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"Kate, can you hack him and everything else in this city—and all interconnected cities—so they obey us forever?" I asked.
"Sure, that sounds easy!" Kate smiled brightly. "I was already hacking the Data Core Matrix of the Technological Center Underground. Ah! I'm done."
"Huh?!" Ruffert gasped as every robot, drone, and soldier that had rushed to assist us collapsed to the ground. Monts later, they glowed with a soft blue light. They were ours now.
"Sorry about that, man. They're our friends now," I said. "And you're about to beco one too. Kate, do it."
"Yes, Daddy." Kate gently touched Ruffert's forehead. "Let's beco friends, okay?"
TRUUUM!
"Gaaaaahhhhh!"
The cyborg elf scread in agony as blue circuits raced through his body and soul. Kate had grown so powerful she could hack souls themselves.
Ruffert thrashed for a few agonizing seconds before falling silent. Then, with chanical precision, he reprogramd himself completely.
"I am at your service, Master."
Alma and Callon stood speechlessly, their eyes wide with awe at Kate's extraordinary power.
"Wow, that's amazing! Kate, you're so cool!" Alma exclaid. "And so cute too!"
"Yeah... Is Ruffert really on our side now?" Callon asked, still stunned.
"He is," Kate confird. "Ruffert, act exactly as you always have, but now you're our ally. Alma wants to return to her throne. You will announce her arrival alongside her brother and sister and tell everyone about Oberon's defeat. My dad will join you, right?"
"Of course," I nodded. "My role is mostly to keep people calm. If I offer resources and protection, they won't panic or riot."
"Well thought, Drake," Alma said with a smirk. "Co on, let's go outside! Ruffert, make sure you do exactly what we asked."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Ruffert replied, bowing slightly. He had beco the perfect servant.
We stepped outside with Alma, and a cascade of speeches and announcents followed—not only from our voices but broadcast across massive screens throughout the city. News reports flashed everywhere. This place felt like a futuristic Earth, except every human had been replaced by an elf.
I stood mostly in the background, observing. At one point, I transford into my dragon form, joined by my family and every other dragon with us. We wanted the elves to see undeniable proof that the princess spoke the truth.
Apparently, Oberon—or rather, Greenwood—had been seen as an exceptional ruler. Many elves wept openly when they learned of his death. Yet they trusted Ruffert deeply. Without his calm, authoritative announcents, they might have dismissed Alma as a troublemaker.
Greenwood had brainwashed the population into believing Alma was a terrorist who, with her siblings, had murdered their parents. Those lies were swiftly refuted as fabrications spread by Greenwood himself.
I stepped forward to explain the full truth and demonstrated my power by reconstructing vast areas destroyed in Alma's earlier rampage. The elves needed to witness my strength firsthand.
Honestly, I hated this part. I wished they would simply believe us because we spoke the truth. But elves had always been deeply distrustful of outsiders—even dragons were not exempt.
Eventually, the confusion settled. Though mild panic lingered, no riots erupted. Our speech was livestread across most major cities in Alfheim, spreading the news rapidly.
Greenwood had advanced elven technology imnsely, yet that progress seed to breed suspicion. Many wore wrist devices resembling phones, complete with apps and social dia.
I had assud this planet was primitive. The dwarves had already surprised , and now Alfheim proved wrong again. Cultural differences between continents were staggering.
Jotunheim remained dominated by warring sects and scattered kingdoms. Vanaheim was wild and tribal. Muspelheim was similar, though it once boasted a grand empire.
Midgard, I suspected, resembled Alfheim in scale—vast kingdoms and empires covering the land. Yet, based on Deus and Fortune's deep hatred, it remained torn by endless war, true unification still elusive.
That was where I, the Dragon King, would intervene. I would end the wars and protect the innocent. If anyone resisted, they could challenge until exhaustion forced surrender—or despair drove them to their end.
Above all, I would ensure the abused humans of Midgard finally had a bright, protected future.
This was the promise I made to Deus, and I intended to keep it.
"I will do my best to lead you all into an even brighter future," Alma vowed to the gathered elves. "I know this nation—no, this continent—was built on lies. But I will ensure our future is rooted in honesty. We elves will remain strong through the ages. As the most technologically advanced society in the world, we will pioneer what cos next. Please trust , even just a little. I will make your dreams co true and build a society no longer founded on lies and horrific cris against our own people."
