The man slowly lifted his head under everyone’s gaze. With cropped brown hair and a gaunt face, he appeared to be in his forties or fifties. He wore an ordinary gray linen tunic and grimy leather armor. His sharp eyes seemed to pierce through every person’s weakness.

Only then did I notice the scarlet cross branded on the left side of his neck. Crimson flames, like blood, flickered beneath it—both solemn and mysterious.

*Heh heh. Hello, everyone.*

The tall, thin middle-aged man grinned at us. *Witnessing such an exciting battle today truly makes this trip worthwhile.*

Worthwhile? What did he mean?

*I never expected Rosalynde Arnold, thirteenth of the Radiant Order, to fall so quickly. Though I’d braced myself somewhat, this newly awakened dragon bloodline is far stronger than I anticipated. I thought she’d at least hold out longer.*

*Who are you?*

The little girl’s slitted pupils narrowed slightly at the man’s appearance. Sensing genuine danger, her earlier ease vanished.

*Who am I? An excellent question.*

The mercenary took two leisurely steps forward, tapping the cross on his neck. *This emblem should tell you my identity.*

*I don’t know,* the little girl shook her head.

The man’s expression froze for a split second before smoothing into a smile. He turned to me. *Young lady, surely you recognize me?*

*Um…* I fidgeted awkwardly. *Sorry, I don’t know either.*

*Like hell I know who you are. I just arrived in this world—I don’t understand anything. Stop throwing terms like ‘Radiant’ and ‘Order’ around. If you’ve got time to show off, just explain properly!*

After two embarrassments, the man let out a dry chuckle. Then another voice cut through.

*Chaos Cross… You’re from the Chaos Cross Chapter?*

It was Rosalynde, the silver-haired girl. Badly wounded, she struggled to stand, her body swaying slightly.

*Exactly!* Joy lit up the mercenary’s face. *I am Archibald of the Chaos Cross Chapter.*

Rosalynde studied the scarlet emblem. *A Blood Cross-tier member. What’s your goal?*

*Ahaha! A goal? Oh, I have one—and it’s no small matter.* Archibald pointed at the little girl. *See this? A dragon slumbering for centuries. Though she can’t yet reclaim her true form, her aura is already manifesting. Her power grows steadily. When she first awoke in her lair, she was merely Radiant-tier. Now? Crowned Apex. A miracle. Truly miraculous.*

Archibald stroked his chin. *The Chaos Cross Chapter has its flaws. Promotion is troublesome. I don’t know what the King was thinking—advancing from Blood Cross to Inverted Cross requires a world-shaking feat. Fortunately, I uncovered clues about the dragon race. Capturing a dragon… That should earn me Inverted Cross status.*

The little girl’s eyes narrowed to slits. *Heh. You’re confident. Do you really think you can capture a dragon? A coward hiding in the shadows.*

*Who said I’m alone? I brought help from the start.*

*Help? You mean—?* The girl’s voice held suspicion.

*Don’t be surprised. My ally stands right there—the Avaria Empire’s young knight, Rosalynde Arnold.*

Rosalynde frowned. *Nonsense! I’m no ally of yours! I’ve never seen you before!*

*No, no. You *are* my ally. And my prey.*

*What do you mean?*

*I planned to strike when both sides were exhausted, sweeping you all up at once. But you proved useless—defeated far too quickly.* Archibald shook his head, feigning disappointment. *Luring a dragon I couldn’t handle alone… Letting her clash with Avaria’s hounds… Then my grand entrance as the mastermind behind the curtain. My plan was perfect. Pity an unexpected meddler ruined it.*

I stood frozen. So the villain’s motive *was* what I’d guessed.

Archibald’s gaze locked onto me. *Child, you should’ve run. Why interfere? You’re too naive. Too young to value life.*

His eyes were like venomous snakes. A chilling sense of danger crawled over my skin.

*Though my plan failed, I won’t leave empty-handed. Some losses can’t be undone. But I can still find… comfort. By killing someone, for instance.*

The moment his last word fell, Archibald lunged—not like a hunting leopard, but a coiled viper striking.

Yet he never reached me.

Eunice intercepted him from the side, her fist slamming into his ribs. He spun through the air before crashing down.

Eunice saved me again.

Archibald landed in a controlled spin, unharmed. Eunice stepped in front of me, shielding my body without a word. I noticed her right wrist tremble faintly.

*Are you hurt?* I whispered near her ear.

Her whole body jolted. *T-too close! Don’t whisper in my ear… It’s uncomfortable…*

*…Ah.* I pulled back awkwardly. *Eunice, what tier is he?*

*Unclear. Feels like Radiant… or Crowned Apex. His power’s suppressed—like he’s hiding his true rank.*

So he was concealing his strength?

The dragon girl finally grasped the truth: she’d been used. Hunted.

*Heh. Mortal fool. You have courage.*

*C courage comes from purpose. To earn Inverted Cross status, one must achieve the extraordinary.*

*Then pay for your courage!* Pink flames erupted around the girl, her aura crushing.

Archibald’s smile turned eerie.

*I never fight pointless battles. My plan failed. Fighting you now gains me nothing. But I have one enemy—the one who shattered my stage.* He snapped his fingers, eyes on me. *You.*

My heart lurched. *Damn this grudge-holding bastard!*

Archibald dodged the girl’s attack, then unleashed a wave of pressure. Three blue rings materialized behind him. A muffled *boom* echoed—the girl froze mid-lunge.

As the rings faded, Archibald slipped past her, arrowing toward me.

Eunice’s right wrist turned black as she blocked—but the blue rings flared again. With a heavy thud, Archibald’s fist sent her crashing to the ground.

*Foolish.* He cracked his knuckles, standing before me, calm and unyielding.