After the apology, with Jade still clinging onto his back like a leech, Eliron left the room to seek out Alex.

It was clear that they were unsure if he would survive the confrontation or not, judging by their preparations, so he wanted to let him know of his victory.

Eliron also needed to know if his plan was a success, and memorize the looks on the snobby nobles faces when they saw him unscathed.

Using grand illusionary magic, he managed to weave through a number of people undetected. Although he was not sure of exactly where the prince was, he searched a number of possible areas before finding him.

Alexander was in one of the many lounges in the castle, alongside many of the council members, it seemed they had decided to make the room a makeshift council room.

The Grand Marshal looked worse for wear, he had clearly been healed, but his rough hair and dust stained clothes were testament that he had participated in the battle.

Warren who sat down next to him was in a similar state. His white shirt was nearly brown with dust, and the cuffs of his shirt had been charred at the edges.

But even in their state, it was still the king that drew his attention the most. ’What is he wearing?’

Darius was covered from head to toe with a variety of artifacts. He was in obsidian black armour, there was a timepiece strapped to his neck, red cloth around his shoulder, amongst other things.

From where he stood, Eliron could basically smell the magic oozing out of him. It was as though he was dressed to fight a battle they would determine his nations’ history.

Darius was standing, his sword at the ready, and next to him was the man Eliron was after, Alex.

"Is everything in place?" Alex addressed the grand marshal.

Reginald nodded. "The scouts will see him the moment he enters the vicinity, we are highly prepared for—"

Eliron grabbed his shoulder...

"Eckkkk—!" The prince flinched, causing all eyes in the room to turn to him. He turned to the direction where he felt a hand, when Eliron suddenly manifested out of thin air.

The prince’s eyes immediately went as saucers, he opened his mouth and closed it, his words faking him.

The mood in the hall changed, it darkened, like they had all been plunged into a cage with some vicious beast.

’Hmm? What happened here?’ Eliron thought.

"L-Lord Eliron," Alex took a step back, his face solemn. Then he bowed, deeply... "Allow me to apologise for your loss. There are no excuses, she was under our care and we failed to protect her..."

His eyes strolled to Jade, it was clear he was curious about who the stranger was, but he did not allow them to linger for long.

As a dragon himself, he must have already sensed what she was and was likely doubting it in his mind.

Eliron glanced at Jade, whose head was nestled in his shoulders, then gave Alex a dumbfounded look. He was about to ask what the hell he was waffling about when Alex’s curiosity got the better of him.

He cleared his throat. "The person you have on your back... may I ask who she is?"

Deciding to set his confusion aside for a second, Eliron shrugged. "This is the lava dragon that attacked the castle, her name is Jade."

Alex’s face drained of colour, he took a few more steps back, sweat already forming on his brows. There was a low creaking sound as every noble immediately jumped to their feet, staring waringly at Jade.

Eliron immediately raised his hands to calm them, a warm, hopefully friendly smile on his face.

"No need to be agitated. The dragon was under a terrible curse placed by our enemies, I have dismantled the curse..."

He turned the back of his wrist to show them the mark, the dark red inscription that seemed to glow with latent magic.

"Huhuhuhu..." Jade giggled in a low tone.

’You’re a really good liar, papa. How shameless.’ She said in his mind.

’Lying is an important part of life my dear little dragon...’ Eliron replied.

"As you can see, we are now bonded. She works for me now—"

Elirom felt a low grumble rise from her throat at the mention of ’works for me’, but he soothed her with a quick mental transmission.

He had expected his revelation to calm the lords present, but they seemed to grow even paler, the apprehension in their eyes evident.

Alex stared at Jade, his eyes lingering for a second longer than normal. How was it possible that the terrifying dragon that had nearly destroyed the castle was the young girl clinging to him like a child?

’So this is the white dragon?’ He mused.

He had watched the battle from the top of the castle, witnessed the destructive nature of her flames, seen her cruelty first hand...

But now, save for the clearly sharp teeth, and serpentine eyes that glowed with magic, she looked like a regular girl, a very odd, but regular girl...

If Eliron really had the dragon under his control... adding it to the Thunder Herald he had summoned at the tower, just how powerful had his military might become?

