Westheid wasn’t just talking nonsense. In this exact situation, the only correct answer was to claim to be a "Star Fury Power."
Any other response would have aroused the Giant Dragon’s suspicion.
After all, Reiya wasn’t a true pure-blood True Dragon; her bloodline was just exceptionally noble. Due to the suppressive pressure of her pure blood, Tudor had naturally assud the Silver-haired Dragon Lady was a True Dragon from the Divine Ancestor’s Direct Lineage. But why would a True Dragon constantly maintain their Dragon Descendant form?
Besides, if she were such a noble True Dragon, why would she only have two human attendants? Where were her other Giant Dragon attendants?!
But if one claid Reiya was a debauched True Dragon with a fondness for humans, then all the questions would be answered. It was because she had this particular taste that she constantly remained in her Dragon Descendant form and only allowed humans to serve her.
And if a True Dragon grew particularly fond of and doted on a Star Fury, they might even allow that person to enjoy a status equal to their own... Although this special treatnt was more like affection for a pet, it truly did grant them a status temporarily surpassing that of an ordinary Giant Dragon.
No joke, this kind of thing was standard practice among the Dragon Race. There was nothing strange about it.
Aside from those Dragon Descendants without official standing, what Giant Dragon or True Dragon didn’t have dozens, even hundreds, of Star Fury Powers?
And to be honest, these two humans... were exceptionally good-looking. The male, in particular, was so handso he made all the mortal slaves Tudor had rounded up seem dull in comparison. Tudor found him so beautiful his own junk was about to pop right out of his cloaca.
It was a sha he was already the Star Fury Power of a superior True Dragon. Otherwise, Tudor would have wanted to snatch him away and ravage him.
Not daring to scrutinize Reiya’s Star Fury Power with too brazen a gaze, Tudor lowered his eyes and said:
"Alright, human. Please tell the na of the revered Dragon you serve, so that I may use the proper etiquette."
"Listen up!"
Westheid cleared his throat and introduced her in perfect, orthodox Ancient Dragon Language:
"Before you stands the direct lineage bloodline of the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Dragons, the Star Do Dragon, the Supre Celestial God, the Great Will, the Morning Star, the Immortal One, [Star Abyss Wings]! She is the True Dragon who inherited the purest Talent of the Divine Ancestor—Her Highness Reiya!"
"...So it is Her Highness Reiya."
Tudor had long suspected as much, and this simply served as confirmation. After all, the blood of the Divine Ancestor flowing in her veins sent an undeniable, unforgettable stirring through every mber of the Dragon Race.
He imdiately folded his wings, bowed his head to the ground with great solemnity, and paid his respects:
"Tudor Ashsmoke, first-rank blood-heir of [Scorching Wings], pays his respects to the True Blood scion of the great Divine Ancestor, [Star Abyss Wings]."
After paying his respects, however, Tudor also voiced his doubt:
"It’s just... I have never heard the na of Her Highness Reiya?"
Westheid imdiately berated him:
"Insolent! What are you doubting? Have you ever been to Dragon’s Will Peak? Have you had an audience with [Star Abyss Wings]? Hah! A little nobody like you from the backwoods probably won’t get to see a True Dragon as noble as Her Highness Reiya in your entire life, so it’s no wonder you’re suspicious... Why don’t you let your master make the judgnt? [Scorching Wings], is it? Where is he now?"
Humiliated by Westheid, Tudor was furious. But a single glance at Reiya’s cold and imposing eyes felt like it froze the searing Dragon Blood in his veins. He didn’t dare to offer any rebuttal, forced to lower his head to a mortal he considered no more than an ant:
"Lord [Scorching Wings]’s palace is quite a distance from here, on the highest peak at the edge of the Kepal Plain. It’s too late now to either ask Lord [Scorching Wings] to co here or to guide Her Highness Reiya there. May I ask Her Highness to adjourn to the nearby High Court for now, while I seek instructions from my master?"
