Chapter 378: A Stage of Grudges: Royal Edition.

Chapter 378: A Stage of Grudges: Royal Edition.

How does one punish a despicable asshole for what he did when the person is both influential and sorta beloved by the people in his city? Not to mentionand very importantlyin a manner that wouldnt make me public enemy number one in the eyes of the city folk?

Well, that was the biggest issue in our plan to get back at Maagneil, the current clan leader of the Luedbrumdar clan. Grimnir thought we could talk with the hold king, but here was the thing: I didnt trust the situation. The weird city guards, no punishments on them, no apology, no nothing from the hold king. After the students, Ellaine, and I spoke about these matters, it became clear we couldnt go with Grimnirs dwarvish plan that relied on honor and respect and such.

This especially became clear after Tasianna showed me the crowd in Artorias and how they cheered me on and how they refused to believe the lies in the newspaper. It made it clear to me that doing good could benefit you, although I also understood some situations required a stronger hand. Killing and violence shouldnt be overruled, if I wasnt worried about my reputation as an idol.

So, that was what got me into this current situation where I was shoutcasting inside my obsidian orchestra, filled to the brim with Artorian, Estralian, and Yeosians to one side, and a good amount of seats full of Gazahan-Orn citizens on the other. This was the result of me questioning myself on how to solve this not only as Hestia the leader of Aurora, but also Hestia the dragon, the idol, and the princess.

As such, it took me eight days to finish all this planning. Why? Werent we planning to meet the hold king of Gazahan-Orn and get Grimnir to solve this like a blacksmith and dwarf? Well, we were, until I decided to send Rajah to confirm the kings real intentions. Well, when he returned, the news wasn't very thrilling to listen to.

Essentially, the dude was on some stuff and Maagneil was his supplier. Got the king twisted around his fingers, he did. Rajah even overheard him say I hope that dragon just disappears just go away. Leave me home alone. He actually wanted me to never come back and confront him on the fact he just ignored everything, meaning he was fully okay with what happened!

Rajah, of course, also checked on his wife. Sadly, she was also in the know, although she seemed a bit more ashamed about the fact. Unlike her stoned husband, she understood the gravity of the situation a bit better than him, to the point she couldnt sleep the night after my rescue plan. Respectable in a way, since she was protecting her family, but it also meant this was a pretty big problem.

So, this was where my princess status came in. Seven days ago, the day after my initial visit to Gazahan-Orn, King Drangleic began his trip to Ankor-Nazta. Since I had a fast travel point in the capital of the Equevanna duchy, which bordered the dwarves to the northeast, he could cut his trip down to two days.

While he was there, getting comfy with the Ankoran Kingessentially the ruler of all dwarven hold kingshe also delivered the message I wanted the dwarven high king to read. It was a report of everything that had happened, and that I wanted him to help us out, if he could. Apparently, his way to help was to wander the city as a random adventurer and to conduct his inspection like some detective.

Why didnt I visit him myself, or why didnt I meet up with him while he was in the city? I was busy, getting this giant concert ready and also accepting the fact this apology concert to increase my reputation as a idol would send me into the red. Yes, even with all the passive income I was due, I couldnt stay in the green This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.

Saori, where are you? Being poor sucks.

Well, I didnt know the worst of it, but seeing how I owed Duke Greenveil and Arcanuess Helvas money, it sure was demoralizing. Ellaine and Grimnir advised me not to put money in between friendships or alliances, which probably would be Saoris suggestion in this scenario, so I just took the debt, instead of demanding money from them for free.

Even asking countries I helped felt a bit awkward, honestly. Yeos was currently in a financial hole and Ive been in a give-and-take relationship with Artorias for a while, to the point I valued them as an ally, so I didnt want anything to get in our way. Which left me with Estralia.

Fortunately, I could demand money from them, specifically Reajaen, since she owed me her life right now. Still, I only had her cover the cost of promoting my concert, workforce to get this set up, and to act as todays security. Forcing her to give me plain cash felt morally wrong, to be honest. It felt like I was stooping to her level with such a tyrannical or mafia-like manner of blackmailing somebody. This was why I had her offset some of the cost this manner.

Having favors and such was nice, but abusing them could just spiral things out of control. Although I was indebted to Duke Greenveil and Arcanuess Helvas, they practically told me I could repay them whenever and however I wanted, with no additional costs or interest. So, really, no pressure on my side. Having trust for each other was quite awesome.

