“Ah … Well, he did say the dragonewts still worshiped him, but somehow I was expecting something smaller on Miononbolax.”
I arched my neck back, staring at the humongous onyx-stone temple built right into a mountain. The entrance was designed for dragonewts, but the sheer scale of the temple gate was large enough for adult rank B dragons to stand alongside it and feel small in comparison. Most importantly, though, the banner fluttering above the large gate displayed a dragon breathing out flames shaped into a crescent moon—the religious symbol of Kargryxmor and my clan’s family crest.
This was the headquarter of Kargryxmor’s faith, the “heart” of Loatryx. Located west from Coral Beard—the largest harbor on Miononbolax and also the capital of the Republic of Loatryx—it was built within this jagged mountain range, almost like those lonesome buddhist temples in the Himalayas. It wasn’t an “easy” jog; it was high enough to be considered hiking.
Fortunately, dragonewts could fly, so the trip wasn’t as arduous or inconvenient as one might think. Nevertheless, Coral Beard did have a smaller temple within its confines for those with less time. Good, since it was too far away to be considered a Sunday trip to church if I was living in the harbor.
“So far away …” I stated as I stared in the horizon, able to see the large, metropolitan-sized harbor city from here and with it, the crescent mouth-shaped of the continent’s southern area.
To be honest, when Mom flew me over here after my meeting with Eltharion, I was blown away by the geographical appearance. If you were to fly over and look through the window of a plane, then the Loatryx portion of the continent honestly looked like the head of a dragon.
In fact, this crescent mouth-like form could almost be considered an atoll with a lagoon. The beach was pretty shallow, to the point I questioned why it was a harbor city in the first place, only to remember this Loatryx, they had floating cities.
The main portion of Coral Beard was located next to the beach and lagoon, with most of the amenities, lodgings for travelers, businesses, and temples built there. Meanwhile, the floating archipelago city housed the clan mansions, factories, the government and administration, and also the dragoon order. This floating city was located directly above the harbor built on the water, which accepted ships and also provided ferry services for visitors to reach inland.
Oh, and I also learned why my elven doctor told me why dragons considered Kel’Thun part of Miononbolax. The island was part of the atoll, with Ke’Thun creating a northern and southern channel for ships to enter through. Meaning, if you wanted to reach Coral Beard through the sea, you had to pass through the elves first.
Regardless, my geography lessons could wait for another time. I could do that once I returned to our clan’s mansion after this trip.
“Princess Hestia!”
I snapped my head around as I heard that voice, seeing a group of white-black robed dragonewt priestess rush over to. They quickly bowed before Mom before turning their attention to me, doing the same motion. As they kept their tails tucked and their heads down, Mom had to order them to raise their heads before we could talk.
“You recognized me?” I said.
“Yes, your highness. The kinkyuro informed everybody of your presence in Coral Beard. Uh, not to mention, her highness, Princess Wendriosa did the same,” one of them informed me. He looked like a head priest or bishop with how different his robe was to the five behind him. “Also, a female crimson scaled and haired dragonewt with a young adult human face wearing a robe for a shrine maiden of Goddess Aurena is quite rare, even in our expansive lands.”
… So detailed. Thanks, Sis.
Well, I had to expect that, honestly. First, the kinkyuro were the government of Loatryx, composed of the six greatest dragonkin clans, descendants of the five last rank SSS dragons and a kirin. In other words, Kargryxmor and the fathers of five of the six empresses.
Why only five? Well, Mom’s father was only a rank SS when he ascended into the heavens. He didn’t fit the criteria, but it didn’t really matter for the Nordor dragonewts, since the kinkyuro’s influence was minimal on Frozen Nest. Therefore, they were Loatryx’s government in Iceskale.
Secondly, I slept in the mansion managed by the Kargryxmor dragonewts yesterday. I even met the clan’s representative in the senate for dinner, so of course people would know about me.
It was almost similar to the situation in Iceskale where the populace knew about me, but they treated me as any other true dragon. With reverence but part of life; a far cry from how human commoners treated their nobles. It was similar to how the dwarves did it, and I couldn’t be happier.
