The broken wind swept in through the window like torn silk, letting out a piercing howl.
The gale carried a trace of cold with it, making the atmosphere inside the room grow heavy.
The Ancient Dragons had been discussing something intensely, but the moment that wild wind barged in, they all fell silent.
In that eerie stillness, their thoughts drifted, almost in unison, back to that day many years ago.
It had been a bloody, cruel day. A fawning Flying Dragon had torn off the head of the Ancient Dragonlord.
That once-proud head had rolled through the blood.
And in that instant, the Flying Dragon that should have been timid erupted into the depths of madness.
"Then why did you suddenly agree to let His Majesty Nolan see His Majesty Placidusax?"
Florissax's voice broke the silence, her gaze fixed on Josdasax.
"Because he defeated me but did not kill me," Josdasax said. "If he meant harm to our people, he could have killed us all and still gone to find His Majesty."
Florissax nodded and said softly, "I told you before that His Majesty Nolan is a good man. The Dread Dragon dying by His Majesty's hand is proof of that."
Josdasax sighed and said with emotion, "Now I'm starting to believe it. Perhaps, as you said, he really is a merciful Lord." His gaze was somewhat dazed.
"What do you plan to do next?" Florissax asked, and her question brought Josdasax back to himself.
"I will go seek His Majesty's instructions," Josdasax said solemnly, his voice echoing through the vast hall.
Then he paused briefly before continuing.
"Also, because we offended our honored guest, I have an Ancient Dragonrock Smithing Stone here. Consider it a small token of compensation. I hope His Excellency will accept it."
The moment he finished speaking, the surrounding Ancient Dragons chimed in one after another.
"As do I."
"I have a Smithing Stone too."
"Same here."
"..."
Although Ancient Dragons were proud, they revered the strong even more, and they were willing to give the strong enough respect.
Josdasax noticed that one Ancient Dragon looked embarrassed and had not spoken, so he said, "Evelyn, I'll cover your share."
...
Nolan stared at the five Ancient Dragonrock Smithing Stones Florissax handed him, and for a moment, he did not know what to say.
Instead of flying into a rage out of embarrassment, they had come bearing gifts. These Ancient Dragons were rather interesting.
"Well, since that's the case, I won't stand on ceremony." Nolan's lips curved into a faint smile as he spoke to Florissax.
Seeing this, Florissax finally felt the weight in her heart settle.
She had originally worried that Nolan would refuse the gift, or that he might hold a grudge against the Ancient Dragons. Now it seemed things were much better than she had imagined.
"Thank you for your understanding. Barring any accidents, your meeting with His Majesty should take place within the next few days. I hope you can remain calm and wait patiently."
Florissax bowed slightly, her tone sincere.
"A few days... That's perfect!" Nolan thought for a moment, then clapped his hands and asked, "Is Maliketh, the Beast of the Golden Order Dynasty, here with you?"
"Uh... Where did you hear that?" Florissax froze, and her expression instantly turned somewhat ugly.
Seeing this, Nolan could not help muttering inwardly.
He had only asked casually. He had not expected Florissax to react so strongly.
"Just something I heard." Nolan waved a hand.
Florissax let out a deep sigh. A helpless, bitter smile appeared on her face as she slowly said, "Lord Maliketh is indeed in Farum Azula, and he is inside the temple where we once held our rites."
"It is said that the Shadow-bound Beast came to this land beyond the world, far from the Lands Between, to guard something."
"Maliketh came from the Golden Order Dynasty and secluded himself here. He is immensely powerful, and His Majesty Placidusax is in no condition to fight, so even though we are displeased with him, there is nothing we can do."
"Fortunately, he does not seem to have come here for the Ancient Dragons. He is not interested in dragon-slaying feats or Farum Azula either. Over the years, we have lived here side by side without interfering with one another."
Nolan had originally thought Maliketh had some connection to the Ancient Dragons, but it turned out he had simply taken over their territory. No wonder Florissax's face looked so bad.
"So if Maliketh and I fight, the Ancient Dragons won't help him?" Nolan said thoughtfully. "That's good. After all, I'm used to either killing my enemies or completely conquering them."
"You intend to challenge 'Black Blade' Maliketh?" Florissax froze, thinking she must have heard wrong.
"It's not a challenge..." Nolan said.
Florissax let out a breath of relief.
"I'm going to kill him."
Nolan said it calmly, casually picking up an Ancient Dragonrock Smithing Stone and playing with it in his hand.
"Does Your Majesty know who Maliketh is?" Florissax asked blankly.
"I do." Nolan nodded.
Florissax said, "He is the Shadow-bound Beast of the Gods."
"He is Marika's sworn brother."
"He is the pitch-black sword that hunts the gods."
"I know," Nolan said. "That's exactly why I'm going to kill him."
"Maliketh has never taken part in the Golden Order Dynasty's conflicts. Even in the struggle for the throne, he is not your enemy. Why invite such trouble upon yourself?" Florissax asked.
"I'm not the one provoking him. He's the one provoking me," Nolan said. "Do you remember the Siege of Stormveil Castle? The Beast Clergyman Gurranq was his avatar."
"You said he came to Farum Azula to guard something, didn't you? I can tell you what he is guarding. Death."
"His mission is to seal Death. For the sake of that mission, he will definitely try to kill me. I don't plan to wait until he comes knocking, so I intend to strike first."
Nolan spread his hands. He respected and admired people who gave everything for their mission.
But respect was respect, admiration was admiration. If someone had to be killed, he would still kill them.
Since it was either you kill me or I kill you, then of course it was better for me to kill you.
It was that simple. Everyone was fighting hard to live.
"Are you worried he will set his sights on your Death?" Florissax asked.
"It's not worry. He already has." Nolan spread his hands. "Barring any accidents, the moment he learns that I have come to this city, he will take action."
Florissax shook her head again and again, objecting, "That is absolutely impossible. The Ancient Dragons have no reason to reveal your whereabouts to Maliketh."
Nolan pointed outside the door and said slowly, "What about them?"
He had seen them when he came in. Outside stood a crowd of hairy, gaunt creatures, half-beast and half-human.
These Beastmen had large heads and small bodies, fierce faces, and a wild air about them. They were the servants of the Ancient Dragons and had served them for thousands of years.
But Maliketh was a beast too. Who knew whether these beasts might be drawn to one another?
In truth, Nolan was not saying the Beastmen had betrayed the Ancient Dragons.
It was just that Ancient Dragons were few in number and easy to manage.
The Beastmen, on the other hand, were numerous and did not look especially clever. At a glance, they seemed easy to fool.
Nolan did not believe Maliketh would stay hidden in the Ancient Dragons' temple forever, paying no attention to the outside world.
He would surely find a way to learn what was happening on the Ancient Dragons' side, and these Beastmen might very well be his opening.