Chapter 60 : Wyvern’s Nest (4)

What I desire…

Wolfgang paused in thought. To be honest, she was tempted.

The investigation had hit a wall, and the Kingdom’s interference only grew stronger.

The idea of letting these creatures go and securing valuable information was tempting.

Alternatively, torturing the truth out of them before ending their existence crossed her mind.

Yet, Wolfgang couldn’t commit to either option.

She removed her military cap, her stern gaze falling upon the Wyvern’s Nest.

The creature, sensing her hesitation, suddenly felt an oppressive heat, as if its very flesh were being scorched.

The Wyvern’s Nest raised its head just in time to witness a massive, flaming sphere heading directly toward it. Initially, it thought it was the sun itself. But no, it was something far deadlier.

Realizing the imminent threat, the Wyverns’s Nest summoned every ounce of power it had to conjure a barrier.

Wyverns were known for their formidable magic—an ability thought to be reserved for the intelligent races of the continent. Wyverns, the descendants—or perhaps successors—of the great protectors of the realm, wielded powers akin to gods.

At least, that’s what humans believed.

But even godlike magic crumbled like fragile glass before the fiery sphere.

The barrier shattered, leaving the Wyvern’s Nest to bear the brunt of the flames with its own body.

When the fireball finally extinguished, leaving only ash in its wake, the charred remains of the Wyvern’s Nest lingered, barely alive. It groaned in pain before speaking:

[Why…? It wasn’t even a deal that would harm you.]

“A deal must be made between equals.”

[….]

“Do you truly think you and I stand on equal footing?”

To an outsider, Wolfgang’s words might have seemed harsh. But she had learned during the Winter War that kindness was wasted on monsters.

[W-wait. If I don’t reveal what I know, you may never find it.]

“So what?”

[Are you seriously going to kill me regardless?]

Despite the Wyvern’s desperate protests, it didn’t even consider resisting. It knew all too well that Wolfgang’s earlier attack hadn’t been her full strength.

It was clinging to hope—if only she could be convinced, its survival might be ensured. The Wyvern’s pride meant nothing in the face of survival; it would beg, plead, and do whatever was necessary to stay alive.

“Do you want to live that badly?”

[There is no living being that wishes for death. I am no different.]

“Then tell me everything you know.”

[….Once I’ve told you, will you kill me anyway?]

“If that bothers you, you can turn to ash right here and now.”

Wolfgang’s uncompromising demeanor left the Wyvern’s Nest with no illusions about its predicament. Whether it spoke or not, its fate seemed sealed.

Yet, it chose to gamble, hoping to prolong its life just a little longer.

With a trembling voice, it began to divulge its secrets.

The instincts burned into every monster’s blood compelled them to seek out and kill certain individuals.

The Wyvern explained this was why some monsters targeted specific humans—those individuals were key figures who had once defeated the Demon King.

“Are you saying they were heroes?”

[Yes.]

“And you? Did you attack the Kingdom too?”

[We can resist our instincts. By helping each other, we ensure such meaningless violence doesn’t happen.]

“You consider it meaningless?”

[The Demon King is nothing but a relic of the past. Why should we risk our lives for an old ruler?]

The Dragon admitted that, thanks to their instincts, they knew where the fallen heroes rested.

Strong-willed monsters might resist those urges, but the knowledge lingered in their blood.

“Good. Then where are they?”

The Dragon’s Nest summoned a glowing orb and floated it toward Wolfgang.

Upon closer inspection, it was a crystal sphere, a device used to record and store information.

“What is this?”

[A memory crystal. You call it an artifact.]

“And this contains the locations?”

[Yes, but it is designed to unlock over time. It cannot be opened immediately.]

“What’s the catch?”

[If I were to reveal everything at once, you’d kill me on the spot, wouldn’t you?]

Wolfgang didn’t bother denying the obvious. The Wyvern wasn’t wrong.

[The crystal will reveal its contents slowly over the course of a month.]

“And if I kill you here and now?”

[Then the crystal will lose its power, and you’ll never find what you seek.]

The implication was clear: if Wolfgang wanted the information, she’d have to let the Wyvern live.

Wolfgang nodded as if she understood, giving the Wyvern a flicker of hope.

But in the very next moment, Wolfgang snapped her fingers.

The flames she had extinguished roared back to life, engulfing the Wyvern’s Nest.

“Negotiating with monsters is out of the question.”

The Wyvern’s anguished screams echoed across the sky, but Wolfgang’s expression remained resolute.

Letting the Wyvern live might have made uncovering the Kingdom’s secrets easier, allowing her to return to the Empire faster.

But some lines were not to be crossed.

Wolfgang had fought too many monsters during the Winter War and lost too many comrades.

To her, negotiating with monsters—especially one as dangerous as the Wyvern’s Nest—was unthinkable.

As the Wyvern’s Nest disintegrated into ashes, the crystal it had offered crumbled and scattered into the wind. Wolfgang watched it disappear, her lips curving into a wry smile.

“Maybe I should have accepted.”

Though she felt a twinge of regret, she knew she wouldn’t change her decision.

True achievements were earned through effort, not shortcuts.

Meanwhile, back at the royal palace, the atmosphere was tense.

Wolfgang’s swift intervention had prevented casualties, but the overwhelming power of the Wyverns had instilled deep fear in the people.

As the Wyvern’s Nest fell, its massive, shadowy form left a haunting image in the minds of those who saw it. Some dropped to their knees, praying fervently for salvation.

And then, from the horizon, a brilliant pillar of fire streaked through the sky, carving a blazing arc before disappearing with the Wyvern’s Nest.

To the people, it was nothing short of a miracle.

Hope bloomed where despair had taken root, and as Wolfgang returned to the palace, the cheers of the people erupted into a deafening roar. Even Wolfgang herself was taken aback.

“What the… What’s going on now?”

Unaware of the full extent of her impact, Wolfgang pressed onward.