"OOOOHHHH!"
The horrors of Oberon's kidnappings and experints had already been exposed—Kate had leaked Ruffert's confidential files. The elves were horrified, yet united in outrage.
"Thank you, everyone. Thank you. And don't worry—your queen is strong."
Alma raised her hands, and an endless ocean of mana flooded the city. The crowd gasped in awe at their queen's seemingly limitless magical prowess.
Soon, many elves clapped and cheered, celebrating Alma's return, the exposure of Greenwood's cris, and the new alliance with powerful divine dragons—and their all-powerful king.
"Well done, Alma," I said quietly. "Honestly, I'm surprised. I never imagined you had such a gift for leadership. Where did all this co from?"
"It didn't co from nowhere," Alma replied softly. "I've prepared for this mont my entire life. My parents' greatest hope was for to save our nation. It was the last promise I made to them, and I'll honor it until my final breath. Thank you, Drake—for everything. I was thinking of moving the people you've been protecting in your divine realm into the city."
"Of course. We'll relocate them right away," I nodded. "Where to?"
"I've already chosen a spacious district. They'll have proper hos—luxurious ones. After everything they endured as victims of Oberon's tyranny, they deserve nothing less," Alma said. "And you're welco here anyti. You could even live in the castle with us if you ever want."
"Hahaha! Live with you? I'm good," I laughed. "But I'll definitely visit for sumr vacations with the family."
Over the next three days, we moved every person from my Divine Realm into their new hos. Word of Root's sacrifice had spread, leaving everyone devastated. Even the children mourned him—he had been their gentle guardian and friend.
On the fourth night since arriving in Alfheim, we held a grand banquet with Alma and the elven nobility—dukes, landowners, company owners, and distant relatives of Alma and her siblings.
Alma conducted herself with perfect dignity, making strong first impressions. Thankfully, her brother excelled at conversation and won many nobles over with inspiring words.
Later, I shared a quieter mont with Alma on the terrace while the others enjoyed the feast inside.
"A statue in honor of Root will be built soon," Alma said. "We'll na a street after him too."
"That ans a lot," I replied, a lump in my throat. "He deserves to be rembered. In the end, he's the one carrying the entire world."
"Don't worry—we're making one for you as well," Alma added with a small smile.
"What about the rest of my family?" I asked. "If you're honoring them, include my kids too."
"Wait, what? That's already too many..." Alma sighed, though her eyes sparkled with amusent.
"Look who's talking—you've got three," I teased. "Last ti I saw you, you weren't even with Hers yet. You two moved fast."
"Ugh, don't remind . I bla him entirely," Alma groaned, rolling her eyes. "I wonder if Root's still alive sowhere..."
"He is," I said firmly. "His plan wouldn't have succeeded if he truly died."
"I see..." Alma whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Do you think he can hear us?"
"Maybe," I said softly. "He's connected to the entire world now—part of Yggdrasil itself. Perhaps one day his consciousness will awaken. But never stop talking to the trees. Maybe one day you'll hear a whisper back."
"Hey! Is that because outsiders call us tree huggers and tree talkers?" Alma laughed, though her eyes glistened. "That's rude!"
"I'm not implying anything," I chuckled.
We both gazed at the bright moon overhead, sipping champagne in comfortable silence before heading back to our families.
However.
"Dad!"
"Dear."
Kate and Androda stepped onto the terrace, hurrying to my side.
"What's wrong? Is the music too loud?" I asked.
"No, it's not that," Androda said seriously. "We found sothing you and Alma need to see."
"Yeah," Kate added, her expression tense. "It's better if you see it yourselves, Dad."
I exchanged a glance with Alma as she raised an eyebrow.
"Okay... Where is it?" Alma asked.
"Deep below—in the lowest laboratory we discovered in the city," Androda replied.
"It's right there," Kate said. "Dad, can I open a portal?"
"Of course." I patted her head, granting permission for her Unique Skill. "Go ahead."
"Thanks." She smiled faintly, raising her hand to summon a shimring rainbow portal. "Let's go."
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