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Chapter 61

Ryoukichi spent yet another day of special training with her daughter on the outskirts of Galois. After that, she headed toward a special room where only a handful of people in Ryuuguu were allowed to enter.

This room had been specially built for Water Dragons who succeeded the throne as the Emperor of Ryuuguu. In this room, the Water Dragon Emperor would be able to hold meetings with the other six Dragon Emperors without any of them leaving their respective castles.

The place was filled with a large number of magical tools and modern conveniences for long-distance conversations. However, these Dragon Emperors tended to use the highly-advanced spiritual defense items for preventing magical or physical eavesdropping or disruptions of any kind.

In the center of the circular room was a stone round table engraved with the primordial seven dragons. Six lacquered chairs surrounded the table, while the entire ceiling emitted white light and illuminated the place. Other than the table and the six chairs, nothing else had been placed in this room. Furthermore, Ryoukichi was the only person in it.

Ryoukichi walked in through the room’s sole entrance. As she sat down on the chair nearest to her, she took in a small breath and then breathed out. It was a small act needed to calm herself down.

The thought of keeping Dran in the dark made her heart clench in fear.

Dran was one of the primordial dragons whose powers were a mystery even to Ryoukichi. To humans, Dran was bound to be revered as a fearsome god like Keios or Mairahl.

Dran had said that he respected Ryoukichi and that they were not anybody formidable. Rather, even as the seven primordial dragons, their hearts and minds were the same as everyone else. Yet, Ryoukichi found it close to impossible to accede to Dran’s request to treat them equally.

The moment the world came into existence, Dran had already been reigning over the lands. For Ryoukichi, who was but a mere successor to Dran, there was an unbridgeable gap between her and Dran. Ryoukichi understood this clear as day and she was sure that all the dragons in the world felt this way too.

Hence, there was even a possibility that Dran would find it easier to get on closer terms with Liu Yuu and be more forgiving of the maiden’s behavior. After all, Liu Yuu was unaware of Dran’s true form and only bore a simple admiration for Dran.

「Heh, seems like I’m not as old as I thought if I’m jealous of my daughter. I’m sorry, my dear.」

After Ryoukichi murmured her apology to her late husband, she lifted her head. Her expression was not one of an ordinary woman or a mother. Rather, she had steeled face as she carried herself as the Water Dragon Emperor.

Light started shimmering over the other five chairs. After some time, a few figures in humanoid form could be seen.

On the chair to the left of Ryoukichi, Kourin, the Fire Dragon Emperor was seated. The well-built dragon had sharp eyes and a thin mustache along his mouth. At a glance, he resembled a flathead catfish.

On the other hand, a young lady was seated to Ryoukichi’s right. She had a coral hairpin in her hair and locks that faintly resembled jade. This girl was Fuka, the Wind Dragon Emperor and the youngest among the dragon emperors.

The dragon sitting directly across from Ryoukichi was the eldest among the dragon emperors. He was also the leader of the dragon emperors, Conquester, the White Dragon Emperor.

Th White Dragon Emperor was the strongest and oldest ancient dragon on this planet besides Dran. Presently, he had a head of long white hair and a white beard. This dignified old dragon was probably the only one among this gathering that held the same amount of power as Ryoukichi.

Further left of Ryoukichi and seated next to Conquester was the Black Dragon Emperor, Engulzard. His hair, eyes, and scales were all black. Even his clothes were the same color, making his pale complexion seem fair to the point of looking sickly.

Even though Engulzard was only in his mid-twenties, his predecessor had passed on early. As a result, Engulzard’s reign as a Dragon Emperor had stretched over some time till this day. The other dragon emperors even praised him for being a capable ruler, competent in shaping his kingdom well.

The last of the six-member gathering was the Golden Dragon Emperor, Gorberum. He was the second eldest Dragon Emperor after Conquester. Recently, this elderly dragon had even mentioned giving up his throne to his son.

The Golden Dragon Emperor, even in humanoid form, was remarkably burly. His domineering presence was further accentuated by the golden hair that shimmered and flowed down his back. This very appearance of Gorberum made many certain that he would continue intervening in the kingdom’s rule even after he relinquished the throne.

The dragon emperors gathered in this room from their respective lands through their projected images and voices. The eldest of the group, Conquester, took a look around at everyone before finally starting the meeting.

They had gathered this time to discuss Ryoukichi and Liu Yuu’s rejection of Dran’s offer.

