Pov Vildra

This council meeting is definitely suspicious. There was almost no prior warning, and they didn't mention the topic. My paranoia tells me I'm in danger, which is significant, as I'm normally rather unparanoid for a dragon. Which is why I'm preparing some special tools.

Unfortunately, I barely had time to prepare. Even with Aesmo's help, I only managed 45 vials of various fluids, 15 magic crystals, and 3 spell crystals. If I'm being honest, I don't even know what half of this shit does. Aesmo just called it 'experimental vitro-mimicry alchemy' and told me to throw it. I can only hope it's safe for me to use.

My wings are still refurbishing, so I'll have to rely on the pre-designated teleportation scroll that they gave me and never explained how to use. I mean, surely it can't be that hard to use right? Just a little bit of mana and a drop of blood. Is it supposed to be glowing that color?

Wait Aesmo, no! Get off! You can't come along! I don't care how stealthy you are, this isn...

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Pov Eesmo

I hate teleportation. Despite my head being hidden beneath one of Vildra's scales, I could still see the pure mana radiating into my eyes. It's so strong, I can see behind me. I'm sure it is worse for mother. She haphazardly grabbed on at the last second.

Actually, where is she? I lost track of her once the teleportation began, but if she came along, she should be close by. Ah, found her... good, she's already hiding. We have to hope we can remain hidden from the other dragons. Otherwise we'll be seen, and being seen feels bad.

As the teleportation completes, I resist the urge to vomit. We teleported into a room filled with scented candles. Unfortunately, the smells mixed into the fragrant equivalent of mixing paints to make brown. I burrow deeper into my hiding spot and encounter the significantly better smell of dragon blood. Yep, I'm staying here for the foreseeable future.

The room is strange though; tightly packed columns surround a stand or pedestal. There's barely enough space for two dragons to fit in here. The light of the candles isn't enough to reveal what is beyond the columns. Upon closer inspection, the columns have strange runes, reminiscent of those used by Jesmo and Kesmo when they really don't want to break something.

Then the light of the candles flinched. Those weren't candles. It was shaped like one of those bipedal sapients, restrained by mythril rope, sitting in two magic circles. One I recognized as fire, and based on how their skin seemed to regrow every time it peeled off, the other was powerful healing magic. I vaguely remember something like this. These were elves.

While I was trying to comprehend the cruelty around us, a heavy voice echoed beyond the columns.

"I can't believe it worked. I told you she's lazy enough to teleport!"

"You dumb deet! She teleported 'cause she shed'd her wings! You're just lucky!"

"So fucking loud. And can someone please turn on the lights? I..." "It's for the dramatic reveal! Just be patient."

If not for the fact my face cannot show emotions, I'm sure my outrage would have been clearly visible. This was a trap! Vildra's paranoia was right. I guess I'll have to do what I need to do. First, confirm Vildra's condition.

Vildra is... facepalming? Why is she...

"I can hear you, you fuckers. 'Dramatic' shits can't even get the atmosphere right. You're supposed to keep me in the dark, then slowly reveal the cage, and then reveal yourselves. Also, it smells like grey. Do none of you understand how scents work?"

To my surprise, Vildra seems quite disappointed? She walks to one of the burning elves and steps on them, crushing them instantly. The healing circle fails, and the fire circle sputters out. She repeat this for all but one of the elves, leaving only a red elf burning. I sense a faint vibration from mother. Vildra kills the last elf, without destroying the circle, such that the body burns a nice mint smell.

After a distant sigh, a bright light floats above the cage. Outside, nearly twenty dragons of various sizes and conditions sit on small piles of gold. They are all staring judgmentally at Vildra, who seems rather unperturbed at the whole situation. Fuck, it's too bright. I missed my opportunity.

"'True Neutral' Dragon Lord Vildra Miltos, you are suspected of breaking several rules relating to the treatment of other dragons, and on the procedures relating to ciel and daevva class entities. We will be beginning the trial shortly. What is your initial plea?"

"Guilty"

"We understand that y... Pardon?"

"Guilty. On both charges. If that's all, can we just hurry this up? I'm getting another headache."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"wha- Do you understand the severity of your crimes? This isn't something you can ignore."

Vildra sighs, then takes out 3 of the vials.

"I heard one of you gambled your life away. Who else wants to gamble? These are experimental alchemical formulas. They are as equally likely at giving you immortality as the elixir that that idiot drank."

One of the observing dragons flinch. Another begins raising their hand, only to get stopped by the dragon next to them. Those two know that the probability is zero.

Vildra nods in disappointment, putting away the three vials. She then gestures to the two who knew.

"I feel like it is important for me to mention that the odds of obtaining immortality was zero. The 'elixir' was a tool for assassination, probably made by those two in order to kill an idealogical opponent."

"What the fuck are you talking about? This is your trial. Don't try to change the subject." "Actually, that reminds me. Dravinos' death was suspicious. What if it was an assassination." "Well, we have some prime suspects right here. Why don't we start with the easiest; who here thinks Vildra is guilty of assassinating Dravinos?"

Somehow, the two managed to reverse the accusations onto Vildra. Of course, their argument is flimsy and won't work. Only three have their hand raised, two of which were the guilty ones.

