As a Villain I Really Don’t Want To Be Pursued by the Heroine - Chapter 60



60

The Lionheart Kingdom is mostly steep mountains and dense forests, and even the King’s Highway is seldom flat.

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Ironblood Ridge is still some distance from Lionheart City, and even by carriage, it would take nearly a week.

Fortunately, the lead mount this time was the renowned Gale Griffin of the Lionheart Kingdom. Unable to fly due to the need to accompany the caravan, the magical beast’s aura was still enough to repel the lower-tier monsters dwelling in the forest, ensuring the journey’s safety.

The Gale Griffin is extremely fierce and valiant, unafraid even of dragon’s might. It shone brilliantly in the Second Dragon War eighteen years ago, becoming the most honored symbol among the kingdom’s nobility.

Karl is one of the few nobles who possess a griffin.

To be honest, more than status and honor, what Roy truly envied about Karl was his flashy mount. After all, status and honor would eventually be inherited, but the proud griffin recognizes only one master in its lifetime. Hence the saying, “A title is a noble’s symbol, but a griffin is a knight’s.”

Regrettably, during the stay, Roy teased it several times, and if not for Karl and his maid’s personal feeding, the creature wouldn’t even eat or drink, so proud it was.

At first, Roy was indeed excited by the kingdom’s lush forests. The carriage was inscribed with extraordinary magic, and the seat cushions woven from luxurious cotton made the ride smooth, feeling more like sightseeing than traveling.

But as time passed, Roy quickly lost interest in the monotonous forest, devoid of tourist spots and delicacies.

Along the way, there were only mountains and trees, rarely a human trace.

Fortunately, a week’s journey was bearable.

On the morning of the eighth day, before the dawn had broken, the caravan set out early, following the faint night’s light.

Roy, yawning, tired of the dense greenery he had grown accustomed to, suddenly heard a distant sound like thunder and looked up in shock.

He was astounded.

It was a towering volcano reaching into the clouds.

Beneath the leaden clouds, crimson lightning flashed between the high-hanging ridges, like a window to hell. The occasional deep booms, like the purring of some prehistoric beast, sent shivers down one’s spine.

It was a scene utterly different from the peaceful forest, vast and magnificent, yet it made one instinctively fear and revere nature’s awe-inspiring work.

“Father, is that the Doomsday Volcano?”

Covering his nose, avoiding the thick, pungent sulfur smell, Roy asked subconsciously.

Despite having read about it, seeing it in person still left Roy in awe.

“Yes, that’s where the Battle of Blazing Fields took place eighteen years ago, where we ended the Second Dragon War.”

Karl gazed at the distant volcano that seemed to pierce the sky, his eyes distant, his face flashing with hatred, sorrow, nostalgia, excitement, pride, and finally settling into a complex expression that Roy found hard to read.

“That year, under Robert’s leadership, eleven knights charged up the peak to confront that abomination.”

“Countless extraordinary warriors and a vast army were decimated in a single breath.”

“I can’t forget how terrifying the dragon’s flame that pierced the clouds was, as if it would burn the very heavens, making even the bravest griffins tremble. Just one breath felt like it would set our lungs ablaze, a monster nearly impossible for mortals to contend with.”

Karl paused, his gaze returning from the volcano to Roy.

Talking about the war was heart-pounding, but for Karl, it was always a matter of pride.

“But you still won in the end.”

Roy raised an eyebrow at Karl: “Even mortal flesh can slay gods—I remember that’s how the books record it.”

The dragons, as representatives of the mythological creatures from the First Era, were considered demigods among the people of Viseya.

Of course, the term ‘slaying gods’ was somewhat exaggerated, but Karl and his companions’ achievements were undeniable.

The education from his past life still applied in this one, which is why Roy, unable to imagine the horrors of that war, still admired Karl.

Without their contributions, the kingdom’s peace today would not exist.

Roy’s tactful praise made Karl feel somewhat honored, but he did not indulge in it, quickly gesturing modestly with his hand: “No, if anything, I merely basked in Robert’s glory.”

“How so?”

Roy perked up his ears, instantly curious.

Compared to the half-baked documents and sporadic historical records in “Angel’s Waltz,” the testimony of an eyewitness was far more convincing.

To hear the “Eleven Knights of the King” recount that glorious past, wasn’t it far more interesting than flipping through dry history books?

“At that time, we ultimately failed to accompany Robert to the end,” Karl said with a sigh.

“I know how the history books put it—eleven knights persevered to the end, cutting through the flames alongside the young king.”

“In fact, at that time, all of us knights, including myself, had been struck down, and the army was on the verge of collapse. Morale was at an all-time low, many had even given up hope, and the kingdom was but one step away from annihilation.”

“However, there was one person who did not give up, who bravely advanced against the volcanic flames at that moment.”

Roy had already guessed the name of that person and continued the topic: “His Majesty the King?”

“Correct, Robert Reinhardt was the bravest warrior I’ve ever seen.” Karl spoke with admiration when mentioning him.

“On the battlefield, he always led from the front, laughing wildly despite grave injuries, fighting to the death without retreat. He was a true Lionheart King; many of the dragonkind feared him, not daring to confront him head-on.”

“In fact, according to Robert, the fire dragon was also at its limit at that time. It was indeed Robert’s self-sacrificing strike that ultimately killed that fiend, burying it in the Doomsday Volcano.”

Listening to Karl’s narrative, Roy envisioned the young king, riding a golden-red gale griffin, roaring against the dragon’s flames, battling the fire dragon to the ends of the heavens in a heroic scene.

It made his blood boil with excitement.

Of course, if it were him fighting the dragonkind, he’d rather not. Respect is respect, but compared to being a hero, Roy preferred to live a few more years.

Karl’s assessment of Robert was not a bit different from what Roy had read in the history books.

“Lionheart King,” “Braveheart,” “Crimson Flame Dancing on the Dragon’s Back,” Robert was indeed a living legend, the true hero who saved the entire kingdom, whose status in the hearts of the people even surpassed that of the founding monarch.

Fortunately, he hadn’t offended Charlotte like ‘the bad young Roy’ had; otherwise, not to mention Charlotte herself, such a fierce father would have been enough to kill him a hundred times over.

But on second thought, now that he was on good terms with Charlotte, and Karl had a life-and-death friendship with Robert, rounding up, such a formidable person could be his own support!

Roy was secretly delighted, while routinely mocking ‘the bad young Roy’ for being seriously ill. Not loyally serving such a formidable person, he must have been out of his mind to get involved with a cult, deserving to die a violent death.

After Karl’s storytelling session ended, the caravan had already crossed the volcano, and the corner of Lionheart City could be faintly seen in the distance.

What puzzled Roy, however, was that halfway through, the caravan steered in the opposite direction of the capital.

“Aren’t we going to the capital?”

Faced with Roy’s puzzled look, Karl smiled mysteriously: “Don’t be in a hurry, I’ve prepared a surprise for you.”