To summarize, what did all of this planning and debt taking result in? Well, my obsidian orchestra was set up for a concert, the dwarven high king and queen visited this place and inspected things for us, I got to torment our enemies and watch their furious and anxious faces, not to mention, more fans.

231 human and beastman have become your followers

Total follower count updated. Total followers of [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]: 18634

Well, free food and some good music didnt help me out with dwarven fans. I was collabing with Rosserto so I could produce music dwarves would like, that was why I was doing a progressive rock song with him. My singing did excite Rossertos fans, but most of the love went to him. Which was cool.

In any case, the main stage of this performance wasnt really ours, it was actually the showdown between Grimnir and Maagneils smithing contest. With Grimnir now on the stage, illuminated by the spotlights above, I turned my head back to the angry dwarf in the distance. Standing next to a merc-looking dwarf, the leader of the Luedbrumdar clan looked on the verge of exploding.

And on the other side, Luedbrumdar clans leader, Maaaaagneil! I announced, pointing at him with a wide smirk. So what is your answer, honorable clan leader? Will you honor your deal?

I used my dragon princess title to cajole royalty to help me out as the dwarves were allied with Loatryx, and in a way, Kargryx. I used my idol role to create a stage fit to not only prop up Grimnir and hopefully help him get his exiled status revoked, but also to shame Maagneil and bring out the truth.

So, what about my dragon role? Well, killing was completely off the table, no matter how much this man annoyed me. In the eyes of the dwarves, I would just be a murderer no matter how justified I was, since he was a prominent figure. I didnt want the controversy, in this case. No, no, what a dragon did was to stomp the ants down. In this case, the plan was to ruin this guy in the face of society. Dwarves respected honor, like samurais? Well, let us use that against him then.

Ha, as if!

And how would I do that? Well, obviously, with social pressure. The moment the challenge was issued, the dwarves around him began to shout. The crowd became restless as a zuekluk was issuing a challenge against an honorable dwarf leader.

That last ime was damn luck! The Luedbrumdar dont needcha anymore, zuekluk!

Damn fraud kicked Broggart down! He dead cuz you spited Bleidla!

Blacksmithing aint for ya anymore! Stay outta the mountains, ya damn milk drinker!

Tough crowd.

Since the rescue operation involved no deaths or collateral to the city, outside of the Edgesworns base, the dwarves easily forgave me for my actions. Maybe they still held a grudge, but some beer and food was enough to make them overlook my actions. What my apology didnt help was Grimnirs reputation.

As my blacksmith mentioned, there had been a competition between him and Maagneil before, where they showed off their creations around spectators. Grimnir was chosen the winner with Ellaines new armor, but there were doubters who accused him of using demonic materials to make it. That was the misunderstanding, which I presumed wasnt just random comments as I had a feeling Maagneil or his clan cajoled them to say it.

The last challenge was to make some equipment before the competition, which resulted in the chance for people to pounce at him for using a trick to win. However, this time, before a huge crowd where everybody could see what was happening, I was planning something more traditional but effective.

That is why, dear crowd! I interjected using my [Aerokinesis] microphone to drown out the voices. We will be having this competition once again! Grimnir issued Maagneil another challenge behind doors, but this time, lets keep this fair and square, yeah? If these dwarves call themselves real blacksmiths, then let them show it! Or, will they reject it in front of not only their Ankoran King and Queen, but also a foreign guest in the form of moi, the eighth child of Emperor Eltharion of Kargryx?!

As if! Clan leader, do it!

This time he aint gonna fall for that zuekluks tricks! Maagneil, get your smith here already!

Social pressure, social pressure, social pressure; oh, how lovely. It just needed a sprinkle of salt, to spice up the wound now.

To make this fair, we will be using the forges and ores High Queen Tragaya had brought with her when she arrived on the train! No one can cheat!

Aaaaaaaaaaagrrrrrrak! I felt something pierce my heart as I said that, experiencing pain beyond my expectations. It was just phantom pain, but the fact I had to make a third debt to assure Grimnirs reputation got restored somewhat pained me like crazy. It was for a good cause, but I felt terrible.

The third debt I made was with King Drangleic, asking him to request the Ankoran King to bring two forges and its tools, in addition, to some ores. It was to make the competition so fair, no one could question the results of the match. It was such a shame that doing this the correct way cost money.

