A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale

“The senate has decided … We shall follow Patriarch Karydrinos’s decision in this matter.”

That was the decision of the senate after that disastrous battle with those foreign leviathans. Discord exploded as the three dragon-leviathan clans roared their frustrations and wrath out of their body, screaming the names of the four leviathans who attacked us.

Unfortunately, all of this noise wouldn’t go unheard by the dragonewts. Sure, on one hand, it was worthy of applause that none of the dragons and drakes came back too hurt since I fully shifted my combat style to support, but the fact our underwater ecosystem got fucked made everything personal now.

The heartbreaking sight of the pink coralplunks obfuscating the surface of the water and the many other dead fish bodies with their gigantic bodies and corals already made me feel uncomfortable. Yet, seeing their pink coloration turn brown, like blood browning from oxygen, seared itself into my memory

There was something about seeing nature disappear that invoked the same guilty feeling I had whenever I burned down a forest. This eurypterid—sea scorpion—poison was like an oil spill. The bountiful and colorful coral reef had its azure splendor dyed in horrid, deadly green.

Iceskale’s levianewts and a few younger leviathans were being blamed for the faults of these attacks, especially from the fishermen and fishmongers. Fortunately, no fighting had actually started as there were plenty around to diffuse the situation until our dragoon squad returned to the city to peacekeep.

Yet, it was assured that this was a powder keg ready to explode if the leviathans returned, so instead of letting it settle like this, Uncle Guyul came up with the smart idea to use our streaming services. Like High King Fugnarus, we would project a real-time announcement from both Uncle Alex into the sky for everybody to see and hear, allowing us to calm down the distressed city.

With it more or less handled for the meantime, the senate reconvened to decide on the future actions concerning the leviathan attackers and it was easily swayed into Uncle Kary’s side. Normally, I wouldn’t be so worried since he seemed more like a gentle giant than my other retainer uncles, but in this moment where his pride—the underwater ecosystem he had been managing for two millennia—was stomped on, any sense of his old self was thrown out of the window.

“We’re investigating the area around the barrier. Just like on the mainland, they are using the chaos of this succession crisis to uproot our peace, mentioning how they will one day take down Thalaxarus’s barrier! We cannot allow that to happen! We will defend our princess from these skinks! Frozen Nest belongs to the ice dragon flight and drake wake!”

“For Frozen Nest! For Empress Melloxtressa! For the future of our young!”… And that was how I left the hearing room when it seemed impossible to pacify everybody. It was just too loud with emotions flying like sparks, each seeking a fuel to ignite. The day started out so well, yet I ended it like before I entered that hearing room—confused and unsure what to expect from all the dragon clans. In fact, I might have changed a bit after seeing a new side of Uncle Kary.

Regardless, seeing how it all ended, a hint of shame did worsen my mood when I said goodbye to Kahalameet, his face looking more forlorn than before. It felt like that counter-speech I gave him went into deft ears, flying right past where it should settle. Sure, I was far more idealistic than he was, and his age has jaded him, but I honestly thought if I could show him that I could have a situation without casualties that he could place some trust in me that I could turn this succession crisis around.

I still firmly believed in saving Eltharion’s soul. This was the linchpin of the metaphorical burning fuse. I could understand that Kahalameet, and potentially Wendriosa, believed even if I could grant our dragon father a few more centuries, the lack of a clear heir apparent would sooner or later deteriorate everything. Their two ideologies and ruling mindset were too antithetical to exist in tandem.

To me, a few centuries was better than no time at all … Sadly, I had to leave this matter alone for the time being as Frozen Nest was facing the possibility of further conflict. Furthermore, I was given a job to do after waiting around for two days, hoping it wouldn’t escalate.

Sieg came to the mansion. “My father is trying his best to keep things from blowing up, but it is likely that the dragon-leviathan hybrid clans will go out into the ocean to hunt down our besiegers. We’re pushing Iceskale into military deployment; dragoons and wyverns will be sent out to assist and that will mean that resources will be funneled into this endeavor.”

