Eliron took a step back, his mouth partially agape. "New, what??"

Jade smiled cutely, then she said it again, only this time, she dragged the words like he was a child who could not comprehend simple language.

"New... f..a..t..h..."

"Okay, okay! I get your point!!" Eliron sighed tiredly. "But why? Did something happen to your old father?"

Jade did not know that he knew who her father was which worked in his favour. He could easily get information about one of the Titans from her words.

But what she was saying was worrying...

Was the poor child looking for a new dad because something happened to her old one? Eliron did not even want to think of what would happen if one of the seven titans were to die.

The seven of them acted to keep each other in check, they were somewhat like the legs of a stool, take one off and the entire thing would come crumbling down—

"Nope." The young dragon waved her hands dismissively in the air. "The old man is alive, although I wish he would croak already!" She tightened her fingers into a fist, her horns began to glow red, a small fire lighting up on her head.

"Huh?" Eliron gave her a deadpan stare.

"I mean..." Jade started pacing around, a scowl on her face as she complained. "He never lets me stretch my wings at night, he freaks out whenever I am two feet close to another boy... he won’t even let me drink juice at night!"

"Really?" Satoru asked from the side, a little too invested in her story.

"Yes! Can you believe that old man?"

Eliron’s shoulders sagged. Was his life about to get ruined just because the titan’s daughter had daddy issues?

Jade turned to face him, breathing out steam. The fire that had blossomed between her horns fizzled out.

She pointed at him and confidently said. "Till he gets on his knees and begs, you are my father!"

Eliron felt his soul scrunch up inside him, along with a bitterness in his organs.

What he wanted to do right now was destroy their bond and send the little firecracker on her way.

But considering how petty she was... what if she came back with Antares? The entirety of Donia would be leveled before he could even explain.

Satoru and Jade continued chatting away, which was basically Jade complaining, while Satoru grunted in shock every now and then— like a market woman listening to the next trendy topic.

’Do I really have no choice in this matter?’ Eliron frowned as he watched them. Then he paused, another line of thought slipping into his mind...

Maybe he was seeing things the wrong way. Yes, the risks of taking her in were high, astronomical even. But so were the risks of rejecting her.

In that case, he had to make do with his best possible option. It was not everyday you get the opportunity to be bonded to a titan’s kid.

If he took good care of her, maybe she would put a good word for him to her father. And having the hellfire dragon as an ally... that was priceless.

"Alright, we are running out of time." Eliron glanced at Jade. "How would you like to lay siege to a castle?"

Jade’s eyes widened. "I would love to! Dad would never let me siege a castle!" She was bouncing on the balls of her feet, her excitement so contagious that Eliron did not know when he smiled.

"Then let’s go, the castle awaits us!" Eliron raised his fist into the air.

Jade leaped onto his back, her wings fluttering behind her. "Let’s go!"

But just as he was about to leap into the air, there was a flash of light, and when Eliron glanced at the side, Tsukiko had changed...

She was now tall enough to look him eye to eye, her fiery tails possessing an ethereal beauty.

She yawned, then said, "Assimilation Complete."

<•••>

"So that was how I ended up with a lava dragon..." Eliron finished explaining everything to Yennefer, leaving out the part about Antares. He would tell her about it later, probably when Jade was asleep.

She held her chest and sighed, the colour in her cheeks draining away. "I see, that makes sense..."

’What else were you thinking!’

Then she paused. "Wait, that doesn’t explain why I was eaten!"

Eliron glanced at Jade who was still in his arms, giving her a long look.

She scratched her head, her voice coming out as a low squeak. "I improvised—ehhh." She winced as Yen grabbed her cheek, tugging it till it went red.

Eliron swallowed, sweat forming on his face. ’That is Antares’ daughter Yen!’ 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"I think it’s about time we headed back, Alexander is probably worried sick." Eliron said. He already told Artie what was happening, but Alex was likely confused.

"Head back? But I am still covered in—" Yen’s voice came out as a gurgle as Eliron dumped a large volume of conjured water on her head.

The water moved around her body, washing off every ounce of slime.

Yen stared at him, her wild hair was now flat on her head, but a few strands were already beginning to rise.

"Great, now I’m wet—"

Swoosh!

Next, a strong wind caused her clothes to flutter around her, drying the excess water. And then a small ball of fire followed next, burning off the last of the moisture.

