Seeing this, Tasianna’s brows curved as she awkwardly smiled at the sight. “Yet, it still cannot compete with yours.”
“Oh, shed scales on the side—Look! At yourself and how you’ve grown. Those eyes of yours are different from when I last saw you, and simply because an up-and-coming demi-goddess like you cannot compete with the strongest ice dragon in the world, does not mean that your ice cannot kill a volcano. This is now your power to grow,” Mom explained. “We’ve much to do once we have the time. I look forward to seeing you reach your true potential like the Ice Ele—former Ice Elemental King, young ruler of the ice elementals.”
“It would be an honor still to be in your care, my empress.” Tasianna froze the skin on her left hand until the ice turned scale-shaped, picking it up to hand it over to Mom with a bowed head.
“Haha, to show your fealty when you don’t have to. No, you are my daughter’s retainer. Even if you become similar to the elemental emperors one day, you only need to show allegiance to my daughter. That alone is enough for me to accept you as a member of Clan Nordor. You will always have a home with us, my dear.”
Tasianna splintered the ice scale, shaking off the snow dust as she raised her head. “You have my eternal gratitude, your majesty.”
The aftermath of the Water and Wind Elemental Emperor raid battle was… interesting to say the least. Mom’s arrival preceded the return of a good number of elder scales, although all who came back were the ones heavily injured during their clash with the leviathans. Who were all pretty much the younger elder scales, so the ones younger than a thousand years old or around it.
The reason was simple: Mom would rescue me from my predicament, and I would do my clerical duties for her, so she didn’t have to go beg the holy dragons for healing. However, for the first time, she was the one who was too late.
She already told me that she had to intervene in the ice dragon-leviathan battle under the orders of Eltharion. Although she knew about the WWEE from our wyvern messengers, she could only come now as she had just finished the diplomatic meeting with the begrieved leviathans, who had lost a few of their older members due to the ice dragon’s ambush. It seemed Uncle Karydrinos’s wrath, caused by the destruction of our nearby ocean environment, caused him to turn into a bit of a… Mom said he and his clan overdid it, and then I remembered there was no Geneva Convention between dragons and, definitely, not with the leviathans.
It certainly wasn’t kind of me to feel a bit of schadenfreude when I heard this news, but the ice dragons took barely any casualties due to Clan Liandsee’s actions, while the leviathans were reminded not to fuck around with our home. “Dragons rule the skies, drakes lord over the lands, and the leviathans dominate the oceans,” a statement that should be remembered.
Regardless of which of the three you were… Although if you thought about it, that statement completely omitted the adamantoises. Those guys were also true dragonkin, so maybe they were included with the leviathans in this quote?
In any case, the rest of the army would return eventually. The dragonewts and wyverns who participated in the fighting had already returned to Iceskale to sort the injured and dead. Yeah, when I said the army didn’t experience “any casualties,” I meant the true dragonkin. Even to Mom, as long as no true dragonkin or member of our clan died, then in her book everything went well, even if the lesser dragonkin and dragonewts from other clans had died.
I guess this was another aspect I had to get used to while on Kargryx. I haven’t been exposed to the military side of the Dragon Empire until now. Even if I didn’t like it, it was a necessity.
“Little scamp,” Nong called in his deep draconic voice, pulling my attention back to him. My hands had momentarily stopped as I was regrowing one of his lost wings.
“Sorry about that. You good?” I asked as I stared at his dragon head, unable to really see his emotions due to the lack of facial movements.
“‘You good?’ Ha, I’m asking you, healer. Instead of worrying so much about your friend, how about you start helping out your savior?” Nong joked, although it only made me feel more uncomfortable. To stop him from worrying, I faked a laugh as I continued the surgery. “Don’t be nervous.”
Sadly, Bro saw right through me.
“The culture of power. Don’t forget,” he said. “Martial feats and scars are sought after by dragonkin, and being able to survive devastating battles elevates our status, both in our social group but also for courting. We were lucky Fehrkatruk is a capable commander and is old enough to command the needed respect, even if he is a fire dragon. As you wanted, Clan Kleodrastia has just gained an incredible amount of respect and authority amongst the younger dragons, and that will be shared with the elder scales. Depending on how his mother fought, their clan might just have solved the majority of their issues to assimilate themselves into Iceskale.”
