#764 The Last Rebels

“A dragon getting married? What in the blazes is going on?”

In a location both everywhere and nowhere, brought into existence by our draconic transcendent magic, a subspace lies.

This place, unbound by distances or phases, provides a seamless communication for dragons from disparate lairs.

I, Charleartz, the Glintz Dragon, ranked second among the Decem Dracones, am in attendance at this urgent gathering.

Several other dragons, all formidable contenders in the prior Geyser Dragon succession battle, have also convened here.

“Hmm... This sly Ardheg, who seized the title of Geyser Dragon, now intends to wed our respected sister, Bloody Mary. Such audacity is unprecedented in dragon history...!”

Indeed, the contest for the next Dragon Emperor had taken place.

It was a grueling confrontation, but it concluded with Ardheg as the victor.

Several years have elapsed since then, yet many remain unconvinced.

No, it’s safe to say no one could accept the outcome.

The fight for the throne was supposed to involve all dragons, set by our father, the Dragon Emperor at the time, and continue until only one remained.

The process involved overcoming numerous trials, participating in honorable duels with fellow contenders, and culminating in the crowning of the ultimate Dragon Emperor.

Yet, things took an unexpected turn.

All due to a lone renegade who orchestrated it all.

This rebel was Ardheg.

Instead of partaking in our father’s succession competition, he brazenly assassinated him, taking the title of Geyser Dragon for himself.

Could such an act ever be forgiven?

We dragons are the strongest creatures on earth.

If dragons were to wreak havoc as they see fit, the entire earth would be scorched and turn into hell.

We aimed to identify the true champion via stringent guidelines to prevent such chaos. Still, Ardheg, the dragon who blindsided our father and unlawfully claimed the Dragon Emperor’s throne, shattered this system.

Naturally, dragons everywhere were enraged by this blatant disregard for our customs and, ideally, should have united to oust him.

Yet, for various reasons, a semblance of balance was maintained, and the years went by.

Has this fragile peace emboldened the usurper?

The very dragon who destabilized the equilibrium, Ardheg, now endeavors to select an empress.

His choice? The renowned Bloody Mary, the Grauglintz Dragon, who would have been the foremost contender had the succession challenge proceeded as planned.

“Poor Mary...! To be captured by such a lawless man...!”

Voices of pity rose from the fellow dragons gathered in the subspace.

Even during the ongoing succession struggle, Lady Mary was admired for her overwhelming strength and dignified behavior.

Now, she’s being forced by a cowardly usurper to participate in something like...marriage?!

“What exactly is this ‘marriage’ anyway?”

“Don’t you know? Can’t blame you; it’s a custom far removed from dragons.”

“It’s a lowly custom among mankind. They are divided into males and females and can only create successors by pairing up. This is the reason they get married.”

“Oh, you know a lot, Crowley Seima.”

Among us dragonkin, there were those well-versed in the customs of other races.

Yet, the deeper we delve, the more perplexing it becomes.

Dragons possess the power to produce clones via dragon magic, a skill exclusive to the Dragon Emperor.

Why, then, is Ardheg, who could effortlessly spawn countless heirs using this magic, emulating humans?

“Is he planning to create a new successor the mankind way?”

“I have no idea. The usurper’s thoughts are unfathomable.”

“And I don’t understand why Lady Mary, who follows such a coward, doesn’t oppose him. With her abilities, she could easily defeat that fake who rose to power through deception. Why doesn’t she resist...?!”

A heavy silence settled among the dragons, each lost in thought.

Regardless of our discussions, understanding Ardheg’s intentions was elusive.

He was an anomaly, thinking unlike any of us.

Without insight into his mind, these conversations seemed fruitless.

We’ve been keeping a low profile and maintaining a balance until now, but perhaps it’s time... no, the time to act should’ve come a long time ago.

“While we sit idly by, Ardheg is causing various changes. I’ve heard that he’s finally completed his new Dragon Emperor Castle, and his choice to make Lady Mary his empress may be a way to solidify his position as the Dragon Emperor.”

“I’ve heard that mankind marries not only to create successors but also to strengthen their positions.”

“Once again, Crowley Seima proves his vast knowledge!”

This suggests that the more leeway we grant Ardheg, the stronger his position becomes!

