Show Me Your Stats!-Chapter 121

Dead Flag

"Sir Bloom."

As he strode over, Jinas called out. Bloom, who had been issuing orders to the knights, turned his head. When he stepped aside to a spot where others wouldn’t overhear them, Jinas asked in a tense voice.

"Have you noticed anything strange?"

"Not yet."

Instead of continuing the conversation, silence fell—not because there was nothing to say. Both men wore grave expressions. Normally, the city would be silent in the darkness, its people fast asleep, but tonight, torches flickered brightly in every direction.

The previous night, Ayra had quietly summoned Jinas, Gretel, Bloom, and Hera. Having already been briefed by Ayra, the three men sensed immediately that the moment they’d dreaded had finally come, their faces hardening. Only Gretel seemed puzzled, glancing at Hera as if to ask why she was there.

The young lord stared intently at Gretel, as though peering straight into his soul, then opened her mouth.

"I think you all already know why I’ve gathered you here. It looks like the day we hoped would never come... has arrived."

"Huh? That day... what day do you mean...?"

Still new to his role as an administrator, Gretel remained confused. Bloom pressed his lips shut, hiding his expression behind his helmet. Hera crossed her arms and sighed heavily, and Jinas, unable to suppress his anxiety, groaned low.

Could a dragon truly be about to invade Solar?

To him, dragons weren’t fairy-tale beings who fell in love with human companions. They were terrifying legends that brought ruin to cities. He recalled the man who had broken into the lord’s manor one night.

The man had stood tall in the dark, eyes gleaming. He looked entirely human—arms, legs, facial features, everything perfectly normal, even handsome—but the instant their eyes met, Jinas felt an instinctive chill. The fact that Ayra had faced such a being without flinching was nothing short of incredible.

Had he not been forewarned, he might have spiraled into panic. But thanks to the preparation, Jinas managed to feign composure. Since Bloom and Hera were resolute rather than fearful, he couldn’t afford to be the only one trembling. But still... His gaze shifted to Gretel.

He understood why Ayra hadn’t told Gretel about the dragon. Jinas had grown up shadowing his mother and learning about estate affairs, building loyalty to the territory from a young age. Bloom had been indebted to the previous lord, and Hera was a seasoned mercenary. Gretel, by contrast, was barely more than a child. Certainly more capable than his father, Ran Graffni, and diligent in his duties—but matters like this were of an entirely different magnitude. They required a stamina of the soul no bureaucratic task could compare to.

Still, in the face of catastrophe, he would have to manage. Especially now, when a functioning administrator was absolutely vital. Ayra must have summoned him for that reason as well.

"I know it’s a bit late to explain things to you. Between your father’s... scandal and the fact that you were just recently appointed, I didn’t want to burden you too soon. Is that all right?"

"Y-yes! I’m fine with anything, my lord!"

"I’m glad to hear it! Because chances are high that a dragon will attack the territory very soon. Ha ha. You understand, yes? You’re fine with that?"

"E-eh? Fine, I—understand, no, wait... A d-dragon?"

Leaving the broken Gretel to his confusion, Ayra calmly laid out the plan.

"I’ve tried to change its mind, really—I did my best. But it’s no use. The dragon will attack Naulam tomorrow night. Unless something drastic changes, it’ll start there, sweep through a number of villages, and in two weeks, end up here. I’ll try everything to stop it."

Jinas lowered his head, biting his lip. He recalled the first time he’d seen Ayra. Back then, Solar’s second son barely registered as a presence in his mind. Distrust and unease toward maze mages had made him act coldly. Looking back, it was embarrassing how wrong he’d been. Ayra was, without question, one of the most competent and remarkable lords in Solar’s history.

"Your job is to evacuate as many people as possible from the territory. It would’ve been better if the shelters had been completed by now, but..."

The designated shelters were three stone quarries, including the lord’s manor itself. Food supplies had already been stocked, but according to Ayra, the most critical protective magic hadn’t been finished yet. With a sigh, she continued giving orders.

"I’ll send a signal once the dragon leaves this city. That’s when the evacuation begins. The second signal means I’ve failed to negotiate with it... I’ll try to buy as much time as I can, but at that point, all we can do is pray for divine luck."

"My lord..."

For the first time, Bloom bowed deeply as though weighed down by guilt. Hera, wearing her usual lazy smile, wished Ayra good luck. Gretel still sat slack-jawed, completely dazed. Ayra slowly looked over the four of them. Her gaze lingered briefly on an empty chair before she clicked her tongue lightly.

"It would’ve been nice if I could add one more person, but I guess there’s no helping it."

