The Villainous Son Loves His Mother - Chapter 16

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[Illustration]

The main base of the Former Demon King’s Western Front Army was located in Darkheim, a jet-black fortress situated on the western edge of the Maristel Continent.
The Imperial Capital, Gainesfreed, lay approximately 2,000 kilometers to the east, separated by the vast Nezasia Sea.
The Nezasia Sea, also known as the Abyss Sea, was perpetually shrouded in black mist and raging storms.
Its waters teemed with colossal sea monsters and mysterious whirlpools, making navigation extremely perilous.
Humans, lacking the powerful wings of the Dragon, had no means to cross this sea, which served as a natural barrier for the Former Demon King’s Western Front Army.

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In the past, the Demon King had commanded his eastern, western, northern, and southern armies with ruthless efficiency, carving away vast swathes of humanity’s territory. Among them, the Former Demon King’s Western Front Army, composed entirely of Dragonkin, had delivered particularly devastating results.
Under the supreme command of the Legion Commander, multiple Division Commanders led powerful units of Dragonkin.
The physical prowess and magic of Dragonkin are formidable weapons, but the impact force of a disciplined military force amplifies their power many times over.
The Legion Commander is the “Dragon King” Jagan.
A renowned warrior from ancient times, Jagan was defeated by the Demon King and joined his ranks. However, he was ultimately destroyed by the previous Hero, leaving the current Western Front Army of the Demon King’s Army to be managed by several Division Commanders.
Each commander is a powerhouse capable of taking on a thousand soldiers alone, but their strong personalities and fierce ambition for the top position create constant internal strife.
The Demon Dragon Yggdra, who leads the aerial dragon troops, is one such Division Commander.
Driven by a desperate desire to redeem himself after the failed assault on the Gainesfreed Empire’s Imperial Capital, Yggdra is determined to prove his worth.

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…

“Grrr… that accursed Hero!”

Deep within a mountainous region shrouded in pitch-black darkness, a colossal cave yawned open.
Its interior was thick with dampness and biting cold, the walls bristling with countless sharp rocks.
This cave was the lair of the Demon Dragon Yggdra.
Yggdra had shrunk his massive form and now trembled with rage at the center of the cavern.
His crimson eyes blazed with hatred, and his sharp claws gouged deep furrows into the rocky floor.
The tragedy at the Imperial Capital, Gainesfreed, played out vividly in Yggdra’s mind.
He saw the scene of Ormund, his loyal subordinate and renowned general, being mercilessly obliterated by an unidentified light.

“If only my judgment hadn’t been so flawed…”

Yggdra slammed his tail against the ground, sending a deafening roar echoing through the cave.
Guilt over his subordinates’ pointless deaths and a burning hatred for the Hero tightened like a vise around his chest.

“I will make him pay… I will slay that wretch!”

His words rang hollowly in the cave, dissolving into the frigid air.
At that moment, light footsteps approached from the cave entrance.
Yggdra glared sharply at the opening.

“So, you were here, Yggdra.”

Sharki, a Dragonkin with flowing red hair, appeared. Her crimson eyes gleamed provocatively, and a faint smile played on her lips.

“What do you want, Sharki?”

Yggdra growled, his voice low and menacing.
Sharki slowly approached him, her gaze sweeping across the cave.

“I was worried about you. I haven’t seen you around lately.”

“I don’t need your concern,”

“Don’t be like that. As Division Commanders, we should get along.”

Sharki stopped before Yggdra and looked up at him with her crimson eyes.

“Still, that failure in the Imperial Capital must have stung. Losing even the Sky Eater Ormund…”

Yggdra’s expression darkened momentarily.

“…What’s your point?”

“Just hoping you won’t fail again. It affects our reputation, too.”

Her words were sharp, piercing Yggdra’s chest.

“I will succeed next time,”

“Really? But if you can’t manage, I’d be happy to take over for you.”

“That’s none of your concern. My unit is more than capable.”

Sharki maintained her smile as she continued,

“Is that so? But with the Legion Commander gone, who becomes the next leader depends entirely on the outcome, doesn’t it?”

Yggdra’s resolve wavered at her words.

“You…”

“Well, do your best. I’m looking forward to it.”

With that, Sharki gracefully exited the cave.

“Damn that woman…!”

Left alone, Yggdra’s chest burned with anger and humiliation, but the fact remained: he was a defeated general.

“Tch… The Hero is too strong… There’s no way a half-breed like you could take him down…”

Yggdra’s voice lacked its usual vigor.
He knew better than anyone that it sounded like nothing more than sour grapes.

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As Sharki emerged from the cave, she pondered deeply, feeling the cold night wind on her face.

“Now’s my chance. With Corps Commander Jagan absent, if I defeat the Hero, I can outmaneuver the other Division Commanders. If I leave it to Yggdra, he’ll only fail again. I have to act.”

Sharki returned to her chamber and gathered her most trusted subordinates.

“Listen carefully, everyone. We’re infiltrating the Imperial Capital, Gainesfreed, to assassinate the Hero.”

Her subordinates exchanged astonished glances.

“But Lady Sharki, isn’t that incredibly dangerous?”

“I know. But if we succeed, becoming the next Legion Commander won’t be a mere dream. Besides, the Gainesfreed Empire—no, humanity itself—isn’t what it used to be. Many of their strongest knights and wisest mages perished in the Great War. In the old Imperial Capital, someone like Ormund would never have been able to approach. The Hero’s revival is a grave matter, and facing him head-on would be perilous, but there are many ways to kill a man.”

One of Sharki’s subordinates spoke up hesitantly.

“But even so, the security must be tight…”

“Exactly. That’s precisely why we’re going. I told you earlier—we’re infiltrating. There are things only Dragonkin like us can do, right? Ufufu. The full dragons always looked down on us. But things are changing now. The nature of battle has evolved. Even the previous Hero killed the Demon King that way. Now it’s our turn.”

Sharki declared confidently.

“This operation is top secret. We won’t even inform the other Division Commanders. If we succeed, we’ll be leading the Demon King’s Western Front Army.”

Overwhelmed by her unwavering resolve, the subordinates nodded silently.

“Understood, Lady Sharki.”