Chapter 497 – The Promised Land

The sound of distant music traveled through the warm air of midday. It flowed down the crowded streets like a river of pleasant melody, drowning the city in a festive mood. Laughter and chatter bubbled out of people who milled about, often taking a rest from the loud atmosphere in quieter and more peaceful alleyways. The center of the town was as busy as a beehive during the summer season.

Some might think that the queen had no worries other than resting in the core of all that buzz and looking all pretty as she oversaw her subjects, but in truth, she had her own deal of trouble on her mind.

And so, Asterios sat in one of the less occupied restaurants, glancing out of the window into the lively avenues outside, accompanied by two presences on the other side of the table. A black-haired Pantherkin woman stared at him with a knowing smile, her Tigerkin mate wearing a thoughtful expression as he nursed his ale.

“You know, we rarely see you this tense,” Oria said, breaking the silence. “It would have been a good idea to bring Miria with you. She has a talent for being positively distracting at times like these.”

Turning back to the pair, Asterios let out a light chuckle. “It’s only thanks to her, and the others, of course, that I can be here to guide you around. Once again, thank you for accepting the invitation. Miria will be overjoyed to see you two in the audience. And I’m glad too, naturally.”

“We wouldn’t ever miss such a big event,” Rook replied, taking a sip of his beer. “Especially after you guys made it possible to come and go almost as much as we wish. Those mysterious pathways are incredible.”

“It sounds like you trust your mates explicitly, and they in turn go beyond themselves to ensure that this celebration proceeds without a hitch,” his wife added. “I bet they would tell you something along the lines of not overthinking things and enjoying yourself to the fullest. Isn’t that right?”

“Listen to your mother-in-law, Son.” Her husband grinned wryly. “Giving up control of something this big definitely isn’t easy, but you are in good hands. Sometimes it’s worth swallowing your manly pride and just letting the females step up to the task. You might even be surprised with the result.”

Oria’s fingers snuck into his blond hair and brushed through it lovingly, her wide smile flashing her sharp fangs. “Spoken like a true man.”

He struggled to keep himself from uttering any disgraceful noises as she scratched his ears.

Asterios hid a small smirk at the sight. “I have no issues with letting my mates take control. They are too amazing to second-guess that decision. Today’s proceedings are simply so much bigger than anything we’ve handled before. We will entertain not just the residents of Glimmervale and a pinch of travelers, but a decent chunk of this and other realms. While our plan was designed to the minutest of details, I’m still not sure if I shouldn’t have peeked at the list of contestants beforehand.”

“That afraid to lose your position?” Miria’s mother snickered impishly. “Get your male pride wounded in front of thousands and have the moment immortalized for generations?”

He shook his head. “I’m no stranger to defeat. I do not fear losing because of what’s at stake. We’ve put enough safeguards in place to ensure nothing changes in the nation from a technical standpoint. No, at this point in time, there’s only one thing I could worry about. Disappointing those I hold dear with an inadequate performance.”

The two in front of him exchanged glances and smiled softly.

“Then, there’s nothing to worry about,” Rook stated with a shrug.

“We’ll eagerly await that performance in the arena,” Oria added, standing up. “In the end, what’s a little tournament in front of raiding a whole bandit stronghold almost on your own?”

Following suit, Asterios met them by the table and shared a few hugs with his parents-in-law. They whispered a few more words of encouragement and gratitude for the opportunity into his ear before leaving the establishment and disappearing in the chaotic flow of the crowd in the streets. Leaving a respectable tip, he vacated the spot too.

Even though the restaurant was located past the academic ring and its gardens, the buildings were still heavily adorned with tapestries and banners bearing Dragon Valley’s color scheme and signature draconic depiction. The residents took the festivities seriously, alongside the Committee, of course.

Since there was still time before his scheduled appearance, Asterios casually strolled back towards his towering castle. The closer he got, the more noticeable a different structure positioned in the middle of the town grew in size. An expanding oval of precious wood cascaded over numerous roofs surrounding the main square, creating a breathtaking coliseum that was currently hosting pre-event concerts and other forms of show.

Due to its presence, the market was obviously gone, but not completely forsaken.

When he arrived in the inner city, the streets became much narrower, and that wasn’t due to some new renovation or redesign projects. No, it was thanks to long lines of stands and booths set up on both sides. Local merchants still offered their everyday wares to the visitors, throwing in a handful of special items prepared just for the occasion. Their stalls were all decorated in a way to fall in line with the overarching theme, creating a mesmerizing sight of black-red pathways leading towards the grand theater.

And with the number of people moving in either direction, it all resembled thick veins pumping blood into the heart of the city.

The Dragon’s Heart.

Asterios snorted quietly. Sometimes the girls were so far ahead with their ideas that they themselves had no idea how perfectly well they would mesh up in the future.