“Considering the situation outside, I guess you will also have volunteers, huh?” Vifi bluntly said. “I heard some are cheering for the decision to go out to fight ‘for the glory of our elder scales!’ Good ol’ patriotism … Not to slight you, of course. We demonkin nurture it!”

Sieg didn’t reply but the pause he gave after he heard that was confirmation enough.

Sieg continued, “… As such, some industries will probably receive less funding.”

“Are you here to inform me of the digital media guild?” I asked but, surprisingly, he shook his head.

“No, in fact, the potential of the video streaming function to film and have those at home receive the information in real-time is being considered for military use. The ocean is massive and while our aquatic dragons possess echolocation, Lord Karydrinos suggested weaker, but faster, wyverns and dragoons may use the recorders to provide long-range intel,” he stated, causing a chill to run down my spine.

This isn’t what it’s supposed to be used for! I shouted in my mind, clenching my fists as I was starting to feel the same itch to punch something after I returned from the incident in Inferno Nest to the cheers and shouts of praise from the people of Iceskale. Seeing my fan counter rise from causing a small civil war within Inferno Nest, due to Frozen Nest’s hatred for fire dragonkin, was mortifying.

They were smiling and happy, yet it felt like I was betraying what idolhood stood for me. This didn’t feel like what happened in the many fights I had on Altrust. I was defending and saving people from foreign attackers and oppressors, but here, I felt like I was “hero” for the wrong reasons.

Once again, this shame was showing up now! This recorder was supposed to be used for my music videos or to share learning materials for others to study, not … this. Even if I knew this was the inevitable outcome, hearing it happening now, before I could even start my streaming career was a stronger blow to my pride than people insulting my hard work and achievements.

“No, I’m talking about Lord Guyulthanos’s area of control. It is very likely, after the initial batch of recorders are sent to the dark dragon flight, the next ones will go to military usage, as long as the conflict is still active by then. Very likely, your plans to celebrate your mother’s birthday in the grand fashion you imagined might be cut,” he answered, causing me to hold my breath to prevent myself from screaming. “The construction of those information towers will be halted, aside from the initial final product that will be used to allow us to send the recorded information back to Iceskale in a swift manner.”

“… I see.”

“Lady Hestia?” Tasianna worriedly approached me, probably since I felt heat welling up in my chest and head. I wasn’t sure if I could complain or not.

Yes, while Iceskale did give me the money to jumpstart the digital media guild, it was still the state’s money—the taxpayers’ money. Could I ethically take any of it to further my own dreams if the state needed to spend on preparing for a conflict? The money used could potentially save somebody’s life, after all, and this wasn’t including how the recording manatech could streamline our communications and maybe even logistics without needing super faster dragons zooming around to deliver messages.

If the political sphere was more cutthroat, me using “taxpayer money to finance a selfish ambition while our people are dying in the honorable fight against the leviathans” would probably be a perfect title for a propaganda piece. Thankfully, everybody was enamored by Mom so this couldn’t happen now.

“The guild might slow down a bit with a smaller budget, meaning you won’t be able to invent or innovate, but there should still be enough to employ the number of apprentices and future journeymen. I made sure of that. Your shipment and materials will also remain the same,” Sieg reassured me, giving me the chance to let out a sigh of relief … However, this was only the start.

After I thanked him for the update, his face stiffened and that was when I knew he and his father needed me to do something.

“With all that is going on, Father is swarmed with requests from Lord Karydrinos and must deal with this current situation. Even I will be torn away from my usual administrative work … As such, we won’t be able to send any true dragonkin to help my younger brother.”

“Right!” I raised my voice, remembering the last message before the leviathan attack. “Rhekk is somewhere in the glacier, right? You won’t help him?”

He shook his head. “My younger brother was chosen to investigate and recall any dragons training in the northern glacier so they can see and give their respects to you. I believe we had mentioned that once.”

I nodded.

“Rhekkraxus was chosen for this duty as punishment for not only denouncing you as our princess but also trying to force you into the succession crisis. The following conflict with the fire dragons and then his refusal to accept your help was enough to melt my father’s ice. Journeying to the northern glaciers, even with help, is still quite dangerous for a rank B. Rhekkraxus has ventured there with me once, so I can attest he is capable of surviving there, but that doesn’t change the fact mischievous elementals, strong beasts, and random hunting grounds can make journeys through it a nightmare.”

