A Core Ship From The Start

Chapter 108: Chapter 91 Crisis and Opportunity_1

Lorena and Ogis were not slow, just a few short days passed and they had returned to Duanmu Huai again, only this time, Lorena’s expression appeared somewhat tense and uneasy.

“War?”

“Yes……”

Lorena nodded.

“At the moment, on this continent, a war between humans and dragons is taking place. According to the information we’ve gathered, an Evil Dragon named Fafner is leading the Dragon race, burning, killing and pillaging everywhere in the continent. They believe the Dragon race is the supreme ruler of this world and all other life forms must submit to them.”

“Is this so…… Then can not anyone to eliminate it?”

“Legend has it that a knight named Siegfried went to slay the dragon but has been missing since…… presumably he failed.”

“What about Regnes and Manaria? Is there no movement?”

“The situation with Regnes is not very clear, but Manaria seems to have decided to focus on defense……”

“Such a foolish decision.”

Duanmu Huai frowned. After listening to Lorena’s report, he almost understood what was happening in this World Fragment. Obviously, Manaria chose to stand by while Regnes ended up as the subordinate of the Evil Dragon, triggering the war between dragons and humans. Although he didn’t know exactly what happened, he could imagine that it certainly didn’t end well.

This ending needs to be changed as soon as possible……

“Are things troublesome, Sir Knight?”

Looking at Duanmu Huai’s grave expression, Lorena asked, and Duanmu Huai nodded.

“Yes, I can almost guess what that Evil Dragon wishes to do. It aims to foster antagonism between humans and the Dragon race, fuel the situation, and provoke a war between both sides.”

“But master……”

Upon hearing this, Ogis curiously asked.

“Aren’t only a portion of dragons attacking humans?”

“Even so, generally speaking, the perception between races is accumulated via contact with individuals. Humans have only seen the Dragon race slaying humankind, yet have not seen any dragons come forth to stop it. Therefore, they naturally believe that all dragons are equally cruel. The Dragons perceive humans the same way, perhaps seeing only feeble humans, leading them to believe that all humans are the same……”

Having said this, Duanmu Huai spread his hands and shrugged.

“Specifically inside the human race, each organization, each race, each country, forms their initial impressions of each other through such perceptions. For instance, Lorena, everyone forms an impression of the Holy City and the Cathedral through her, meaning that she represents the image of the Holy City outside. At least through Lorena, everyone knows that the Holy City’s Clergy are a very kind and friendly group, which is beneficial for future exchanges.”

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s words, Lorena bashfully lowered her head and laughed a little, while adjusting her robes. Duanmu Huai also chuckled and pointed at himself.

“Like me, if I display a completely wicked nature in front of the Dragon race, I’m afraid they’ll also consider all humans to be extremely vile villains.”

“I understand, but master………”

Ogis blinked curiously, looking at Duanmu Huai.

“Will the Dragon race consider you to be a human?”

“……………”

Hearing Ogis’s question, Duanmu Huai turned pale. He stared at Ogis, momentarily at a loss of words.

Stabbing your teammate in the back is a critical hit indeed, you really took it far.

“Anyway…… this problem needs to be resolved as soon as possible.”

Duanmu Huai decisively changed the subject, feeling as if his HP was about to drop to zero if the conversation continued.

“But…… how?”

“I’ll first discuss with Ann and Greiya.”

Although according to logic, Duanmu Huai, being an outsider, is not suitable to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs. But at this moment, the most important thing is to save this world, to avoid the worst-case scenario. Duanmu Huai had no choice but to change his thinking.

The next day at noon, the three gathered again in the courtyard.

“Sir Knight, what story do you have for us today?”

“I’m not telling a story today, I have something very important to discuss with the both of you.”

Duanmu Huai shook his head, then looked at Ann and Greiya. Noticing his serious expression, both girls looked startled.

“Huh? Sir Knight has something important to tell us? It’s not a marriage proposal, is it?”

“Can you ever think about something else?”

Facing Ann’s words, Duanmu Huai rolled his eyes.

“Let’s talk about serious matters, I want to discuss the situation with the Evil Dragon Fafner.”

“…………”

Hearing this, Ann and Greiya were taken aback, their expressions became solemn. At this time, Duanmu Huai was staring at them, and spoke.

“Lorena and Ogis conducted some investigations during this period, and we heard that Fafner, an Evil Dragon, is currently ravaging this continent, is that true?”

“This………”

Ann and Greiya glanced at each other, nodding helplessly.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“And, if our investigation is correct, Manaria and Regnes have not taken any action. Why so?”

“I do not know what father is thinking.”

Ann let out a sigh of helplessness, and Greiya also lowered her head.

“I also…… I believe that father does not want to see the current situation, but the domestic dragon situation is really hard to coordinate……”

“So, it means that within Regnes, many dragons agree with Fafner’s views, feeling that because Dragon kind is at the apex of all beings, it should rule over other races, is that correct?”

Duanmu Huai was looking at Greiya, questioningly, and at this moment Greiya was curling herself up, nodding uneasily.

