Chapter 1183
"Bartius of the Golden Lineage offers his sincere appreciation to the human Raon Zieghart for his assistance."
The Golden Dragon Bartius announced his formal title and lowered his head once more. The gesture of gratitude was rigid, yet it felt far more authentic to his draconic nature.
"So, that is the proper way to do it."
The Red Dragon Valasiur inclined his head, observing Bartius’s posture.
"Valasiur of the Red Lineage offers his thanks to the human Raon Zieghart!"
Imitating Bartius, he shouted his name and struck his chest with a closed hand. It was his debut in performing such a formal salute, and while his attempt to mimic Bartius was clumsy and stiff, his genuine emotion was far more evident.
"Raon. I am grateful!"
The Blue Dragon Sirtiren gave a radiant beam.
"Sirtiren of the Blue Lineage shall cherish the mercy of the human Raon Zieghart, who stood firm against the Dragon Lord!"
In contrast to the two males, her closing remarks were gentle and melodic.
"To be fair, we were capable of repelling the Lord ourselves, but your involvement certainly made the process more efficient!"
The Black Dragon Dariauran gave a sharp sniff and puffed out his chest.
"Within the soul of Dariauran of the Black Lineage, the aid of Raon Zieghart shall blaze forever like a permanent celestial body!"
Despite his initial arrogance, he conveyed his thanks to Raon with a touch of poetic grandiosity.
"Must you show off even at a moment like this?"
The White Dragon Bursiarabi shook his head in exasperation at Dariauran’s theatrics.
"Bursiarabi of the White Lineage gives profound thanks to the human Raon Zieghart for his support."
As if he were an expert in the customs of the short-lived races, he delivered the most refined and elegant expression of gratitude among the group.
"Should there be any request you have, I shall fulfill it, regardless of its nature."
Bartius lifted his majestic eyes and rested a palm over his heart. The remaining dragons signaled their agreement with sharp nods.
"Hmm..."
Raon pressed his lips together as he watched the dragons, currently in their mortal guises, performing human etiquettes.
'I never imagined I would be thanked by dragons.'
In truth, he was quite familiar with being thanked by mortals. Having finished countless tasks and aided many souls, he had become accustomed to such displays. However, he hadn't anticipated that dragons would show appreciation in this manner, kneeling in human forms and bowing their skulls.
'Particularly since they aren't merely playing a part right now.'
Dragons, blessed with immense lifespans, occasionally indulge in the hobby of masquerading as other species. They shift into humans, dwarves, elves, or even lowly creatures like orcs or trolls to taste a different existence, and in those moments, they truly inhabit that identity.
They discard their inherent draconic pride to participate in social norms like greetings and apologies, but that is usually because they are immersed in the role.
Dragons never disclose their true names unless the circumstances are extraordinary. The fact that every dragon standing here had thanked him using their names meant they were prepared to lay down their lives for Raon.
-Hah!
Wrath tilted his head, seemingly fascinated by the dragons’ conduct.
-I didn't think those arrogant scaled beasts would ever lower their heads, especially while wearing those fragile human skins!
He released a chuckle of genuine astonishment.
-It appears they are truly indebted to you.
'So it seems.'
Raon gave a small nod as he met the appreciative gazes of the dragons.
'They are all showing their true hearts.'
The dragons had stepped out of their roles as impartial observers at this moment to speak as one living soul to another.
"I will hold you to that vow to grant any wish I might have."
Raon placed a light hand on Bartius’s shoulder.
"I intend to make you regret being so generous."
He gave a small smirk, signaling his intent to fully cash in on the favor.
"We pledged to grant anything, but there is a limit. We cannot discard our identity as neutral arbiters."
The White Dragon Bursiarabi shook his head, clarifying that they could not fully abandon their station as mediators.
"Do you really have to be a buzzkill at a time like this?"
The Black Dragon Dariauran scowled at Bursiarabi.
"You are so rigid. Do you honestly think Raon would ask us for something inappropriate?"
The Red Dragon Valasiur made a sharp clicking sound with his tongue.
"There is no need for concern. What I have in mind aligns perfectly with your positions as mediators."
