“Ah … Well, he did say the dragonewts still worshiped him, but sohow I was expecting sothing smaller on Miononbolax.”
I arched my neck back, staring at the humongous onyx-stone temple built right into a mountain. The entrance was designed for dragonewts, but the sheer scale of the temple gate was large enough for adult rank B dragons to stand alongside it and feel small in comparison. Most importantly, though, the banner fluttering above the large gate displayed a dragon breathing out flas shaped into a crescent moon—the religious symbol of Kargryxmor and my clan’s family crest.
This was the headquarter of Kargryxmor’s faith, the “heart” of Loatryx. Located west from Coral Beard—the largest harbor on Miononbolax and also the capital of the Republic of Loatryx—it was built within this jagged mountain range, almost like those loneso buddhist temples in the Himalayas. It wasn’t an “easy” jog; it was high enough to be considered hiking.
Fortunately, dragonewts could fly, so the trip wasn’t as arduous or inconvenient as one might think. Nevertheless, Coral Beard did have a smaller temple within its confines for those with less ti. Good, since it was too far away to be considered a Sunday trip to church if I was living in the harbor.
“So far away …” I stated as I stared in the horizon, able to see the large, tropolitan-sized harbor city from here and with it, the crescent mouth-shaped of the continent’s southern area.
To be honest, when Mom flew over here after my eting with Eltharion, I was blown away by the geographical appearance. If you were to fly over and look through the window of a plane, then the Loatryx portion of the continent honestly looked like the head of a dragon.
In fact, this crescent mouth-like form could almost be considered an atoll with a lagoon. The beach was pretty shallow, to the point I questioned why it was a harbor city in the first place, only to rember this Loatryx, they had floating cities.
The main portion of Coral Beard was located next to the beach and lagoon, with most of the anities, lodgings for travelers, businesses, and temples built there. anwhile, the floating archipelago city housed the clan mansions, factories, the governnt and administration, and also the dragoon order. This floating city was located directly above the harbor built on the water, which accepted ships and also provided ferry services for visitors to reach inland.
Oh, and I also learned why my elven doctor told why dragons considered Kel’Thun part of Miononbolax. The island was part of the atoll, with Ke’Thun creating a northern and southern channel for ships to enter through. aning, if you wanted to reach Coral Beard through the sea, you had to pass through the elves first.
Regardless, my geography lessons could wait for another ti. I could do that once I returned to our clan’s mansion after this trip.
“Princess Hestia!”
I snapped my head around as I heard that voice, seeing a group of white-black robed dragonewt priestess rush over to. They quickly bowed before Mom before turning their attention to , doing the sa motion. As they kept their tails tucked and their heads down, Mom had to order them to raise their heads before we could talk.
“You recognized ?” I said.
“Yes, your highness. The kinkyuro inford everybody of your presence in Coral Beard. Uh, not to ntion, her highness, Princess Wendriosa did the sa,” one of them inford . He looked like a head priest or bishop with how different his robe was to the five behind him. “Also, a female crimson scaled and haired dragonewt with a young adult human face wearing a robe for a shrine maiden of Goddess Aurena is quite rare, even in our expansive lands.”
… So detailed. Thanks, Sis.
Well, I had to expect that, honestly. First, the kinkyuro were the governnt of Loatryx, composed of the six greatest dragonkin clans, descendants of the five last rank SSS dragons and a kirin. In other words, Kargryxmor and the fathers of five of the six empresses.
Why only five? Well, Mom’s father was only a rank SS when he ascended into the heavens. He didn’t fit the criteria, but it didn’t really matter for the Nordor dragonewts, since the kinkyuro’s influence was minimal on Frozen Nest. Therefore, they were Loatryx’s governnt in Iceskale.
Secondly, I slept in the mansion managed by the Kargryxmor dragonewts yesterday. I even t the clan’s representative in the senate for dinner, so of course people would know about .
It was almost similar to the situation in Iceskale where the populace knew about , but they treated as any other true dragon. With reverence but part of life; a far cry from how human commoners treated their nobles. It was similar to how the dwarves did it, and I couldn’t be happier.
“Also, I don’t think anybody could ignore Empress lloxtressa’s aura, haha …” the man smiled bitterly as he looked over, only taking a glance at Mom’s icy glare. He also took a peek at my four companions. “Ahem, news has already spread. Congratulations on being considered a fledgling, your highness. We might not be your kin, but Loatryx as a whole celebrates the birth of our newest princess.”
They all bowed once more.
“We are thankful you survived your ordeal, your highness. May the empire and its republic blossom under your crimson wings. Allow us humble dragonewts serve you in your divine goals as a blessed of Goddess Aurena and the Black Tyrant of the Skies.” Once again, they bowed. “As a fledgling, you now have the right to join the succession, correct. We wish you luck. However, if you wish to use your new authority to manage Loatryx like your siblings, please, do not hesitate! Our church will gladly help you!”
… Ah, there it is. Well, I guess all that ass-kissing would be more awkward if they didn’t have any ulterior motives.
Everything he said was the truth. Aside from having the right to beco the heir apparent, I now had the responsibility to also manage the empire and its vassal, Loatryx. Wendriosa already gave the lecture on how to be a good ruler, and I already received the expectant eyes of my dragonewt relatives yesterday and this morning. Technically, I didn’t have to, according to Mom.
It was the duty of an empress to handle matters concerning the empire in the emperor’s stead. Their children were exempt from it but there was a social pressure to contribute since we were scions of the emperor. We were an extension of his will and the “gateway” to the next era, not to ntion, the proof for the success of the adulthood pilgrimage the empresses instituted. To bring knowledge from the outside world to Kargryx, to slowly ramp up our developnt while remaining reclusive.