Nevertheless, the blood did flow in an unthinkable dosage. The veins struggled to contain its volume. All thanks to three inter-dimensional gates constantly pouring more and more of it into the body of Dragon Valley’s capital. Moved from the city centre to the academic gardens for the meantime, the portals to Silvia’s homeland, Miria’s village, and Selene’s mountain brought unprecedented masses into Ast’s budding country. Including races previously unseen in Kraedorion, save for a few specific occasions.

Admiring all the decorations, Asterios barely avoided colliding with a gang of children rushing past him, jumping aside in the last moment as his sharp hearing picked up their laughter closing in. He was going to laugh back at them and shout a warning when he froze, his gaze catching the backs of the giggling kids.

They were all wearing paper helmets resembling a full True Dragon’s head with its jaws open, allowing the wearer to peer ahead from inside, complete with fierce draconic eyes on the side and sharp, angled horns sprouting from the forehead. The thin material ran down their backs in the form of a scaly cape, bundled into a stiff, slightly curled-up tail at the very bottom. Cute, tiny wings grew from their shoulders, more of an adorable detail than a resemblance to the real thing.

He stood there blinking in surprise and disbelief until the kids disappeared behind another intersection. Sighing heavily, his palm swiped down his face, and he paid a bit more attention to the stalls around. It turned out that many showed off a plethora of Dragon-themed goods ranging from cheap wooden figurines of those majestic creatures to expensive wall-mounted head trophies that suspiciously resembled his true visage.

Suppressing a shudder, Asterios moved on.

Someone needed a little talk on what should and should not be put on display.

And he had an inkling of an idea who that naughty person might be.

She was laying it a bit too thick, wasn’t she?

But it was too late to address that matter now. Instead, Asterios moved to the castle and walked through the empty corridors. Most servants had been given a break so they could enjoy the celebrations instead of staying cooped up in these halls, waiting for him or the girls to show up with whatever needs they would have. It had taken a bit of convincing, as the staff they had nourished was extremely resilient when it came to such matters. Thankfully, it had been a success, and only a small number of maids remained on their stations for emergencies.

Soon, he reached his destination, stopping in front of a door to a housing chamber in the guest wing. After a light knock, he slipped inside, finding its two inhabitants on the other side of the room. The night-skinned pair leaned out of the window, having dragged their bed closer to comfortably rest atop it, creating a pleasant lounging spot with a good view down on the city.

“Mister!” Tatiana, the younger noctis sister, jumped off and ran towards him, smashing into his waist without any reservations.

“Tiana, don’t forget your manners.” Linu, the older sister, crossed her arms over her chest with a frown.

“It’s alright.” Asterios laughed, spinning around with the little girl for a moment. “I’m more than happy to see you this cheerful.”

“Why wouldn’t we be?” The other lady graced him with an appreciative smile. “You’ve saved not just me, my sister, but even many other children. You’ve done so much to make sure we are safe and content in this beautiful place. You’ve done and given us everything we could have asked for, more than any of us deserves.”

“Everything besides freedom.” He brought the giddy sister back to the mattress, and the three of them settled in front of the window. “I’m sorry you still have to be locked up here.”

“We love it here, Mister!” Tatiana looked up at him with a sweet grin. “It’s so much better than the caverns of the cult! It was so dark and cold there!”

“I don’t doubt it.” Asterios ruffled through her hair. “Still, I wish you could have enjoyed the festivities too.”

“But, we do!” She giggled and pushed her head past the windowsill. “We can see everything from here! The streets, the big stadium, even into the arena down in the middle! And the flying glass shows us all of it from even closer!”

That wasn’t actually wrong. Their room was high enough to allow the owners to peer into the town and its mysteries, including the repurposed main square. Additionally, four sizable crystal panels floated in the air above the amphitheater, upheld by two magical islands each, set up in all the cardinal directions. One of them faced the sisters’ room directly, displaying the moving image of a concert that was just taking place in the upcoming battleground.

Those panels stayed in the air thanks to the same technology as the portal pads and the viewing screens from the academies, allowing everyone to witness the proceedings from any part of the town. The audience had limited spots, no matter how much Glimmervale’s administrators were willing to expand it. And some people simply preferred to hang out in the streets while watching the important bits.

But, the most crucial reason behind those was all the servants, maids, butlers, guards, and other individuals, without whom the city would have fallen into disorder. They deserved to witness the tournament too, dutifully remaining at their stations.

“We do not feel like we are under lock and key here,” Linu said, recapturing his attention. “We are allowed to traverse the inner castle, and the servants treat us with respect, even if they naturally feel anxious around us. That much isn’t a bother. Quite the opposite. It’s an unexpected breath of fresh air.”

