Chapter 391: Loatryxian Fervor.

Chapter 391: Loatryxian Fervor.

Clan Kargryxmor of Loatryx; ready to serve.

Clan Nordor of Loatryx; ready to serve.

An assortment of dragonewts kneeled before us, interrupting the many dwarven artificers trying to work. They were glaring at us while stuck at their workstations, unable to move with how cramped it had gotten with all these people inside. Not to mention, all these dragonewts had large wings, long tails, and were just bulky in general.

Out, Neill suddenly stated while waving her hand at the dragonewts. She was pinching the bridge on her nose as she tapped my back.

Yes, Your Grace! Without hesitation, all the dragonewts stood up with their tails placed in between their legs, before they rushed out of the room.

Neill turned to the dwarves, apologizing to them for the interruption, to which the latter told her that since it was resolved quickly, we should just forget about it. With the room emptied, they quickly resumed their work, having just removed what had happened from their minds. Professionals.

Neill then led the way, telling the twins and me to just follow her lead. Noticing this, I asked if she had to deal with this sorta situation when she first came to Inkoran-Tazul, but she told me this was a thing way back on Miononbolax. She had to deal with them the moment she was born!

Just imagine the Church of Aurena being able to meet Aurena all the time; that she walks with us in the mortal plane. That is exactly how most dragonewts think of us, so prepare yourself with that thought, she explained.

Ooooh, so they are like us! Beth concluded, nodding her elven head. Most wyverns dream of becoming similar to true dragonkins one day, or, in our case, be useful to them! Being close to the glory makes us shine, as well.

Shay scratched his chin, looking a bit pensively at the ceiling. A lesser dragonkin cant transcend their limit though You can only strive for greatness through evolution like Astalos. However, that point is a bit moot since we have Princess Fargryneill before us.

Neill shook her head, letting out a sigh as she looked at the two wyverns. You two I will just say it now, but true or lesser doesnt mean anything. Its all about how you use your strength and your rank. At best, your lineage affects your true potential, but dont let that stop you. Rank A. Thats our goal, alright?

Ours? The twins looked at her in confusion.

Think. I need to get to rank A to return home! You two arent my retainers; you are my sisters and Melloxtressas. However, all three of us will join the Event Quest expedition, meaning we will be working together. The unique Job isnt our only goal, its also the experience we can gain.

[Bearer of Kargryxmors Blood] granted people with it increased experience gain, and I could share it with others through [Hestias Retainer]. Neill was currently level 34 in her kirin form, while the twins were both level 13level 93 in humanoid terms.

Neill herself had the [Bearer of Kargryxmors Blood] title since she was a Kargryxmor dragon, but it didnt have the special features about it, since mine was an actual blessing. Meaning, she just got the increased experience gain after I gave her [Hestias Retainer]. Naturally, to my prideful sister, this was a blow to her ego, but sometimes we had to do what we had to do.

So when Neill made that clear to the twin wyverns, they immediately latched onto the idea with Beth pumping her fists. Strength matters! Brother, we cannot stray too far behind from Tasianna! We must gain Princess Hestias respect and gain [Hestias Imperial Guard], too!

Correct, Sister. Shay curled his hands into a fist. It is our duty.

Are they that jealous of Tasianna?

Those two were the only ones who really minded that Tasianna gained [Hestias Imperial Guard] during the Elyonda siege, which made sense since those three were among the few real retainers I had. Svena, Lorena, and Haati were household attendants, while Grimnir was my personal smith. Technically, I also had Ellaine and Yorshka amongst my knights, but they didnt seem to care.

Now, Saori, the saurians, the students, and anybody else I havent listed were just there for the benefits. I saw all of them more as allies than anything retainer related. Saori liked the roleplay of it, but she rarely committed to it outside of official situations.

In any case, that wasnt really important right now. Neill and I had to deal with these dragonewts.

However, the moment we stepped outside the room, we noticed the dragonewts were kneeling down, blocking the hallway for multiple dwarves. The latter were complaining loudly, even trying to threaten the former with physical violence, but they just didnt care. They greeted us with glistening eyes, as if they were talking to their idols, while they gave the cold shoulder to anybody else.

Neill smacked her face with her open palm, looking exasperated. Go to the foyer. We will talk there.

