The Red Dragon's Inevitable Plan Unfolds
The Red Dragon's inevitable plan had been nothing short of a resounding success. The White Gold Dragons had poured every moment of that one week into "purifying" Yggdrasil. They rebuilt the massive world tree, reduced to ashes, with ice. They transformed the barren wasteland into mountains and caves blanketed in snow and frost. The space forged by all twenty-one White Gold Dragons had now fully taken root where Yggdrasil once stood. And through it all, he had watched. From beyond the material world, in a realm no mortal could behold. From atop his "sanctuary," now vanished from the world.
He gazed upon the new land being shaped by this being called the Red Dragon.
Horrible.
Quietly, he muttered to himself as he beheld the White Gold Dragons' territory. No matter how mighty the Red Dragon, it was still just a mortal. Yet this mortal hadn't only burned down his sanctuary—it was now brazenly polluting it through his own followers.
How dare it thrust this blade at me.
This was... provocation. A challenge, even. A brazen declaration to crush Verinal's influence. And so, he could only seethe with rage. Yet he endured. His followers' preparations were proceeding... smoothly enough. There might be trials and tribulations, but wasn't Verinal aiding them to the fullest?
Just a little longer... just a bit more, and I can kill that lizard.
To bolster his followers, he had already bestowed much of his "rank." If they failed, he might not only lose his seat as a major god but plummet to minor god status. Even so, he couldn't stop. He absolutely could not stand idly by while the Red Dragon rampaged. As a god—as the creator of the elves—Verinal was obligated to exact retribution. This was no longer a fight he could avoid. Not until one side yielded.
...The Red Dragon probably knew this and acted anyway.
Thus, Verinal focused his spirit once more on his followers. Those in the material world who would serve as his hands and feet. The great souls who would plunge a dagger into the Red Dragon's heart. Without them, Verinal himself could not exist.
Kellian, the path you tread is the true one. Advance solely along the road you believe in.
He pressed onward into the future.
...Haa. I'm so bored I could die.
It couldn't be helped. I'd originally thought reasonably well of the White Gold Dragons. After all, hadn't they come here realizing their own weakness and seeking to improve? I'd even seen some potential in them during our previous battle. Talented, eager to grow, ambitious dragons. That was my assessment.
But.
[Red, Red Dragon comrade... please, have mercy... please...]
"K-King... this is... too harsh...!"
They tired far faster than I'd imagined. After handing over Yggdrasil, I'd occasionally sparred with them. And it wasn't even one-on-one. It was a "light" bout against overwhelming odds: twenty-one against one.
I couldn't fathom why they flagged so quickly.
[Your close combat is feeble, your breath merely a chill. Your magic is pathetic, and your fighting spirit nonexistent. What use are you? What can you even do?]
"...We're sorry."
[We've lived far from battle. Hiding away, most of us have even forgotten how to fight. Sorry about that, Red Dragon.]
...Sigh. If they were sea dragons like Leviathan, I'd understand. What could fish do on land? Even a killer whale, mighty predator though it is, is helpless out of water. But these weren't sea dragons. They were White Gold Dragons, gliding through the skies and scattering frost.
Yet every one was in this sorry state. It made me question if investing in them was even worthwhile—they were that dismal.
[Not even enough to stave off boredom.]
"No room for argument there."
Part of me wanted to crawl back to my lair and sleep. But recent events had piled up, demanding my attention. Even I needed some combat readiness. These spars were meant to sharpen their edge too.
But in reality? It was like twisting a child's wrist. I had no idea how to fix them.
They say even lions drop their cubs off cliffs to raise them. Maybe I should go all out and—
Just as I steeled myself for a harsh decision.
...Wait. What if I just throw them into real combat?
Not a bad idea. They'd gain battle experience. I'd lounge comfortably in my lair, watching. And it'd bring profit to our nation. A win-win.
[Soon, I will issue orders. Until then, conserve your strength here.]
The thought struck; I commanded at once. Then I took to the skies, returning to my lair. Summoning Leviathan, I shared my idea.
"W-Wait. For real? You're saying we do that?"
