Evil Dragon Chapter 55: Sound of the Bell

Chapter 55: Sound of the Bell

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Aika

 

After Josef finished speaking, due to the earlier coughing and excessive excitement, an abnormal flush appeared on his lifeless face. He wore a sickly smile at the corner of his mouth, watching Lin Nuo with interest, waiting to see how this weak brother of his would cry and sob, wondering if he would wipe his tears while howling, “I don’t believe you, I don’t believe you.”

Lin Nuo’s eyelids twitched noticeably. He remained calm, showing no intention to wipe away tears. Instead, with a hint of annoyance, he looked at Josef’s expectant face and shook his head, chuckling, “Josef, I’ll have the attendant fetch the doctor again. You keep spouting nonsense; you might have developed hysteria.”

Having said that, Lin Nuo showed no intention of lingering, turning to leave the room, which felt like a furnace.

Josef’s bony hand scratched fiercely at the sofa, his voice hoarse as he shouted, “Do you think Clement truly wanted to serve you? He knew long ago! He knew your true identity!”

Despite Lin Nuo having devoted time to learning how to remain composed and unaffected, upon hearing those words, his shoulders visibly trembled.

This physical change didn’t escape Josef’s watchful eyes. His excitement lit up immediately, his eyes shining with anticipation as he continued, “Do you know why this generation’s Clement became the person most knowledgeable about creatures in the kingdom? Because, haha, because this Clement, unlike the ones before, has an ability— he can understand the words of creatures, even their thoughts! Let me tell you! From the very beginning, from the first time you appeared in your dragon form, he could hear your thoughts; he knew your true identity! Still fantasizing about making him your knight? Having him protect you—hahaha, it’s all part of Rennes Clement’s plan!”

Understanding the words of creatures? Knowing their thoughts… Lin Nuo’s pupils contracted, his heart pounding, a previously unthought-of suspicion in his mind suddenly becoming clear: At the farm beside Clement’s residence, those talking tomato creatures repeatedly mentioned that their master prohibited them from speaking, to prevent others from discovering their ability to talk…

At that time, Lin Nuo had a suspicion: If humans couldn’t understand the language of creatures, why worry that they might be discovered speaking? Unless the “master” these tomato creatures mentioned was acutely aware that those visiting the field could understand the creature’s language. If Rennes could understand the words of creatures and even their thoughts, then he must have known that Lin Nuo could also understand them. That’s why he instructed the tomato creatures to remain silent.

Regarding why Rennes could understand… Lin Nuo rubbed his forehead, recalling the miraculous strawberry snack that enabled understanding creature conversations. What did those creatures say at the time?

“Another strawberry snack, more powerful, allows direct listening to creature thoughts.”

“But this snack has already been snatched and eaten by someone.”

If the one who snatched the strawberry snack wasn’t the “giant with extraordinary strength” as described by the creatures but was Rennes… Then everything made perfect sense.

So that’s it… Wait a minute, strawberries?! Tomatoes?! Could it be that Rennes specifically mentioned strawberries and tomatoes to convey to me…

In the jumble of thoughts, Lin Nuo finally grasped a tiny coherent idea. He probably understood what Rennes wanted to convey. But he needed confirmation.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Nuo turned slowly, wearing an expression of profound shock, almost on the brink of collapse, and looked at Josef earnestly, “What did you… say? This… this can’t be. If what you’re saying is true, I mean, assuming what you’re saying is true, and there’s indeed a wicked dragon lurking in the court, then why didn’t someone as loyal as Rennes expose the true identity of this wicked dragon long ago? With his abilities, why bother setting up such a scheme?”

Upon hearing Lin Nuo’s distraught inquiry, Josef burst into a series of laughter, his voice terrifyingly akin to a wailing demon, “Ah, so naive, so foolish, my obedient child. Do you know, the Clement family, as natural creature hunters, has a special gift: if a Clement knight reveals the true identity of a creature in front of people, that creature can no longer disguise itself as a human!”

Ah, I see, so that’s how it is. No wonder the system repeatedly warned that if Rennes were to reveal the identity of anyone, including oneself, it would result in an immediate BE. No wonder the rotund creature warned not to let Rennes reveal its identity. Therefore, whether one would immediately lose their human form didn’t depend on whether Rennes “knew” but on whether he “revealed” it, whether he spoke about it.