“Sheesh, you really had to go all ‘gain and risk’ on me. I’m not worried about that, but I guess it doesn’t hurt to know it. I just… people died.”
“Little scamp, you are the figurehead of an alliance meant to go to war with an empire. Everybody who participated in this battle understood the dangers, especially those dwarves you brought into the mix. The deceased will gain their respect, even if we true dragonkin won’t be the ones to show it,” Nong said, causing me to groan as I placed more strength into my hands. “The casualties are truly low.”
“Fully agree on that.” I turned around to see Vifi handing me some potions to top my mana up. “You need to harden your heart more, Donut. Not to be condescending, but as the leader of an operation, you did fantastically. Whether my opinion matters when I failed every single offshore mission as a Warbringer is a different matter. Be a bit more proud, even if you have to mourn. Mourn for your enemies, mourn for your allies, mourn for your family; ‘the blood lilies do not care with which red you splatter them with.’”
“That is a good saying. Is it Bole’Tarian?” Nong asked.
“More amongst us wrathies. It’s about shedding blood for the sake of your home to allow it to grow and, for us wrathies, to grow in reputation for you to be treated properly.”
“Ah, I get what the lilies represent. Poetic. A fine line to shout more often, demonkin. I don’t think anybody would mind it as much.”
“Maybe so, Prince. But it’s better to leave some things in the past.” Vifi sighed.
Those two are really getting along. Haaa. Both of them are too pragmatic for me, right now.
‘They’re speaking the truth, sadly,’ Hikari, surprisingly, supported those two. ‘I feel the pain in your heart, as well, Hestia. I would like you to steel yourself a bit more, so we don’t feel so down when everybody else is so happy.’
After I was done with Nong’s healing, I turned around to see the survivors all cheer with roars and throat singing, livening up the destroyed tundra after all the mana spilled into the lands. I could see dragoons and dragonewt mages planting fulinoe plants to drain the excess mana, although see how much mana was around, it was reported that we would have to expect from monster hunting in the next few days. Rank As will spawn, without a doubt, from here to the glaciers.
But feeling some of that pain keeps me sane and allows me to face the truth. It keeps me as myself.
‘No, no, I agree with that. If we can avoid such battles, it would be for the best, but if it has to happen, then we have to do our best, like in this one. You need to steel your heart when it happens. We can’t protect everybody. We can just make it more likely for everybody to survive as a leader. As an imperial.’
If you say it like that, then I can agree with that. No matter how good a ‘hero’ I become, it doesn’t change the fact that I can’t split into two people to save the one on the left and right, like with Rajah and Akasht. I have to choose one if I want one of them to survive.
Hikari really grew a knife tongue after all I did to give her some more confidence. Hurts like hell, but the truth pill wouldn’t be so important to take if I didn’t embrace it more. She was right. Everybody else was right. My heart did feel soft when it came to my allies’ deaths, which was debilitating for a leader.
Yet, that was simply how I was. The line between an actual dragon tyrant and one who merely adopted the “tyrant” title due to her family’s lineage was a difference between walking over that line that I had set for myself since the beginning. A heart that bled for her allies’ and fans’ sadness was what an idol and hero should feel.
To show respect for life, one should fight for it. To show respect to death, one should fear it. At least, that was what I had come to understand from how my sloth and gluttony worked.
“Don’t fly for a while. The wing’s muscles need some time to adjust themselves, so do some light cardio every morning and evening,” I told Nong as I gave him a thumbs up and a pat on the back.
“Yes, yes… I’ll enjoy Iceskale’s hospitality until then. Haa, that elemental just had to freeze and destroy my damn wing.” Nong then scratched on his regrown horn, acting like scars had been left behind on his body after I was done healing him. “Your healing really is the best in the Empire, Little Scamp. Feel completely new. Even the frostbite that nearly made me lose a few organs feels like it never happened. Don’t let me stop you for the others.”
