The grand chamber of the Celestial Court was heavy with tension, the thick air vibrating under the combined presence of divinity and draconic might. The Dragonoids had spoken at length, their furious voices echoing against the marble-like clouds that made up the divine sky. For what felt like hours, they hurled accusations and demands at the god of South Ryehem, Julius, citing the ancient treaty and its supposed violation.
Julius, however, remained as unshaken as the celestial throne upon which he sat. His golden eyes observed the Dragon King with a gaze that pierced beyond the superficial wrath, seeing through the veil of pride and manipulation that surrounded the incident.
Once the Dragonoids were done with their outraged proclamations, silence finally settled upon the divine court. The only sound was the gentle hum of the floating halos around the gathered angels.
Julius finally spoke, his voice low but carrying effortlessly across the court.
"You speak of treaties and broken oaths, Dragon King. Yet you come blind to the greater schemes at play."
The Dragon King scowled."Meaning what, Julius?"
Julius raised a hand, and a projection of light appeared in the air — showing the events as they truly transpired. The two dragons the Dragon King had sent, their eyes twisted with corrupted red light, rampaged through the skies of South Ryehem, their once intelligent minds reduced to primal savagery.
"Those dragons you call emissaries… were no longer in their right minds," Julius said coldly. "They were not dragonoids. They were simple dragons with a spark of wisdom — easy prey for those seeking pawns. North Ryehem manipulated them, promising them power through the influence of the Demon King. It was a trap, and your so-called emissaries were turned into weapons."
He waved a hand, and the scene changed to reveal shadowy figures bearing the mark of North Ryehem's court, offering the dragons dark blessings from the Demon King — a sickening aura of black and crimson energy warping their wills.
The court watched in grim silence.
"They lost their intellect. They became mindless beasts under the control of your so-called allies. And then, they were sent to South Ryehem — not as emissaries, but as attackers. The deaths they might have caused were prevented only by the Empress's swift actions."
The Dragonoid soldiers murmured amongst themselves, unsettled.
Julius's gaze turned razor-sharp, locking onto the Dragon King."And if memory serves me, isn't the Demon King your true master, Dragon King? Does his treachery not stain your honor as well?"
The entire chamber tensed. The Dragon King clenched his jaw, words caught in his throat. He could find no immediate retort, for the truth was laid bare before him. For a moment, his towering frame seemed to falter.
But pride dies hard.
After a long, brittle silence, the Dragon King growled, "Even if what you claim is true… the dragons took no royal lives, nor harmed your civilians. The damage was minor. By the tenets of the treaty, South Ryehem should still face a form of reparation."
Julius chuckled — not with humor, but with cold amusement."You dare speak of the treaty's tenets while standing upon broken ground?" he said. "Let me remind you… of the rules you have violated."
The god raised a hand, and two glowing tablets appeared, inscribed with ancient celestial runes.
"Firstly," Julius declared, "according to your sacred agreement with South Ryehem, no dragon — emissary or otherwise — may inflict harm upon the lands, property, or citizens of South Ryehem. Those dragons not only attacked, they almost destroyed the protective barrier of South Ryehem which is consider as their property."
The Dragon King grunted, but said nothing.
"Secondly," Julius continued, his gaze hardening, "you committed an even greater crime. You came into the divine court of a god… without invitation. A transgression far graver than the loss of property or even the death of royals. By divine law, such an act is punishable beyond mortal or draconic reckoning."
The chamber went silent. Even the Dragonoid soldiers looked visibly uneasy now.
Julius let the words settle like a blade at the throat.
After a long, heavy pause, the Dragon King's expression contorted, half with fury, half with reluctant realization. He turned without a word, his wings unfurling, and gave a sharp nod to his troops. One by one, the Dragonoids withdrew from the court, silent as shadows.
No apology. No defense.
Only silent retreat.
Julius watched them go, then let out a quiet sigh."Stubborn as always."
The angels of the court gradually dispersed, returning to their posts. The divine light dimmed as the tense atmosphere lifted.
Alone again upon his throne, Julius gazed into the infinite sky."The game moves forward. And soon… the true players will reveal themselves."
He closed his eyes, feeling the distant pulse of fate — the path of the one boy whose future remained unreadable to even the gods.
Kazuki…