That’s why, even if Rennes knew long ago, even if he had already discovered it, he pretended not to. Creating stories about a “flame beast,” about “pet tales”… He must have guessed that I was terrified of being discovered by him. He’s been acting all along. He’s been so devotedly playing along with me, acting so genuinely.

Thinking this, Lin Nuo couldn’t help but feel a bit choked up, his eyes starting to redden.

The expression on Lin Nuo’s face, to Josef, meant something entirely different.

“Heh, feeling upset? Feeling afraid? Betrayed by someone you trusted so deeply?” Josef asked, smug with satisfaction.

Hearing this nauseating tone, Lin Nuo composed himself, suppressing his emotions, and resumed coaxing Josef with his words. Following Josef’s understanding, using a voice on the verge of tears, Lin Nuo pitifully said, “What?! No, no, if what you say is true… he should have, he should have already…”

Josef grinned, “Do you want to know why he didn’t reveal your true identity from the start? Because you, this wicked dragon, have nested yourself in my brother who should have died long ago, Linno Heinrich! If he recklessly destroyed your human form, it would be akin to completely ruining Heinrich’s body. As a member of the Clement family, bound by blood oath, he couldn’t harm someone from the Heinrich family—unless that person, like the idiot Otto, was exiled from the royal family by His Majesty.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Nuo genuinely began to wonder, ‘my brother who should have died long ago—Linno Heinrich?’ Regarding this issue, the original “Linno’s” true identity, why, despite being a dragon transformed, was recognized as the descendant of “Heinrich” by the “guardian” of the underground lake, Lin Nuo had never quite figured it out.

“Heh, hehe.” Josef’s flushed face began to fluctuate. In his beast-like eyes, a look of extreme satisfaction, almost intoxication, flickered, “Ah, the young master of the dragon clan, you’re clueless, aren’t you? You must have heard from the idiot Otto how he cut off the magical mark inside Linno’s body more than a decade ago using black water? With his crude method, the Linno whose magical mark was severed has no consciousness, barely different from a corpse.”

Watching Josef, with a pleased expression and half-closed eyes, Lin Nuo couldn’t help but ask, “What, do you know how Otto did it back then? Did you… see it?”

Once again, Josef laughed until he coughed, “Me? Didn’t I not only see it but also secretly placed the book teaching him how to sever the mark with black water on his desk!”

Lin Nuo’s heart skipped a beat, then he understood: It seems the resentment toward the original body possessing innate magic wasn’t limited to just Otto. This Josef seemed to harbor deeper and more covert animosity, manipulating Otto’s impulsiveness and arrogance, enticing Otto to act while staying hidden himself.

Josef leaned back on the sofa, eyes fixed on the ceiling, continuing his narrative as if lost in ecstasy. Indeed, just as Lin Nuo had guessed earlier. Back then, Josef continuously hinted and finally prompted Otto to take harsh action. Linno, who should have died, was unexpectedly chosen by the legendary “Dragon Clan.”

Although the Dragon Clan couldn’t restore Linno’s magical mark, they were fully capable of restoring Linno’s body. Of course, the Dragon Clan didn’t do this out of goodwill or kindness. This restored body became the perfect “vessel.” The Dragon Clan attached their generational-guarded “Dragon Clan soul” to this body. Thus, the young prince Linno Heinrich became a creature with a human body and the soul of the Dragon Clan. His body indeed carried Heinrich’s bloodline, but his soul had long been substituted.

Hearing this, Lin Nuo once again felt sorrow for the original self. At the same time, he silently quipped to himself: “Actually, Josef isn’t entirely right.”

The present Lin Nuo is more than just a “monster” created by the fusion of human and Dragon Clan. He’s a composite of a human shell, a Dragon Clan soul, and the consciousness of “another world’s Lin Nuo.”

Hey, I’m pretty amazing. Finally understanding his own identity, Lin Nuo raised his hand, wiped his eye corner, feigned wiping away tears, and said, “So… so that’s how it is…”

Seeing Lin Nuo’s “heartbroken” appearance, Josef felt immensely satisfied inside, “Tsk tsk, it seems you hadn’t thought of this, indeed. Oh, let me tell you something you don’t know. There’s one more person in the palace, aside from Rennes and me, who knows your true identity…”

Josef grinned, speaking in a highly pleased tone, “Who could this person be…You would never guess. It’s our beloved King, our grandfather.”

