Chapter 623: Sky Dominion.

“… Essentially, Plesia has given me the go-ahead to target both leviathan leaders. We are allowed to kill both if we can, before the Event Quest ends, I presume. And if I manage to do it, she will protect us from the wrath of her pantheon, and Caedhul, as a whole,” I answered Neill’s inquiry before slowly explaining everything that happened after I had met the Abyssal Warden. After a lengthy recollection, I sighed a bit as I looked at everybody’s reaction, mostly Nong’s, concerning the last point. “Abyssal Warden Ashana has stated that she will only support the attack of one of the leviathans. Whether Quasdrakeen or Kiedaceus, she will send Lecullius’s might on that foe.”

“In other words, she has decided to leave the decision on who the Church of Plesia will support for the Event Quest in our hands,” Wendriosa summarized with a small sigh.

“Why the sigh? Shouldn’t that work in favor of your plan?” Kahalameet asked, prompting Wendriosa and me to shake our heads.

“No, remember? Sister Wendriosa wants to kill both of the leviathans,” I replied. “That’s why I asked Plesia for permission. Plus, Kramps agreed that attacking both is the best method to do so, even giving Wendriosa his support.”

“His support? As in, his affirmation of her actions?” Phso raised an eyebrow and stopped stroking his beard. “If our family worshipped Grandfather as much as the dragonewts, that alone would push Wendriosa’s position as the most likely heir up. We, however, do not concern ourselves with his approval. Kargryxmor believes direct actions are the most appropriate for dragons, and this is as direct as it could be. He would choose to attack both leviathans as well.”

“But the fact that he believes we can do it is the most important part!” Nong interjected, gently slamming the table.

“As Phsothophus said, we do not concern ourselves with his opinion!” Wendriosa asserted, still looking as furious as when I first mentioned this to her. “Whatever. Don’t bring that up again, Nongramos. Whether Kargryxmor agrees or not does not change the validity of my plan at all, nor what I talked with Kahalameet about.”

“I don’t understand this? You’re pushing such a reckless plan, but when you get the approval, you’re slinking back as if you had the luxury of patience like our eldest! Sister, please, this is what you needed to hear, and everything is starting to fit!” Nong complained, showing me the divide between the two, and why Wendriosa seemed so pissed off when Kahalameet and Nong fought. “A dragon ruler without a nest to rule is just a title. Father wanted to give you one because it would help your cause, but we have the option to subjugate Caedhul and assimilate Lecullius in the process! The votes through the Lecullians aren’t important, but the prestige of it is!”

I guess that was why Wendriosa agreed with Nong’s wish to vassalize Caedhul, but she ultimately chose not to pursue it due to its difficult execution. Being Lecullius’s dragon ruler would mean being responsible for everything that happened there, including dealing with their religious zeal. While Kahalameet’s warning went in and out of Nong’s ears, Wendriosa understood the administrative nightmare that it would pose.

Although Nong and Wendriosa were both on the side of progress, the two showed signs of tension in their alliance. From my perspective, it seemed Wendriosa had mellowed out a lot once she and Kahalameet agreed on the new succession method. At the same time, Nong kept championing Wendriosa’s original goal of overseeing other countries with a dragon tyrant, ensuring complete peace. That was what Nong wanted from vassalizing Lecullius: peace for Kargryx, even if it demanded a forceful subjugation.

“Lecullius only wishes to attack one leviathan due to the Event Quest. Naturally, since unique Jobs are new and people will want to obtain the new power method before everybody else achieves it,” Nong continued, correctly guessing the intent of the honey trap reward of the Event Quests. “We can make a difference! We can alter their thinking, bringing them to help us against two threats to this alliance! Quasdrakeen and Kiedaceus are antitheses to our peaceful cooperation, everybody! The catalysts that could ruin the goodwill between our two nations, if this war were to devolve into a degenerate, chaotic mess similar to the Civil War.”

“… Or we could be the catalyst to even more infighting.” Kahalameet reignited Nong’s hostility once more. His elated passion disappeared as he stared at our eldest to the point that I could imagine Nong brandishing his claws again.

Fortunately, before those two could get back to their fight, Ryra raised his hand and asked, “But, Brother, couldn’t there be another way to do this?”

“Yes, why exactly do you need to make them a vassal?” Neill chimed in as well. “It feels like you just want to control them for the sake of it, or because you’re paranoid that mere words or letters will be broken in the future. Hate to break it to you, Bro, but that can happen even as a vassal. Hey, Hestia, what happened with Griffonpeak? Aren’t they vassals of Folschreck, or something?”

