CHAPTER 101 – THE FIFTH DRAGON LORD

GAEUN MEDIZIN

As we stepped into the Windwalker after our meeting with the vampire prince, the night enveloped us in its dark embrace. The airship's lounge greeted us with soft illumination, casting shadows that danced across the polished surfaces. Kate lounged on the sofa, her posture relaxed, engrossed in the flickering images of a mixed martial arts channel.

"Ah, Charlotte and Gaeun, you've finally joined us," Kate remarked, a grin playing on her lips.

"Y-Yes," I replied, returning her smile.

Charlotte, with a subtle flick of her hair, inquired, "How long have you been here, Kate?"

"About an hour," Kate yawned, stretching lazily. "Mariko and I attempted to explore, using the Vesryn Pulse to hover over the island. Turns out, much of Nocturnia is nothing but barren wasteland and rugged mountains. We called it quits and returned here earlier than expected."

Charlotte nodded in understanding, her silence speaking volumes about Kate's evasion in her duties and opting for sightseeing instead.

"Have you girls met the Fifth Dragon Lord?" Kate inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Um, yes, we did, but—" I began, but before I could finish, Hiraya's voice interrupted us.

"Dinner's ready!" Hiraya called from the dining room.

"Guess we'll save that conversation for later. Time to eat!" Kate exclaimed, swiftly turning off the TV with the remote. Rising from the sofa, she made her way to the dining room, with Charlotte and me trailing behind.

Entering the dining room, we were greeted by the sight of a lavish beef stew, brimming with vegetables and tender chunks of meat. Alongside it, fried chicken bites adorned the table, freshly laid out by our elven commander, Hiraya, in her charming mittens and apron ensemble.

"I hope this pleases your palate," Hiraya said, a hint of blush gracing her cheeks as she smiled. Beside her stood Mariko, donned in an apron and chef's hat, ready to assist.

"Wow!" Charlotte exclaimed, clearly taken aback. "Captain Hiraya, you cooked all of this? Meat and all?"

"Yep, that's right!" Hiraya beamed, her strawberry cheeks flushing with pride. "Chef Mariko taught me the simplest and most delicious way to prepare meat—stewing beef with vegetables and frying chicken."

"I have full confidence that it'll be delicious, especially with Mariko's guidance," Kate chimed in, pulling out a chair and settling herself comfortably. "Let's not delay any longer. Dig in!"

"Thank you for the meal," I said, taking my seat as well.

With the first sip of stew and the initial crunch of fried chicken, it was evident that everything was beyond delicious. We ate in silence, each bite speaking volumes about Hiraya's culinary skills. Her cooking rivaled Mariko's, a testament to her talent.

Despite being an elf, Hiraya's prowess in the kitchen was undeniable. It was a well-kept secret among us that her cooking was always exceptional, despite her initial lack of experience with meat.

After about ten minutes, our stomachs were pleasantly full, almost reaching the point of satisfaction. With our plates nearly empty, we indulged in Mariko's pudding for dessert.

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"Alright, now that we've had our fill, let's get down to business. I'll start," Hiraya announced, breaking the post-meal tranquility.

We all turned our attention to our elven commander, awaiting her report. Hiraya maintained her smile, scanning each of our faces before speaking.

"Good news: the traitor isn't among us on the Windwalker," she revealed. "My trust in all of you wasn't misplaced."

"Wow!" Kate's face lit up, and Charlotte and I joined in with applause. "Seriously?"

"Yes," Hiraya confirmed with a nod. "I've pinpointed the individual who leaked information to the Republic, but we'll address that later. For now, our priority is recruiting the Fifth Dragon Lord to bolster our chances of halting the ongoing war."

"Alright, we'll leave that traitor to you then," Kate replied.

Hiraya turned her attention to Kate and Mariko. "And what about you two? What did you uncover?"

"Kate and I took to the skies, soaring above the island in her dragon form, surveying the landscape," Mariko explained. "We found no signs of Republic armies—just barren terrain of rocks, sand, and mountains."

"But there was something peculiar at the island's center," Kate added. "A massive black tree towered over the wasteland, about a kilometer tall. As we approached, we realized it wasn't a tree but a dragon. Its crimson eye fired lasers at us, but fortunately, we managed to escape."

"Smart move getting out of there, Kate. The old you might have charged in recklessly," Charlotte remarked with a hint of sass.

"Yeah, Mariko convinced me to retreat," Kate admitted with a sheepish smile, scratching her head.

"Um, I think I know what that dragon is," I interjected, raising my hand to gather everyone's attention. As their eyes focused on me, I felt my cheeks flush, and I shifted my gaze to the ground. Despite my discomfort with being in the spotlight, I knew I had to share what I knew. "It's a Famine Dragon."

"The Famine Dragon is responsible for causing every vampire on this island to starve to death," Charlotte affirmed, supporting my statement.

"Famine Dragon, huh," Hiraya mused, her hand on her chin as she pondered. "I haven't encountered one myself. If only Lysander were here, his knowledge of dragons would be invaluable."

Hiraya's frown betrayed her longing for Lysander's presence. But there was still hope. Hiraya was a strategic genius, the architect of our victories in past wars. While Lysander provided raw information, it was Hiraya who translated it into actionable plans.

"Captain Hiraya, Prince Earvin Lancaster, the supposed Fifth Dragon Lord, is willing to aid us against the Republic once the famine in Nocturnia is resolved," I informed her.

Hiraya's smile widened. "That's two birds with one stone. Tomorrow, I plan to meet with and officially recognize Earvin Lancaster as the Fifth Dragon Lord, granting him invincibility for the upcoming battle. After that, we'll investigate this Famine Dragon. Are you all on board with this plan?"

I nodded, a smile spreading across my face, before turning to Charlotte, Mariko, and Kate, who all nodded in agreement. With everyone in accord, we hoped for the success of our endeavors.

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The following day, the entire Daybreaker Squad set out to request an audience with Prince Lancaster. True to form, the vampires granted us access without hesitation.

"It's an honor to see you again, Daybreaker Squad," Prince Lancaster greeted us with a faint smile.

"Good morning, Prince of the Vampires," Hiraya replied, executing a graceful curtsy, which we all mimicked, except for Kate, who genuflected like a knight. Hiraya then stood tall, presenting herself confidently. "I am Hiraya Misteltein, the Third Dragon Lord and Captain of Alterra's Daybreaker Squad."

Prince Earvin Lancaster's eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of our captain. "Goddess Exceria..." he whispered.

Hiraya chuckled nervously, a blush creeping onto her cheeks as she scratched her cheek. "Ah, it's embarrassing every time I'm called that."

Suddenly, the vampire prince rose from his throne, leaning on an antique cane for support. Slowly, he made his way down and approached our elven captain. When he reached her, he knelt before her, a gesture of utmost respect and reverence.

"I will offer my assistance, as long as it benefits my kingdom," Prince Earvin declared.

"In that case..." Hiraya removed her white-gloved right hand, revealing the crimson V-mark on her palm. Gently, she touched the prince's balding forehead, and we felt a surge of crimson energy pulse through the air. "With my authority as the reincarnation of the Goddess Exceria, I, Hiraya Misteltein, hereby baptize you with the name Herrscher—the Fifth Dragon Lord."

Another pulse, like a powerful heartbeat, reverberated through the room. And then, the vampire prince rose to his feet, a V-mark now emblazoned on his forehead.