Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain

Chapter 339: The Compulsion

Once again, confusion filled the air of the council chamber.

Before anyone could formulate an opinion or interject with a question, Edric continued.

"I had thought we had discovered a diamond in the rough. A secret that belonged to us only," he paused. "But I was wrong."

"I never knew that Noah Webb had been discovered by someone else. And that person was Lady in Dark."

Whispers filled the air at the mention of the name, and Edric could see the suspicions for the hybrids reappearing in real time.

"I was not seeking to distract you all or deflect blame when I mentioned earlier that the person behind the disaster that had befallen the Royal Academy was in fact, Lady in Dark."

"You are all aware of who she is, as she appeared at the Winter Ball after attacking a student. The student in question on that day was Noah Webb."

"I also encountered her yesterday night when I arrived to defend the academy. And that was when I discovered the extent of her powers."

"Lady in Dark is a very powerful psychic, strong enough to take control of an S-rank dragon."

Immediately the members heard that, they began furiously whispering to each other.

There was also an element of fear present. If she was strong enough to take control of an S-rank dragon, what was stopping her from seizing control of the minds of several S-rank mages?

As if sensing the opportunity, Ramsay immediately spoke up. "Then is it safe to say that the S-rank hybrids that fought with her that night could have been mind controlled?"

He knew he was losing the plot. But with his question, he would be able to plant the idea in the minds of those present that whoever stands with Lady in Dark might not be doing so of their own volition.

Edric hesitated, before answering. "While it doesn’t seem like it, we can say it’s safe to say."

He neither confirmed nor denied, but also implied that the hybrids were not being controlled.

Smart.

"We have identified that this Lady in Dark is the head of a group called the Reunifiers." Edric paused, before landing the blow that destroyed any defense Ramsay could have planned for today.

"And we’ve also learned that this group was the one responsible for the creation of the hybrid potions, the attack on the Winter Ball, and the attack of the dragon on that night."

Silence filled the air, mingling with the quickly growing suspicion. Mages eyed the present hybrids, and even the hybrids eyed themselves, wondering if any one of them could be a hidden member of this organization.

Edric allowed a slight smile on his face as he held Ramsay’s gaze. He’d turned Ramsay’s faction against itself.

Quickly returning his expression back to something neutral, he continued. "While Lady in Dark and her organization represent a great threat to Camelot, her most dangerous action wasn’t attacking the Royal Academy."

Members murmured under their breath. What could possibly be worse than that.

"Her most dangerous action," Edric’s expression hardened, "was eroding the compulsion we placed on Noah Webb."

No one spoke, digesting the gravity of what Edric had just said.

Being council members, they all knew what the compulsion was.

When the decision had been made to summon heroes to fight on their behalf, and find the one who would eventually destroy the demons, they’d known the risks that came with it.

What if they summoned something that was hostile to them? Something like the demons? Something that simply wanted to eradicate them instead of help them?

And so, they had carefully woven the compulsion into the summoning ritual.

Whatever being they summoned, they would come with a subtle but powerful compulsion that would prevent them from harming Camelot and its people, but most importantly, help them take care of the demons.

After all, why would a random person not freak out about being summoned to a new world, and made to fight in a war that was none of their business?

All the summoned heroes had come with that compulsion. But now they’d just heard that the hope they’d been waiting for, the hero with the highest recorded potential possible, had been stripped of his compulsion.

Of course, Edric knew that Lady in Dark hadn’t been the one to strip away the compulsion. Even he had no idea how Noah had been able to escape the compulsion, but he didn’t need to say that.

This was a white lie that was needed to bring the council together. After all, they needed a common enemy.

And so, he stood, drawing all eyes to himself. "Lady in Dark slowly appeared in the dreams of Noah Webb, peeling away the compulsion layer by layer, and adding compulsions of her own."

"She took what had the potential to become our greatest weapon and turned it against us. She turned those who have served the kingdom faithfully into hybrids, trying to tear us up from within!"

He said with conviction in his eyes. "But we shall not fall for her tricks. We shall stand strong in solidarity, instead of pointing fingers and playing at who’s to blame."

He glanced at Ramsay, who didn’t look too happy about the direction the meeting was going.

"Which is why I propose the reconvening of The Purge, to act as the kingdom’s knife in cutting out this rot!"

Edric saw Ramsay’s eyes widen, not expecting this move, but before the man could speak, Edric continued, raising his voice in passion.

"With The Purge leading the way, we shall sweep through the streets of Camelot, identifying and purifying the kingdom of the Reunifiers! All in favor, say ’Aye!’"

A loud chorus of ’Ayes’ filled the room, drowning out whatever disagreements people might have with this move.

It was easy to see why Ramsay wouldn’t want the reconvening of The Purge. This would mean putting a brutal and elite force of mages completely in the hands of the High Magus, to eliminate and destroy without question.

But it was already too late to be stopped, as with a majority vote, the motion was passed.

But that didn’t mean Ramsay was retreating. No, he had another avenue of attack.

"And what about Noah Webb?" He spoke, bringing their attention back to the hero who had the potential to either save or destroy Camelot. "We can’t allow such a liability to walk around without punishment or repercussions, can we?"

"No, we shall not." Edric answered immediately, voice filled with authority.

"We shall place a new, absolute compulsion upon Noah Webb."