This time, Lin Nuo didn’t need to feign surprise. He was genuinely, extraordinarily shocked.

“The King…?” he murmured.

Seeing Lin Nuo stunned, Josef, with a triumphant air, said, “Ah, rest assured, your identity wasn’t disclosed to the old man by Rennes. If he had mentioned your true self to anyone, you wouldn’t still be in human form, standing here listening to me. I won’t hide it from you anymore. Your true self was revealed to the old man by me. Do you know how I did it? Just last month, I had my ravens record everything they saw in crystal stones and then placed it all in front of the old man. I also told the old man that Rennes hadn’t revealed your identity because of ‘fear of the unknown,’ restricted by your body, Heinrich. I thought the old man would be angry, furious, and immediately exile you from the royal family. Guess what the old man said?”

“He said, ‘So, it’s a dragon. So that’s the truth Clement had concealed.’ The old man also said he doesn’t care about the heir’s surname or identity; as long as the person is outstanding and powerful enough, that would be enough. At first, I thought the old man was charmed by your appearance and felt compassion for you. But the old man isn’t that kind—he could never favor a creature like this?!”

At this point, the breathless Josef had to pause, clutching his chest, panting heavily. He wanted to continue but was struggling to catch his breath. Seeing Lin Nuo seemingly dumbfounded by these revelations, Josef gritted his teeth, determined to deliver one last blow. With great effort, he raised his arm and summoned a giant raven hidden in the shadows, “I couldn’t figure it out. Until I had the ravens track Rennes to see what he was up to, I understood—”

As Josef moved his hand, the raven projected image after image into the air, playing sound clips one after another. These images showed Rennes interacting with nobles from various places.

And these sound clips were Rennes coldly asking these nobles whether they would support the “sharing of surnames” between Heinrich and Clement.

“I finally understood what Rennes was doing—” Josef hung on to his breath, laughing sinisterly like a resentful ghost, “This ceremony was planned between him and the old man. The old man would exile you, and then Rennes would reveal your identity and ruin your human form! Next, the old man would announce that Rennes Clement would bear Heinrich’s surname, and the future heir would be Rennes Clement Heinrich!”

After saying this, Josef eagerly looked at the silent Lin Nuo, waiting for him to break down in despair and collapse. knowing that the “Sword Bestowal Ceremony” was a trap, Lin Nuo certainly wouldn’t fall into it again and would keep his distance.

And I would be the sole heir. During this short time, while Rennes was still lobbying nobles and while I can still move, I have a few ravens at my disposal, and some magic left… I’ll secretly give the old man some medicine to send him on his way… I will be the rightful king! 

After waiting for a long time, Josef didn’t hear Lin Nuo’s cry.

Instead, Lin Nuo raised his head, smiled slightly at him, and said, “So that’s how it is, huh, Josef? You’re a pitiful soul.”

What… what?!

“What you care about is only ‘power’. Apart from that, there’s no room for family, love, nothing else exists for you. So your starting point for judgment, your center of speculation, must revolve around ‘power’. Go ahead, continue guessing by yourself. I have things to attend to, won’t keep you company.” Said in a brisk tone, Lin Nuo left swiftly without a hint of hesitation.

Once out of the scorching room, Lin Nuo brushed past the attendants and dashed into the courtyard, inhaling the frigid air in deep breaths. The snowfall had intensified by this time. Looking up at the incessantly falling snowflakes, tears genuinely welled up at the corner of his eyes.

“Fool.” He whispered softly. Rennes, this big fool. He didn’t believe a single word of Josef’s speculations. But the information Josef provided pieced together a vague image in his mind: Rennes must be plotting something. And he couldn’t tell me what it was. Perhaps why he couldn’t disclose it was that this plan was closely tied to his “Dragon Clan identity.” If he revealed the plan, he’d have to reveal my identity.