Was she referring to a shortage of manpower? Another loyal retainer would’ve certainly helped—but there was no time for that now. Jinas couldn’t help but wish they had just a little more time to prepare.

"I hope I’ll see all of you again. I’ll do everything I can to protect you."

With that, Ayra pulled a bottle of liquor and a set of cups from thin air. Sharing a drink before a major event was a tradition in Solar. She personally poured drinks for each of them, one by one. They raised their cups, silently vowing to survive and protect others. Even Gretel, still stunned, clinked cups and drank the oath-bound liquor.

From that moment on, Ayra couldn’t afford to waste a single second. She left the room immediately. In her stead, Jinas explained everything about dragons to Gretel. As expected, the boy—who had likely only read about them in books—turned pale as a ghost.

Jinas did his best to comfort him. They couldn't spare even one pair of hands right now. Thankfully, though Gretel was frightened, he didn’t flee. Just like that, a day passed in a blink, and the time Ayra had predicted arrived.

The first signal came well after sundown. The glowing orb Ayra left atop the main gate lit up the bell tower in a bright glow. The bells on the castle and at the city square rang out loudly. Residents stirred from sleep in confusion.

"What’s going on?"

"Did a monster attack the city?"

Soon, soldiers were going door to door, shouting that everyone needed to evacuate. Not once did they mention the word “dragon.” The panic that would ensue would be far harder to control. Instead, they claimed the walls weren’t complete and monsters had appeared nearby, urging people to follow the guides.

Still groggy from sleep, the residents hesitantly emerged from their homes. Following the guards and militia, they began heading toward the shelters.

But the evacuation didn’t go smoothly. Fewer than half moved toward the quarry willingly. Most dawdled, packing belongings in a frenzy. Jinas and Bloom were on the verge of tearing their hair out with frustration.

To make matters worse, the temple actively interfered. The former high priest Theon, who was supposed to be bedridden, emerged leaning on a staff looking surprisingly well. He flung open the temple doors and began calling the people to him.

"Followers! Fear not! The divine shall protect us! Come! The temple shall shield you!"

Jinas, outside the manor helping with evacuation, clenched his teeth.

That damned old man... Monsters are approaching and he’s using it as a chance to boost ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) his influence? Standing behind Theon, Act looked no better to him.

Ayra hadn’t chosen the quarries for nothing. They were interconnected and even linked to the lord’s manor for emergency escape. Not only that, food was stockpiled and they had a fresh water source.

Jinas, growing more anxious as things failed to go according to plan, went to find Bloom to see if there was any news. But unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—there was none. Bloom had no updates to report. Jinas sighed.

"The townspeople aren’t cooperating with the evacuation."

"It’s likely because the monsters have never breached the walls before."

That was true. But it was also because Ayra hadn’t been lord for long. In other words, the people didn’t trust her deeply yet. All Jinas could do was pray that Ayra would return safely—that the dragon might change its mind.

"So this is where you all are!"

Hera waved brightly as she approached. Though Jinas and Bloom still kept their distance, she grinned shamelessly.

"Per the lord’s orders, I stole the flowers from the temple, Sir Bloomi~."

"Call me by my proper name!"

"Oh, got it. Sir Bloombloom~."

Bloom flushed with rage and trembled at her flippant tone.

"Sir Gini, by the way, where’s Gretel?"

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Jinas—who didn’t mind being called either “Sir Gini” or “Sir Jinas”—replied calmly.

"Sir Gretel is... managing the lord’s manor."

Gretel had initially helped with the evacuation. But his pale, panicked demeanor had caused unrest among the people, and they had to send him back to the manor. Hera quickly picked up on the hidden meaning and nodded without asking further.

"I see. Then I’ve finished my job—guess I’ll go help evacuate now."

With Hera joining them, they were still coordinating the evacuation when the second signal arrived. A faint red light blinked in the distant sky, and before long, a bright red flare shot up from the tallest tower of the lord’s manor. It was a magic device Ayra had installed in advance.

The three of them froze.

That signal meant the dragon had begun moving. And it also meant Ayra was now facing it.

"My lord..."

Jinas whispered her name like a prayer. Bloom’s expression was hidden beneath his helmet, but his grip on his sword was tight enough to crack the hilt. Even Hera had lost her usual smirk.

Only now did Jinas realize just how much he had come to rely on Ayra. She was the one who always resolved every crisis in the territory. Maybe deep down, he’d been hoping she’d handle this one too. That had to be why the despair felt so overwhelming.

Because almost no one survived a direct fight with a dragon.

And right now, Ayra was...