Chapter 45: Jack the Ripper • Melkvi

When the Flame Dragon tribe initially invaded the Silver Dragon tribe, General Leon had conducted an indiscriminate layoff.
Not only did he physically “impeach” the boss Constantine, but his elite soldiers and generals were also nearly wiped out.
So now when various dragon tribes rose up against them, they could barely fight back.
Their only advantage was fighting on home ground, understanding the terrain, allowing them to fight while retreating.
Constantine’s remaining followers wanting to find a place to hide and make a comeback – that wouldn’t be possible anytime soon.
The dragon tribes previously invaded by the Flame Dragons wouldn’t miss this golden opportunity. They had to take advantage while these guys were severely weakened, to bite a chunk of flesh from their bodies.
As for whether the Flame Dragon tribe would slowly rise again and take revenge – that was a matter for the future.
Dragons had always had a fanatical obsession with “revenge.”
Just like when Leon’s Blood Enchantment successfully made Rosvitha pregnant – Rosvitha exhausted everything to save him, waiting for him to wake up so she could repay the suffering she endured many times over.
And now the dragon tribes that had been plundered by Constantine were the same. They knew the saying “when will the cycle of revenge end,” but they didn’t care.
Taking revenge was behavior carved into dragon bloodlines, unchanged even after thousands of years.
Leon and Rosvitha crouched on the treetop, watching the show for quite a while.
Those dragons participating in ‘kicking them while they’re down’ were very efficient, quickly forcing out Constantine’s remaining followers hiding in the shadows.
Thus, a game of cat and mouse began.
Although the revenge-seeking dragon tribes weren’t crazy enough to want to swallow the entire Flame Dragon tribe in one go, it was quite nice to harass these demoralized, leaderless remnants.
After watching for a while, Leon asked puzzledly, “How come besides Constantine, the Flame Dragon tribe doesn’t seem to have anyone capable of fighting? They’re just being chased around?”
“All the capable ones were eliminated by you. Those still alive are equivalent to the Flame Dragon tribe’s civil officials, so naturally they don’t have much fighting power,” Rosvitha said. After a pause, she added, “Besides, whether they can fight or not shouldn’t make much difference in your eyes, right?”
Leon paused, pondering, “Come to think of it, that’s true…”
It was like students who scored 10 points versus 20 points on a test.
Objectively speaking, the student who scored 20 was indeed stronger than the one who scored 10, but it was just a case of “the pot calling the kettle black” – in a true top student’s eyes, they both failed.
To General Leon, all the Flame Dragon tribe members below Constantine, whether they scored 10 points or 20 points or 30 points, were all “failing grades.”
That’s why Rosvitha said “it makes no difference to you.”
Rare for the dragoness to praise him, Leon had to take advantage of this opportunity, “Now you know how amazing I am, right?”
Rosvitha clicked her tongue, coaxing him like a child, “Yes, yes, yes, you’re amazing.”
“Of course I am.”
“Hmph… Silver Dragon captive,” Rosvitha mumbled.
“What did you say?” Leon didn’t hear clearly.
Rosvitha turned and smiled, “Nothing, just complimenting you.”
After chatting briefly, the couple returned their attention to the guerrilla warfare below.
“When Shelly came to gather intelligence earlier, she found someone who meets our requirements,” Rosvitha said. “He became the acting Dragon King of the Crimson Flame Dragon Clan recently, and belongs to Constantine’s faction. Even if he’s not the person from Morin’s memories, he must know quite a bit about what’s going on behind the scenes.”
Leon’s eyes shifted, not focusing on the person Rosvitha mentioned, but instead asked, “Do dragon clans have different internal factions too?”
Rosvitha nodded, “Of course, especially in ancient and massive clans like the Crimson Flame Dragons. While their internal faction struggles aren’t exactly at daggers drawn, they’ll still stir up trouble when given the chance. Like with Constantine’s death – his faction probably had to work hard to keep their power from being seized by other factions.”
