Chapter 47: The Mastermind

Estoff Wraith

“I’ll be back for you.” That’s what I said to Elumina at the time when Amphere arranged our meeting. At that time, she just tearfully smiled. We never had that long joyful conversation for a very long time. It’s all thanks to Amphere and his plans.

It’s really bugging me why Amphere still chose to help me and Airelina. I know him for a long time now, and it’s almost impossible for him to forgive our sins in a short amount of time. I don’t even know if I can question his loyalty either, since he cleared Airelina’s name in a staged trial. He putted a lot of effort on that one.

One thing is sure. Amphere’s information about Duke Yuri Dragunov is correct. Marieflorine also informed me that he tried to kill her. At first I find it hard to believe, until I got my hands on some Crimson Dragonfly files on the duke’s briefcase. That is why I have to apprehend him as soon as possible.

S.S. Victoria, one of Arcadia’s airships. It was a peaceful flight. We were watching the Dragon Knight’s Tournament via television in the captain’s cabin. After the last fight ended, I ordered two guards to block the only door in the room, preventing the duke from escaping.

“What’s wrong, Estoff?” Yuri Dragunov strokes his white short beard while having a forced laugh.

“I just realized that you’re on a completely different faction.” I revealed my thick red broadsword and pointed it to his throat. “You’re not just an investor to the Arcadia. You’re…someone else. Tell me everything you know.”

“That little runt should’ve told you.” Yuri made a coughing chuckle. “Corasells are really annoying.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll just ask one question to settle it all. And then I’ll slit your throat really quick.” I held a grin. “How did you know everything about the Crimson Dragonfly?”

This is a little bit of a giveaway. Only three persons are the only ones who knew our plan to massacre the Vanilla City. Airelina Frembell, Estoff Wraith (me) and Zac Schneider. We never told the plan to anybody since we are the original members who formed the Arcadia. Unless my hypothesis is right…

“It can all be traced back in the Second Dragonoid War.” Yuri settled down and drank the last drop of his wine. “I discovered three little orphan boys in the mountains of corpses. I fed them, gave them shelter, and provided protection for them. I molded them from the ashes into men who can see the darkness. I shared them my knowledge and wealth in order to have my ultimate plan bear fruits.”

As I thought. My hypothesis is now a fact. I tried to cut his words and fill up the story on my own. “The three boys were Alder Windstrafe, Nox, and…Zac Schneider. You used their original surnames so that no one can trace their connection to you. Your ultimate plan is to wage war and profit. You are the number one arms dealer and investor of the government, the disavowed Dragonoid Liberation Army, and even my faction, the Arcadia. You treat the dragonoid wars as opportunities to raise your financial standing.”

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“I never thought you would get all that information, Estoff Wraith.” Hearing that makes me grind my gears. I clenched my fist as hard as it can. Dragunov saw my expression, so he laughed on my face. “As expected from the disavowed Pentagram Knight and the leader of the most powerful terrorist group in existence.”

“You’re the one who gave the idea of massacring people to Zac Schneider. He even sacrificed himself for your money.” I gritted. “Your vast knowledge in manipulating human emotions is a dangerous weapon.”

“Hey, you and that red haired dragonoid had the same idea too. You two are the ones who must take the blame. Zac sacrificed himself for you two as well. My hands are clean in that case!”

“SHUT UP!!!” This time I lost my temper and slightly pushed my sword, tearing up one centimeter of flesh on the duke’s neck. “You brainwashed Zac! You had him channel the anger in me and Airelina! You’re the root of all these wars! You’re the one responsible for the millions of lives who died in each and every conflict between humans and dragonoids! You are the ultimate mastermind in all this mess!”

Suddenly, I heard multiple gunshots coming from below. The two guards stood confused, as well as I. Duke Dragunov held this smug on his face, silently telling me that everything up until now, is part of his plan. Just how brilliant is this devil?

“Looks like one of my boys will be delivering me a ticket out of here.” He said.

Then there was an explosion from above! Since we’re residing in an airship which is docked near the vast Ultima Ocean where no village is near for fifty miles, it was certainly impossible that it is an act of the government Dragon Knights. But when the roof of this very office was ripped off and a giant lizard-like arms reached the duke, it made all my doubts fade away.

The white hand which has reflective ice shards as scales, it was certainly an Ice Dragon. Ice Dragon Emy to be precise, since I know every texture in it. What’s more is that there is a man who wears a black cloak and magician’s mask on top of the enemy dragon.

Black Phantom? But Amphere does not control Emy or any other Ice Dragon. The person behind the mask is completely somebody else, since that person is pale skinned and malnourished as fuck. There are stains of blood everywhere on his long sleeved polo shirt and slacks. This guy has a hole on his chest. His right hand holds a slim golden rapier, and his left is a pale violet beating object… Is that a heart?

“Adios amigo!” Duke Dragunov waved his hand as soon as he got a comfortable spot on the Ice Dragon’s neck. The Ice Dragon then launched itself to the air and flew away like a jet, leaving sparkling snowflakes behind as a trail.

I was about to call the captain’s crew of this airship, but I was astounded for what I witnessed in front of me. A gigantic shadow blocked me from getting direct rays from the sun. I then realized that it was a dragon with six angelic wings. Scales as white as snow, and crimson eyes that didn’t have any intent to kill. The only problem is the one who is riding on top of the dragon’s head.

“Long time no see, my dear best friend.” The man I hated the most gave the most irritating grin I ever saw in my life.

“Kyle Leviticus!” I gritted and clenched my broadsword.

I have pressed the distress signal for Gilliard to show up on my side, and I think it’s already time… to fight Kyle and Elumina. I have to force my way out of this! I need to capture Duke Dragunov as soon as possible, because that bastard has all the essential information to take the whole Arcadia down.

I grabbed my chest as it glowed with navy blue light. I mustered all my courage to fight the person I loved the most, and the person I hated for eternity. “Activating Vesryn Pulse!”

The surface of the airship broke, making countless of wooden chunks and metallic scraps rain through. Gilliard, the Magma Dragon made his dramatic entrance by being an oversized eight-meter dragon. His muscular lava arms resemble those of a gorilla, except that with claws. He has this bloody red pair of wings which is usually used in flight.

“Are you sure we’re going to fight your darling?” Gilliard asked telepathically in a teasing manner.

“Try not to hurt her, or I’ll hurt you.” I smirked at my not-bold dragonoid partner. “The goal is the same as always. Burn Kyle’s head to crisps.”