Yes, Your Grace! Just like before, they dashed away with one single order.

Yorshka was right. Dragonewts really were enamored with dragons, especially royalty. Neills advice to prepare myself mentally wasnt a tip, it was a necessity.

Now in my princess mindset, the four of us walked through the hallway, but before we met the dragonewts, I noticed a medium-sized room with a shrine, looking like a chapel. A single female dwarf in a brown-grey robe cared for it, cleaning it and placing offerings to the many small figurines on it.

Entering it, I noticed from the figurine it was a place of worship for all the dwarven godsmembers of the Earth Pantheon. There was the Origin Godddess Crustacia, the God of Runesmithing Dhuinn, the God of Alcohol Gnogvir, the God of Artificers Khungard, and so many more. Naturally, though, Goddess Chihiro was in the very center with Crustacia, acting as the second most important figure in this small church.

Strangely, I couldnt identify the figure for Bleidla, and I was sure Grimnir had given me a quick summary of all the dwarven gods. As such, I asked the priestesses manning it, causing her to scoff at me, telling me off for expecting to find that swine in this guild.

Dear, Bleidla is a damn bladdarg for what he did to Goddess Chihiro and her works. Taboo? Pah! Preposterous; her works allow us dwarves to branch out in new directions! See, it is because of Bleidlas constant worship that our ingenuity keeps stagnating! Its too damn conservative around! she answered with the mouth of a sailor despite being a priestess, although that was just a normal dwarf thing. He should have stayed in Origin God Danternos pantheon, I say! He betrayed the Earth Mother once, now he is ruining everything once again after he begged her to join the Earth Pantheon. Tazics and Inkos forget this fact too easily! Read more books, I say!

Oh right, I heard that happened, I remembered Grimnir saying something like that. How did it happen exactly? God Bleidla joining ShiGod Danterno and then transferring to the Earth Pantheon?

Oh child, that is a long tale. History isnt so easily distilled into a few words, and I can see your companions wish you to hurry up. She pointed at Neill who was leaning on a wall with her eyes closed. To summarize, God Danterno and Bleidla just have an affinity with each other. Smithing requires fire, not just earth. However, Bleidla also didnt understand that the Fire Pantheon is also filled with mighty fighters with explosive personalities. Every man and woman of our race grows up learning how to fight, but not to the point we can kill beasts of any size. Bleidla realized he was in the wrong pantheon, not to mention the many arguments he supposedly had with God Danterno. Of course, this all came from the Blessed of that time, so take it as hearsay or not.

The priestess suggested reading a book to learn more about it, or asking the archbishop of the Church of Chihiro and one of three elders of the railroad guild, Yvonne. Not only was she a wisewoman, but she was also a member of the Church of Crustacia on top of her role here in the guild.

Well, it wasnt like I needed to associate myself with Bleidla, so I put that option to the side for now. Instead, I asked her if I could pray to Crustacia and Chihiro, to which she agreed. The reason for this was to potentially speak with them, considering Aurena did mention how I was allowed to speak with other gods and garner their support.

Essentially, I wanted Grimnir to be blessed by Crustacia or Chihiro, or any of the other gods. I wanted this whole zuekluk thing to stop for him, even if I understood he broke the law. Not to mention, since Saori was a Champion of Edna, the Goddess of Monsters and Fertility, having another blessed in our midst would help our party strength.

Aside from Shiterno, I planned to do the same with Plesia and Zephira when I reach Caedhul and Saelariel respectively. Having them bless my members would helpAuroras total power soar.

Sadly, though, neither Crustacia and Chihiro answered back. Just like all the other gods recently, they were completely silent. There wasnt even a single message. If I remembered correctly, Renee mentioned how Yeostar had gotten into trouble or something. Wait, did this mean somebody forbade the gods to speak with me or something?

Did Yeostar get in trouble cause of me?

Goddess Aurena. God Yeostar. Kramps! Anybody! Please, I need an answer!

But my plea entered the void, as nobody reciprocated. I understood I shouldnt be speaking with them too often, but this was unreasonable at this point. This was beyond infuriating and it just made me want to visit Aurenas shrine in Griffonpeak to speak to her in her divine realm.

