CHAPTER 20 —
The sphere in Haruto's hand pulsed softly, breathing with an eerie glow that painted faint waves of silver across everyone's faces. The gentle thrum of its magic reverberated through the air as if a heart was beating inside it. Airi, Lunara, Lyria, Frost, and every spirit gathered around watched in total silence. Aetheria's plaza, usually filled with gentle warmth, felt strangely cold.
The sphere brightened.
A thin veil of light escaped its surface and unfurled like a blooming lotus, rising into the air. The petals of light stretched outward and formed a circular frame.
A hologram flickered to life.
The four Emperors appeared.
Emperor Althares, Emperor Cassian, Empress Isolde, and Emperor Kuroz stood in a single line. Their recorded images captured expressions that wavered between fear and something resembling humility. Their robes were ceremonial, their posture stiff, but the weight behind their eyes exposed the truth.
They were terrified.
The silence lasted three breaths.
Then Althares stepped forward, pressing his fist to his chest.
"Eternal Princess Airi. Prince of Death Haruto."
His voice echoed with a weight that made even the spirits tremble.
"We humbly extend our apologies. We have been informed that the summoned heroes of the human realms intruded upon your lands and initiated hostilities without our sanction. They attacked your home without our consent. They acted out of arrogance. They acted recklessly. And above all, they acted wrongfully."
Cassian stepped forward next, lowering his head.
"We beg your forgiveness. We understand the insult delivered to Aetheria. For the offense caused, and the danger brought upon your people, we bow our heads."
Isolde placed a hand over her heart.
"We desire no conflict. We wish for peace. Coexistence. And harmony. We acknowledge the rising kingdom within the Great Forest. We acknowledge Aetheria."
Then Kuroz spoke.
His voice carried sincerity but also the unmistakable tremor of political fear.
"We propose diplomatic relations between our nations. The Great Forest has long been a land untouched by kingdoms. Yet now, a new nation stands. Unified. Powerful. Aetheria."
He inhaled slowly.
"We wish to recognize you formally."
Althares lifted his gaze.
"If you are willing, we hope to open the gates of diplomacy. To begin trade, communication, peace, and coexistence."
The final flicker of light dimmed.
The hologram faded.
The sphere in Haruto's hand went dark.
For several seconds, Aetheria remained frozen in a vacuum of silence.
Then—
"Tch."
Lunara clicked her tongue loudly.
"So they think we are fools."
Her tail flicked with irritation, the crimson of her eyes glowing faintly.
Lyria folded her arms, wings twitching with visible distaste.
"They actually believe we don't know who orchestrated all this? Ridiculous. Their intentions are practically written across the sky."
Frost's mane bristled. His voice came out as a low growl.
"It is insulting. They trained the heroes. They gave them weapons. They sent them into the forest. Now they pretend ignorance and claim innocence."
Haruto exhaled slowly.
"They fear our strength. That's all. If Aetheria was weak, they wouldn't apologize. They would invade."
Airi took a breath and stepped forward.
"Umm… everyone."
Her voice was soft, hesitant, but steady.
"We should think about this carefully."
They all turned to her.
She clasped her hands together nervously.
"I know they might be lying. I know they may be using this to manipulate us. But… this is still a really good chance."
She looked between Lunara, Frost, Lyria, and then finally Haruto.
"Not all humans are the same. And if Aetheria becomes an official kingdom, then people won't fear us anymore. They won't declare us enemies whenever they want. They'll think before attacking."
Haruto frowned.
"Airi… you aren't understanding—"
"I am understanding it, Onii chan."
Her voice carried a quiet firmness that made Haruto pause.
"If we stay alone forever, the world will only see us as monsters hiding in a dangerous forest. But if we step outside, if we let them recognize us, then we can control the story. We can choose how the world sees us."
Lunara tapped her chin.
"Airi has a point. Recognition shifts power dynamics. If we are acknowledged, then other nations can't move carelessly."
Frost sighed, tilting his massive head.
"She is right. We should consider it."
Airi tugged Haruto's sleeve.
"Please… Onii chan."
The silence stretched.
Haruto finally closed his eyes and whispered:
"…Fine."
Airi's face brightened instantly.
Haruto pointed at Lunara.
"Prepare a dragon knight. Send a message with him. Aetheria's rulers will visit the Dominion Empire tomorrow."
Lunara blinked.
"A dragon knight? Won't that terrify them?"
Frost snorted.
"That is exactly why he chose that."
Haruto crossed his arms.
"If we are going to introduce Aetheria to the world, then we start with a message. Our message is strength. People who fear us won't dare lie to us."
Lyria smiled softly.
"You really enjoy this, don't you?"
Haruto didn't deny it.
Lunara lifted her hand, summoning a blazing magic circle behind her.
"Very well. I'll send someone… fitting."
The air trembled.
The ground vibrated.
A roar of flame erupted.
A hulking figure stepped out of the circle.
Aizen.
Fire Dragon of the Scorching Sky.
He bowed with unshakable reverence.
"My Queen. I await your orders."
"Deliver a message to the Dominion Empire," Lunara commanded. "Tell them the Eternal Princess and Prince of Death accept their invitation. They will visit tomorrow."
