Volume 1 Chapter 82 Iria's Return
In the royal city of Salem, located near the center of the Cretia Kingdom, the knight Iria was kneeling in the audience chamber of the royal castle.
The large room, with its evenly spaced white pillars, looked like an ancient temple. A red carpet covered the floor, and at the top of the steps stood a beautifully crafted wooden throne adorned with intricate gold and silver decorations. Sitting on the throne was an elderly man with distinguished gray hair and a fine mustache.
He wore a red, high-quality robe, and a golden crown shone above his head. Holding a long and uniquely shaped staff, known as a scepter, in his right hand, he exuded an aura of dignity that needed no explanation.
Normally, the room would be guarded by the imperial guards, but there were only three people present: Iria, the king, and an old man with a wrinkled face.
──Darmud, the court magician...
Darmud stood next to the king, dressed in a dirty, sandy-colored cloak, with his hands tucked under his sleeves. Despite being in the presence of the king, his black eyes peered intently at Iria from beneath the deeply hooded cloak.
Iria didn't like Darmud. Well, it's more accurate to say that she despised him.
As she walked through the castle, she crossed paths with him several times, accompanied by his magician subordinates, in the corridors. Every time this old man looked at her, she felt a strange gaze in his eyes.
This old magician never appeared in public. Even Princess Merletta, who was the daughter of the king, had rarely seen him, if at all. So he was hardly memorable.
Iria couldn't understand where he came from, why this creepy old man was the king's aide, and why he chose today of all days to appear in front of her. It was puzzling to Iria.
"You've returned. Lift your head."
A voice echoed. Iria raised her head and saw her own ruler. This was the first time she had ever spoken face to face with him.
But it wasn't a situation to be proud of. Considering what she was about to do, Iria's heart was conflicted.
"Iria, I want to talk to you directly about the recent events."
──Does that mean he doesn't want anyone else to hear about it?
As she thinks about this, Iria remembers everything that has happened so far.
She no longer needs to question the truth of what the princess said and what she saw at Trasverum.
It was clear that King Cretia was keeping something secret from not only the kingdom's knights but also the people in the castle.
"I will report the progress of the search for Merletta-sama, Your Majesty."
──Now, I can't afford to be suspicious for no reason.
So, Iria carefully told King Cretia about what she had been thinking about until she returned to the capital. She mentioned finding someone who looked like the princess in Voltana, tracking her but losing sight of her. She also conveyed information from the adventurer Allen about the princess being in Trasverum, only to find out that she was a fake, and that Allen and his group had summoned an Elder Dragon using an item.
Finally, due to the soldiers being too frightened to be led after the battle, they had to return. She didn't mention anything about Ark or Fatina.
"This is everything I witnessed in Trasverum with my own eyes."
"Hmm..."
The king sat with his chin resting on his hand, staring at Iria. After finishing her explanation, Iria felt guilty and looked down. Even though there were reasons, she believed that it was unacceptable for a knight to give false reports to the ruler.
"Iria, are you betraying me too?"
"──!"
It was a sudden remark. However, with those words, Iria understood.
──The king knew everything about the series of incidents surrounding the key....
With that knowledge, he asked Iria how she would explain the situation.
Her body tensed up, and she couldn't help but raise her head. She felt like the king's emerald eyes could see everything.
──I can't stay here!
Feeling a sense of danger, Iria immediately called out to her dragon, Lulue, whom she controlled. It was one of the abilities that someone with the skill [Dragon Tamer] could handle.
As far as Iria knew, there were few people in the Cretia Kingdom's Knight Order who could move faster than the dragon Lulue. Although there were magicians in the royal castle with the skill [Teleportation Magic], they were not suited for combat. Iria prioritized calling Lulue and escaping from the castle.
However, something happened that even exceeded her expectations.
"What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
The king said, looking bored.
No matter how many times Iria called, Lulue never showed up.
On the contrary, no matter how much time passes, she never get the feeling that she get an answer from the dragon when she respond to her call.
──Why...why....
This has never happened before.