Moreover, from the giant ravens summoned by Josef earlier, it’s very likely everything in this palace was under that person’s surveillance. Perhaps that’s why Rennes could only allude to strawberries and tomatoes in a roundabout way. Mentioning strawberries represented that he knew, that he understood the language of the creatures, that he knew from the start. Talking about tomatoes was another way of telling me, “Trust me,” just like that day when he held my hand.

Lin Nuo clasped the pocket watch made of gold coins, gazing at the gray sky above, silently repeating in his mind: “Yeah, I trust you.”

—

New Year is approaching. Following tradition, the “Sword Bestowal Ceremony” would be held on the third day after the New Year. Rennes had already reached the Holy City and, as per tradition, formally requested the old King: he would present his sword to the third prince, Linno Heinrich.

So, the old King and Lin Nuo, each riding in a royal carriage with countless guards trailing, set out on the road. Although the “Sword Bestowal Ceremony” was crucial, it wasn’t an open ceremony. Only Lin Nuo, Rennes, the old King, and the clergy would enter the “ceremony interval.” Before the ceremony, the Pope would sprinkle holy water on Rennes’ head and have him kneel before the image of the Supreme God throughout the ceremony interval.

During the ceremony, Lin Nuo would be accompanied by the old King, walk to the altar, and then, holding the sacred sword, tap Rennes on the left and right shoulders while he remained kneeling. Next, both sides would swear their oaths under the Pope’s witness. One would swear eternal respect for their knight, never letting them betray the Supreme God or commit any injustice. The other would vow that their sword and heart belong to their master, ready to protect them with their life.

That’s how the ceremony concluded.

Throughout the ceremony, no one else was allowed to “witness,” not even royal family members. Also, to avoid unnecessary chaos, the princes who couldn’t receive Clement’s oath must stay clear of the ceremony. So, initially, the old King didn’t arrange for Josef to accompany them to the Holy City.

But Josef claimed: traveling to the Holy City was the last wish of a dying man. He was so weak now, seeking to repent his sins in the final years of his life. Helpless, the old King arranged another carriage for Josef to join them. With Lin Nuo in the carriage, there was the loyal Count Kaunitz and two attendants who looked after him.

Throughout the journey, Count Kaunitz seemed even more excited than Lin Nuo, his expression as if Lin Nuo were already the crown prince about to handle state affairs personally. As for Lin Nuo himself, he was pretty excited—it had been nearly half a year, finally getting to see Rennes again!

Apart from excitement, there was also a bit of unease: What was the status of Rennes’ plan? These days, Rennes kept indicating through his personal crystal stones that “everything was going smoothly.” But deep down, Lin Nuo still had some concerns.

The royal caravan was moving fast.

Four days later, in the early morning, Lin Nuo arrived once again at the Holy City. This time, the smiling Archbishop Eugene was there to welcome them on behalf of the Pope. Lin Nuo had expected at least a day’s rest before the ceremony. Archbishop Eugene mentioned that Rennes had already knelt before the Supreme God’s image for three days and nights. Any more kneeling would be too cruel.

Upon hearing this, the old King said, “If the Pope is ready, the ceremony can begin immediately.”

Archbishop Eugene immediately responded, “The Pope has long been prepared. Please, Your Majesty, and Prince, follow me.”

The manner and demeanor made it seem as if he had been waiting for this moment for an unknowable amount of time. Lin Nuo was dressed in a bright red prince’s suit, adorned with a red cape trimmed with gold, walking step by step from the dim and lengthy passage towards the end of the ‘interlude.’

“Linno,” the old king suddenly called his name. This voice was somewhat different from the old king’s usual restrained, calm, and almost emotionless tone.

“Grandfather?” Lin Nuo was a little startled by being called like that.

“Linno…” The old king sighed deeply. “I’ve been remiss about your childhood.”

The old king spoke not with the usual formal address, but rather like an ordinary grandfather having a heart-to-heart with his grandchild, “I’ve always thought, perhaps I could offer you something in compensation, something better for you. But I don’t know what would be best. Give you a throne? No, you’re kind, you have powerful magic, but you’re too gentle—not the best qualities for a king. Let you live as a leisurely prince? No, those with ill intentions will target you. And being too kind, you’d have a bleak existence. So… when Rennes approached me with this request, explaining what he could offer for you, I realized that this was the most suitable path. A resolute Clement will be your strongest support. For you, for Heinrich, for Saros, it’s the best choice. Oh, you must have heard from Josef, right? About him coming with the crow.”