I nodded and accepted his praise as I walked away from him with Vifi accompanying me as my bodyguard. The other dragonewt healers and alchemists were also helping out, just like they did in the previous war camp, but they were leaving all the major injuries to me now while they handled the less serious tasks.
While I was walking over to my next patient, I noticed a bit of a commotion to the side. Well, a more interesting commotion considering how noisy it already was. Instead of singing and feasting, two groups of dragons were talking to each other. One side had scales of red, while the other was white-blue, like aquamarine.
“I said you could rely on me, but—”
“Argh, enough, little brother…” Sieg, who had returned with Mom, was sighing as he grimaced at his bowing brother, Rhekk. The older dragon was injured with cracked scales and bone spikes, but looked more worried about his younger brother. “I heard the report from Fehrkatruk and… You performed as befitted your station as a Dragon Ruler’s son, Rhekkraxus.”
“It just wasn’t enough…” Rhekk tried to argue, making me sigh as it seemed like my speech to him hadn’t helped him break out of his shell. He was being a bit more assertive with his older brother, but I could still see that he was still idolizing him far too much.
“Whether it was enough or not is not yours to conclude. It is the decision of Princess Hestia—whom you listened to and obeyed for the completion of her plan—Fehrkatruk, who led the battle, and Father and Mother,” Sieg argued. “The loss of our barrier is an unfortunate outcome to all of this, and with how the elemental was destroyed, hoping to recover any of Grandfather’s mana is futile now. Too spread out. It’s in the fairy, the land, the evaporation, and probably in the dry, cold air we are breathing. We will survive through the loss of our barrier somehow.”
“At least I am glad to hear you are accepting of these results, Lord Siegragxus,” Fehrkatruk interjected from the side, having patiently listened to Sieg’s discussion with Rhekk all this time with his own younger brother, Kyluvanus. “Though the barrier’s destruction means more than a simple economic change. Dragons from the mainland can freely enter the isolated island now with impunity if they wish, and this isn’t even to mention the merfolk.”
“If those leviathans are to be trusted, we won’t have to worry about them any further with Empress Melloxtressa’s intervention and Emperor Eltharion’s reminder that he is the mightiest mortal alive. Ha, but we both know they will show no end to this with their support through Princess Wendriosa. It will only get worse,” Sieg growled, causing the clan members around him to roar in agreement. “At least against any interlopers from Inferno Nest, we now have you, Scale-friend.”
“‘Friend?’” Fehrkatruk chuckled in derision. “I did not expect to hear that, Lord Siegragxus. Our fathers had a tense relationship, and your own father already reopened the wound for all to know with our feud against Clan Namilaar. Their members only listened to me through Her Highness’s orders, but it won’t happen again. Definitely not once their matriarch returns.”
“Clan Kleodrastia’s relationship with Clan Namilaar is yours to deal with. Clan Thalaxarus and Ievfuchsdra must watch over it as it’s our duty as your lords, but that doesn’t mean I can’t put aside my past grievances against you for the sake of your results. An elder dragon who knows how to command and lead younger dragonkin is a valuable commendation.”
“Ahh, so that is what ‘friend’ means. If that is the case, then I can accept such a respectable title, my lord. Clan Kleodrastia will prove themselves even more valuable in the future, to the point you will have to be more than just our ‘friends.’”
“I would relish that day, Fehrkatruk! One day, we will have to take over as the patriarchs of our respective clans, and when that day comes, I hope you show the same amount of confidence then. I will surely reward you by introducing you to a mighty mate.”
“… Must you truly taunt me on this fact. My patience has its limits, my lord, and I expect you to keep your distance from my private matters.”
… This over 800-year-old is still single? How? Isn’t courting amongst dragonkin all about beating each other up to find a strong husband or wife? Fehr… I stood still for a moment, trying to understand how the hell this was even possible for an heir apparent not to have a partner. I mean, I haven’t met Sieg’s wife yet, but I know he had one, even if it wasn’t important enough to talk about it. Privacy was important.
“… You should thank my brother later on.” As I shook off my daze, I saw Kyluvanus walk up to Rhekk, nudging him a bit with his wing.
