CH185 Alex, the DrakeSlayer?
Alex couldn’t discern much about the cloaked figure—only that they were humanoid in shape.
And since they spoke in the goblin tongue, which even newborn goblins instinctively understood, he couldn’t rule out the possibility that the figure was a goblin themselves... even as his instincts told him otherwise.
Why would a goblin—a superior, evolved variant—go so far as to conceal their form when addressing weak newborn kin? It didn’t add up.
After ensuring the indoctrinated ideals were deeply imprinted in the minds of the goblins, the cloaked figure carefully selected the most zealous among them. Those chosen were made leaders of various goblin cells—this goblin leader included—and, most likely, the chieftain of that hidden meadow village as well.
Each of these goblin cells had been packed into separate cages and discreetly transported to various parts of the Dankrot Forest.
Whoever was behind the operation was methodical. No hint of their identity was left exposed. No two goblin cells were aware of each other’s location.
The only thread connecting the cells were the monstrous guardians to whom they were instructed to pay tribute.
The Armoured Troll and Earth Drake were not natural rulers—they were guardians installed by those orchestrating this plot. Their presence was a strategic move meant to buy the goblins time to grow in strength, and they likely weren’t the only ones placed across the forest.
This particular goblin leader had encountered the leaders of other cells that also offered tribute to the Earth Drake.
However, following the mental commands etched into their minds, none of the goblin cells were to make contact with one another at the Earth Drake’s lair.
Contact was only permitted when a cell leader deemed their group strong enough to annex another—or unite with others to consolidate power.
And that’s exactly what had happened.
This goblin leader had capitalised on favourable conditions to grow its cell rapidly, converting it into a formidable tribe. Then it began annexing the surrounding cells, gradually consolidating all goblin forces under the Earth Drake’s influence into a singular tribe.
Five cells in total. Twenty-five goblins per cell.
That meant at least a hundred goblins had been deployed in just this one sector of the Dankrot Forest.
If similar cells were deployed around other guardians, then the total number could easily run into the hundreds—possibly thousands.
The sheer level of coordination and logistical depth required to pull off something of this scale... It wasn’t something any typical organisation—human or otherwise—could accomplish lightly.
Piecing this intelligence together with the answers pried from Zilbris, Alex came to only one conclusion:
Someone was playing a deep and deliberate game—one the Fury family hadn’t even realised was underway.
And the Northwest—long held as Fury territory—was the chessboard.
The Wendigo departed after passing its memories to Alex, reaffirming their friendly ties. The bond between Alex and the Wendigo race stood strong—especially within the Dankrot Forest.
Before it vanished completely, the Wendigo hinted that Alex should expect a gift in the near future, in recognition of their shared bond.
Alex didn’t dwell on it. Whatever was coming would come.
Right now, his focus had to be on uncovering the full scope of this plot. The Northwest was land he had already begun to view as his rightful domain—a Providence-rich territory that he couldn’t afford to let anyone else lay claim to.
This was his hunting ground.
He returned to lying on the corpse of the Earth Drake, hoping the act might hasten his recovery.
Like Jared, Udara also returned to hiding when Laura, Lieutenant Cross, and the rest of Alex’s platoon finally arrived at the scene.
Much like Fen and Udara, they were all stunned to find Alex reclining nonchalantly on the Earth Drake’s corpse.
It only took a cursory glance for veterans like Laura and Lieutenant Cross to piece together what had happened. The lack of any ice-related injuries on the drake’s massive body said it all—Alex had brought it down alone. Fen’s quiet confirmation erased any lingering doubts.
A ripple of awe spread through the platoon.
And then someone had the audacity to call him a Dragonslayer.
"Don’t you dare call me that!" Alex shot upright the instant the wind carried the absurdity to his ears.
"Do you want me to get murdered by my teacher? This is a Drake—not a Dragon. Don’t let me catch any of you calling me a Dragonslayer. I’ll beat you black and blue for trying to blaspheme my honour!"
He could already picture the consequences.
Merlin’s soul-rending lectures. Drake’s biting disdain. Zora’s relentless teasing.
No amount of explanation would wash away the shame if word got out that his troops had started calling him something so preposterous. People would think he came up with the name himself.
Alas, once soldiers had made up their minds, there was no turning back.
Since Alex outlawed Dragonslayer, they simply pivoted—and cheekily settled on another title.
And because his mana heart was still sealed, he couldn’t even mete out proper punishment. That only made things worse. The name spread like wildfire through the ranks.
Two days later, the extermination force Jared had requested finally arrived. Jared conveniently made his appearance just as they did.
With the handover of duties to the new goblin extermination taskforce, Alex’s platoon began singing praises of their young commander—loudly and without restraint. Before Alex or Lieutenant Cross (reluctantly and only after intense pestering) could silence them, the tale of the Drakeslayer had already spread.
By the time they arrived at the Northern Dankrot Defence Fort, the name had somehow preceded them.
Alex’s eyes narrowed dangerously at Jared, who—for once—was in an uncharacteristically good mood.
He was certain this so-called gloomy Dark Knight had something to do with it.
But even if he did, there was nothing Alex could do.
The damage was already done.
So, in classic Carpe Diem fashion, Alex cast the matter aside.
’Whether it’s fame or infamy... I’ll turn it to my advantage.’
With that new resolve, he shelved the name for a more pressing matter.
He and Jared were escorted through the fort by none other than the Fort Commander himself, straight to the war room.
Unbeknownst to the average soldier, two high-ranking figures had secretly arrived at the fort.
The Lord Marshal of House Fury’s Army—Baron Derek Lawson—and the Head of House Fury himself, Earl Drake Fury.
Such was the weight of the matter that was about to be discussed.