Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain

Chapter 263: Striking While The Iron Is Hot

"Arlo."

"Professor." Arlo nodded to her, his voice low. "I didn’t know you were here."

"I heard the news." Cecilia said solemnly. "I’m sorry for your loss."

Arlo swallowed but said nothing. He simply closed the door behind him, walking deeper into the ward.

Noah was confused. Arlo had lost someone? Who?

But before he could ask, Cecilia stood abruptly.

"Let me give you both some privacy." She turned to Noah, giving him a smile. "Rest well."

Then, she left.

Arlo stood beside Noah’s bed, both of them silent as the door clocked shut behind them.

"It’s my father." Arlo suddenly said.

Noah blinked in surprise.

"My father died fighting against the dragon last night." Arlo clarified.

There was a moment of silence.

"I’m sorry for your loss." Noah finally said.

"It’s okay." Arlo grinned.

That was what he was saying but Noah could see that he was not okay. As much as he wasn’t close to Arlo as he’d been before, he could tell that the man was struggling with his father’s death.

"I heard you saw someone."

Noah blinked, looking up at Arlo. "Someone?"

Arlo nodded. "Word is that you encountered someone in the King’s study."

"Oh." Noah turned his gaze back down. "Yes I did."

"Who was it?"

Silence filled the ward.

"Don’t try to lie to me, Noah." Arlo said through gritted teeth. "You know what my eyes can do. I can tell when you’re lying and when you’re not."

"I never planned to lie to you." Noah said.

And it wasn’t a lie. From Arlo’s body language, he could tell that this was personal.

Arlo needed someone to hold responsible for his father’s death, and that meant he was going to be involved in whatever he was planning.

Noah also wanted to find Lady in Dark, but why not pawn off the task to someone with more resources than he did.

"Her name is Lady in Dark," he started. "She wore a cloak, with her hood pulled off, so I didn’t see her face. But I experienced her power."

"What do you mean?" Arlo asked, his complete attention on Noah.

"She’s a psychic."

"Psychic?"

"Yes. She could...," he hesitated, "read my mind."

"That’s impossible."

"So is a dragon appearing out of nowhere." Noah said.

Arlo rocked back, thinking about it. "Is that all she can do?" He finally asked.

"She can use telekinesis." Noah answered. "That’s all I know about her."

Arlo nodded. "I see. Thank you."

He turned to leave.

"Oh. One more thing." Noah said, stopping Arlo in his tracks.

"She took a chest from the king’s study. I don’t know what was inside, but who knows? The chest could lead you to where you want to go."

Arlo stared at Noah for a few seconds before nodding. "Thank you."

And with that, he left.

Noah sighed, laying back down on his bed, staring at the familiar ceiling. He was beginning to spend way too much time here.

The best option he had for now, was to find a healing spell he could use on himself. That would save him a lot of pain in the future.

His thoughts returned back to Arlo. He knew what was going on in the man’s mind right now.

Revenge.

If Arlo’s revenge would help him get closer to Lady in Dark, he’d gladly follow along. And when they meet again, he’d kill her. But before then, he had to get stronger.

A lot stronger.

[][][][][]

Thomas Ramsay paced the council chamber, a lot going through his mind.

If there was one thing the nobility of Camelot can be said to unanimously stand against, it was demons.

They all had their reasons. Some because of what the second prince’s rebellion had done to their families or loved ones, and others because the resulting vacuums left by the rebellion had allowed their families to rise in power.

But all that had changed last night.

Thomas had no idea who had done this. Under the nose of what made up the ruling powers of Camelot. And they’d gotten away with it.

However, they’d left behind a mess so great, he would have to stain his hands to get rid of it.

Thankfully, most of the people that had been infected with demonic essence, including him, had strong ties to the council. And that was all he needed to consolidate his power.

He lifted his hand, staring at it. His features had gone back to normal, with no sign that he had ever transformed the night before, but he could still feel the energy running through his veins.

And he could feel that it wouldn’t go away. Not anytime soon. If he wanted, he could flood his veins with the energy and transform once more.

He wouldn’t do that, but he had to admit that the power was... addicting.

But that didn’t matter. He needed to put restrictions in place, so that same hybrids like him wouldn’t be pushed out of society.

Luckily for him, the king had died a heroic hybrid. And his heir, Princess Ines, was unconscious.

Who would stop him?

The door to the chamber creaked open, and the council members began to stream inside.

He exchanged nods with some, knowing he had their full trust. With them on his side, he was sure to get what he wanted.

When they were all seated, he took his seat too, steepling his fingers.

His gaze swept through the roundtable. Some seats were empty, their occupants dead. And one... wasn’t aware this meeting was taking place.

"Let us begin." He said. "We all know the situation of our beloved kingdom, Camelot."

They all nodded. They’d all been there last night. And the corpse of the dragon was still out there for everyone to see.

"Our king is dead. And his heir is injured. As such, it falls to us to make sure this kingdom keeps running. Who knows when Princess Ines shall awaken? We cannot wait, not while the demons still wage war against us."

He paused, inhaling solemnly. "Which is why I propose the formation of a Regency Council to maintain the stability of the kingdom. And when the heir apparent has been judged fit to rule, she shall be installed as ruler of Camelot. Any objections?"

There were none.

"All in favor, say ’Aye.’

A chorus of "Aye" filled the air.

Thomas noticed that some didn’t speak, but he knew they would not oppose. Especially since the vote had already been decided by the majority.

"Then I declare the formation of the—"

"Stop right there!"

A voice filled the air as the door slammed open.