[Translator - Night]

    [Proofreader - Gun]

    Chapter 106: I Become a Death Row Inmate

    With the Goddess’s Wings, Isabel unleashed her ultimate technique.

    A clash of the finishing moves: my Dragon Transformation combined with Lightning Caller versus hers.

    After the collision of the two ultimate techniques,

    Amid the thick smoke, Isabel and I faced each other.

    The electricity forming my body dissipated.

    Clang!

    My horns and wings shattered and scattered.

    The Dragon Magic Engraving forcibly dispelled my Dragon Transformation, suppressing the remnants of the Ancient Dragon.

    Dragon Ascension is a risky technique for me.

    If I''m not careful, I might fully turn into a dragon.

    That’s why I must suppress the remnants of the Ancient Dragon even after using it.

    As I caught my breath, my gaze fell on Isabel.

    The Goddess’s Wings behind her were disintegrating.

    “You hesitated to give it your all, didn’t you?”

    Isabel flinched at my words.

    When Isabel summoned the Goddess’s Wings, hesitation flickered in her eyes.

    We are rivals.

    But rivalries can take many forms.

    Our relationship was one where Isabel challenged me, and I accepted her challenges in return.

    As I mentioned before, our relationship is ambiguous.

    It’s hard to clearly define what we mean to each other.

    That’s why she unwittingly thought and wondered:

    If she were to defeat me today, would this relationship break irreparably?

    She feared losing her purpose and experiencing the same emptiness she felt the day she lost Lucas.

    That fear made her hesitate, even as she summoned the Goddess’s Wings.

    “Isabel, are you starting to understand now?”

    So, I made sure Isabel saw it clearly.

    Even with the awakening of the Goddess’s Wings,

    I would not be defeated.

    “No matter what you do, I won’t back down.”

    That’s why I went all out, even using Dragon Ascension.

    If I hadn’t, Isabel’s uncertainty would have never gone away.

    Isabel stared at me with dazed eyes.

    “So, look carefully.”

    I can never be your Lucas.

    “I’m not Lucas.”

    But I can become someone different for you.

    Isabel.

    This world isn’t made up of just Lucas.

    You can live on just fine without him.

    Lucas would want that too.

    A proud main heroine who leads everyone on her own two feet.

    Isabel Luna.

    That’s the true version of yourself you need to strive for.

    “I am Hannon Irey.”

    To engrave it into her mind, I thumped my chest firmly.

    I can never be your childhood friend like Lucas was.

    But I will always be the rival you aim for.

    That’s my earnest vow.

    The blank look on Isabel’s face slowly faded away.

    She let out a faint laugh and raised her head.

    “You’re right.”

    A radiant smile, as bright as ever, spread across Isabel’s face.

    “You’re not Lucas; you’re Hannon.”

    Perhaps she had let go of some of her burdens.

    Isabel will undoubtedly continue to grow from here.

    And my role is to watch over her as she does.

    ‘You’d think so too, wouldn’t you, Lucas?’

    Having devoted my life to Flame Butterfly, the game I played after quitting my athletic career,

    I left Lucas’s words behind and turned away.

    The 64th-round tournament was already a mess.

    The outcome was irrelevant, but I knew I’d have no more opportunities to compete.

    As I descended from the arena, a man stood in my path.

    With flowing blue hair, he was the Blue Tower Master, leading the Imperial Mages and Knights.

    Iris hesitated, then looked directly at me.

    Her brow furrowed slightly as a sigh escaped her lips.

    "...There’s a reason for this. He was trying to help me when it happened."

    My eyes widened in surprise.

    I never thought Iris would stand up for me in this way.

    If Iris takes my side...

    The Imperial Court would find it even harder to punish me.

    "Hmm, I wasn’t aware of that detail,"

    The Grand Duke stroked her chin, intrigued.

    "So, could it be said that the boy saved your life, Third Princess?"

    "Yes, that’s correct."

    "Well, well. I see."

    Her lips curled into a smile.

    It seemed the Grand Duke had already concocted a way to defend me using the Empire''s Hero Exemption Law.

    With an amused look, she turned to me.

    "I thought so from the moment I first saw you. A bold young man indeed."

    A weight lifted off my chest.

    It seemed my life was no longer in jeopardy.

    "But, Third Princess, there are too many witnesses here, including those from other kingdoms. We can’t simply let this slide."

    Iris recognized her words as a mere formality, realizing the Grand Duke never intended to enforce the Empire’s harshest punishments.

    Relieved, her expression softened.

    As the conversation ended, the Blue Tower Master turned to his daughter.

    "Sharin."

    "Yes?"

    Hearing her father’s call, Sharin straightened her posture.

    "There’s something I need to discuss with you regarding this matter. Withdraw from the individual tournament and follow me."

    Caught up in the Ancient Dragon’s magic issue, Sharin had no choice but to comply.

    When I gave her an apologetic look, she nodded in understanding.

    "Alright, fine."

    She had little interest in the tournament anyway.

    Without further comment, she agreed to her father’s demand.

    "Uh, uh, is... is this okay?"

    Seron, still confused by the situation, stammered in disbelief.

    I was taken away under escort.

    Isabel, though surprised, seemed reassured by my expression, confident I wouldn’t face any real harm.

    As we exited the arena, my eyes locked with someone else’s.

    A woman with blue hair glared at me, her face twisted in anger.

    Her name was Eve.

    The Unyielding Azure Flame.

    She had planned to remove the Ancient Dragon’s magic from me during this international tournament.

    But she hadn’t anticipated that I’d end up being taken away like this.

    Although unintentional, this had turned our confrontation into an indefinite delay.

    Even if her goal of removing the magic is out of reach now...

    I had etched enough questions about my existence into Eve’s mind.

    Until she found her answers, she wouldn’t let me go.

    I exchanged a silent farewell with Isabel and was led out of the arena.

    "Your Grace, Grand Duke."

    I subtly called out to the Grand Duke walking beside me.

    Sensing my intent, she gestured for the knights to give us some space.

    "Speak."

    Her commanding presence was unwavering.

    This was someone I could trust with critical information.

    "There are those in the arena today who intend to harm the Saintess."

    I had witnessed everything with my own eyes that morning.

    The individuals plotting her assassination were all present.

    The Grand Duke’s ever-present smile faded in an instant.

    "Since I am being detained, I wish to provide Your Grace with a list of the culprits."

    "Well now,"

    She let out a sharp exhale, spinning her cloak dramatically.

    "Very well. How you came by such information, we’ll discuss later."

    The confidence radiating from her was unmatched.

    "Let this old hero wield her sword once more."

    The living legend.

    The Grand Duke, Raksid Anubecia.

    For those targeting the Saintess, she delivered the most crushing blow imaginable.

    [Translator - Night]

    [Proofreader - Gun]