“They’re still fighting among themselves even when things are this dire?” Leon was surprised.
“Power is the most addictive drug in the world. No one can resist it.”
Leon thought for a moment and asked, “Then is your Silver Dragon clan also—”
“Shh… something’s happening.” Rosvitha put a finger to her lips, gesturing for Leon to look down.
The new development came at a convenient time, preventing Leon from finishing his question about whether the Silver Dragon clan also had factional disputes.
The answer was of course yes.
However, Rosvitha had managed to either suppress or mediate all such conflicts.
Power struggles were exceptionally dirty and dark affairs, full of endless schemes and machinations. Rosvitha didn’t want the current Leon to be exposed to those things.
While she did want her fake husband to understand more about the dark side of this world to avoid being schemed against or backstabbed in the future, it had to be a gradual process that couldn’t be rushed.
Otherwise… it might turn this bright and cheerful boy into a depressed shut-in.
Bringing her thoughts back to the present, she focused on the matter at hand.
Rosvitha pointed at the dense firelight below the trees, “They seem to have found their leader and are surrounding him.”
“Is it the person Shelly reported about?”
Rosvitha nodded, “Probably.”
Looking at the panicked Crimson Flame dragons fleeing below, Leon snorted dismissively, “The tall ones get hit first when the sky falls – being Dragon King isn’t an easy position.”
“Well, he’s just an interim acting Dragon King. It’s already impressive that he stepped up to manage things in such dire circumstances. If he survives this period, making a comeback isn’t impossible.”
Rosvitha looked at Leon, “Now tell me about your clever plan.”
“It’s not really clever, but it’ll definitely work. Their guerrilla warfare seems too comfortable right now, so they need more pressure. We need to turn up the heat on them.”
“I’ll follow your lead.”
The couple melted into the shadows, waiting for their moment to strike.
Meanwhile, below, the foreign dragon clans were pursuing the remaining Crimson Flame dragons.
“Chase them! Chase them down! It’s time for revenge!”
“Hey, you Crimson Flames up ahead, I preferred your arrogant attitudes from before – care to show them again?”
“……”
While the Crimson Flame dragons were boiling with rage, retreat remained their primary strategy.
“Damn it, these guys are like flies. They won’t commit to a full assault or try to swallow us whole – they just keep harassing us like annoying insects.”
“Hmph, petty cowards. They want revenge but fear our clan’s remaining power. They’re unworthy of being called dragons!”
“Brother, stop bragging and help cover August’s retreat to the safe house. Once we get there, we should be able to shake them off.”
August was their elected acting Dragon King.
As Rosvitha had said, he was a civil official – they didn’t choose a military official because General Leon had cleaned those out.
While some subordinates had fighting capabilities, if they actually engaged with those stalkers behind them, they might not be able to protect August.
So with their forces severely depleted, playing it safe and rebuilding was the better option.
“Damn, they know the terrain well – it’s hard to catch up!”
“We still need to harass them. If we don’t take a bite out of them now, it’ll be much harder once they recover their strength.”
“Wait! I think one of the Crimson Flames was taken down? Who- who did that? There’s a reward!”
The dynamics of the chase suddenly shifted.
The retreating Crimson Flames had been skillfully handling their pursuers using the terrain to their advantage.
But mysteriously, their numbers began decreasing one by one.
“Wh-what’s happening? Is there an ambush?”
“Truly pathetic cowards! What honor is there in sneaking around in the shadows? If you’re proud dragons, show yourselves and fight us properly!”
“Brother, why are you getting more worked up? Let’s just run!”
Under the protection of his fellow Crimson Flames, Acting Dragon King August was getting closer to the safe house.
However, as his companions had noted, their numbers were steadily declining.
This meant there were extremely swift assassins among their pursuers, with strength far exceeding their own.
To silently take down so many… which dragon clan could it be?
August pondered – was it the Silver Dragons? After all, only Rosvitha’s race possessed such ghost-like speed.
