1. Return of The Dragon General
1197 Words
The ship’s ramp lowered slowly, metal grinding as it touched the ground. A strong wind swept across the platform, carrying dust and the smell of steel. Soldiers waiting below moved at once, dropping to one knee in perfect formation.
“Welcome home, Grand Duke!”
“Honor to the Dragon General!”
“Monterio salutes you!”
A man stepped out of the ship.
He wore simple clothing — a dark coat and travel-worn boots — nothing that showed rank or wealth.
But the moment Dante Virelli walked onto the platform, the air around him changed.
He did not need armor or medals because everyone already knew who he was.
The Dragon General of Monterio.
Commander of the Draconis Legion.
The man whose strategies had ended wars and forced entire armies to surrender.
He had taken Ravencourt, Bellavia, and Northcrest in less than a year.
Not through endless battles, but through precise planning and strikes that ended fights before they began.
Cities surrendered because facing him meant losing before the war even started.
To his soldiers, he was a leader they would die for.
To his enemies, he was the reason they did not sleep at night.
To the people of Monterio, he was strength in human form.
From the front row, a man rose and stepped forward.
It was General Enzo Bellandi — Dante’s second-in-command, respected across Monterio, known for his discipline and loyalty. He saluted, his expression calm but full of meaning.
“Your Grace,” Enzo said quietly, “you have returned to Monterio after many years. Do you have any orders for us?”
“My dear family and wife, how are they faring Enzo? Are they living fine?” Dante’s voice was filled with pained sarcasm, his eyes burning with anger.
“Yes, your Grace. Infact, they are holding a banquet in a few minutes to honor you. Apparently the whole of Monterio has gotten news of the return of the Grand Duke and your family claimed they had arranged one without knowing the man they had betrayed in the Grand Duke.”
Dante’s laughter broke as it echoed across the wind.
“Alright then.” It finally stopped as he smirked. “Let’s go pay them a little visit, shall we?”
“Immediately, your Grace!” Enzo didn’t waste anytime as he led him to the armored car fit for the Grand Duke.
Finally, when they got to the Virelli mansion, memories of what had happened here five years ago flashed back to him, Dante shook away the thought. There was no time for sentiments. Just pure retribution.
“Stay here, Enzo. I’ll meet those monsters alone.” Dante came a swift command as he got off and walked walked right into the ceremony.
All eyes turned to the doorway, the music playing in the background stopped abruptly.
“Isn’t that Dante Virelli, the biggest criminal in Monterio that was sentenced to prison for that scam report five years ago?” One of the elites present asked.
“Yes, he is. Seems like he is done serving his time and now crashing parties is what he now specializes in.” Another hissed, with a disgusted look.
“The Virellis are supposed to cut all ties with this man. I can’t imagine how embarrassing it would be for them to be associated with a man like him. Despised and scorned.” Another snorted.
Dante didn’t even blink at the people talking. He knew this was how the people of Monterio would react to his return.
Only if they knew how much had changed in the last five years. After being falsely accused and framed by his adoptive parents and ex-wife in order to take over his Virelli Holdings, he had been transferred to one of the ruthless prisons outside Monterio where hardened criminals are tortured.
He had almost died in his first year, but he met a man who had stood by his side, groomed him and that was how he was transferred to the military and he had grew to become the Dragon General feared in that city he was transferred to and the neighboring cities after news of his exploits were spread. But no one had truly seen his face.
They just knew he was a man that was originally from Monterio and now he was back to his city.
Just that they didn’t knew the true identity of the Dragon General is Dante Virelli, the scorned and despised man from Monterio.
“Well, we have no ties with that man standing over there.”
Caterina, his ex wife’s voice cut through the chaos as everyone turnd to her direction as they gave way for her to pass through.
Dante chuckled softly to himself. “Just like I thought, you dont feel remorseful for what you did.”
“And why the hell would she feel remorseful, you loser!” That was Damien’s voice.
He walked towards them with his twin brother by his side, Marcello.
Those were Caterina’s brothers.
“How did they let some stray walk into this beautiful event made specially for our Grand Duke. The stench of you makes me want to puke, Dante. How dare you show yourself in this city again, uh?” Marcello taunted.
“Dante?” Another voice chipped in. It was a woman. Susan, Dante’s adoptive mother.
“What nonsense is this?! Have you lost your mind by coming back here?!” That was his adoptive father, Mateo.
“So everyone is dissatisfied with my presence even though I am the victim, uh?” Dante scoffed incredibly, genuinely hurt that these people didn’t even show an ouce of remorse.
“Why the hell would we be? You are b****y stain to our reputation!” Caterina snapped.
“Oh, yeah, Dante. Go back to the hell hole you came from!” Marcello hissed.
“Are you begging to get arrested again? The Grand Duke of Monterio and Dragon General will soon be here. He would happily deal with your dumb a*s, Dante.” Damien eyes flared with sheer hatred.
“This is outrageous. I can’t believe a day will come that I will set my eyes on his useless face.” His adoptive mother was repulsed.
“Oh, if you love yourself you fool, dissapear right now!” Mateo added fuming.
The murmuring in the crowd continued slowly, all wondering how they would handle Dante.
“Are you all done?” Dante’s voice was a sharp contrast to theirs.
“What?” Marcello asked in shock.
“What’s that look of shock on your face, Marcello?” Dante asked sarcastically. “Oh wipe it off for now, you’d need it more when you find out what I am capable of doing to each of you. But first, I would give you the chance, infact, one month to prepare yourselves. Confess to the whole of Monterio what you did to me in the past or else, I will make life so miserable for you all that you’d beg for death but it wont come. And there will be no place for you to hide, neither in Monterio or the neighboring cities.”
- Writer
