Dragon's Awakening: The Duke's Son Is Changing The Plot
Chapter 88 - 87 - The plot’s still there?

Chapter 88: Chapter 87 - The plot’s still there?

It was evening.

Red Flame Tower’s walls were painted with amber light.

The fire runes, drawn to strengthen the tower’s defenses, hummed while the scent of ash and old tomes hung in the air like incense.

Raven walked with his hands in his pockets, trailing just behind Ilzara as she led the group through a twisting corridor lined with flame-shaped wall lamps.

After a short rest, they were finally moving.

They were using the stairs of the magic tower to go to the topmost floor, which was the Tower Master’s floor.

The Tower Master was one of Velmoria’s eight-circle monsters and possibly the only person strong enough to bake bread and a city at the same time.

As Raven watched Ilzara, her steps composed, graceful, and almost regal, he suddenly had a thought.

’Why does it seem like the opening scene where Ilzara’s plot starts?’ He wondered grimly.

According to the original storyline, Ilzara’s plot had started similarly.

Raven would’ve come to the tower with his group, but unlike the stealthy approach they were using this time, he would’ve arrived with clear intentions.

Everyone would’ve known about demons and also that he had a squirrel that could sense demons.

Even in the plot, Ilzara was supposed to be their escort, and like now, she was supposed to take him and his group to meet with the tower master.

’But that was a plot that would’ve happened long ago.’

Raven arrived here later than he was supposed to, so the plot must already be over.

’...’

His expression paused as that thought passed his head.

’...red flag?’

Turning toward the board that showed the floor number, Raven noticed that it was the fourth floor, and since the incident that marked the start of the plot was supposed to happen on the fifth floor, he held his breath.

Silently, he followed behind Ilzara with others, heaving a huge sigh of relief only when they reached the fifth.

’Fuck, yeah!’

That someone who was supposed to interrupt them on their way to the tower master didn’t appear!

This means Ilzara wasn’t going to enter any struggle arc, and he wouldn’t have to help her with anything.

’I was getting nervous for no reason. There’s no way a plot would be delayed for this long—’

But before his thoughts could complete, footsteps echoed from the opposite end of the hallway.

A man rounded the corner, flanked by two lesser mages like he was royalty.

’Fuck no!’

Raven’s eyes went wide as he lowered his head.

He was here.

Looking at him, wearing deep crimson robes, his collar embroidered with golden lions, and his face had that unmistakable smugness of someone who had never been punched enough in life, Raven could tell who it was without anyone telling him.

Galeon Dervan—the son of the vice tower master, a late six-circle fire mage, politically favored, and permanently stuck in the emotional development of a spoiled aristocrat.

Also, he was married and had a kid.

Despite that, he was chasing Ilzara like a stray dog with a fire enchantment on its tail.

This fucker was responsible for starting the Red Magic Tower’s plot, as he would be the one who would force Ilzara into a situation where the Protagonist must step up to help.

If not, then the future of a beautiful woman like her would be destroyed.

Ilzara visibly stiffened, but Raven stepped back, stuffing his hands deeper into his pockets, as he didn’t want to attract that guy’s attention.

"Ilzara," Galeon drawled, his voice as smooth as burning tar, "still parading around with some visitors, I see. How quaint. I understand that the Tower Master wants you to build connections, but you and I know what really matters here."

’How cliché,’ Raven muttered inwardly.

Galeon, like any other third-rate villain, didn’t seem to know who they were. He probably didn’t know that Lio Hector was among them.

He was likely thinking that they were from a noble house that the tower master favored and wanted his daughter to make connections with.

It wasn’t uncalled for, though.

’If this plot is delayed—for whatever reason it may be—then Galeon was supposed to be returning from a vacation.’

Yes. As Raven had guessed, Galeon, along with his goons, was on vacation, and right after he returned, he had gone to see his father—the Vice Tower Master.

He was probably coming down from the sixth floor, which was the Vice Tower Master’s floor, and he saw Ilzara.

Ilzara bowed her head politely. "Good evening, Elder Galeon."

Galeon smirked. "The selection for the next Tower Master is near. The elders are already whispering, and I hope you remember your position. There’s no place for sentiment or distractions."

Raven narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

He knew how this played out.

Ilzara would be quietly humiliated, but she endured it, and eventually, this fueled her future ambition.

However, her ambitions wouldn’t be realized without the help of the Protagonist—Raven.

Interfering now would mean jumping headfirst into her arc.

But interfering would also mean that he was taking the path of adding Ilzara into his harem, which he didn’t want.

