A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale-Chapter 592: Frozen-Sacred Nest Alliance.
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Mhmm. The plants are doing well, and our… farm laborers are doing fine, as well, I thought as I stared at the numerous golems Gravy had under its command. Controlled by a slime, these mannequins could play instruments for my opera, or work as farmers to sustain Tasianna’s wish to increase our garden’s size. Considering how we were still supplying the Sarlenzia company fulinoe leaves even a year after the Aureolis accident, it meant Tasianna has been pretty diligent in maintaining everything.
Just goes to show how much she’s been stressing herself to maintain the status quo for us. Thank goodness Gravy had that idea with the golems.
“Done,” Tasianna said as she placed a crate filled with fragassa on top of one filled with bundled fulinoe leaves. There were other crates next to them, each for the various products our garden-farm grew. “The crates are rarely full, but putting everything in their labeled crates helps the Sarlenzia representative count everything. Gravy is even more meticulous than I am, so the process is greatly expedited. Our first harvest together, right?”
<Gravy watched and learned from Tasianna. All information on cultivating, growing, and harvesting comes from Tasianna. Logic: the efficiency of the farmwork is due to Tasianna being a prime role model.> Gravy responded using our System crystal, knowing how to flatter our fairy gardener. <The dryad, Rita, though, provided the proper soil nutrients to nurture the various plants. By assorting the crops to specific areas and heavily using fertilizers and injections of Master Hestia’s mana, the growth speed and quality of those crops increase. Request: Gravy wishes for farming instructions from Marsh Nest, specifically from the forest and mud dragons in the area. It shall give the plantation further information on how to increase yield and balance mana to not lower taste quality.>
“But I had Cernust check the soil and the needs for each crop. Not to mention, Rita has already inspected everything for a proper quality assessment,” Tasianna replied.
Apparently, Rita and Cernust were our farm advisors whenever they had the time to come inspect things. Our dryad friend came for one just recently when she got to Miononbolax with Neill and Renee, just to fulfill her curiosity about Gravy and how a monster room core like it could act so independently, unlike how most dungeon cores should act.
To be fair, that was an entirely reasonable want. I was sure the mages’ guild would, without a doubt, try to dissect my little rock if they found this out. I have to defend Gravy from those vultures at all costs!
<Reply: Gravy wishes to learn.>
“Reasonable. All right, I’ll order a manual for you.” 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
[“… I apologize if I am interjecting myself here, but shouldn’t all of you hurry?”] [Providence’s Will] suddenly spoke as I was drinking my tea, prompting Tasianna and me to turn to them as they hovered over me. [“Your guests are waiting.”]
“Since when have you been my personal assistant, Will?” I asked, causing the once quiet catalyst intelligence to sigh.
[“The tension is oozing even through the subspace portal… and, I saw that look on that holy dragon. He and his kin noticed me immediately,”] Light replied. [“Also, why are you shortening my name?”]
“Gave it some thought while you kept quiet most of the time. I don’t… really think it’s appropriate to keep calling you [Providence’s Will], even if it’s your given name. You are the Light Elemental King, Light, but you also aren’t. You own all of their memories, but you are only a ‘replica’ given ‘life’ through alchemy, acting similar to Gravy over there. A catalyst that has built a sense of self, in a way, especially with how you kept denying me as your mistress,” I explained, causing the catalyst to go silent, awaiting me to continue. “Your situation is similar to how ‘Hestia’ and ‘Hikari’ are the same person, but also aren’t. The difference between our situations is clear to me, don’t misunderstand, but I think it’s good to have a name when you can act independently. [Providence’s Will] is a name given to you by Goddess Andira as a catalyst. As your current master, I am giving you ‘Will’ because you are more than a catalyst after we dove into the WWEE.”
[“… The core might have learned how to flatter others by watching you.”]
<Gravy will not reject such a possibility.>
“Hey! I was being serious there, all right! Pah, you need to change your attitude!” I growled, almost wanting to shove the catalyst into my storage, yet stopped myself as they were right.
Galiladrak and his holy dragonkin were waiting just outside the subspace. They would want to meet [Providence’s Will]. Sighing as I understood this fact, I stood up.
“My lady, you may continue resting,” Tasianna tried to stop me, although she was already packing up as if she knew my answer already.
