Son of the Hero King

Sol eyed the two new arrivals with interest. He had not paid much attention to them even as they approached and if he was honest, he was more surprised they actually came to talk to him.

Dragons were prideful and after beating them both, he wouldn’t have been surprised if they decided to ignore him or feel resentment toward him for the rest of their lives, which was basically all eternity if they weren’t killed.

A smile formed on his face as he stood up. He was fully in his right to stay seated, but there was no point in a useless show of power. At least, he did not see any point there. Those two dragons would undoubtedly become leaders of the dragon race. It was better to start influencing them more in a more positive way.

“I am happy to see you guys, how have you been? Thank you for taking care of Nefertiti all this time.” He exchanged a solid handshake with them. “Why don't you take a seat?”

“Thank you and there is no need for gratitude. I have been personally studying some of the leaves of the world tree in the Mortal Realm and how they managed to grow to such an extent despite the low amount of mana in this backwater place. I believe soon, I should be able to create something that could help dragons and other creatures survive in mana dead zones.”

Nidhogg took a seat next to Sol and immediately went on explaining some of her projects. After all, poison and medicine were concepts extremely close in essence.

“Oh?” Sol’s eyebrow was raised, clearly surprised by her astonishing claim. Immediately, he was far more intrigued than he had tried to portray earlier. However, he soon looked at Kaiser and focused on the male dragon.

“How about you my friend? I hope your stay in this realm was profitable for you.”

Kaiser snorted, “I have learned nothing of worth, I’m afraid. My truth and domain necessitate people strong enough to fight and exhaust me to improve. Yet, the only people capable of helping me within the vicinity refused to entertain me.”

Saying so, Kaiser gave a mean look at Siegfried who could only chuckle nervously, a helpless look on his face.

“Forgive me, young master. But my situation is already quite precarious. If I were seen fighting a dragon again, I would most likely be excommunicated or worse, killed.” There was clear bitterness in his words.

One Sol could sympathize with.

“Words of a coward. Why would the thoughts of those weaker than you matter? If you had done anything wrong, the Empress would have executed you long ago.” Kaiser waved dismissively. He could not understand Siegfried’s situation, a situation born of his draconic origins.

The man was powerful. There was no doubt about that fact. Siegfried was so powerful that, even now, sitting close to him, made his skin crawl, goosebumps dotting his body. It was as if he was sitting close to a natural predator.

Kaiser did not doubt that if a fight were to happen, even his prized defense would be of no use against this monster.

This was why he found himself all the more disgusted with the current situation. The strong should stand proud above the common populace. This was the natural law and order of the world.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

In what world did the strong bow to the whims of the weak?

“There is no need to waste your words on that man. He is nothing but a broken shell. A reminder of his once glorious self. Worthless.” A complicated look overshadowed her face as Nidhogg looked at her father.

It was more than apparent that her words had hurt the elf, yet he remained silent, shoulders lowered, and head bowed. He was perfectly portraying the look of a worthless loser.

The actions of her own father infuriated her mind, threatening to overcome her psyche. However, she had long since decided to ignore him. That would just be better for everyone.

“A man with no dreams nor aspiration is not a man. It’s nothing but a walking dead and a waste of air.” She said so and decided to act as if Siegfried did not exist.

Listening to all of this, Sol grimaced inwardly.

Damn guys, no need to put him down so much.

He decided to keep those words to himself, however. After all, he knew that Siegfried was Nidhogg’s father. He was not close enough to either of them for him to interfere.

Even so.

Perhaps I should do something?

After all, a hero should have a treatment befitting a hero. Changing the opinion of the populace would not be easy but giving him a slightly better reputation wouldn’t be too complicated.

Should I include this in my negotiations?

This seemed quite cold. But he also had to be pragmatic. In the end, though, Sol decided he would do so free of charge.

After all, in this dog-eat-dog world, nothing was more expensive than a free favor.

If I can attain him and push him to go past his inner demons, then I will have three singularities under my command.

Siegfried, Lilith, and Wukong.

Just imagining the three of them fighting under his banner made him salivate. Those three would be enough to establish a force even in the Astral realm.

“You shouldn’t be so harsh with him. I believe what Sir Siegfried did one thousand years ago was an act worthy of respect. The fact that it still haunts him to this date is something to be concerned about rather than berate him.”

I wonder if I can cure him with Nefertiti.

He dismissed the idea instantly.

“Thank you.” Siegfried gave him a feeble smile before standing up. “As much as I would like to stay. It seems like I will disturb your meeting. So, I ask for your permission to leave, Emperor.”

He seemed clearly uncomfortable but Sol would have none of this.

“Sir, please sit down. Now that we have them here, I have a few questions for them until Kiyohime wakes up. Having a representative of the elves present will be extremely helpful to me. There is much to discuss, be it about the Astral Realm or the Mortal.”

Nidhogg exchanged a look with Siegfried but in the end, she did not insist for him to leave and neither did Kaiser.

As much as they disliked admitting it. The current leader in this place was Sol. No one else deserved that authority.

His words were law. As simple as that.

“Hoo, since everyone seems to be on the same wavelength. I would like to hear more about what happened back in the Dragon Realm as well as the meeting between all the demigod divine beasts.”

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

This was a quote Sol loved. He knew very well that after conquering the Mortal Realm, the Astral Realm would be his next target.

Since this was the case, I might as well start making some early preparations.