Chapter 343: Planning and Preparation
The meal passed by in joyful quiet, all present too focused on the food to be bothered with conversing, Violet, Luna and Rhyana eating enought to match the rest of the table combined.
Still when the last of the food was eaten those present returned to conversation. The king was the first to speak up.
"Luna, forgive me if this is considered rude but I must ask. Are you a beast or a beastkin with the ability to gain a humanoid form? It was you that was the snow leopard correct?"
Luna smiled at the question, ready to brag slightly about her race. "Well no I am not a snow leopard." She paused then as the king and others present seemed to believe that she was just a beastkin with a transformation ability, however, their initial nods of understanding froze in place when she continued.
"Whilst I used to be a snow leopardkin, thanks to my bond with Violet here, my race evolved into that of a arctic Leopardkin and later I was given the choice to fully turn into a beast. So to answer your question, I am a beast yes, but I am of the arctic leopard race."
Luna smiled widely as she explained, carefully paying attention to the looks of shock plastered over the faces of all snow Leopardkin present.
After all Arctic leopardkin were something of a legend amongst their people. The last of them having died out centuries ago, so to hear that one existed and had them chosen to evolve into a true beast was quite the shocking fact to learn.
"How exactly did you gain the opportunity to evolve into a beast if you don’t mind me asking?" Asked the Queen, who neither girl had gotten the name of just yet.
"Honestly I don’t exactly know, I know that it was largely thanks to my bond with Violet here, but the specifics are beyond me I’m afraid. Other than an assumption that it had to do with my affinity to the Wilds." She shrugged somewhat helplessly.
"I see, well thank you for sharing." The Queen replied with a thoughtful look on her face.
The next to speak was the barking general who looked at both Violet and Rhyana. "I do wonder what you intend to do with the flight of dragons now resting outside our walls? Do you intent to bring them away with you at some point?" Her voice was gruff yet polite, carrying a sense of subdued strength.
The two dragons looked at one another before Rhyana nodded towards Violet, indicating she could speak for them.
Violet smiled and nodded back before turning to face the general. "Honestly I do not have many plans for them. I saw the opportunity to rescue them from the Kingdoms chains and took that chance. I had hoped that they would be willing to either aid me in attacking the kingdom or would instead choose to reside here and maybe integrate with your city?"
She paused and reorganised her thoughts before continuing. "Actually, yes, this is something that I had hoped to raise with you your majesty." She said now turning her attention towards the king.
"When I rescued the young dragons back in Eldor, I managed to rescue a number of dragon eggs as well. They have been kept in status so far, but I have been looking for a place for them to hatch and grow up."
She focused her attention, ensuring that she caught every micro reaction of both the king and Queen. "Would you be willing to house these dragons and assist in raising them? With the understanding that they are not to be coerced into any bonds or held in chains? This extends to the freed dragons, could you care for those that request it? I see no issue with them being recruited to your army so long as it is done willingly."
Her words sent ripples through the room, everyone present gaping at Violet as she spoke those words.
The opportunity to gain an entire flight of dragons, 10 of which were already tier 4 and another 15 at tier 3 would already be a grand boom to any army. Yet Violet was also offering the chance to help raise and entire clutch of dragons that could then also assist the city.
Well it was something that any city would jump at the chance to gain. Dragons were fearsome beasts, they were powerful, fast, intelligent and would be a fearsome addition to any army, particularly one that had just suffered painful losses after the attack the other day.
The addition of so many dragons would truly protect the skies of Syan. That wasn’t even taking into consideration the way that the population of Syan viewed dragons.
Dragons were still held in high regard within the kingdom. From legends told about the time when the last dragon king reigned and they acted as guardians of the Wilds.
The king took some time to answer, carefully considering the implications of Violet’s request. Still it was impossible to hide the glint of excitement in his eyes.
Eventually he answered in a sollem tone. "The city of Syan would be honoured to both house and raise the dragons you have freed. An I swear upon my name and house that they shall be treated with the respect that they are owed."
Violet observed his expression for some time before slowly nodding her head. "Then let it be so. I shall speak with the dragons later and ask them what they want to do from here on. As for the eggs I shall hand them over to Masin, I trust him to keep them safe until propper preparations can be made for their hatching."
Masin looked shocked at learning he would be in charge of caring for an entire clutch of dragon eggs, still he would take the responsibility seriously and bowed his head solemnly in Violet’s direction.
"I will guard them with my life Violet, and, I thank you for putting your trust in me with such a precious thing."
Violet returned his nod, content with his serious demeanour. Then with care she took a particular ring off her finger and carefully observed it.
With a flash a large pink egg appeared on her other hand, it emitted a gentle pressure and attracted all eyes towards it.
"This little one will likely be a powerful mage one day. I know not what king of speciality it will gain, but I can feel powerful mana coming from it." Saying that the ring flashed once again and the egg vanished into the ring once again.
Then Violet stood and walked over to Masin and gently handed him the ring which he reverently accepted.
Violet then turned back around and walked back to her seat, happy with how the conversation had gone so far. Yet she still had a topic that she needed to broach, one that had direct implications to the future strength.
"I do have one more topic that I would like to broach with today. This is towards the sovereigns amongst you." Spoke Violet as she glanced between the King, Masin and the bearing General.
The latter two looked up with interest whilst the King seemed to gain a sparkle of understanding in his eyes. With a gesture to continue Violet spoke up again after glancing at Luna.
"Both myself and Luna have reached level 150, we can feel that we are able to evolve, yet no option seems to be presented to us by the system. Neither of us have developed a true domain however, we have both developed a pseudo domain. Could you perhaps shed some wisdom regarding the evolution into tier 5 and what it entails?"
The king smiled at her words, a look of genuine delight at the prospect of both her and Luna being able to evolve into tier 5 soon.
With a nod he answered. "Of course, I would be happy to share my knowlage with you on this topic. The evolution into tier 5 can be considered a watershed moment. Whilst in theory anyone can reach tier 4, it takes a particular level of talent and skill to be able to reach tier 5."
He paused then, glancing saddly towards his wife who apparently lacked in one or both of those aspects. He received a warm and feasting smile in return as she patted him on the arm.
The king continued. "In answer to your question however, it is not actually required for you to develop a true domain before evolving, a pseudo domain is what is needed. For it is impossible to create a true domain whilst still in tier 4."
"In the process of accessing your body and soul will undergo a transformation. For a domain is the extension of your soul into reality as you claim dominion over the space around you."
"In tiers 1 through 4, your body and soul are two separate but connected aspects of oneself. Yet to enter tier 5 those two aspects must merge into a single whole. So when accessing, or in your case evolving. Your body will remain unresponsive whilst your soul is tested, and this is a test that you can fail, if you do fail however, you shall never be able to advance, so make sure you are truly ready to take that next step before you do. Least it be the end of your ascension."