Raon shook his head, dismissing any fear of an untoward request.
"I only ask that you join the struggle against the Archangels."
Derus Robert would undoubtedly call upon all seven Archangels to strike in the coming conflict, which was less than a year away.
Realistically, there was a strong chance they would be overwhelmed by sheer power, but these dragons would be a massive asset when that day arrived.
'To think the dragons would fight alongside humans.'
Given the Dragon Lord’s temperament, Raon hadn't counted on help from their kind; his only hope had been that they wouldn't align with Derus. But with the Lord and most of his sycophantic Ancient Dragons dead, the vibrant and potent dragons led by Bartius could stand at his back against the Archangels.
"If that is what you require, we shall certainly do it!"
The Blue Dragon Sirtiren pumped her fist, telling him he could rely on them.
"Well, I was merely being prudent."
The White Dragon Bursiarabi cleared his throat and looked away awkwardly.
"A campaign against Derus Robert? We will absolutely take part in that."
The Golden Dragon Bartius shook his head, implying that part was a given.
"I suspected as much."
Raon wore a thin smile as he noted Bartius’s steady gaze.
'This is excellent news; I must inform the others immediately.'
The revelation that the dragons would be comrades instead of foes would provide immense hope to the Five Kings. He glanced back to share the update right away.
"Ah, understood!"
"On it!"
Dorian fished out specialized messenger paper from his bag, and Evelyn started weaving communication spells. Both instantly grasped his intent and began the process of alerting Zieghart.
"Bartius."
Raon squinted slightly as he turned back to the Golden Dragon.
"You have evolved more than I anticipated."
Bartius’s presence was ferocious like a wild predator yet tranquil like the deep sea. While he hadn't yet reached the Dragon Lord’s peak, his combat energy and spiritual depth seemed to have ascended to the level of a clan patriarch.
"To transform my kind, I had to first transform myself."
Bartius nodded, confirming his intention to shoulder the burden of reforming the dragons' fractured psyche.
"Responsibility? Don't tell me you intend to..."
"Indeed. I shall..."
Bartius slowly shut and then opened his eyes as he spoke.
"Ascend to the summit of all dragonkind."
He tilted his chin up, proclaiming his goal to take the seat of the Dragon Lord, the sovereign of all dragons.
"Surely there are still formidable Ancient Dragons left, aren't there?"
Raon knit his brows. It was true many had perished recently, but survivors remained. Yet Bartius was claiming the title of Dragon Lord with absolute certainty.
"They witnessed the Lord's atrocities yet chose to follow him or remain mute. Such cowards have no right to lead."
Bartius tightened his grip, signaling his resolve to fight the remaining elders for the throne if the need arose.
"Would you like my assistance?"
Raon gave a small nod to Bartius. He was happy to help, as having Bartius as the Dragon Lord would be a massive advantage for him as well.
"No."
Bartius gave a firm shake of his head.
"The Dragon Lord is the pinnacle. I cannot command the respect of my kind if I rely on a human's strength. Furthermore, I don't need help from these fools either."
He curled his lip as he looked at the four dragons hovering behind him.
"Do not fret over me. Before the clash with Derus Robert, I will have claimed the title and organized our ranks."
Bartius nodded, sure that he would triumph in the trials to name the new Lord and be prepared for the war. His brazen certainty was almost comical.
"Very well. I won't worry then."
Raon let out a small smile as he studied Bartius. Observing that level of self-assurance, it seemed his intervention wasn't needed.
"Now, on to the next topic."
Bartius wiped away the crimson trickling from his brow and cast a piercing look.
"The Ruler of Envy who tore through space... and those powers of the Demon Kings that erupted from your body—what is the truth of that? Are you actually a vessel for the lords of hell?"
He released a chilling pressure, as if he might strike depending on the reply.
"No."
Raon casually dismissed the idea with a wave.
"I am simply the human Raon Zieghart. I am no vessel for any demon king."
He lifted his hand and struck his own chest, asserting his identity as his own master.
"Then what of the display from earlier..."
Bartius scowled, likely thinking of how Raon had claimed to be a vessel while speaking to Envy.