Ahaha … everything I’ve been preparing for, in other words.

“As such … We have a great favor to ask of you, Princess Hestia.” His face shriveled up, making it look like his dragon scales had dried up. He was grimacing, trying to hold back his next words as I could see they were stinging his throat.

“I will.” I smiled, causing his eyes to widen in shock, even dropping a bit as if he didn’t want to look at me. “The plan was to go there anyways, and I think my [Ice Resistance] being level six is enough to not freeze immediately. Not to mention, this time, I will have Tasianna’s crate full of ice resistance tonics with me! And also heat-inducing elixirs she made from all those spare fire stones.”

I showed her a thumbs up, causing her to nod, but I could see her brows still wrinkled. She probably was still worried that I wasn’t taking the digital media guild news well. And I wasn’t … Yet, showing it to her now was unprofessional. I should deal with Sieg’s request and then rant it off later.

“The issue here is that we are having you deal with a family matter. A favor that fits with your schedule isn’t something we’re that proud to not request from you, but what is twisting my horns is the fact this senseless situation is causing such an emergency! We can send some dragoons and wyverns to escort you—”

“Allow us, Lord Siegragxus!” Shay interjected, puffing his chest up with the confidence of the world. “We’ve trained for this moment. To ensure Princess Hestia survives her trip, we have trained. Strengthened our control over Empress Melloxtressa’s true ice, learned how to comfort her when the cold stings, and also to fight against even true dragonkin! Prince Kahalameet tutored us for that challenge. My twin, Vifi, and I are capable of our duty as guards, and Tasianna is the perfect stewardess for this voyage. You need not worry for her safety; this I swear not only to God Kargryxmor but also in the Empress’s name!”

Sieg was stunned in place, eyes moving around as he sized up the wyvern twins and our demonkin of donuts. He then turned to Tasianna, grimacing a bit for some reason.

He shook his head. “This is a disaster.”

“I know, but you have to rely on us for this, Sieg. I’ll bring that brat brother of yours back. If you’re so worried that I can’t do it alone, then I have a suggestion to you: Why not allow me to bring another true dragonkin with me?”

“We have none,” he rebuked immediately. “If you’re suggesting to bring one of the Kleodrastia members with you—while smart since the elder scales do not trust the clan’s matriarch fully yet—their dragons do not have your core nor the [Ice Resistance] to survive even with those resistance tonics. An ice drake would be best for the duty, but most are being rallied to the fight.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“No, wrong!” I said, but I felt my skin prickling up as I was planning on inviting Fehrkatruk. “I have siblings, don’t forget. What better company than another [Battle Frenzy] dragonkin? Not to mention, I believe all my elder siblings have visited my mother before, right? On Frozen Nest?”

“All but your youngest sister,” he stated. “Princess Fargryneill never stepped foot here.”

“More like, the two of them never had the chance to properly talk until we all met in Yeos. No, I know that, and I wasn’t counting her in the question.”

“Then, yes. All of your siblings should be viable candidates to accompany you, although all of them lack the experience that Fehrkatruk could provide if his resistances and tolerance to ice was a bit higher! If you must choose one of them, then either Prince Kahalameet or Prince Phsothophus. Honestly, Princess Wendriosa would also suffice—like her blood-brother, their leviathan heritage nullifies their natural ice weakness—but with the leviathan situation, do not risk it.”

I nodded. “And I can’t call Kahalameet either with me seeing him off … and his impending discussion with Wendriosa. Haaa, then I’ll try Phso, then. I was planning on going to the mainland anyways, so I think this fits.”

When Sieg asked me about it, I told him I would visit Sacred Nest. Funnily enough, his expression was less disturbed than before. He expected me to listen to Empress Forminaxtrasss warning, but now remembered I still had to do something about [Providence’s Will]. Confirming that the slime inside it still didn’t like me enough to allow me to use it fully, he began to nod intently.