The six dragon emperors never proclaimed to be the guardians of the universe, nor did they consider themselves to occupy such a role. However, it was a fact that the dragons were the strongest species above the ground. Moreover, the ancestors of the dragon realm had pitted themselves against the evil gods and demons. Hence, it seemed inevitable that they would resist the evil forces who clawed their way above ground.

Even among the remarkable forces able to battle against the demon realm’s fiends, the dragons still wielded the greatest power. If any evil were to attack the world above the ground, these dragons would no doubt be their first target.

For example, Fuka, the Wind Dragon Emperor, continued an endless war against the flying demons in her realm in the sky; she battled these demons striving to pollute the blue sky and the darkness of the night. In the territory of the Black Dragon Emperor, Engulzard fought tirelessly to prevent the invasion of an alternate realm through the shadows.

Besides the dragon emperors, spiritually sensitive humans, demi-humans, giants, and spirit beasts fended off the attacks of these malicious demons and lascivious fools every single day.

However, the news of Dran’s reincarnation had caused Caravis to hold back and the followers of Caravis had since halted their attacks too. As a result, the scared beast made by Caravis had also fallen into a slumber and temporary tranquility had been restored to the world.

「Ryoukichi, many fates have intertwined leading to the battle this time.」Conquester spoke austerely, receiving only a solemn and dignified look from Ryoukichi. There was not even the slightest trace of her usual smile on her face.

At this moment, Ryoukichi did not present herself as the mother who enjoyed teasing her daughter. Rather, she was a fearsome warrior and the strongest Water Dragon Emperor to exist.

「Yeah and it’s finally time to sever one of these long-standing ties.」

「Emperor Ryoukichi, how can I apologize for failing to help you this time?」

Fuka was also a female emperor like Ryoukichi and she admired Ryoukichi like an elder sister. However, Fuka’s battle with the demons in the sky had prevented her from going to Ryoukichi’s rescue. Ever since that day, guilt had lingered in Fuka’s heart.

Fuka was not the only one who had failed to assist Ryoukichi. Engulzard, Kourin, and the rest had been too overwhelmed by the wars in their own kingdoms to lend a helping hand to Ryoukichi.

「Emperor Fuka isn’t the only one who feels this way. The Black Dragons are also very sorry for failing to go to your help. We are too ashamed to face you or the people of Ryuuguu.」

「It’s fine. Fuka, Engulzard, please don’t feel ashamed about this. This matter is a problem within my kingdom for me to handle. I will defeat the Ocean Demon Lord with my own strength and prove myself to you.」

「Engulzard, Fuka, the Golden Dragons will teach those guys who bristled your scales a lesson. Kourin, you can’t give in too.」Gorberum let out a menacing laugh and looked over at Ryoukichi amicably.

For some reason, the elderly Gorberum seemed ever excited and motivated despite his age. Even now, he had taken on the role of dispatching troops to tackle the attacking Ocean Demons.

Kourin, who had been called out by Gorberum had a similar smile on his face as the older dragon.

The only Black Dragon among the dragon kings might seem composed and mature. However, the talk of battle made his adrenaline pump as he geared up for action. At the front lines, he would indubitably go on a rampage.

「I’m not particularly old, but those fellows need to pay for the lives of my friends they stole. It’ll be a pity that I can’t exact vengeance with my own hands, but I’ll let you do it, Ryoukichi.」

One of these lives that the Ocean Demons had snatched away was Ryoukichi’s husband and Engulzard’s good friend.

Ryoukichi found solace in the words of these two comrades. Her lips tugged into a small smile and she lowered her head.

This battle with the Ocean Demons would be a large-scale war and a turning point for the unending battle for the inhabitants of the sea. For Ryoukichi, it would also be a chance for her to exact her vengeance.

The demons that existed in this planet’s seas were commanded by seven lords. One of these seven Ocean Demon Lords was going to lead an army for a decisive battle with Ryoukichi’s Ryuuguu Kingdom. However, Ryoukichi had kept this piece of news from Dran.

There was a single reason for Ryoukichi’s silence. This ancient battle against the Ocean Demons was part of the long history of countless sea creatures. This very fight represented the accumulated grievances and pride of these sea creatures.

Even Dran’s intervention was not something to be permitted lightly. Hence, Ryoukichi had decided to fight with the strength of her own people and attain victory over the Ocean Demon Lord.

This decision posed a host of dangers, but Ryoukichi had a clear goal in mind. Her daughter was still a growing child. In order to prevent Liu Yuu from experiencing the agony of war, Ryoukichi was determined to destroy the Ocean Demon Lord. Even if she had to sacrifice her own life, she would crush the Ocean Demon Lord.