Then another dragon raised their hand. Followed by two more. Soon enough, over a dozen were voting in favor of indicting Vildra. What the fuck. What kind of bullshit is this?

At seemingly the worst possible timing, Vildra crouches in visible pain, holding hard onto their head. Mother is panicking, and I taste blood. The bandages around Vildra's cuts are getting stained. what should I do?

"'True Neutral' Dragon Lord Vildra Miltos, you have been found guilty of assassinating 'Juvenile' Dragon Lord Dravinos. You shall be executed for your crimes." "Now wait one moment. That's a bit excessive, no? We don't even have proof tha..." "Think about it. She's already killed so many other dragons. She's caused more harm than good. Whether or not she's truly guilty, it's better to just get rid of her now!" "There's still a proccess..."

I know what I must do. I take a deep breath, and hold it. The world around me goes dark. Using the smell of the only burning elf as a compass, I attempt to move towards one of the two dragons. I accidentally hit one of the columns, but managed to persevere until I reached what should be behind the dragon. Releasing my hold, the world returns.

I miscalculated. I was too far and behind the wrong dragon. Luckily, there was plenty of shadows this far from the light. Jumping from shadow to shadow, I make my way towards them. Then they started shouting.

"Fuck due process. I'll do it myself then!"

Before I could reach them, they flew forward towards the cage. I was too late. No, I can still help. The other one hasn't moved yet! I just have to hope mother can do something while I move.

Luckily, mother had already prepared for something like this. She reveals a spell crystal from Vildra's pouch and activates it.

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Pov Aesmo

Fuck fuck fuck fuck. I am so unprepared for this. This cage is definitely not normal. Those runes are for making things resistant to magic. If my analysis is correct, then this spell gem will have no effect on the cage itself. In that case, I'll just target something other than the cage. I'll cast 'gravitas' on the vials instead!

The small vials I sneakily spread around start to float up. By the time the incoming dragon reaches the cage and opens the hidden door, the vials are scattered all around us. Of course, they smash the ones that are in their way. Yet as the liquid splashes, it amalgamates into a coherent form; a giant centipede.

The countdown begins. The centipede amalgam will only last for 5 minutes. It's the same size as the incoming dragon, but its physical strength is too low. It needs more material. What can I use... that rope smells like mythril. That'll work.

I take out two personal vials labeled 'Iesmo' and 'Pesmo'. I don't have time to be careful, so I swallow both whole, glass and all. Next, I aim at the nearest rope. I shoot out a thread and stick it to the rope, then manipulate it towards the amalgam. At the same time, I shoot some threads towards the intruding dragon. It barely slows them down, but it does distract them.

Turning away from the amalgam, they stare at me, before preparing a familiar spell. The same spell that avocado-hating dragon blasted so long ago. Hoping those runes don't prevent sticking, I shoot and pull towards a nearby column. Luckily, I manage to pull myself away. avoiding most of the blast. Vildra seems to be fine; the bandages were made with fire in mind. Ironic for them to act as armor though.

Fuck, I can't rest. Seeing as the strategy worked, I target the other free ropes, and send them all into the amalgam. It assimilates the mythril easily, and soon enough a shiny film coats the amalgam. By the time the dragon turns back to the amalgam, it already grabbed the dragon and pinned them to the ground.

I should trust my paranoia. I check the other dragons, making sure they aren't an immediate threat. Instead, I see the other suspicious one frothing silently. Wait, is that Eesmo? Since when did she... never mind. I can thank her later.

Things are stable. I should focus on getting us out now. Problem; where is the exit? Even if we leave the cage, I don't see any way out of the bigger room. Maybe there's a teleportation circle hidden or something? Fuck, i should've asked Vildra.

"Why're you just watching? Help me dammit!"

In response to the call, three more dragons get up and approach the cage. Fuck. I can't deal with this. I...

Crack

...Why did that wall crack? And why do I smell... Cesmo?

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Pov Tildra

I can't believe I'm trusting a talking bug and a homunculi. Just what did she get herself into this time? Let's see... the dragon lord council should be within that mountain. we can either go through the main entrance, or we can break in from the side. Through the side? Alright, hold on a moment.

It's been a while, so please excuse any delays I may cause. Let's see, first carefully measure the density of the ground, then Punch. Then, measure the change in density. From there, you can determine exactly how much strength is needed to break into a hollow cave. At least, that's what mom taught me. Apparently it's useful for hunting angels.

Punch

Whoops. I forgot the ground crumbles around. Wh... huh? Oh, you have a built in umbrella. How useful. Let's go. I smell blood.

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From the crumbling wall emerged three semi-unexpected figures. First was yet another centipede. A possible ciel, or even daevva, of Vildra's creation. Next was a dragon, recognizable only to the oldest among them; Tildra Miltos, mother of Vildra, and daughter and sole inheritor of the legendary angel hunter Lapis. And most feared by the dragons, the 'Dragon Slayer'.

All of the dragon lords, and even Aesmo were perturbed by the intruding trio. Whether it's because they broke in through a mountain, or the reputation that follows them, nobody dared to move out of fear of what they were capable of.

Then Vildra coughed up blood, and all hells broke loose.