354 – Afterword: Dragon Body

The traffic was cleared.

With Duke Redburn, the greatest obstacle, dealt with, Irrid’s ascension to Emperor was like a wide-open highway. The Empire’s power coalesced into one.

“Heh heh… I have no intention of becoming Emperor. I’ll give the crown to my younger brother Irrid, and I will take charge of the Eastern Front and continue to protect the Empire from external threats.”

“The Empire’s crown is not something one can wear merely by bloodline. Even if the blood of the Black Dragon Emperor flows through me, how can I say I am qualified…?”

First Princess Elaine and Third Prince Sredo declared their support for Irrid, and their forces were naturally absorbed under Irrid’s banner.

In particular, the revelation that Maximus Redburn was a dark magician proved decisive.

After the former Duke Redburn, the leader of the aristocratic faction, had his dirty secrets exposed one by one, the aristocratic faction hunched low, shivering in the sharp, cold wind. In such times, rash actions could lead to being branded a dark magician and strung up.

Irrid felt the power and duties gathering in his hands. Once he donned the crown, he would no longer be able to roam freely as he did now.

Therefore, there was something he had to do at this very moment.

“Summon the Empire’s three Dukes. There are matters I must discuss with them at length.”

Irrid summoned the three pillars supporting the Empire for one last conference before becoming Emperor. Though it may sound grand, without exaggeration, it was for the sake of this nation and the world’s fate.

The gathering place was the Pagoda Tree Palace.

—

The first to arrive was Duke Baekryeon. His was a loyal family that had long followed the path of serving the Imperial Family, and had supported the Second Prince from quite some time ago.

He arrived in a pure white carriage, elegant yet luxurious, accompanied by only the bare minimum of attendants according to aristocratic standards. The personnel, including the coachman, numbered approximately ten.

Duke Baekryeon alighted from the carriage, escorted by a servant. He surveyed his surroundings with an air of dignity.

He had heard that the Pagoda Tree Palace was a separate building used to educate the young Imperial grandchildren. But now, it appeared neglected. The garden was a mess, and ivy climbed the walls of the residence.

In the chaotic heart of the garden sat a table, surrounded by four chairs. Irid was waiting in one of them.

Unusual to wait outside the palace walls. Duke Baekryeon approached cautiously, offering greetings to the would-be Emperor.

“Your Highness, my felicitations. I must offer congratulations on your imminent ascension. Soon, you will stand above all men.”

“High among men, perhaps, but still below the gods. Would you wait until the other two arrive?”

“Of course. Though… it is peculiar. If we were to wait outside regardless, could it be something resides within that palace?”

“Indeed. The explanation will come once we are inside.”

The two spent the time discussing future economic policies. For Duke Baekryeon, the wait was worthwhile, filled with beneficial insights.

Though, a tension simmered. What could the next Emperor wish to impart, summoning a Duke for this very purpose? Something that would demand the unified strength of the Empire…

Perhaps, mused the Duke, a conversation on wars of conquest.

The next to arrive was Grand Duke Elbillion Julius of the North. He came to the Hwehwa Palace in a carriage draped with beast hides, accompanied only by a driver and a single guard.

The carriage door opened, and a man with a frigid, sharp countenance descended to the ground. He effortlessly took a seat at the table, claiming his place without a word.

That silence caused Duke Baekryeon’s brow to twitch.

“…Grand Duke of the North, greetings are a courtesy, and courtesy is a fine tradition that separates beast from man. While you might forgo it with me, surely you should extend it to His Highness?”

“Duke Baekryeon, your words are reasonable. But I have no desire for private conversations with the Second Prince. Because—”

“Grand Duke of the North, how fares your romance with Hart? I do hope for children soon.”

“I will say it again, you deranged Second Prince. Her relationship with me is not something that can be defined by a single word, and your interference is equally unwanted. So cease this periodic dispatch of infant girl’s clothing and supplies.”

Aha.

While the reasons why the Second Prince meddled in another’s love life were beyond comprehension, it was clear why the Grand Duke of the North was so savage. Duke Baekryeon, now understanding, quietly closed his eyes.

It seemed the First Princess harbored a deep fondness for men shorter than herself; the Second Prince, too, possessed an odd… quirk.

