Chapter 311: Dramatic Entrance
The dive down was as smooth as the ascent. In fact, with the sun slowly descending in the west, it felt even better as they passed through the clouds and felt the winds rip across their faces.
"What do you think?" Aegon asked. "Who betrayed us?"
"Could be anyone from the Elven Council, really," Elara shrugged lightly. "Many of them hate humans. It’s just that Mother and I pushed through this motion, and the World Tree also agreed, so they couldn’t do anything."
"No offense, but it can talk?" Aegon blinked in surprise. "Like, really?"
"Ah! It’s complicated." Elara tapped her chin cutely and said, "It can’t talk, but there are talking trees there. But it isn’t impossible to contact the Great Guardian, just not through normal means."
"I see." Aegon stared down and smiled. "Well, it won’t be long before we find the truth. The Kingdom of Corals is right there, and that’s their capital."
The Coral Kingdom was vast, but from high above it looked surprisingly small. Aegon was certain that if they had ascended a little farther, they would have been able to see its entire outline. After all, the independent kingdoms were relatively small.
As they flew closer to the capital, its details gradually came into focus. Aegon had already learned much about the city, and Elara’s eyesight far surpassed his own. She had been pointing out landmarks and notable features long before he could make them out himself.
A wide stone wall surrounded the city, broken only by a handful of sturdy gates and watchtowers. Within those walls, countless slate roofs stretched across the land like a gray sea, broken by church spires, noble estates, and the towering royal castle at the city’s heart.
Broad streets radiated outward from the castle, dividing the city into neat districts, while narrower lanes twisted between rows of tightly packed houses. Smoke drifted lazily from hundreds of chimneys, and the late afternoon sun glinted off stained-glass windows and polished rooftops.
Unlike the bustling tourist cities Aegon had seen before, this one felt orderly. Everything seemed to have its place, from the bustling marketplaces near the gates to the wealthy quarters gathered around the castle. It looked less like a city that had grown on its own and more like one that had been carefully planned around the seat of a king.
"What a beautiful city," Elara said before scoffing. "But it hides such disgusting humans. Truly fitting of our nature. Beautiful on the surface, but with darkness veiled beneath that beauty."
"Not entirely." Aegon smiled, resting his chin on her head. "Think about it. Does everyone living in that city know about the atrocities being committed by their King?"
"I don’t think so."
"Yup. Many people have no clue what’s happening in the world because their lives are usually so small." Aegon wrapped his arms around her waist and continued. "So let’s not blame them. Intelligent life holds infinite potential, but it starts as a blank slate. How someone is raised, where they’re raised—everything shapes who they become. Some people are taught from birth that Vayrins aren’t one of them, that they’re inferior to Corals and exist only as slaves. It’s wrong, but it aligns with their worldview."
Elara turned to look at him. "You sound like an old man sometimes, with how philosophical you get."
"You fell for it." Aegon nuzzled her neck and whispered, "No take-backs now."
"As if I want to." Elara smiled as she looked down at the city. "I think punishing some evil is the perfect way to end a date."
"Agreed."
Below them, the city seemed to freeze in time as every gaze snapped skyward. Eyes widened. Jaws fell open. A colossal red dragon flew overhead—a real dragon. The mythical Ruler of the Skies had come.
Some desperately tried to convince themselves it was just another flying creature, but the lie didn’t last. Everyone knew what a dragon looked like. Every child had grown up on tales and legends of their kind.
Then chaos erupted.
While dragons were famous and people loved hearing about them in legends, nobody wished to see one in person, as they were signs of calamity. Wherever they passed, ruin followed. Those were the words of history.
The appearance of a dragon above the capital plunged the city into utter chaos. Men, women, and children flooded the streets, scrambling over one another in desperate attempts to flee. In their minds, there was only one certainty: the city was doomed, and anyone who remained would perish with it.
"You caused this." Elara pointed down. "But I understand. This is the most effective way to get things done quickly."
"Indeed." Aegon nodded. "But worry not. I’ll leave some compensation for them. I feel bad for affecting their peaceful lives."
By then, the royal palace had also noticed the disturbance along with the anomaly. It was hard to miss, and that was exactly what Aegon wanted.
Instantly, orders were given, and the gates to the city were closed, even against the protests of the citizens. The King didn’t want his people to abandon him. And if they did, what would stop the ministers and everyone else from running away?
He only hoped that the dragon was merely passing by and had no intention of stopping at their city. Still, he gathered his top experts and the important members of the court and came to stand atop the tallest tower of the Royal Palace.
Elara spotted him, and soon Aegon saw him as well. The King of Corals was a stout, middle-aged man draped in jeweled robes. His beard was neatly trimmed, and despite the fear creeping into his eyes, he held his chin high, determined not to appear weak before his court.
Aegon didn’t land immediately. Instead, he let Virginia fly in circles above the city, clearly showing their intention of not leaving. The King grew tense at that but didn’t do anything.
"At least he has the brains not to attack a dragon immediately," Aegon chuckled.
"Enough theatrics." Elara elbowed him lightly. "Get down."
"Relax, honey." Aegon grinned widely. "A dramatic entrance is also very important."
"Says who?"
"A very cute panda."
"...You’re ridiculous."