“Grrrrgh, grrghgrrrgh... (I’m gonna die... I’m seriously gonna die...)”

    The Emperor’s whole body ached from the overexertion.

    “Grrrrrrrrgh... (Just you wait. The moment you turn twenty-five, I’m putting you through this exact same torture...)”

    Kiaros had never once transformed into a dragon, so he clearly had no idea how impressive this was. Sёarch* The novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    “If you drop me from too low, your shadow will cast and they’ll realize a dragon has appeared.”

    Even now, Kiaros was annoyingly particular.

    “We need to infiltrate quietly at first, so please keep that in mind.”

    “Grhhrrgh, grrgh? (Then what do you expect me to do? You’re in a blackout—if I drop you from up here, you’ll die on impact.)”

    “Please transform back into human form and set me down on top of the Grand Temple. Then go elsewhere.”

    It was a calm instruction—but one that was truly absurd if you thought about it.

    Still, the Emperor immediately transformed back into his human form, cradled Kiaros in his arms, and began descending from the sky.

    “Please be discreet. We mustn’t become another variable in Namia’s operation.”

    As they plummeted, the Emperor began unloading all the things he hadn’t said until now.

    “I swear, you’re gonna be the death of me. Didn’t I tell you to confess ahead of time? Why didn’t you listen? Why didn’t you say something earlier? Even if it’s hard, even if it’s scary, you still have to do it! When I was young, I was ready to bite through stone if I had to. I just charged ahead—bam! That’s how you do it!”

    The nagging was loud enough to rip his ears off.

    Meanwhile, Kiaros clung to the Emperor’s neck with a dignified expression, holding on like a princess being carried, calmly waiting for a safe landing.

    “But.”

    As the Grand Temple drew near, Kiaros spoke in a low voice.

    “Are you not going to ask about Namia? I imagine there’s much you’d want to know.”

    The Emperor, still ranting about “you should’ve done it earlier,” let out a long sigh. Then he answered gently.

    “There’s a lot I’d like to ask... but for now, I’ve decided to leave it to you.”

    “...”

    “She saved Fron, Jaden, you, and me. Our whole family owes her. Sure, maybe she’s a little suspicious and strange. But if you like her...”

    The Emperor gave a faint smile.

    “...Isn’t it a parent’s duty to at least give their child a shot at confessing?”

    With that, the Emperor and Kiaros reached the top of the Grand Temple.

    Kiaros lightly slipped from the Emperor’s arms.

    His black robe was pulled all the way over his head, and his eyes gleamed more sharply than ever.

    “Well then, my son.”

    With trembling hands, the Emperor placed one on Kiaros’s shoulder.

    “Go on, then... I’ll be in that tree over there... Honestly, I’m so wiped out I couldn’t even blow up the Temple right now, let alone step inside.”

    In truth, even his legs were shaking.

    Covering a four-day distance in less than two days had taken a massive toll. Flight was physically exhausting even in short bursts.

    “I’ll catch my breath for a bit, then give the order to deploy the southern forces. Just wait a little. I’ll come join you myself.”

    But “catching his breath” looked like it might take quite a while. Just standing was already a struggle.

    The Emperor looked at Kiaros with concern and added:

    “Look at this gorgeous, flashy face of yours... They’ll know instantly you’re the Crown Prince. Which means you’ll be a target right away. What should I do about that...”

    He honestly wanted to assign him a whole guard unit.

    But even in a blackout, the only one who could ride a dragon was Kiaros. And with him pushing for “absolute top speed,” this was the best they could do.

    “That won’t be a problem. I’ll be going now. Thank you, truly.”

    Kiaros gave a formal bow, then immediately descended the outer stairs of the temple.

    The Emperor, mustering what little strength he had left, climbed into the nearby tree and hid himself.

    ‘Just a little... I’ll just rest for a bit...’

    He hadn’t shown it to Kiaros, but even his consciousness was starting to flicker. And then...

    “...Huh?”

    Watching Kiaros enter the ? Nоvеl?g?t ? (Official version) building via the exterior stairs, the Emperor furrowed his brow.

    ‘Did I overwork my corneas? Why does Kiaros’s hair look black?’

    That was the last thing he thought before slipping into unconsciousness.

    ***

    Inside the Grand Temple, alarm bells were already ringing.

    “Looks like there’s been a breach in the outer maze.”

    Vivers was trying his best to stay calm as he gave orders.

    “They’re not Dragonbloods. Until we get a clear read on the situation, researchers are to stay inside the labs. Gather all the executives.”

    The executives rushed in.

    Vivers noticed an empty seat and frowned.

    “Where’s Aran?”

    Inside the Modification Faction base, Guardians in black suits moved about.

    They monitored test subjects and handled errands for the executives and researchers. Most were former mercenaries with criminal records.

    One executive gestured quickly to a nearby Guardian.

    “I’ll send someone right away. She’s probably in the underground prison and didn’t hear the summons.”

    Everyone in the upper ranks knew Aran frequently visited the underground prison.

    That was where Cedric Roafi was being held.

    Aran often went down there, claiming she was “persuading” him—that there had never been a more exceptional test subject.

    “Why the hell is she crawling in there again? Huh?”

    Already on edge, Vivers snapped.

    “Go get her. Right now!”

    And at that moment—

    A loud boom echoed from outside, and the ground trembled violently.

    ***

    Just as Grandpa had shown on the map, I entered through the side gate.

    Far in the distance, I heard a loud explosion from the east. Looked like Grandpa was going wild.

    ‘Please... Let everyone be safe. Until His Majesty arrives...’

    Maybe everyone had rushed east. Or maybe I was just close to the underground prison entrance. Either way, I didn’t run into anyone.

    I moved steadily toward the entrance of the underground prison.

    ‘Hoo...’

    Peeking around the corner, I spotted two guards posted in front of the entrance.

    Honestly, I could’ve used an attack scroll and taken them out easily.

    But I had never hurt anyone before. I hesitated.

    ‘So this is what it takes... The strongest fighters must really see life as cheap to act so easily.’

    Becoming a physically dominant powerhouse wasn’t easy at all.

    ‘Of course I’m clumsy—I have no field experience.’

    Back when I’d worked with Kiaros to catch a spy, I had the whole plan laid out... but I was terrible in action. I simply hadn’t had many chances to use my body.

    “I really think... I’m just cut out for sitting above and giving commands.”

    Even if I was going up against a member of the Modification Faction, it still felt wrong to rush in and use violence.

    In the end, I took out one of the two invisibility scrolls Grandpa had given me and dismounted from Kibon.

    As I scratched Kibon’s neck, I whispered,

    “Hide here, okay? You’re a test subject, so even if you get kicked back into the maze, they won’t kill you.”

    “Woof.”

    “Come when I call you, alright? You can do that, right?”

    “Woof woof!”

    If I managed to rescue Dad, I was planning to hop on Kibon and bolt.

    I activated the invisibility scroll and silently slipped past the guards.

    Then, I quickly started descending the stairs.

    ***

    I might not be the current strongest physical fighter—but someone who once held that title was.

    That person was Kiaros.

    He had a real knack for dismantling criminal organizations like this.

    “Don’t move.”

    After reaching the inner sanctum, he chose a quiet spot, grabbed the dumbest-looking Guardian, dragged him into a bathroom, and immediately pressed a dagger to his neck.

    “Where are the human test subjects?”