The last to arrive was the newly appointed Duke of Redburn, Roderus Redburn.

He came without carriage or servants, accompanied only by one person.

“No wrinkles, tie’s straight, you’re perfect, Daesu! Even the Prince, with his pickiness about clothes, has to acknowledge this! Ah! Your hair, just a little more. Oh, right. Should we spray some cologne?!”

“Kim Ruru, it’s fine. I’m presentable. It’s not like I’m going to a ball; I’m attending a meeting for official business.”

“But what if the other Dukes look down on you! What if they, like, ignore you ’cause you’re a young’un, being a Duke and all! Just tell me! I’ll give ’em what for!”

*Thump thump.* Kim Ruru pounded her chest with conviction.

Roderus felt as though he were watching his mother arrive at school with burgers on election day, and he sighed deeply. Thank you. He was grateful, but this really wasn’t necessary.

“I appreciate the thought, but you can… go now. I’ll be out soon enough. Actually, there was no need to escort me this far either.”

“Then a farewell kiss!”

“……..”

Kim Ruru, lacking in common sense, had studied and strived diligently to become a virtuous wife. As a result, she had grown by leaps and bounds, now able to check her husband’s attire.

Knowing the effort and sincerity behind it, Roderus couldn’t bring himself to refuse the farewell kiss. How could he ignore such endearing affection?

Nine embarrassing sounds.

Afterward, Roderus maintained a stoic expression as if nothing had happened, taking the last seat, but the sweet nothings of Dae-Lulu had already been heard beyond the walls.

The Duke of Baekryeom, a devoted husband, looked at Roderus with lukewarm eyes and offered warm advice.

“Good times, these. Duke Redburn, the time spent with a loved one passes far too quickly. So make them as happy as you can, lest you regret it.”

“…I’ll manage.”

“Indeed, you are of a dual-gender, Duke. Surely, you can deeply understand a woman’s heart, lessening the chances of marital strife.”

“Since everyone is gathered, shouldn’t we get to the point…!!”

At Roderus’s desperate attempt to change the subject, Irid nodded.

“Let’s move. I won’t permit anyone to enter with their attendants. What is heard here must go with you to the grave.”

Thump. Thump.

Irid opened the entrance to the Hall of Paintings. Screeeeak. Dust billowed with the groan of the hinges, and they entered the palace interior, where the marks of time lay heavy.

The three dukes followed behind the future emperor.

—

Leaving footprints along the long corridor, Irid spoke without turning back.

“Do you believe in destiny?”

“……”

“Let me be more specific. Have you ever considered that someone is directly interfering in my life, and that my existence is entirely at their whim?”

“Like chess pieces moved by human hands?”

Irid nodded at the Duke of Baekryeom’s question. A strange current flowed. The Duke of Baekryeom scanned the faces of the other two dukes, both of whom looked hardened, as if they suspected something.

It didn’t seem like they were discussing predestination. Nor did they seem to be professing some kind of fanatic belief. What, then, was Irid trying to convey?

At the end of the long corridor was another door. As Irid approached, it opened naturally, without him touching it.

And inside the large hall, was a man with jet-black hair and crimson eyes. He was smiling comfortably, yet possessed an inescapable sense of dominance.

“…The Mad Mage.”

“Hello, friend. A pleasure to meet you, Sir Daisy, and greetings to you, Duke of Baekryeom. I’ve been waiting.”

“The Mad Mage,” was it?

A close aide to the Second Prince Irid, credited with capturing numerous black magicians, and an outstanding professor who had nurtured this year’s academy class into remarkable talents… That was what was known, at least. But was that all?

The Northern Archduke, and the new Duke Redburn, seemed to be acquainted with the Mad Mage. Irid gave him a signal.

“Begin, Mad Mage.”

“As you command. Irid.”

He began his explanation with a theatrical flourish, arms spread wide.

“*Tung.* The palace darkens, and a single spotlight descends from the heavens, illuminating a mad wizard. His shadow writhes and shifts, changing form.”

“Long ago, in a time almost forgotten, there lived a lizard with scales as black as night. A master of illusion magic, it possessed a vile nature, delighting in the pain and misfortune of others…”

It was a tale of a certain vile dragon.

A hidden history of the Empire.

