Reawakening: Primordial Dragon with Limitless Mana-Chapter 237: The necessity of an alliance

It took less than two hours before Hades saw the Queen’s mansion resting quietly in the heart of the capital.

Modest in height, not overly decorated, and yet—every time he looked at it—a strange sense of peace washed over him. A gentle calm, as if the very walls breathed serenity.

Kaya descended slowly, massive body slowing down as the giant white dragon settled on the ground. Her arrival startled half the street. Guards stiffened, spears rising instinctively, but the instant they recognized Hades, their posture broke—heads lowered, weapons dropped. Respect replaced fear in a heartbeat.

Hades stepped down with his two companions, glancing at Kaya’s enormous form before asking, "Would you like to come with us, Kaya?"

Averis stepped forward, ever composed. "We will take a round around the capital, my Lord."

Hades gave a small shrug. "Alright. Just don’t push yourself too much."

Without waiting, Averis approached Kaya and said, "Transform. We’ll walk."

Kaya obeyed quietly—too quietly.

In the past, she would have argued. She would have grumbled that walking was pointless when she could simply fly. She would have questioned the order, or demanded a practical explanation. But now... silence. A strange, subdued silence that clung to her like a second skin.

Hades watched her shrink, scales folding inward until the dragoness stood beside them in her human form—head bowed, expression unreadable.

He frowned. She had been like this for days. Withdrawn. Distant. It wasn’t hard to guess why—he had scolded her harshly before, maybe harsher than she deserved. And Kaya wasn’t someone who pledged herself to him by choice; she was here because Kaelith had arranged it. Because someone else decided her path.

No wonder she felt isolated.

He would talk to her later. He had to. But more than that... he needed to speak to his mother. Perhaps it was better to send Kaya back—to give her a place where she belonged and didn’t feel like an obligation forced upon his side.

She was strong, undeniably strong. If not beside him, she could serve in the Queen’s army, or even as a royal guardian beast. There were places where she would be valued... and perhaps find the warmth she lacked here.

For the first time, seeing her in silence, Hades truly hoped his mother would reconsider her decision. He did not want to keep someone who didn’t want to stay.

"My lord?" Ava called out gently.

Hades drifted back to the present, pushing aside the thoughts clouding his mind. "Right... let’s go insi—"

He didn’t finish. A guard stepped forward, hand on his chest in a respectful salute. "Forgive my impudence, Young Master Aethernox, but Her Majesty is currently in a meeting with the other council members."

Hades hummed, a quiet note of curiosity. *Was Beatrice not informed of my arrival?* His mother should have let the Queen know that he was coming to take her. Perhaps the letter hadn’t been clear. Or maybe she was simply busy.

He was about to say he would wait when the mansion doors swung open with a soft echo.

A familiar blond man stepped out, sunlight catching on his golden hair. Twin golden eyes—so similar to Beatrice’s—and a pair of calm amethyst ones met his. The man’s face brightened instantly.

"Well, if it isn’t Hades."

Ralph descended the stairs with long, confident strides before pulling Hades into a warm, unreserved hug.

"Ralph," Hades smiled, returning the embrace with equal affection. "It has indeed been quite a long time."

Ralph—Peri’s uncle and Beatrice’s elder brother—was someone Hades had always found easy to get along with. The man’s presence was comforting, like a relative he never had but quietly appreciated.

They separated, and Ralph wasted no time.

"So... you’re the escort taking my sister to the venue?"

Hades nodded innocently. "I thought Mother would’ve informed you beforehand."

Ralph laughed—soft, unbothered. "We were only told someone would come to pick her up. Didn’t think it’d be you."

Hades sighed inwardly, lips curling into a wry smile. *Why didn’t Mother mention it?* She always had her little surprises.

"Is she busy?" Hades asked. "I can wait here if needed."

But Ralph waved him off. "No, no. Please, come inside. Sister would be delighted to see you."

Hades’ smile softened as he nodded. With Ralph leading the way, and Ava following a respectful step behind, Hades crossed the threshold and entered the mansion’s quiet, sunlit halls.