Jade yawned, steam puffing out of the depths of her gut, her fangs gleaming more than they should—almost as though to confirm her Draconic bloodline.

Was it right for one man to have such power?

Bringing her here had been a quiet statement, a casual show of power. He was showing the lords how the mountain they could not cross, had become a weapon he could unleash at any time.

They were the ones that needed him, not the other way around. He wanted them to know it, for the knowledge to sink down into their very marrow.

Alex could not help but tip his hat at his immaculate strategy. It almost seemed like the entire attack had somehow worked in his favour?

The gears in his mind were about to churn when Alex stopped it, there were more serious matters to attend to.

"It would be my honour lord Eliron to inform you of the council’s decision." Alex smiled. Better to go with the good news first. "By unanimous vote, the council has agreed to all the terms you have stipula—"

Swish!

Before he could finish, Eliron suddenly pulled out a long parchment from his shirt, along with a quill and a bottle of ink.

Why did he seem so prepared for this?

"A good merchant knows to put everything in writing, so if you will please..." Eliron smirked, passing the parchment to King Darius.

Without a wasted second or movement, the king signed the contract, and Eliron made it vanish just as it had come.

Then he smiled wide. "Good doing business with you my King, prince and lords..."

He turned to Alex then snapped his finger. "Oh, I almost forgot. Who died?"

Eliron’s face was as blank as a new canvas, waiting for the expression that he would take once he heard the news. Alex could already imagine the anger that would blossom, the contours of his brows, the thunder in his voice— and then pain.

He swallowed.

But before he could utter a word, his father stepped in front of him, his face serious.

"I apologize lord Eliron, lady Yennefer... we lost her during the battle. She fought valiantly, saving many of my men, but at the end of the day, we could not do anything for her."

He glanced at the dragon on his shoulder. "She was eaten by the very dragon you are bonded to now."

"..."

A shadow brooded over Eliron’s face. He reached for his sword, the black blade that Alex had seen cleave through impossibilities.

"Kek—"

Kek? The makings of a spell? Or was it a growl born out of rage?

The king was stiff, awaiting the outburst, Alex’s mind raced for the right words.

Alex had expected him to grab his sword, but instead he held his waist, just above his hilt and burst out in laughter.

Alex glanced at his father.

’Has he gone mad with sorrow?’ He wondered.

"Yennefer dead? As if getting eaten is enough to kill her!" eliron chuckled, wiping an invisible tear off his eyes.

He held Alex’s shoulders and smiled. "Do you think so lowly of me as to believe I will not be able to save them both? Yen is perfectly fine."

"..."

The tension in the room melted like butter.

The king let out a breath as he collapsed into his couch, his armour clicking as he stared up at the ceiling. "God damn it, we were worried over nothing??"

’Wait, so this is why they were so tense?’ Eliron asked Jade in his mind. ’What did they think would happen??’

’They probably thought you would burn down their castle...’ Jade replied, mirth in her voice. ’It is good, dad says fear is the most effective way to rule.’

’Fear?’ Eliron frowned. ’What did I do that would make them fear me?’ 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Jade gave him a blank stare and he sighed. ’Eh, maybe I’ve been a little unhinged in Donia...’ he held the whole magic tower hostage on what? His second day in the city?

It was then another thing occurred to him... the discussion they were having when he walked in, was it about him?

"Wait, does that mean the artillery outside was waiting for me?"

Alex averted his gaze. "O-of course not."

"It was for me wasn’t it?" Eliron asked him in a matter of fact tone.

"No..."

"Look at me when you lie Alex."

A chuckle followed after...

It was then Eliron saw a screen flash in front of his face.

[You have successfully allied Artaris with the Mighty Kingdom Of Donia]

[For this grand achievement you have been rewarded with 10 EP]

But that was not all...

[Artaris is now seen in new light]

[The Reputation of Artaris has changed...]

[Poor Village With Food] >> [The House Of Dragons]

[Achievement Rank: Glorious!]

[Calculating rewards...]

..

A/N

Wheeew!

We are coming close to the end of this volume, the next Chapters will be about the war against the undead where we will get to see a little more about the lord of the dead and his apostles.

The coming Chapters are going to get a little angsty, but such is expected in war. Thanks for reading!