Chapter 507: The Dragon Ruler of Fire.

Chapter 507: The Dragon Ruler of Fire.

“Kraaaaagahuuu!”

“Kuuraaaaaayuuu!”

“Khroaaaaagahuuu!”

My bloody ears!

Natural disasters not only included devastating destruction caused by the elements or raw, unbridled power, but also all of the noise pollution. Yes, maybe to other people, loud sounds might not be worse than losing your house, or even your entire home city, but to a musician like me, this inharmonious clash of different pitches, depth of voice, and general echoing of the magma chamber was pure tortuous on my ears.

Like a gourmet chef having to eat at a rundown, rarely visited restaurant ... Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best comparison.

However, that was how I felt as my hearing was violated by ... this cacophony from the numerous, numerous dragons before me. The dragon valley below our imperial citadel had far more dragons of various origins and elements, with their roaring feeling like a welcoming song from a marching band. I did not feel that way in front of the entrance to the nest of the Dragon Ruler of Fire.

I and my retainers were on the same “floor” where Ryra found me after the rank S dragon battle, though quite a bit further away, and I was staring at this imposing place with a stomach ache. This entire section of the magma chamber was reserved for the dragon ruler’s direct subordinates, and in a way, I was walking right into this lion’s den.

Massive, titanic sized rank S and A dragons stood in front of the nest entrance, while the younger rank Bs and lower dragonkin kept a careful watch on the many hills, acting almost like watchtowers.

Ignoring their accented voices, they were all crying out, “Welcome to the inferno halls.”

[“Just ignore them,”] Ryra advised me. [“Treat them all like guards, even if most of them are pretty significant within Inferno Nest’s ecosystem.”]

[“I guess they are all like the direct vassals of the current Ruler of Ice, right? Since Father technically should be our Ruler of Fire,”] I asked.

[“The situation is similar, yeah,”] he stated. [“An emperor and any of the empresses cannot simultaneously be a dragon ruler, since the imperial members’ responsibility should extend to the entire empire, and not only to your flight’s nest. This law was instituted by father himself after he became emperor, which is why your mother and Empress-Mother Gaistrus couldn’t maintain their title after their respective marriages ... Although, your mother only recently lost her titles, so she still is still treated as the de facto leader. The same can’t be said about Father.”]

Either ‘cause he’s a homestuck or it might have something to do with the civil war. This dragon ruler probably was one of Eltharion’s best supporters, after from the empress-mothers.

[“At this point, this situation is similar to a human imperial member visiting one of their vassal kingdoms. Thankfully, Dragon Ruler Maustoovaka still fully respects Father as his emperor; not to mention, he is Brother Kahalameet’s strongest ally in his battle for the throne. His loyalty is fully dedicated to Kargryx and its future,”] Ryra explained, pausing a moment before he continued. [“However, his loyalty only extends to Father and his legacy. Meaning, his history as the Emperor of Kargryx and us, his children. Not to the empresses and their families.”]

Hearing this only made me more worried. [“... What about Kramps?”]

[“Once again, remember, aside from the dragonewts and wyverns, us dragons and the drakes are largely either indifferent to Kargryxmor, or on a spectrum of dislike to hatred,”] he emphasized that last part, making me wonder if he was speaking about the ice dragonkin or somebody entirely different, aside from the empresses and Eltharion.

Is this dragon ruler also in the latter camp, then?

Feeling the suffocating huffing of these dragonkin against my back and wings, I followed Ryra into the entrance before the rock walls suddenly turned into magma. Flowing away like slime, the entrance was enlarged for Ryra’s massive frame, allowing him to enter.

Sheesh ... I gulped as my eyes locked onto the humongous dragon resting on a pile of black and red jewel and ores, treating it like a bed.

His appearance was exactly the same as the red-brown fire dragon responsible for the breath clash that caused Ground Zero, but unlike that initial sighting, the dragon now before me was covered in numerous wounds. Broken scales, patches of still liquid magma, and evaporating blood made him look even more ferocious compared to before, not to mention, the glare he was giving us as his head laid on his pile of wealth didn’t help matters!

That “You enter my home. Be respectful” look sent a chill down my spine. I might be one of his princesses, but I realized that didn’t mean a thing here. “Be nice or get kicked out,” was the name of the game.

[“Shay, Beth. How are you two holding up?”] I asked as I felt the heat increasing.

