“Here's what a standard meal for dragons looks like : a dozen of careless humans wandering in their territory, and their horses if they're really hungry. For a quick snack, a couple of adventurers will suffice. Most dragons prefer soldier meat, as the training they go through keep them in good health. Makes the flesh tastier, but of course nothing's worth a noble's meat. Some nice bag of fat, waiting to be caught. Then, each race has its preferences regarding the cooking. Raw, roasted, stony... You'll always know how you'll be eaten just by being aware of what sort of dragon is about to eat you. It's reassuring, somewhat.

-cook”

* * *

Erin

It was on a rainy day that they arrived at the mountains. They circled around the western fortress, and through the rain, the overwhelming shadow of the building could still be easily observed. Azcheron joked about going inside for a bit, catching up with the soldiers. Babbled about these things without realizing, it seemed, that many of them would have loved to put his head on a spike.

Surely enough, the soldiers had not forgotten about the mess caused by the Saint last time they were here.

It would have been convenient to go through the fortress, of course, because the soldiers probably had an idea of the dragons' current location. But then again, last time they were proved wrong, so perhaps their scouts weren't as reliable as they liked to think.

Not knowing which route to take, they decided to start with the valley they used for their first passage. The elder dragon that was sleeping there had probably moved, but it was worth checking.

By the end of the first day, their search didn't bear fruit. They were disappointed, but they had been expecting that. It could take time, probably days, perhaps weeks, until they'd find a dragon in the mountains.

On the second day, it started to snow. It didn't last long, but it was enough to slow them down, as the mountains were now covered with a thin layer of frost. At some point, they took a break – that was when Azcheron noticed it.

“Wolves.”

Erin looked in the distance. Indeed, a pack of wolves. They wouldn't pose a threat, seeing how far they were, so she allowed herself to gaze at them just for the sake of it. It was a rare sight, after all.

“I didn't think there would be wolves here.”

Were they not scared of the dragons ?

“Look.” Azcheron pointed to the alpha male. “That's me. The king of cunning animals, the ruler of the wild.”

“...Is that so ?”

“And that's you,” he said, motioning toward the alpha female, perhaps. “That wolf seems highly frightening and fearsome.” Is that a compliment ? she wondered. “I think no one in the pack likes her.” Okay, it's not.

“How nice,” Erin grumbled.

“Aside from the male, I guess.”

Huh. “Is there a point you're trying to make ?”

“I thought that if we formed a party of adventurers and heroes, it'd be like that. Us, the alpha pair, inspiring discipline to the others trough my magnificent leadership and your fearsome persona.”

She frowned angrily. Fearsome persona ?

“...Fearsome beauty, I meant,” he corrected himself as if reading her thoughts. Perhaps it was her expression that gave away her feelings of sudden bloodlust.

She stared at the wolves for some time. They seemed in a hurry. It could be...

“Let's try the direction they're coming from. Maybe they're fleeing.”

Azcheron nodded, and they went toward their new goal. It wasn't as if they had other ideas, and it wasn't that long of a shot. Wolves were known to be smart animals, it was safe to assume that they'd be among the first to escape if something as dangerous as a dragon entered their territory.

They walked for a few hours, until they came to a plateau. There, they knew. The place was silent, empty, and eerie. There wasn't a need for words, both of them were sure that it was the place.

Azcheron said something in Dragon tongue. Probably a greeting. At least, she hoped it was a polite greeting.

Out of nowhere, a growl answered. No, not a growl, a sentence.

“Human. You have returned, with proof of your might.”

It took a few seconds for Erin to process that. She could understand the words. It wasn't speaking in Dragon tongue.

“So they can speak like us,” she muttered.

“Indeed. We, descendants of the sky, know each and every speech existing in this world.”

“Why are you eating people ?” Azcheron casually asked. “I thought it was because of the language barrier. Cultural differences of some sort – but it's obviously not that.”

The dragon stayed silent for a long time. Long enough for Erin to wonder if that question wouldn't trigger the creature's hunger, and therefore, their own deaths. But eventually, it answered.

“We have a reputation to uphold. Eating people makes us seem more fearsome.”

What a shitty motive.

“Well...” The Saint scratched his cheek. “The reason is as good as any. Fine with me.” Not with me ! she screamed internally. They're basically killing people for appearances' sake ! Hgnn. Alas, Azcheron did not care for Erin's silent indignation. “So, you know why I'm here.”

“We do. As promised, Rahal warrior, we shall disclose the truth. Beware, however, for the truth is terrible. It is a burden you shall have to carry for the rest of your days.” An excited smile formed on Azcheron's lips. Erin herself couldn't deny her enthusiasm. “It is a tale from forgotten times, a tale of power, friendship, and betrayal. A story of princes.”

* * *

Once the dragon had finished his story, Azcheron's smile was gone.

“Huh... This is...”

A burden indeed. Erin felt like laughing. I really shouldn't. It's awful of me. Azcheron did not utter another word, as they climbed down the mountain.

She could understand his disappointment. Yet at the same time, she was relieved.

“Come on now, Azcheron. It's not that bad.”

“Not that bad !? You... Hrrrrrh...” He gripped his head with both hands and sat on the ground. “Fuck it. Fuck everything. I don't even care anymore. I came here hoping for something grand. Something like a royal ancestor who was forced into exile because he got his throne stolen from him. I was really imaging myself as some crusader of truth, fighting for an ancient but legitimate cause.”