Hearing this, Westheid raised an eyebrow. He put on a show of looking back to exchange a glance with Reiya, then said:
"Fine. We need so rest as well. It took a very long ti to get to this place from Dragon’s Will Peak, and we had to deal with those damned pursuits and blockades on the way. Her Highness Reiya needs the best environnt to recuperate."
"Pursuit?!"
Tudor said, shocked and enraged, "Who?! Who would dare show such disrespect to a noble True Dragon! They deserve to die ten thousand deaths!"
"Haven’t you already seen them?"
Westheid said coldly, glancing at the mangled remains left behind by Kaplan and the other Trial Takers.
The Giant Dragon with the molten shell said doubtfully, "This trash? Their strength is barely passable for humans. Only their armor is sowhat interesting. They don’t look like rebellious slaves."
Westheid snorted. "Of course they aren’t slaves. Humans who have the guts to draw their blades on a True Dragon can only co from one kingdom."
Hearing this, the Molten Giant Dragon’s breath caught in his throat. He imdiately realized what Westheid was referring to.
He shrank his neck and whispered:
"You... you an the Celestial Vault Kingdom? Don’t they have a non-aggression pact with our Dragon Race? We’ve kept to our own sides for the last few hundred years, how could..."
"Non-aggression pacts are made to be broken."
Westheid said flatly, "There’s no need to explain the details to you. You just need to know that we are now at war... Let’s go. I can’t stand this place for another second."
At this point, Reiya also spoke in the Ancient Dragon Language, "Lie down."
"...As you command."
Tudor had no choice but to prostrate himself, lowering his head and letting Westheid and the others step on his wings to climb onto his back. At this mont, the Molten Giant Dragon no longer cared about the humiliation of allowing human slaves to ride him; his mind was reeling from the bombshell Westheid had just dropped.
’War? What war?’
’A civil war among the Dragon Race? No, a schism of that level wouldn’t be enough to make a noble with the Divine Ancestor’s blood flee. And no True Dragon would dare to move against the True Blood. Even though infighting among the Dragon Race is extrely frequent, and sotis gets quite bloody, that is the one line that is never, ever crossed.’
’So, a war with the Celestial Vault Kingdom?’
’That must be it. In the Mortal World, the only ones who can stand against the legions of Dragons are the Celestial Vault People. After several hundred years of peace, is it finally ti to decide who will be the sole hegemon to rule the highest heavens?’
’War, oh, war... Will I be able to taste glory and earn a promotion? Or will I fall like cannon fodder?’
Excitent, thrill, fear, doubt, worry, and uncertainty...
A thousand different emotions surged through Tudor’s mind. But with Reiya’s clearly unapproachable deanor, he could do nothing but let his thoughts run wild. Shaking his head, he tried to cast aside the chaotic ss. The Molten Giant Dragon slowly beat its wings, rising into the sky with the other Dragon Beasts and flying toward the high tower.
..........
「Outside the Secret Realm, in the Holy Tree Palace Square.」
"So, he just bluffed his way through like that?"
Seeing Tudor beat his wings and fly away, everyone who had been waiting to watch Duke Qinghui sweat buckets trying to lie his way out of the situation was left stunned.
"Is that Giant Dragon so kind of [Imperial expletive]? How could he fall for a reason like that?!"
"He’s a proper Giant Dragon, for crying out loud. How can he be so dense?"
Many in the audience, disappointed at not seeing the bloodbath they had anticipated, imdiately started cursing. However, these superficial viewers were in the minority. Many others in the crowd were quite knowledgeable and had pulled out their Magic Network Terminals to do research as soon as they learned the Trial’s background.
Thanks to their quick explanations, the rest of the audience learned that Westheid’s approach was, in fact, perfectly correct. There wasn’t a single flaw in it, and a wave of realization washed over them.
"Duke Qinghui seems to know a little *too* much about the Dragon Race."
"Why is he so practiced at this?"
"Looks like Duke Qinghui really did his howork."
Although Westheid’s performance held up to scrutiny, there was still sothing not quite right about it.
It was... there was a smoothness to it, as if it were perfectly natural and effortless.
It felt as if he’d rehearsed it countless tis, not like he was thinking on his feet in a crisis.
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