I raised an eyebrow and placed a finger on my chin before snapping my fingers as dramatically as possible to show everybody I just had a brain blast. “Oh, right! Griffonpeak just ditched them! They broke off their vassalage to Folschreck after over 200 years of service, just because Folschreck kept demanding more and more tribute, in money, supplies, and unwilling conscripts! It might be different for Folschreck and Lecullius, but you’re not exactly a seer, Nong.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear, and why should we force it? As you said, Bro, we can approach it differently, but not through vassalage or anything.”

“Can’t we just create more land around the area for a delegation of us to stand ready to protect our allies, then?” Ryra suggested, drawing Phso’s attention as Neill snapped her fingers.

“Exactly! Didn’t we just hear it from Big Bro Phsothophus? Quake and Inferno Nest should be on our side now, and we can use them to create land for our dragonkin to rest on as we move towards the battle, but what if instead of starting at Miononbolax, we just create the land directly next to Lecullius! The aquapolis is an artificial metal building, right? Why can’t we make something artificial for ourselves? Just treat it like an embassy, and have Big Sister Wendriosa take care of it once she becomes the Dragon Ruler of Water.”

“The reason why we haven’t done it before is that we didn’t want to encroach on Caedhulen territory. It wouldn’t be right, similar to how it wouldn’t be right for leviathans to build an underwater city close to our territory, no?” Phso added. “Furthermore, creating something that resembles land close to Caedhul would be an act of terraforming. It would lead to other trouble, unless we create… no, wait, artificial? Father, the Shakaie-Narn alliance is a bit vaguer when it comes to Caedhul’s participation, correct? However, Lecullius’s Abyssal Warden agreed to it, right?”

Father nodded. “The alliance includes Caedhul, but I believe we’ve established how individualistic they are as a nation. You may only truly believe the aquapolis and the colony to be on our side in alliance matters.”

“Then… couldn’t we use this as a chance to invoke our right to station defenders on allied waters?” Phso suggested as he turned to Neill and Ryra. “I see what you two are thinking. However, the idea still requires time, and we aren’t so sure if that can happen any time soon. If we try to build land or, if we bring in dwarven artificers, a metal city, then it will give the leviathans time to plan the retaliation.”

“Any declaration of war is a mere formality at this point. Once they are ready, they will attack,” Wendriosa said. “This includes this ‘embassy’ you are planning to build. It might resolve one part of Nongramos’s worries, but it still doesn’t address the main point of Lecullius being unable to help us against every leviathan or adamantoise issue. A vassalization would be smoother to solve these problems.”

“At the cost of future uncertainty. We are going in a circle.” Kahalameet let out a deep sigh just as Taim stood up and placed his document binder in front of Father, drawing everybody’s attention.

“I guess that is the best segue I could get. Thank you, Ryranakus, Fargryneill, and Hestia. Let me proceed, for I believe I have a very suitable suggestion. We do not need to build a building on water, but I like the idea of an embassy, which we can provide to all our allies. Instead of acting like our conqueror of a grandfather, but act as the civilized dragons that we have become through Father’s rule.” Taim opened the binder and placed what looked like a schematic for Father to inspect. “We do not need to take land when we are dragons. We rule the sky, and our people do it through the sky cities we have perfected. We build the embassy, or fortress, right inside our territory and transport the sky city right on top of our ally to spread our influence.”

“Huh?” Nong let out, eyes widening in shock and disbelief.

“Transport?” Meanwhile, Kahalameet, Phso, and Wendriosa stared at him as if he wasn’t making any sense. Lured in by his curiosity, Kahalameet questioned, “I presume your answer will explain that idea of yours? After all, sky cities are stationary because they rely on rune stones on the ground and beneath the sky city’s stone body to keep a magnetic attraction. That stabilizes the city and prevents it from crashing onto the city below. How are we supposed to ‘transport’ a city to Lecullius, when it’s normally not viable? You do not suggest that the earth drakes carry it over there, correct? They would be sitting ducks as they waddle through the deep ocean.”

“You would also need a dragon the size of Father or Empress-Mother Melloxtressa to carry through the sky, if we wish to make a city large enough to allow multiple dragons and dragoons to roost on. If a rank S can carry it, then it won’t be large enough,” Wendriosa added. “I do not believe delegating such a task to them would be appropriate. Not only would that be beneath them, but it would expose them to too much danger when they should be fighting.”