...

Beatrice sat at the head of the long oak table, fingers pressed against her forehead as she fought to keep her temper under control. The council chamber felt tighter today, the air heavier, every word spoken carrying the weight of accusation. She had known the discussion would be tense—but this... this was testing her patience far more than expected.

Five council members sat before her. The sixth chair—Ralph’s—remained empty; he had stepped out to investigate the sudden noise outside.

Oliver, the elderly elf with wrinkled skin and a balding crown, raised his voice first. "I do not understand. What is the point of this council if you take such monumental decisions alone?"

"Indeed," added Tars, the slim, sharp-eyed man seated to her left. "Lady Beatrice, you should have at least informed us beforehand that you were planning to shake hands with another one of *those*."

Before she could respond, another councillor leaned forward, voice edged with agitation. "That is not even the main concern, Sir Tars. The issue is trust. Trusting another dragon. More importantly—aligning ourselves with that faction. The infamous Aethernox."

He paused, letting the name hang in the room like a stain.

"Forget the eccentric queen ruling that clan," he continued. "They worship Primordial Zerathos. That alone should make it clear how misguided this decision is."

Beatrice exhaled slowly. Very slowly.

She could feel the spark of her temper rise again. Not because they questioned her authority—she could handle defiance. But because they spoke without understanding, without seeing the broader horizon... and without acknowledging that she had done this for their future.

Still, she held her ground, eyes narrowing just enough to silence the next murmured complaint.

If Ralph didn’t return soon, she feared she might truly lose her patience.

Just then, the grand doors parted with a soft thud—yet the impact of the figure who stepped through was anything but soft.

Every councillor froze mid-breath.

Beatrice rose from her seat in pure surprise, her chair scraping lightly against the floor. The rest followed suit out of respect—or fear. Mostly fear.

Hades stood at the entrance, smile relaxed, almost playful.

"Did someone just call my mother *eccentric*?"

The brown-haired elf who had spoken mere seconds ago swallowed so hard the sound echoed through the chamber.

Hades chuckled lightly and shook his head. "I wasn’t planning to interfere, Beatrice. But I thought I should help your ministers understand a few things about this alliance—things that may clarify the necessity and advantages of the relationship we’re building."

Beatrice inhaled slowly, relief flickering in her eyes before she offered a small, approving nod. A maid hurried forward, placing a chair beside Beatrice for Hades to sit.

She looked at the council, her voice steady. "Sit down. We will continue."

Yet several remained frozen—especially the ones who had been too stunned, too afraid, to rise in respect earlier. Their bodies refused to move, caught between dread and disbelief.

Ralph entered quietly behind Hades and let out a lighthearted chuckle. "The alliance is happening regardless of your approval, so you might as well behave yourselves in front of him."

That broke the paralysis. One by one, with stiff motions and uneasy glances, the councillors lowered themselves back into their seats. Ralph, after giving Hades a friendly pat on the back, sat as well.

Hades crossed one leg over the other, posture composed. "I won’t stretch this too long," he began. "But you should know this—Aethernox has the full support of Emberclad, the faction with the largest standing army in the dragon realm."

A faint murmur rippled across the table.

He continued, voice calm yet carrying the weight of certainty. "This summit is about to change the ruler of Cravanvor. And once the throne shifts, there is a very real possibility that the entire continent will unify under a single banner—forming the largest alliance the dragon realm has seen in centuries."

Eyes widened. Even the boldest council members leaned forward.

"And I trust you are wise enough," Hades said softly, gaze sweeping over them, "to understand what it means to build a connection with such a vast alliance... simply by accepting the offer my mother extended."

Silence followed—deep, thoughtful, shaken silence.

Their personal bias about Zerathos was on one side and the future of eleven territory on the other. They must need to think what’s best to preserve the peace and safety of their people. Especially, after what happened recently.

Hades could see it, their views on this matter was shifting.

Under the table, he held Beatrice’s hand reassuringly, receiving a beautiful smile in return.

°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Please drop a comment.