Daniel stood in front of a large window that had its curtains spread wide open. Outside, a group of six magicians were spread out in a circle in the backyard of the property. Daniel frowned as the magicians painted glowing red lines in the ground, using up a thick liquid from a barrel that they had created earlier. Nearly half the grand duchesss fortune had been used up in creating that liquid. It made his chest hurt when he thought about the ingredients inside.
Daniel.
Daniel flinched and turned around. Standing on his table, there was a miniature person, Apollonia, who was flickering in and out of existence. Daniel dropped to one knee. Grand Duchess, he said. The ritual is proceeding as planned.
Apollonias image flickered as she sighed. The banquet hasnt proceeded as planned. That crazy, barbaric demon lord killed my clone, she said while inspecting her nails. I told her the ritual was taking place here. She said shed let the ritual finish because she wants to kill a devil. Accommodate her when she arrives, but make sure she dies to the devil when she fights it. I dont care about the thods you use: poison her, maim her while she sleeps, stab her in the back mid-fight, anything goes as long as she dies, understood?
Yes, my liege, Daniel said, his expression unreadable. His face was still pointed at the floor. I will punish her for killing you, even if it was just a clone. There will be
Screams rang through the air. Daniel shot to his feet, drawing the sword by his waist. A mont later, an earth-shaking roar echoed through the night, bringing silence to the whole fortress. Faint words drifted into his ears, but he couldnt quite make them out. He whirled around, pressing his face against the glass of the window. The six ritualists outside were crouched down, covering their heads while trembling.
What was that? Apollonia asked. Has she already arrived?
Im not sure, Daniel said, a deep wrinkle appearing on his forehead. He opened the window, but before he could jump out, Apollonias image climbed up his arm and onto his shoulder. He glanced at her before lowering his visor. Then he leapt outside, landing on the ground with a heavy thud. What happened?
The six ritualists remained crouched, unmoving, and a heavy thumping sound answered him instead. The thumps resounded like a heartbeat, growing louder as ti passed. The treetops swayed as gusts of wind pushed against them. Daniel raised his head and froze in place as a massive dragon hovered above the backyard, every flap of its wings causing miniature tornadoes to form on the ground with a booming sound.
You didnt summon that, right? Apollonia whispered. Even though she wasnt present in her real body, her projection was pale and shivering from the pressure coming from the dragons glare.
The dragons head swiveled a few tis as if it were looking for sothing. It landed on the ground, ignoring the trembling n, and brought its head closer to the barrel of glowing red liquid. Its nostrils widened as it took in a deep breath through its nose, sniffing the fus coming from the barrel. Its head tilted a few tis before it sniffed again. It blinked before turning its gaze onto the n, who were frozen like statues. A low growl echoed from its throat. What is this?
Daniel, Apollonia whispered directly into her trusted retainers ear, her face passing through the tal helt. Can you slay a dragon?
Daniel nearly collapsed. Thats impossible, my liege. Knights only kill dragons in stories.
Hey, the dragon said, its tail thumping against the ground. The house shook, and the n fell over as screams shook the air from the distance. I asked a question.
Thats
Before one of the ritualists could respond, another dragon crashed into the ground from above, knocking over the trees and destroying a part of the house. Luckily, the first dragon had lifted the barrel off the ground or the contents wouldve spilled over. Daniel swallowed his saliva. My liege, what do I do?
Apollonias head turned to face the first dragon. Then it turned to face the second dragon. They were so large that she couldnt keep both of them in view at the sa ti. Daniel, just do your best to survive. The ritual doesnt matter anymore. I cant lose you.
Whats that? Alora asked, pointing at the barrel in Vurs paw. Juice?
I dont know, Vur said. It slls like dragons though, right? He lifted it, bringing it close to Aloras face.
Alora sniffed it a few tis before wrinkling her snout. It slls like Dad after he sheds so scales, she said. Her brow furrowed. It slls exactly like Dads shed scales. She turned towards Daniel and plucked him off the ground, dangling him above the treetops as she brought him close to the barrel. Oi, whats in this? Dragon scales, right?
Th
Hey, Vur said, interrupting Daniel. He patted Aloras shoulder. You have to be more intimidating. Like this. He glared at Daniel with glowing eyes, a golden rune pulsing on his forehead, nearly causing the knights heart to stop. Then Vur nodded and t Aloras gaze. See? Dragons have to be intimidating when they ask questions. Thats what Grimmy said. Youre still a baby, so Ill teach you.
Alora ground her teeth together as she gave Vur a withering glare. Then she snorted and turned her attention back onto Daniel. She bared her fangs and asked in a low growl, Whats in this barrel? If you dont tell , Ill, uh, squish you, I guess.
Wrong! Vur said. You dont threaten people with words. Your posture and attitude should already imply the threat. Try again.
Alora blinked at Vur. Youre really undermining my scary image here, she said. How am I supposed to intimidate him if you embarrass like this?
O mighty dragon, I think youre plenty intimidating, Daniel said, his voice wavering. You are correct about the summoning reagent. Dragon scales, phoenix feathers, roc claws, wyvern wings, hundreds of precious herbs and minerals have been dissolved inside. I
Vur poked the knights stomach with his claw, causing the knight to fall silent imdiately. Did you see that? Vur asked Alora. I didnt even say anything and he knew I was threatening him. Thats why he stopped talking.
Alright, whatever, Mr. Adult, Alora said, rolling her eyes. Now we know why we sensed a dragon here. Hes using my dads shed scales like so kind of pervert.
P-pervert? Apollonia asked from Daniels shoulder.
Isnt he? Alora asked. He, like, rummaged through our stuff and picked up our shed scales. What, did you take our boogers too?
Vur! Alora! Whyd you two go ahead like that!?
The two dragons turned their heads towards the side. Tafel, Alice, and Mr. Skelly were running towards them, panting for breath. Vur blinked. Im the leader. Leaders are first.
Tafels expression darkened. You couldnt take with you?
You left the room first, Vur said and shrugged. Its not my fault you werent there to take with when I went ahead.
Tafel sighed. Okay, dragon logic always wins, I get it, she said and shook her head. She frowned at the half-completed spell circle painted on the ground. Whats going on here? It looks like so really intricate space magic spells design. Are they opening up a portal?
A summoning ritual, I think, Alora said. She placed the knight onto the ground by Tafel. He said sothing about a reagent made of Dads old scales and phoenix feathers.
Tafels eyes lit up, then they dimd again. Eh? Werent you that really rude knight from earlier today? she asked, wrinkling her brow. Whatever. Youre going to complete this ritual, and Im going to watch.
Daniel turned his head and t Apollonias gaze. Both of them were at a loss.
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