Like having your strongest fighter do porter duties.

“Naturally, it would be inconvenient, and it would also be hard to place those runic stones onto a drake to use them like a platform, which is why I shall present my idea, and also that of Nongramos for him.” Taim gave Nong a quick smirk before turning back to his schematic. “I would like to suggest we commission the digital media guild, the blacksmith’s guild, and the artificers’ guild of both Kargryx and Ankor-Nazta for a joint project in the creation of the first ‘Airship.’”

What? I thought, as I was sure I had mentioned that to Kahalameet and Jadhund in the past. A “zeppelin,” I said, although it was just in passing. Where did Taim hear about it, though?

“What?” Nong mumbled, looking at Taim with an incredulous look as Father stroked his chin while reading through the document.

As he moved back to his seat, Taim glanced at Nong with a smirk. “Dwarves have pretty loose lips when they drink, and you seemed to have forgotten that Hestia’s dwarven retainer is one of Jadhund’s close colleagues. You might have asked for secrecy from him in that letter, but you need to learn how to clean up your stomping tail, younger brother.”

Wait, seriously? Jadhund told Nong about my zeppelin idea? Huh… it wasn’t even that important back then.

Seeing him scowl, Taim let out a short snort before he sat down, earning him an uncomfortable look from Wendriosa. Seeing Father look at the documents intently, Taim explained, “Nongramos had plans on arguing back, older brothers. I don’t think you should underestimate him so much, when he’s the type to play detective to find a single alchemist after something became fishy to him. He even left our youngest inside an ice cave because he had to follow his hunch.”

True on that fact. Illvenus wouldn’t have been caught if Nong hadn’t left me for a month to find out the truth.

“The idea behind this new invention is simple: we shall continue our dominance of the skies. However, instead of relying purely on our wings like always, we shall engineer and innovate. We shall trailblaze a new path to the skies, not only allowing our dragonewt relatives to join us in relative leisure, but also to allow dragons and drakes to rule the skies jointly. I present: the ‘airship’ and the ‘zepplin,’ two manatech constructs able to take to the skies using gears and runes. If you wish for a comparison, they shall be the ‘trains’ of the sky. Battle-ready to confront our enemies, while large enough to transport our soldiers to war, and with some adjustment, humongous enough to transport an entire sky city.”

… We’re seriously unveiling the big RPG endgame tool in the airship now? That was just a wandering thought, not an invitation to create it. I was planning on introducing that idea after all this stuff settles down, so I can arrive in, I don’t know, Griffonpeak in style!

“Though I do have to mention that neither Nongramos nor I came up with that idea. We hastily came here to present it before you, Father, but I believe we mustn’t forget to mention its original idea giver first. Like the creation of the ‘streaming function,’ we should thank our youngest for sharing another idea from Earth.” Taim had everybody turn to look at me, causing me to shrink as I was trying to hide my embarrassed smile.

It felt good to be mentioned, but I wasn’t sure if I needed the attention now, seeing how little I’ve involved myself in this entire talk. I’ve been a mere observer, outside of telling everybody what happened with Plesia. Taim was driving everything forward just as Neill and Ryra had told me.

Ignoring how much I was blushing, Taim continued, “Hestia had informed the guild master of the digital media guild about it in passing, probably because the latter was curious about her knowledge from Earth after the recorder’s success. Nongramos received that information through a coincidence as they spoke.”

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

I nodded. Just one of many things I talked with Jadhund about as the digital media guild grew. Though since our guild wasn’t focused on such complicated machinery, the idea couldn’t grow any wings. Jadhund probably explained it to Nong and made him a blueprint of how it could work, but it would be like Grimnir making a new sword—just a pastime.

Taim continued, “Furthermore, Hestia’s idea of attaching mana cannons on the backs of dragons and drakes, using them like mobile cannon wagons, probably inspired him. He spoke with the digital media guild’s master through a letter, and this is the result. Nongramos, hand Father the blueprints Jadhund drew for you.”

“Tsk.” Nong clicked his tongue before following through with the order, sitting down with a wide scowl.

Father, accepting it, inspected both ideas and quickly realized there was one fundamental difference between them. “I see, a ‘zeppelin’ and an ‘airship.’ One is made with a large balloon that keeps the ship in the air, presumably, using wind magic or… Ah, fire runes, it says here. The other is more mechanical, focusing more on mechanical apparatuses to keep the device afloat. Hoo, are these wings?”