“Also, I don’t think anybody could ignore Empress Melloxtressa’s aura, haha …” the man smiled bitterly as he looked over, only taking a glance at Mom’s icy glare. He also took a peek at my four companions. “Ahem, news has already spread. Congratulations on being considered a fledgling, your highness. We might not be your kin, but Loatryx as a whole celebrates the birth of our newest princess.”
They all bowed once more.
“We are thankful you survived your ordeal, your highness. May the empire and its republic blossom under your crimson wings. Allow us humble dragonewts serve you in your divine goals as a blessed of Goddess Aurena and the Black Tyrant of the Skies.” Once again, they bowed. “As a fledgling, you now have the right to join the succession, correct. We wish you luck. However, if you wish to use your new authority to manage Loatryx like your siblings, please, do not hesitate! Our church will gladly help you!”
… Ah, there it is. Well, I guess all that ass-kissing would be more awkward if they didn’t have any ulterior motives.
Everything he said was the truth. Aside from having the right to become the heir apparent, I now had the responsibility to also manage the empire and its vassal, Loatryx. Wendriosa already gave me the lecture on how to be a good ruler, and I already received the expectant eyes of my dragonewt relatives yesterday and this morning. Technically, I didn’t have to, according to Mom.
It was the duty of an empress to handle matters concerning the empire in the emperor’s stead. Their children were exempt from it but there was a social pressure to contribute since we were scions of the emperor. We were an extension of his will and the “gateway” to the next era, not to mention, the proof for the success of the adulthood pilgrimage the empresses instituted. To bring knowledge from the outside world to Kargryx, to slowly ramp up our development while remaining reclusive.
In short, I could help Mom with Frozen Nest, if I wished. I was legally able to get a job despite biologically being a kid.
In any case, Mom forcefully changed the topic, having also noticed the priest’s intentions. She explained my reason for being here was to pray to Kargryxmor’s alter and commune to him as a blessed. The priests couldn’t help but bow and welcome us in.
The main attraction of this temple was the fact the inside was actually just part of one large cavern. You could say it used the natural rock formation to its advantage to create this mystical, authentic feeling, as if a pilgrim or questing knight found some rural shrine. Unlike the dwarves, the dragonewt left most of the place as nature created it, merely keeping everything clean and lit with aromatic candles.
“You seem to like it quite a bit, Lady Hestia,” Tasianna said as she noticed my eyes wandering.
I nodded. “Quite. You know, in all our adventures, we never really entered some hidden, spiritual place that screams like it is hiding some special treasure.”
“Doesn’t the ruin we explored after we arrived in Firwood count?”
“Kiiro and the onnikai? Hello? Remember? There was nothing spiritual about it when a horde of undead rushes after you!” My body shivered a bit, causing Tasianna to giggle. I mean, I would giggle too if I still didn’t have some zombie trauma with all the growling.
In any case, the priests quickly led us to our destination before they promptly left, fully intimidated by Mom as wouldn’t have them speak another word. As we entered the altar room, Mom let out a deep sigh.
“It has been a while since I entered any of Kargryxmor’s temples. Seeing them tells you enough.” Mom glared at how pristine the room was maintained, as numerous offerings and small trinkets in Kramps’s image were laid before a bus-sized statue of the god himself. “Every time one gets destroyed, another is built. Far larger than the one before.”
“It would be a surprise if after over 2500 years, a building wouldn’t see any accidents,” Tasianna commented. “How many were there, Empress Melloxtressa?”
“Three, if I remember correctly. Three centers of faith. The first was made after Loatryx was founded by Kargryxmor during his campaign to establish his Empire, as a way to pacify the agitated dragonewts. It was destroyed during the civil war and rebuilt afterwards, until it collapsed due to an accident with Phsothophus a while back. A clumsy little darling, hiehie.” Mom smiled. “The last two iterations were located inside Coral Beard, until the kinkyuro decided to have it rebuilt here. The atmosphere is far better, I must say.”
I couldn’t disagree with that.
