Dragon King's Harem Chapter 382. Unexpected Results
I took a deep breath. Everything had gone according to plan so far, and now it was time to let Viperax stew in his confusion and frustration.
'I guess it's time for me to take a break,' I thought. I had done enough for tonight, and I needed to be rested for whatever came next.
I made my way back to my tent. I stepped inside and let the flap fall closed behind me. The first thing I did was head to the small basin of water on the table near my cot. I dipped my hands into the cool water, splashing it onto my face, scrubbing away the dirt and charcoal that I'd smeared there earlier to sell our story. I grabbed a cloth and wiped my face clean.
Jyne and Evelina would probably join me soon. I knew they'd be checking on the patients and making sure everyone was settled for the night. They were thorough that way, always ensuring every detail was attended to. But tonight, I didn't feel like waiting for them.
Tomorrow, we'd head back to the capital. The thought was both a relief and a burden. As much as I wanted to return, I couldn't ignore the stack of documents waiting for me on my desk. Reports, decisions that needed my approval, matters that required my attention—all the responsibilities that came with being a king.
I could use my portal skills to get back faster, leaving Eir and Al to handle the rest of the matters here. It wasn't like I hadn't done it before in an emergency. But something held me back. Maybe it was the knowledge that I'd only be trading one kind of exhaustion for another. Or maybe it was just the sight of that damned stack of documents that made me not want to rush back.
"Never thought a king's work would be more tiresome than being a gigolo," I muttered to myself with a dry chuckle. The thought brought a small, ironic smile to my lips.
I couldn't help but think back to my original world, to the life I'd led before all this. It had been simple, in its own way. A life of charm and deceit, but without the weight of a crown pressing down on me, without the endless stream of decisions that could mean life or death for hundreds, thousands of people.
But that was then, and this was now. I'd made my choices, taken on these responsibilities, and there was no going back. Like it or not, I had to face it. I had to play the part I was given, to be the leader they needed me to be. Even if that meant endless paperwork and political maneuvering.
I sighed again, deeper this time, and moved toward my cot. The fabric was rough but still acceptable. I lay down, closing my eyes, trying to quiet the thoughts buzzing in my mind. I needed rest.
My thoughts began to blur, slipping into a hazy fog as I finally started to drift off. I could feel my body relaxing. I let out a long breath, my mind surrendering to the darkness.
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Viperax's PoV
The first light of dawn was beginning to creep over the horizon when Viperax's spies finally returned to his convoy. The early morning glow cast long shadows over the rugged terrain as the massive convoy lumbered forward. Viperax and his wives were already perched on their gigantic mount. His soldiers, looking battered and weary, followed on their own mounts or trudged along on foot.
They had found the monster fighting restlessly about two kilometers from where Viperax had discovered his terrified wives. The beast had been surrounded by a few straggling monsters. Viperax had commanded his soldiers to intervene, slaughtering the remaining attackers and rescuing their great mount. After that, they hadn't wasted any time; they needed to get out of this cursed forest as quickly as possible. The camp was in ruins, and staying in such a vulnerable position was a risk they couldn't afford. The nearest town or village would offer some semblance of safety.
When the spies finally reached him, he leaned forward on his mount, his piercing eyes narrowing as he regarded the small creatures. They were panting, clearly exhausted from their flight back.
"What did you see?" he demanded, his voice a low growl that made his wives flinch beside him. "Did the dragon tribe celebrate their ambush's victory? Did Argod flaunt his success like the arrogant fool he is?"
One of the spies, a small lizard with dark scales, looked up at him. It coughed, its tiny body heaving with the effort, and spat out a small crystal from its mouth. The sight of it made Viperax recoil slightly in disgust, but his curiosity got the better of him. He snatched the crystal, wiping it against his armor before holding it up to the light.
An image began to play, projected from the crystal into the air in front of him. It was the dragon tribe's camp, and it looked just as ravaged as his own. The ground scorched, and there were signs of a fierce battle everywhere. Argod's face came into view, contorted in an expression of displeasure and frustration.
Viperax's brow furrowed as he watched. 'What is this?' he thought, his mind racing. He had expected to see Argod gloating, celebrating his supposed victory, but this... this was different. This wasn't the face of a man who had won. Argod looked angry, almost as if he'd been caught off guard himself.
Viperax felt a flicker of doubt creep into his mind. Was it possible that Argod had been attacked as well? That his camp had suffered just as much as theirs? It seemed improbable. Argod was always so damn sure of himself, always a step ahead. But the image in front of him told a different story. The dragon tribe's camp looked like it had been through hell—just like his own
The spy's crystal projection shifted, focusing on Argod's face, his expression twisted with anger.
"What in the hell…?" Viperax muttered under his breath. His wives glanced at him nervously.
Argod's voice came through, low and furious. "Viperax!" he snarled, his tone dripping with venom. "You think you can just send your damn monsters into my camp and get away with it? You think I wouldn't find out who was behind this?"
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