Sadly, that had to wait, as I had an envoy of dragonewts awaiting me. As such, I returned to the others and we went to the foyer where we saw the dragonewts kneeling before we came in view. Did they smell us, or were they in that pose all this time?

Regardless, after we stood before them, Neill sighed and told them to stand up. As mentioned before, quite a few dragonewts had either black or silver scales, with a minority having a different scale hue. All of them towered over me and were bulky, making it hard for me to differentiate between them.

Stop it! I shouted. Are you mad! You cant kill people randomly on the street just because they are some specific hunter! Its part of the job! Ive killed countless grimgarians and monsters; even humans and beastmen! Thats like killing a rat exterminator for doing his job, just because you sympathize with rats! It doesnt mean they are bad people.

But what if they try to attack you? Skardrvo stood up.

Then I-I I grimaced, knowing he pushed me into a corner, argumentatively. I would hurt them back. Self-defence. Kill, if I have to.

Then why cant we, your ardent subjects, defend you by cutting the root of the problem? Preventative measures. Skardrvo had abandoned any sense of his caring side at this point, looking nothing more than a psychopath. Besides, we warned them. Intimidated, threatened, gave them time; they did not listen. We told them they couldnt slay Manethala as a smokescreen for you they did not listen. They asked for it.

Princess Hestia, allow us to speak with Queen Melloxtressa. We know your circumstance, and we respect that you are an otherworlder. Our cultural differences aside, you as a dragon are not allowed to be on Altrust. To be outside of Miononbolax until your adulthood pilgrimage. By the laws set up by your own father, Dragon Emperor Eltharion, we must ask you to accompany us so we can return you to your home. Allow us to speak with the Sixth Queen.

I couldnt say anything, considering Mom was asleep. What was going on here? I thought this was supposed to be a happy family reunion of sorts, but they were now ordering me around? Didnt they know we were just strangers and they were now deciding what I could and could not do? What BS!

Sadly, before I could speak up, Neill did, Queen Melloxtressa is currently in slumber, but before she fell asleep, she gave me guardianship over her daughter. My sister is staying with me. Fathers law does not affect her, as she was born outside of Mionionbolax. Do our laws affect dragonkins born outside of Kargryx? No, they dont.

Neill was my guardian? Why did she never tell meWait, why would she? It wasnt like she needed to do so up until now. Mom knew this would happen?

Shay! Beth! she called out for my wyvern retainers, causing them to transform back into their dragonewt forms and spread their winged arms out. We dont need your protection. Stop with the murders and abide by the agreement, otherwise you will only bring trouble to the Queen Mothers as they will have to resolve this with our allies, the dwarves.

Neills strong showing silenced all of them, allowing themselves to cool down to the point their eyes looked normal again. However, there was still a glimmer of determination. None of them gave up, or wanted to listen to what Neill was ordering. As such, Pradreo stepped forward.

Princess Fargryneill. Dragonslayers are coming.

I know that, you told me that already so

Twin Reaver Galg is coming with his party.

Gurk! Neill stiffened up, trembling after she heard that. A sense of fear appeared on her face and eyes, replacing the haughtiness she just showed them.

Pradreo, seeing this, shook his head, confirming the fears of all the dragonewts before us. Their rage reawakened, they flaunted their teeth as they grimaced. Youve changed Princess Fargryneill. You barely resemble the young fletchling I met all those years ago. Youve grown, developed. Was that because of your sister, meeting someone younger and wishing to protect them? Or did the sense of dread scare your arrogance away, revealing the truth why we dragonewts must exterminate all dragonslayers in the world?

They bowed to me, wishing for me to dispel the [Air Shield]. However, worried about Neill and how she was grabbing her arms, shaking to the point she looked nothing like the proud older sister Ive came to know, I had to ask them. What did they mean by this Galg?

Twin Reaver Galg, the most prolific dragonslayer currently alive, and the best at his work, Skardrvo snarled. Not only does he have a party of rank A slayers, he himself is a rank S, certified by the Empire himself. Apparently, three rank A non-Kargryx associated true dragonkins died by his partys hands. He is the Folschreck Empires greatest weapon against dragonkins and he very much will come here.

One of the dragonewt suddenly pulled out a newspaper and handed it to me.

We heard about it, Princess Hestia. The crimson dragon and your crimson scales you are the one they are hunting, correct?

I nodded to Skardrvos comment.