“In that case, then let me not delay you any further. Any food, additional alchemical ingredients, or even tools—you need it, I shall provide it. This is a personal favor, so don’t consider budget as a limiter here,” he asserted, by the book as always.

“Heh, then you should be grateful I’m not like my best friend. Neither shameless nor so cautious I would over prepare by too much and use the fact I’m a void-touched to my advantage,” I smirked, causing Sieg to snicker a bit.

“Our clan is quite wealthy enough, thank you … Be careful. The last thing I wish is to send you off to the Dragon Ruler of Light and repeat history’s curse.” He then snapped to my companions. “The same applies to all of you. Do not trust any of those dragonkin. Like us, they consider Hestia their ‘princess,’ but unlike us, they want their claimant on the throne and are willing to push the succession crisis in that direction!”

“Bad timing to have broken those damn dragonslaying arrows then …” Vifi joked, earning her a quick [Draconic Aura] “slap-to-the-face” from Sieg. Feeling it, her body jerked up as her mouth turned into an awkward smile. “Y-yeah, got it, Lord Siegragxus.”

Once a soldier, always a soldier. Sieg at least knows how to deal with her now.

“We’ll prioritize diplomacy,” Tasianna stated to help Vifi out, earning her a sharp nod from Sieg. “Still, to assure your hot-temperedness isn’t accidentally provoked, I do suggest we listen to what your brother suggested.”

I nodded, but felt a slight sting to my heart with how honest Tasianna has been getting. Sure, it was still hard for me to get rid of my stubbornness and slightly draconic attitude, but come on! I was far better behaved than other dragons, so no need to point it out.

With a new request accepted, our party made preparations for our visit to Sacred Nest, including using the subspace to “call” Forminaxtrass for permission to go there. Thankfully, once again, all the empress-mothers were inside the subspace and were drinking and talking to each other. However, unlike the last time, all of them were fully immersed with the paper before them.

Gyadiosa, Gaistrus, Forminaxtrass, Virrflax, Yuilengreill, and Mom—the six dragon empresses of Kargryx were in their dragonewt forms, pushing pencils as dozens of dragonewts were shuffling around Mom’s subspace nest. This small section of the nest was fully turned into an office space. I could see my maids—Svena, Lorena, and Haati—doing their best to keep up with the tea-gorging and pastry-devouring empresses.

“… Certainly a good use of those [Room] runes I gave them,” I commented to gain their attention.

Separated by living in six nests, the subspace was the only place where all six empresses could meet up at the same time without needing to fly around and chauffeur their support staff. Sure, they could work in Coral Beard, but the fact they could do this even if one of them was away on a trip was one of the greatest value of this usage of [Room]. Bridging the distance, so to speak.

It also helped that I could just speak with them whenever, and I used this fact to explain the situation to Forminaxtrass, piquing Gyadiosa’s interests as well since Kahalmeet had been using her [Room] runes to sneak into Frozen Nest. She was interested in what we had spoken about and how we handled the leviathan attack.

“… So it seems things are truly in turmoil,” Gyadiosa’s wry smile betrayed some hints of annoyance with how it was trembling. “Hehe, so instead of agitating Eltharion, they are starting to cause chaos where he isn’t willing to fly towards? The mistakes of the past are haunting me still.”

“You did it for your daughter,” Yuilengreill interjected, her hand moving at an extraordinary pace with the rhythmic sound of scratching paper. “Without you introducing your Caedhulen relatives to Wendriosa, her chance of ever enforcing her ideals would have never begun with her brother’s firm supporters. You believed healthy competition would prevent any hard feelings. You couldn’t have expected a sudden shift of leaders in Wendriosa’s faction.”

Shift in leaders?

When I questioned this, Gyadiosa shook her head, saying that a new rank S had recently taken over Wendriosa’s support faction by killing the previous leader. “Might makes right” also applied to leviathan and adamantoise culture; furthermore, this new leader also was quite charismatic, able to rally more leviathans to Wendriosa’s cause.

On one hand, this person was a huge benefit to Wendriosa’s current strength, even advising her well in gaining strength and persuading some Miononbolax dragonkin to support her over her brother. Yet, this person was also the one responsible for all the recent issues.