"Shall we?" Eliron’s feet hovered over the floor, a wide grin on his face as he watched Yennefer’s eyes light up.

"You can now fly?? How did you learn how to?!" She asked as she hovered next to him.

Eliron held her hand and smiled. "A man must have his secrets, no?"

[Teleportation]

<•••>

The spell led Eliron and his group to the skies above the castle. There were countless anti-teleportation wards that had been arranged around all parts of the compound to prevent unwanted guests, so that was as far as they could go.

Eliron was not in the mood to be hounded by a pack of sweaty knights telling him how they were grateful that he saved their lives, as ironic as it would have been...

So instead, using Grand Illusionary Magic, he walked right past the knights, and mages without anyone even sensing his presence.

But strangely, as he walked past them, he realized that the soldiers still seemed to be agitated, this time it even seemed worse than when they were face to face with Jade.

’What is going on?’ They were recovering their artillery while the knights filled the castle grounds, their weapons held at the ready.

’Are they expecting the dragon to return?’ Eliron almost hissed. Did they really think he was weak enough to lose?

If that was the case, then maybe his plan of getting the council to approve of him may not be a done deal, as he originally thought...

The first place Eliron went was the annex where he found Artie and Ash. Ash was pacing around, a worried look on his face, while Artie was polishing a dagger with an odd look in her eyes.

’Strange...’

The moment Eliron undid the illusionary magic, and Artie’s eyes landed on Yen, she immediately jumped to her feet, a look of pure relief in her eyes.

In an instant, she dashed towards her and pulled her into a hug.

It seemed even after Eliron assured her of her safety, she was still unsure. After all, she had seen her friend swallowed whole...

Yennefer’s eyes widened, surprised by how the normally aloof girl was acting.

"Thank God..." her voice came out low. "I thought... I thought..." She held her tighter, Yen gasping for breath as she repeatedly tapped Artie’s arm.

Eliron smiled. "You see, she’s in perfect condition, just like I said—" the remaining words dried in his throat as Artie shot him a glare.

’Eh?’

Eliron’s eyes swept through the room. Ariel had tears in her eyes, her hands were visibly shaking, and even Ash, who never held a grudge, refused meet his gaze.

’Maybe I went too far...’

He nervously scratched his head then sighed. "I owe you all an apology..."

"My lord." Ash said after a few seconds. "I have no doubt that you had good reason for what you did in the castle."

"But we are a team are we not?" His voice sounded distant, and when he looked up, Eliron could see a strange emotion nestled in his steely grey eyes.

"I know compared to your strength—" his fingers tighten into a fists.

"I know we are hardly able to do anything for you! I know with your strength we are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. But still..." he gritted his teeth.

"We are a team..."

It was the first time, even if he added his childhood, that Ash had raised his voice at Eliron. It felt strange.

"Hey, don’t talk to papa like that!" Jade suddenly jumped in front of them, her hands stretched out protectively.

"..."

They all stared at the little dragon, unsure of where to even start asking questions from. Eliron patted her head and pulled her back.

"I understand, Ash. And I’m sorry." He sighed.

Has this always been on their mind? His gaze moved from one person to the other. Just one glance was enough to tell that they felt the same way.

He had been so much in his own world, immersed in growing stronger that he did not realise how the people following him felt.

Lost in his own strength, whether he liked it or not, he had unknowingly pushed them aside, not involving them in his plans.

Even when he wanted to rob the tomb... he did not tell them his plans until he encountered Artie and Yen at the door, purely by chance.

’Did I even tell them what I needed the shard for? Or that I was going to absorb it? Did they know my current plans for Donia?’

He was failing as a leader.

Eliron bowed at his group with utmost sincerity. Vowing to himself to do better.

"Any chance you guys forgive me?" He smiled nervously. "We are a team after all."

Artie’s expression softened, and only then was Yen able to draw in breath. "Like we can ever stay mad at you."

"I cannot be angry at, my lord!" Ash declared, a wide smile on his face, eyes teary.

Ariel, the youngest or was it second youngest now? Was wiping the tears off her cheeks, murmuring something that sounded like, "I’m glad everyone is okay..."

But while they were enjoying their warm moment, little did they know that outside the confines of the annex, trouble was brewing...