Then, please, come with us! Please! I beg you, Princess Hestia! He prostrated himself before me. Please! Stop being so prideful of your own power and come with us! Please! Dont risk the life your mother fought for so desperately!

My parallel minds suddenly reminded me of something. A small sentence too long ago, when I first was in Griffonpeak. At a ball where I presented myself to the Artorian nobility, I met a Lycerept agentthe Empires faith policecalled Pestrodus. He mentioned something about the Empire not being afraid of the dragons.

I thought it was to show he couldnt be intimidated, but was this the real reason? A dragonslayer? So the Empire was actually declaring war against me?

Right, a real hero wouldnt be treated this way, no, if they were to be treated this way, they would just stand up. They would shout I dont care! and continue being a symbol of justice. Aurena tasked me to help her religion, to make sure the rot would be removed. Now, the nation with a huge portion of her followers were now trying to kill me cause the church they were following was taken over by a demonkin, their greatest enemy.

How bloody ironic.

Sis, I grabbed Neills shoulder, before giving her a hug from behind, trying to help her warm up. My vendetta aside, your happiness and that of my family and friends is the most important part. We dont need to be here. The summit can still be held in a different manner, even if we are in Loatryx.

Wh-what are you t-t-talking about? Neill turned around, stuttering out words as she looked like on the brink of tears.

I knew this look on hers as I shared a similar traumashe was afraid and this phobia controlled her emotions. However, unlike my fear of amphibians, Neill forced a smile and looked me straight into my eyes.

I-Im your big sister. You have a job to do for the big angel woman upstairs, and youre asking me to let this chance go b-by? A chance to get stronger? To help you beat the ass of the fucker trying to kill you? D-dont give me that shit! She took a deep breath, slowing down her trembling body. W-what better way for the world to know about Fargryneill Qilinus Kargryxmor, than for me to kill the strongest dragonslayer around? Rank S? Come on! We beat the ass of that Warbringer! We two, with Tasianna, can beat anything we want! I-I am noooot a coward! By Fathers horn, I am Emperor Eltharions daughter!

Her shrieking voice, to the point I thought her voice would break from how high it was going, showed her real feelings. She was terrified and from the look of it, she had met these dragonslayers before. That trauma controlled her but she was no coward.

She was bravecourageous! Far more than I was. Even now, she was thinking of helping me out, not wanting to jeopardize our future attack on the Prince of Envy. It wasnt her responsibility to do so, but she was willing to help me out cause we were family. Cause she was my older sister.

Was this how it feels to have a sister? My embrace tightened around her body as I closed my eyes.

Princess Hestia! I immediately opened them when two voices called me out. It was Shay and Beth. We will keep Princess Fargryneill safe in the expedition. Please, trust in us.

Correct, the Ankoran King and King Drangleic had accounted for something like this to happen. They knew I wasnt allowed to die since I was the figurehead of the alliance. If I were gone, Loatryx and Saelariel might not join up with the dwarves and Artorias, meaning the Empire might declare war on the latter.

As such, Neill would be leading the Event Quest expedition force to obtain the unique Jobs, while I settled myself in a different dungeon. It wasnt my choice in this matter, it was Neills choice. And she chose to stand tall and fight against her fears.

What else could I do but support her?

We wont leave with you, I declared, shocking the dragonewts before I fizzled the [Air Shield] out. Abide by the rules, everybody. We will meet again.

With the four of us, we left the railroad guild, but were immediately stopped by Skardrvos shout, Then we will kill all of them in the dungeon! If this is what you wish to do, then we will remain your ardent protectors! Allow us to kill them all!

I did not turn my head around nor give them an answer. I could already guess from our interaction today that it wouldnt change anything. Today, I learned the true nature of the dragonkins and it wasnt what I had wanted to hear. The zealotry was all hyperboles up until now, I thought, but Yorshka was correct all along.

I should speak to her.

Once again, time passed and more training filled up my days. The various representatives for the summit slowly entered the city, wanting to meet with me. At the same time, the time for the Event Quest was drawing closer and we have gotten information that a train from the far eastclose to the Empirewas traveling to Inkoran-Tazul.

Who could these people be? Dragonslayers? Empire knights? Or, could these people be one of Saoris students? Or worse, could these people be demonkins?