My Strange Savior - Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Moreover, even if they try to persuade the emperor, if there is no way to kill him, wouldn’t it be futile? 

Oscar’s thoughts were not much different from Kalion’s. Without a sharp plan, only the sound of groaning echoed within the barracks.

“Well… first, we need to recover the dragon’s corpse and the bodies of the soldiers.”

“Yes.”

“And then…”

Oscar carefully broached the subject.

“I’m thinking of presenting Gregory, the disciple of the great philosopher Myers, to His Majesty…”

“Master.”

“Anyway, we can’t keep that boy hiding in seclusion forever.”

Kalion’s eyes widened at Oscar’s bombshell statement. Kalion, too, knew how much he cherished and loved his only grandson. Oscar’s proposal caught Kalion off guard.

“Didn’t His Majesty order the capture of all alchemists? Moreover, isn’t Gregory a direct disciple of Myers? Trouble will certainly follow as soon as they see him.”

Kalion’s opposing voice became more intense. 

Kalion didn’t know what had happened between the emperor and Myers, but he was aware that the emperor, who had suddenly ordered the capture of all alchemists and threatened severe punishment for those practicing alchemy, wouldn’t spare Gregory just because he wasn’t publicly announced as Myers’ direct disciple.

Due to the emperor’s tyranny, all alchemists had gone into hiding. The reason Gregory hadn’t been captured was that Myers hadn’t officially declared him as a direct disciple. Perhaps it was fitting for someone with the title of a philosopher. 

Myers, foreseeing such a situation, hadn’t officially accepted Gregory as a disciple, allowing Gregory to live safely in Oscar’s territory.

Now, bringing him out like this, throwing him into the jaws of danger as if offering the last remaining grandson as prey, was no different.

“It’s too risky. I understand that you, too, want to ask for Gregory’s help, but this is not the way.”

Knowing how dangerous and difficult it was to make a decision that involved someone’s life as a guarantee, Kalion urgently reached out and grabbed Oscar.

“No, Master.”

“To face Morrison, we need a weapon made from the dragon’s bones and heart. Gregory is the only one who can handle that.”

Kalion massaged his throbbing forehead at Oscar’s words. They couldn’t freely use the dragon’s bones and heart because of the emperor’s watchful eyes. Although what Oscar suggested seemed to be the best option, Kalion clenched his fist tightly, knowing it was impossible.

“I’ve already reported to His Majesty that the dragon has been captured.”

“Master…”

“I’ve also informed the lords of the territories on the way to the capital. I told them not to be surprised even if a large carriage travels to the capital with the commander of the knights, Kalion, and a woman from another world who captured the dragon.”

“That’s…”

Since it couldn’t be hidden anyway, the story was about announcing the capture of the dragon and the existence of Gia on a large scale. So that the emperor couldn’t hide it. 

There were easily more than six large cities on the way to the capital alone. Including small villages, the news would spread throughout the empire in no time.

“I definitely won’t be able to control it as I wish.”

“Ha… Master.”

“Neither the dragon nor Gregory.”

The trap set by the master seemed bold yet, in a way, it could be considered pushing the limits. 

Kalion sighed, thinking it might be an impossible task. 

Unlike the emperor, who had nothing to lose, Oscar had staked his grandson’s life. Kalion was amazed at why Oscar had to go to such lengths. 

The emperor of the empire seemed to abhor alchemy to such an extent. An easy solution was visible, yet annoyance arose from the fact that, because of the emperor, they had to choose a path that required sacrificing lives.

Despite capturing the dragon at the cost of the lives of his subordinates, Kalion expressed his frustration.

“I don’t understand why we have to go this far.”

Even the neatly combed hair tickled Kalion’s nerves. As Kalion ran his rough fingers through the black hair, he gazed at the old master sitting upright.

“Kalion.”

“Yes.”

Oscar’s eyes, looking at his disciple, calmly sank. The deep underground color in his eyes hinted that whatever Oscar was about to say wouldn’t be light.

“Do you know why I hid Gregory, who is both his disciple and an alchemist?”

“Because he’s your grandson…”

“I can’t deny that. But there’s a more important reason.”

“What is that?”

Kalion’s face, concentrating on Oscar’s lowered voice, became stern.

“Before his execution, he sent me a separate letter.”

“Myers?”

The revelation that Myers, who had been captured and killed by the emperor, was the sender of the letter surprised Kalion.

“It contained information about the emperor’s atrocities. And he asked me to hide my last disciple and my grandson, Gregory, well, as the only child who can carry on the essence of alchemy.”

