Side Stories: Chapter 17

Wesker waited nervously for the promised time. To accomplish their plan, it had been necessary to hand over the dragons body to Piros. However, as their last meeting showed, there was not an ounce of trust between the two. Fear that Piros might just take the dragons body and escape tormented Wesker. If it had been any other item, Wesker wouldnt have worried so much about it and simply expressed anger and hate toward the robber. However, considering the value and rarity of the dragons body, he was extremely worried about the item.

Hes really going to return it according to plan, right? Wesker spent more restless nights wondering about it As a warrior with strong mana, he didnt feel much fatigue just because he didnt sleep a couple of nights, but the worry that kept him awake gave him tremendous stress.

The stress and wariness made him look visibly haggard that the Karuwiman priest working with him for the festival even asked, Is there anything going on, sir?

Of course, Wesker replied that nothing was going on. He couldnt honestly tell the priest about the deal he made, and his arrogant personality didnt want to admit that he was fretting over a matter like this. A part of him was ashamed that he felt anxious when he should always exude elegance and ease as a n.o.ble. No matter what Wesker felt, time continued to go at its own pace.

Finally, the promised day came. Wesker felt uneasy the whole time, and he headed to the promised location long before the appointed time. All sorts of thoughts swirled in Weskers head as he walked. What would happen if those guys didnt keep their promise? Was it really right to trust a Bellid? How would he be able to track them down if they escaped with the dragons body? Would he even be able to catch them? Yet, when he opened the door of the worn-out house where the last meeting took place, all the worries he had disappeared instantly.

You sure came early. Piros was just like how he was a couple of days ago, and he was sitting in front of an old table.

Thank you Karuna. Wesker thanked G.o.d Karuna without a second thought. If Karuna had really heard him, then they wouldve scolded Wesker about collaborating with the Bellids in the first place if he really felt grateful.

You look very nervous. Did you think I was going to run away with the goods or something?

...Who are you saying is nervous? Wesker bluffed like he had been confident the whole time, yet the dark circles under his eyes easily proved otherwise. Piros snickered at Wesker inside his mind.

Acting all tough when hes so weak, Piros thought, but he didnt show his thoughts on his face.

Instead, he said, Is that so? I mustve been mistaken. Sorry about that.

Just give me the item back, Wesker demanded and Piros had to hold back his laughter; it was because Wesker looked like an agitated dog wanting to go to the toilet even though he just claimed that he had never been nervous. Thus, Piros thought that it wouldnt be too bad to tease Wesker a bit.

Why are you in such a hurry? There is still so much time left. Why dont we have some tea that we couldnt enjoy last time? I brought a clean and nice teacup. Though it may not compare to the ones that n.o.bles use, I think you would find it suitable for a single...

Just give me the d.a.m.n item! Wesker said in annoyance. Piros thought about agitating Wesker even further, but seeing Weskers seriousness, he handed the dragons body back to him.

Here it is. Piros took out the dragons corpse, and Wesker stared at the dragons body. The weight he felt was the same as before. Wesker also tried knocking and pulling on the skin. It felt the same as several days ago. The number of scales and the size of the skin were exactly like before. Wesker finally felt relieved.

Are you satisfied now?

Its good to see you didnt break your promise.

Why would we do such a thing? The dragons body is nothing compared to the plan we are seeking to accomplish.

Perhaps, he no longer felt anxious after having the dragons body in his hands, but Wesker took a seat in front of Piros. The arrogance and overconfidence that temporarily disappeared began to show up in his movements again.

Will you drink the tea this time? Piros pushed the unbroken teacup toward Piros. Wesker took the teacup and sipped the tea Piros had poured for him.

It tastes cheap, Wesker said.

We cant get expensive ones while running away.

Wesker shrugged and raised his teacup. Piros cup was as dirty and chipped as before.

You drink so well with a cup like that.

You will understand my position if you lose everything and become a fugitive.

That sounds very unfortunate, Wesker said. He almost snorted at Piros comment. Why would he ever be in the position of a fugitive? He was completely different from these losers. Wesker laughed at Piros desperate situation inside his mind. It seemed like he was now back to his original self.

Okay, so have you completed the necessary preparations? Wesker asked. He didnt touch the tea ever since he realized it was cheap.

Of course. All my subordinates who survived with me combined all our skills together and made preparations. Not only did we use all the useful treasures we brought... Piros light-hearted tone turned serious and solemn.

Some must have sacrificed their lives.

It wasnt simple rhetoric when they said that they poured their all into this plan. Wesker didnt laugh at Piros inside his mind this time. He was sure that his collaborator was completely sincere about this matter.

Listen well from here on out since I will begin my explanation of the plan, Piros said and Wesker listened earnestly. Give that to the Karuwimans and stick it next to the rest of the dragons body parts. Then, our first step would be a success. But that wont be enough. You have to do a few more things with the dragon. Would that be possible?

