Chapter 42
In front of them stood a cave.
Its entrance was blocked by a thick iron gate, making it impossible to see inside.
It seemed like a natural cave that had been remodeled.
Ariella frowned.
‘A prison… but for what?’
She touched the scale hidden in her clothes.
The same wave of energy came from inside.
She nodded with certainty.
“It’s definitely in there.”
Had they imprisoned the owner of this scale? But why?
Many guesses flashed through her mind.
A race with golden scales.
Something Fedwick would need to hide far away, in secret, away from all eyes.
There was one answer that seemed possible.
But even Ariella herself found it too ridiculous to believe.
‘Could Fedwick really do something like that? Unless he has no fear of death.’
There was no way to know until she saw with her own eyes.
From the air, Ludwig’s voice asked, “What will you do?”
Ariella had already decided.
“What else? Since we came this far…”
She clenched her fists.
“We see it through.”
How would they get past that gate?
Before she could suggest anything, Ludwig spoke like he already knew.
“Alright. I’ll go.”
Shing!
Ludwig drew his sword.
“What are you planning to do?”
“Get close and cut their throats. So fast, they won’t even know they’re dead.”
“Wow, it must be nice living so simply. And cutting their throats will magically open the gate?”
“Then what?”
The gate might not open with just a key.
It could be sealed with a spell or password.
“Knock them out, but don’t kill them. We might need to interrogate them.”
“…Fair point.”
Shhkk!
The sound of his sword sliding back into the sheath came from the air.
Ariella clicked her tongue silently.
He was really simple-minded.
At least these days he listened to her instructions, so that was a small relief.
“I’m going.”
Ludwig moved quietly.
No footsteps, no sound.
The invisibility spell was working well.
Nearby, the soldiers guarding the gate were chatting.
“Ugh, time crawls. What hour is it?”
“Still six hours till dawn.”
“This job’s hell. How long till we go back to headquarters?”
“No idea. This place has to stay secret. Even inside the merchant guild, only a few people know. Don’t expect reinforcements anytime soon.”
“Damn. I hate this. We’re glorified prison guards. I’d rather be on the trade routes.”
“Exactly. I miss traveling, even with tents and rough camps. How much longer are we stuck here in this wasteland?”
“And that thing inside… when are they going to sell it? By now it must’ve grown a lot.”
“Who knows, other than the master himself? Why don’t you ask him?”
“No thanks. I’d lose my head for that.”
The soldiers had no idea.
If not for Ariella’s order, Ludwig really would have cut off their heads.
“……”
Ludwig crouched right next to them, invisible.
His shoulders twitched once.
Whoosh!
His sword shot out of the sheath like lightning.
The sudden, violent move broke the invisibility.
“What the—?”
The soldiers’ faces twisted in shock at the swordsman who appeared out of the dark.
But before they could shout—
Thud!
Ludwig smashed the first one’s head with his sheathed sword.
The man collapsed, eyes rolling back.
The second soldier grabbed for his weapon, opening his mouth to yell.
“You—!”
But Ludwig was impossibly fast.
Without stopping, his arms flowed upward.
Crack!
The blow slammed into the soldier’s chin.
Blood and foam spilled from his mouth as he fell limp.
Ludwig tied his sword back at his waist.
“Easy.”
That was the signal.
Ariella stepped out from hiding.
Her invisibility had also faded.
“Nicely done.”
She raised her thumb with a small grin.
Ludwig’s mouth twitched as his shoulders stiffened with pride.
“Hmph. That was nothing.”
He tried to sound casual, but his pleased expression betrayed him.
Meanwhile, Ariella crouched by the unconscious soldiers and searched their belongings.
“Good. Looks like it opens with a key.”
She pulled out a key that was clearly special.
“So we could’ve just killed them.”
“No. We need prisoners for information.”
She tossed him the rope the soldier carried. It was enchanted.
“Bind their hands, feet, and mouths tightly.”
Ludwig did as told.
Creak—click!
Ariella unlocked the gate and slipped inside.
Ludwig dragged the two soldiers along.
But soon, Ariella froze.
‘No way…’
Her heart thudded.
Her grim suspicion was true.
Her eyes locked onto one spot.
From deep inside, she let out a breath filled with anger.
“Fedwick, you insane bastard!”
A few seconds later, Ludwig saw what she saw—and stiffened.
“……?”
His eyebrows shook.
Ariella covered her mouth with her hand.
At the end of the cave was a small hidden chamber.
Chains were fixed deep into the walls, crossing in heavy layers.
And those chains bound the being in the center.
From the restraints, Ariella felt a strong magical current.
‘Those are enchantments that steal and drain mana.’
If she wore even one, she’d collapse with exhaustion.
Two would knock her unconscious.
But this being wore many.
Three around its long neck, two on the front legs, two on the back, one on each wing, and a huge one coiled around its body.
All the artifacts were linked to the wall, leaving the creature unable to move.
Ariella bit her lip hard.
‘This is torture!’
How much pain must it be in?
Even a human like her would lose her mind under that suffering.
And this was a race that lived through mana, as naturally as humans breathed air.
For such a being, the torment was unimaginable.
Step, step.
Ariella approached slowly.
The closer she came, the worse the sight grew.
Its body was covered in wounds.
The golden scales that should have shone thickly over its hide had fallen off in patches.
Its mouth and eyes were sealed tight with restraints.
The scales around its eyes were rotting and inflamed, as if the bindings had never been removed.
Grrrk!
Sensing her presence, the chained being lifted itself.
“……mm…mmm!”
A muffled cry leaked past its bound mouth.
It wasn’t that large—only a little bigger than the horse Ariella rode.
But when fully grown, it would be hundreds of times that size.
It was still a child.
Ludwig spoke in a pale voice.
“A hatchling?”
“Yes.”
Ariella looked at the golden scales beneath the chains and nodded.
Her eyes burned with fury.
“A gold dragon hatchling!”
