"State your business, Dwarf," an Ice Dragon, which was twice the size of the other Ice Dragons, said in an imposing tone.
He was the current leader of the Ice Dragons, who nested on the highest peak of the Khaled Bor Mountains.
"I didn't come here to talk to you, Darran," Degel snorted. "The ones who have business with you are these two Humans." Sёarch* The NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
The Ice Dragon, Darran, glanced at the two teenagers and narrowed his eyes.
If the two of them had flown to the mountaintop on their own, the Ice Dragons wouldn't have hesitated to attack and feast on their flesh.
However, seeing them come with the Dwarves, they could only handle this situation civilly to prevent another war between their races.
"And what do you Human children want from us?" Darran said in annoyance. "Speak!"
Ethan and Nicole already knew that Ice Dragons were arrogant, so they didn't take his rudeness to heart.
Nicole took out the golden dragon scale from her storage ring. She was about to show it to the Ice Dragon when it moved on its own and flew toward Darran, making her eyes widen in shock.
When the Dragon Scale was only a few meters away from the leader of the Ice Dragons, it glowed and transformed into ancient draconic letters, which hung in the air and shone in a golden light.
At first, Darran thought that the Humans had cast a spell to attack it. But, after recognizing the Draconic text, the Ice Dragon immediately started reading to know its contents.
Since the message wasn't that long, the Ice Dragon finished reading it after a few seconds and looked at Nicole with a complicated look on its face.
"Come," Darran ordered before flying toward the Mountain Peak.
The Draconic runes disappeared, and the golden scale flew back in Nicole's hand, making her sigh in relief.
Since Darran had asked them to follow it, there was a chance that they would honor the previous Dragon King's request.
The Battleship soared toward the mountain and landed in a clearing, hovering three meters above the ground.
Degel didn't plan on stepping down from his battleship because he didn't trust the Dragons one bit.
He would remain there and ensure that they were ready for battle just in case the Ice Dragons suddenly decided to attack them.
"Don't be afraid," Degel said. "We'll be here."
Nicole and Ethan nodded before they took off with their flying brooms and flew to where Darran had landed.
Several other Ice Dragons landed beside them, encircling the two teenagers.
"Show it to them," Darran ordered.
Nicole did as she was told and raised the Dragon Scale in her hand.
Just like what happened earlier, it hovered several meters above her head before transforming into Draconic writing, allowing all the Ice Dragons that had gathered to read its contents.
Some looked at the text with amusement, some with solemn expressions, while others only shook their heads.
Although they all respected and even feared the previous Dragon King, they were not duty-bound to follow his orders, especially since he had already passed away.
"Is there anyone here who wishes to become this Human girl's mount?" Darran asked in a disdainful tone.
Nicole wanted to object that she wasn't looking for a mount, but a partner who would fight alongside her.
But Ethan held her hand and shook his head, telling her not to say anything.
The Ice Dragons exchanged glances with each other, but didn't say anything. Although a few of them might have accepted the previous Dragon King's request, the tone Darran used to ask them was that of disdain.
The leader of the Ice Dragons had done this on purpose.
Why?
It was his subtle way of saying that those who wished to honor the previous Dragon King's words and become the mount of the Human girl would be looked down upon by the other Ice Dragons.
A satisfied look appeared in Darran's eyes when he saw that no one was volunteering to become the Human girl's comrade at arms.
"As you can see, no one is interested in following you," Darran said with a draconic smirk plastered on its face. "If the Dragon King was still alive, then things might have been different.
"But since he no longer holds power over us, I'm afraid that you have come here in vain. Better luck in your next lifetime, girl."
Darran laughed, and those who thought the same way as him laughed as well.
The other Dragons, who were willing to become Nicole's partner, sighed in their hearts and only looked at the Human girl, whose expression remained calm despite the ridicule that was being thrown in her direction.
"Looks like they don't want to honor the Dragon King's words, Nicole," Ethan commented. "What do you wish to do now?"
"Since they don't want to honor it, then there is only one thing that I can think of," Nicole replied with a smile. "We just have to challenge them and make them submit."
"Are you sure about this?" Ethan arched an eyebrow.
"Yes," Nicole replied. "This is how Humans and Dragons communicated hundreds of years ago. I'm just going back to our roots."
Ethan smirked because he found Nicole's statement quite daring.
The Dragons who heard Nicole's statement frowned. This was especially true for Darran, who had cut out any possibilities of any Ice Dragons accepting the previous Dragon King's request.
"You wish to challenge us, Human?" Darran asked in contempt. "Just the two of you?"
"Yep," Nicole replied. "Just the two of us."
"Hahaha." Darran chuckled. "Interesting. So, who do you wish to challenge?"
"Who else?" Nicole sneered as she drew her rapier and pointed it at the leader of the Ice Dragons. "Why would I settle for anything less when you are here?"
"Hoh?" Darran wasn't angered even when the Human girl challenged him. On the contrary, he found it quite amusing. "Are you sure about this? If you challenge me, then the chances of you leaving this mountain alive is non-existent. Do you still want to continue knowing that I will not show you any mercy?"
"Enough talk," Nicole replied. "Let's fight. Or are you saying that you're afraid to fight two Humans on your own. If you feel disadvantaged, feel free to ask for help. Ethan and I don't mind if you ask two more dragons to help you fight."
Sebastian and Ethan's Other Half, who were inside his Sea of Consciousness, gave Nicole two thumbs up in their hearts.
Just like her, they didn't like how Darran handled the situation, so they were also raring to beat the crap out of the leader of the Ice Dragons and make him understand that there were some people whom he shouldn't look down on no matter what.