[“... We are gaining [Fire Resistance] levels, my lady,”] Shay answered. [“As long as we stick close to you, we can endure this ... I think.”]

[“Doesn’t sound good,”] Vifi chimed in. [“You can’t when Donut is approaching the dragon; it’ll only get worse from here on out. Stay at the entrance for now. Hey, fire wyverns, cover for them. Help them cool down.”]

[“Yes!”] the fire wyverns agreed immediately to the twins’ chagrin.

[“Donut, I’ll stay back as well. This is also getting too hot for me, even with you controlling the temperature.”]

[“Got it, thanks.”]

Fortunately, Ryra was coming with me, taking the initiative and acting like an older brother as he led me through the stares. Once we were in front of the massive dragon ruler, Ryra told me to tuck my tail in between my legs, but not lower my head but to reciprocate the ancient dragon’s stare with my own.

[“Show some obedience as a young scale by lowering your tail, but not your gaze. You are a princess. Hierarchy is as important to dragons as to the other races, maybe even more so. We have to exert it here,”] Ryra instructed and I followed. [“Say, ‘Princess Hestia, here to greet the great Dragon Ruler of Fire, Maustoovaka. I lower my tail in your presence,’ in Draconic after me, okay?”]

[“Yes!”] I nodded as I had Hikari look up the words I needed. Thankfully, the last sentence was something I had heard a lot.

Ryra began, roaring his greeting, “Krafila Ryranakus, reso kruugarak Drahk-krakrona infula, Maustoovaka. Krinalish prish phra.”

“Krafili Hestia, reso kruugarak Drahk-krakrona infula, Maustoovaka. Krinalish prish phra,” I followed up.

Hearing our greeting, the dragon raised his head and nodded, grunting out, “Reso kragsht. Drahk-krafili Hestia, hgrak kragu krasaat megrak ri Drahk-krakroni Melloxtressa-Drahk-krakrona Eltharion. Hah, rruh grakustat. Krraghi thayk khimalsh Drahkonik, drahk-krukru, ra otrak ra reetrak malak krasul.”

It was completely in Draconic, making me struggle to translate it in time as I stare at the ancient dragon in confusion, causing him to bellow out in laughter. Looking at me with a pitiful look, Ryra sent me the translation.

Essentially, what he said was, “Greetings accepted. Dragon Princess Hestia, may our meeting finally be blessed by your mother, Dragon Empress Melloxtressa and father Dragon Emperor Eltharion. Hah, your pronunciation could use some work. We shall only speak in Draconic, whelpling; you must learn it faster, so keep up.”

It wasn’t one-to-one to Common, as the direct translation would have made it sound awkward. I quickly thanked Ryra for the nice gesture, but he told me I had to try my best to speak with Maustoovaka in Draconic, as he would ignore any telepathic communication. “I must educate the youngest princess as a confidant of Eltharion,” was what the dragon ruler was probably thinking, according to Ryra.

Oh boy, I’ll need your full help on this, Hikari. Let’s use [Mental World] to think faster, too.

From here on out, everything would be in Draconic. At least it gave me a chance to use the language ...

“Prince Ryranakus, it is good to meet you once again. I hope your elder brother is doing all right, and I once again apologize to you for taking him away so often for work,” Maustoovaka said, probably speaking about how Phso supported Kahalameet’s claim. “Haha, I may be brooding most of the time, but I do enjoy a meeting from my young princes and princesses quite a lot, as any elder scale would. This young sister of yours is quite adorable. She sounds almost like my newly-born nephew.”

... Hikari, we could have left that last part out.

‘Yeah ...’

“Well ... as long as you like her, I guess?” Ryra shrugged, minding his words. “I assume your battle with Dragon Ruler Arkanator is over. Who won?”

“Did you really need to ask that question, Prince? You brought your sister to me, for you have already correctly guessed that I was victorious, or are you only here for small talk?” He grinned, sounding snarky, or maybe demeaning was the better word. Arrogant and over-confident could fit, as well. “I hope not, for I am not in the mood for these worthless greetings. Let us get down to business, for that is what I assume you both are here for, am I not right?”

Ryra lowered his head lightly, almost looking away from the giant dragon. I reflexively took a deep breath as I cheered him on, that he would stay strong until we were done here. I wanted to speak up, but it felt like Maustoovaka was still staring at me, even if his eyes weren’t aligned with mine.

