Rogue Villain-Chapter 257: Parking Spot

Tararat’s focus was trained on the Kargas lookalike throughout the entire ride back to the center of the Land of Dragons, where the Central Council, formed of members from the Northern Tribal Alliance and the Southern Union, would decide upon the Land of Dragon’s future actions. After all, the lookalike had almost made the Land of Dragons declare war on Kargas. The only problems left were the details and who should take responsibility.

Almost declaring war was no small matter, and the lookalike was barely more than a scapegoat. That much was obvious to everyone, even if it was a very convincing disguise.

If this was just a cover-up by the Guild, should the Land of Dragons really just stay still and let Kargas plan his revenge in peace? That was the question on the minds of the dragonlings and the Guild’s fear.

It was also what Ackster was sent to stop the Land of Dragons from pursuing. He was supposed to convince the Land of Dragons that declaring war on Kargas was useless and would only bring harm to everyone.

’It would have been easier if I was actually allowed to know something.’

Ackster had asked Wilma about the relationship between Kargas and the Land of Dragons since it was obviously not as superficial as one hunting dragons and the other being kin to dragons. But she just said he already knew everything he needed to know and wasn’t allowed to know anything more.

"So, Tararat, you ready for a fight after all this is over?"

Tararat glanced at Ackster, who sat relaxed on another man’s wyvern.

"...If we get the opportunity."

"You sound a little scared."

Ackster grinned as he teased Tararat. He was looking forward to seeing how much he had grown by testing himself against Tararat.

"I’m not. I’m just not sure we will get the chance."

"Why not?"

"Are you sure you’re not secretly controlled by Mastrax?"

"Hey!"

"I’m just saying you’re awfully comfortable for the person responsible for almost causing a war between us and that shitty ground-humping dog."

"Ah, I see. The Council people want to hold me responsible, even though I’m just a victim."

"Are you honestly trying to tell me that this fake, who can barely stand flying, fooled you?"

"And if I am?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Then you’re stupid enough to deserve what’s coming for you."

"Harsh. Besides, weren’t you also fooled? You, Tararat, and the rest of your people? Don’t you also deserve what’s coming for you, then?"

Tararat just glared at Ackster.

"We believed in your words because we thought you were one of Mastrax’s minions. Although not from the Land of Dragons, Mastrax is still a dragon. Even if we doubted your words, we still had to act."

"Excuses. Let’s see if I can also think of some. Oh, how about this guy looking and acting exactly like Kargas when in a situation and environment he’s orchestrated? Now that he’s been caught, he knows he’s screwed. Why bother even trying to put on a front? He also approached me before I got this strong. If you weren’t as strong as you are now, would you be confident in seeing through his disguise?"

"..."

"In the first place, you thought this was Kargas as soon as you saw him. If it weren’t for the Guild’s messages and me telling you it’s not him, you would have tried to kill him on the spot. And you’re blaming me? Someone who doesn’t even know Kargas? Fucking embarassing. I’m just letting you know in advance. I won’t go down without fighting, if that’s what you think, and I won’t go down alone. If the Council or you try to pin this shit on me, don’t blame me for making you wish the Guild hadn’t sent me."

Ackster huffed a little to make his angry rant even more believable. He wasn’t lying about not going down without a fight, but he made it seem like it would be the Council’s decision to bring it to that stage.

Ackster was going to fight regardless.

It didn’t take long before they arrived at a large village of stone huts. Most of them looked like ordinary houses, maybe made for resting guests. But the building in the center was almost as large as the colosseum in Myrrhia.

Ackster could sense an incredible amount of powerful individuals gathered inside the large circular amphitheater. The fact that Ackster could sense them meant they were weaker than him. Or they didn’t bother concealing their strength. But that would be rude in a setting like this.

Tararat parked his wyvern on the outskirts of the village before leading Ackster and the lookalike to the Council.

Ackster could hear the hubbub of tens or hundreds of people talking at the same time long before they entered. But as soon as they walked through the already open doors, the hall fell silent, and the dragonlings lining the rows of seats all looked at Ackster and the lookalike with sharp gazes.

Ackster’s paranoia and fear of standing out did not like it. But he did his best to retain his composure and act like it didn’t bother him. He even defiantly met the gazes of those around him. Those who continued to glare at him were met with a glare that he strengthened with his Will. That kept most people from looking at him for too long.

However, as he looked around, Ackster discovered a familiar face. He met the person’s eyes before moving on as Tararat brought Ackster and the fake Kargas to the center of the hall. They stood on a flat stone surface, only slightly different from fish on the chopping block.

"Order! We have gathered here today to decide on the measures to be taken in regard to the recent supposed misinformation of the traitor, Kargas, planning revenge."

Ackster looked at the elderly dragonling with long, curled horns, and a grey beard that stretched down to his stomach. The dragonling that looked more like a goat sat on a protruded seat right in front of Ackster and the fake Kargas. He also had a bench and a club.

The dragonling in command met Ackster’s gaze before continuing.

"We are also here to decide on and mete out punishment to the offenders—"

"Offenders? Plural?"

Ackster grinned with a cold light in his eyes.