Chapter 44 The Empire’s Bloody Reckoning Begins The Dragon Star Festival Revolt
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It’s been about a week since that crazy battle with Fafnir. In that time, I utterly crushed the Lindworm Territory, steamrolling it until it was completely mine. Then, I went and annihilated a place called Rism Territory—that’s where the Albion Empire’s military headquarters was, just so you know—and I gifted the whole chunk of land to Fafnir. You know, as a nice present.
And Fafnir? Oh, she loved it. Loved it so much she went full-on dragon-mode and roared:
A massive WHOOM!
”Shin! You absolute scoundrel! What in the nine hells have you done?! You’ve burned our bridges completely—there’s absolutely no turning back now!” she bellowed.
”Huh? What’cha mean? It’s not my fault, right? They attacked me when I was just chilling and occupying the Lindworm Territory, so I had to send everyone to that paradise of female Orcs , or else they’d be sad, wouldn’t they?” I retorted, maintaining my sweet, pure facade.
She grabbed both my cheeks and yanked them super hard. It hurt a lot.
”You! You good-for-nothing! If you destroy the Albion Empire’s military, who exactly is going to protect this nation after we take the capital?!” she wailed.
”What’s the big deal? It’ll be fine. Once everything’s over, all those elite Albion soldiers will come back as, like, fully-grown adults carrying the worst memories with them. Just relax, Fafnir-san,” I tried to reassure her.
”Nonsense! Every soul who mates with—I mean, befriends—those female Orcs comes back as a pitiable sight, looking like their very soul has been sucked out! Don’t you know that?!” she challenged.
”Faf, calm down! Isn’t it a good thing that half of the Albion military is totally wiped out now?” Yulize-sama interjected.
”It is not good! Yulize-sama, this might make the Raks Kingdom move to seize our southern lands!”
She was practically crying tears of joy, while also loudly protesting. As if those pure-hearted female Orcs would do anything so rough!
Because of Fafnir’s complaints, I actually went to check on the female Orc village yesterday. Everyone I sent there was looking all worn out—wait, no, they looked perfectly fine, just covered in wounds! The plump, youthful female Orcs were just hustling and bustling. It was an amazing sight! So amazing that any pure and innocent kid like me would have life-long trauma. I’m actually starting to worry about those people—will they even survive until the capital mess is over?
* * *
Right now, I’m riding on Fafnir-san’s back in her Golden Dragon form, moving around the Albion Imperial Capital.
’Shin. If I entrust everything to you, Yulize-sama will be freed, and this Albion Empire will be restored to a nation centered around the Lindworm-sama lineage, will it not?’ she queried.
”Hmm? Yeah, I guess that’s how I’ll make it end. It’s not like I can control all the dragonewts if I take over the country myself. It makes the most sense for the old loli and Fafnir-san to rule after I head back to the Regain Kingdom, you know.”
’Don’t you have any ambition? Anyone with the power to capture a nation usually has desires. Are you truly fine with this?’
”I think so. My only desire is my slow life plan out in the sticks. Besides, don’t you think it’s way better to have people with the right ideas ruling the country, instead of warped people? Don’t you, Fafnir-san?” I asked.
’That is true, but…because we could not achieve that, we dragonewts were forced to obey the Senate. So, to end it today, I only need to destroy the capital, is that right?’ she confirmed.
”Yep. I’ll take care of the rest. I need to break my own curse, too.”
”…Shin-kun, I can see it now. That’s the nation’s capital, the Albion Imperial Capital. The place ruled by the Senate,” Yulize-chan whispered into my ear. She sounded nervous, but I hope she’s okay.
”Wow, it’s a pretty place… But why are there nine-headed dragon ornaments everywhere, Yulize-chan?” I wondered.
The colossal, circular walls of the Albion Imperial Capital sprawled out for miles. Inside, you could see European-style medieval buildings all over the place, and those weird dragon statues were blinking their eyes, watching everyone who lives there like they were guards.
”Um… those are… you see…” Yulize-chan stammered.
’Allow me to answer. Those are magical tools used by Chairman Luva to monitor the citizens of the Imperial Capital. Because of those things, countless innocent dragonewts have been killed—’ Fafnir began.
”Hero Dragon Knight Fafnir-sama, we have been waiting for you. Marak of the Imperial Guard, directly under the Senate, has come to receive you,” a soldier interrupted.
(Whoa… Yulize-chan. Let’s hide in Fafnir-san’s shadow. That dragonewt soldier has a bad feeling about him. [Afterimage Dragonfly]) I quickly instructed.
