…For me?”
“Yes. He said he had something to ask of you, but nothing more than that.”
Cain rubbed his jaw thoughtfully.
He’d been wanting to have a private conversation with Cassius anyway.
‘Unlike Valesius, I know nothing about Cassius.’
Through their conversations so far, Cain had come to understand just how simple Valesius was.
The boy was ignorant—profoundly ignorant.
Pure as spring water.
He was playing spy to impress his father Alton, but even that was fleeting.
Now he was devoted entirely to training, and his reports had fallen by the wayside.
‘He’s practically on my side now. There’s no sign of betrayal yet.’
Besides, his convictions about dragons were far from firm.
He’d been indoctrinated and held mistaken notions, but they were learned beliefs rather than his own deeply held convictions.
If I bring him along on dragon hunts and plant seeds of doubt, there’s a chance he could turn to my side later.
But Cassius?
‘I still don’t know him well. Whether he’s with me or against me.’
That’s why Cain decided to meet him once.
“Where is he? Where’s Cassius?”

When Cain arrived at the Training Grounds, the first thing he saw was Cassius wielding his sword.
A different quality from Valesius’s blade.
No wasted motion, precise.
As Cain drew near, Cassius turned.
“Ah, Prince Cain. Welcome.”
“You were looking for me, I hear.”
“Yes. There’s something I’d like to ask you, actually.”
Cassius lowered his sword and approached.
“Would you be willing to spar with me?”
“Spar?”
It was an unexpected request.
Not that sparring itself was unusual.
In the Knight Order, it was common for comrades to cross blades.
But at this moment, from this man?
“Why the sudden request?”
Cain asked briefly, probing his intent.
“I’m curious about your swordwork, sir. We’re in the same Knight Order, yet I’ve never seen you fight properly.”
Cassius answered with disarming naturalness.
A smile, an easy tone, an unflinching gaze.
To any observer, it would have seemed genuine.
But.
‘A lie.’
Cain’s eyes slowly dimmed.
The Ancient Artifact in his ear told him there was something else brewing beneath the surface.

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