The Professional Qualities of the Dragon Slayer Guards

The black carriage rumbled over the cobbled streets,its wheels groaning a steady “creak… creak…”

as it carried Black deeper into the heart of imperial power.

Inside, the air was thick with silence.

Black slouched against the plush seat,his gaze drifting to the two Dragon-Slaying Guards seated opposite him.

This was his first real look at the Empire’s sharpest blade.

In the game, players knew them only as:

“The Empress’s Executioners—dragons fall at their feet.”

Elite. Lethal. Unquestioningly loyal.

Where the Knight Patrol was the police,the Dragon-Slaying Guard was the Emperor’s personal shadow—answering only to Elizabeth.

Their black armor gleamed dully in the dim light,silver tracery lining the edges,the “Slay” insignia on their chests flanked by two golden stars.

They sat ramrod straight,hands folded, breaths even,like statues carved from discipline itself.

Black recalled the First Princess calling them “Leon and Land.”

His eyes settled on Leon—jaw set, expression granite.

Just then—

Bzzzz…

A mosquito lazily circled Leon’s face,hovering boldly at the tip of his nose,as if mocking the immovable guard.

Black winced.

If that were me, I’d have swatted it into oblivion.

But Leon didn’t flinch.

Only the slightest twitch of his temple betrayed him.

Ah… Black realized, fighting a grin.

He’s dying to kill it—but won’t, not in front of an outsider.

Can’t let the Dragon-Slaying Guard look… human.

“Alright, I’ll save you the dignity,”

Black muttered,

and slapped at the insect—

SMACK!

The crack echoed through the cabin.

Black’s hand landed squarely on Leon’s cheek.

Oh—hell.

Overextended.

He yanked his hand back, stammering:

“S-sorry! Misjudged the distance—!”

He braced for glacial fury—but Leon merely nodded, voice flat:

“No harm. Thank you.”

Then—he did nothing.

The squashed mosquito remained stuck to his cheek,wings crumpled, utterly absurd.

Yet Leon didn’t wipe it away.

He just stared ahead, unmoved.

…That’s professionalism.

Black was awestruck.

That man could have a hornet’s nest in his armor and not blink.

After half an hour, the carriage halted.

Black stepped out—

and froze.

Before him loomed the Dragon-Slaying Guard Headquarters:

Gray-white stone, brutal and unyielding.
A gigantic “Slay” carved into the facade—as if split by a god’s blade.
Before it, a colossal sculpture: a headless dragon, slain mid-roar.
The entire structure radiated coiled menace—

like a beast waiting to pounce.

“This way,” Leon said.

As they entered, chaos greeted them.

The halls swarmed with people—

faces taut with tension,groups huddled in urgent whispers.

“What’s going on?” Black asked.

“Final stage of this year’s recruitment,” Leon replied.

Ah.

No wonder it was packed.

The Guard recruited via two paths:

Dragonheart Academy’s elite graduates.
Open trials—anyone, noble or pauper, could try.
(Black, of course, was the rare “royal exception.”)

Passing meant glory, power, the Empress’s ear.

Failing meant disgrace.

And cheating?

Five years in prison—minimum.

Bribery?

Execution, even for dukes’ heirs.

This ruthless meritocracy was why the Guard outclassed the bloated, corrupt Knight Patrol.

As they passed the exam hall,

Black slowed, peering inside.

The room was packed with talent:

Silk-robed nobles beside rough-spun peasants.
Sweat-slicked brows, clenched fists, eyes burning with ambition.
Truly… only strength matters here.

Then—a ripple of attention.

Candidates noticed Black:young, ununiformed,flanked by two veterans,greeted with nods by half the hall.

Whispers spread like wildfire:

“Who’s that?”
“Does he already have a position?”
“Is he nobility? A secret prodigy?!”

Black kept his gaze forward,

but his mind was already racing—

not about the recruits,

but about the war ahead.

Alice. Kristine. Demeter. Randolph.

The real test wasn’t in this hall.

It was out there—

in the shadows of the Holy City,

beneath the smiling mask of a mad Pope.

And he—

a pirate turned prisoner turned pawn of the Crown—

was now stepping onto the board.

Game on.