[Behemoth City—Capital of the Kingdom of Lukas] Using Chryselle's influence as Lark's disciple, Reginald Vont was finally granted audience with the new king, despite Big Mona's interference.
"I'm here to answer the summons of His Majesty," said Reginald to the guards. Behind him were four of his men, each carrying a treasure chest.
The guards nodded. They'd already been informed of the merchant's arrival.
After checking the contents of the chests, the guards said, "His Majesty is waiting for you inside."
They opened the door to the throne room, and Reginald and his men entered. With purposeful steps, they walked across the red carpet and knelt in front of the throne.
"Reginald Vont greets the Heart of the Sun. I greet His Majesty, King Lark," said Reginald.
"We greet the Heart of the Sun, His Majesty, King Lark!" Reginald's men said in unison.
"You may raise your head," said Lark.
Reginald looked up and gazed at the young man sitting on the throne.
Although he'd seen him before, Reginald still couldn't help but think of how suitable the young man was for this position. Despite his age, he was emanating a domineering aura that far surpassed the former King Alvis.
Two steps below the throne stood Chryselle, Big Mona, and the Grand Chamberlain.
"I heard from my precious disciple, Chryselle," said Lark. He got straight to the point, "I heard you have something to show me?"
Big Mona clicked his tongue, clearly displeased that Reginald Vont had been granted an audience. Reginald inwardly smiled seeing the expression on the pig's face.
Did Big Mona truly believe that he would forever hold the position of the king's most-trusted merchant?
Reginald flashed his brightest smile at Lark. "Yes, Your Majesty." He said to his men, "Open the chests."
Reginald's men opened the chests they'd brought with them, revealing the hundreds of mana stones inside.
"I recently got my hands on a mana stone mine, Your Majesty," said Reginald. "And as His Majesty's humble vassal, I wish to present the mana stone mine as a gift. A congratulatory gift for His Majesty's ascension to the throne."
Big Mona frowned hearing the word 'vassal' come out of Reginald's mouth.
This scheming bastard, Big Mona thought.
Lark gazed at the hundreds of mana stones inside the chest. Although most of them were low-grade, he could see some middle-grade mana stones here and there. As the primary component of mana bombs, the gift would definitely prove useful in the battle against the demons.
"Partner, if I may speak," said Big Mona.
Lark knew of the relationship between the two merchants. He said, "Go ahead."
"I believe that the mana stone mine he is talking about belongs to Duke Kelvin," said Big Mona.
Reginald almost flinched. How did Big Mona find out? It was a secret deal between him and the duke.
Big Mona smirked. "A gift? Preposterous. The mana stone mine belongs to the royal family in the first place! After the Kelvins were stripped of their title, all of their assets were confiscated! They now belong to the kingdom! They now belong to the royal family!"
Reginald hadn't expected this sudden turn of events. He was confident of winning the new king's favor with this gift. He hadn't expected the deal between him and Duke Kelvin, which only the two of them knew about, to be revealed like this.
Reginald started regretting underestimating Big Mona's information network.
"How dare a mere merchant claim that he owns a mine belonging to the royal family!" Big Mona raised his voice. "And as though that wasn't enough, he even plans on gifting the said mine to His Majesty himself!"
Reginald was fuming inside, but he still suppressed his emotions from showing on his face. He carefully studied Big Mona. Only then did he realize how the information leaked.
Chryselle.
His daughter must have told Lark beforehand of the true origins of the mana stone mine. And through Lark, Big Mona managed to obtain this crucial information.
Why are you siding with the king, my daughter? thought Reginald.
He thought that after giving him the chance to have an audience with the new king, Chryselle would keep quiet about the mana stone mine's true origins. Reginald hadn't expected things to turn out like this. He hadn't expected his daughter to choose her master over him.
"Your Majesty! This is an outright insult to the royal family!" said Big Mona in a heated voice. "He should be punished!"
For several seconds, Lark fell silent. Eventually, he said, "There's no need to go that far."
Lark's calm voice was a stark contrast to Big Mona's.
Lark said, "Reginald, the stone mine belongs to the Kelvins. Is this true?"
Reginald felt uncomfortable meeting his gaze. It felt like the new king could see through the veil. As though he already knew the truth, and was just waiting for Reginald to tell him everything.
Reginald continued suppressing his real thoughts from showing on his face. "It used to belong to the Kelvins. That's correct, Your Majesty."
Lark did not miss the addition of the words 'used to belong.' He said, "Used to belong?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," said Reginald. "The Vont family bought the mana stone mine from the Kelvins a year ago. Legally speaking, it is our family's possession."
"Words aren't enough, partner," Big Mona said to Lark. "A document of the transaction. The merchant needs to present one. Only then can we truly say that it's indeed the property of the Vont family."
Big Mona glared at Reginald.
Big Mona—the damn swine—must believe that the transaction was done illegally. Unfortunately for him, Reginald was meticulous when it came to things like this. He'd already forged documents related to the acquisition of the mana stone mines months before the execution of Duke Kelvin.
"I believe that Sir Mona Gaultier is right, Your Majesty," said Reginald, smiling. "We shall prepare the transaction documents right away before handing over the mana stone mine to the royal family. It is only proper to do so."
Lark looked at Big Mona. For some reason, it seemed that the new king was amused. Like he found the exchange between the two merchants entertaining.
