Me, the Weakest Member of the Hero’s Party? I’m the Villain Though? - Chapter 71
“If you’re a witch, you wouldn’t be ignorant of cursecraft. Why did you pretend it was madness?”
“Yes, explain yourself!”
Elonen and Derek joined forces to corner Mildred.
“I’ve spent all this time and effort trying to cure His Highness’s illness, and now you doubt me?”
“Curses aren’t something you treat, they’re something you break. So what exactly did you try so hard to do?”
When it became clear no one believed her, Mildred let out a long, heavy sigh. The brows she’d been wearing in false helplessness lifted, and her stooped back straightened.
“Seems there’s no point in insisting further. I thought I could keep you fooled a little longer, but as expected, the eyes of the Silver Saint saw right through me.”
“What are you saying? Fooled us?”
She was practically admitting she’d been hiding her true nature. Derek, however, just stood there stunned, staring blankly at Mildred as if unwilling—or unable—to believe it.
“Enough acting. Hero’s party, let me ask you something. You came here searching for the Black Flame Dragon, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
Kyle answered with a nod, though his expression stayed guarded. It wasn’t clear why Mildred was suddenly asking this.
“I can guide you to where he is.”
“You know where?”
Kyle’s expression tightened with doubt. A witch who had deceived everyone now claiming she could lead them straight to the Black Flame Dragon? There was little reason to trust her.
“Yes, I know quite well. It’s not far from here.”
I didn’t know what kind of chaotic mess this was turning into, but for us, it was still a tempting offer.
Kyle glanced back at us, silently asking for our thoughts.
“We should follow and see if it’s true or not. We don’t have much time left.”
“It’s obviously a trap. We should figure out who she really is first,” Gerard shot back immediately.
Elonen nodded in firm agreement, and I found myself nodding too. Mildred’s sudden offer reeked of suspicion.
“Why won’t you trust me? I’m offering to take you right to the Black Flame Dragon.”
Whatever her motive was, her words were ridiculous. The Black Flame Dragon was standing right here, so who on earth was she planning to take them to?
Of course, I knew she was lying, but the others didn’t. And I couldn’t exactly blurt out that the dragon was me. I had no way to prove her false without exposing myself.
“If we know it’s a trap and still walk into it, then it stops being a trap. We can turn it to our advantage.”
After a moment’s thought, Kyle decided to follow Mildred anyway.
We’d come all the way to the Grand Duchy of Serendal to find the Black Flame Dragon. Even if her lead turned out false, it was still worth checking.
I understood the logic, but unease still crawled in my chest at the thought of following her.
“Still… just in case, maybe Lysian should stay behind,” Kyle said at last, glancing at me.
He must have thought it safer if I waited here. But the idea of being left alone in the Grand Duke’s castle while they went ahead didn’t sit well at all.
“No. I’m coming.”
“But if it’s really a trap, you’ll be in danger.”
Kyle spoke firmly, worry plain on his face. As useless as I might seem, the thought of being left behind stung more than I expected.
“I’ll protect him. Bring him along.”
Gerard cut in suddenly, shooting me a quick sidelong glance.
Gerard… protecting me? That combination of words felt so unnatural I almost gaped.
“What, are you serious, Gerard?”
Even Kyle looked surprised by the offer.
“Yeah. Someone’s gotta carry the luggage.”
Gerard threw the words out carelessly and turned his head away, as if embarrassed by his own statement.
“If you’ve decided, then hero’s party, follow me.”
Mildred seemed impatient, clearly done waiting on our debate.
“I’ll go too.”
Derek suddenly stepped forward, slipping in beside me.
“Young Master! No, it’s too dangerous!”
The attendant rushed in to stop him, alarmed, but Derek brushed him aside with a firm grip on his shoulder and a steely voice.
“This is happening within my family’s lands. I have the right to know what’s going on!”
