"What do you want to do with the remaining Aether Dragons?" Aditya asked the man sitting opposite him. Currently, both of them had returned to the Dragon Palace. Aditya and Leo both were having a meeting. He felt he needed to have a talk with Leo.
Leo did not reply. He has been like this ever since he returned after killing Lincoln. He didn't speak to anyone. The current Leo looked lost. Within just 8 months he had fulfilled his biggest purpose in life which was to take revenge for his parent's death. Now that he had completed his mission, he was lost. He didn't know what he would do in the future.
Aditya waited for Leo to answer. In some ways, Aditya and Leo's situation was very similar. Both were hated by their own families. No matter what he decided, Aditya is going to support him as he is an important part of the Istarin Empire. Leo had the potential to become even stronger than the 7 generals and become the second strongest force of the Istarin empire after Aditya.
After 10 minutes of silence, Leo finally opened his mouth. He finally looked into Aditya's eyes. "I am supposed to hate the Aether Dragons more than anything yet I can't bring myself to tell you to kill all of them. I still hate the Aether Dragons but I feel I have done more than enough. My father would very sad if he learned that his Aether Dragon clan went extinct as a result of his son's actions. So my answer is don't kill them. Let them live."
Seeing Aditya not replying Leo became a little bit worried. He clearly understands what the Aether Dragons were doing had angered the Dragon Monarch. As the Dragon Monarch's Dragonian, Leo doesn't even deserve to voice out his opinion yet Aditya allows him to express his desire. Leo really hoped that Aditya wouldn't kill all of the Aether dragons as this would undoubtfully go against his father's wishes.
Aditya maintains eye contact with Leo for more than 10 seconds. Looking at those crimson gems, Leo felt as if he was an ant in front of a dragon. There is simply no comparison between them. The only person who can make him scared is the Dragon Monarch.
Aditya broke the serious atmosphere with a smile on his face. This left Leo confused. "I am happy with your decision."
"Huh?" Leo now looked super confused.
"You just had to tell me to wipe out every single Aether Dragon yet you didn't. You didn't let revenge completely consume your head and affect your judgment. Instead, you chose to discard your revenge for the sake of your father's wish. I respect the decision that you have made. You're so young yet your action is so mature. I am impressed." Leo looked at the bigger picture which was the fact that his father was the leader of the Aether Dragons and have done everything in his power to secure that the Aether Dragons are never in danger.
"My King I am afraid you're giving me too much credit. I have taken my revenge by killing Lincoln. The other Aether Dragons have nothing to do with my parent's death. They are innocent. I still hate them for bullying me and my sister when we were young. But I don't hate them to the point where I wouldn't do something that would put all of my father's hard work down the drain." Aditya just smiled in response.
"Your sister should be playing with Skye. You should see her and spend more time with her. While trying to gain power, these days, you have been seriously neglecting your sister. Right now, she needs you more than anything." Leo understood Aditya's words. He stood up preparing to leave and see his sister right away.
"One more thing, don't forget to clean your body before you see her. I don't think there is any need of telling her what has happened today. She is too young for this kind of thing. Let her enjoy her childhood." Aditya then ignored Leo and took out his black sword. He started drawing runes on it with full focus.
Leo stared at Aditya for a few seconds before bending his body to complete 90 degrees. "Your Majesty, I can never repay you for the things that you have done for me and my sister. We will be forever in your debt."
Aditya stopped what he was doing. "There is no need for both of you to thank me. The Dragon palace will forever be your home. Your little sister is also like my own sister. In some sense, she is the princess of the Istarin Empire." Although Aditya didn't say it indirectly he was telling that Leo is the unofficial prince of the Istarin empire. Leo understood what Aditya was indirectly hinting at him.
Aditya basically gave them a new identity and a new home and most importantly, a new fresh beginning. Realizing this tears gathered in his eyes. The man who never shed a tear in these 8 months finally broke down. Silently tears rolled down his eyes. But unlike other times, this time there was a genuine smile on his face. There were emotions on his face. The emotions that he locked in his heart started flowing out.
"The Istarin Empire's prince does not need to shed tears. The people will think that the little brother of the Dragon Monarch is weak. The good days are yet to come. The young Aether Dragon's story of revenge is over. Now a new story will begin and the Istarin Prince will be a part of it." Those words were more than enough. Leo almost wanted to hug Aditya. But he restrained himself. For him, getting the recognition of being the Dragon Monarch's little brother is more than enough.
"I will try my best to live up to your expectations." After bowing his head once more, Leo finally left. Just as Leo closed the door, Aditya slightly smiled before going back to his words.
Leo's journey was far from being over. Before he lived a life of an avenger now he will need to live a life as the Istarin Prince.
A few seconds after Leo left, the smile on Aditya's face disappeared as he turned his head to his right. "Nathan, you can come out now."
Suddenly from the shadows, a figure emerged and kneeled behind Aditya. "What news do you have for me, Nathan?" Nathan would only come to meet Aditya if he had some important news that required his attention. Otherwise most of the time, he would report the small things to Spencer or Watson.
"Sire, the news is quite serious. It seems there will be another bloody war going to take place in the Southern region." On hearing this, Aditya shifted his full attention to Nathan.
"Speak, I am listening."
"Seven great Emperors have joined hands and have formed an alliance to take down the Northern Frost Dragon empire. Our spies have noticed a few of the 7 Empires moving their military. Last week, the Ocean Mist Empire bought hundred ice cannons from a foreign Empire. Other Empires are also preparing in their own way."
"How much time before the war breaks out?"
"Probably 3 weeks or maybe even less."
The reason this whole situation was serious news to the Istarin Empire and to the Dragon Monarch is because of several factors. First of all the seven great Oceanic Empires were very stronger Marine forces. As the Southern region is completely surrounded by the sea, after taking down the Northern Frost Dragon Empire, they could simply surround the territory of the Istarin empire from both sides and choke the Istarin Empire's territory. This would cut off the Istarin Empire's trade. Even the option of using the teleportation array would be cut off as the seven great oceanic Empires have something that can prevent teleportation arrays from working.
Right now the death of the former Emperor has internally divided the Northern Frost Dragon empire. The royal family, and the powerful nobles supporting the royal families, all have entered into a conflict with each other. This left the throne empty. And without an Emperor to lead them, the Northern Frost Dragon empire wouldn't even stand a chance against the combined force of the seven oceanic empires. Once they capture the Northern Frost Dragon Empire, they can easily launch an attack on the Istarin Empire's territory.
Even if they don't attack, the Istarin Empire would be constantly under the threat of an attack. The Oceanic forces would be able to attack anytime they feels like. And the combined forces of the seven oceanic Empires, Aditya is not sure if he can stop them. What the Oceanic forces were doing is a big threat to the Istarin Empire
Really Thank you very much to all those who sends support with valuable golden tickets. I hope we can keep it up!!!