In short, I could help Mom with Frozen Nest, if I wished. I was legally able to get a job despite biologically being a kid.
In any case, Mom forcefully changed the topic, having also noticed the priest’s intentions. She explained my reason for being here was to pray to Kargryxmor’s alter and commune to him as a blessed. The priests couldn’t help but bow and welco us in.
The main attraction of this temple was the fact the inside was actually just part of one large cavern. You could say it used the natural rock formation to its advantage to create this mystical, authentic feeling, as if a pilgrim or questing knight found so rural shrine. Unlike the dwarves, the dragonewt left most of the place as nature created it, rely keeping everything clean and lit with aromatic candles.
“You seem to like it quite a bit, Lady Hestia,” Tasianna said as she noticed my eyes wandering.
I nodded. “Quite. You know, in all our adventures, we never really entered so hidden, spiritual place that screams like it is hiding so special treasure.”
“Doesn’t the ruin we explored after we arrived in Firwood count?”
“Kiiro and the onnikai? Hello? Rember? There was nothing spiritual about it when a horde of undead rushes after you!” My body shivered a bit, causing Tasianna to giggle. I an, I would giggle too if I still didn’t have so zombie trauma with all the growling.
In any case, the priests quickly led us to our destination before they promptly left, fully intimidated by Mom as wouldn’t have them speak another word. As we entered the altar room, Mom let out a deep sigh.
“It has been a while since I entered any of Kargryxmor’s temples. Seeing them tells you enough.” Mom glared at how pristine the room was maintained, as nurous offerings and small trinkets in Kramps’s image were laid before a bus-sized statue of the god himself. “Every ti one gets destroyed, another is built. Far larger than the one before.”
“It would be a surprise if after over 2500 years, a building wouldn’t see any accidents,” Tasianna comnted. “How many were there, Empress lloxtressa?”
“Three, if I rember correctly. Three centers of faith. The first was made after Loatryx was founded by Kargryxmor during his campaign to establish his Empire, as a way to pacify the agitated dragonewts. It was destroyed during the civil war and rebuilt afterwards, until it collapsed due to an accident with Phsothophus a while back. A clumsy little darling, hiehie.” Mom smiled. “The last two iterations were located inside Coral Beard, until the kinkyuro decided to have it rebuilt here. The atmosphere is far better, I must say.”
I couldn’t disagree with that.
Before I could pray, the twins were already on their knees before the statue, giving the God of Dragons his rightful respect. Once they were done, I looked at Tasianna, Vifi, and Mom, who gave no reaction, so I walked before the altar. I touched the black, volcanic stone statue, feeling the heat of Inferno Nest from it and took a step back.
I clasped my hands in prayer, closed my eyes and then … opened them again. I stared up.
“I’m not coming up. Co speak with us here. Tasianna, an [Air Shield], please.”
Tasianna did as I say without even questioning it, while Mom howled in laughter. Cackling uncontrollably while pointing at the ceiling, she smacked her forehead, closing her eyes as she was having trouble breathing while laughing.
“It’s only been three years—two years for her—and you already lost all goodwill from your only blessed. How fitting. Even your most adored grandchild is putting her tail down, and you call us fools and slackers? Did you really think she would side with you after all she’s heard?”
Mom was right, but I still glared at her at how noisy she was. Seeing like this, she waved her hand and stopped herself, although I could still hear her giggling under her breath. I sighed and looked at the statue once more.
“Kramps, I am not negotiating this. You were the one who said you would reveal your divine Quest once I made it to Miononbolax, and here we are. I’ve waited long enough. I’ve t my siblings and father. Now it is ti for you to speak and explain to exactly what the hell you even imagined, because at this point, Aurena’s divine Quest seed more sensible than trying to ‘bring back your faith to the dragons.’”
Kramps stayed silent but I knew he could hear . I understood his reaction well as this could only be considered a slight towards my patron god. It was like forcing a CEO to co see you in your office. Anybody would consider this a power move, even if it was more a “you will talk to and Mom at the sa ti” mont. It was like when we all talked inside the subspace.
I relayed everything I heard to everybody in attendance. This was my objective.
“You might be a god, but you are still my grandfather. I am not here only for my divine Quest, I am also here as a representative of your bloodline and clan! This is a family issue.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
In my Earthen family, it was customary for my Mama to et my Japanese grandparents if sothing had to be discussed. Phone calls were nice but the important stuff had to be relayed personally, which contrasted how my Papa did it with my German grandparents. The latter were less strict. As such, I understood this situation very well.
Yet, Kramps still wouldn’t budge.
“Then what would that make you, huh? I had all the right to question and shout at you for yesterday. You think I forgot what you said to Neill? You know, I still have the right to give my opinion as a third party since I haven’t really experienced our family dynamic to the fullest yet, so let tell you this—you are equally at fault for everything! For the fact your faith is wavering, for the fact our family isn’t to your liking, for the fact you even brought to this world!”
Kramps shouted so much, I felt my soul quiver from the shock. I bent forward, touching my chest as the pain in my depth wasn’t subsiding, worrying Tasianna and the twins. anwhile, Mom growled at him, but I stopped her before she could speak up for .
‘Hestia, I’ll take care of the damage to our soul. I’ll try to fortify our mind,’ Hikari stated, helping subside the pain a bit.
I took a deep breath. “What? Hurts to hear the truth? You made a blessed for this very reason and even praised for still possessing my mories, and yet when it seed you hit a roadblock you would discipline ? Did you think I would only scream at Goddess Aurena and leave you unscathed from my anger?”
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