"That was quite obviously a deception."
Raon held his head high with pride, mirroring the way Bartius had just declared his kingship.
"What?"
Bartius’s eyes widened in total shock.
"Hahaha! That is so typical of Raon!"
The Blue Dragon Sirtiren burst into fits of laughter, as though she had seen it coming.
"You played a demon king for a fool? You are truly out of your mind."
The Red Dragon Valasiur shook his head, unable to process the audacity.
"I will provide a brief summary. It is true that I possess some Authorities of the Demon Kings..."
Raon clarified to the dragons that he had either tricked the demon lords or formed unusual pacts with them to obtain their powers.
"Madness. Truly, you are insane!"
The Black Dragon Dariauran moved his head back and forth, remarking that Raon became more bizarre the more one learned about him.
"To toy with demon kings using nothing but words—it is genuinely startling."
The White Dragon Bursiarabi shook slightly, appearing genuinely intimidated by Raon’s cleverness.
"There is one final thing I must ask."
Bartius held up a hand.
"I grasp that you utilized one lord's power to trick others and build these bonds. But for that to even begin, your initial encounter with a demon king would be the key—how did that happen?"
He squinted, sensing Raon wasn't being dishonest but still failing to wrap his head around the logic.
"Ah, that..."
Raon’s mouth twitched upward as he glanced at the brooding Wrath.
"There is this fellow named Wrath, the Ruler of Wrath, who is actually kinder than most humans. I received a lot of help from that friend."
He nodded, describing Wrath as a companion rather than a hellish monarch.
"Hmm, I have heard of the Ruler of Wrath, but I didn't think he possessed such a personality."
Bartius grunted softly, admitting his ignorance on the matter.
-Hey, you little brat!
Wrath floated over and lashed his tail aggressively.
-When you put it like that, I sound like a complete pushover! I am the most terrifying monarch in the entire Devildom!
He began drumming on Raon’s skull with his tiny fists, demanding a more respectful description.
[You have defeated the Dragon King!]
[You have deceived Envy!]
[You have accomplished a legendary feat!]
[All stats...]
[New abilities...]
[...]
Notifications regarding their recent triumphs flashed before both Wrath and Raon.
-Oh, no! This is ridiculous! Why is this happening again!
Wrath stared at the appearing logs with his mouth agape, seemingly caught off guard by the sudden influx of rewards.
'Look at that.'
Raon grinned widely as he watched Wrath gnash his teeth in frustration.
'You really are a pushover.'
"Lord Raon! I’ve dispatched the report of our victory to Zieghart!"
As Raon dismissed the reward screens and prepared to resume his talk with Bartius, Dorian bounded forward.
"Excellent work."
Raon gave Dorian a nod of approval.
"Yes. And so..."
Dorian licked his lips as he eyed the massive remains of the Dragon Lord, clearly wanting something.
"Bartius."
Raon spotted Dorian’s greedy expression and addressed Bartius.
"Is it acceptable if we claim the Dragon Lord’s remains?"
"I have no objection."
Bartius nodded, stating that since the Lord was gone, it was just a pile of meat and bone.
"Yessssss!"
Dorian let out a joyful cry as he stepped into the pocket dimension, ecstatic at the prospect of harvesting the largest dragon corpse he had ever encountered.
"I wonder what the market value of this is?"
Just as he was humming and getting ready to shove the Lord’s body into his magical pouch, a swirling golden portal manifested above the Dragon Lord’s severed neck with a low vibration. With a booming sound, Raon lunged forward using the Supreme Harmony Steps to shield Dorian.
"What now..."
He flooded his hand with aura as he reached for the Heavenly Drive, but no figure emerged from the golden light; it simply spun in place.
"Don't bother drawing your blade. That isn't a foe..."
Bartius moved toward them and smirked.
"It is the entrance to the Dragon Lord’s sanctum."
He explained that the corridor to the hidden vault had unlocked upon the Lord’s demise.
"Which means..."
"Loot!"
Before Bartius could even finish his sentence, Dorian darted forward as if he had blinked through space and let out a manic scream.
"It's the Dragon Lord’s hoard!"