The old king’s tone was calm, but Lin Nuo’s heart was pounding uncontrollably. He never quite understood why, after Josef revealed his true identity to the old king, the king’s attitude toward him hadn’t changed at all. If it wasn’t for the trust in Rennes, just the fact that his identity had been discovered by the king would have made him flee.

But now, all he could manage was a vague “yes.”

“Linno,” the old king called with infinite sadness, patting Lin Nuo’s arm with his wrinkled hand, “Others might not see it, but I see it clearly. Your soul has never changed. You will always be Linno Heinrich. I believe in you.”

Lin Nuo bit his lip, softly acknowledging. So, the king, from beginning to end, always saw him as his true grandson? Even knowing he would transform into a dragon, even knowing… the soul of a monster resided within this body. In an instant, he thought of his grandmother from another world. No blood relation, yet treating him as family.

Lin Nuo’s heart felt a pang of sourness, tenderness, and pain. He took a deep breath, determined not to disappoint the old man.

The road finally reached its end. The door opened slowly.

At first glance, Lin Nuo saw Rennes standing among countless flowers, smiling at him. Huh?! Flowers?! Standing?! Where’s the altar? Where’s the sword? Where am I supposed to be? This was supposed to be the ‘sword-bestowing ceremony,’ right? Wait a minute—why does Rennes still have a ring on his hand?

Just when Lin Nuo was completely stunned, the old king said, “Oh, right, this kind of ‘shared name’ ceremony is usually also called a ‘wedding.'”

A wed… wedding? If it weren’t for the old king still supporting him and guiding him forward, Lin Nuo would likely have been completely stuck in place, unable to move. And so, in a daze, Lin Nuo was brought in front of Rennes.

Compared to a few months ago, Rennes seemed even more slender, but his face was still captivatingly handsome, impossible to look away from. Lin Nuo stared blankly at him, his mind in a jumble, murmuring meaningless syllables.

Despite all the psychological preparation Lin Nuo did in the past few months to keep himself from being in a state of shock upon seeing Rennes, standing in front of him in such a completely unexpected situation, he was still thrown off balance. He heard, in a daze, the Pope asking if Rennes was willing to share all his wealth, honor, and everything else with Lin Nuo. Rennes unequivocally replied that he was willing.

Then the Pope asked Lin Nuo the same question. Lin Nuo nodded blankly at first, “Okay.” Then immediately realized his mistake, “Ah, I mean, I am willing.”

Rennes smiled. The Pope, along with the King and everyone else, smiled too.

So the ceremony was declared done. From that moment on, under the witness of the Supreme God, Lin Nuo Clement Heinrich could freely access all the wealth of Rennes Clement Heinrich.

After Lin Nuo was fitted with a ring, the Pope said, “Alright, congratulations, Your Excellency Rennes, your wish is fulfilled—now, let us begin the sword-bestowing ceremony.”

As he spoke, the Pope gestured with his right hand, forming a magic circle that moved all the flowers away, revealing the altar that had been hidden behind them. But upon hearing the words “wish fulfilled,” Lin Nuo, as if waking up from a dream: This… was Rennes’ wish?! His wish wasn’t for me to become a king but… to marry him?! But wait, if this is indeed his wish fulfilled, why hasn’t the system prompted the completion of the ‘hidden route switch’?!

Just when Lin Nuo was confused about the system’s delay, Rennes replied calmly, “‘Sword-bestowing ceremony’? There’s no need for that. I’ve already made the most solid contract with the one I love, witnessed by the Supreme God and officiated by the Pope. Do we still need a ‘sword-bestowing ceremony’?”

The Pope’s face changed suddenly, saying, “Your Excellency Rennes, if you want the prince to inherit the throne, the prince should be the one to bestow the sword upon you. This, Your Excellency, you must be very clear about.”

Rennes looked at the old king, humble in demeanor, “Your Majesty, if there is no sword-bestowing ceremony, can Linno still become the heir?”