(…Okay) Yulize-chan replied.
FWOOSH!
'(…That rascal Shin. He hid, along with Yulize-sama, in my shadow)’ Fafnir mused.
”Fafnir-dono. You aren’t answering me. Is something amiss…” The soldier’s voice trailed off.
THUD!
”……what?” the soldier gasped.
’Then I must be resolute. To slay the Senate—to slay Luva!’ Fafnir resolved.
* * *
(Albion Empire Hyudral Temple)
”Ho ho. Yulize-dono’s Dragon Priestess outfit is quite lovely, isn’t it?” one Senate member cackled.
”A bit short on the bottom, perchance?” another muttered.
”No, no, this is perfect, is it not?” a third leered.
”Ghihihi, the beautiful figure of a beautiful girl—excellent, excellent,” a fourth drooled.
”Enough to make a man want to eat her up.”
”No, no, you mustn’t… That’s only after the ritual is complete.”
”The first bite must belong to Chairman Luva, it must.”
”……(Ghihi?! Shin-sama is a liar! There are no handsome young men here. It’s only weird, old geezers with strange bodies!)” Yulize screamed internally.
[All of you, members of the Senate, and Dragon Priestess Yulize-sama. The Ryūseisai is about to begin. Let us go… to the ritual that will fully revive the Calamity Dragon Albion] Luva declared.
”Understood, Luva-sama.” The Senate members chimed.
”By the way, where are the Five Purple Dragons? Have they arrived?” Luva asked.
”Excluding Fafnir, who was sent to occupy the Lindworm Territory alongside the Ryūseisai, they are all here, I believe,” a Senate member confirmed.
”Are the preparations complete to ensure no interruptions? After the Ryūseisai, will the plan be executed?” Luva prodded.
”Ah, yes. The plan to send the Nova armies, scattered throughout the Lindworm Territory, in an avalanche toward the Regain Kingdom’s Seyfried Territory is ready to go,” the member assured him.
”The Albion Empire soldiers are such fools. To risk their lives simply so we can get our food.”
”A good result of the education we’ve been giving them since long ago—to keep them ignorant.”
”The very existence of the Albion Empire is for the sake of our, and Luva-sama’s, delicious feast.”
[Yes, precisely. Everyone, let us continue to make this Albion Empire prosper with our single nine-bodied self for our future…] Luva concluded.
* * *
(Ryūseisai Venue, Ryūgirin)
”Huh? Yulize-sama and the Senate members have arrived?” Fire Dragon Empress Haial Drago noted.
”They’re all packed together—they sure are friendly, huh?” Azure Dragon Princess Ixperia commented.
”…The utter villains come strolling in so boldly,” Thunder General Linebach-TeSura grumbled.
”It seems Fafnir-san is not here yet…” Tree Dragon Kukulkan observed.
[Oh!! You have all gathered! Our nation, the Albion Empire’s proudest, strongest warriors! Thank you for coming to guard us during the Ryūseisai!] Luva hailed the heroes.
””””Chairman Luva-sama, we are undeserving of such gracious words. Thank you”””” The warriors responded.
[Yes, grovel and flatter me honestly. Only then will your families be saved, after all… And now? I do not see the figure of Fafnir-san, the head of the Five Purple Dragons. What happened? Did she perchance get delayed on the front lines? That would be unacceptable. If so, I’ll have to execute her entire clan, won’t I?] Luva pressured.
’I am here…’ Fafnir’s deep voice boomed.
”Duff? Hey? I’ve been staying quiet so I don’t get involved in the commotion, but I sense the presence of Shin-sama in the shadow of that dragon Fafnir,” someone muttered.
[Appearing in your Golden Dragon form! Truly, Hero Dragon Knight Fafnir. To hype up today’s Ryūseisai, you’ve come as an opening act, I see—] Luva mocked.
’I trust you, Shin! Sacred Artifact (general term for powerful items) Activate! ‘Golden Armor (Gold Hunt)’… Golden Awakening [Earthquake Dragon Pulse (Fafnir Andvari)]’ Fafnir shouted.
Right as Fafnir-san’s Sacred Artifact, the ‘Golden Armor’, activated, I leaped out from her shadow. Fafnir-san’s [Earthquake Dragon Pulse] caused the entire foundation of the Albion Imperial Capital to swell and buckle, and a massive earthquake began.
RUMBLE…
I made a dramatic entrance, wearing a black hood and a white mask, didn’t I?
