The Vanishing Black Dragon King

We pressed on for about half a day, but there was no sign of the Black Dragon King the soldiers had described.

Had it already left?

It was hard to believe we hadn’t encountered an enemy that was supposedly mid-assault. It left us with two likely possibilities. Either the Black Dragon King had already fled or flown in a different direction, or the report of its appearance had been a lie—a plot to lure the Imperial Capital’s primary forces away.

Both were equally plausible.

"First, what do you think?" I asked, checking with him. He was the one who knew the Empire's military strength best.

"If the Black Dragon King has made a massive course correction toward the Imperial Capital, we’re in trouble," First replied. "Otherwise, the forces back at the Capital should be able to handle it."

"I’ve been running Search on the area, but I’m not picking up any massive Magic Power readings."

"Then there is a high probability it was never here to begin with."

"...So you agree?"

Thinking back to Nobleburg, reports of Dragons had been suspiciously frequent. This might be a strategy to keep the Emperor on edge while drawing the Empire's First of the Single Digits away from his side.

"Should we turn back?" I asked.

"No, the Second Rank—Chibi—is still at the Empire. If we leave things to that one, there won't be a problem."

It took me a moment to realize who he was talking about, but given the "reliable powerhouse" description, I assumed he meant the Second Rank Magic Swordsman. Though small in stature, they were a terrifying opponent in battle, capable of unleashing Area-of-Effect Attacks while simultaneously stripping away our Support Magic—all while wielding high-tier Swordsmanship.

However, they were susceptible to Debuffs. Specifically, their low resistance to Sleep made the "stunlock-to-death" tactic the most viable way to deal with them.

"I see. In that case, we should probably stick to the plan and keep looking for the Black Dragon King a little longer."

"Perhaps," First said, "but searching blindly is inefficient. Should we split up?"

"That seems like the best move."

"Just don't go trying to take it down solo if you stumble upon it," I warned.

"...I know."

He had that look on his face—the look of a man who was definitely going to try and take it down solo. If he actually pulled it off, fine, but our opponent was likely a monster of a foe. I wasn't about to let such a valuable asset throw his life away.

"First, take Emilina and Fritz with you."

In the unlikely event that First went rogue, I or Fritz were probably the only ones who could stop him. I chose the teams with that in mind.

First knit his brows in disapproval. "I am more than enough on my own."

"I’m aware of your strength. This is just a precaution to make sure you don't overextend."

"...Fine."

He gave his reluctant consent.

"We also need to keep the Emperor informed. Ram, Lark, Gale—sorry, but can I leave that to you?"

"Is it food time, baa?" Ram asked.

"...No."

"Can't be helped, baa. I'll make it quick, baa."

Ram tossed the two of them onto its back—more like launched them into the air—and bolted away at high speed.

"Well then, shall we?"

I had Luna manifest a doll, and we began our search in the opposite direction from First.

Back in the Imperial Capital, Ram was careening through the streets, completely ignoring the pedestrians.

"Finishing this quick, baa!!"

"Wait! Whoa! Stop, stop!" Lark screamed.

"Sheep don't have emergency brakes, baa!"

Ram slammed straight into the Castle Gate, shattering it as it forced its way inside. The impact left the sheep dazed, its head spinning. In the confusion of the crash, it accidentally hacked up the Black Snakes it had been snacking on earlier.

The two men and the sheep were immediately surrounded by the palace guards.

"W-Wait! I’m Lark, the Ninth Rank!" Lark shouted in a panic as the Emperor emerged from the back of the hall.

"Has something happened?" the Emperor asked.

"Your Majesty... we’ve come in haste to deliver a report."

The Emperor’s gaze, however, was fixed on the Black Snakes Ram had vomited onto the floor.

"What is this? You've already subjugated it? As expected of the man Luna chose. Where is Yuri?"

"...Huh?" Lark stared at the Emperor, completely lost.

"What, did he not tell you? Yuri can be surprisingly flighty at times. This creature here is the Black Dragon King. Have you not come to report its death?"

"Ah... Y-Yes. Exactly. That’s right. We came to report that we killed this... uh, black snake."

Without any idea what was actually happening, Lark had no choice but to nod along with the Emperor’s assessment.

"And what of Yuri and the others?"

"They’re still scouting the perimeter to ensure there’s no further danger."

"I see. It wouldn't be unusual for the Black Dragon King to have brought other Dragons in its wake."

"Also, Your Majesty, there is one more thing. There is a possibility that a Spy has infiltrated—"

"If you mean the mole, I have already captured them."

Apparently, the crisis of the Black Dragon King had reached its conclusion. Lark let out a long, exhausted sigh of relief.