Chapter 1136: The Dragons
My curiosity only grew.
A dozen questions surfaced almost instantly.
If the Astrals could glimpse the future, what happened when they shared those visions with others? Could the future actually be changed, or did every attempt to change it merely become part of the future they had already seen?
And if someone deliberately acted against one of their visions, were there consequences for doing so, or did fate simply find another path to reach the same destination?
Before I could voice a single one of those questions, Evelyn looked at me with an amused smile, as though she had already guessed exactly where my thoughts were heading.
"I know this is your first time meeting the Astrals, Billion," she said, "but let’s save the complicated philosophical discussions for another day. Our guests have barely arrived. At least let them enjoy our hospitality before you begin questioning the nature of fate."
Sue let out a melodic laugh.
"Oh, Evelyn, you’re still as considerate as ever."
She turned toward me, her smile never fading.
"Don’t worry, Lord Billion. We have plenty of time. I’d actually enjoy discussing those complicated questions with you later."
Then, after a brief pause, she tilted her head slightly.
"But before that...there is something I’d like to ask instead."
I nodded.
"Go ahead."
Her clock-like eyes continued rotating slowly as she studied me.
"You’re a living being standing inside the Realm of the Dead."
Her tone remained gentle, yet there was unmistakable curiosity behind it.
"Very few beings throughout history have ever managed such a feat."
She smiled politely.
"So...How did you arrive here?"
I couldn’t help laughing inwardly. Straight to the biggest mystery. The Astrals truly didn’t waste time.
Of course, there wasn’t the slightest chance I was going to tell them about Amun, the token, or everything that had happened afterward.
Fortunately... I also had an answer that wasn’t entirely false.
"It was the System," I replied calmly. "It brought me here. For a mission."
The effect of those words was immediate. For the first time since entering the hall, all three Astrals reacted simultaneously. The tiny hands within their clock-like eyes stopped moving.
Only for a heartbeat. Then they resumed ticking as though nothing had happened.
Still...I noticed.
Sue’s expression remained composed, but the curiosity in her eyes had deepened considerably.
"...The System?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
"It selected me and brought me into the Null Realm."
"And what mission," Dream asked quietly, "could possibly justify sending a living soul into the land of the dead?"
I smiled.
"To free the Prime Territory from the Eternals."
Silence settled over the small group.
A thoughtful one. The three Astrals exchanged brief glances with one another before returning their attention to me.
Finally, Dream spoke again.
"And...The System chose you specifically for this?"
"It did."
Sue released a slow breath before smiling once more.
"Then that makes you a rather extraordinary existence, doesn’t it?"
I shrugged lightly.
"I suppose it does."
"Thank you for answering honestly."
She gave a graceful nod.
"There are very few people willing to reveal even that much. But I—"
She seemed about to continue when a powerful voice echoed throughout the banquet hall.
"Representatives of the Dragon Race have arrived!"
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Sue’s expression remained as calm as ever, but Evelyn’s smile disappeared completely.
Marcus unconsciously straightened his posture. Samuel folded his arms behind his back.
Even several of the Saints standing throughout the hall subtly shifted their positions. It was as though the entire room had suddenly become more alert.
Sue noticed the change and chuckled softly.
"It seems our conversation will have to wait."
She inclined her head toward me.
"We’ll continue it another time, Lord Billion."
Without another word, the three Astrals gracefully moved toward another side of the hall, seemingly content to observe the newcomers rather than greet them.
At the same time, Evelyn, Marcus and Samuel walked toward the entrance with expressions that had become noticeably more serious. The warmth from moments ago had vanished entirely.
In its place stood the leaders of the Ironharts. Their auras bubbling under their bodies.
A familiar figure suddenly appeared beside me.
"So..."
Gerald folded his hands behind his back while looking toward the entrance.
"...this should be entertaining."
I glanced sideways.
"Why do you sound so excited?"
"Oh, because this is one reunion I’ve been looking forward to."
He smiled mischievously.
"The Ironharts and the Dragons have a rather... colorful history."
"Colorful?"
"Let’s just say that during the days when both races still lived in the Prime Galaxy, they competed over almost everything. Strength, territory and prestige. Even drinking contests, if Roland’s stories are to be believed."
He scratched his beard thoughtfully.
"Sometimes they fought side by side. Sometimes they fought each other."
"And quite often..."
A grin spread across his face.
"...they couldn’t decide which of those two they were doing."
I looked toward the enormous entrance as the heavy doors slowly began opening.
"So...I take it they’re not exactly friends."
Gerald laughed.
"Oh, they absolutely are."
He paused just long enough for me to become confused.
"They simply have a very unusual way of showing it."
The enormous doors swung fully open, and before the attendant could even finish his announcement, a loud laugh echoed through the banquet hall.
It wasn’t refined or elegant.
It was the kind of carefree laughter that belonged to someone who had never once worried about offending another person.
Three women strode into the hall as though they owned it.
Every eye immediately shifted toward them.
Unlike the Astrals’ flowing robes, the Dragons wore fitted traveling clothes. Dark leather trousers disappeared into heavy boots while sleeveless shirts left most of their powerful arms exposed. Bronze chains hung from their waists, thick bracelets wrapped around their wrists, and oversized rings decorated nearly every finger. One even wore a pair of large golden earrings shaped like dragon fangs that gently swayed as she walked.
They looked less like diplomats.....and more like warriors who had accidentally wandered into a banquet.
The eldest walked in front.
She stood nearly as tall as me, her broad shoulders and athletic build giving her an imposing presence without sacrificing her femininity. Smooth bronze skin covered most of her body, while patches of deep crimson scales stretched across her collarbone, shoulders and the outer side of both arms before disappearing beneath her clothing. A thick scaled tail lazily swayed behind her with every confident step.
Two curved black horns emerged from her forehead before sweeping backward through long brown hair that reached almost to her waist.
Her golden reptilian eyes swept across the room with sharp and wild intensity.
Behind her walked two younger Dragon women who looked no older than their late teens. They shared the same horns, tails and scaled skin, although one possessed emerald scales while the other’s shimmered with deep sapphire. Their expressions held none of the calm dignity expected at such a gathering.
Instead...They looked excited. Like children visiting a festival.
The older Dragon barely spared the hall a glance before her attention landed directly on Evelyn.
A broad grin spread across her face.
"Well..."
Her voice carried effortlessly throughout the room.
"...look who finally decided to crawl out of retirement."
Evelyn folded her arms.
"And here I thought someone had forgotten how to walk after getting so old."
The Dragon woman dramatically placed a hand over her chest.
"Ouch. I’ve barely arrived. And you’re already attacking me."
"I was simply stating an observation."
Evelyn smiled sweetly.
"I honestly didn’t recognize you. You’ve grown so many wrinkles."
The Dragon woman burst into laughter instead.
"You little liar."
She stepped closer until only a few feet separated them.
"If I have wrinkles....then you’ve practically fossilized."
"Oh?"
Evelyn raised an eyebrow.
"Funny. I was just thinking your horns have started drooping."
The Dragon instinctively reached toward one of her horns before realizing what she’d done.
Evelyn’s smile widened instantly.
"Still insecure, I see."
The Dragon narrowed her reptilian eyes.
"You know...I’ve been thinking."
"It’s been nearly centuries since I last punched you. Maybe today’s the day."
"I’d like to see you try," Evelyn scoffed.