“They never shout at us angrily!” Tatiana grinned at him. “Well, except for that one time when I was running around with the other kids and we almost smashed some vase out in the corridor…”

“I would be more worried if they haven’t.” Her sister chuckled amiably. “The point is, we understand how people view us. Even the children do. And we don’t want to cause even more trouble for you.”

“Soon, you won’t ever do.” Asterios gazed outside with a thoughtful expression.

The noctis woman rested a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you for looking into the matter of the cult and our captor, but please, do not rush this too much. We are content with what we have. There’s no need to endanger your community by trying to force everyone to accept us this soon.”

“Trust me. As much as I wish we could do that immediately, I’m aware of how bad such an idea is, as painful as it is to admit.” He squeezed her palm reassuringly. “But, tell me one thing. What do you think is the biggest issue keeping your people from being part of society?”

Linu peered into his eyes for a few long seconds before shaking her head in defeat.

“History,” Asterios answered. “No matter where you go in this world, you’ll always stumble on someone who remembers your past. On rumors, bias, prejudice, or straight-up hostility. All due to ancient history written by the members of your race.”

She parted her lips to respond, but his raised finger stopped her.

“But, what if you went to a place where that history doesn’t exist?” He lifted a brow at her. “Where no one has ever even heard anything about entities such as yourselves? Not to mention seeing a member of your race?”

Her mouth fell agape as the night-skinned lady finally figured out the meaning behind his questions. Without thinking about it, she covered her face with her slender palms, her gaze filling with a glimmer of upcoming tears.

“You… You can’t be serious…” Linu struggled to speak, her voice muffled by her hands. “No… There is no way…”

Meanwhile, Tatiana looked between the two of them in turns, visibly confused but smart enough to sense that something serious was being addressed.

“Only temporarily, let me add,” Asterios continued. “It wouldn’t be an exile. More like a vacation until the weather here calms down a bit. And you wouldn’t go unsupervised, of course. There’s a certain bard under my command who has grown quite fond of the children. She would accompany you to that place and watch over you, serving as my agent and contact with your group. Along with plenty of my other associates on that side.”

“Do we truly deserve so much goodwill?” Linu was drowning in tears by now.

Her sister pulled closer, wrapping herself around the older girl’s arm. “What’s wrong, Sis?”

“Tiana.” Asterios called out to her, earning himself a slightly uncertain look. “Have you ever thought what it would be like to live in another world?”

Tatiana’s eyes turned into saucers, but before she could respond, the sound of a loud gong echoed in the distance, causing them all to turn towards the window.

“Looks like my time is up.” Asterios slid off the bed and smiled down at the cuddly pair. “For now, enjoy the show. We’ll talk about your trip abroad after the festivities wrap up. You can look forward to it.”

With a wave, he plunged into his own shadow and transferred away.

The idea to move the noctis into a different realm where they could live in peace was a relatively fresh one, but almost everyone was already on board with it. Selene was more than eager to offer a residence in her tribe’s marble city, where they could find comfort and a welcoming community, safe from any trouble they could encounter in Kraedorion.

※ ※ ※

“Ladies and gentlemen!” Viona’s musical voice echoed throughout the stadium. “May I have your attention, please!”

The dazzling bard and presenter stood atop a small stage set up on one of the floating structures inspired by the ARKs. Hovering high in the air right over the center of the arena, she held a vocal artifact in her smooth palm, sharing her words with almost the entire town, not just the audience seated around the main square.

And what an audience it was.

Three out of four sectors were filled to the brim with members of all races known to Kraedorion and even more. The seats and benches, even the stairs leading up to them, were bursting at the seams with people excited to be there for the festivities. Enchanting Spiritual Foxes riddled the crowd, appearing in groups of gorgeous ladies or handsome men. Fierce beastkin with other animal features could be spotted here and there. The only ones missing were angelic winged women from a certain world, their passageway unfortunately not making it in time.

But the most important and friendly individuals of their race weren’t allowed to miss the grand celebration.

And that was where the fourth and last segment of the stadium came in. Much less crowded than the other sections, it was also under constant scrutiny by a multitude of sentries and guardians, including the Dragon Guard hovering over the entire thing. Such tight protection was warranted, though, as the most important leaders from this and many other worlds gazed down into the arena from their lounges set up there.

To name a few, one could spot the Human King, the Elf Queen, the Demon Monarch, the silver-skinned Dwarf Patriarch, and their full entourages. They were surrounded by the local lord’s family and friends, including people of trust and craft, like the Spellsong duo, the Adventurer’s Guild Guildmaster, most prominent nobles like the Nobelles or Richtensteins, and important guests from allied dimensions.

A quiet lull descended upon the gathered as Viona waited for everyone to properly settle down before addressing the audience again.

“Once more, I welcome everyone to our humble capital! I hope that you’ve been enjoying your time amidst the attractions and entertainment our lord and ladies have prepared for you!” she spoke confidently into the artifact. “I hate to interrupt the performance of my musically gifted friends below, but it is time!”