He was already exuding his aura. This felt just like when I met Eltharion. I felt unwelcomed, yet he still wanted to talk with me.

“You want this to end, correct?” Maustoovaka guessed Ryra’s mood. “Good. Then let us, but first ...”

He turned to me. “Dragon Princess Hestia, newest member of the imperial family, and the dearest daughter of Frozen Nest. In addition, an otherworlder’s soul trapped inside our princess’s body, robbing our dear Emperor and Sixth Empress of the chance of child rearing. The gods are intrusive, regardless of how many ‘divine laws’ and ‘taboos’ they set up. Yet, our voices do not matter. Why? For they are stronger than our emperor ... Am I not correct, blessed of the Dragon God?”

“Fledgling ... you grow a sense of self now? For this little skink?” Maustoovaka’s mouth opened up, letting out a cloud of flames. “So be it, child. If you wish to act in your sister’s defense, then fulfill my request. A wish for a favor; a transaction.”

Ryra flinched back. “T-that’s—”

“Your dear mothers will not make it in time if you refuse, and in that time, I will show this whelpling what we ancient dragons have experienced to live this long. Accept the easy way out, fledgling. This is for the good of your sister, as well, for a weakling like her is not worthy of anybody’s respect. She will earn mine!”

This is bad!

Ryra was terrified, looking like a meek sheep, although I could see from his clattering chin that he still wanted to say something. What was this request and why was it making him so nervous? Was it actually bad news? Then again, this madman was trying to imprison me for something, and I had no intentions of following along.

How the hell do I get away from here?

‘Vifi.’

Vifi, damn right!

As Maustoovaka and Ryra continued their argument, I quickly and, most importantly, inconspicuously connected a telepathic mana link with my party’s fastest runner. [“Vifi?”]

[“I heard it. Trouble?”]

[“Very. He wants to keep me here.”]

[“‘Kay ... Don’t forget the donuts, right?”]

[“Good jobs deserve a proper reward, and this guy probably won’t kill me, but that’s different with you and the wyverns. Be careful, I mean it.”]

[“Mhmm, your status has some perks, but I get it. I wouldn’t want to stay somewhere I’m not familiar with, all while waiting for help like some chump. Mhmm ... though, hear him out for a moment. Give me some time, and keep me updated. I actually do know how to get you out of this one.”]

[“Got it, good luck.”]

Back to the discussion in front of me, I noticed Ryra gritting his teeth. “You know for yourself I am unable to do that all by myself! Relations between Inferno Nest and Frozen Nest are already bad as it is, yet you are still trying to worsen them? You are obviously trying to hurt Empress-Mother Melloxtressa here, Lord Maustoovaka!”

“Ha, my thoughts towards those fools still clinging to their past glory is another matter. This isn’t about her lineage, this is about her attitude. This is my home. You will come in here with respect, or face the consequences of those actions!” He stomped forward, decimating the pile of jewels beneath him. “Now, tell me, will you risk it for your sister, or shall we conclude this? End this as soon as possible, like always, Ryranakus. Your brother is waiting for you. Go back to him, ignore the whelp.”

“Y-you—”

“There is nothing for you to speak about. You need only listen to your elders and your older brother, Phsotophus. Meek fledgling, know your place, and begone. Allow yourself succor before you redraw back into your shell,” Maustoovaka urged, finally causing Ryra to lower his head and tail.

You—!

“Y-ye—”

“Hey!” However, before Ryra could say anything, I roared out with [Tyrant’s Voice] and [Aerokinesis], causing the ancient dragon to snap his eyes to me. “I get it now. So, this is dragon culture, right? Treating even those you should be protecting with such animosity while disguising it as ‘normal.’ No wonder Neill told me how bad her time here was, or why my brother here turned so meek! It’s because of bastards like you! Fucking rodents like you! Get the fuck away from him!”

Shoving Ryra away, the ancient dragon sighed loudly, letting a stream of flames fly out. He reared his head back to me. “The moment you dismissed my request turned you from a little whelpling princess to an actual reverse scale that might break everything in the future. I will not allow Kahalameet’s coronation to fail due to leniency,” he snarled. “You’re just like a human. Speaking loudly, but unable to act on it. Weakling; you have been ruined by being born on Altrust. Your so-called charisma alone will get you nowhere on this continent. On Miononbolax, might alone shall rule the skies and land!”