I shook my head. “We already kept them waiting for a bit. Retreating into the subspace the moment I see them can be excused by me not seeing them, but it’s different after Vifi reported that they all asked to meet me through the proper process. I am a dragon princess. I ought to act as such, and not let my guests wait.”
“Then let’s be off.” Tasianna had Gravy handle the cleanup of our picnic before walking next to me, joining me side-to-side as we left the subspace.
I raised my head, seeing not only Forminaxtrass and Yuilengreill waiting for me in their draconic forms, but also the Dragon Ruler of Light and Dragon Ruler of Ice waiting impatiently. The four factions each had their own guards, although I wasn’t personally acquainted with them. Aside from Forminaxtrass, all of them also brought their firstborns with them, so I was eyed at by Neill, Sieg, and also… Uriahn, who was waving at me with a wide smile, prompted the former two to glare at him.
“I apologize for the wait, dear guests. My lady needed time to prepare herself for the… unscheduled meeting. We had thought we had announced that we would be training.” Tasianna bowed as courteously as possible, unable to hide some of the antagonism. With the icy mist exuding from her wardress, she was already making it clear that her position was more than a mere “retainer.”
[“It is my fault,”] Formiaxtrass apologized. [“The meeting should have happened a week after you started training, but nothing went as planned, as you can see.”]
“See? I told you my little ‘warning’ wasn’t redundant,” Vifi frowned as she approached me with the twins in their wyvern forms. The meeting would only continue with all my closest friends, so I would have some support with Mom away. “But, at least they made sure to approach us to ‘gain permission’ to enter Nordor Valley.”
[“Wouldn’t want to get shot down, right?”] Neill joked, as she, her mother, and clan members walked over to our side, signaling they would be arguing in my favor here.
[“A bit impertinent to assume as such, Princess Fargryneill,”] Galiladrak growled, his mood already soured, probably caused by Forminaxtrass, as her eyes were shooting daggers at him.
Tasianna stepped forward again. “Her Majesty’s domain is to be protected by the ice elementals as their punishment for opposing Frozen Nest. I am Tasianna Marina Silverpond, the newest Ice Elemental King. I was not able to introduce myself to you last time, Lord Galiladrak, so allow me to do so now. I am Her Highness’s shield, and I will defend her from all threats, even from true dragonkin.”
[“… True ice mana. So it is true. Usurped by a fairy. What an expedition you must have endured, Princess Hestia,”] Galiladrak replied with a slight smirk. [“Though, I suggest you not exude your aura. We came here not as enemies or interlopers. Allies should greet allies with kindness. We are Princess Hestia’s allies, and that hasn’t changed. We need not antagonize each other.”]
He shrugged at Tasianna’s, Vifi’s, and Neill’s hostility as if they were nothing before him, although he kept his eyes on Uncle Alex and Forminaxtrass. He then turned to me, angling his head slightly to the side to [Providence’s Will] before a smile formed on his draconic face.
[“You have unlocked its power yourself. Princess Hestia, you truly are walking down the path towards learning how to wield true light mana. A true and the only worthy blessed Aurena has in this era!”] Galiladrak praised, earning him a scoff from Formiaxtrass.
[“The tongue of a holy dragon has always been more silver than any mineral dragon. Yet, its shine pales in the presence of true silver. Mere rust of white scales…”] she replied, causing Galiladrak’s guards to growl.
The holy dragon scoffed, [“Bleak is the mindset of a dark. Forever tainted by the smog of Dusk Nest, unable to actually appreciate how much life the sun gives with its light.”]
Like cats and dogs…
[“Enough,”] Uncle Alex finally stopped the two, shaking his head in exhaustion. “Hestia, let us begin. Please, speak in Draconic.”
I nodded, clearing my throat. “Are you hear to inform me about the conclusion to your alliance, or—” I looked over at Uriahn.
“No.” He shook his head. “It would be a bit inappropriate to talk about any of them without your mother’s presence. My father knows enough to respect the matriarch of Clan Nordor.”
Galiladrak nodded. “Furthermore, with the news of this new succession process, every nest will scramble on who to support for the succession, especially since for three—technically, four—nests it is already clear. You are the only holy dragon among your siblings, and you have demonstrated your power by reaching rank B and the maximum level as a mere whelpling. If I were to look at it as an investment, I suspect you will need fewer years to surpass Prince Kahalameet in strength. We need only protect you until then.”