“You oughta talk more respectfully to your elder scales, skink…” Rhekk replied, but it didn’t sound too malicious, unlike his previous hatred for fire dragonkin. It felt more like an adult having had enough of an adolescent.
Ignoring them, I continued on my way until I reached the wyvern and dragoon section of this field infirmary. Outside of Nong and a few elder scales, I healed up before him; the rest of the injured on their side only required the attention of the healers, so I turned to the more heavily wounded. This also included a few dwarves, although keeping their neurotic minds at rest so they wouldn’t run off to repair the damaged and destroyed mana cannons was a task not even a healer could perform for long.
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As such, I made sure to hasten my healing process, going through countless patients as the day passed. With every bell that passed, the night grew older until the morning red of the sun started casting its light on the horizon. Dawn had arrived, waking people up, causing the camp to become even rowdier as the injured had healed enough to celebrate with the rest. The dwarves were especially enthusiastic, with many of the engineers having smuggled their personal alcoholic drink of choice with their supply boxes.
“Haha, age doesn’t matter in this case, Regolustrus! I’m rank A now, so that is alllll that matters!”
And one of the few who decided it would be okay to drink some of the dwarven drinks, despite the fact that we dragonkin cannot handle our alcohol well, were my wyvern retainers.
“Ha, I still have seniority over you, Shayatierus! We have trained for years under Clan Kargryxmor’s wyverns and dragoons, so don’t underestimate us just because of your rank, whelpling!” Rego bellowed in laughter as he and Shay headbutted each other, only to fall onto their sides in chuckles.
“Maybe so, elder scale! But it does change everything! As a rank A, I will be entrusted with more difficult tasks for our lady until she reaches the age to evolve. As such, I will need somebody to keep watch over my sister. You should be able to do that, yes?”
“Oooh, what honor, head wyvern retainer! But you surely mustn’t have forgotten that you are Her Majesty, Empress Melloxtressa’s, retainer. You serve her, while we are under oath with Her Highness, Princess Hestia! You should worry more about your own mistress.”
“Nonsense! Her Majesty has no use for us weaklings. We may serve her better by protecting her heart and soul than her body, made of the hardest diamonds. As such, Bethlieranha and I shall do just that!” Shay patted Rego on the back as they grabbed two small bottles with their mouths and downed their drinks in one go.
… Happy to see them getting along, but did they have to do it like Saori and Grimnir? They’re drinking far too much.
Though I was a bit worried, I had no intention of stopping their merriment. It felt good to hear all of this, and it was for the better to raise everybody’s morale before I had to start acting as a princess again. Sure, feeling death surround me as I worked as a healer did feel bad, but…
“Thank you very much for your hard work, Princess Hestia!”
It did feel good when healing resulted in this.
Hiding the pain as I gave everybody a smile, I walked away with a slight limp as Hikari explained that my core was being regrown at a rapid speed. Meaning, the pain was like a growing cramp as my mana hardened up around my chest, rooting itself to my mana paths and blood vessels like a plant.
“You okay?” Vifi noticed.
I tightened my right hand into a fist, raising it up as I felt energy course through me with every breath. Solar energy graced my red scales, fueling me with enough energy that it felt like I would explode. I didn’t see any System message to tell me of any big changes in my skills, which meant the “change” from my fan milestone was a passive one, similar to how my core would grow stronger and tougher the more I allowed it to regrow, similar to how my scales became stronger.
“Just enjoying the morning. Come on. One last thing to do to really end this operation,” I said, causing Vifi to giggle.
“Lead on, General. Another victory under your belt, even if you had to rely on a more experienced war leader to do so,” Vifi joked, causing me to frown at how sassier she had become. “Though the mark of a good leader is the fact that they have an eye for competent people and are willing to let go of their pride to rely on them. You did well there, and you got an even more powerful companion in the process.”
I nodded as I looked at Tasianna waiting in the distance. Letting mana clouds escape my body, I turned back into my dragon form as I took to the sky, catching everybody’s attention like a red flag.