“Maustoovaka is a paranoid old fool and this leviathan used it to his advantage. Yet, some of this information Sierranavus shared to you does make me question if it is all accurate,” Mom said, prompting Gyadiosa to add that she had heard this from her son after Maustoovaka’s “punishment.” “That’s impossible, though. Thalaxarus’s barrier can only be taken down if something happens with his bones underneath his clan’s nest. Entering the island is impossible for these leviathans and even if they managed to do so, the high ice-aligned mana around the bones would freeze them unless they possessed the ice resistance of a rank S ice dragon.”

Well, I guess that is why Sierranavus said she had no idea how they would do so. It sounded like an impossible task unless the leviathans managed to make one of us backstab us, I thought. When I brought it up, Mom said she would talk to Uncle Alex about the issue, ending the discussion for now.

As I continued my report, I just realized I had forgotten to tell everybody that I was planning on removing Vifi’s demonic limitations when I spoke to my friends after the day of the senate meeting. I only mentioned that I wanted to visit Sacred Nest without giving much details about it aside from Kahalameet telling me to bring my dark dragon brother with me. Uh, well, I had a lot to digest on that day.

“Jeez, tell me that earlier …” Vifi scratched her head, looking a bit irritated but not enough to scowl. “Honestly, I don’t have much hope in this ‘purification’ thing you’re talking about. It’s still more likely that Lady Lust will have something once we reunite, but, sure, why not. I don’t really want to put any hope into this.”

“Fine, but you have to admit that finding a solution earlier is for the best. You are not at full power, and I know this has been getting on your nerves for a long time now. I know you call yourself a ‘rat’ and a survivalist and will make do with whatever, but losing power will never not gnaw on somebody’s mind,” I stated. “Not to mention, to a wrathie like you, losing the ability to be more emotional probably is worse than losing that arm of yours, no?”

Vifi went silent, eyes unwilling to look at mine directly. I’ve met Vifi twice as an enemy and in those times the way she spoke and how she acted felt it was the real her unleashed due to her maelstrom of emotions brewing in her. Wrath demonkin were “slaves to their emotions,” unable to feel happy unless their [Excited], [Fear], and [Anger] were stimulated.

L.E.P., or low emotional potential, was essentially depression and since her “first death” sealed her ability to raise her three emotions above 15%, this not only drastically weakened her power by 75%, so to speak, but she was also unable to feel more excited than 15%. She could act happier or more angry, but she could never feel like it. This was the biological—or demonic—limitation of her race.

I wanted to solve this for her sake and our party’s. The fact our rank A, level 155 ex-Wrathbringer couldn’t bring out her full power was a serious problem down the road. We could wait until Ellaine rescued Klea, but I wouldn’t wait any longer. It has been nearly two years now and there has still been no progress for Vifi.

I rather cling to this hope than to leave her out to dry.

Tasianna giggled, patting Vifi on the shoulder. “Give in. You’ll only lose to her again like when you joined us.”

“Arrrgh! This girl is infuriating! Every single time; can’t ya mind your damn business, Donut? For Marsven’s sake!” Vifi snarled. This sorta outburst was what I liked to see, not to mention, listening to her real accent was a rare treat with how respectable she wanted to act as my bodyguard.

In any case, to Forminaxtrass’s chagrin, she accepted my proposal after the other empresses helped me persuade her. She begrudgingly sent a message to my third eldest brother, Taimatrak, to meet me in front of Sacred Nest.

Now with the permission needed to not anger one of my step-mothers, our last bit of preparation was finished and we took flight back to the mainland. I did make sure to fly up to the clouds to prevent any leviathans from seeing me leave, of course. I also avoided Inferno Nest and flew around it!

So much avoiding! Yay!

… Well, thankfully, Sacred Nest bordered Inferno Nest to the west, being the furthest you could go in the northern part of Miononbolax before touching the sea. Interestingly enough, due to the size of Inferno Nest, Sacred and Dusk Nest were technically separated by it, but this “border line” was actually just desolated earth with barely any vegetation growing on it. Fire dragonkin didn’t even frequent it often so the territory was essentially masterless, but due to the lingering fire-aligned mana, it was still considered part of Inferno Nest.

