Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain

Chapter 299: Behind That Door Lurks Darkness

The energy emanating from the library was strong. Back at the feast, he had been the only one who had been able to feel Lady in Dark’s aura. But this one? Everybody in the corridor could feel it too.

So, why were they standing here like nothing was happening?

Was this a trap? Was Lady in Dark controlling them? There was only one way to find out, and that was to go along with it.

Noah’s heartbeat began to slow as he stared at the tall double doors of the royal library.

The memory of what he’d done there only hours ago resurfaced in his mind.

He could still picture the case, the crumbling glass, the book he’d stolen and stored in his spatial ring.

And now here he was again, standing beside one of the kingdom’s most powerful mages.

He couldn’t help the thought that Edric already knew.

The man had a way of looking through people, of peeling away lies without asking a question.

Maybe this was a trap, an elaborate test to see if he’d confess. But as the dark aura behind the doors radiated against his senses, Noah shoved the thought aside.

Whatever this was, he had to see it through. If things went wrong, he could always use Null Stride and vanish.

Six royal guards stood before the doors this time, their armor gleaming beneath the lantern light. None were the two he had trapped earlier.

Edric gave them a nod, and they stepped aside at once. There was no hesitation, and no questioning. Whatever was going on, they were in on it.

"Come," Edric said, his tone calm.

Noah followed him inside.

They walked through the aisles in silence, passing shelves that stretched into the shadows.

The deeper they went, the stronger the presence became. It wasn’t Lady in Dark, at least, not exactly. The aura was similar, but rougher, unrestrained, radiating malice instead of cunning.

At last, Edric stopped.

Before them was a large metal cage reinforced with glowing enchantments. The air shimmered faintly around it, distorting the space within. And inside that cage sat the source of the aura.

A woman, or at least, something wearing the form of one.

She sat slumped in the corner, bound by glowing chains that burned faintly against her pale skin.

Her hair was long and white, her face smeared with dirt and blood. Her eyes, wide and trembling, lifted to meet theirs.

He’d seen those eyes before. In the hybrids.

Noah felt the hair on his neck rise. The aura was demonic, yes, but there was something human in her expression. On her face were fear and despair. She looked... pitiful.

"This," Edric said quietly, "is a true demon."

Noah’s eyes narrowed. "You captured her?"

Edric nodded. "Earlier this week. She was part of the force that tried to slip through the northern border before the capital attack. We believe she knows important information about the movements of the demon troops."

The woman trembled, her voice weak but clear.

"Please," she whispered. "You have to help me. They made me do it. I didn’t want to hurt anyone."

Her words were raw, broken, and desperate.

Noah tilted his head, staring at her, fascinated.

"Don’t be fooled." Edric’s voice cut through the air.

Noah looked at him.

"That’s a show," Edric said, stepping closer to the cage. "Demons are cunning and deceptive creatures. They can smell emotions like pity and they feed on it. It’s their weapon."

He reached out, brushing a hand along the enchantments that surrounded the bars.

"After we get what we need from her, she’ll be put down. That’s the only mercy these things understand."

The demon stirred, her expression shifting in an instant from helpless to hateful. Her voice instantly grew venomous.

"You think you can kill me?" she hissed. "You think your walls and spells can stop the Abyss? I’ll tear your souls apart!"

She lunged forward.

Her claws, long and blackened, shot through the bars, reaching for Edric’s face.

Before they could touch him, a shimmering barrier of golden light flared to life, stopping her cold. Sparks scattered across the cage as she screeched, recoiling with fury.

Edric didn’t flinch. "See?" he said calmly. "This is their true face. They lure you in with weakness, then strike when your guard lowers. Remember that, Noah. You’ll face far worse in time."

The demon snarled, her voice guttural now. "You’re all doomed. The Abyss is already here. You’ll burn with the rest of them."

Edric turned away, the faintest flicker of irritation in his expression. "And they never shut up."

He walked back to Noah, his tone softening again. "This is what you’ll face when the time comes. The world beyond our borders isn’t forgiving. That’s why I wanted you to see this for yourself."

Noah didn’t speak, his mind racing. Why? Why was Edric showing him this? He refused to believe the man was simply showing off or trying to prepare him for fighting against demons. Things were rarely ever that simple.

The High Magus’s voice drew his attention again.

"You’ve seen now what kind of enemy Camelot faces," Edric said. "The king’s death left this kingdom vulnerable. The Queen, young as she is, carries the crown well, but she cannot protect it alone."

He stopped in front of Noah, his gaze unwavering. "You are different, Noah Webb. You are the weapon we’ve been waiting for. The hero the king believed in. The one this kingdom needs."

Noah’s face remained impassive, but inside, his thoughts churned. Hero. The word left a bitter taste.

Edric smiled faintly. "And because of that, the Crown has decided something."

"When you enter your third year at the Academy, the royal armory will be opened to you. Every artifact, every relic, every spell formation you could dream of, they’ll be yours for the taking."

Noah’s brows rose slightly. "That’s... generous."

Edric nodded. "It is. But nothing in Camelot is given freely."

Noah’s eyes narrowed. Here it was. "What do you want in return?"

The High Magus didn’t hesitate. "Two things. First, that you stop holding back and reveal your true potential to the world. The people need a symbol of strength again. They need to see you."

Noah said nothing.

Edric’s tone softened, but his gaze stayed sharp.

"And second," he said, "I want you to become engaged to Queen Ines."