Slamming his mouth shut, the ancient dragon slammed his head against Ryra, who threw himself right into the way of this skink’s head before he dug the talons of his wings into the ground, enclosing me around him. I was trapped, although, fortunately due to my size, there were holes I could escape from when I ran.

“Hedthalak’s son spoke about you, and I now fully understand what a creature like you can do. I will not allow you to rally people around you, Princess Hestia!” he shouted with [Tyrant’s Voice], and would have crushed me under the sonic boom had I not cast [Air Shield] in time, although it still broke in the end. “You will be educated about our empire’s history. Neither the ice nor holy dragonkin shall be your power! You—Huh? Worm!”

“Voltaic Red: Thunderspeed Roar!”

The buzzing sound of one of Vifi’s destructive spear Ability shot through the air as Maustoovaka reacted to it. However, the giant dragon swung his wings open, parrying the lightning strike, reducing the damage to probably nothing.

You’re shitting me! That damn move can oneshot me, you damn rank S!

[“Humanize!”] I heard Vifi call out before I did what she said. As the mana mist exuded from my body, I suddenly felt somebody grab me, holding me in a princess carry with a thunderclap rumbling in the background.

<[Humanize (Minor)] inflicted on [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]>

[“Got you!”] Vifi exclaimed as she readied to dash away, only for me to notice Maustoovaka was about to slam his front legs on us.

Shit!

However, before he could, both of us froze for a single second as we both heard, “Hiessk gik rapharum’shkra zeegka!” from behind him before the floor turned to golden sand. Before he could react, both earth and the sand shot up, slamming the S-rank dragon into the ground, sticking him there as I heard Ryra roar out.

His entire body was glowing golden, far more intensely than when we fought. In fact, from the looks of it, it reminded me of the appearance Neill would assume when she activated [Battle Frenzy (Major)].

[“Ryra!”] I called out.

[“Father’s horns, get the fuck out of here! Now!”] he commanded. [“He won’t do anything to me, promise. Just get out, now!”]

And before I could get another word, Ryra roared once more before every bit of stone and ore around him started to slowly turn into gold, including his body. Gold-cladded, a bright yellow energy began to gather in his mouth as the glow of his body turned off and on, rapidly increasing in rhythm overtime.

Sadly, before I could say anything, Vifi dashed away in a streak of red lightning, all before a grand explosion erupted from inside the cavern. I couldn’t see anything as a dust cloud and streams of magma lava flooded the area, all while the dragonkin around us roared.

Alarmed when I felt Vifi stopping for a moment, I thought I messed up the plan by provoking Maustoovaka too early; however, before any of the ancient dragonkin could apprehend us, a few others came to our rescue, slamming right into them.

[“Princess Hestia, I am Hedthalak!”] a fire dragon shouted, about the same size as Maustoovaka. [“My son, Fehrkatruk, has spoken well about your personality, and as a gesture of showing leniency to him for me sending him to spy on you, allow me to return this debt I owe you! Fly! My subordinates and I shall protect your path!”]

“I told ya I had a plan!” Vifi shouted, laughing wildly. “I saw that bastard Fehrkatruk on our way here, haha! Couldn’t forget that ugly mug!”

[“Princess Hestia!”] Speaking of the devil, that same fire dragon I met in Iceskale appeared in the sky with the friends he brought back then. In addition, the wyverns were flying with him, meaning we can make a break for it! [“Fly with us, we will lead you out!”]

[“Got it, thank you!”] I said before turning back into a dragon, allowing Vifi to mount on me before we all fled the area.

Sadly, the turmoil only got worse when I heard Maustoovaka’s roar after we made some distance. Multiple dragons roosting inside this magma chamber were agitated. Considering how often conflicts happened here, most of them probably thought we were fighting like normal, but the moment their dragon ruler called, they had to move.

When he saw this, Fehrkatruk urged us to go deeper, as flying up would only wind us into more fights. “The magma drakes can act as our decoys!” he said, presuming the retainers of the Dragon Ruler of Volcanoes might still be agitated from the previous battle. They might be angry enough to attack any fire dragons, allowing us to fly past things.

Can’t hurt to try, cause we ain’t fighting our way to the surface like this!

I came to the mainland to get some hot rocks for my friends, and now I was causing a civil war between the two dragon rulers of Inferno Nest. How the hell did this escalate like this?