Amplifying my voice, I waited for Vifi to open up a [Room] portal before she started recording everything with a camera, streaming the footage to the people of Iceskale, as well.
I took in a deep breath… “Ice dragon flight! Ice drake wake! Wyverns and dragonewts of Iceskale! Witness the destruction of an elemental emperor. Witness the blood we have shed in Iceskale’s protection as our elder scale and empress fought for our protection against the leviathans who dared to destroy a part of our island’s identity. The old protected us from the external threats, while the young did their duty in keeping our home safe for the elders’ return. See for yourself our result. Have we done well?”
“Yes!” the armada roared, filling the air with a cacophony of martial cheers and joyous calls of pride.
“Witness our result, citizens of Iceskale, and our early returned elder scale! We might be young, but we can fight just as well!”
“Hear our princess’s words!”
I raised my hand to silence them as my core lit up, shining radiant ruby as I produced a miniature sun to float above me. I also let [Providence’s Will] out from my storage to allow them to float with me.
“Yet, do not betray the efforts of those who helped us,” I stated, causing the raucous crowd to grow serious. “Ankor-Nazta has upheld their alliance to me, and their people have bled for Iceskale. Their manatech weaponry has given our younger dragonkin the ability to punch through the elemental’s mastery of water, wind, and ice. They allowed the fledglings to participate in a battle you had no right to have joined as rank Cs and Bs. Be sure not to sully my honor and your own by dismissing their efforts. Raise your heads and tails, fellow dragonkin! Honor their sacrifice and efforts with roars that they will remember forever!”
“Kraaauuuuughhhh!” The dragonkin did as I ordered, letting their voice resound with the intent to mourn and commend the allies.
“We may have been enemies in the past, but Clan Kleodrastia has proven its valor to us. Today, do not look upon them and their sheen of red, but look at them with pride as fellow dragonkin who have shared the terror of the Water and Wind Elemental Emperor’s supreme might. Etch into your heart what true mana mastery looks like, and remember it as you train, my fellow young scales,” I said to the silent nodding of everybody around my generation. “With that, let us also not forget Clan Kargryxmor’s participation in this. As Dragon Princess of Iceskale and the youngest of Clan Kargryxmor, I lower my tail in your presence, Prince Nongramos. You have truly helped us survive a most disastrous attack.”
“Do I even need to hear the gratitude of my beloved youngest sister? Consider it a late birthday present. You being in Kargryx has warmed my fiery heart already, Princess Hestia!” Nong replied. “But, if you wish for me to speak, then I shall! Remember Iceskale! ‘Tis I, Nongramos Eluccierra Kargryxmor, who has helped you today! My speed is there to protect all on Kargryx, whether it be in the swamps of Marsh Nest or in the feather-freezing tundra of Iceskale! Clan Kargryxmor will protect all under their wings, and this oath I swear with my Father’s name and Princess Hestia’s pride.”
This fucking peacock… I stared in agony as Nong started posing as if he wanted to steal everybody’s attention. Even the way he promoted himself oozed so much unneeded confidence that I wished I hadn’t said anything. He deserved some praise, but this was too much, and my fellow Frozen Nest dragonkin couldn’t help but agree with their annoyance for his flamboyancy.
I skipped over him.
Flapping my wings in the air, the sound turned everybody’s ears away from my brother and back to me.
“Finally, for the last commendation…” I paused, causing quite a few dragonkin to tense up.
Many of them were members of the nine high clans of Iceskale, whether they be a young true dragonkin or an older dragonewt and wyvern who wished to honor their clan with this martial achievement. I knew Rhekk was one of the few who wanted to hear me praise him. However, even if it went against customs, there was one group that deserved our fullest attention more.
And to fully drive that home, I activated my core.
Hikari, time to switch.
A Kargryxmor dragon had spoken her piece. Now, let a Nordor dragon speak the rest. [Fire Ice Fusion Core] should be revealed to all, including the person who wished to see it the most.
The heat inside me subsided as the energy within my core absorbed it all, stealing not only the crimson color in my scales but also my ability to produce those very flames I was so proud of. Yet, I didn’t feel weakened. As my breath turned colder than the chill of a walk-in freezer, so did my scales as they shone a metallic silver—the mark of the silver dragon clan of the Nordoramsul bloodline.