This isn’t the time for idle chatter. We must rally and overthrow the rebel!

“But will it truly be that easy? Glintz Dragon Magony, who acted prematurely, was swiftly vanquished. Agivend, who stood against Lady Mary, was reportedly executed by Ardheg himself.”

Some dragons rebelled on their own and were defeated while we watched.

They probably disapproved of Ardheg’s coronation, seeing it as a rule-breaker. They chose to act independently and failed.

Ardheg, who may look timid but cunningly seized the throne of the Geyser Dragon, is clearly not an enemy to underestimate.

“That’s why we’re here, discussing. Magony and Agivend failed because they acted alone. If we unite and learn from their mistakes, we can topple the imposter.”

“But what if he’s thinking the same? Isn’t that why he’s marrying Lady Mary?”

“I see; marriage is about making allies...!”

That sly Ardheg.

The longer we wait, the more he benefits and the more disadvantaged we become. 

He’s making moves to fortify his position.

We can’t afford to wait any longer.

“The time to act is now! The only way to reclaim the title of Geyser Dragon from that usurper is to do so!!”

“Hear, hear! Time is on his side!”

“We must shatter Ardheg without giving him a chance to scheme by the unity of us dragons with a common cause! That’s the best! The surest way!”

“It’s now or never! The enemy is in the Dragon Emperor’s Castle!”

All the dragons in the subspace rose and declared the start of the war.

This will likely be our last stand.

In the face of Ardheg, steadily strengthening his foundations, this will be the last significant resistance we can muster.

No other dragons of influence harbor dissatisfaction with Ardheg’s tyranny, and the rest are puny, insignificant dragons incapable of resistance.

If we stand against him here and lose, his reign will be unassailable.

But we won’t lose!

The true emperor must be chosen righteously!

We’ll ensure Ardheg learns that.

“Ah, my children are ever full of spirit.”

“?! Who’s there?!”

A voice echoes in the dragon subspace, supposedly occupied by us alone. 

Our collective gaze gathers on a tiny dragon, only about the size of our pinky, floating in the air.

“What’s with that tiny dragon? Did it get lost?”

“Well, aren’t you rude, Charleartz. Have you forgotten the presence of the Dragon Emperor whom you respected above all others?”

...?!

Come to think of it, this aura...!

Though much fainter, it’s unmistakably the noble aura of a dragon.

It’s our father, the great Geyser Dragon, Al-Gor!

“You survived, Father?!”

“I lost most of my power in the defeat to Ardheg. I’ve managed to stay alive, but I’ve lost my authority as the Geyser Dragon. Now, I’m nothing more than a shadow of my former self.”

Still, it’s great news that you, Father, are alive!

Watch us! We’ll splendidly slay the traitor who brought you down and kicked you from the throne.

“That’s the spirit, Charleartz. As expected of the dragon acclaimed as the strictest and most upright and the second-place contender in the Geyser Dragon succession war, just behind Mary.”

“What generous words of praise!”

“It goes for the rest of you too. Each of you here is among the top ten strongest dragons. If you combine your power, you can surely bring down Ardheg.”

The dragons participating in the council, besides me, kneel one after another, expressing their joy.

Not only has Father survived, but he has also agreed to overthrow the usurper, Ardheg.

Nothing could be more reassuring than this.

“Then, we should immediately dispatch our forces and attack the Dragon Emperor’s Castle, occupied by Ardheg...!”

“Wait. Don’t rush.”

Father pauses dramatically...

“You all think ‘justice is with us,’ right? If so, you need to act boldly. As you all know, Ardheg is marrying Bloody Mary and holding a wedding ceremony. It seems it’s going to be a grand feast.”

“Yes, we know...! We gathered here because we heard that news...!”

“What if we crashed that feast? Since it’s a celebration, Ardheg will be off his guard. Moreover, if you want to express your righteousness, it would be better to do it publicly.”

I see!

As expected of Father! His wisdom overflows, something we young dragons lack!

Understood! We, dedicated to overthrowing Ardheg, will crash his wedding and turn the grand feast into a mourning ceremony!

“Hah-haha...! My kids are so trusting, they get fooled easily. Just you wait, Ardheg. Your father has prepared a special wedding gift for you...!!!”