He already had enough women in his life who wanted to stab things for him. Or stab him. It was a thin line.

Ilzara didn’t respond, but for a moment—just a second—her eyes flicked toward Raven.

"No..." Raven whispered.

The moment she glanced at him, Raven felt something.

That single, harmless glance made him feel the plot shackles snap around his ankles.

As Raven was feeling the shackles bind him, Galeon, who had noticed Raven because of Ilzara, had his smug smile twitch.

’Why the fuck is he so handsome?’ He gritted his teeth.

"...Who is this pansy?" He asked, scoffing at Raven’s appearance. "You bring pretty boys with you now, Ilzara? Is this your taste? Guess the bar’s gotten low."

Raven blinked. ’Did this man just...?’

"Oh boy," Jessy muttered. "He doesn’t know."

Jake, on the other hand, glanced at Lio, the prince of Hector Kingdom, wondering what Gelneon would think if he knew who he was offending.

Lia—still in her perfect Prince Lio act—just tilted her head and remained silent, letting the situation unfold.

After all, she was used to being underestimated as a man, so she thought it was a normal thing.

Meanwhile, Alex leaned down to Nibbles on his head.

"Nibbles, what’s this guy’s deal?" He whispered.

Nibbles squeaked.

Alex squinted. "Wait, what? Why can’t I understand your words?!"

Another chirp.

"...What do you mean, man? I can’t understand anything!"

"Wait—!" Alex gasped, looking alarmed. "Is it the cursed acorn?! Don’t tell me it wore off!"

He turned to Raven frantically. "Raven, I think I can’t hear Nibbles anymore!"

Raven didn’t even look at him. "Congrats."

Back in the main drama zone, Galeon was still talking.

"—Don’t think your looks will help you here, brat. This isn’t a brothel. Do you think flashing a pretty face is enough to impress an elder? Apologize and step aside."

Raven popped a vein.

’Okay. Fuck it.’

He was going to endure it, but he seemed to have underestimated his pride.

He stepped forward.

Galeon scowled. "Oh? Are you trying to beg now? That’s right. Know your place—"

SLAP—CRACK!

The slap echoed through the hall like divine judgment.

Galeon’s head twisted violently, his body lifting off the floor like a ragdoll. He slammed into the wall with a thunderous boom, cratering it like a decoration made of shame.

And then—silence.

Utter. Deafening. Silence.

Even the torches dimmed slightly, as if unsure how to react.

Ilzara’s eyes widened.

Jessy covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Jake nodded.

And Rufus gently touched his cheek, whispering, "This... This feels familiar. Is this how I looked back then...?"

Alex stared at the wall. "Whoa. He broke the plaster. Can I try next?"

Raven cracked his neck and muttered, "That’s what you get for dragging me into someone else’s plot."

But deep down, he knew that wasn’t the full truth.

He’d seen Siris’s fingers twitching. Her eyes had gone blank. Her hand was halfway to her dagger.

If he hadn’t acted, there’d be fingers on the floor and flames in the air.

Speaking of which...

Siris stepped up beside him, whispering, "Why did you leave him alive?"

"Why did you want to kill him?" Raven asked back.

"Because he insulted you."

Raven paused at those words, then sighed.

"While I’m touched, I would still prefer you thinking about less bloody solutions."

She leaned close, her head lowering. "But he insulted you..."

Raven flinched. What should he say now?

Finally, he said the thing that he felt he should. "Thank you."

Siris smiled at his words. "Hm."

Ilzara, on the other hand, stood frozen, staring at the collapsed form of Galeon as her shoulders trembled—not with fear, but something else. Gratitude? Surprise? Maybe the slightest bit of admiration?

’...Dammit,’ Raven thought.

Plot rope: engaged.

Jessy sighed, sidling up beside him. "Well, I believe that’s a lovestruck look."

"Clara’s gonna kill someone if she sees this," Raven muttered. "I just hope it’s not me."

Nibbles squeaked mournfully atop Alex’s head, and Alex nodded in return, dramatically raising a hand to the sky.

"I can’t understand you, but I swear I’ll restore our bond, partner!"

No one acknowledged him.

And with Galeon’s unconscious body slumped like a broken puppet, Ilzara took a breath and turned back to the group.

"Shall we continue?"

Raven pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, sure. Let’s go and meet the eight-circle wizard. What could possibly go wrong?"

As the group marched onward, Galeon’s goons, who had fallen to their butts, quickly rushed toward the guy, rushing him to the infirmary.