“Yes, Father. I added my own ideas to it when I spoke to Grimnir and Jadhund about it. Wings would give the machinery more dexterity in the air.”

“I see… though what is the main difference you are trying to make with this design change?”

“Hestia’s zeppelin idea was made to solve the merchant ship issues. Instead of sailing through the water, we can take to the air. Instead of having proud dragons deliver cargo, we can have dragonewts and wyverns do it on a large flying ship. The airship, on the other hand, is sleeker and more effective for delivering soldiers to a battlefield.”

“Large capacity with the zeppelin, and speed with the airship,” Kahalameet implied from Taim’s explanation. “I had intended to talk about the zeppelin to you, Father. Hestia had mentioned it to me as well, but the dwarves mentioned they couldn’t pursue the idea. However, a collaboration with Ankor-Nazta—”

“And the Saelari and Kel’Thun,” Taim quickly added. “The wood and leather sheets are needed for the zeppelin, and you may not find better carpenters than our elven neighbours.”

Father nodded as Nong groaned, probably feeling like his idea was stolen, or maybe that this moment to impress Father was taken by Taim. Father handed the documents to Phso to share the information with the rest of us. “So you seek to have Kargryx remain the dominant force through these inventions. Though I do have to ask why that is necessary when we already rule over the skies.”

“Unless we live in the sky all the time, I don’t think we truly rule over the skies, Father,” Nong replied in Taim’s stead, letting out an annoyed sigh. “This past year has taught me a lot, and the most important thing is that we rely on the earth and water too much. For rulers of the sky, we spend so much of our time below the clouds, even resting inside the earth in our mountainous nests or underground lairs. Yes, we spend time in our sky cities and fly wherever we want, but as long as we have to rely on ships and carriages to deliver our food, we can never be unfettered to rule the skies.”

Good point. Actually true, if you look at the recent shipping problems.

Father leaned back, holding his chin with one hand while resting the other on the armrest. His interest was piqued.

“Furthermore, what about our citizens? The dragonewts descended from dragons. How often do they truly experience the freedom of the sky we ‘rule’ over, when all they do is walk on the streets and occasionally fly for fighting or short travel? We are but landlocked drakes with wings, Father, no matter how much we wish to call ourselves the ‘rulers of the skies.’” Nong then tapped his finger on the table, leaning forward with the same energy he had from the start. His face brightened up, gesturing widely with his arms to draw everybody’s attention. “Why did dragons seek the ground? Because there was nowhere to rest in the sky. We never had a home until the sky city was invented, but it wasn’t us dragons who created it, but our ingenious dragonewts who first found the idea, and the ancients helped perfect it with their sage knowledge of the arcane.”

Not even surprising. Yorshka did mention something like that, and it would fit with how I’ve come to understand my environments. I thought, remembering how long it took to persuade Uncle Kary about the recorder, until I mentioned the fact that we could use it to make an underwater documentary. Speaking of which, his clan should have enough footage for one full two-hour film by now.

“Yet, why do we still stay on the ground? Because we are too used to it all, and that is why I believe this technology is necessary for us to develop before anybody else can.”

“No, we aren’t the first any longer,” Taim interrupted, and I could already imagine what he was about to say. “After all, both the vampires and the Archerudite of Aleistunum have already created flying structures. The former carry their brood with them in a floating, blood fortress, while the latter has a small island just for his home. We are already behind, Father.”

“I see… then it seems I made the correct decision. Very well, Nongramos. Taimatrak. Although both of your plans conflict, I can see the inherent value in the ideas behind them. I also understand the current situation with everything… and I shall agree with Kahalameet on this matter, Nongramos. Vassalization will not serve us. I shall not condone you leading our scalekin into a direct battle like this. Yet, it is also true that we must discuss a way to handle Lecullius’s current predicament.”

“Father, then how can we—”

“Hold on, Nongramos. Father, what do you say about Taimatrak’s idea of that sky city? Nongramos does have a point concerning our current situation, and to have a mobile sky city able to move from one city to another might be more than a fancy idea. It is a strategic advantage,” Wendriosa stated as my siblings started talking about the possible realization of Taim’s idea and Nong’s vision.

I wasn’t able to participate in it, as Neill had handed me the blueprints for the zeppelin and airship. Uninterested in the novel idea, she only scanned it for a moment to get the gist of it. I, on the other hand, was pretty intrigued by how detailed the two blueprints were.

Jadhund really did an amazing job for, probably, a small hobby project. Sheesh, I guess he wasn’t a member of the railroad guild for nothing.