“You are our princess, and the daughter of Empress Melloxtressa. That alone is enough for us to support you,” Uncle Alex said. “Frozen Nest has always been ‘separated’ from the mainland. Even if your situation as a silver dragon is complicated, it doesn’t change the fact that you, Princess Hestia, are also Princess Hikari. We would have supported you for the sake of our princess, but with your numerous silver dragon debuts, you have solidified your support base on Frozen Nest.”
“You don’t even need to go out and do your speeches.” Forminaxtrass sighed. “Both nests will support you without a doubt. The holy dragons also saw your ability to control that miniature sun of white flames, so there is no doubt that you will have two nests and dragon rulers supporting you, whatever happens.”
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Essentially, it was what we expected.
“Therefore, an alliance has been forged between Frozen Nest and Sacred Nest to support the third princess of Kargryx. Congratulations, dear, you are officially in the lead for the succession, as neither dragon rulers of Inferno Nest has announced who they will support yet,” Yuilengreill announced. “Although it will change soon, so this is redundant. We need not further this point, so let us continue to the two actual reasons why we had to come here, instead of waiting a week for you to come back to Iceskale.”
That wasn’t the only reason? I raised a brow, looking over at Uriahn.
“Correct.” Galiladrak’s voice boomed. “First, my son has requested to join you here to help you train as a holy dragon. Not to mention, as a potential wielder of the true holy mana, it is imperative you learn how to wield it like the Light Elemental Emperor.”
“‘It is imperative that my son learns how to wield true light mana,’ you mean,” Forminaxtrass criticized. “Holy dragons have been searching for ways to obtain [Providence’s Will] and to unlock its power for years, and the answer finally dawned on them with the ‘Corruption Eater,’ yet they’ve been unable to persuade Eltharion to allow them. Galiladrak, or the holy dragonkin, are not brave enough to risk the complete eradication of the Yngvaldr lineage after what happened during the civil war. Now, you are their solution.”
Yeah… expected that with their greed for [Providence’s Will].
[“Can Uriahn do that?”] I asked the catalyst as the elders kept talking.
[“Possible. Though more difficult normally. Maybe with a skill, it’s different. Though, as you know, it took over a year for Tasianna, Shayatierus, and Bethlieranha to learn the basics of true ice, and Tasianna only managed to ‘master’ it by ‘cheating,’ like how Thalaxarus did it—by gaining a direct infusion of it to assimilate into their body over time. Tasianna’s circumstance was expedited even further with Water mixing their mana inside their slime body,”] Will answered. [“The same will apply to you, but unlike my former form, mine is a mere catalyst. The majority of the true light mana has been lost, not to mention you used [Light Primarch’s Miracle] already, so I have been drained of usable true light mana.”]
[“So I will have to fulfill a Divine Quest to start developing true light mana?”]
[“Yes, or simply finish your next follower milestone. Skip the actual training process and gain it from Goddess Aurena as her blessed. So the risk of the holy dragon learning is near impossible, unless they let that ‘Corruption Eater’ close,”] Will replied in a low, worried tone, almost as if they were unsure if this was the only threat. [“However, training with the light dragon will benefit you.”]
[“How so?”]
[“[Luminokinesis]. Unless you activate [Light Horizon] during [Battle Frenzy], you are unable to actually manipulate light as a holy dragonkin should. After all, even if you are holy-aligned, you technically are a sun dragon. Your main ability is to gather and manipulate solar energy,”] they said. [“There is a minor difference between the ability to control light and solar power, and that is created by the Origin God’s Divine System.”]
I tilted my head slightly, confused about what that should mean.
[“Peolyncians rely on the skills given to them by the Divine System to perform all the feats they would have never been able to before it appeared. If you lose that skill, you lose access to it,”] Will explained, causing the cogs to click in my head.
[“Like how I lost all my fire system spells when I lost [Inferno Magic] and [Fire Magic]. Oh, or how I lost connection with the Divine System when Vifi banished me into that other-dimensional prison.”]
The catalyst wobbled up and down, to show Will was nodding. [“Exactly. Some skills are inherent to you, like your ability to control solar energy, which is your personal ability as a dragon, but the System visualized this with [Ruby Star]. Even if you were to lose access to the Divine System, you would only lose skills like [Detection Sensor] or [Foresight], but you won’t lose your ability to spew fire or gather solar energy to use [Ruby Shredder].”]
[“I would lose my ability to buff people with my spell songs and even my fast cast with [Chant Revocation], but I wouldn’t lose my custom spells as long as I remember their chants and how to materialize their spell circles with my mana. Mana control, in fact, isn’t bound by the System.”]
