The Incompetent Bratty Prince is out (2/4 chapters)
Extra (3): Inherited Bloodstained Crimson
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(POV switch – Sigrus ob Chevalier)
“This is the crucial moment! Hold your ground!” (Sigrus)
The assault on Stangladd Castle had finally begun, and the army I commanded was attacking the southern gate. However, as expected of the Empire’s largest fortress, we were forced into a back-and-forth struggle.
“Sigrus! Leave it to me!” (Fafnir)
“Ah! Hey!” (Sigrus)
Fal cut down the Nors soldiers on her own initiative and clung to the castle wall. It seemed she intended to use her agility as usual to capture the walls.
“Damn it! You lot, cover Fal!” (Sigrus)
Shouting that, I tried to run to Fal faster than anyone else. However, there was no way the Nors soldiers would let the general pass, and they attacked me all at once, preventing me from advancing. At this point, all I could do was pray for Fal’s safety.
Then…
“Fafnir. Though you were created by the same God as us, it is lamentable that you have forgotten your true role and now side with Dehaubalz.” (Laertes)
“? What is that man talking about…?” (Sigrus)
I focused on a man standing on the castle wall, speaking grandly and shaking his head.
From the way he spoke, it seemed he knew Fal, but…
“……It cannot be helped. I, Laertes Hazaknut Nors, shall make you remember your true role.” (Laertes)
“!? Aaaahhhh!?” (Fafnir)
The moment the man on the wall raised both his hands, Fal let out a scream. Unable to comprehend what was happening, I stood there stunned for just a brief moment.
“!? Fal! Faaaaaal!” (Sigrus)
Unable to stay still, I tried to beat back the Nors soldiers and reach her, but, as expected, I was vastly outnumbered and could not approach.
At that moment…
“Aaahh… aaahh… a… a… ah…” (Fafnir)
Fal’s screams grew thinner and thinner, and then.
“What… is that…?” (Sigrus)
My most beloved woman had transformed into a massive crimson dragon.
“Groooaaaahhhh!” (Fafnir)
“!” (Sigrus)
The crimson dragon roared, and with its overwhelming presence, pressure, and terror, all of us, including myself, were frozen in place, unable to move.
“Now… I shall leave this place and return to my castle, so please fulfill your role.” (Laertes)
“! Wait…!?” (Sigrus)
“Guooooohhhh!” (Fafnir)
I, the first to regain my senses, reached out toward the man who was trying to leave, but before I could, the crimson dragon charged at the Dehaubalz army.
“Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!?” (Soldiers)
“R-run awayyyyyyyyy!” (Soldiers)
“H-hey!?” (Sigrus)
Overwhelmed by terror, the soldiers of Dehaubalz scattered and fled. Of course, so did the soldiers of Nors. However, the crimson dragon relentlessly captured the soldiers one after another with its huge hands and devoured them mercilessly.
“Hey, come on… this can’t be happening…” (Sigrus)
Unable to believe that this crimson dragon was Fal, I stood there frozen, even as the soldiers ran around in panic. And then… the crimson dragon… Fal stood right before my eyes.
“Goaaaahh!” (Fafnir)
With an ear-splitting roar, the dragon raised its front claw to strike the unmoving me.
“…Guh… Guo…!” (Fafnir)
For some reason, the dragon stopped its movement.
‘…………Gu… Sigrus…’ (Fafnir)
“! Fal!?” (Sigrus)
It was not through my ears, but a familiar voice spoke directly to my heart. There was no mistake… it was Fal.
“Fal! Faaaaaal!” (Sigrus)
‘Ah…! Sigrus! Sigrus!’ (Fafnir)
Fal repeatedly called out to me with a trembling voice. I looked around desperately, searching for her. That was right. She was not the dragon before my eyes, but was really somewhere else… However, that hope was quickly betrayed.
‘Listen, Sigrus… you know? It seems I was originally supposed to stand in your way, as your enemy.’ (Fafnir)
“…Huh?” (Sigrus)
Not understanding the meaning of Fal’s words, I let out a dumbfounded voice.
‘It is true… I was created by God and given the role to be killed by you.’ (Fafnir)
“What the hell is that! Why would I ever have to do something like that to you! And what do you mean by role!” (Sigrus)
‘I am sorry…? I really should not have left the cage that time…’ (Fafnir)
With a sobbing voice, Fal apologized.
But there is no way I could accept something like that. Fal was Fal, who would always smile shyly when I patted her head, who was always by my side, and who I could depend on…!
‘That is why, you know? I want you to bring me to an end. If you do that, I will be able to stay with you forever.’ (Fafnir)
“I do not understand! And what do you mean by ‘bring you to an end’! Are you telling me to kill you!?” (Sigrus)
‘…Yes.’ (Fafnir)
“Do not mess with me!” (Sigrus)
I screamed at the crimson dragon that stood there frozen.
Why do I have to kill the woman I loved most! Why am I not allowed to save the woman I loved most!
‘Please… that is the only way I can be saved.’ (Fafnir)
“What!? …Ah… aaaaaaaaaahh…!” (Sigrus)
Through my beloved sword Balmung, I felt the resistance of slicing through flesh. With the crimson dragon’s foreleg placed on my hand, I had pierced its torso.
‘Eh… ehehe… Sigrus… I love you… so much…’ (Fafnir)
With those words, the crimson dragon vomited a massive amount of blood, staining my body red. All I could do was collapse and cry.
—
One month later, the current emperor Laertes surrendered completely, and the Nors Empire was destroyed.
I was granted the title of duke as the hero who slew the crimson dragon, and moreover, I was to marry Princess Rune, the younger sister of Sauerin. Of course, part of it was because my friend Sauerin trusted me, but more than that, it was because they wanted to incorporate a hero strong enough to slay a dragon into the royal family.
What a contradictory story.
However, although I demanded to personally tear Laertes apart as part of my achievements, Sauerin absolutely refused. It was because Laertes’ condition for total surrender was the guarantee of his own life.
I did not care about that, but out of respect for Sauerin’s wish to avoid any more bloodshed, I reluctantly accepted. However, in order to inflict the greatest humiliation on Laertes, I branded his back, just like Fal, and exposed him before the people of Nors.
…Ah, speaking of which, it seems that when I was bathed in Fal’s blood, her dragon power dwelled within me. Thanks to that, I obtained a strength unimaginable for an ordinary person, and even my wife Princess Rune feared me.
The reason is simple. When the dragon power manifested, my eyes turned into bloodstained crimson. Just like Fal’s eyes.
Even Sauerin is creeped out by it, but I could not help but feel happy. After all, is it not obvious? Having crimson eyes means that Fal is undoubtedly inside me.
Just as she told me that day.
“Haha… you and I are always together, so there is really no need for you to come all the way here.” (Sigrus)
I laughed self-mockingly in front of a small grave located at the most scenic place within my territory. The only woman I loved in this world.
—Thinking of her, my eyes once again turn crimson today.
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