Before I could pray, the twins were already on their knees before the statue, giving the God of Dragons his rightful respect. Once they were done, I looked at Tasianna, Vifi, and Mom, who gave no reaction, so I walked before the altar. I touched the black, volcanic stone statue, feeling the heat of Inferno Nest from it and took a step back.
I clasped my hands in prayer, closed my eyes and then … opened them again. I stared up.
“I’m not coming up. Come speak with us here. Tasianna, an [Air Shield], please.”
Tasianna did as I say without even questioning it, while Mom howled in laughter. Cackling uncontrollably while pointing at the ceiling, she smacked her forehead, closing her eyes as she was having trouble breathing while laughing.
“It’s only been three years—two years for her—and you already lost all goodwill from your only blessed. How fitting. Even your most adored grandchild is putting her tail down, and you call us fools and slackers? Did you really think she would side with you after all she’s heard?”
Mom was right, but I still glared at her at how noisy she was. Seeing me like this, she waved her hand and stopped herself, although I could still hear her giggling under her breath. I sighed and looked at the statue once more.
“Kramps, I am not negotiating this. You were the one who said you would reveal your divine Quest once I made it to Miononbolax, and here we are. I’ve waited long enough. I’ve met my siblings and father. Now it is time for you to speak and explain to me exactly what the hell you even imagined, because at this point, Aurena’s divine Quest seemed more sensible than trying to ‘bring back your faith to the dragons.’”
Kramps stayed silent but I knew he could hear me. I understood his reaction well as this could only be considered a slight towards my patron god. It was like forcing a CEO to come see you in your office. Anybody would consider this a power move, even if it was more a “you will talk to me and Mom at the same time” moment. It was like when we all talked inside the subspace.
<… Do you truly understand what you are doing here, Hestia? You have my favor, but even this is overstepping your boundaries. We are not close enough for you to demand this, and no matter what my feelings are towards your achievements and feats, as a god, I will not demean myself like this.>
I relayed everything I heard to everybody in attendance. This was my objective.
“You might be a god, but you are still my grandfather. I am not here only for my divine Quest, I am also here as a representative of your bloodline and clan! This is a family issue.”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
In my Earthen family, it was customary for my Mama to meet my Japanese grandparents if something had to be discussed. Phone calls were nice but the important stuff had to be relayed personally, which contrasted how my Papa did it with my German grandparents. The latter were less strict. As such, I understood this situation very well.
Yet, Kramps still wouldn’t budge.
“Then what would that make you, huh? I had all the right to question and shout at you for yesterday. You think I forgot what you said to Neill? You know, I still have the right to give my opinion as a third party since I haven’t really experienced our family dynamic to the fullest yet, so let me tell you this—you are equally at fault for everything! For the fact your faith is wavering, for the fact our family isn’t to your liking, for the fact you even brought me to this world!”
Kramps shouted so much, I felt my soul quiver from the shock. I bent forward, touching my chest as the pain in my depth wasn’t subsiding, worrying Tasianna and the twins. Meanwhile, Mom growled at him, but I stopped her before she could speak up for me.
‘Hestia, I’ll take care of the damage to our soul. I’ll try to fortify our mind,’ Hikari stated, helping subside the pain a bit.
I took a deep breath. “What? Hurts to hear the truth? You made me a blessed for this very reason and even praised me for still possessing my memories, and yet when it seemed you hit a roadblock you would discipline me? Did you think I would only scream at Goddess Aurena and leave you unscathed from my anger?”
“Oh, so this is a pride thing? Of course, since talking about our family has nothing to do with any divine laws. You just don’t want to solve anything! Does our family issues not matter to you at all, or the fact stopping this succession crisis is out of my reach at this point? I am not even rank A! I fought those rank A back on Iceskale. Without a song to edge me over the cliff, I can’t win even against an ice dragon,” I admitted. “How am I supposed to stop my half-siblings? Kick the butts of my father and siblings to act like you wanted? Give me a break, that is impossible and you know it!”
I then pointed at the ceiling and pointed down.
“You know what I learned yesterday? Like father, like son.”
