CHAPTER 121 – RELEASED
HIRAYA MISTELTEIN
Five days dragged on, each hour a leaden weight pressing down on me, until at last, the doors swung open, granting me release. Inside those cold, gray walls of the penitentiary, boredom threatened to suffocate me, but my friends' visits brought flickers of warmth, fleeting reprieves from the monotony.
But compared to Lysander's likely ordeal, my time behind bars felt like a vacation in paradise. What torment was he enduring now, I wondered.
Pressing my hand against my chest, I felt the steady rhythm of my heartbeat. It was strangely tranquil, a stark contrast to the chaos of my thoughts. And through that rhythm, that elusive connection known as the Vesryn Pulse, I sensed Lysander's presence. His heartbeat, resonating faintly within mine, hinted at a newfound strength, a resilience born of our shared bond.
The creak of the jail gate echoed through the corridor, followed by the soft patter of familiar footsteps. Even before Eva's deceitful grin greeted me, I knew she had come, the rat of the empire, bearing both freedom and veiled threats.
"Congratulations, Hiraya Misteltein," she chirped, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "You're a free woman now. Count yourself lucky that the Empress has her sights set on recruiting the Sixth and Final Dragon Lord. Otherwise, you'd be languishing here indefinitely."
"I'd gladly stay here if it means you face justice for your crimes against humanity, Miss Eva Nascence," I retorted with a defiant smirk.
Eva's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Oh, but I have a little gift for you before you go," she said, producing a smartphone from her sleeve and tapping on its screen.
As the images flickered into view, my breath caught in my throat, and tears stung my eyes. The screen displayed a series of horrifying pictures: a man, stripped half-naked, his body marred by scars, bruises, and fresh wounds. He hung suspended upside down, his face obscured but for his distinctive silver hair now matted with blood.
"Lysander!" I cried out, my voice cracking with anguish.
"Shh," Eva hushed me, pressing a finger to her lips. "You wouldn't want to make things worse for him, would you?"
"Eva," I pleaded, my heart pounding with desperation. "Please, let him go. I'll do anything."
A sinister grin spread across Eva's face. "You know what you have to do," she taunted. "Recruit the Sixth Dragon Lord, persuade the Daybreaker Squad to join our cause, and only then will your precious Lysander be spared further suffering."
I clenched my fists, torn between my desire to expose Eva's true identity and the overwhelming need to protect Lysander. But the thought of risking his life was unbearable. For now, I had no choice but to play along with Eva's twisted game, even if it meant betraying everything I stood for.
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Refusing to entertain the notion of dragging the other Dragon Lords into Eva's genocidal plans, I steeled my resolve. My mission was clear: save humanity, not condemn it to annihilation. Lysander's trust hung in the balance, and I couldn't bear the thought of betraying him, becoming the very villain he fought against in his own timeline.
With Eva unlocking my cell, freedom beckoned after what felt like an eternity. She handed me my release papers and a terse mission briefing, her words laced with thinly veiled threats.
"Your next stop is Kraghelm, the Land of Dwarves," she informed me, her tone dripping with authority. "No more disobedience, Captain Misteltein. You'll have to locate the Sixth Dragon Lord this time. And be wary of Gazelle's forces. You're the reason the Republic invaded the Land of Dwarves, after all."
I fought back a surge of anger at her attempt to manipulate me. "Nice try with the gaslighting, Eva," I shot back, my smile tight with disdain. "But remember, when all the Dragon Lords are gathered, I hold the power to decide the outcome of this war."
Snatching the document from her grasp, I turned on my heel and walked away from the jail, determination coursing through my veins. Eva's threats only fueled my determination to end her reign of terror alongside Gazelle, once and for all.
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With just a single day to prepare for our next operation, I had ensured that the Daybreaker Squad received their instructions during my brief stint in jail. As dawn broke the following morning, everyone convened on the Windwalker's bridge, ready for action.
Among the gathered members stood Mariko, the shrine maiden oni, her presence exuding a quiet grace. Beside her was Kate, ever the charmer.
"Good morning, my dear Mariko," Kate greeted with a flirtatious smile. "You're as radiant as the sunrise. I can't wait for our little rendezvous in the cabin."
Mariko's cheeks flushed at Kate's forwardness, but she returned the gesture with a shy flying kiss, unable to resist the allure of Kate's charm.
Similar affectionate banter filled the air between Earvin, the vampire prince, and Gaeun.
"Last night was quite the adventure, wasn't it, Earvin?" Gaeun spoke softly, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush.
Earvin's eyes widened in surprise as he noticed Gaeun's belly. "Hold on, is that a bump? Are you... pregnant?"
Gaeun burst into laughter, gently nudging Earvin's shoulder. "No, silly! Just a little extra weight."
Earvin joined in her laughter, relief evident in his expression. "Oh, phew! You had me worried there for a moment."
Meanwhile, Charlotte, the final member of our squad present, stood apart with a look of disdain on her face. "It's barely morning, and you four are already flirting. Disgusting," she muttered, flipping her hair in irritation.
"Now, now, Charlotte," I interjected, my smile wide and infectious. "No need to be so sour. Your time for romance will come, especially once we arrive in Kraghelm."
Charlotte's eyes widened in disbelief. "W-What do you mean by that, Hiraya— I mean, Captain?"
"You catch my drift," I replied with a playful wink. "Just as Kate has charmed Mariko and Gaeun has captured Earvin's heart, we'll utilize your undeniable allure to sway the last Dragon Lord to our cause."
"The last Dragon Lord is a dwarf, right?" Charlotte exclaimed, her expression a mix of horror and revulsion. "You expect me to seduce a dwarf? Ew!"
I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. Charlotte was undeniably stunning, her beauty rivaling that of any queen. I'd witnessed her grace at various events back in Tasty Town's Magic High, where she had even claimed the title of first runner-up in a beauty pageant.
If only we could refine her aristocratic demeanor, recruiting the Sixth Dragon Lord would be a piece of cake.