As I was feeling horrible, High Queen Tragaya, a brown-haired Inko dwarf who looked like a Japanese noble with her elaborate kimono and fur coat, clapped her hands, and from the foyer of my orchestra, multiple of her handmaidens and guards appeared. All of them transported the forges, tools, ingots, and buckets of blood onto the stage, prepping them there for everybody to see.

The Queen then entered the stage herself, presenting the ingots for everybody to see, stating how they were of the same purity and size, with each side having the same amount. In addition, with the furnaces already roaring blazing fire, she also explained how each forge was fitted and ready to create runes.

Pig blood! Simple, but always dependable! She shouted, showcasing the buckets of blood. The chants have awakened the fire of the undermountain, ready for a runesmith to smite Dhuinns words onto steel! No large-scale equipment or smelters, nothing but ya own hands shall touch this craft! Runesmithing, blacksmithing, and artificership; showcase what a real dwarf can do in the forge! Show these humans and beastmen what we children of the mountains can do! Our pride!

The invigorating speech of the Ankoran Queen spurred the dwarves to chant and bellow out Umslid fie Dhuinn! Umslid fie Crustacia! meaning Honor to Dhuinn! Honor to Crustacia! The sheer energy coming from them was intimidating, but the people from the Artorian, Estralian, and Yeosian seats couldnt help but be infected by the sheer energy.

The words of the Ankoran Queen wasnt just a display to the dwarves, but it also told everybody else how this was a privilege to watch dwarves craft. Some of the humans and beastmen were probably crafters or smiths, meaning this by itself was an incredible opportunity to watch and learn.

My performance had kept the mood from dipping, but Queen Tragayas voice sent it to its peak. Running away now would only shatter everybodys opinion of whomever fled.

Elaborate, young highness. The high queen glanced over me for a moment, prompting me to nod in response. Good to finally meet the lost egg child of Emperor Eltharion and Sixth Empress Melloxtressa. Royalty should speak, so let us delay that for later.

Her voice from before was rough and wild like any dwarf I had met up till this point. However, right now, it was soft and gentle like a cool breeze, making me want to let my guard down for a moment.

In a whisper, I replied, It would be an honor. Thank you very much for your help, despite the short notice.

It was our honor to help an ally of Ankor-Nazta and the mediator for the future summit. But be warned, your friend Grimnir and his cousin still broke into the workshop of Goddess Chihiro. That is still a crime.

Reading between the lines, his exile was still justified, in other words. Gentle but strict Maybe my plan to help Grimnir wouldnt pan out completely, but it was too late to turn back now. All that was left was for the man himself to execute on it.

Maagneil! Maagneil! Maagneil!

Luedbrumdar! Luedbrumdar! Luedbrumdar!

Even the crowd couldnt stop after what had happened. Although the Artorian, Estralian, and Yeosian were a bit more quiet than usual, it was also cause they came here for me, not the two dwarves smithing it out. So, I really had to make sure I kept their attention. As boring as it might seem, I had watched Grimnirs smith so many times now; it really wasnt boring watching him work.

I will be fully investigating this matter now. She curtsied slightly before leaving with the hold king, his queen, and his guards, leaving Maagneil standing there alone with only his guards. The merc-looking dwarf clapped Maagneil on the back before, pointing at everybody shouting for him to step into the ringUhm, stage.

The merc then walked away from him, waving at me for a moment, before sitting down hard at an open seat next to King Drangleic and his wife. He adjusted his posture and position, trying to get himself comfortable before letting out a loud crackle as King Drangleic commented on his thick armor.

You shouldnt have worn something this heavy, King Fugnarus. I am sure you got the memo, King Drangleic joked, causing the dwarf to bellow out again.

Gahahaha, for sure, my good man. There arent many opportunities for a king to don his armor in this time of peace, dont you agree?

I looked over at Jadhund, who reluctantly nodded.

Always jealous of his cousin. Always jealous of Grimnir, was what Jadhund told me when I first met him in this hold. The stocky, sharp-eyed younger brother of Grimnirs cousin Broggart, Darlion, was somebody I heard about, but I didnt know much about. What did he mean by saying he hadnt taken his master exam yet?

This could be problematic.

Sadly, without further ado

Begin!

A note from AbyssRaven

Set up for the smithing chapter! Next one will be full of it for the crafting novel fans.

If you guys want to support me, Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 20 advance chapters + any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr!

For two dollars, for the cost of a coffee, you can read up to four chapters! You will have my eternal gratitude for any support you can give me! Please.

Thank you for reading this chapter.

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About the author

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Thursday, February 23, 2023 12:00:26 AM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

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