Chapter 59: Smells like human
Other dragonslayers on the scene wanted to protest and compel Jett to protect them, since they were part of the same race. Alas, Eleonora’s swift, cruel reaction, which turned Bob into a mere meat shield, left them utterly frozen. No one dared to utter a word, lest they end up fighting not only dragons but fellow humans.
"S‑Save me! We fought together against dragons, didn’t we?! Say something! Do something! Save me!" Bob spun around and shouted at the other dragonslayers, his stare boring into the ones he had fought alongside.
He didn’t get what he’d hoped for. Instead of his friends siding with him, everyone absolutely averted their eyes and swallowed their feelings, not daring to utter so much as a single word. They were done. It was as simple as that. All they could do right now was walk into an army of dragons led by none other than the Dragon Empress and fight as heroes would.
What does it mean to be fucking hero? Bob asked himself as he saw their expressions. I wanted to be better than others, and for others to fawn over me. I didn’t want to be their sacrificial lamb! If that’s what it means to be a fucking hero, I’ll never become one! I’d rather settle for a noble’s knight commander and still be respected by fewer people yet be in a much safer spot!
"FUCK THIS ALL! FUCK YOU ALL! FUCK YOU, WARDEN! FUCK YOU, WARDEN’S BITCH! YOU ARE A TRAITOR—" Bob screamed, only to suddenly feel Jett’s glare.
For a moment, it seemed heavier than the Dragon Empress’s presence. His throat felt squeezed by an invisible hand, and the privilege of breathing was stolen from Bob. He shivered, his lips quivering for a speck of air.
"Come here," Jett ordered.
Bob’s body reacted before he could. He stood up and walked toward Jett without willing it at all. This felt like watching himself do things in a dream, only even worse. This was reality, and Bob no longer had even a say about his life.
Seizing the edge of Bob’s armor, Jett tightened his grip and then executed a half‑spin, hurling the dragonslayer straight into a living wall of dragons. Bob smashed into them, leaving not even a dent, then dropped flat onto the ground. As he raised his messy face, the reptilian eyes of assorted nearby dragons coolly stared him down.
"...Stop... looking at me... monsters..." Bob whispered through tears, his fate sealed.
Opposite him, Jett stood truly motionless, his expression utterly void of emotion. He’d breathed in and out many times to calm himself. At last, he spoke, his voice laying his feelings bare.