Joining the Dragon Slayer Guard?

As Black hesitated, the Empress spoke first—her voice frost-sharp:

“So it was you.”

“Attacking the royal fleet last time…now murdering and sinking ships?

What won’t you dare?”

Cold sweat drenched Black’s spine.

“Your Majesty, it was all a misunderstanding!”

“Last time was a mistake! This time—they attacked first! I only acted in self-defense!”

“Self-defense?” Elizabeth cut him off, tone turning glacial.

“Does ‘self-defense’ require murdering a man and annihilating a vessel?”

“Under Imperial law, murder demands life imprisonment—even if ‘justified’.”

“Did you think ‘self-defense’ would absolve you?”

Black’s heart sank like stone.

She’s set on punishing me.

Even Kristine’s plea won’t sway her.

Then—her tone shifted.

“But… answer my questions truthfully,”her eyes narrowing like a hawk’s,

“and I’ll grant you freedom.”

Black’s hope flared:

“Ask anything, Your Majesty! I’ll be honest!”

—then instantly regretted it.

Shit! What if she asks about the dragon pearl?!

But her question stunned him:

“What is your true relationship with Alice?”

“Why did she throw her life away… for you?”

…Oh no.

Black froze.

Do I say “We slept together”?

That’s a death sentence!

He forced calm into his voice:

“We’re merely master and servant, Your Majesty.

She protected me… out of kindness to her subordinates.”

Pure fiction—but what choice did he have?

“You’re lying.”

Lucy’s voice—soft, certain—shattered the lie.

Damn it!

Forgot about her Truth-Sense!

That cursed skill should be BANNED!

Can’t people just TRUST each other?!

Elizabeth’s aura erupted—

killing intent so dense, Black’s bones screamed.

His pupils shrank, veins bulged—

this pressure was identical to facing Jörmungandr.

But he knew—she wouldn’t kill him.

Not yet.

Her gaze bored into his soul:

“Speak. Truthfully.”

“Alice isn’t my favorite child… but I know her.”

“She’d never risk her life for a mere guard.”

“What really happened between you two?”

Black clenched his jaw until it bled—

silent.

Confess, and we both die.

Worse—Alice loses her future.

Even if she doesn’t want the throne… I won’t steal it from her.

Elizabeth studied him—

then sighed, the killing pressure dissipating.

“Fine. I won’t ask that again.”

Her next question chilled his blood:

“Then tell me—what happened in Jörmungandr’s soul-space?”

“Why is it gone—no trace, no revival?”

The unavoidable question.

Reveal the Dragonfang Blade?

But how do I explain its origin?

Call me a Parliament spy, and I’m dead.

Lie? Lucy’s right there.

Black stared at the floor, stalling.

Elizabeth’s hand rose slowly—the air thick with imminent death.

She’s done waiting.

But then—

she lowered her hand.

“If not for Alice’s sake… I’d have beheaded you already.”

She knew—Alice’s sacrifice proved Black’s worth to her daughter.

Kill him, and lose Alice forever.

And deeper still—

Why did Jörmungandr target him?

Why did it die so utterly?

A mad instinct whispered:

He killed it.

He’d shown no hostility to the Crown—if anything, he’d saved Alice.

Could he be… an asset?

After a long silence, she spoke:

“Two choices.”

“One—rot in prison for life.”

“Two—join the Dragon-Slaying Guard.

Never leave Servia without my leave.”

Black gaped.

Join the Dragon-Slaying Guard?!

That’s… a miracle!

Compared to life imprisonment,this was freedom with strings.

And he knew—this was Alice’s mercy,granted through her mother’s reluctant love.

Refuse?

The Heaven’s Judgment would fall.

He bowed his head:

“I choose the second, Your Majesty.”

Elizabeth’s expression softened—just slightly.

“Guards.”

Leon and Land re-entered, escorting him out.

But as Black turned to leave—he whirled back, sudden urgency in his voice:

“Your Majesty—before I go…”

“Where is Alice now? Is she… awake?”

The question hung, raw and desperate.

Elizabeth’s eyes flickered—

not with anger, but something like pity.

“She’s in Eden… still unconscious.”

“But alive.”

Black exhaled, relief crushing him.

Alive.

She’s alive.

As the guards led him away,he made a silent vow:

Wait for me, Alice.

I’ll be your Royal Knight.