Aizen grinned, flames flickering along his teeth.
"As you command."
His body expanded in a burst of heat.
Scales erupted across his skin.
Wings of fire unfurled with explosive force.
Airi gasped as a shockwave rushed past.
Aizen roared and launched himself skyward, slicing through the clouds like a burning comet. The entire Great Forest trembled as he streaked toward the horizon.
Haruto stared after him.
A slow smile crept onto his lips.
Airi blinked.
"Onii chan… that smile is creepy."
Haruto blinked back.
"I'm just smiling…"
"You look creepy!"
"But why?"
"Onii chan looks creepy!"
Lunara burst into laughter.
Lyria hid her smile behind her hand.
Frost barked with amusement.
Haruto deflated.
"I can't even smile properly…"
Airi puffed her cheeks.
"That was a creepy one. Don't smile like that."
"…Okay."
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Dominion Empire.
The capital city roared in panic.
"The sky is burning!"
"Fire dragon! A fire dragon is approaching!"
"Activate the barrier! Hurry!"
People fled through the streets, shielding their heads as a scorching trail of flame tore across the sky. Aizen descended like a meteor, burning through clouds, wings spread wide enough to cover the palace courtyard in shadows.
Inside the imperial castle, the emperors sprang to their feet when the alarms rang.
"What happened? Why is the sky red?!"
"Something's approaching—no, someone!"
A knight stumbled in, nearly collapsing.
"A fire dragon! One from the Great Forest! He is coming directly toward the palace!!"
Every emperor froze.
"No… it can't be…"
Before they could react, the windows shattered from the pressure wave of Aizen's arrival.
The courtyard shook.
Flames erupted outward in spirals.
Aizen descended in his full dragon form, then shifted midair and landed in his humanoid form. His fiery wings dissolved, leaving embers floating around him.
Knights surrounded him instantly, blades trembling.
Aizen didn't draw a weapon. He simply bowed.
"I am Aizen. Fire Dragon of the Great Forest. Personal knight of the Dragon Queen Lunara."
The emperors swallowed.
Aizen raised his head.
"I bring a message from Aetheria."
The word sent a ripple through the knights.
"Aetheria…?"
"There really is a kingdom?"
"I thought that was a rumor…"
Aizen's voice boomed across the courtyard.
"The Eternal Princess Airi and Prince of Death Haruto accept your invitation. They will arrive tomorrow."
The emperors jolted.
"TOMORROW?!"
Aizen continued.
"And they trust you will not attempt treachery. They trust you fully understand the cost of doing so."
That part was… an Aizen addition.
The emperors turned pale.
Knights murmured.
"They have dragons?"
"The Dragon Queen serves them?"
"What kind of monsters are they?"
Aizen spread his wings again.
Cracks of flame burst from the ground.
"I take your silence as agreement."
With a thunderous roar, he shot into the air, leaving a swirling trail of fire behind him. The heat forced the emperors to shield their faces.
When he vanished, the courtyard fell silent.
The emperors collapsed into their chairs.
"This is a catastrophe…"
"They command dragons…"
"They are far more dangerous than we believed…"
"We must prepare everything… everything must be perfect…"
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Aetheria.
Aizen landed in the plaza, flames gently dissipating around him.
Haruto, Airi, Lunara, Lyria, Frost, and the spirits awaited him.
Aizen bowed.
"Message delivered."
Lunara nodded.
"Well done."
Airi bounced slightly.
"Aizen, Aizen, what happened there?"
Aizen smirked.
"Chaos. Pure chaos. They nearly fainted."
Haruto chuckled.
"Good. A strong entrance makes people honest."
Airi tugged his sleeve again.
"Onii chan… creepy smile."
Haruto blinked.
"I didn't even smile."
"You were about to. I saw it."
Frost boomed with laughter.
"The Prince of Death is not allowed to enjoy intimidation. Noted."
Haruto sighed.
"I'll stop."
Airi shook her head rapidly.
"No no! Onii chan can smile! Just… not that creepy scary one."
"…Alright."
She beamed proudly.
"Good!"
Lyria giggled softly as spirits swirled around them like glittering snowflakes.
Aizen crossed his arms.
"They are preparing everything for your arrival. They fear you. Deeply."
Haruto looked around at his family.
Airi's bright eyes.
Lunara's proud smirk.
Lyria's gentle smile.
Frost's imposing presence.
Aizen's fiery posture.
Aetheria wasn't just a nation.
It was unity.
It was home.
Airi squeezed Haruto's hand.
"Onii chan… tomorrow will be big."
Haruto nodded.
"Yes. Everything changes tomorrow."
"But we'll face it together. Right?"
He squeezed her hand.
"Always."
The spirits shimmered as a soft breeze danced through the plaza. The sun dipped low, painting Aetheria in gold.
Haruto took a breath.
"It's going to be entertaining."
Airi lightly punched his arm.
"Oniiiiii chan!"
Their laughter echoed across the Great Forest.
The warmth of dusk wrapped around them.
And in that moment, Aetheria felt more alive than ever.
Tomorrow… the world would tremble again.
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End of Chapter 20.