[“Correct. You understand. It probably won’t happen against until you meet another demonkin, but it is good to know. Whether a skill becomes ‘a part of your body’ like how Tasianna’s proficiency with ice magic has probably given her a natural [Cyrokinesis], is rather vague, though, since the Divine System probably doesn’t want people to leave the world. Regardless, learn [Luminokinesis]. It would benefit you, regardless of how you wish to proceed with the holy dragonkin.”]
‘I rechecked the shop—haven’t done that in ages—and Will is right, nothing there. Nothing new at all, in fact,’ Hikari informed me, prompting me to return to reality, where I jerked back when I noticed Forminaxtrass and Yuilengreill had placed their head in front of mine.
“Woah!” I yelped.
“Welcome back to Peolynca, Hestia,” Yuilengreill teased. “Did you mind get sent back to Earth? How was it?”
As I stuttered in an attempt to voice an excuse, Forminaxtrass chuckled, while Sieg and Uncle Alex both let out a deep sigh.
“The two elder scales officially announced their loyalty to you to seal the alliance,” Neill laughed, softly whipping my back with her tail. “They even tried to give you their scales as a sign of loyalty, and you’re just staring into the horizon as if your brain got removed. Haha, shouldn’t you know better than to not blank out during an official meeting?”
“That is why I recommended pushing this meeting!” Tasianna chided. “My lady has been training almost every day, with occasional hunts to feed us. Fatigue is a real thing, especially mental fatigue.”
“… Tasianna has a point.” Sieg’s eyes widened, giving me a sympathetic look. “Many of the young scales space out if the workload is too harsh. Lack of sleep drives their productivity down. Considering this is Empress Melloxtressa’s trial, it must have tired her out.”
“Ha, see, Galiladrak? Impatience ill suits us ancients. What do you need to rush everything? Three more days would have gone by without you needing to blink.” Uncle Alex somehow made this misunderstanding work in his favor, causing the holy dragon to actually groan.
He bowed his head, lowering even his tail. “It is my fault. I believed the urgency was needed though, since we had to make sure you understand the commitment we will be making. This also included the trust we place under your command.”
“What do you mean by that? Are you saying I can order the holy dragon flight and wake around?” I asked, slightly perturbed by the thought of this.
Uncle Alex nodded, answering in Galiladrak’s stead. “The alliance forces both nests to defend and fight for each other, and with this—”
Both elder scales plucked a single scale from their body before laying it in front of me, like a tribute on a shrine.
“—We swear our loyalty towards you for the succession crisis. We will not support any other candidates. You may use our authority as if you were our ruler, but make no mistake that you cannot force us, and this includes giving our votes for your siblings.” Both stated in unison. “For we do not support any other candidates but our one and only princess!”
Once they finished their speech, both dragon rulers and their entourage bowed their heads and lowered their tails, showing me their commitment to their words. Offering another dragonkin their scales was to abandon one’s pride, after all. Yet, even if Kramps kept saying how dragons do not use subterfuge, that was a very archaic way to see things.
I knew the Yngvaldr clan’s sins to Kargryx, and we even had Yothmlak as another example. This show was one made out of pure respect, but to believe it truly was foolish. However, for me, there was one method that could prove it, though.
… I can trust Uncle Alex and Sieg. Let me see.
have received the title [Hestia’s Retainer]
… The Litmus test of who was actually worth my trust. After all, [The Light] only allowed [Hestia’s Retainer] to be given to people who shared my trust towards them.
Vifi, although she was part of Aurora when I recruited her back in Inkoran-Tazul, never really trusted me, even if she supported my idea to understand the demonkin. Our relationship only started to warm up after I talked to her back in Aureolis. She trusted me enough to fully renege on her duty to Bole’Taria, walking aside the rest of Aurora to strive towards my idealistic wish to remedy the hostility between humans and demonkin.
I wanted Vifi to be part of Aurora, yet she never saw herself as part of it. Only when she accepted my trust and ideals did she earn [Hestia’s Retainer]. Only when her conviction towards Aurora’s goal solidified did the title evolve into [Hestia’s Imperial Guard].
And both Uncle Alex and Sieg passed the test with flying colors. They were already my fans. Haha…
“Raise your heads. I accept your trust in me!” I declared, with both Uncle Alex and Sieg playing everything off as if it didn’t happen, but I could see in their eyes that they appreciated my trust in them.