Iria was born as the daughter of a nobleman who served the Cretian royal family for generations. After her Ability Appraisal revealed that her skills were extremely rare, she grew up alongside Lulue, who was hatched from an egg brought back from a dragon's nest by an adventurer.
She is a ferocious monster, and the dragon does not become attached to humans. Iria was able to communicate with Lulue because of her "Dragon Tamer" skill. However, Iria still had full trust in Lulue.
The king touched the crystal orb adorned with decorations that coiled around it, resembling a dragon-like monster with no wings or limbs.
The interior of the crystal orb seemed to emit light. It was not just a luxurious scepter made for show. It was an item with some kind of effect. Perhaps it was being hindered by some unknown power.
The king continued, observing Iria's face trembling with fear at the unknown force.
"You thought I hadn't made preparations of that level, didn't you? Did you truly believe that if your life was in danger, a dragon would come to your rescue, breaking through walls, allowing you to escape from this place?"
Iria felt completely exposed. She couldn't help but click her tongue. It wasn't just directed at the king. It was also directed at herself for being so careless.
She glanced at the bow and quiver on the floor. ow that it's known that she's betrayed Merletta and is protecting Merletta, she won't be safe anyway.
But she couldn't be caught here. She had to escape from the castle and inform Merletta's group that they were being watched as soon as possible. To do that, she had to somehow leave the audience chamber and meet up with Lulue.
Iria, who has the skill of a Dragon Tamer, has a power that sets her apart from other people, but she also has a weakness. She can't unleash that power unless a dragon with whom she has formed a bond is by her side. Without Lulue, she's just one of many archers with a Level Cap of 50. In fact, as an Iria without any other skills, she might find it difficult to even defeat someone with a slightly lower level of weapon skill.
She felt like she had no choice but to run away.
That was her decision, but suddenly, she felt an unusual presence behind her and turned around.
There, a man in white full-body armor was standing a few steps behind her, staring in her direction. He was a familiar figure to Iria.
"W-Wayne Knight leader..."
The tall, red-haired knight, who was not much older than Iria, was standing in front of her. When did he appear? Had he been hiding and suppressing his presence somewhere in the room all along? If so, then...
"Iria. Your actions were unacceptable for a knight of Cretia. Therefore, punishment must be given."
Wayne coldly stated.
"No... It can't be..."
The king, the court magician, the leader of the knights... They are all colluding. They know everything about what the king is planning and even about that dungeon. It seems that only low-ranking knights and soldiers like myself were unaware.
"Hehehe!!"
Suddenly, Darmud, who had been silent until now, opened his eyes wide and burst into laughter. The missing teeth here and there accentuated the strangeness of the old magician. Iria felt an eerie sensation and trembled.
"Your Majesty, may I do as I please with this girl?"
"That won't do. The skill of the [Dragon Tamer] is valuable."
"...As you wish."
With a smile on his face, Darmud narrowed his eyes.
"...Ugh!"
Iria quickly grabbed her bow and nocked an arrow, aiming it towards Wayne who stood by the door.
She had no idea what kind of abilities the knight leader possessed, but since he had a sword at his waist, it must be something related to swords. The distance between them was still far. If the arrow hit, it might cause an injury, but it wouldn't be fatal. Iria thought of using that opportunity to run through the audience hall.
However, Wayne didn't move an inch from his spot. He caught the arrow flying towards him with his right hand.
"What!?"
Witnessing an unbelievable sight, Iria froze in place. Even though her skill was sealed, it was impossible for an ordinary person to catch the arrow she shot with their hand.
Iria quickly regained her composure, but in the next moment, Wayne's figure disappeared from her sight.
"W-Where...! Ahh!"
The heavy impact of Wayne's kick hit Iria's stomach like a hammer.
She was thrown back and fell hard to the ground. Her vision blurred as she struggled to stay conscious. Her armor was shattered from the impact.
As she lay on her side, she saw Wayne slowly approaching. Before she could even draw her sword, she was defeated with a single blow, unable to defend herself.
──Princess, please be safe...
Iria's consciousness sank into darkness as she screamed in her mind.
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