The king said slowly, “The sword-bestowing ceremony is to confirm the contract between Clement and Heinrich. Now that you have crowned Heinrich’s name under the auspices of the Pope, during this sacred interlude, the sword-bestowing ceremony is no longer important. Linno has obtained Clement’s protection and can unquestionably become my heir.”

Rennes turned to the Pope, expressing regret, “You see, there is indeed no need for a sword-bestowing ceremony.”

While still holding Lin Nuo’s hand, who was already in a daze, Rennes’s fingers gently exerted pressure, as if to comfort, saying, “Your Majesty, Linno, time is of the essence, we should hurry—”

“Wish to leave?” At some unknown point, the Pope, wearing a golden mask, had already climbed onto the altar, looking down at Rennes and Lin Nuo. The Pope’s voice echoed through the interlude, amidst a tone of strong insistence, “To leave? Linno must stay.” 

“Impossible.” Rennes replied expressionlessly.

Eugene watched Rennes intently and then looked at Lin Nuo, suddenly bursting into a manic laughter, “Your Excellency! Despite all our precautions and calculations, we didn’t account for this! We didn’t account for you figuring it out by yourself! It seems you’ve already figured out why it had to be Linno, why the Pope was so willing to officiate the wedding.”

Rennes instinctively shielded Lin Nuo behind him. “I don’t care who he used to be. He’s my beloved now.”

Hearing this, even the Pope laughed, his voice resembling distant thunder, disconcerting. The Pope praised, “Good, good, the once terrifying Clement, willing to be partnered with a dragon. It truly moves me. But, my good son-in-law, you must agree to let your partner return to our family home.”

The Pope spoke in a teasing tone, yet Lin Nuo’s heart was struck by waves of thunder, Wh… what?! Did the Pope just say something?! Family home?!

“Impossible,” Rennes continued, pulling Lin Nuo into an embrace while continuously drawing magic circles on his hands and back.

Observing Rennes’ gestures, the Pope sneered, “No need to bother. No matter how powerful the human magic circles are, they cannot withstand the power of gold. As long as the bell tolls, Linno, in the sacred city, will surely regain the form of a dragon!”

Rennes retorted with a cold smile, “Even the dragon clan cannot change the rules of the golden bell. Without the knighting ceremony, the golden bell cannot possibly ring.”

“Tsk tsk…” The Pope chuckled. “It should be so. But you weak and greedy humans, while returning Linno, also sent me a generous gift along the way—”

Beneath the purple robes of the Pope, a hand made a swift motion towards the altar: A frail figure rolled out from beneath the altar. It was Josef, with a piece of tattered cloth stuffed in his mouth. At this moment, Josef hadn’t fainted. Instead, tears streamed down his face as he looked around in terror.

With a slight movement of his fingers, the Pope made Josef hover in mid-air, then addressed Eugene, “Take him and use him. The pure blood of Heinrich, torn and spilled on the bell, is the finest offering, enough to trigger the ringing of the golden bell.”

Eugene chuckled, ascended into the air, transformed into a jet-black dragon with emerald eyes, and lifted Josef, crashing through the walls between the ceremonies towards the golden bell. Rennes’ expression changed drastically. He lifted Lin Nuo, held the old king’s hand, and dashed out through the gap created by Eugene.

The piercing cries of Josef had already reached them. Accompanied by the agonizing scream, the golden bell, with its resounding and deep voice, echoed throughout the sacred city.

Lin Nuo’s body was struck with intense pain. He lowered his head, observing his hands, which had turned into golden claws. There was a whooshing sound on his back— the flapping of dragon wings. He wanted to tell Rennes to run and leave him behind. But all that came out was a roar of pain, accompanied by faint golden flames in the air.

He had transformed into a dragon, a true dragon.

Rennes, who had been embracing him moments before, now could only look up at him with a pained expression, calling out loudly, “Linno! Stay conscious! Follow me! Follow me!”

The relentless sound of the golden bell continued, echoing incessantly, each toll striking within Lin Nuo’s mind. Lin Nuo’s pupils gradually turned into vertical golden slits. With a long howl to the sky, following his instincts, he flew towards the direction of the golden bell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Title is available for faster chapter releases through paid Patreon membership. Any proceeds go to keeping the website running. Check it out HERE.