Mom… if Uncle Alex somehow reaches rank SS, please don’t scold me. Also, good luck reaching rank S, Sieg. Don’t let my oldest brother show you up.
I could have tried the test on the holy dragons, but, honestly, even if they earnestly swore their loyalty to me, I didn’t trust them. Heh, just like with Regolustrus and the fire wyverns, they had to prove themselves first. Also, I wanted to reciprocate Forminaxtrass’s trust in me by acknowledging the potential threat of the holy dragonkin.
An idol’s job was to only bring smiles to people’s faces, after all. She didn’t have to walk the path of a fool.
“I will also accept the proposal. I will gladly have Uriahn around to help me out,” I said.
“Are you sure?” Forminaxtrass looked at me with distrust.
Nodding to show my conviction, she sighed and turned away. I then looked at Uriahn, gazing at his, honestly, quite pretty appearance as a holy dragon. A smooth appearance like that of an albino snake, but with a carapace and bone spikes that made him look like something made from marble. An artist could probably use him like a muse.
“Will you teach me how to become an even stronger holy dragon?” I asked.
He bowed. “Only if you permit me, Your Highness. Thank you very much, I shall serve you properly.”
Sacred Nest has its connection to me now… like placing a courtier or attendant to spy on somebody. Peacefully resolve it.
“Both of our official reasons have been fulfilled. We’ll notify the news station, so you don’t have to, but I do ask you to perform one of those ‘vlogs’—as you called it—once we have done our part,” Uncle Alex said. “Now… to the reason why some urgency was needed, at least, according to Galiladrak.”
There is a third reason?
“Inferno Nest has shown some movements, and not good ones. They’ve been scouting our defenses, becoming bolder with every day to test how we would react,” he continued. “We also had received a notice from His Majesty for all the rules for the succession, but there was something that wasn’t part of it—a stop on the succession of a new dragon ruler.”
Huh? What—
“… You may not perform a war, but if you are unsatisfied, replace the head,” Vifi answered before I could finish my thought. “The emperor mentioned how both the dragon ruler and their nest have to agree on their succession choice. They need the rulers’ and about 51% of a nest’s support for that vote to count. Though I presume you can just challenge a dragon ruler for their spot? If so, that won’t be considered a war. It’s a duel.”
“Got that right,” Neill answered.
“The empress-mothers are unable to directly participate in this succession crisis, even unable to support our children. They are to remain neutral and to act as judges so that His Majesty’s words are honored,” Yuilengreill added. “The most important part is how we should determine what a ' war is’ and what is a ‘dispute.’ A fight between two random individuals is no war, nor is diplomatic pressuring. If only two dragon rulers fight, it cannot be counted as a war. Though even if one of them wins, the other cannot usurp the role. It is different when it happens within the nest, though.”
“For example, a disgruntled retainer of the Dragon Ruler of Thunders challenging and beating him, before using their newfound influence to force Thunder Nest to vote for Kahalameet. Essentially, with the rules that Emperor Eltharion set up, the show of power that true dragonkin would commonly use will not be possible. Instead, he gave more power to those who can think and act like humanoids. Subterfuge…” Uncle Alex explained. “I suspect some disruptions that will lead to ‘disputes’ between our patrols and theirs. Regardless, you should remain vigilant, Princess Hestia. Also, I received a letter from your mother to tell you what the problem is with Princess Wendriosa’s trip.”
Right, she did mention a big problem about the leviathans.
“We have been updated about the second Event Quest, and also Princess Wendriosa’s wish to take back control of her leviathan followers. The one controlling it is one of the potential candidates to become a rank SS,” he stated. “While it is true that Wendriosa’s faction has become more belligerent with many hardliners who would do anything to put her on the throne, the ones who blockaded Coral Beard’s piers and those who poisoned our fish farms weren’t of her faction.”
“They used their aggression against you and Melloxtressa,” Forminaxtrass continued for him. “Gyadiosa, Virrflax, and Nongramos performed some information gathering after you learned of that elven demonkin-sympathizer, and learned that the two groups’ aggression was being manipulated by the second candidate mentioned in the Event Quest—Quasdrakeen Karhalantheel. Karhalantheel’s daughter.”
“… Oh.”
Either help Wendri or a revenge-seeking daughter would torpedo me into the abyss. We were fucked.
