After I got [Grimoire], I started pnning for life after Ulric's war.

  Things didn't go exactly as pnned but it's still fine. The more the kingdom's internal conflicts grow, the more perfect opportunities it create for me. For example, the nobles.

  Though I am king, I have very limited rights to areas under my rule outside the capital. The nds of each region is an ancestry property of the Duke. They have total rights to it and they have their own armies that fly their own banners. They give me a share of the taxes collected in their regions but I am the one who pay for the weapons and saries of their military because 'they protect the different borders of the kingdom'. Makes no sense to me.

  By now the city of Verde, capital of the region of Verde, is probably back as Drakoria territory. I sent out the messages not because I intend for it to work, no matter how much they like my rule they are not stupid. That's why I pnted 23 knights disguised as citizens. They can be able to rally up a few, and it will create an illusion that it was the people who resisted the rebels, and after the war, the citizens of the region of Verde will be rewarded with a reinstatement as citizens of Drakoria, with it's full benefits while the other regions will have to work ten years to become citizens again. They will be back to paying taxes and food will be bought at it's full price. Any resistance to that will be met with a very loud cruelty.

  Incredible thinking, I would say.

  How many rebellions will be willing to rise again after that, especially if the kingdom becomes successful? How many soldiers will be willing to offer their services for it if it means the end of their families in Drakoria? How many families will keep quiet and watch it happen?

  It will cost me a lot of important pieces but on the long run I will finally be safe, and very well rexed. All there is now is to finish up this war.

  We entered the Warp gate castle only to see Amara there, no doubt waiting for me. Her gaze on me as I approached, her face cking the scowl I have come to associate with it.

  "What's there to think about?" she asked when I was still a few feet away.

  "What?" I responded, genuinely puzzled by her question.

  "Father said you said you will think about it" she expined, her tone tinged with frustration. "and I'm asking, what's there to think about?"

  I didn't say I would think about it, I said no. No wonder he was disappointed when the favor I needed was to send a message to the druid chief, Eowyn.

  "I don't have time for this, Princess," I retorted, continuing my stride without stopping as I walked past her. "I have a kingdom to defend."

  "I know you are not just a witch" she said, and I paused halfway up to the stairs of the activated Warp gate.

  They would all have found out after this war, that was the pn, so how does she know that now? How much does she know?

  She followed me and stopped at the foot of the stairs, her eyes fixed on mine. "We can take over the continent as one, " she said, and I knew she was serious.

  I stared at her for a moment then gave her a final dismissing nod of greeting. "Good night, princess" then I climbed the rest of the stairs into the Warp gate.

  ┌─────── ? ───────┐

  We waited for more than 4 hours before we saw signs of Eowyn.

  A distant rumble echoed through the sky, growing steadily louder. Eyes turned upwards, pupils diting with terror as an enormous silhouette broke through the starlit canvas. It was a behemoth of darkness, wings outstretched, casting an ominous shadow over the town. The scales on its obsidian hide glinted malevolently in the scant moonlight.

  The first screams pierced the air, like shattered gss, as the dragon descended with a slow, deliberate grace. Panic erupted like wildfire, a chorus of fear and disbelief. People scrambled in all directions, their voices lost in the bedm.

  The city bell tolled, its mournful cry cutting through the night like a bde. Its cngor filled the square with a haunting urgency, a grim reminder of an impending catastrophe.

  Amidst the now clearing square, I was standing with Mustapha and Vojnka beside the rge water fountain, its sculpted figures frozen in a moment of tranquility that starkly contrasted the chaos unfolding around us.

  The commotion was deafening, a symphony of panic and desperation. People rushed in all directions, their faces etched with terror. Some stumbled over one another, their cries joining the tumultuous uproar that filled the air. Frantic footsteps echoed against the cobblestones as the crowd scattered like frightened birds.

  The dragon, a nightmarish presence suspended midair a mere few paces in front of me, dominated the scene. Its colossal form blotted out the stars, and the rhythmic fpping of its wings sent oppressive gusts of wind that tugged at my clothes and hair.

  The beast, despite its attempt at a soft nding, descended with an earth-shaking noise that reverberated through the square. The very ground quivered beneath the weight of its arrival, and the cmor of the crowd reached a crescendo, a chorus of terror and disbelief.

  I stared at the majestic massive creature before me, dark as the night. It dorns sturdy twisted horns, and scales all over it's body like an exotic lizard.

  Armed soldiers were rushing into the square and I was casually approaching the dragon.

  "Eowyn?" I asked, standing before the majestic creature.

  "Your majesty," came a response, a feminine voice resonating with a potent blend of power and grace. I didn't recognize the voice but it is to be expected.

  "How fast can you get to Drakoria?"

  "I could get you there before sunrise" she said. "Faster if you would like."

  "Faster" I said, and she nodded her heavy head.

  She began to lie down on the ground for easy access. The people and the soldiers who had once been in panic now gathered around, in safe distance to spectate, their astonishment evident in low, murmured conversations. Talk about making an impression.

  "Let's go" I said and started making my way up the dragon. The dark scales, smooth and slippery, gave me little grip as I climbed upwards but I tried to keep it as graceful as I could as I made my way to the neck.

  The neck is massive and will make for an inconvenient seat, especially if we will be speeding really fast. Where am I even suppose to hold on to?

  "I believe it's best to sit closely together, with me in front," Vojnka suggested, joining me at the neck, while Mustapha also climbed up to join us.

  I didn't argue with her suggestion, just simply gestured for her to proceed. She is a wild girl who rides bears for fun. She's more qualified than I am. She also seemed pretty excited though she tries hard to hide it, but it's like a teenager who just got his first luxury sports car, it's tough to hide.

  She walked past me, coming to a stop very close to the dragon's head. She settled in, leaning down with her body pressed against the dragon, broad hands roaming over the beast's scales as if to gauge its texture and strength. After a moment, she sat up and met my gaze.

  "Your Majesty, I don't think it will be convenient to go at full speed," she advised, her voice carrying a note of caution.

  I thought about it. Ulric is moving a rge army, no matter how close he is he will not make it to the capital before sunrise. At best we will both arrive at sunrise.

  "That's fine" I said, and she went back down.

  "Is this okay?" she asked Eowyn, grabbing, I think, under her massive scales.

  "Yes," Eowyn replied, and Vojnka looked up and gave me a nod. I walked up and sat behind her, my body pressing tight against her as I wrapped my arms around her solid muscle toned abs, and Mustapha behind me. I was completely secured but I didn't feel comfortable.

  Slowly but steady Eowyn stood up to the excitements of the people gathered, and on one heavy fp of her wings she sent us to the skies.