"Can you look over the documents for me, Mona?" said Lark.
Big Mona gnashed his teeth. "Of course, Your Majesty. As your partner, I'll make sure to check it carefully."
Reginald inwardly laughed. The fat merchant would probably try to scrutinize the documents for any fraud or faults. But he was confident that no matter what the fat merchant did it would be futile. Duke Kelvin was already dead, after all. He wouldn't be able to verify the document's authenticity, no matter what he did.
"I trust Sir Mona Gaultier's judgment," said Reginald, still smiling.
Big Mona clenched his fist. He wanted to pummel Reginald to the ground. He could still remember when the Vont family drove his father to bankruptcy, causing him to kill himself to save his sons from the debt collectors.
Big Mona was about to speak when the pendant on Lark's neck started lightly glowing. A message in draconian was transmitted to Lark, "God Evander. I've brought the two foolish lizards with me to the capital."
At the same time, the commander of the royal guards barged into the throne room. "Your Majesty!" He was huffing, his face pallid. "Dragons!
Dragons have arrived at the capital!"
Everyone in the throne room, aside from Lark who'd received the message from Blackie beforehand, were stunned. Even Reginald Vont, who'd managed to maintain a smiling face was horrified.
"Dragon?" mumbled Reginald.
It was a mythical creature heard of only in legends. They didn't even know if the dragon, who was supposedly guarding the dwarven kingdom, truly existed. And now, one was suddenly at their doorstep?
"There should be two of them," said Lark as he slowly stood up.
"Where are they?"
"They're staying at the outskirts, Your Majesty! Right outside the barrier, near the southern gate! A seven-headed creature is also with them!"
It was sounding more ludicrous with each passing moment. But to Reginald's surprise, it seemed that Lark had already expected this. He looked as though he knew of their arrival before the commander even made the report.
"Reginald," said Lark.
"Your Majesty," said Reginald.
"Our meeting ends here," said Lark. "I'll meet with the dragons right away."
"O-Of course."
Accompanied by the royal guards, Lark went to the capital's outskirts.
As expected, a crowd had already gathered nearby. While staying inside the barrier, the residents of the capital gawked at the three mythical creatures sitting on the ground.
The only person outside the barrier was a single human—Elias Farsight, one of the Royal Court Magicians.
Despite facing the three mythical creatures, Farsight fearlessly stood his ground. Despite his usually aloof demeanor, it seemed that he planned on defending the capital should the dragons suddenly attack.
"Move! His Majesty is passing through!" said the royal guards.
The crowd parted.
"Your Majesty, please stay inside the barrier," said the commander of the royal guards. "Until we verify whether or not the dragons are hosti—" "It's fine," said Lark. He exited the barrier together with the royal guards.
Elias gazed at Lark and wordlessly stood by his side. Silent as always, Lark thought.
"God Evander!" Blackie happily greeted Lark in draconian.
Lark gazed at Blackie, then at the two dragons next to it. He noticed the innumerable injuries on the dragons' bodies: their broken scales, torn wings, bleeding flesh.
With a single look, it was apparent even to the residents that these three had just fought.
"What brought you here? And what's this? If I remember correctly, these two are members of the dragon tribe protecting the dwarven kingdom," said Lark in draconian.
Blackie glared at the two dragons. It angrily hissed, "What are you doing? Kneel."
Although reluctant, the two dragons lowered their heads and knelt before Lark. Everyone, Elias Farsight included, was stunned upon seeing this surreal sight. Although they couldn't understand draconian, they realized that these mythical creatures were submitting to the king.
"We've been watching over Blackstone Town and its surrounding territories, as ordered by God Evander!" said Blackie. "And then, these two foolish lizards appeared!"
Blackie happily explained to Lark everything that had transpired until now. Its tail wagged every now and then as it recounted the story. The Scylla proudly told Lark how it had one-sidedly beaten up the two dragons while they were in their polymorphed state. How it defeated its foe using the knowledge imparted to it by the Dragon Devourer. Lark frowned when he heard the part wherein a large portion of the forest had been destroyed during the battle, but he decided not to bring it up for now. The more pressing matter at hand was the dragons.
"Then, are you telling me that the two of you wish to come under my command?" said Lark in human tongue.
The two dragons easily understood Lark's intention. The human king wanted his people to hear the exchange between him and these mythical creatures.
"That's correct, King Lark," said Vulcan, his voice soft and meek. "We wish to submit ourselves to you. Please allow us, the Fire Dragons, to become your servants."
It was no longer an alliance, but a master–servant relationship. Blackie must have beaten these dragons to the point that they turned this meek.
Their previously domineering aura was nowhere to be found.
Vulcan and Shahaneth turned into humans using polymorph. Seeing the spell for the first time, the people watching gasped in awe. In their human form, the dragons looked breathtakingly beautiful.
"As a show of our sincerity," said Vulcan. He cut his flesh using his claymore. Blood dripped on the ground and formed a magic formation. "We shall swear an oath made with our dragon's blood. An oath of our allegiance to this kingdom. Our allegiance to King Lark."
Shahaneth mimicked the actions of her father. Using dragon's blood, the two of them made a binding oath and swore their eternal loyalty to King Lark.
In a single day, this event, witnessed by hundreds of people, spread throughout the capital.