”Your resolve… has been fully received. Then I shall reward that resolve. Apostles of the Shin-kyō (Religion of Shin), Star Twelve Apostles! Divert their combat strength and forge a path for me!” I commanded.
”””Hah!”””
Twelve Apostles of the Shin-kyō, all in hoods, leaped out from my shadow.
[…Fafnir. You have betrayed us,] Luva hissed.
”This is… the buildings are cracking and collapsing! We’ll be scattered!” one Senate member cried.
”Five Purple Dragons! Help us!” another screamed.
”Kill the traitors and invaders!”
A few of the old men were making a racket, but Fafnir-san’s Imperial Capital-exclusive mega-earthquake sent them flying and scattering across the city streets.
”You’ve been ruling this country for far too long, Calamity Luva-dono,” I observed.
[…The Guru of the Shin-kyō (Religion of Shin), is that you? Why would a newly rising organization with growing power resort to an act of terrorism like this? This will make the Raks Kingdom, our ally, your enemy!] Luva challenged.
”Then I’ll just defeat you and make this massive earthquake seem like it never happened… And I’ll give this country back to the true lord of the Albion Imperial Capital, okay?” I promised.
[…You annoying brat] Luva growled.
* * *
(Collapsed Senate Office)
”Who are they?! Who dares to get in our way!” an old man shrieked.
”…Quiet, old man,” First Star Apostle, the Fairy Knight Sheffield, snapped.
* * *
(Luva’s Art Museum)
”Don’t you dare interrupt our meal, brat!” a Senate member yelled.
”Brat, you say? I’m a great magic user who’s lived for centuries, you know. You’re the child, old man,” Second Star Apostle, the Abyss Sage Hohenheim, boasted.
* * *
(Collapsed Albion Army Headquarters)
”We must return to Luva-dono quickly…” a soldier stressed.
”Nyahahaha!! No way I’m letting you! Shaltia is definitely going to finish you off!” Third Star Apostle, Shaltia, Former Right-Hand of the Fairy King, cackled.
* * *
(Senate Feeding Ground)
”Curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you! To defy the top brass of the Albion Empire—I’ll execute you as an example!” a Senate member raged.
”Saying that to an assassin…? Like I’d let you. You’re an idiot!” Fourth Star Apostle, Zoltic the Assassin, taunted.
* * *
(Senate Museum)
”…Who are you people? Do you wish to be killed?” a Senate member demanded.
”Dying is your job now, desuwa~. Old man… You smell bad, so don’t come any closer,” Fifth Star Apostle, the Mysterious Empress Anastasia, stated.
* * *
(Collapsed Albion River)
”I can’t believe Fafnir would betray us. Were you the ones who tempted her?” a Senate member accused.
”We didn’t tempt her at all. Fafnir-chan decided and made her choice herself, didn’t she!” Sixth Star Apostle, Scarlet the Blood-Soaked, shouted.
* * *
(Former Location of Yulize’s Cell)
”This is an international incident! You terrorists, I’ll kill every single one of you!” a Senate member threatened.
”Then should I just make it disappear? With the power of me, the King,” Seventh Star Apostle, Phylan the Paradise Prince, challenged.
* * *
(Torture House)
”We must finish the ritual quickly! Our turn will be over!” a Senate member worried.
”Your turn? We won’t let that happen. That’s an order from Lord Jin,” Eighth Star Apostle, Magitech Scientist Eijint Stein, stated.
* * *
(Albion Imperial Capital North Gate)
”Alt, you dragon-race traitor! Why are you here?” Haial-san yelled.
”Don’t be so loud, Haial-san. I can hear you just fine without all that shouting,” Ninth Star Apostle, Alt the Ancient Dragon Bloodline, replied.
* * *
(Albion Imperial Capital East Gate)
”You guys did something terrible. You should just assume your lives from here on out are over,” a Senate member warned.
”We didn’t have one in the first place, if Lord Jin hadn’t saved us. Everything is for the Shin-kyō (Religion of Shin)…” Tenth Star Apostle, Roy the Former Hero, proclaimed.
* * *
(Albion Imperial Capital South Gate)
”…Do you really think you can take the capital with just a dozen or so people?” a Senate member scoffed.
”Yeah, we can take it, we can. Lord Jin is here, after all. This whole rotten capital is ours,” Eleventh Star Apostle, Tamamo the Oiran Fox Spirit, declared.
* * *
(Albion Imperial Capital East Gate)
”We started the show with a bang, didn’t we? I didn’t think we’d manage to scatter them like that,” a Senate member remarked.