But Silver Dragons sacrificed their direct combat ability for that speed. So even if they were incredibly fast, they shouldn’t be able to take down a Crimson Flame dragon in an instant and retreat without being detected.
Who could it be…
August had no time to think further and could only continue retreating toward the safe house.
However, before he could run more than a few steps, a flash of blue light suddenly cut through the air behind him. The killing intent grazed the back of his head, and a Crimson Flame dragon behind him fell.
August immediately turned and unleashed dragon flame.
But there was no one behind him.
The remaining Crimson Flames surrounded August to protect him.
“Such incredible speed… is it the Silver Dragons?” Others also suspected Silver Dragons had joined the fray.
“No, that was clearly lightning magic… since when do Silver Dragons use lightning magic?”
“Have you lost your mind from fear? Forgot how King Constantine fell? Wasn’t it that armored person using lightning magic who— wait… could it be… that person is here?!” Turns out he was the one who’d lost his mind from fear.
The guards grew anxious, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
August stared into the darkness. He had never personally seen this “armored person who uses lightning magic” that his clansmen spoke of.
On the day King Constantine went to battle, he had left August to guard their home.
Civil officials weren’t suited for charging into battle.
And it was precisely this decision that had saved August’s life. Otherwise, based on the survivors’ descriptions, that armored person would likely have dispatched August as well.
However, you can’t escape fate forever – the person who killed King Constantine… had finally come?
August’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a sharp bird cry.
But by the time he came to his senses, two more guards beside him had fallen.
“It- it’s him! Definitely him!! That lightning strike… such speed!”
“You think your little lightning tricks can frighten me?! Show yourself, and I’ll tear you apart, you underhanded coward!”
“Brother! You’re— nevermind, I’m tired. Just let us die.”
Cold sweat dripped down August’s temple.
Pressure.
This was the pressure the survivors had spoken of…
Even without seeing this armored person who used lightning magic, he could viscerally feel it.
Such overwhelming power… no wonder King Constantine had fallen to him.
And he… was just a human.
“There’s movement over there! Quick, after them!”
The pursuers, having heard the lightning strikes, rapidly approached.
The remaining guards positioned themselves in front of August.
“Run to the safe house, as fast as you can! We’ll draw them away!”
August didn’t dare linger and raced toward the safe house at full speed.
Soon, the sounds of magical combat erupted behind him.
After covering some distance, the lightning magic user hadn’t struck again – presumably successfully drawn away by the guards.
August paused and looked back – fighting continued in the distance.
“My King… what should I do…” August muttered.
“If you’re that curious about what your King would say, I don’t mind sending you to ask him personally.”
An unfamiliar voice came from behind.
It felt like electricity shot through August’s spine. He froze in place, fear seeping from every pore of his body.
Footsteps slowly approached.
August’s heartbeat quickened with each step.
Gritting his teeth, he used all his strength to turn around and release a blast of scorching dragon flame.
But the opponent’s lightning was clearly superior, easily dispersing August’s flames.
August now recognized who stood before him.
“Leon Casmode…”
“Oh, I’m quite famous, aren’t I?”
The lightning wielder emerged from the shadows, blue arcs crackling around his right hand, indicating he could launch another strike at August at any moment.
August forced himself to stay calm, secretly taking half a step back.
Confirming that Leon hadn’t noticed his small movement, he suddenly spread his dragon wings, planning to escape by air.
The human before him might be powerful, but he couldn’t fly.
And with the pursuing dragons drawn away some distance, August could completely retreat to the safe house through the air.
However, while the plan was good, reality often deals harsh blows.
Just as August looked up, he saw a silver figure plummeting from above.
BOOM—
The impact kicked up thick dust.
As the dust settled, Rosvitha stood with her foot on August’s arm, silver dragon wings spread behind her.
“Nice, nice – you figured I can’t fly so you tried to escape upward.”
Leon gave a few symbolic claps as he slowly walked toward August, “But my wife can fly. Bet you didn’t expect that?”