Powerful cheers of excitement and enthusiasm roared throughout the area, shaking sky and earth.

“This is what many of you have come here to witness,” the part-demon girl continued. “A challenge like no other. Our beloved Lord Asterios shall be pitted against a line of adversaries who seek to dethrone his mighty person from the fiery leadership of Dragon Valley. And he has no idea who or what his foes are.”

More shouting followed, conveying the crowd’s eagerness to see the upcoming battles.

“In a true fashion of draconic power and pride, he will defend what is rightfully his, what he has claimed for himself not that long ago. His wealth, his subjects, his territory, his hoard.” Viona slowly spun around with her arms spread wide. “Everything within the walls belongs to him. And I am proud to be a small part of that everything. Are you, people of Dragon Valley?”

An almost synchronized scream rose from the spectator rows. “We are!”

The residents began slamming their feet into the floor, thumping a heavy rhythm resembling that of an ominous war drum seconds before a valiant charge.

“Then, just like me, you already know the outcome of this tournament.” The pretty songstress showcased her assured grin with everyone, displayed fully on the four viewing screens. “But, even if it’s nothing less than a formality, it is a formality our almighty caretaker is more than happy to fulfill for our own entertainment. Everyone, please welcome Lord Asterios Hestizo!”

A massive shadow was cast upon her platform and the ground beneath, followed by a bestial roar that caused the arena to tremble. Every single pair of eyes turned towards the sky, spotting a dark silhouette blocking off the sun, resembling that of a huge bird. However, as it leaned forward and dove towards the land, its shape became much clearer, revealing the outline of a True Dragon made purely of crimson flames.

Asterios halted his descent above the audience and made a single lap over the cascading stands, reveling in the cheers of those already accustomed to this kind of show, and in the shocked screams of the newcomers. Finishing his display by the fourth sector, he plunged towards the actual ground, landing with a loud whoosh. The fire spread over the stylish bricks of the main square until they faded out completely. A lone man with white hair, red eyes, black clothes, and a dark crimson coat stood in the epicenter of the previous inferno. There was hardly anyone who didn’t recognize the current ruler of Glimmervale. Even with the few tiny augmentations in the form of draconic themes over his usual attire, like flat Dragon heads atop the shoulders of his coat or the scaly texture of his pants.

Greeting three public sectors with a polite bow, Asterios turned to the VIP section. He met the gazes of all the sovereigns, showing his gratitude for their presence by dipping his head. Then, his attention shifted to the next row below them, where his precious mates sat among their families. Smirking in their direction, he sent a kiss and a wink to his lovers, evoking a number of rosy cheeks and knowing smiles. Finally, he unhurriedly roved over his other friends, allies, companions, and associates, meeting their faces with unwavering acknowledgment.

“Now, while I would enjoy a long, beautiful speech from our great benefactor and today’s star of the evening…” Viona dragged her words out, and overwhelming protests shot back. “I think you have all waited enough for the main course. Without further ado, let us begin the Challenge of Remembrance Day! Welcome warmly, the first representative!”

As the audience applauded the brave contender, Asterios focused on the open gate at the other side of the grand coliseum. His brows rose slightly at the sight of his opponent. He would lie if he said he hadn’t expected some physically strong and burly guy or an easily recognizable famous adventurer from somewhere abroad. Instead, a very short and petite individual walked towards him, clearly a female dwarf.

His eyes widened a tad when he recognized the person who stared daggers at him, a serious and resolute expression painting her pretty face. A flash of realization flickered through her own eyes when they met his happy smile as the pair stopped before each other in the center of the arena.

“Well, well, well…” Asterios whistled. “It’s been a while.”

“Fuck me… How the hell can it really be you…” The woman dressed in a pleated skirt and leather tank top riddled with an inspiring number of gadgets and gizmos groaned. “Darlick is never going to let me live down losing this bet…”

“Kick his ass, Tish!” The person in question screamed his lungs out into his cupped hands on their side. “Don’t let this showoff of a bastard scare you! He is alone this time! You can do it!”

She sported a fair blush from her companion’s embarrassing encouragement and glanced up at her foe, causing them to chuckle together.

“Can’t say I haven’t been curious about your real capabilities back then.” He cracked his neck. “However, let me warn you. I haven’t been slacking off atop my throne either.”

“Bring it on, Your Lordship.” Tishnera snorted with a sarcastic grin and lowered her stance.

Asterios did the same, still wondering how those pesky nobles had managed to convince one of the heroes of the Triple Dungeon War to fight for them in some shady competition. This pair had always seemed like great and honest people.

But, he could catch up with the inventive Tishnera and her lover Darlick after the fight. It would be impolite and disrespectful not to take the dwarf artificer seriously.

Who knew? Maybe she had an ace or two up her sleeve that he could learn from.