Classless Awakening; My Dragon Is Legendary-Chapter 12: Relentless Struggle
Derrick’s eyes snapped open as a searing pain tore through his skull, pushing him dangerously close to the edge of madness.
"How could you watch that doll, do this to him?" A strong male voice reverberated.
"He was never in any real danger." Another strong male voice responded.
Derrick could hear the familiar voices arguing, one panicked, and the other remained as calm as ever.
"No real danger, look at him," the king said, pointing to Derrick’s blood-stained bed.
"Trust me my king, Derrick was never in danger." Royal Knight’s voice was calm, confident and solid.
"I asked you to increase his training, not kill him!!" The king screamed. He had completely lost his composure.
"He..." Derrick tried to speak, but only a few words trickled through.
The king turned his head to Derrick, a look of both surprise and relief in his eyes.
"Don’t speak, save your strength." The king placed his hands on Derrick’s chest, preventing him from standing.
"You worry too much, my king," Royal Knight’s words stirred the king.
"Do not forget how our training was when we were his age." Royal Knight’s words calmed the king.
Truly, what Derrick was experiencing was nothing compared to the hells his father faced.
"I’m fine father," Derrick said weakly, his voice void of strength.
His skin was pale, and his eyes were sunken, it was clear he was far from being fine.
"Also, I was the one who told Royal Knight not to stop the doll," Derrick said.
While his words held some truth, he remembered wanting to call out to Royal Knight, but his mouth was full of dirt.
"I see." The king had a wide smile on his face. He was more than glad that Derrick had recovered.
"That reminds me, how are you awake?" The king asked, confused.
"What do you mean?" Derrick asked, confusion written all over him.
"You were hurt, Derrick." Royal Knight started softly.
"Badly." The king followed, his eyes scanned Derrick’s body, looking for any present injuries.
"The nurse said you would take at least 6 months to wake up." The king said, his voice calm and intentional.
Derrick’s eyes widened, six months was a really long time.
"How long has it been?" Derrick asked, praying that there was still time for him to train for his duel.
"Four months." The king answered, and panic overcame Derrick.
"The duel?" Derrick asked. It was the only reason why he trained so hard.
The king and Royal Knight both turned their face away from him, unable to look him in the eyes.
"I’m sorry, but you lost due to forfeiture," Royal Knight answered.
Derrick sighed, whatever faith the people of the kingdom had in him was completely gone.
He would be even more of a joke in this kingdom than before.
He was about to ask a few more questions when he noticed the side of his father’s lips twitching.
His eyes narrowed, and upon further inspection, it seemed like his father was trying to keep a laugh.
"Are you okay, father?" Derrick asked. This kind of behavior was strange for the king.
"Give it up, my king, he didn’t panic," Royal Knight said while nodding his head disapprovingly.
"You could have given me one more minute!" The king said, his voice slightly raised.
Derrick stared at the childhood friends in confusion. Two of the most powerful and most disciplined men he knew behaving like children.
He didn’t know what to say or do, besides just stare at them.
’Did they just try to play a prank on me?’ Derrick asked himself.
’Since when does Royal Knight do pranks?’ More questions rolled into Derrick’s mind.
"Truthfully, it’s only been about a day," the king said, and Derrick’s heart eased.
Hope filled him once more. Finally, there was a chance for him to restore the faith of the people.
Derrick was about to ask a few other questions when system messages appeared.
[Your health was in critical condition.] 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
[Energy was drained to sustain health.]
’That’s why I’m alive?’ Derrick asked himself. He knew how painful those attacks were.
Royal Knight was right, the doll could kill him, and if Royal Knight didn’t intervene when he did, then Derrick would be no more.
"Would you like to continue your training?" Royal Knight asked.
"He just recovered." The king was right, Derrick had just woken up from a one-day coma, and here Royal Knight was, eager to put him back into training.
"Time waits for no man." Royal Knight was also right, the duel was drawing nearer.
"I’ll start as soon as possible," Derrick said. He was still weak, but knew what needed to be done.
That doll had brought him to death’s door, he would be unable to rest until he destroyed it.
"Perfect," Royal Knight said proudly. Derrick’s eagerness reminded him of his younger self.
Royal Knight and the king both turned their heads to each other simultaneously.
The king’s face had changed, becoming serious, a total contrast to his earlier reaction.
Derrick had caught wind of it, and wondered just what could cause this.
"Prince Derrick, wait here, while I discuss something with your father," Royal Knight said, before he and the king left.
Royal Knight’s eyes darted around, making sure no one could overhear their conversation.
"Two more witchcraft attacks, at the outskirts of Vora Valley," the king said and Royal Knight nodded.
"Knights all over the world are moving as fast as they can, but these witches are ten steps ahead." Royal Knight’s words made the king sigh.
"They planned this." It dawned on the king. Everything was too fast, too smooth and too well calculated.
"Are you planning to evacuate your family?" Royal Knight asked. The earlier he knew, the better.
"No." The king responded, not a shred of doubt or contemplation.
"Vora Valley is still very far from us, we can set up more knights and traps at our borders."
"I admire your bravery, but it may be time to consider their safety." Royal Knight was trying to do what was best for the kingdom.
"My ancestors didn’t cross the sea from the north, just for me to surrender to invaders." He declared, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.
"And I’d rather die than watch Dravania fall."
