Chapter 9: The Brave Man Rebelled?

“I…”

Faced with Lucia’s question, Fratina fell silent for a long time.

Her mind churned.

If the Kingdom of Londe hadn’t hired her because of Lucia’s misdeeds, then it must be about the mineral vein beneath their feet.

A nation suddenly gaining such wealth would surely seek to conquer its weaker neighbors.

War would erupt, lives would be lost, and the consequences might all stem from her actions.

“If… it’s truly as you say, Lord Lucia, I… I would probably regret it.”

Over these days, living with Lucia, Fratina had come to see her as a calm dragon. She spent most of her time sleeping in her room or eating, occasionally visiting the hot spring behind the mountain, never leaving the valley.

“Lord Lucia, may I ask you something?”

“Hm?”

“You’ve stayed here all this time to protect the valley’s minerals from Londe’s mining, haven’t you?”

Lucia paused, then shook her head.

“Yes and no.”

Fratina looked confused, so Lucia explained.

“If this vein were elsewhere, I wouldn’t care about Londe’s mining. But this is my home, and their mining would destroy it. That’s something I can’t allow.”

Hearing this, Fratina’s hostility toward Lucia lessened slightly.

She had initially thought Lucia was hoarding the valley’s resources for herself, but oddly, Lucia hadn’t touched the exposed ores, leaving them untouched.

Compared to Londe’s scheming lies, Fratina found this “evil dragon” surprisingly sincere.

But then she remembered—Lucia might be so open because she saw Fratina as a powerless servant, unable to resist. Her fleeting感动 faded.

Yes, Londe had ulterior motives, but Lucia wasn’t exactly virtuous either.

Forcing her into servitude ensured Fratina could never truly align with her.

“I understand, Lord Lucia. I see your perspective. But since Londe has already sent people here, it shows they’re worried about the valley. Should we do something?”

Lucia’s heart lifted at Fratina’s initiative.

She had been wondering how to stabilize things with Londe, and now Fratina had given her an opening.

“Indeed.”

Lucia nodded.

“I’ll write a letter. Take it to the town at the valley’s edge and have it sent to Londe’s king.”

Lucia couldn’t leave the valley herself.

If her identity and weakened state were exposed, even a moderately skilled attacker could kill her.

“As you command.”

To the east of Londe, in the Papal State of Avignon.

In Saint Nicosia Cathedral, a service had just concluded.

As the congregation dispersed, the young girl who led the service stepped down from the altar.

Dressed in black clerical robes, her shoulder-length blue hair framed her face.

A priest approached her.

“Lady Dorothy, His Holiness requests your presence.”

“I understand.”

The girl nodded, then, as if recalling something, asked, “Father Marcelino, any news on Lady Fratina, as I asked you to monitor?”

“Ah…”

Marcelino hesitated.

Seeing his reaction, Dorothy’s golden eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well… Lady Dorothy, you’re about to meet His Holiness. Perhaps we should discuss this after?”

“Can’t you tell me now?”

Her tone carried a hint of displeasure.

With no choice, Marcelino reluctantly shared what he knew.

“Hero Fratina recently went to Londe to slay the dragon Lucia. But it’s been ten days since she entered the dragon’s valley, and there’s no word of her.”

Dorothy’s pupils contracted, her face full of disbelief.

“You’re… certain?”

“At least… from the intelligence I have, that’s the situation.”

Dorothy immediately turned to leave the cathedral.

“Lady Dorothy! You must see His Holiness first—you can’t leave yet!”

She glared at Marcelino.

“Father Marcelino, do you understand the situation? The demons in the south threaten the continent, and the Hero with the best chance of defeating their king is missing after fighting a dragon. What could be more urgent than finding her?”

Marcelino quickly responded, “But, Lady Dorothy, as the Saintess, leaving the Holy City abruptly could raise suspicion. If you secure His Holiness’s support, finding Lady Fratina would be easier, wouldn’t it?”

“…”

Dorothy glanced at him, then relented.

“You’re right. I was too hasty.”

She headed toward the tower where the Pope resided.

On the way, she clenched her fists, muttering to herself.

“Fratina, hold on. I’ll come save you.”

In Londe’s capital, Elan.

King Duncan sat slumped in his chair, staring blankly at a letter penned by Lucia.

That morning, reports from the valley’s garrison claimed the Hero had betrayed humanity, becoming the dragon’s servant.

Initially, Duncan thought the soldiers were lying and nearly punished them.

But by afternoon, a letter supposedly written by the dragon Lucia arrived.

In it, Lucia detailed Fratina’s situation and expressed her displeasure.

To Duncan’s relief, Lucia had no intention of destroying Londe. She only demanded a modest tribute, well within their means.

Below, Freeman looked at Duncan with concern.

“Your Majesty, is this letter truly from the dragon?”

“Yes.”

Duncan nodded, a bitter smile on his lips.

“But thankfully, the dragon doesn’t seem intent on war. We just need to prepare a tribute as an apology.”

Freeman exhaled in relief.

For him, survival was paramount. If money could solve this, it was no issue at all.