“I’m not wrong, am I? Both of you want to skip out on the uncomfortable family part, instead of speaking with us! Do you really think you can figure out a plan purely with me alone, instead of speaking with somebody who loves your son?” I pointed at Mom. “Do you think I know him at all? No, but she does. Instead of hating each other, how about you try your best to work it out for the sake of our family?”
I snapped my fingers. “There, I delivered the message. I did my duty as your blessed. The bridge’s foundation is there; will you help me build it, or will you fly away, avoiding it as you sit on top of your heavenly clouds?”
“Honestly, he just might, my dear,” Mom teased. “For over 2500 years, our parents dwelled in the heavens with him. Tell me, Kargryxmor, what are my parents thinking about your cowardly ways? How about your partner? Are our parents even around as your angels, or have you disappointed them enough for them to disappear?”
“I’ll remind you how I felt when you insulted Neill, Kramps,” I chastised him, causing him to groan. “I don’t want to be too harsh on you since you have your own circumstance, but you need to stop and think about your actions over these years, Kramps. Why has your faith dwindled? Why do only the dragonewts and wyverns respect you? Why am I your first blessed? Have I ever broken an oath or promise deliberately?”
Kramps didn’t answer, whether he was thinking or avoiding me was irrelevant, but the silence was getting on my nerves. Eventually, Mom patted my shoulder with a smile.
“Thank you, dear.” She hugged me. “Haaa, this feels good … Go. This won’t do.”
“He needs to talk to you,” I stubbornly insisted.
“He won’t, because he is just like Eltharion. His pride will not allow him to change this easily, so, do what you said. Build the bridge with him.” She pushed me forward, prompting me to sigh.
As I kneeled down, I closed my eyes and prayed to the image of the dragon god. After opening my eyes, the sight of the solemn altar disappeared as it was replaced by not the cloudy realms of Aurena, but a giant valley that looked similar to the ravine from yesterday. In fact, it was a one-to-one copy as two mountains flanked an obsidian one with a black citadel attached to it.
Numerous dragons and drakes could be seen staring up at me before they resumed what they were doing. I widened my eyes, confused if I actually was in the divine realm or was somehow teleported to my dragon father’s roost. However, a quick look at my crimson ghostly body was all I needed to confirm it was the former.
Are those angels? I wondered, snapping my head around, searching for something I wasn’t sure was here or not.
“Come.”
I heard Kramps voice. I turned around, realizing I was standing right in front of the citadel’s entrance. As if the voice was my guide, I walked into the building only to stop myself as I noticed the furniture and decorations inside. This was back in the glory days, I presume … I ignored everything.
This was the nostalgia of an old man.
I eventually made it back to the same cavern I met my dragon father, but this time, instead of a decrepit old man, I met one with the vigor of a young man. He stood in front of me with his arms crossed and his wings forming a cape behind him. I approached him, prompting him to shrink his body until he was just a bit taller than a two floored house.
“Before we begin, I want you to tell me the truth. Why do you disagree with my half-siblings?” I demanded. “Wendriosa and Nong told me you only told your son. I wish to know.”
“… Guess first.”
I put up three fingers. Kahalameet was too similar to Eltharion, Ryranakus seemed too timid, and he disapproved of Eltharion having married a kirin, so Neill didn’t fit his ideal as a Kargryxmor. I had my suspicions about Wendriosa and Nong, but I was only fully sure with the former three.
“Correct,”—He nodded—“Do you truly not understand why I disapprove of Wendriosa and Nongramus?”
I shook my head. “Sister Wendri might have some lofty plans that I disagree with, but she doesn’t seem bad. Meanwhile, I don’t understand why you don’t like Nong. Is he too much of a poser?”
Kramps closed his eyes before huffing fire out of his mouth. Was he displeased?
“So be it, I shall answer, but I will leave those two for last.” He sat down, prompting me to do the same before he continued. “Phsothophus should have been as easy as his eldest brother. You heard it from Wendriosa herself, the boy is no leader, he is a follower. Your second brother grew up with Kahalemeet for the majority of his life until Wendriosa was born, and that left him with little ambition. He is not suited to be an emperor, or as my successor. He is the embodiment of the new age of dragons—lazy, feeble, and content.”
