Aella and Ducal assisted Aillos in maintaining the barrier around the camp set up by the Regis in front of the damaged area of the seal while Nithe left to fetch the materials and gather the Array Saints, who would assist in the array creation.
After Aillos explained their role in creating the new array formation, Aella, Ducal, and Nithe fell silent. They wanted Aillos to reconsider because the formation's calculations were delicate and intricate and would be hard for low beings from the Lower Realm to handle.
However, Aillos told them that Kyran would be the one to delegate the tasks, and they knew it would be impossible to negotiate. However, their curiosity and eagerness to understand the array formation were not dampened. They were still very interested in the array and wanted to be part of the whole creation.
But then Auto-one revealed who his previous masters were, making the three realize that Kyran must have met him in the Tower of the Ancients and won his acknowledgment in a challenge.
Their concerns were not unfounded, especially when one considered the Tower of the Ancients' purpose. It was known for challenging trials, which enlightened mages or gave them treasures if they succeeded. Technically, Kyran did emerge victorious from the challenge Auto-one was part of, but the truth was simpler than they imagined:
Kyran overpowered Auto-one and changed most of his settings.
Aella, Ducal, and Nithe did not know that, and Auto-one had no intentions of telling them the details of how he chose Kyran as his new master. Because of this, the three aides could only stay silent.
They could not possibly argue their superior knowledge in Array when Auto-one, a creation of the Four Greatest Minds, was likely to possess an almost complete Array Knowledge. Since Auto-one had acknowledged Kyran as his new master, it was not unreasonable to assume that Kyran's Array Knowledge surpassed the standards of the Lower Realm.
As for the Regis members who would lead in the array creation, Aella, Ducal, and Nithe could only guess that Kyran had already taught them what to do. He might even have taught them a simpler formula with fewer calculations yet could produce the same results as one that had several.
Compared with Ducal, Aella and Nithe accepted their role without much fuss. They understood the importance of their tasks and the impact it would have on the array creation. Nithe then left to get the materials from the treasury and gather the available Array Saints to assist in the array creation.
It had been two hours since then, and they had already received a confirmation from Nithe that they estimated they would arrive in the next half hour or so.
The reason it took Nithe a while to return with the materials and the Array Saints was simple and even a little amusing.
Nithe was the only one who knew the seal's location. Even if they had several transmission scrolls on hand, it would take him several trips just to send an Array Saint to the site. While it would not really exhaust him, doing so was too time-consuming.
In the end, Raya had to use another transmission scroll and meet with Nithe so he could help them create a scroll using Kyran's improved version.
Initially, the dragons were reluctant to be taught by Raya. But since it was an urgent matter and Aillos gave his consent, they had no choice but to follow.
Fortunately, Raya was quite good at teaching that even the prideful dragons were impressed. Then again, the improved version of the transmission scroll almost removed the annoying requirement of dragon blood, so the dragons accepted the new version quite well.
Nonetheless, because it was their first time creating an improved transmission scroll, it took a while for them to make one successfully.
Raya did not comment on the dragons' disappointed looks when they failed the first few times. But inwardly, he was cursing at them for even feeling that way because even if they failed, they had created a scroll in less than three minutes.
Aillos sighed. He had believed that Ducal's acceptance of Ames's plea meant he was already willing to get at least to know the Regis Family. But seeing and hearing his attitude just now proved that was not the case.
Ducal might be looking for more faults to denounce the Regis Family.
Aillos now felt that his decision to cut off his connection with the Regis Clan after Zane's death had been wrong. If he did not do that, and continued to communicate with them just like Ames, they could have paved a better path for them and the dragons.
But Aillos knew it was too late to regret. Besides, he would have done the same thing if it happened again. After all, losing someone whom he deemed his only true friend was too painful for him to cope with. If he saw Zane's descendants, Aillos knew he would continue to see him in them, and he would be reminded that his only true friend was already gone and would never return.
Aillos knew humans' lifespans were too short. For this reason, he steeled himself and was confident that he would not get attached to them, even if he befriended them.
Alas, he did not expect to end up recognizing one of them as a true friend.
"That young man, Kyran, resting in that tent," Aillos started after a short agonizing silence. "When he arrived on the plane, I beat him up."
"Good for you."
"No, it's not," Aillos shook his head in response. "If I had not acted childish, this situation with Coelus's corpse's seal would not have happened."
"I thought differently," Ducal replied. "I am not saying that I am glad that the seal is broken. Rather, I am glad this situation happened because if it did not, you will continue to hide the truth from everyone."
"I know what you want to say," Aillos said. "However, I do plan on telling everyone. But not like this."
Ducal looked at him with a wry smile.
"In any case, my point in telling this is that, I acted childish and picked a fight with Kyran. It ended up destroying the seal, which can be considered the worst-case scenario. However, Kyran actually found a way to fix the problem and even exploit the situation. Once everything is done, we will no longer have to be afraid of Coelus's corpse's influence ever again."
"..."
"He is not a pure-blooded dragon, but he is Zane's successor. He could also be considered my successor."
"..."
"Of course, that is still under consideration because he already has a much bigger responsibility than looking after the Dragon Clan. I don't think he wanted anything to do with us either."
"..."
"My point is," Aillos said while taking a deep breath. "Give them a chance. If you can't, then at least give him a chance."