CHAPTER 107 – AN EXPECTED VISITOR

HIRAYA MISTELTEIN

As the guards led me to my cell, the weight of the handcuffs on my wrists served as a stark reminder of my current predicament. Despite the gravity of the situation, I maintained a composed demeanor, ready to face whatever awaited me within these prison walls.

Upon entering my secluded cell, I took in its sparse surroundings—a simple bed and a toilet. Despite the starkness of my accommodations, I felt a sense of calm settle over me, confident that I could at least find solace in the quiet of the night.

However, as the midnight hour approached, the silence was shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps. The guards' departing clinks echoed in the distance, leaving me alone with the impending expected visitor.

My gaze met that of a familiar figure—a purple-haired dragonoid woman clad in a wizard's robe, a departure from her usual magical girl attire. Despite the circumstances, I couldn't help but offer a warm smile at the sight of Eva, her presence a welcome surprise.

"Good evening, Captain Hiraya Misteltein," Eva greeted, her voice carrying a hint of intrigue.

Returning her smile, I replied with a calm assurance, unfazed by my imprisonment. "Good evening, Miss Eva Nascence."

Eva returned the gesture, her demeanor relaxed. "You seem rather cheerful tonight," she remarked, her curiosity evident.

I chuckled softly. "I suppose I am," I admitted. "Knowing that my sentence will likely be shortened to just five days, thanks to Madam Corasell and the Empress being in my favor. And of course, your visit adds to my contentment."

Eva's expression softened, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Well, it's not every day I get to visit a prisoner," she remarked, her tone playful.

I nodded in agreement. "Indeed. But I appreciate your company nonetheless."

As I gripped the cold steel bars of my cell and scanned my surroundings, it became evident that Eva had orchestrated the departure of the guards, leaving us alone in this secluded space. Her furrowed brows and piercing crimson gaze betrayed her irritation at my apparent attempt to pry into her affairs.

"So, how did you know?" Eva's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, her tone edged with suspicion.

I couldn't help but feign innocence, a smile playing at my lips. "About what?" I replied, playing dumb.

"Don't pretend you're clueless," Eva snapped, her frustration palpable. "You won't get it out of my mouth."

"Fair enough," I conceded, taking a step back to settle onto the bed, making myself comfortable. With a mischievous grin, I uttered a single word: "Overmind."

Eva's reaction was immediate and visceral. With a powerful clang, she seized the steel bars, her anger boiling over. "How dare you! I could have you executed on the spot, you elf!"

"But you didn't," I pointed out calmly, unfazed by her outburst. "So, let's handle this with the grace befitting noble Dragon Lords, shall we?"

For a moment, Eva's breathing was heavy with indignation, but eventually, she released her grip on the bars and sank onto the floor, heedless of her pristine white robe now tainted with dust.

"You truly are a cunning one, Hiraya Misteltein," Eva muttered, her tone begrudgingly impressed. "But tell me, how did you know?"

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"It was simple," I began, raising my index finger for emphasis. "Ever since Gazelle and Johnny surfaced in Onishira, I sensed something was awry. It became clear to me that there was a traitor with insider knowledge of Lysander's Regression."

Eva's expression remained stoic as she listened. "That doesn't narrow down the suspects," she countered. "Everyone in the Daybreaker Squad, including Madam Corasell, could be implicated."

"That's precisely why I took the risk of diverting to Nocturnia," I explained, my tone resolute. "By disobeying orders and spreading false information about Kraghelm's invasion, I baited the traitor. The only ones I didn't deceive were my squad, because I trust them implicitly. Furthermore, knowing that the Dragon Lords must be non-humans, I ruled out Madam Corasell. And considering that when Lysander revealed himself to be a Regressor, you were the most curious one in the room, asking about your own future. All signs pointed to you—someone privy to our movements and susceptible to taking the bait."

A wry smile tugged at Eva's lips. "I should have exercised more patience," she admitted ruefully. "I had intended to abduct you upon your arrival in Kraghelm, but it seems you've outmaneuvered us all. Who else is privy to this information?"

"Nobody," I replied firmly, my expression serious.

"You're insane," Eva spat with disdain, her voice dripping with contempt. "You had the opportunity to seize the treasure right in front of you, yet you chose to play this foolish game. You willingly got yourself arrested just to set this bait. Do you realize I could end your life this very moment if I desired? It would ensure the success of the Purge of Humanity."

"But you won't," I countered, maintaining my calm demeanor. "You need me. Gazelle made that abundantly clear from the start."

Eva's laughter rang hollow in the confined space, her crimson eyes boring into mine with intense scrutiny. "Everything would have gone according to plan if you had joined us from the beginning," she sneered. "Yet you turned out to be our greatest adversary."

"I never wanted to be anyone's enemy," I insisted, my tone earnest. "All I desired was an end to this war. It's not too late to seek peace with the empire, Eva."

Her gaze hardened, fueled by an unyielding resolve. "This war will not cease until every last drop of human blood stains the earth," she declared.

"Why do you harbor such hatred towards humans? Why do you seek to purge humanity?" I inquired, genuine concern lacing my words.

"It is a quest for both revenge and salvation," Eva explained, her voice tinged with bitterness. "We seek vengeance for the murder of Goddess Exceria and for centuries of enslavement, and we seek deliverance from the unknown god that humans attempt to summon."

"An unknown god?" I repeated, my interest piqued. "W-What do you mean?"

Eva's expression grew troubled as she shook her head. "I... I'm not sure. Gazelle only spoke of it in passing."

"And you believe him?" I pressed, a hint of skepticism coloring my tone.

Her frustration was palpable as she scowled, clearly irritated by my questioning. "If only you had embraced your role as the Oracle of the Dragonoids, perhaps you could have provided us with more insight, just as Lysander did in his previous timeline."

I fell silent, mulling over the scant information I possessed regarding Exceria's murder and this mysterious god that humans allegedly sought to summon. Regardless of the details, it was clear that the Republic of Dragons bore the responsibility for instigating the bloodshed. Revenge or not, their actions could not be justified.

As my thoughts circled back to Lysander—the enigmatic figure at the center of it all—an overwhelming ache gripped my chest. I fought to maintain my composure, swallowing back the tears that threatened to spill.

Rising to my knees, I grasped the cold steel bars of my prison cell, my heart heavy with longing. Despite the pain that gnawed at my soul, I forced the words past my dry lips, speaking the deepest desire of my heart.

"...Where is Lysander?" I pleaded, my voice barely a whisper.

Eva's sudden shift in demeanor caught me off guard, her eyes widening before returning to their normal size. Her smile was almost serene as she brushed the dust from her robe, an air of finality settling around her.

"If you wish to see Lysander alive," she began, her voice soft yet firm, "you must recruit the Final Dragon Lord upon your release from this prison. Gather the other Dragon Lords and rally them to join in the Purge of Humanity. That is my condition."

With those words, the purple-haired Dragon Lord turned and left my cell, her departure leaving me feeling helpless and conflicted. It was clear that they held someone dear to me, someone I couldn't bear to lose.

As Eva disappeared from sight, I removed the white magical flower ornament from my head, staring at it with a mixture of sorrow and determination. Placing a hand over my pounding chest, I closed my eyes and silently offered a prayer, tears slipping down my cheeks.

"Lysander... Please, be safe," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.