The same reason applied to Taimatrak, the only difference was that my third brother was just apathetic to anything outside of his field of interest. He apparently was a historian and archaeologist who wanted nothing more than to travel to ruins and marvel at ancient buildings left before his time. In fact, compared to everybody but Neill and me, he was the sibling who contributed the least to the empire.
“He is a lichdragon like his mother, and that means he is a practitioner of the ancient form of necromancy. Naturally, with Ilsaphone around, it is impossible for him to fully master soul magic but he still is an able necromancer and golemancer,” Kramps grumbled. “In fact, the boy sporadically leaves Miononbolax whenever the dragonewts return with any gossip of noteworthy ruins. He cares little about our empire, and this attitude persisted even in his youth. It only got worse after his pilgrimage.”
… Saori would like him.
With five siblings down, it was now time for the last two.
“Initially, I have only accepted two of my grandchildren. Nongramos, and you,” he stated. “However, this was only during their debut. Wendriosa seemed too similar to her brother at first, but I grew to like her during her pilgrimage. I had intended to change my opinion on her, but I decided otherwise when she reached the end of it.”
He sighed. “Wendriosa, I admit, does have promise. Unlike her brother, she has a larger vision for the empire, while he prioritizes stability. It is a case of stability over innovation, but the current emperor already supports the former. An empire that doesn’t develop for over 2500 years will die out, eventually. She would be a good empress, yet I still have this gnawing feeling that she is too similar to Phsothopus. Is her ambition truly her own, or does she have such a grand image of her eldest brother that she believes this ambition is hers?”
I raised a brow. “Does it matter? You heard her, she sounds exactly how you want the dragons to be, albeit, she would only prioritize defending the empire’s allies.”
Kramps tilted his head but shook it in the end. He couldn’t tell an exact answer, making me believe Wendriosa truly had the best chance to change his mind amongst my siblings. So, why didn’t he like Nong?
“He is a liar,” Kramps stated without a single hesitation. As if it was a fact. “He has the grandest vision to be like me, but in the end, he is a coward. A swindler. The fly with the brightest light also dims the fastest.”
“Hold on a moment, do you mean to tell me he told me a lie?”
“He told the entire family a lie. A lie Eltharion knows but is keeping to himself, because he knows his son doesn’t wish it to be known. Nongramus’s travels did not end as he said it did. He did not stay incognito like he told you. He is like you and Fargryneill—the three of you wish to shine one way or another. To be known to the world. To be more than a footnote in history,” he said, causing my chest to cramp up a bit. I knew he was telling the truth about me. “Confront him, if you wish. I dare say, he already contemplated the idea that I might tell you this. Hehe, the worm is shivering even now … ‘Do not lie to family.’ He proudly proclaimed that to you? Pah!”
… This was a shocker. Well, admittedly, I had expected more dirt about my family so this was quite tame in comparison, yet hearing that Nong lied to me made me feel … betrayed. To be honest, considering we’ve only known each other for less than a week, this reaction was too strong. I felt naive.
Yet, we’ve only known each other for less than a week. A big brother lying to impress a younger sister wasn’t some far fetched idea, and I could imagine that peacock doing it. Thinking it like this made the bad feeling go away entirely. He must have had his reasons. Just like Kramps and Eltharion did.
… Honestly, what the hell was with this family?
I scratched my head, sighing in the end as I felt a bit of headache forming. In the end, I decided to just accept this as part of family life. It would be weirder if my siblings weren’t hiding stuff from me.
“Okay, I’m happy .. The time has come, I guess, what is my divine Quest? Why did you summon a reincarnator to this world to do your bidding as your granddaughter, God Kargryxmor?”
Noticing my respectful tone, he nodded. “My religion has been declining over the centuries, resulting in my influence weakening to the point I barely am gaining enough faith to remain strong enough to protect this world from dangers. The Edjurl god you saw at the end of your battle against the envy prince was due to my failure. I was too weak to stop the interference.”