“Honestly, Sir Knight!”

Upon seeing this, Ann couldn’t help but reach out and hug Greiya.

“This is not Greiya’s fault, don’t get angry at her!”

“Sorry, it’s a habit.”

Duanmu Huai waved his hand, just as he began to speak, he immediately took on his role as Judge, inevitably making the tone stronger.

“But do you realize the consequences if this continues? If things go wrong, there could be a full-blown conflict and war between the Dragon Race and humans. Is that acceptable?”

“What?!”

Upon hearing this, Ann’s complexion changed drastically, even Greiya raised her head in surprise, looking towards Duanmu Huai.

“Ah haha… Sir Knight, don’t you think … It’s a bit exaggerated to say that? After all, it’s just the Evil Dragon… um…”

“But, the Dragons gave it their tacit approval.”

Duanmu Huai interrupted Ann’s argument.

“The Dragons didn’t try to stop the Evil Dragon. In the eyes of the Humans, it means they support him. Therefore, the Evil Dragon Fafner is being acknowledged by the Dragon Race. Hence in the eyes of humans, all Dragons are like Fafner. They are attempting to conquer and destroy humans, they are their enemies.”

“That’s…that’s not the case!”

Ann quickly stood up to strongly contradict him.

“Greiya isn’t like that. I know that Greiya is a very gentle and kind child! She isn’t like Fafner!”

“Ann….”

Upon hearing Ann’s words, Greiya looked at her with a cheerful expression, whereas Duanmu Huai poured cold water over this warm atmosphere.

“Even so, how are you going to convince others to believe this? Let alone anything else, surely not all students in the academy are willing to associate with Greiya.”

“This…”

Faced with Duanmu Huai’s words, the two young girls were rendered speechless for a while. Indeed, like Duanmu Huai, Greiya was also ostracized by the students at Manaria Academy. However, her main problem laid in her identity as a Dragonkin. Although Greiya wasn’t entirely friendless, a considerable number of students did keep their distance from her.

“Then, what… what should we do?!”

Without any ideas, Ann vented all her frustration on Duanmu Huai.

“Such a problem is not within our scope to fix!”

“Of course… it isn’t.”

Duanmu Huai shook his head.

“If both of you were just ordinary students, it would be fine. But you are princesses. That implies you don’t just represent yourselves, but also your respective nations. Whether it’s Ann or Greiya, your subjects are watching your every move. With the Evil Dragon on the rampage, your actions signify the stand of your respective nations. Besides, I have a solution to this problem. Truth be told, while the invasion of the Evil Dragon is disastrous, it also presents an opportunity.”

“What?”

Upon hearing this, both girls were taken aback.

“An opportunity?”

“Yes, if the Dragon Race wants to improve their relationship with humans, then they can seize the chance and fight alongside humans against the Evil Dragon Legion. This way, the Dragon Race can at least show humans that not all Giants Dragons are like Fafner. Like humans, they also have varying thoughts and stands.”

Reaching this point, Duanmu Huai spread his hands.

“So, my idea is, Manaria and Regnes could jointly form an expeditionary force to suppress the Evil Dragon. As long as we are successful in annihilating the Evil Dragon, then everything can be resolved. Dragon-human relations will improve once the Evil Dragon is gone; thereby solving the problem.”

The best way to resolve internal conflicts has always been to find an outside enemy anytime. Just as in the Three Emperors War, only when a Vampire bravely traveled thousands of miles to Aldorf out of a sense of internationalism did the Civil War come to an early end.

“This…… …”

It is needless to say that both Ann and Greiya were stunned when they heard Duanmu Huai’s plan.

“Could it really be that simple?”

“If everything goes smoothly, yes it is that simple. Or would you rather wait for the Evil Dragon to attack Manaria before considering this issue?”

“Huh? Will Fafner attack Manaria?”

Upon hearing this, Ann was alarmed while Duanmu Huai appeared calm.

“Of course, Manaria is the strongest magic nation in the continent, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Ann nodded.

“The Blazing Angel Manaria granted us magic, because of which our Kingdom of Manaria flourishes under the power of magic.”

“So, if I were Fafner, I would definitely attack Manaria. From the standpoint of the Dragon Race, once they destroy the strongest human nation – Manaria, humans can only surrender.”

Faced with Duanmu Huai’s statement, the expressions on Ann and Greiya grew stern. Although they appeared to be sixteen or seventeen-year-old girls, they were Princesses in essence. Those who weren’t flower vases used for marriage alliances should have understood how serious the situation was.

“I get it.”

Ann stood up this time.

“I will write to the King immediately, explaining the situation.”

“Me too.”

Greiya nodded firmly.

“I will also communicate with the King to discuss countermeasures.”

“Thank you. Even though the Holy City cannot participate in the war against the Evil Dragon, we will represent the Holy City and join the fight against the Evil Dragon.”

Upon hearing the answers from the two princesses, Duanmu Huai also heaved a sigh of relief in his heart.

With his warning, at least… the situation shouldn’t worsen much further.