Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain

Chapter 336: What Do You Plead?

Noah’s eyes fluttered open as he gained consciousness and he couldn’t help but wince from the discomfort. He blinked rapidly, his eyes quickly adjusting to the bright light in the room.

He immediately sat up as the last thing he remembered entered his mind, the motion accompanied by the sound of clinking chains.

Noah looked down at his hands to see metal bands around both wrists, which were connected to dark, heavy chains that trailed over the floor into the wall.

He was imprisoned and there was nowhere to go. And worse still was the fact that he was chained by mana suppressing chains. He couldn’t use his mana.

Of course, he still had his wings and tail, but there was no need to reveal it now.

He clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to keep himself calm. Yes, he’d been imprisoned, but he needed to keep a cool head if he wanted to get out of there. He couldn’t let his panic control him, or he’d never see the light of day.

He could feel that his body was now pain free. And even though he couldn’t access his mana or see his status, he could feel that some of his body’s natural strength, which had been ranked at B, was still within his grasp.

With the thought of the power he could currently exert settled, he looked around his surroundings.

He’d been locked in a room with no windows, and just one thick metallic door, making sure there were no openings in the room.

However, the room was brightly illuminated, with torches attached to the wall, burning at each corner of the room. The light from the flames were further amplified by the white walls of the room.

In fact, everything in the room seemed to be painted white. The walls, the roof, the floor, the bed he’d woken up on, and even the clothes he currently had on.

Only the chains retained their dark color, standing out against the room’s color scheme.

Plans began running through Noah’s mind. How would he get out of here?

He wasn’t at his best, and couldn’t use his mana, so his best bet was hoping whoever imprisoned him here would underestimate him, thinking he was still a FF-rank student.

As long as he was able to break free of his chains, he’d have a chance. It was up to him to create that chance.

After what felt like hours, the door finally clicked as the locks were opened and it swung open.

The first person to enter was an unfamiliar female mage wearing tight fitting white robes with a strip of cloth binding the robe at her waist.

She looked like she was more interested in being fashionable, but Noah wasn’t fooled as he saw the look in her eyes. They were alert, as if she was ready to decimate him the moment he twitched.

She stepped fully into the room, keeping her eyes on him, before stepping aside for the next person to enter.

The next mage to enter was someone Noah recognized. He couldn’t forget that face even if he wanted to.

That was the first citizen of Camelot he’d laid eyes on when he arrived in this world.

High Magus Edric.

The man’s eyes were equally cold as he stepped into the room. There was none of the warmth that most summoned heroes saw in the man.

Noah couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. The pretences were off. They now knew he wasn’t the hero they thought he was, so there was no need for them to play nice anymore.

"I see you’re enjoying yourself," Edric said, voice flat as the door clicked close behind them. "If I may ask, what’s so funny?"

"You may not ask." Noah chuckled in response. It was petty, but he’d rather keep his joke to himself. Especially since he already knew he wouldn’t be able to escape right now. After all, this was one of the kingdom’s most powerful S-rank mages. Noah wasn’t so sure he’d be able to trick the man.

"I see." Edric said, his voice low. He studied Noah for a few seconds, as if searching for something. They held each other’s gaze, assessing, like two players trying to figure each other out.

Then Edric broke eye contact, glancing at the mage that had come with him, giving her a single nod.

The mage immediately went into action, walking to stand next to Noah and placing a hand on his shoulder.

Noah tried to shake her arm off, but her grip tightened, making his bones creak. He hissed in pain, glancing up at her.

Her cold eyes simply stared down at him, as if telling him that whatever she did, there was nothing he could do about it. And the truth was, there really was nothing he could do about it. She was stronger than him, with or without the mana suppressing cuffs holding him back.

"State your name for the record." Edric finally spoke.

Noah stared at the man in silence. Should he play along or not?

As if in response, the mage’s hands tightened on his shoulder and Noah’s jaw tightened in pain.

"State your name for the record." Edric repeated.

Noah glared up at the woman before answering. "Noah Webb."

Edric looked up at the woman, who gave him a nod. Then he turned his attention back to Noah.

"Hero Noah Webb, you stand accused of the crime of unauthorized unearthing of a monolith. Your actions have resulted in loss of lives, and destruction of properties of immense value. However, we shall give you a chance to plead your case."

He leaned forward a bit, holding Noah’s gaze as pressure erupted from him to press upon Noah.

"What do you plead?"

Noah’s eyes widened as the pressure increased all over his body, like he was carrying a huge weight. His lungs worked hard, trying and failing to draw in breath, and his muscles burned with the effort of keeping him seated. If not for the mage’s grip on his shoulder, he would have fallen to his knees.

However, he made no attempt to speak, simply holding Edric’s gaze with a defiant expression.

After a few seconds, the pressure suddenly lifted and Noah gasped, desperately drawing air into his lungs.

"Very well." Edric nodded. "You have refused a plea."

"Let the trial begin."