Chapter 873 – Dragon Elders [Part 2]

Sira muttered, "Translation: kiddie table." Lullaby elbowed her, not aggressively, just a sleepy nudge.

Ely’s expression flickered. ’Fascinating.’

And Naomi mouthed, "Just sit before they throw us out."

Rava stretched a tentacle in mock salute and oozed elegantly toward her assigned stool, at the end where tentacles had room.

Lux, meanwhile, tracked social currents like stock charts. He, Lullaby and Sira still stood.

Liang observed the shuffling with mild amusement. Protocol or not, demons weren’t standard inventory for clan receptions. He cleared his throat. "Mira, your promise is honored. The demon has freed our ancestor."

Mira lifted a brow. "Grandfather, three dev—" she caught herself, "—distinguished nobles of Hell stand here. Perhaps... avoid the blanket term demon?"

Sira snapped a fan open, which she had took from a random girl in the courtyard, and waved it lazily. "Yes, please. We’re devils. Demons are the economy-class passengers of the Infernal airline."

Liang’s brows pinched. "Duly noted. Then... these are...?"

Mira gestured in order of escalating threat. "Grandfather, may I present Sira, Daughter of Pride’s Sovereign. Lullaby, Daughter of Sloth’s Sovereign. Lux Vaelthorn, Heir of Greed."

Lux offered a small bow and a bigger grin as the old patriarch processed Heir of Greed like it might give him heartburn.

Liang continued. "And these others I recognize. Lady Elyndra Vireleth of the High Elves, Rava Bluewave of Kraken House, Naomi Delacour, heir to Delacour Estates."

The human, kraken, and elf nodded in sequence, their collective ’we’re totally normal’ energy almost endearing.

"Thank you all," Liang said gravely, "for returning our ancestor to us."

Sira flicked her fan shut with a snap. "Credit where due, Lullaby and I mostly spectated. Lux did the heavy lifting."

Liang’s gaze returned to Lux, equal parts curiosity and caution. "Then Hell’s Greed is in our debt."

Lux’s inner economist screamed ’that’s your chance’, but he kept the smile. "Consider it a collaborative investment, Patriarch Liang. Mutual benefit beats outstanding debt."

Liang’s eyes twinkled. "Spoken like a dragon broker." He slowly eased back onto his seat at Yue’s lower left, patriarch, but no longer the highest chair in the room.

Mira guided the demon crew to their seats.

Sira nearest, because putting Pride far away courts disaster.

Lullaby next, because she might fall asleep mid-speech.

Lux dead-center of the row, exactly in the line of every elder’s curiosity. Perfect.

A servant line surged forth with tea again, jasmine this time, served in cups painted with storm dragons.

Conversation resumed, calmer now but still a tightwire walk over centuries of dragon etiquette.

Lux sipped tea and ran silent commentary.

’Elder in green robe equal parts skeptic and opportunist, potential ally via trade. Aunt-something across the aisle clearly measuring Yue’s health for political leverage. Grandpa Liang leaning in to gauge demon humor threshold.’

Mira answered subtle questions about "awakening trauma," code for their legendary ancestor.

Yue answered technical clan-law queries with crisp authority, proving she remembered every dusty scroll they ever made her memorize.

Meanwhile, Sira whispered to Lullaby. "Imagine their shock if we introduced karaoke."

Lullaby blinked. "Dragons sing war hymns, not karaoke."

"Well, somebody’s missing out."

Naomi glanced back. "Pretty sure war hymns are dragon karaoke."

Ely sipped tea like it contained life secrets.

Lux couldn’t shake one thought. ’Hierarchy everywhere, but no one’s fighting it.’ Surprising synergy for a table filled with immortals.

Liang eventually addressed the elephant, or kraken, in the room.

"Heir Vaelthorn, what does Greed seek from Eastern Mountain? I believe you did not help us for free."

Straight to the ledger, Lux respected that. He set the porcelain cup down.

-Clink!

Palms flat on his knees, letting the hush ripple outward. Elders leaned the way investors lean when someone says "unlimited upside."

"Already got my payment," Lux said.

Liang’s white brows inched up. "Oh? In what form?"

Lux lifted a hand, palm open, casual as weather. "Her." He tipped his chin toward Yue enthroned above them. "She agreed. She’s mine. I’m hers. Partners."

A rustle knifed through the elder rows, somewhere between scandalized fan-snap and someone dropping a ledger. Even Sira straightened up, delighted.

"That is unacceptable! You can ask for money or gold or even jade and antiques! But you can’t take our ancestor away!"

Lux kept going, breezy. "Greed runs Hell’s economy. Souls, infernal bonds, existential derivatives. Mortal money?" He waggled a hand. "Not in our growth deck right now. Antique trinkets, sure, but gold—" He reached for the cup again, let Greed mana flicker down his fingertips.

[Midas Touch Activated]

Ceramic bloomed into solid, radiant gold, the steam still spiraling from its molten-shine rim.

Gasps. Audible. Someone in row two definitely clutched pearls.

"I’m... not... short on bullion," Lux finished, placing the now-gold cup back like nothing happened.

Liang recovered first. Dragons respect a flex, even an illegal one. "You would take our ancestor as... payment? As a slave?"

"Not a slave," Lux corrected, tone silk over steel. "A partner. Signed, consensual, actively argumentative." He flashed a grin at Yue. She answered with the faintest nod, contract ratified in dragon stoicism.

The mood shifted, swift, volatile. A younger elder slammed a hand to the table. "This is a second bondage! A gilded chain!"

Teacups rattled. The koi pond three courtyards away probably felt that roar.

Yue’s voice sliced the uproar clean. "Lux is nothing like Kaelmor."

Silence. Instantly obedient, ancient authority returned.

She stood. One graceful movement, eastern silk whispering. "The current King of Hell bound me centuries ago. Lux risked Greed’s scrutiny to fake my death, mislead that king, and free me. If I stay in his mansion, it is by choice. Not chain."

Elders traded uneasy looks. "But—" another began.

Yue’s gaze cooled a degree. "Question my choice, and you question my sovereignty."

Mira pinched the bridge of her nose. ’That’s one way to throttle dissent.’

While Sira mouthed, ’queen move.’

Liang exhaled, long and steady, then dipped his head, first to Yue, then to Lux. "Very well. Partnership it is. We will revise any... assumptions." His eyes cut to the gold cup, then back to Lux. "Payment accepted?"

"Overpaid, honestly," Lux quipped, flicking a wink at Naomi, who groaned into her sleeve.

The tension cracked. A reluctant ripple of chuckles coasted the hall. Dragons disliked chaos, but they adored confidence almost as much as hoards. Yue resumed her seat, taller now. Lux lifted the golden cup in toast.