Isaac, Merlin, Princess Vera, and Bard boarded the carriage. Isaac looked outside the window, gazing at the royal capital’s streets.
Strider didn’t come. She wasn’t allowed.
"How did you get the permission to meet the Royal Dragon? I thought the Royal Dragon was not responding to your meeting request," Isaac said, turning his gaze to Princess Vera.
"I pressured some members of the Royal Court and bribed the others. With my standing higher than before and proof that the lands and rivers are poisoned, I was able to force them to grant us permission," Vera said.
"So, the Royal Dragon is still silent?" Isaac asked.
"Yes," Princess Vera said.
’Strange,’ thought Isaac. He turned his gaze back to the royal streets.
The capital was as prosperous as ever. Carriages rolled along broad cobblestone roads lined with white stone buildings. Colorful banners fluttered in the wind. Nobles, merchants, adventurers, and mages moved through the bustling streets, while luxury shops displayed goods worth more than a farmer would earn in a lifetime.
The carriage slowly left the royal capital city. They didn’t have to stop to show any identification at the gates since the carriage belonged to Wright Ducal House. Isaac could use this carriage as he was not expelled from the Ducal House in this life. It wasn’t because Princess Vera went to meet the Duke and told him to not kick out Isaac—she actually did it, and Isaac found out later through Amanda—but because Isaac was now strong, and Duke Wright had no reason to kick him out anymore.
The carriage passed through several forests and towns. The trip lasted two days before they reached the home of the Royal Dragon, Mount Rushmore.
The group exited the carriage.
"I forgot to ask, but why are you here? You have the permission?" Isaac asked the Bard.
"I am coming along to accept my position as Duke and greet the Royal Dragon," the Bard said. Any Ten Star could be elevated to a ducal title. The Bard had been offered one years ago, yet he had repeatedly turned it down.
"Why the sudden change of mind?" Isaac asked as they reached the soldiers stationed at the base of Mount Rushmore. These soldiers were amongst the strongest Royal Knights and Court Mages. Their job was to guard Mount Rushmore.
"If your visions are true—and I’m beginning to think they are—you’ll need a great deal of support to rally the nobles. Wouldn’t it be better to have one more Duke backing you?" the Bard asked.
Isaac nodded.
It made sense Bard, who disliked politics, would do this. He was called the Knight of Justice.
The Bard was the son of a travelling merchant. When he was fifteen, his family’s caravan was attacked by bandits. During the escape, he fell into the Missi River, which cut through the kingdom, and was swept into the Mourning Frost Mountain.
When he woke up, he was in the heart of the Mourning Frost Mountains. It was a land filled with biting cold, bellowing tundra winds, and powerful slumbering monsters. He had no formal education. He did not know how to use mana. He was injured, hungry, and had no idea where he was.
By all rights, he should have died there.
Yet he survived.
For eight years, he fought against monsters, savages, and the endless frost. He carved a path of blood through the mountains and eventually returned to the kingdom.
The first thing he did after returning was search for his family.
He learned what had happened to them.
Consumed by rage, he spent six months hunting down bandits. Countless criminals died by his hands before his vengeance was finally satisfied.
Then came the emptiness.
During that time, he met Strider.
After learning her story, he realized that she had endured hardships no less severe than his own, yet she continued to move forward with her head held high.
That realization gave him hope.
From then on, he chose to become a wandering knight. He traveled wherever his feet carried him, sang songs of heroes, helped those in need, and explored distant lands.
The Bard had never cared for politics.
But he cared deeply about the people.
If Isaac’s visions were true, a devastating war was approaching. It was only natural that the Knight of Justice would accept the title of Duke if it meant giving the kingdom’s citizens a better chance of survival.
The Royal Knights and Court Mages verified the group’s approved documents for entering Mount Rushmore.
They were granted entry.
Isaac and the others began climbing the mountain.
It was a towering peak riddled with enormous caves. The group avoided entering any of them, knowing it might offend the Royal Dragon. Instead, they remained outside and waited for the dragon to summon them.
A day passed. Nothing happened.
Isaac frowned. Something felt wrong. He wasn’t the only one who thought so.
"Let’s check inside," Merlin said.
The group waited for two more days.
When nothing changed, they finally entered the caves.
All of the caves led to a vast chamber at the center of the mountain. Mountains of gold coins filled the cavern. The treasure had been accumulated over generations. Coins minted during the reign of every king could be found among the piles.
There were countless other valuables as well. Isaac even spotted the famous painting, [My Dearest], which had supposedly been stolen by a mysterious thief two hundred years ago.
There were many rare minerals and ores, and weapons. It was a true dragon’s hoard.
"Is the Royal Dragon out?" Merlin muttered.
"That could be true. There are many mountains in the kingdom, and the Royal Dragon could be resting on any of them," the Bard said.
Isaac did not join the conversation. Instead, he quietly looked around the cavern.
Thick layers of dust covered everything. This place had not been used for years.
’What is happening here? The Royal Dragon shouldn’t abandon its post for such a long period without informing anyone.’