Yes, it wont matter. I can just do that when we guard the dragon.

To reveal the dragons body just before the end of the festival, it was going to be covered by a large wooden wall. Thus, it was easy to tinker with it without getting caught.

That measure youre talking about belongs to the Bellids. Are you sure we wont get caught? The holy knights and priests will be carefully checking the dragon from time to time just in case.

Since the dragons body parts were such precious items, the Karuwimans were constantly guarding it to make sure no one stole even a part of it. Wesker continued, If they feel Bellid energy, our plan will not only fail, but theyll employ all possible means to catch the culprit.

If he gets caught as the culprit, he and his family would be ruined.

You dont have to worry about that. Weve meticulously hidden G.o.d Bellus energy and taken certain measures. Although theyre all gone now, please remember that we successfully implemented our people right under their noses before.

Then thats a relief.

Of course, we dont know what will happen if the Pope or the Saintess directly investigates it, but that will never happen.

Wesker also agreed. From what he knew, all the dragon slayers agreed to rent out their shares to the Karuwimans. This meant that most of the body parts were still intact. However, this didnt mean that the dragons body parts maintained their original state right after the dragon died. Quite a few people had already experimented with the body of the legendary dragon, especially the mages. Thus, what if the mana they infused for their experiment got ruined by the Karuwimans holy energy? This was a risk that the Karuwimans would absolutely not take. Therefore, there was almost zero chance that the Pope and Saintess would directly check the dragons body for a detailed investigation.

So, if I do a good job, all our preparations will be finished.

Yes, thats exactly it. If that happens, our plan will succeed! Piros voice was full of excitement. Those d.a.m.n Karuwiman b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. How dare they act so arrogant, thinking that they completely crushed us?! A festival to celebrate the first anniversary of the Bellid conquest? Lets see if they can keep their heads up after seeing the festival in chaos!

His voice grew louder. Their arrogance will be their ruin! We will show all the foolish people in the world the fear of the great Bellids!

Be quiet! Although they were in a hidden back alleyway, someone might be able to hear them. Wesker didnt think that this shabby building was soundproof. At Weskers rebuke, Piros immediately stopped talking.

...I got too excited for a moment. I apologize.

Be careful. It would be ridiculous if our plan got leaked because of this. Fortunately, when Wesker increased his detection range, he couldnt sense any signs of activity nearby.

Anyway, if you finish everything properly, all thats left is to wait for the uprising.

The festival will truly be a sight to see.

Yes, I agree. Since so many foolish people are coming to see the dragon, we should fulfill their wishes. Ill make sure they enjoy seeing the dragon to their hearts content so that theyll never want to see the dragon again! Piros laughed maliciously.

Wesker replied, Im really looking forward to it. Since thats when your revenge will come true.

Why are you talking like its only my business? You must also feel the same way.

...Yes.

Ill trust that youre not having cold feet after coming this far.

Of course not. Wesker wasnt afraid; he just couldnt empathize with the word revenge. What a fool. Wesker mocked Piros inside his mind. Revenge against the Karuwimanswhy would he want to do such a thing? He didnt like the Karuwiman denomination, which challenged the authority of the n.o.bles, but he was also a believer in Karuna. Besides, hed never been harmed by the Karuwimans.

I dont know exactly why, but this guy has a strange misunderstanding about me wanting revenge and asked for my cooperation. At first, Wesker thought about killing or capturing these guys and making the Karuwimans indebted to him. However, he soon changed his mind after hearing that the Bellids plan was to make the dragon into an undead.

The world-renowned dragon slayersWesker thought he would never lose to them. However, he couldnt prove it. Foolish and ignorant humans were only interested in the fact that the dragon slayer defeated a dragon and not if they had excellent skills.

Thus, he needed to also defeat a dragon to prove to everyone that he was just as good, if not better than them. But theres no dragon.

He gritted his teeth; Wesker thought that if he had been part of the battle against the dragon, he could have defeated the dragon more easily than them. However, now he had the opportunity to prove himself through the undead dragon that was going to be made using the dragons corpse. n.o.body knew how powerful the undead dragon was going to be; Piros argued that it would be about the same as the original dragons power, but Wesker was not stupid enough to believe this.

It doesnt matter. Since foolish people enthusiastically cheered for mediocre fighters for defeating a dragon, theyd also praise him for defeating an undead dragon.

Moreover, this is a plot by the Bellids. In other words, he would also gain a reputation for supplanting the Bellids conspiracy. It was a situation that was extremely favorable for him in many ways, and it was way better than being stuck in a mansion and insulting those lucky dragon slayers with amazing achievements. After thinking this far, Wesker enthusiastically agreed with Piros plan. It was a little uncomfortable that he was following the Bellids, but the Bellids would also eventually fall under his hands.