The zeppelin was a cigar-shaped giant gasbag, with the sheets surrounding a metal hull to keep air inside and keep it afloat. Like a blimp, it had a small metal or wooden box underneath it, where people could stay, while the cargo could be stored inside the gasbag. Technically, this was an airship as well, but to Taim, who didn’t know this, his idea sounded more like an airship.

And how did his idea look? Like the same airship from one of my favorite fantasy games, where my white-red cloak came from. It was exactly as the name suggested—it was a ship hull carried in the air by rotors like those of a helicopter. It had multiple wings, or fins, covering the blimp and the wooden ship itself, but what was important were the designs for the rudders and propellers. They were all made from manatech, with ideas to use runes and enchantments.

Naturally, the zeppelin idea could use a manatech touch as well, but maybe that was why Taim had noted on his documents, “Zeppelin idea; potential. Expanded, and we might have something that carries more than just some cargo.”

The zeppelin could be made larger and even nearly metallic, allowing it to act not only as a cargo ship but also as a mothership leading an armada. We could use Kargryxian levitation runes for that. Meanwhile, the airship could have engine exhausts with more propellers and rudders to remain maneuverable, while also being equipped with cannons to allow the crew to shoot mana cannons. Both options could carry dragoons, wyverns, and humanized dragonkin, which was what we needed to maintain mobile “roosting places” to allow rest over the ocean.

I can see the idea, and if we combine the brain power of the Shakaie-Narn Alliance, we could make this work on an accelerated plan. Ankor-Nazta with their manatech and runes, Saelariel with their magical power and enchantments, Artorias with their experience in making flying carriages, and Yeos with their shipwrights. No need for Caedhul, so we can keep this idea hidden for a while.

“The invention can also expand fully into the future, creating larger and larger sky cities, making it even possible for some dragons to roost on them. The land-locked cities and towns do not need to be altered, though with the inclusion of the mechanical flying transportation methods, life would change for the dragonewts. Some wyverns won’t have to act as porters or carriages, as well. Our military would also expand.” I heard Kahalameet say as I finished reading the document, putting the papers down to stare at my siblings.

Particularly, Nong seemed to have finally calmed down, even if he was sulking in his chair.

“Our navy will lag behind… but I can see the vision. Then, should we start adjusting the budget for the creation of this ‘airship’ and ‘zeppelin’? However, what do we do with the ‘embassy’ version? How do we prepare it? Yes, we have the time to build it as long as Kiedaceus isn’t done with his cleansing, but we can’t just dally around with the testing phase. Sky cities require quality control for each rune, since a single runic fizzle could cause everything to destabilize.”

Ryra agreed, “That would be a catastrophic incident that could cost an untold number of lives. The embassy will be close to the Lecullius, so if the sky city were to fall, it could crush the aquapolis and the underwater city below. Not to mention, it needs to be stable enough to be transported to the water city.”

“We also need those flying manatech contraptions ready by then,” Phso added. “Mobile mana cannons, not landlocked and able to be shot from the sky? I must say, those dwarven weapons are impressive siege weapons, and if two or three dragonewts can man one, it would be like having another rank B true dragonkin expelling breath attacks.”

“Also, you don’t need younger dragonkin carrying those giant things around, like what happened on Frozen Nest,” Neill said. “The blueprints for the zeppelin stated it is large enough to install a mana barrier on it. They can act as flagships, ready to protect the more damage-oriented airships. More fliers like this will allow the dragons to fly better, since they’ll have support beyond wyverns and dragoons.”

“Ah, if it’s time for the creation and testing, I think I know somebody who has a lot of experience with flying rocks.” I raised my hand. “I requested Aleistunum’s Archerudite, Uzerra, to come visit Miononbolax. I only intended to have him find a way to help with the demon stuff, but he has a connection with the vampires. Might as well ask him for help once he’s here.”

“Good job securing that connection.” Taim snapped his fingers as he praised me, making me feel like I did something. “Now we only need to consider the training for our new flying armada. The cannoneers, navigators, and flight technicians will need to be trained.”

Kahalameet shook his head. “That will be no issue. Our flight and wakes are disciplined, with the dragoons highly competent in using mechanical weapons. Wendriosa and I can carry out the training using our mother’s name… though that will also require a formal reason. Father?”