“Silver…” I heard Mom say. I did not know what face she was making, but I could ask her about it later, as I was more invested in the look of surprise and jubilation of the dragonkin below.
Blow them away, Hikari! I said now that Hikari had taken over our body. To use [Fire Ice Fusion Core], it was mandatory for me to switch with Hikari just as the description mentioned. This was non-negotiable, as Kramps said.
“Most of you must know that I am an [Otherworldly Reincarnator]. If you haven’t, then let all know it now. I have lived two lives—one on Earth as a normal human girl, and now as the daughter of the Emperor and Sixth Empress of Kargryx. You all know me by my Peolyncian name of Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor, a name given to me by my best friend, the first person I’ve met after I revived. However, I would like to introduce you to my second name—the first that this soul had known—Hikari Schartner,” Hikari said aloud for all to know. This secret did not need to stay hidden from my citizens, even if it made me more vulnerable. “The Crimson Dragon, Hestia, and the Silver Dragon, Hikari. The name I had chosen as I evolved, and the name tied to my soul when I was reborn. Those are our names.”
Yet, not everybody needed to know that two souls inhabited this body. Hikari was me, and Hestia was her. Whichever name strangers used did not matter to us.
“As such, I speak to all of you not only as a member of Kargryxmor, but also of Clan Nordor—as Empress Melloxtressa’s daughter. Regardless of whether I am a reincarnator or not, know from my actions that I am your princess and protector. Small and young as I am, whether it be with fire or ice, your enemies are my enemies. Your friends are mine as well.”
“Hestia or Hikari; your scales and might are all you need for proof as a daughter of Frozen Nest!” Sieg answered to my declaration in place of the elder scales. “It does not matter how you call yourself; we judge you by your actions, young scale. Frozen Nest needed an heir who is strong and willing to show that might not be through words but through her claws and fangs!”
“Raise your head and tail!” the armada cried out in response. “Our princess does not bow to anybody! Not even to the emperor!”
Oi! What the fuck are you guys talking about? Hikari, stop them now!
“As such, listen well, as this last commendation shall make it clear who I truly am!” Hikari shouted, silencing the cries of support. We had to make it clear where we stood. “Honor not only the living, but also the dead. The dragonewts and wyverns who died in this battle should not be forgotten!”
As expected, the silence produced by those words felt like cutting blades. To the army of true dragonkin, hearing that I wasn’t just honoring the dragoons and dragonewts, but their dead as well, might as well seem like I was disrespecting the true dragonkin. Even if my first words praised them, I included all of them, not just a singular clan. I was sure quite a few were waiting for me to commend Clan Thalaxarus like I did Clan Kleodrastia, especially after their ancestor’s remains were desecrated.
“Whether you are true or lesser dragonkin, your life matters to me just as much. Whether you are a pauper or a bragging young heir, I am still your princess. My mercy and empathy are shared with you, but that means my wrath and claws will loom over you when you misbehave. I will value and respect you, for that is who I am. A dragon princess with the heart of a human. Does this illustrate my situation to all of you?” Hikari asked, and since silence was all that followed, I continued. “My dream is to become an idol—a musician and dancer who can enrapture everybody’s heart and make them smile even on the worst days. I have not given up on this dream, and I shall not, even if it goes against the culture of power amongst us dragonkin. Most of you wish for me to step up and become the heir apparent, but know this: I will not. For I will not fight my newly gained family nor send my new home into the chaos of a civil war. I do not share your hatred for the fire dragonkin, created through generations of hurt. What I share, as I said, are Frozen Nest’s current enemies and allies. Yet, I am not one to revel in their agony, even if you cheer for my actions.”
‘I hate how you cheered for me after I returned from Inferno Nest,’ was what she said. Whether it was clear to everybody was a different matter.