“A crusader of truth, you say... Yeah... Can't really see that happening, now. Sorry.”

“It was a perfect plan ! I'd uncover the dirty secret of the Second Emperor, who usurped the crown ! How my ancestor was the rightful emperor and how he was forced to flee on this island ! How he founded the Rahal Clan, preparing for a revenge that would take place centuries later !”

“Yep. And I suppose you would have been the avenger. Would have made for a rather epic story. But don't be so depressed, you do have a royal ancestor, in a way.”

“The obscure brother-in-law of a guy who was himself a bastard of the daughter of the sixteenth prince. What an amazing ancestor. And he was the one who tried to steal the throne and failed miserably.”

I wonder why the dragons held respect for Azcheron and that Rahal guy... Maybe he was an amazing mage, but just dumb. They do seem like the kind of creatures that admire strength before all. They also clearly like to embellish their stories and they treat the world like it's a theater. Maybe they just wanted to see some drama in the human world, so they baited Azcheron with eloquent wording and prophecy-sounding crap... Well, it's up to me to lighten his mood, anyway.

“What difference does it make ? Sure, the Second Emperor was the good guy in the end, but can't you still try to overtake the Empire, as to honour your ancestor's will ?” She wasn't really wishing for that to happen, but she had to console Azcheron, one way or another.

“Hah... But that's not how I wanted things to turn out... I was supposed to kill the evil descendant of the usurper and take the throne for myself because my claim was legitimate...”

Err... I think that if anything is evil, it's your own plan, so... I'm kinda glad you don't have legitimacy. No offence, I love you as you are, but I'm not sure I'd want to see you crowned.

“Now I can't even become a proper hero because the Empire hates me.”

“Well, that... That's your own fault, actually.”

He didn't bother to answer. He really seemed depressed. Maybe she had underestimated the importance of this plot or whatever he had been preparing...

While she was lost in thoughts about the Saint's sudden loss of motivation, something caught her attention. Noise. From somewhere close to them. There was something hidden to their right. Azcheron didn't seem to care, but Erin was ready to draw her sword and jump on whatever was lurking there. With the saint in this state, she'd have to be mindful of his safety while fighting.

She stood there for a bit, waiting for the enemy to come out. It probably realized it had been spotted. She would have preferred for them to go their separate ways, but instead, the opponent decided to show itself.

It was a human. A familiar one, also. Old, wearing a black armour. He should have no reason to be here, but Erin wasn't surprised. She had been wary of him for a long time, after all.

“Oh, Rudolph,” the Saint said without conviction in his voice, as he finally noticed the newcomer. “Fancy meeting you here.”

The black knight raised a surprised brow, before smirking. “How are you two youngsters doing ?”

Are we engaging in a casual conversation out of the blue ? Well, not that it matters...

“I would say good, but that's only me,” Erin said. “I've never felt that relieved in a long time, in fact.” Hearing that, Azcheron let out a long growl, but she paid him no heed.

“Hm. No idea what you mean, but if you say you're fine...”

“We aren't. Erin simply doesn't realize that my life's work has been destroyed. Don't worry, she'll weep soon enough. She can't be that insensitive.”

Rudolph stared at him, deep in though. Eventually, he cleared his throat. “Say, Azcheron. I'm getting tired of this job, but orders are orders, so I may as well get on with it. Got a question for you.”

Orders, huh. From Ravilna ?

“Ask away,” Azcheron said, waving his hand.

The old knight scratched the back of his head. “You planning to destroy the Empire or something, anytime soon ?”

Hrah ? While Azcheron didn't seem to be in a hurry to answer, Erin was wondering what they should do. What's with this question ? So accurate it's fishy.

Azcheron eventually let out a long sigh. “Bpff... I no longer have the motivation. There's no point anymore.”

“I see. The prince will be glad to hear that, though I guess the countess will be disappointed.”

Erin pinched the bridge of her nose as she put the pieces together. “Were you supposed to be spying on us ? You don't seem to care about doing a proper job.”

“Like I said.” He shrugged. “Getting tired of it. I can finally go home and get drunk somewhere, since we took care of that. Lots of things I can toast to, now that I think about it. A new emperor, my pay... Oh, yeah, the crowning celebration and all that. Plenty of opportunities to get drunk.”

Azcheron gave yet again one of his plaintive groans, which was suddenly cut off. He had now an unfocused gaze, his mind wandering elsewhere. The slight trembling of his lips betrayed his excitement. Erin's experience and masterful knowledge of the Saint told her the reason. He seemed to have found solace in another petty plot. “Are you in a rush to get back ?” he asked Rudolph.

“Not particularly. The celebration will last for three months at least, so-”

“So we have time... And we have horses. What do you say about a short detour south ?” Erin couldn't help but think that Azcheron was trying to start a party or some group along these lines. “I guarantee it'll be worth the two months we'll lose.”

As for me, I can already guarantee I'll regret following you in this new venture, she cursed in her mind. Yet she did not speak a single word of her disapproval. Whatever shenanigan Azcheron had just imagined, she could not know – but it had cured his depression, that she was sure of. He had his usual smile back on his face.

For Erin, that was enough reason to step into another mess of his creation.