Didn’t know that.
He continued, “That is your major priority as my Champion. However … I admit, maybe I was being a bit short sighted. I … inspected my faith accumulation and a good amount also came from my family members. Dragons worshiping Eltharion and Kahalameet helps me as well … Dragonewts worshipping you, or your entire idol profession, are also beneficial. Hestia, I must admit, I do not know. I do not know what would be the best for me or my empire.”
… Is he trying to communicate with me here?
“If it concerns garnering some faith, I could perform some concerts. It would be a bandage, but if you say it helps—”
“No,” he interrupted. “It is more difficult to sway dragons with your voice. You heard it from your mother herself, she is neutral to humanoid singing—she only likes yours. Making dragonewts your followers will not help the overall goal. The lack of faith from the true dragonkin is a large pool of untouched power. I want that.”
“… So, how do I go about it?” he asked, causing him to suddenly smirk.
“Continue as you always did.”
Huh?
“That’s it? Nothing more?”
“During your travels, have you ever needed my help with anything but your dragon abilities? No, you haven’t.” He shrugged, but I felt blindsided from this sudden apathy.
“Wait, what about Eltharion? You’re running again!” I shouted, causing him to jerk a bit. He really was trying to skim over it! “You know fully well the lynchpin to solve the succession crisis is my father. If he lives, the crisis can be delayed to the point we can maybe talk this through, instead of an unknown time limit. His soul is in danger of giving up; this can’t be solved with some weird tonic, ancient treasure, or combat—you need to speak with him!”
“… We are not on good terms. You know that, and his soul has weakened over the years. I can’t speak with him like with your mother. A single word could hurt him.”
I pointed at myself. “Yo, here’s your translator. My literal job is to spread my patron gods’ words to the populace. I can do that, Kramps.”
“He would not want to see you.”
“I’m already treated as a brat by that old fart, I can charge in again.”
“Unless you have somebody strong enough to prevent his aura from crippling you, you cannot approach him.”
“Nuh uh!” I waved my index finger at him. “I have telepathy! I have access to space-time magic that can rip through the air! I can just speak with him from afar. Besides, Mom will come to help me if I persuade her enough, so stop trying to run away!”
I stood up, pointing at him while raising my voice. “I will schedule a time for you two to speak. It will probably take a while since I need to train and deal with other stuff, but it will happen. Until then, just find your words, while I continue my job as your Champion!”
“W-wait, Hestia!”
“Bye, Kramps, and stop running away when there is a chance to solve this issue.”
I closed my eyes and had my soul returned to my body before he could say anything. Once I was back in the mortal realms, I jumped on my feet and placed Kramps on my mute list for the moment and turned to everybody else and showed them a thumbs up. Strangely, my reaction only confused everybody so I had to explain everything to them, with Mom bursting in laughter once again.
Well, she kinda stopped once I revealed the reasons why Kramps didn’t like my siblings. She had a pretty grave-looking expression, and I could guess why. She was comrades-in-arms with the other empresses so I presumed she was bound by their friendship to tell them what happened today. I felt bad for her, but it couldn’t be helped.
Sorry, Nong! I’ll make it up to you, somehow, big bro.
After my trip to the temple, we stayed in Loatryx for another whole week, partly for leisure as I wanted to go shopping with Mom, Tasianna, and Beth, but also for another reason. This was probably the more important of the two and, while I wanted it to happen sooner, one of the people in attendance was short on time.
When it was finally time, our party immediately went to the mansion of the Gueillxar’s. Who were they? Well, none other than the descendants of the rank SSS kirin, Guiellxar—Neill’s maternal grandfather. There was one person I had to meet today, and there was a favor I just had to do for them.
“Mom!” Neill shouted.
“M-my hatchling! Neilly!” the woman Neill addressed shouted before she charged through the subspace portal, ramming into her daughter’s arm in a large embrace.
Fifth empress of the dragon empire of Kargryx—Yuilengreill Huanlong Gueillxar. Neill’s mother.