Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 715 - 659: The Evil Dragon

"You are more... elusive than I imagined, Your Highness Lyle." Queen Tiffany’s golden eyebrows dipped slightly before relaxing after a short entanglement. The current Dream Elf queen supported her cheek with her hand while sitting on the throne, as Lyle finished his bow and looked up at Her Majesty.

Queen Tiffany’s attire comprised only of shades of green and white. Her green gown trailed on the steps, and her deep aqua shirt featured a high collar that opened like flower petals. She wore a pure white velvet shawl with a web-like pattern at the chest, centered with a shimmering emerald. Her skin was as white as snow, and her braided golden hair seemed to glow. Her pupils were golden, her gaze resembling Irason’s, and the corners of her mouth, lifted in an almost-smile, were strikingly similar to Susanna’s.

The guards, following the queen’s orders, brought a wooden chair and placed it on a stair one step lower.

Lyle sat down with a smile, "Queen Tiffany, on the contrary, is as radiant as I imagined."

Queen Tiffany stretched like a cat being brushed, her smile brightening, "I have already instructed Captain Kylo of the Eye of the Queen to prepare for a deeper exploration into the Dreamland. If Your Highness Lyle has come to seek more support, I’m afraid I can offer no assistance..."

Lyle was surprised by Tiffany’s accommodating nature; she carried an air of nobility that couldn’t help but make one look up to her, but she wasn’t as unapproachable as he had thought. Lyle joked, "Why would Your Majesty think so? Could it not be that I came merely to admire your splendor?"

Queen Tiffany paused, then retorted with a hint of amusement.

"I might believe that from someone else. But Your Highness Lyle, you have been around my mother and godmother these days. My appearance, pfft, flowers grown from the same branch look alike. So, what is the real purpose of your visit?"

"There’s a certain activity for which I need your approval."

"Regarding that special dream? I trust my godmother’s judgment. You’re free to take initiative, Your Highness Lyle; my guards will report any anomalies to me."

"That would be for the best, but still, there are some matters I’d like you to be mentally prepared for."

"I’m listening."

"I plan to open up career levels in Dreamland. Therefore, in the coming period, I will gradually introduce professional roles unfamiliar to the Dream Elves, like Druids—warriors, mages, Rangers, and others. The original intent of Dreamland was to purify nightmares and help integrate the Green Dragon into this race. But I also want every dreamer to experience an entirely different life. I will infuse many new notions and cultures into the Elves’ dreams. These would come from other countries, other races..."

Queen Tiffany pondered, "Isn’t that a good thing? I have no objection to my subjects engaging with the outside world, as long as they are interested. Contacting new soil helps them grow. The clash of rapids creates new rivers. Your Highness Lyle, I am very much looking forward to this..."

"I’m honored that you’re looking forward to it, but my concern is precisely these clashes. Queen Tiffany, as I envision, there could be conflicts including professional rivalries, power comparison, factional vendettas, formation of disdain chains, and underclass professions. Your kingdom will bloom, but ultimately may become a large, diverse nation with mostly multiple professions like the City of Wandering. Overall, it could have a series of impacts on politics and economy, and in the future, I suggest you seek advice from the Secret Pivot Council of City of Wandering."

"...That is just a dream, Your Highness Lyle."

"Perhaps," Lyle muttered to himself, in this time of non-existent virtual reality technology, there had always been delusional people. Now, when these easily excited Elves are immersed, if they don’t turn your homeland upside down, then indeed, I’ve seen a ghost.

...

"That’s the plan. Kristo, the Druid profession can be opened first; it’s perfectly suited as an all-rounder that can both attack and defend, covering tank, damage output, and healing. This will also help them progress through instances. I already have some ideas for the Warrior class; Susanna gave me some tips on adjusting the Nightmare skills a few days ago."

"I can replicate special professions from reality to Dreamland to enhance the experience, but I’ll need some auxiliary devices. Ah, don’t worry about this – as a member of Andrey, I’ve got some ideas about creation. First, I need to find some useful assistants..."

Kristo exited the dream. He traced his hand in the air, and a teleportation portal opened in front of Lyle.

"If you’re looking for those from the Society of Necromantic Figurines, you can use this portal. It leads to Sahazaan, near Alcalon. The Society received an order from the Black Dragon Clan a few days ago; they should be there... working as bone construction laborers."

Lyle wasn’t surprised by the activities of Shanliang and the others; almost all of the profits from the Society of Necromantic Figurines were managed by them, and skimming research funds was common practice.

"Kristo, if I recall... you and Alcalon are competitors, right? It seems that Mr. Ohmhead and the scholar-teacher want to see you two go head to head."

Kristo casually manipulated the Mana Runes.

"I’m indeed willing to display the superiority of magic to my brother, this unpredictably changing, mysterious power is like a meticulously sculpted gem that dullards should look up to and envy. But Alcalon is also my brother, and I don’t think that competitors can’t be friends. We’ve always kept in touch and have a rather good relationship, as long as my foolish brother doesn’t suddenly get whimsical."

Lyle smiled.

Kristo was truly a composed spellcaster. Among the five dragons, he was the most sensible and stable. For now, he had not only perfectly adapted to the work pace in the City of Wandering but was also able to assist Lyle. The growth of the Crystal Dragon was reassuring.

However, the current state of the Black Dragon made Lyle somewhat anxious.

The Black Dragon Alcalon, the eldest son of the war. He had shown the makings of a naughty boy from a young age, mischievous through and through. During the early stages when Lyle had taken over the training of the young dragons, Alcalon used to get disciplined by Nia every day and then completely ignored the lessons, relying on his stubborn will to get through the fledgling stage. When Lyle could no longer discipline him, it was left to the dragon father himself, and Alcalon’s black scales were never intact.

Just thinking about the naughty boy growing up made Lyle feel dread; even his steps through the teleportation portal became cautious and tentative, fearing that the little black dragon who used to clamor for revenge had meant what he said.

What he feared most came to pass; the moment Lyle stepped through the portal, the smell of blood reached him even before the heat of the air did.

In front of Lyle was a heap of bones, an unidentified colossal beast lying on the ground, its flesh torn open, spine broken. The hot and humid air quickly made the meat go bad, and it wouldn’t take much Death Demon Power to make these rotting corpses rise again.

Behind the bones was a mountain, a dark mountain. The slanted rocks were covered with neatly grown scales, sharp at the edges like razors, the edges reflecting a metallic sheen. Chewing sounds came from above, a light rain fell from the sky, and a few red drops landed on Lyle’s upturned face. The mountain’s shadow engulfed Lyle’s figure, darkness enveloping him like night. At the very top, a golden sun peeked through the cracks, its radiance and madness almost enough to ignite Lyle.

The swallowing sound was like the beat of a drum; Alcalon opened his mouth badly, grinning with a bloody mess.

"Lyle, want a bite?"