Page 171 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

But internally, all he could think was: The faster I kill these, the faster I can go home.

The Earth dragons noticed him first. One of them—easily sixty feet long—reared up and roared, the sound echoing across the wasteland.

Caspian didn't even flinch.

His Matter Manipulation activated.

The ground beneath the dragon erupted, stone forming into dozens of sharp spears that launched upward with lethal speed. The dragon tried to dodge, but Caspian was already moving. Stone erupted beneath his feet, launching him upward—closing the distance with inhuman speed, both swords flashing.

Wintersbane caught the dragon across its throat. Frostreaver followed immediately, driving deep into the corrupted creature's chest.

The dragon fell with a thunderous crash, dead before it hit the ground.

The entire exchange took less than ten seconds.

The other three dragons froze, staring at their fallen companion.

Then at Caspian.

Then at each other.

Caspian pulled his swords free and turned to face them, his green eyes cold as ice. More stone weapons formed around him—floating spears, massive hammers, sharp-edged discs—all hovering in the air at his command.

"Well?" Caspian said quietly. "Who's next?"

The Wind dragons looked at each other.

Then, as one, they turned and fled.

Just... took off into the sky and disappeared over the horizon.

The remaining Earth dragon hesitated for only a moment before following suit, its massive body crashing through the underbrush as it ran.

Behind Caspian, his troops stood in stunned silence.

"Did... did they just run away?" Lieutenant Marcus asked.

"Aye," one of the veterans said. "Can't say I blame them. I'd flee too if I saw His Grace looking that murderous."

"The Duke dispatched that creature as if it were nothing," another soldier added. "Not even winded."

"He's in a terrible mood," Edwin observed, walking his horse forward. "Missing the Duchess will do that to a man."

Caspian was already cleaning his blades, his expression still thunderous. "Edwin."

"Your Grace?"

"Should we pursue the others?"

Edwin looked at the direction the dragons had fled, then back at Caspian's face. "Do you want to pursue them?"

"No," Caspian said bluntly. "I want to go home. If they're smart enough to run, they're smart enough to keep running."

"Agreed," Edwin said. "No point chasing dragons across the wasteland when they've already retreated."

Caspian sheathed his swords and turned to survey the area. "Search the vicinity. Make sure there are no other threats. Then we make camp and head back at first light."

"Yes, Your Grace."