Father closed his eyes and lowered his head to think… but from this angle, I believed I saw him smile for a moment. Though if he had, Neill, Ryra, and Phso would have seen it as a problem as well, and none of them were reacting, so I just let it pass. I probably was seeing things… until I saw those three giving each other and me a look as if they were expecting each other to react to something.

No way, right?

“Kahalameet and Wendriosa, you two shall marshal the dragonkin. Begin with Inferno and Quake Nest, and then ready the flights and wakes for war.”

I gulped as I heard Father growl as low as he could. I could see Neill and Ryra giving the same reaction, while Kahalameet, Phso, Wendriosa, and Taim nodded with understanding. Nong was the only one who smiled.

Father continued barking his orders. “Phsothophus and Ryranakus, I want you to work with your mother to start preparing the supplies. While I believe the war will be short, due to how destructive it will be, we will need plenty of potions, catalysts, weapons, and many more items to gain as much of an advantage as possible. Set the budget, which should include our allies’ contribution.”

Without waiting for their answer, Father snapped to Taim and Nong. “Taimatrak, you will lead this new venture. Settle everything and bring over the experts you require. Nongrasmos, considering your agitation, I presume Storm and Thunder Nest will be quite happy about this announcement. Well, they will be the vanguard if you wish to be so impatient.”

“Thank you, Father!” Nong bowed deeply.

“Once again, this will not be a subjugation mission, do you understand?”

“Yes, of course, but if you are asking the wind and the lightning dragonkin to lead, then that must mean that we will be guarding the transportation of this flying embassy, correct? We will be charging into enemy territory, instead of following Kahalameet’s wish to make this a siege defense! What could I ask for more?”

“The plan has not been settled yet.”

“I understand, of course, Father.” Nong bowed again, this time with an even wider smile. Once he sat down, he patted Taim’s back, apologizing to him for everything he had said during the meeting. “I honestly thought you were about to shoot down everything I said just like our eldest there, but you’re surprisingly flexible, Older Brother.”

Did he really have to mention Kahalameet there?

“If you’re grateful, then do me a favor.” Taim then tapped his head, signaing an incoming telepathic message those two would share. I ignored them as Father was now looking at Neill and me.

“Fargryneill, this will be your first duty in your future role working underneath your mother. You will coordinate the import of the various supplies we need, which will include whatever the artificers will need to create these flying machines. I do hope you have learned enough.”

“I-I will do my best, Father,” Neill replied, but her confidence lay in her fighting abilities. Not her administrative capabilities.

He nodded, then turned to me. “Hestia, I will need you to create a new set of subspace runes that aren’t connected to your current ones. Will your smith be able to create them?”

The connection between my [Room] runes was created through specific runic words, or at least that was what I remembered from Grimnir’s explanation about two years ago. It should be possible.

“I’ll ask Grimnir for the details, but assuming we could, what are you intending with it?” I asked.

“First, you will do well to have another set if you’re so frightened about having enemies enter your subspace and causing trouble inside. This will resolve that matter,” he replied strictly, reminding me how I could have avoided Quasdrakeen if I had only brought that second seat warbringer into my subspace to heal him. “Secondly, we will be using it to transport the supplies around. I presume you cannot place large objects like these inside your subspace, correct?”

“No, the runes have to be close together for the portal to open, which restricts what can enter and leave. I could place some of the airships inside my subspace, depending on how large they are. Mom could, though, as she kept Karhalantheel’s body inside her subspace, but I suspect a sky city would be too much, as the larger an object, the more mana it would cost to store it,” I explained. I could store boulders, but a zeppelin might be too much of an instant mana drain whenever I placed one inside and took it out.

“That will be all for now. You will continue to receive further orders from your mother or through the clan. This meeting shall be adj—”

“Father, one moment.” Nong stopped, drawing everybody’s attention. “You are right that the current matter has been resolved, but there is still one more topic we must talk about.”

“And that is, Nongramos?”

Nong nodded before turning to me, pointing at Ryra, Neill, and me. “The fledglings should remain outside the war. Ryranakus did join the battle alongside our eldest brothers, but it showed he isn’t ready for it. If he isn’t, then neither are Fargryneill and Hestia. I request that you order them to remain outside this battle, beyond their participation on the home front. The rear is acceptable, but a war has no place for the weak, and if they can’t prove otherwise, then they should just stay back and be protected.”

This asshole, rea—

“Then we’re fucking on!” Neill jumped onto her feet, staring down at Nong as if he were her enemy. “You don’t know how much I’ve been wanting to smack that face of yours, Brother! Come on, Hestia!”

W-wait, what-what!