Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain

Chapter 312: Thank You, Noah

Arlo opened his door before the person on the other side could even knock. His instincts had been prickling since the familiar mana signature approached.

When the door swung open, Professor Cecilia stood there, one brow raised in mild surprise.

"You were expecting me?" she asked lightly.

Arlo stepped aside, sighing. "Noah told you, didn’t he?"

A small smile appeared on her face. "That he did."

He gestured towards the chair by his desk. "You might as well come in."

Cecilia entered with a nod. She didn’t sit immediately. Instead, she turned to face Arlo directly, her expression composed but gentle.

"Why don’t we skip the preamble," she said. "Ask your questions, Arlo. I’ll try my best to answer them."

Arlo blinked. He hadn’t expected that. "You’re not here to tell me to stop investigating you?"

Cecilia chuckled softly, crossing her arms. "You and Noah are not that different. Neither of you listens when someone says no."

He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "That’s... fair."

"Good," she said. "Then let’s begin. Ask away."

Arlo hesitated, but only for a moment. "Do you know who the Puppeteer is?"

Her answer came immediately. "No."

Arlo’s eyes glowed faintly, his mana vision reading the pulse of her truth. She wasn’t lying.

"All right," he said quietly. "Then what were you doing at the deepest lake that night? There’s a strong mana trace there. It’s recent. You used an enormous amount of power."

Cecilia regarded him for a long moment. Then she said, "I was taking care of something my late brother told me to handle."

Her tone softened on the word brother. Arlo could see faint golden traces of sincerity radiating from her. She was telling the truth again.

"What was it?" he asked.

Cecilia smiled faintly, not with amusement, but with patience. "I think, Arlo, that even investigators should know when to stop digging."

"So you won’t tell me."

She tilted her head. "Would you tell me every secret you’ve kept?"

He fell silent.

Cecilia continued, "What I did there was not something meant for you to know. Not because I doubt your loyalty, but because it isn’t your burden to carry. Or your secret to know."

Arlo nodded slowly, lowering his gaze. "You’re right. I’m sorry."

"There’s no need to apologize," she said gently. Then her tone shifted, becoming curious. "Though since we’re trading questions, I have one for you."

Arlo looked up, wary. "Go ahead."

"Do you have anything," she asked softly, "to prove that you aren’t the Puppeteer?"

The air went still.

Arlo frowned, his brows knitting. "What do you mean by that?"

Cecilia’s gaze didn’t waver. "I’m simply asking. If I were to demand proof, undeniable proof, that you weren’t behind the disappearances, could you give it?"

Arlo’s lips parted, but no words came.

Cecilia stepped closer, her voice quiet but firm. "And if you couldn’t? Would I be justified in treating you as guilty until proven innocent? Would I have the right to invade every corner of your life to find out?"

He stiffened.

She stopped just short of him, looking up into his face. "Everyone is entitled to their secrets, Arlo Kael. Even people like me."

"Sometimes, protecting the truth is not deception. It’s mercy. Remember that before you go tearing through someone else’s past."

She turned towards the door.

"You’ve got a good heart," she said as she reached for the handle. "Don’t let suspicion hollow it out."

And with that, she left.

[][][][][]

Noah gasped awake.

His breath came fast and shallow, the world around him becoming a blur of muted red light.

He sat up, realizing immediately that he wasn’t in his bed, or even in his room. He was lying in a clearing surrounded by tall reeds that swayed without wind.

The sky above was dark red, heavy and endless, streaked with faint black clouds that twisted unnaturally.

He was in a dream. He knew it instantly.

The air was thick and syrupy with mana. Every breath he took felt heavy.

He stood, scanning his surroundings. The reeds stretched in every direction, forming an ocean of swaying stalks that swallowed the horizon. There was no sound but the faint rustle of their motion.

Then, the sounds of footsteps reached his ears.

Next thing he heard was a soft clap followed by another.

Noah turned immediately

From between the reeds stepped the Lady in Dark.

Most of her face was covered by her hood, but he could still see her lips smiling in delight. She clapped her gloved hands together, her laughter echoing faintly in the air.

"Congratulations, Noah," she said.

His guard shot up immediately. "What game is this?"

"Oh, don’t look so serious," she purred, stepping closer. "You really should be proud. You’ve done something quite impressive."

He didn’t move, his eyes narrowing. "And what exactly have I done?"

She tilted her head, amusement flickering in her voice. "You’ve helped me."

Noah frowned warily. "I did no such thing."

She nodded. "You see, I had my doubts. I wasn’t sure if my little plan would work. But thanks to you and your dear friend Arlo... well, it’s all coming together beautifully."

He clenched his fists. "What are you talking about?"

Her laughter was soft and melodic, almost musical. "Do you remember what I told you before? I warned you both not to look for me."

Noah stiffened.

"Yes," she said, smiling wider. "And I was right to do so. People like you and Arlo, you don’t take kindly to being told what not to do. You just have to disobey, don’t you?"

The reeds swayed harder, as if reacting to her amusement.

She continued, her tone lilting, almost playful. "So when I said not to look for me, I knew you would do exactly the opposite. I just didn’t expect you to actually find what I needed."

Noah’s blood ran cold. "What do you mean?"

Her laughter rang again, bright and mocking. "You led me right to it. The key I’ve been searching for all this time. And now...," she spread her arms, "the real fun begins."

"What key?" Noah demanded, stepping forward. "What did we find?"

But her smile only grew.

"Thank you, Noah," she whispered. "You’ve done more for me than you’ll ever understand."

The world began to crack.

The reeds tore apart like paper. The red sky splintered into fragments of color. The ground fell away beneath him as the dream shattered.

Noah gasped, jerking awake in his bed.