As expected, she looked flustered. But my mind was made up.
[Yes.]
"That's a conquest war! If it goes wrong, they'll have cause to march on us—"
[—I'm here. How exactly would they come?]
"Well...! But...!"
[There are neutrals, yes? Ask Kohmir. Which place do they hate most? Which irks them? I'll personally subjugate it for them.]
"...Ugh, fine. Whatever. It'll work out."
We'd wage a very light war. Against the opportunistic scavengers claiming neutrality. Through the White Gold Dragons, I'd correct their thinking. Of course, I wouldn't budge an inch from here.
Elenoa had been quietly worried lately about the Red Dragon's condition. He inherently disliked frequent activity. Yet with so many events piling up, he'd been stepping forward more often. To her eyes, eager to serve him, he seemed subtly fatigued.
If only we were stronger... If only we had a bit more power!
She regretted it inwardly. If the Draconic Elves had been stronger, they could have perfectly guarded this place without him. Or if they'd had the might to annihilate all external threats themselves. He wouldn't have needed to act directly.
Of course, faith in the Red Dragon had recently grown among the Draconic Elves—though he disliked the term "faith." But it wasn't yet visibly manifest, leaving her unsatisfied.
Then.
[A messenger has arrived from Kohmir.]
He gave the order.
[Herflin Alliance. You will head there.]
[Conquer it. Make our presence known. Prove you have sufficient might even without the Red Dragon.]
It wasn't directed at Elenoa, of course. It was for the White Gold Dragons and humans he'd lately favored.
Even so, she was thrilled. Wasn't this him finally handling his subordinates with ease? It meant trust. It affirmed their utility. For Elenoa, who wished only for his happiness and peace, it was pure joy.
[Einhardt, you will declare war. All White Gold Dragons will follow. Bring me tidings of victory.]
"Yes, Your Majesty."
She could cheer them on wholeheartedly.
[Then depart. Bring me victory. Prove your worth.]
"Yes, understood. We'll succeed. Even if it costs our lives, no matter what. We'll bring you victory."
[Kin, let us go. To the place our king commanded. To claim it as our own.]
And in the silence, Meirina's voice rang out. It became the signal for departure.
—Kuddrduk...!!
Numerous White Gold Dragons released their polymorph, reverting to their true forms. They took to the skies in a flock.
—Flap, flap————
Elenoa watched them go. Seeing those trusted by the Red Dragon, her fervent faith blazed.
If only I had wings. If only I had breath like theirs...
She saw them off, doubting if she'd ever join them—yet accepting her role calmly. That was a high priestess's duty.
...Or so Elenoa thought.
"...Wha, what?"
[Hm? What's wrong, Elenoa?]
She sensed something off with her body. A scorching heat unlike before, like fire in her heart. Intense enough to daze her mind.
But it wasn't just heat.
"Haa...! Heup...?!"
"Wh-What's this? Elenoa! What's wrong?! Red Dragon, did you do something? Why's this happening suddenly...?!"
[...I don't know. But there's a surge in mana flow—]
Powerful magic coursed through her veins, flooding her body. Like priests receiving divine power from gods. Countless spells etched into her mind. Structures she'd never known. The true meaning of Dragon Tongue.
All of it imprinted on her brain.
"...My god."
Leviathan recognized the phenomenon. She'd seen it a few times wandering vast lands. A god lending power to one of firm faith—an "anointing." That's how mighty high priestesses were born.
"...Haa, haa."
Leviathan watched Elenoa gasp for breath and felt certain.
...The White Gold Dragons and Einhardt harbor something like faith toward the Red Dragon.
And it reached Elenoa, the most devout among his followers. A "selection" the Red Dragon hadn't consciously willed. Proof undeniable.
"The gods are intervening directly. And as payment, we're growing stronger too."
"Wha-what...? Th-that means...?"
The gods targeting the Red Dragon were paying the "price" to expand their leeway. Elenoa had received it.
And the Red Dragon intuited a truth.
[...I may have to step in myself after all.]
His involvement might be inevitable. This might no longer be a proxy war.