“Atrocities…”

“The emperor is suffering from an illness.”

“An illness?”

Hiding the emperor’s health condition was only natural. It should be an extremely confidential matter known only to the emperor and the physicians. Kalion couldn’t understand why this information had been transmitted to Oscar through Myers.

“Revealing the His Majesty’s health condition recklessly is considered treason, and I am well aware of that.”

Oscar brushed his beard against Kalion’s worried face.

“Emperor Lucas, the founding hero left behind by the legendary Felician, captured the White Dragon as his legacy and gave the dragon’s bones and heart to his subordinate and lover, the alchemist Haro. You must know this.”

It was information that Kalion was already familiar with. The story felt out of place, and the connection between the emperor’s illness and the previous emperor Lucas capturing a dragon seemed unclear. The disjointed link made wrinkles appear on Kalion’s forehead.

“The last disciple of the former alchemist Haro is Myers’ last disciple is none other than Gregory.”

“Is that so.”

“And now, His Majesty believes he can cure his illness with the heart of a dragon. Moreover, he seems to think he can attain immortality.”

“Well… If that’s the case…”

If there was a reason, it could explain why Myers knew about the Emperor’s illness.

“Myers didn’t give the dragon’s heart. He probably considered it not appropriate to use it for personal greed, not for the benefit of all humans. He must have thought he needed to protect the legacy of Haro. Without realizing that the price was his own life.”

Oscar lowered his eyes. He remembered how surprised he’d been to receive the letter, and his heart still pounded at the thought.

The letter contained information about how, after the rejection, the Emperor took drastic measures, persecuting and pressuring many alchemists. While others had no choice but to make compromises to adhere to Haro’s will, they pleaded to protect young Gregory.

Oscar, too, tried everything to protect his grandson’s life. However, if Myers had officially accepted him as a disciple, hiding Gregory from the Emperor’s eyes would be impossible. 

That was only possible because Myers did not formally admit him as a disciple.

As Oscar explained, Kalion’s face became serious.

“If we show the Emperor the dragon’s heart…”

“He will undoubtedly pursue it not only to cure his illness but also to obtain immortality. He won’t hesitate to use any means and methods.”

At Oscar’s words, Kalion’s mouth gaped open. Immortality. While knowing the Emperor was greedy, he did not expect him to believe in something so fantastical.

The Emperor, who had killed his brothers to ascend the throne, now held the blood-stained seat in his greedy hands. Despite pretending to be a holy ruler and a compassionate figure, his eyes, filled with greed, couldn’t be hidden.

“Master, it seems too risky to show Gregory to His Majesty.”

“I know. The Emperor, who couldn’t let go of immortality, will try to use Gregory to get the dragon’s heart.”

“Then, it’s even more impossible.”

Kalion hoped that Oscar would stop pushing his grandson into danger. Moreover, he feared that Gregory might end up giving the Emperor immortality through his hands. Both his tone and expression were incredibly serious, pleading for understanding.

“After that incident, I secretly released people in the capital to trace His Majesty’s footsteps. I anticipated that he would move somehow to find the dragon’s heart, even to the extent of executing Myers.”

The eyes, wrinkled with a sense of melancholy, looked at Kalion, seeking understanding for his actions.

“Just in case His Majesty finds Gregory and connects the dots, I’ve been living every day, every year, in anxiety.”

“Master.”

It was a circumstance Kalion had never known. 

Kalion stared into Oscar’s tired eyes, moist with emotion. Oscar, who had suddenly disappeared to his territory, had been silent for several years. Kalion had never expected that the Emperor would be involved in the reason for Oscar’s seclusion.

“For seven years, I concealed the child’s talent, living in obscurity. I don’t want to do that anymore.”

Knowing Gregory, who, stained with distrust for people, remained in the workshop, yearning for the footsteps of his master, Oscar forcefully opened his weary eyes.

“This might be an opportunity, a stepping stone, Kalion.”

In the serious face that called his name, there was a clear determination. Rather than a response, Kalion looked at Oscar with supportive eyes.

“You risked your life and your family to protect the Empire purely out of a sense of duty. You captured the dragon to present evidence, and you and your knights… It doesn’t sit well with me that I might be using you for my ambition.”

“Master, you also risked your family and helped me. So please don’t say such things.”

Wasn’t it the same for Oscar? 

If he hadn’t captured the dragon, his family and territory would have been confiscated, and his subordinates would have been stamped with the mark of rebellion. 

That’s how ruthless the Emperor was, showing no mercy to those who didn’t submit.