Don't Mess with That Dragon-Chapter 644 - 32: The Past (Second Update)

Once, they were like brothers, friends who could entrust each other's lives.

At the wild bonfire feasts, they drank large cups of wine and ate big chunks of meat, discussing grand dreams and imagining a beautiful future together.

However, today, they have become enemies with swords drawn.

Edward couldn't help but be angry.

For eighteen years, he had repeatedly targeted the Blue Dragon named Austin, largely due to Valen's "death." But now, Valen not only appeared before him but also told him that he had defected to their enemy's side, which only fueled Edward's anger!

"Why!!!"

Edward shouted, his angry gaze pierced the room. With a loud bang, a powerful burst of Fighting Qi sent visible shockwaves across the corridor, creating a violent storm.

Two figures collided fiercely and were sent flying.

Edward stared ahead intently,

still finding it hard to believe!

In their past discussions, Valen had openly shown distaste for other races, especially since the greatest enemy of mercenaries during missions were always those Beastmen who lurked in the wilderness, attacking unexpectedly. Over the years, many comrades had fallen victim to these treacherous attacks, leading the young, passionate Valen to dream of eradicating all lowly Beastmen from the world.

Moreover, during one conversation, Edward learned from Valen that when he was young, his hometown had been ravaged by an Evil Dragon, half of the country collapsed and ruined, leading to a path of refuge. His parents died during that escape. He had vowed that one day he would seek revenge on that Evil Dragon, or better yet, wipe out all foreign races from this world!

It was this childhood hatred that made Valen not openly oppose when Edward planned to attack the Dragon Nest Beastman Tribe.

As the captain and chief of the Mercenary Corps, Valen's every move affected the future of the entire group.

On his shoulders rested the fate of all members of the Mercenary Corps.

The primary rule during missions: Never get involved in matters unrelated to the task.

This was a lesson learned with the blood of countless mercenary teams over the years, taught by the Mercenary Union.

But Valen ultimately made a decision, not just because Edward had tempted and persuaded the mercenaries into action with his Dragon Hunter's identity, but also due to his private childhood resentment towards the Giant Dragon Race. Otherwise, given Valen's nature, he could have suppressed the opinions of the team, even if they had agreed.

But now, how could this be possible!

The brother of the past had joined the hated Dragon's banner, living among the Beastmen he once loathed!

Could it be that the so-called brotherly bonds,

and heartfelt conversations, were just a joke?!

This is betrayal,

a betrayal that infuriated Edward immensely!

Boom!!!

Intense Fighting Qi erupted, as enraged Edward shot out like a shadowy missile, leaving a long airwave in its wake!

Clang!

Swords clashed again, sparking fires.

In mid-air,

they were locked in combat.

Valen's expression was somewhat lost and desolate.

Taking advantage of Valen's distraction, Edward kicked out with his right foot, sweeping like an iron whip, hitting Valen's stomach heavily.

Bam!

The armor on his body shattered instantly, and a strong burst of Fighting Qi erupted. Valen flew backward like a cannonball, crashing into a Golden Pillar with a thunderous sound.

"Huff, huff, huff..."

Edward landed on the ground, taking big breaths of air, exhausted from the intense exchange.

On the other side,

Valen fell from the Golden Pillar, spat out a mouthful of blood, and his armor completely broke apart as he struggled to stand up.

He looked at his old friend with a complex expression,

silently picked up the Longsword beside him,

and confronted Edward once again.

The air,

was deathly silent.

Edward's inner anger felt like a volcano suppressed for millennia, ready to erupt again.

Then he heard Valen's low voice resonate in the air:

"Edward, I once told you, my hometown was destroyed by an Evil Dragon, and afterward, I had to wander, finally becoming a mercenary. But do you know what I went through during those years of wandering?"

Edward made no movement, staring at Valen intently.

Facing that angry gaze, Valen seemed oblivious, his low voice seemed to pull him back to that tragic era.

"The Evil Dragon came fiercely, blocking out the sky, destroying fields, collapsing houses, destroying cities. Half a country's climate was forcibly reversed and changed, fields could no longer produce food, and terrifying disasters swept the land."

"For survival, whole regions migrated, seeking refuge in unknown distant lands. Everywhere were refugees struggling to survive, the roadsides littered with the white bones of the starved, as those fleeing from my hometown fell one by one. My parents died in a struggle for food in the wild, while I cowered in a corner, trembling, having not eaten for three days. Outside, cold rain fell, and I had to defend myself against those around me whose eyes glinted green from hunger, feeling only despair in my heart."

"Edward, you were born into a noble family, you surely haven't experienced such misery. When even the bark was peeled clean from the trees, and the Forest Land was barren, some couldn't resist eating dirt, just to enjoy the sensation of a full stomach before dying. Yet along the way, those high and mighty behind tall walls enjoyed the grandest feasts, while outside were starving refugees too weak to move. Even the dogs in their estates, who couldn't finish their leftover feasts, were merely buried in pits, so as not to let these wretched ones taint their food. We could only cling to the high walls, smelling the aroma of food wafting over, feeling less than a dog!"

"Do you know how my parents died? A noble carriage passed by on the road, and the noble child sitting high in the carriage happily threw down a bone. Because like this, he could watch the refugees fight over it like mad dogs. My parents were trampled to death by the rushing crowd over a mere bone, while that noble child clapped his hands joyfully on the carriage!"

"So, is this your reason for betraying?"

This time, Edward's gaze remained angry.

But in his words, there was no longer the same self-righteousness; his voice took on the same low tone.