The dragon, possessing power comparable to a goddess, roamed the world, playing with the fates of mortals. It forged the Empire, created heroes, birthed villains. And ruled.

“The First Prince had his name and heart stolen by it. Had Elaine *noona* not poisoned him, the Imperial grandchildren would have been even more broken.”

“I suspect it was also involved with the four ‘Named Black Mages’ active in this era. They knew of the dragon’s existence and coveted its power.”

“Furthermore, the demonic entities that appeared on the Eastern Front, the Incubus race itself… there is a suspicion that they were creations of the dragon.”

“The Empire, you see, was a mere plaything on a vast stage.”

That absolute being, enjoying the world as a toy, would do anything to write its own story.

But the dragon’s game, which seemed as though it would last forever, was abruptly halted. By a genius born by chance one day, sealed within a mind.

“Precisely *this* mind.”

“…Somehow, it figures you’d be into filthy, tentacle-y things.”

“Quiet, Oh Dae-su. Yuria and Aisha were the ones who strongly advocated for including those. In any case, I’m working diligently to deal with this hazardous material, and with some success, I might add.”

Something felt off.

Before, during the battle with ‘The Lamb,’ when he’d unleashed 100% of his abilities. The mad wizard had, momentarily, been able to trace the outline of the dragon within his mind.

The form that the ‘Pact’ module so desperately suppressed lacked any tangible substance. At the time, he’d brushed it off, assuming it had simply digitized its body and was moving around like him.

But after the installation of the Great Monster Transformation function, he could see it more clearly through comparison. The sealed entity did not possess the means to return to the form of a dragon clad in black scales.

It had either completely abandoned its physical body. Or… was elsewhere.

“This fellow, he enjoys splitting up his own being, see? His authority is uploaded to a cloud server floating in the heavens. His heart is probably…stashed away in the Imperial Palace. His ego, or perhaps his soul, is inside my head. That leaves one thing missing, right?”

The body.

The dragon’s physical body was absent.

To hastily conclude that a body without a heart, soul, or authority would be incapable of independent action, was to underestimate the bizarre nature of the dragon.

“I believe there’s a possibility that this body will move to extract my head and claim its soul. Perhaps even directly.”

“…A preposterous tale that makes my head ache, but I’ll somehow accept it, for now. Does that mean, the Second Prince has summoned us here to…?”

“Indeed.”

In preparation for the day the body of the dragon, having reached the realm of the divine, strikes to reclaim its stolen essence.

“–The preparations for the ‘Dragon Subjugation.'”

The mad mage and Irid, they took the air atop the clock tower, highest point in the Grand Palace. The sky, a canvas of blue; the clouds, white and adrift; the wind, a welcome coolness.

The mage leaned against the railing, and spoke.

“Aigoo, you’ve suffered much, Your Highness, the future Emperor. So reassuring, all this help. Thank you for proposing it first. I was just gonna handle it myself, you know.”

“Had that thing broken free, it would’ve been utter chaos. This isn’t just *your* problem. The freedom of everyone who lives in this nation is at stake, that’s why I stepped forward.”

“Sometimes, I think it’s fortunate that you were the first I met. You don’t think meeting me was a bad thing either, do you, Prince?”

“…If one must put a label on it, it’s lucky, yes. That doesn’t mean I’ll overlook your crimes against my stomach. You accident-prone fool.”

Even as he spoke those words, Irid wore a small, subtle smile.

Gazing across at the imperial palace, soon to be his residence, Irid considered the emaciated old man, slowly dying within its walls, and said,

“Mad Mage.”

“Yes.”

“Can you save the Emperor… my father? If you can save that pitiful man, I will hand over the Imperial Dragon Heart.”

“…Since you offer it, I’ll gratefully accept, but I would’ve done it even if you just asked. You know my heart, don’t you?”

Irid answered only in his mind, wordlessly.

*Yes. You’re that kind of fellow*. *That’s why I trust you. Trust that you will ultimately succeed*.

“Aye. I’ll be back soon.”

*Whoosh.*

The mad mage dispersed and vanished in an instant. Magic now at a level where it would be difficult to compare him with the Master of the Purple Magic Tower. Irid stared in the direction he had been.

After one last look at the imperial palace, he quietly descended the clock tower.

Waiting for good news.