#765 The Dragons’ Turn in the Joint Wedding

It’s me, and I’m here at the joint wedding.

Just as we thought the ceremony went off without a hitch and were transitioning into the reception, thinking we had crossed the biggest hurdle, the real challenge suddenly descended upon us.

A horde of dragons from the skies.

The sight of them landing at the reception venue sent the gathered guests into an absolute frenzy.

And for good reason.

Dragons are living calamities. Their mere presence causes destruction akin to storms, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

A single dragon is a catastrophe in itself, and a group? An outright natural disaster.

It’s no wonder everyone was in a panic.

However, these dragons began to glow, shrink, and transform into human forms shortly after landing, averting potential chaos.

Now appearing as dashing men and elegant women, they took their seats at the reception.

As expected, they all looked extraordinarily handsome. Given how effortlessly Bloody Mary adjusted her size while choosing her wedding dress, it must be easy for them to tweak their appearances.

If you could perfect your appearance at will, why settle for less?

Among them was a notably captivating young man, whom every lady seemed to be taken with.

“I am Charleartz, the Glintz Dragon.”

His mere introduction caused several high-class ladies to swoon.

Overwhelmed by his good looks, perhaps?

These noble ladies do have a knack for fainting!

“We’ve come to dethrone the illegitimate Ardheg who seized the throne by deceit!” he exclaims, pointing at a flustered Olba in the reception seat.

“Wait, me?!”

“No, no! Ardheg is over there!”

Batemy quickly corrected the misunderstanding.

Due to the joint wedding ceremony, poor Olba was nearly dragged into a confrontation because of mistaken identity.

“Ah? My apologies. So, you must be Ardheg, our sworn enemy?”

“I’m Orkubo.”

“Then it’s you?!”

“I’m Gobukichi…”

How can this dragon be so scatterbrained?

“Blast it! Why so many grooms?! Shouldn’t there just be one groom and bride?!”

He does have a point.

Our arrangement is indeed unconventional. Our apologies.

“I am Ardheg.”

Finally, the real Ardheg steps forward, confronting these uninvited guests, looking every bit the part in his sharp white tuxedo.

“Why crash my wedding with Mary? I don’t remember sending you an invite.”

“Ugh…!”

“Moreover, today’s not just about Mary and me but also celebrates my comrades. It’d be inappropriate to taint their joy with our dragon quarrels. Choose any other day for a confrontation, but if you act out today, you’ll regret it.”

“Gngh...!”

Facing Ardheg, even the dragons who once felt superior to him now seemed hesitant.

Powerful and commanding.

Ardheg has evolved, now embodying the might of a Geyser Dragon, radiating both authority and strength.

“Anyway…”

Shifting my focus from Ardheg, there was another issue to tackle.

“Hey, you.”

“Ow, ow, ow, ow! That hurts!”

I nabbed Al Gor as he tried to slip away amidst the confusion.

A little knuckle rub to his temple served as a reprimand.

“Why did you pull this stunt? Speak up, or the rubbing continues.”

“Wait! You don’t have to resort to this! I just wanted to be in Ardheg and Mary’s good graces!!!”

Can I really believe that?

Though Al Gor may look young, he possesses the wisdom of a millennia-old Dragon Emperor.

Known for his sly schemes, he’s trapped numerous dragons in his plots over the years.

I could never trust the words coming from a person like that.

Despite his previous defeat by Ardheg, and even if he seems weakened and subdued now, one can’t predict the mischief he might instigate.

He’s probably trying to rally other dragons behind our backs, hoping to stir internal conflicts within their ranks.

“What would I gain from stirring things up now?! Mother Goddess Gaia changed the very nature of dragons, a shift that has lasted for thousands of years. I no longer have to fight with other dragons for territory. Battles are pointless.”

“Maybe, but...!”

“My secret plan was simply to give them a wedding gift in my unique style. Let’s say its theme is... War and Peace?”

Tol*toy?

Isn’t that a risky choice for a wedding gift?

“Even after Ardheg ascended as the Dragon Emperor, some remain dissatisfied. Such nuisances will trouble him, especially now that he’s starting a family, right?”

Perhaps...

Or maybe not?

“So, I decided to address these issues once and for all today. The dragons I invited are the most formidable, second only to Mary. If they’re defeated, none will dare to challenge Ardheg. Then he can savor a peaceful marital life.”

So, you’re gifting him a life of peace?

You must be joking.

“But you’re instigating a massive conflict before that peace! Why not resolve issues beforehand?”

“I can’t do that! Some gifts are meant to be earned through trials!”

This dragon is insufferable!

How about I give you a challenge of my own?!

I’ll have you assist Letasreit and Horkosfon in producing natto!!!

“Wait, no! I hate workinggggggg!!!”

I forcefully teleported him towards the bean fermenting hut.

Though the main troublemaker is dealt with, a significant problem remains.

The wedding, meant to be a joyous occasion, now looms under a shadow.

It should’ve been a unique day for Zoth Syra and Orkubo, Teacher Carp and Gobukichi, and Batemy and Olba.

However, the most anticipated wedding was unmistakably between Ardheg and Bloody Mary.

No surprise there. They’re the mightiest beings on the planet—dragons!

Moreover, they’re the emperor and empress among their kind!

The event everyone had been waiting for has finally arrived.

The dragon segment of the joint wedding is underway!

“Watch out, Ardheg!” warns the newly anointed Dragon Empress, Bloody Mary.

“Charleartz is among the mightiest dragons! He finished second in the succession battle under Father!”

“Mary, having surrendered to the traitor dragon, it seems you’ve dulled. Yet you remain alert enough to be cautious of me.”

“What are you implying?!”

Bloody Mary, clad in her wedding attire, gets worked up.

“But I still can't let my guard down just yet, can I? I’m not the sole contender here. Every dragon present has been earmarked as a top pick for the next Geyser Dragon!”

Following his statement, dragons begin to introduce themselves.

“Fourth in succession for the next Geyser Dragon, Grinzel Dragon Rose!!!”

“Fifth in line, Grinzel Dragon Braudy!!!”

“Sixth in succession, Glintz Dragon Wildebagi!!!”

“Seventh, Grinzel Dragon Tiqila!!!”

“Tenth in line, Glintz Dragon Crowley Seima!!!”

One by one, they make their presence known.

“Allow me to reintroduce myself. Second in line, Charleartz. Together with the top dragons, we’re recognized as the Decem Dracones! Ardheg, who didn’t even rank in the top ten, will soon realize he’s unfit to lead us!”

With that bold declaration from Charleartz, six dragons confront Ardheg, challenging his right to rule.

But hold on.

Didn’t they call themselves the Decem Dracones?

Only six have stepped forward.

Aren’t there a few missing?