Although, considering the fire dragon’s large ego, I guess it was just to appease them. “Aside from Frozen Nest, we are the largest!” Yeah, you could really shout that from the top of your lungs for all to hear …

Anyways, this buffer zone was where I would meet Taimatrak.

As we landed, I stayed in my dragon form as I could see my black dragon brother’s form even from up here. Well … he wasn’t lying when he said he was a lichdragon.

Just seeing him almost made me want to take a step back as I thought I was looking at a corpse. Once I landed, my brother began to approach me, causing my stomach to churn a bit as I saw that loose, rotten layer of skin wobble around like actual elastic skin. I probably would have fully believed he was a zombie, if it hadn’t suddenly unfurled it to reveal this “skin” was a double-layered membrane for his single pair of wings.

Similar to a bat creating a cape by wrapping themselves with their wings, Taimatrak was creating this zombie aesthetic by hiding his skeleton-like carapace with it, in addition to the purple slime gel that was his actual “flesh and skin.” Black, glossy scales covered most of it, but as he walked, he shuffled them around and that allowed me to see … everything.

His organs were in full view, from his intestines to his brain. Gosh, this quadra layer of wing membrane that looked like skin, a carapace that was bleach white like bones, a gel-like substance that held his organs together like flesh, and the actual organs made me squeamish, despite knowing the truth. Add some shading and shadows, and boom … a zombie dragon.

Well, lich dragon.

[“… Scared you, again, I see?”] Taimatrak said the moment we met, but I could hear a faint hint of a snicker that he was trying to hide with this telepathic message.

[“Not by your mana this time, but your appearance, yes … I thought seeing your Mom in her dragonewt and imagining how you would look would prepare me for this, but, I kinda underestimate how much you look like a decomposing piece of dead meat,”] I replied, earning me his actual laughter this time.

[“Did you hear that from my mother? That’s a compliment to me, you know?”] he stated with a grin … Or, I hoped it was a grin as I wasn’t sure with how his scales were moving around, acting like muscles. [“Hmm, but, regardless, a little bit of a scare is the least you could pay me back, Hestia. I’ve nothing against being visited, but I do not like joining a visit. It takes me away from my research, after all.”]

Yeah … like what Kramps and Forminaxtrass said. Guy is a recluse scientist, or historian, or archeologist.

It didn’t seem we were on the same wavelength like when we first met, but I kinda accepted it. I personally could sympathize with him since my own obsessions back on Earth did make me rather antisocial in a mild way.

[“Fully understandable! However, please endure it? For me?”] I tried to make myself look cute as best as I could in this dragon form, but even I couldn’t understand how my Mother and the other elder scales could see me as adorable. My dragonewt form was cute, but my dragon form would scare me if I was only a human.

Unsurprisingly, it didn’t work on Taim.

[“I will endure it because you are my youngest sister, yes. Also, because I came here for my own scientific curiosity. Mother told me about that information tower you had her design,”] he said with his eyes sparking into life, ridding itself from that dull, sleep-deprived look he had before. [“As a void-touched, you are one of the few people who can surprise me with something I couldn’t even begin to imagine. Naturally, our time is precious and I wouldn’t want to waste yours when I need to take care of mine, but now that we are here, I would very much like to see how Sacred Nest’s mana dragon can possible unlock the powers of a demonkin laced with the artificial blood of an archdemon!”]

He turned to Vifi.

[“I’ve always wanted to investigate the history of Bole’Taria; find the truth behind how demonkin founded and managed to develop a country able to fight back a giant empire. The information I wasn’t able to obtain when I first was on my pilgrimage might appear on this trip, ehehe …”]

[“… Donut, please, keep this madman away from me. I’ve no interest of speaking with another person like Lord Sloth.”]

… Yikes.

[“… L-let’s just go, yeah? And, you can speak in Draconic with me, okay? I think I’ve learned enough of it.”]

“Good, then let us be off!” He cheered, strutting forward with enough positive energy that his footstep might start healing this desolated earth.