”A festival should be grand, shouldn’t it? Everything should be. Come on, come on, let’s start our own grand event. A grand massacre!” Twelfth Star Apostle, Schwarzschild the Cursed Life-Blade, roared.
* * *
(Back at the Albion Imperial Capital Hyudral Temple)
”Now, let us begin, Chairman Luva-dono, a new Ryūseisai… a political battle that will decide the new history of the Albion Empire! Along with us, the Shin-kyō (Religion of Shin), and Dragon Priestess Yulize-dono,” Guru Jin announced.
RUMBLE…
”I will follow you, Lord Jin,” Holy Woman Lala of the Shin-kyō vowed.
[……Guh-guh-guh… You truly are an annoying brat, aren’t you] Luva conceded.
—
Summary:
The Albion Empire is thrown into sudden chaos as the Dragon Star Festival becomes the stage for a dramatic revolt. The protagonist, Shin (Guru Jin), finally makes his move, launching a massive assault on the corrupt Senate with the crucial aid of Fafnir, the once-loyal Hero Dragon Knight. Fafnir’s powerful Golden Awakening triggers a city-wide earthquake, which serves as the signal for the Star Twelve Apostles—Shin’s elite cult followers—to scatter the bewildered Senate leaders and their forces.
Shin, the master manipulator, reveals himself as the true orchestrator, ready to confront the main antagonist, Chairman Luva, to complete his goal of freeing Yulize and restoring his twisted sense of order. The dark fantasy story quickly shifts from political maneuvering to all-out action and revolution, setting the stage for a high-stakes final battle that will decide the fate of the nation.
—
T/L:
1 [Note: The word ‘Orc’ here refers to a non-human race, often depicted as a race used for sexual slavery or forced labor, within the world’s lore. Sometimes, it can be a term of abuse. Don’t worry, the narrative is using a fictional, dark fantasy context!] ↩
2 [Note: The Japanese phrase ‘雌orcsの楽園’ literally means ‘female Orcs’ paradise,’ a euphemism for a place of sexual exploitation. Shin’s use of ‘paradise’ is intentionally ironic and disturbing, highlighting his moral detachment. Yikes!] ↩
3 [Note: The term ‘Loli-baba’ (ロリババちゃん) is a Japanese slang term combining ‘Loli’ (lolita) and ‘Baba’ (old woman), referring to a character who looks young but is secretly very old. The Lindworm matriarch likely fits this archetype, which is used often in Japanese fantasy fiction. I bet the user wants to read more about her!] ↩
Notes:
• Albion Empire – A nation to the east of Regain where dragonkind is revered as divine. It is currently locked in ‘bloody, territorial chaos’ with the new Demon King’s forces in Schwert.
• Lin – Alt’s mentor, described as the ‘Great Hero who sealed the ancient dragon, Albion, who resides in the Dragon Country.’ He is suggested as someone who might possess knowledge of a cure for the dragon race’s strange disease.
• Right – An upperclassman frustrated with ten-year-old Alexia’s presidency who initially supported Lilith (‘Lili-tan’) for the role. He represents the ‘cute girl fetish’ faction, rips up the magic paper in anger, and engages in heated debates with Left about the academy’s bizarre political landscape and student obsessions.
• Luva – The cold, calculating Speaker of the Albion Empire’s Elder Council who proposes using political manipulation and hostages to acquire the prosperous Seyfried Territory.
• Haial Drago – True ancestor fire dragon, one of the Five Purple Dragons, a guardian at important ceremonies.
• Ixperia – Blue dragon princess, one of the Five Purple Dragons.
• Sura – A silver slime companion of Shin, utilized for various comedic and practical purposes.
• Kukulkan – Tree dragon, Five Purple Dragon member.
• Star Twelve Apostles – Shin’s proposed, rejected renaming of his cult’s core followers (the ‘Twelve Apostles’). He suggests ‘Astorum Duodecim’ but finds it lacking, reflecting his casual attitude toward the grandiose title.
• Twelve Apostles – The core group of twelve devout followers in the Religion of Shin (Shin-kyō) who revere Shin as their founder. They are shown gathered in prayer around his colossal statue and participate in the formal ceremonies within the Shin Cathedral.
• Alt – A Dragonkin member of the Twelve Apostles who was researching Dragonkin-related Divine Artifacts. He becomes Shin’s primary source of information and suggests consulting his mentor, Lin, for a potential cure.
• Lala – Delusional saint candidate from the Lax Empire who becomes fanatically devoted to Shin, founding a religion in his name and often speaking with the quirky suffix ‘~desuwa’
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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