Rosvitha, who had been maintaining a serious pose, almost broke character hearing the words “my wife.”
She shot Leon a glare, blushing.
If they hadn’t discussed his “clever plan” beforehand, Rosvitha would have internally criticized Leon a thousand times by now.
Rosvitha looked away, then kicked August over to Leon’s feet before retracting her dragon wings and walking to Leon’s side.
August sat up awkwardly, looking at Leon before turning to Rosvitha.
“I never imagined that you, a Dragon King, would actually unite with a human… What a disgrace to dragonkind.”
“We—”
“So what?” Rosvitha’s voice was cold. “I married a good husband, and my daughters have a good father. I don’t see what’s disgraceful about that.”
Upon hearing this, regardless of August’s mental state, Leon was quite surprised.
Since August knew Leon’s human identity, there was no need to keep up appearances in front of him.
Leon’s earlier reference to “my wife” was mostly the pride of a victor speaking.
When August had just said “mating with humans is a disgrace to dragonkind,” Leon had wanted to retort with something about ‘victors and losers.’
But unexpectedly, Rosvitha started showing off their relationship…
Did this female dragon have a protective wife streak?
sigh
Women truly are complex.
However, flaunting their relationship was obviously an ineffective counterattack against August.
He snorted coldly, “I have no interest in your relationship. Do what you want with me, kill me or torture me.”
Oh? Already jumping to “kill or torture”?
Didn’t expect you to be such a loyal subject, old man.
Leon slowly crouched down, looking at August, “Killing or torture can come later. Before that, I have a few questions I’d like to ask you.”
“Do I look like a prisoner who will answer everything you ask?”
“Well, that’s—”
Before Leon could finish, Rosvitha flew forward with a kick to August’s chest, knocking the old fellow to the ground.
Leon was stunned, looking up at Rosvitha in surprise, “What are you doing?”
“He doesn’t deserve to use the word ‘prisoner.'”
“Huh?”
“What’s there to ‘huh’ about? Continue the interrogation.”
“Oh…”
Leon went forward and dragged August under a giant tree.
He could still hear the sounds of magical battles in the distance.
“I know you won’t talk easily, but you’re in our hands now after all.”
Leon spoke in a casual tone,
“You and your subordinates were running in this direction, which suggests you have a new position or safe location ahead. But obviously, you won’t be reaching it now.”
“So if we can’t get anything out of you, we’ll hand you over to those dragon clans that your Crimson Flame dragons once invaded.”
“While total annihilation isn’t my style, just listen – your subordinates are about to be defeated by those dragons seeking revenge. Once they’re beaten, you’re next, aren’t you? Just because I won’t kill you doesn’t mean they won’t.”
With those dragons’ abilities, they indeed couldn’t have captured August in an away battle.
But who could have predicted Casmode would appear out of nowhere?
Catching August was as easy as catching a piglet, completely beyond what those dragons outside could manage.
And if Leon handed August over to them, August’s fate would need no explanation.
Death might be the easiest release.
“Heh… you think laying out these unfavorable circumstances will make me tell you what you want to know? You’re really underestimating us Crimson Flame dragons.”
As expected of someone who rose to Constantine’s second-in-command, his resolve was strong.
Leon scratched his temple, pretending to be troubled, “Well in that case, we’ll have to do this the hard way. You know about that memory-probing magic, right?”
August raised an eyebrow and sneered, “You want to use that magic on me? Fine, I’ll resist the moment your magic power enters my mind. When the two forces clash, it’ll burn out my brain in an instant – that would be a release for me.”
The old fellow was determined to die.
“No, no, no, everyone knows the limitations of memory probing magic. As you said, the clash of magical forces would be fatal for the subject,”
Leon said, “But… we can use memory probing after you’re too weak to use magic.”
“Planning to torture me? Ridiculous. I don’t fear death, why would I fear torture?”
“Don’t speak too soon, old man.” Leon moved closer to August, then pointed back at Rosvitha, “You know her, right? The Silver Dragon Queen.”