“Which is why I am giving the last honors to the dead, even if they are only dragoons and wyverns. We did not lose any true dragonkin, and my clan did not lose a single member in this conflict, but I cannot let the two wings of our military grieve by themselves. I shall as well, because my heart wishes to see them as happy as we true dragonkin,” Hikari continued, finally catching some positive reactions from the dragoons and wyverns nodding to us. “Yet, this sorrow shouldn’t go only to them. Five true dragonkin who had wandered into the glacier had died. Their names…”—I gave myself a moment to remember them—“Hannathala, Thalaksamar, Steilyakmar, Ruudrunik, and Yothmlak. They were hunted down by a dragonslayer mandragonga who had grown too strong and had inherited the hatred of the monsters we hunt for our experience. Their body remain in the glaciers, still decomposing. I wish for their bodies to be retrieved and to be returned to their families, or at least have them be remembered.”
My heart did not mourn the dragons as much as I never knew them, but I knew somebody would grieve for them, just like Rhekk did for Hannathala. Even if Yothmlak was the reason for all this suffering due to his one moment of weakness to gain the power needed to revive his clan, forgetting him felt too cruel. His crimes should be known.
However, not here, when this moment was supposed to be dedicated to the dead.
So I pulled out my piano as I transformed back into a dragonewt.
Relaxing my fingers, Hikari started playing a small melody to express this show of respect.
[“Please, even if just for a moment. Let us grant the dead a silent nod of respect. The ones who died to protect our home, and the ones who died before we could help them. Even if the weak deserve to die for the strong to thrive, I do not condone such a mindset. As long as you fight under me, I shall care for each of you because this is how I am.”]
I did not sing even if I wanted to speak. I did not make the song fancy, even if it deserved the flair. A dirge only needed to remind people of the deceased and that life was precious but fleeting. Not to mention, I did not want to take too much of their time.
Once I was done, I slowly descended from the sky. “I thank all of you who fought with me today. I thank everybody who endured my plan despite my wish to save a friend. To some, I might sound like a hypocrite for putting the life of one of my retainers over several of my people, and for that, I apologize. Even though I—”
“Raise your head and tail!”
I flinched as the dragonkin roared in unison.
Fehrkatruk stepped forward, staring up at me with undaunted eyes. “Our princess should not bow her head when she does what she wants as a true dragonkin. We were simply fighting to protect Iceskale, and I followed your plan, knowing this. As the one responsible for the battle, I am more to blame. Do not lower your tail for my sake, Princess Hestia!”
“Our injuries are ours to blame!” Estranor shouted in agreement, prompting all the dragoons and dragonewt mages to raise their weapons in the air in solidarity. “Our vow of dragoonhood forced us to protect Frozen Nest and its inhabitants. If we die, we die with no shame and regret. To serve in your honor, we feel nothing but pride!”
“For Princess Hestia!”
“For Princess Hestia!” the wyverns cheered, followed by the rest of the dragonkin as I landed on the ground.
Haaa… it seems I still don’t fully understand the culture of power. Even if I think of myself as a hypocrite, to the dragons, it probably just seemed normal to protect what I valued. A martial culture also means that dying to protect what you cherish is no shame, even if it means protecting what belongs to your neighbor and friend.
Yup, Hikari and I both underestimated the positive side of our culture.
“Good work, General.” Vifi approached me after I was done, although the constant draconic roars made it hard to properly hear them. “Though, considering you are silver, I guess it’s Hikari’s turn, right?”
“Right you are, Vifi.” Hikari smiled. “You aren’t sad that I didn’t mention you, at least? You did just as much as everybody else, and probably more.”
“Do you think I’m the sort of person who enjoys reveling in glory? Nah, ya give me my salary and food, and I’ll stay a happy little soldier in your palms, General,” Vifi giggled. “But, if you want my opinion, then you did the correct move. Our achievements are also yours, and as long as you reward your personal retainers later on, then all is good. Words are cheap, especially from a politician.”
“What? That’s a bit rude to call me a politician, no?”
“Yet, you are. Come, Hikari. I think somebody is doing their best to hold themselves back, so don’t leave them hanging for too long.”
True. I did my duty as a princess and spoke my mind and made sure everybody knew my stance towards the crown, and as such, it was time for me to enjoy being a daughter again.
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