The Golden Dragon's Divine Emergence
A massive dragon with brilliant golden scales revealed itself. I grinned widely at the sight of Drakan, who had grown even larger and more magnificent than in life.
"Drakan!"
Howard, standing beside me, was utterly overwhelmed by the dragon's immense presence.
"Has Drakan become a god?"
[Not quite yet, but close enough. Think of it as assisting Lord Juno.]
Now there were two gods in this world. And with Drakan, I could rest easy.
"Why is Drakan in Kutula's Great Labyrinth?"
[It's part of what Juno received as payment. I've become the core of this labyrinth. We use Kutula's power, but I control its deployment.]
So Drakan was the final boss of the Great Labyrinth? No competent party or expedition would ever reach the end—not with a dragon, let alone a god, guarding it. Juno drove a hard bargain; he could've been the god of commerce instead of lies and love.
"I heard Kutula moved here?"
[He's here too. But he'll need a long rest.]
A "long rest" by Drakan's standards? He'd claimed his life was nearly over, yet lasted 86 years. So had he sent Viscount Ktolari, not Kutula?
"Kutula has contractors, though."
[He'll continue his duties.]
Guess not. At least Viscount Ktolari was fine. Though his "duties" involved plenty of shady dealings by human standards.
"Uh, Germain... Is that really a dragon?"
Howard finally chimed in, having stayed silent until now.
"Yeah. Drakan, the world's only dragon. Now he's a god."
"Haa..."
Howard sighed without taking his eyes off Drakan, his gaze filled with complex emotions.
[Drakan.]
This time it was Bastet.
[Speak, Bastet.]
Drakan replied with utmost courtesy. Bastet truly was a formidable goddess. She'd probably followed us knowing Drakan was here.
[Are they coming?]
[Yes.]
What was this about? It felt critically important, but I shouldn't pry. They'd tell me if I needed to know.
[But we're prepared. He won't just stand by.]
[Indeed.]
I felt the cat on my shoulder trembling faintly. If even Bastet, presumed to be among the strongest gods, was shaken...
A heavy silence lingered.
[Record, Kutula mentioned showing you something someday.]
Wasn't Drakan it? Apparently there was more. Kutula was friendly toward me, but only when it benefited him. Not like he'd suddenly drag me to hell or anything, but I wasn't thrilled about whatever "show" awaited.
"Understood."
Powerless as I was, I had no choice but to wait.
Could I refuse once I reached Drakan's pre-death level, after a few more ascensions?
[You there—the child with a human heart in a beast's body.]
"Y-yes, sir!"
Howard snapped to attention like a green recruit at Drakan's address.
[Preserve that human heart.]
Howard seemed the type anyway—far more human than me. But something in Drakan's words struck him; he replied gravely.
"I will."
Had Howard been losing his humanity without me noticing? If he did, it'd be catastrophic. No one but the high gods and me could handle him. Even I'd struggle in a straight fight—a long, grueling battle.
Then a crucial thought hit me. A new god in the world was big news.
"What's Drakan's divine title?"
[Opportunity and Authority.]
Divine titles definitely shaped the world around them. Juno, as the sole god, filled it with lies and love. Bastet napping on my office windowsill had transformed Akasha Territory. Now Drakan, even as an assistant god, would make opportunity and authority key forces.
"I'll add a statue of Drakan to the temple when we get back."
He was a god of this world now. More worshippers couldn't hurt.
For a split second, I swear Drakan's mouth twitched upward. My imagination? A golden dragon statue would cost a fortune, though. Whatever—use the gold from his lair for it.
[Time to part.]
No sooner had Drakan spoken than we were atop a peak near the Great Labyrinth. My avatars reconnected, sensations flooding back like reclaimed limbs.
"Hoo..."
Howard sighed. Why had he, who petted even the mighty Bastet, seemed so meek before Drakan?
"That scary, huh?"
"How to put it... Beasts have this instinct, y'know? Sensing who's strongest. And Drakan... he was at the absolute peak. I thought I was pretty tough now, but I'm way off."
As king of beasts, Howard saw Drakan as emperor. Makes sense, given Drakan's ancestral ties.
Back in the territory, I ordered a dragon statue for the temple, then informed Anjur of the new god.
But Anjur already knew.
"I knew that."
Didn't oracles come rarely? Or was Juno just playing favorites?
"I'll subsidize the statues. Put them in every temple."
"Appreciate it."
I piled valuables from my subspace.
"Whoa, I've never seen this much treasure."
Anjur gaped at the growing hoard.
"Shouldn't saints be above money? You're loving this."
"Nah. Money lets you help more people."
Fair point. Juno's saints were both pragmatic and wise.
"Take care of it, then."
"No worries."
Anjur couldn't stop staring. Hope he doesn't skim—though knowing him, it'd go to the needy.
Thus, golden dragon statues and sculptures began appearing in Divinity Order temples across the continent.
As expected, Drakan's ascension sparked changes. Kings and emperors, as if by pact, bolstered their royal authority. Nobles did the same, gathering talent—which brought opportunities to the gifted.
But it wasn't all good. Clashing authorities bred conflict.
Akasha Territory remained serene. Somewhat isolated from the world, it was wealthy, militarily strong, and apolitical. Factions schemed to pull us in, but Wider handled most; I used avatars for the rest.
Amid the world's turmoil, a few joyous events graced peaceful Akasha.
Wider and Jayke were getting married. No surprise to me. Shame I couldn't feign shock—perks of my nature.
Everyone else celebrated. Both were confirmed bachelors past prime; Wider was expected, but Jayke's secret romance shocked many.
Their brides were ordinary—refreshingly so. These men could've wed noble heiresses, but Wider chose a local merchant's daughter, Jayke a manor maid.
They planned a quiet joint wedding—no family. Yet the day drew crowds; neighboring lords attended to glimpse the elusive viscount and his inner circle. Many brought daughters.
The unintended grandeur left them beaming. Mission accomplished.
Punishment for the noble hassle: a month's "business trip" confinement in the capital's ritziest hotel with their brides. They returned slimmer; I then "imprisoned" them in new homes nearby.
Days later, Jayke sneaked back to the training grounds. Wider begged for work. Short honeymoon.
One place in serene Akasha felt the shift: Gizak's mercenary village.
Small-scale territory wars erupted everywhere. Sword Mountain, the continent's largest with elite knights and over 2,000 mercenaries, commanded sky-high fees—and reputation, after flawless missions.
Unlike knights, their tactics were unpredictable, veterans each. Foes expecting standard fights got blindsided and crushed.
Sword Mountain had no major failures. Minor losses aside, they were dubbed undefeated.
Their fame boomed; requests for their dispatch came to me.
Then came the blemish. In a southern Ether Empire baronial clash, Sword Mountain suffered its first major defeat. Mission succeeded, but heavy losses.
The foe: upstart Red Eyes mercenaries.
I'd watched; their style was familiar—rangers from Dragon Mountains, disbanded after Viscount Ktolari's fall, now independent. No wonder; they'd been elite.
Over 300 new swords pierced the hill behind the village—markers for the fallen, replacing tombstones. Worst disaster since founding.
Wails echoed for days.
Then Gizak came to see me.