August glared at him.
Damn human brat, giving me a lecture on dragon royalty?
“Seems you do know. Then do you know what her nickname is?” Leon asked mysteriously.
“What…”
“The Midnight Ripper – Melkvi!”
Rosvitha: ……
August’s eye twitched: “R-Ripper?”
“Yes. My wife has a quirk – if she doesn’t kill a dragon each month, she gets terribly uncomfortable.”
“I’ve never heard of the Silver Dragon Queen having such a habit…” August questioned.
“Of course outsiders wouldn’t know. I’m her husband, we’ve lived together for three years, so naturally I know all her little secrets that others don’t.”
Leon spoke as if it were all true, “And wouldn’t you know it, it’s been exactly a month since my wife last killed someone.”
Hearing this, August nervously swallowed, but still maintained his defiance, “Don’t try to scare me. Like I said, do what you want – kill me or torture me.”
“Hey, why are you being so stubborn, old man? I’m trying to help you here.”
Leon said, “If you don’t cooperate with me now, when my wife’s urges kick in later, she’ll first cut off your arms and legs, then take a small knife and slowly cut from your kidneys up to your stomach.”
As he spoke, Leon traced his finger along August’s belly, making measurements,
“Then, she’ll tear open your stomach – note the word ‘tear’ – so things like intestines and liver might pop out.”
“But don’t worry, I’ll blindfold you and give you an adrenaline shot to help you last a bit longer.”
“Rest assured, I’ve helped my wife with this procedure several times already, I’m quite experienced.”
“By my calculations, you should be able to hold out for a minute or two. By then, you’ll definitely be too weak to use magic, and we can use memory probing magic.”
Leon shrugged, “So this isn’t torture as you say, it’s just some fun games between me and my wife, you know, we really enjoy the game.”
Sweat slid down August’s nose as he shrank back, glancing at the Silver Dragon Queen.
She stood there, having produced a small knife at some point, its blade gleaming coldly as she casually filed her nails with it.
August closed his eyes and let out a long breath.
Leon thought he was going to cooperate, but instead:
“I won’t be frightened by you! What’s so scary about being disemboweled? It’s nothing!” August showed the bearing of a martyr ready to die for his cause.
“Old man, you—”
“Leon, move aside. I’ll start by cutting off this old thing’s arms.”
Rosvitha approached quickly with her knife.
August was so scared his tail curled up as he trembled against the tree.
“Wait!”
Leon quickly blocked Rosvitha’s path, “Let me try again, we can definitely get the information peacefully.”
“But I haven’t killed anyone in a month, Leon, I feel terrible.” Rosvitha pleaded miserably.
“Be patient, dear, just hold on a bit longer.”
“No, I can’t hold back anymore, I must cut into him today! He won’t tell us any information anyway, there’s no use keeping him.”
With that, Rosvitha tried to move past Leon.
“Hey hey hey, darling, really, just wait a bit more, he’s about to talk, trust me.”
“He said himself he won’t talk. Move aside quickly, I still want to use his intestines as a clothesline.”
“No no no, wife, listen to me, he’s really about to talk! Besides, your clothesline can still be used, it’s made from the last person’s tendons!”
“I don’t care, I don’t care! He won’t talk! I—”
“I’ll talk!”
Finally, August’s psychological defenses crumbled.
Damn it, this twisted couple was too frightening – any loyalty seemed laughable before them.
They didn’t care how stubborn August was; compared to that, they seemed more concerned about their “game” methods.
Tearing open stomachs, intestine clotheslines, tendon ropes… just hearing it was painful!
Even though they hadn’t done anything yet, August’s stress levels were maxed out.
Though the old fellow was devoted to the Crimson Flame dragons and prepared for torture,
as Leon said, this wasn’t torture – it was a game prepared for the Ripper Silver Dragon Queen.
Like how the world is full of reason, but would you try to reason with a lunatic?
No.
So…
There was no point being stubborn in front of two psychopaths – there was nothing to gain.