[TWS] Chapter 291 – To Go Wherever You Want

“My slaves?” Asterios continued to frown at the Dragon lady.

“Yes.” Althea nodded.

He shook his head. “That doesn’t really sound right. And definitely wouldn’t feel right either.”

“You are a True Dragon. It’s part of your nature to gather a following. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to bind others to yourself this easily,” she explained.

“As we’ve already established a while ago, I’m different. I do sense the thing you are talking about, but the human part of my nature doesn’t really agree with it,” he countered. “Besides, it would be completely wrong to compensate the Lizardkin for taking away their precious relic by enslaving them.”

“Are you sure it really is your human nature? I’ve known quite a few of them over the centuries and I think we can both agree on your kind’s usual tendencies.” Althea showed a delicate smirk on her gentle lips. “Nevertheless, regarding the Lizardkin, they bound themselves to that Dragon, which later died and left them on their own, so wouldn’t this be considered as returning things to their rightful state? Not much would change, except for who they are under.”

“He had still enslaved them in the first place and who knows what he would have done with the tribe after he would have actually recuperated instead of passing away,” Asterios replied. “If anything, I would rather consider taking them in as servants. The Lizardkin aren’t that bad, even though their draconic bloodline has enhanced some of their qualities like pride, ferocity, and so on.”

“In the end, it’s up to you to decide how much you would trust them.” The Dragon lady shrugged softly. “I can tell you consider your current servant close and loyal. That said, the names given to the four tiers True Dragons established amongst their contractees are just that, names. Well, each level behaves differently to some extent, yes, but nothing says that you have to treat your slaves like slaves. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t, right?”

“Yeah.” Asterios sighed, exchanging a glance with Tina, who smiled at him warmly. “Still, it’s taking people under my wing. As you said, even with slaves, I would rather consider those I know a little bit more about, having in mind the connection, bond, and all that.”

“It’s not like you have to turn them all into true slaves. Or even any of them.” Althea spread her arms.

He chuckled lightly while shaking his head. “They really love that word, don’t they?”

“How did you find out?” She smiled at him with a hint of amusement in her emerald irises. “But considering that you are sitting next to your true mate, I assume you are familiar with the concept.”

The blue-haired girl blushed faintly under Althea’s gaze but her eyes didn’t run away from the woman.

“I am.” Asterios nodded. “To some extent, at least. I learned how to properly accept my mates not that long ago but I’m sure there is a lot I don’t know about regarding this topic. I’m aware that we are able to grow together thanks to it.”

“The most important thing is that you managed to make it work.” Tina glanced at him while lovingly stroking his hand under the table.

“It’s definitely one of the greatest boons,” the other woman agreed. “But, this entire system has a much deeper meaning. While creating a bond with each tier of subordinates strengthens both sides, True Dragons grow their forces by amassing more expendable slaves or servants. They always have. Even this world was no different.”

Tina raised a brow at that. “Weren’t the True Dragons who lived here extremely hostile towards all the other entities and members of humanoid races? How?”

“It’s extremely simple.” Althea chuckled quietly. “People seek power. Many will do anything to get it and that makes it very easy to abuse. There are also those who are just different and willingly worship or follow their supposed enemies. That’s how cults come to be.”

“Like the one we are fighting right now?” Asterios rubbed his chin.

She opened her mouth to answer but froze midway. They watched the long-lived lady clearly go through a myriad of her thoughts at once while considering what had just been said. Her eyes remained unmoving, but the turmoil happening in Althea’s mind was perfectly visible through them like through clear windows open to the world.

“Weren’t the Dragons forced to retreat because of the elves and their Spellsongs?” Tina asked with a delicate frown. “Could this cult be aiming for revenge against the nation?”

“This… isn’t impossible…” Althea whispered, still deep in thought.

“They seem to be working all over the realm with their poison, but it might be here where they are the most active. What else would they need one of the elders for?” Asterios questioned. “We think they are aiming to create a substance that will eliminate all life, but what if their goal is much more precise and singular? Like the Tree of Life, perhaps?”

“If the cult has been following a True Dragon from ancient times, they could possibly be aware of the fake burning event,” Tina pondered. “Their leader might be gone but their grudge could last generations.”

“Why is everything always revolving around those assholes?” Asterios scoffed.

“We don’t know if this is true, but if it is, it certainly changes things.” The Dragon lady finally returned her full attention to them. “It’s not easy to infiltrate this deep into the palace and reach the tree. Taking away one of the elders is a bold move that could jeopardize the entire operation. That must mean they are close to achieving their goal and are starting to take proper steps to fulfill it. The actual death of the Tree of Life will affect the entire race, even if they aren’t even aware of its existence. This cannot happen.”

“We don’t, but it’s not like we can do much more than we already are doing,” Asterios said, looking deep into her mesmerizing, green eyes. “We can only wait for the results of our investigation. And you still aren’t cured.”

Althea held his gaze for a moment and let out a heavy sigh. “You are correct. We are already doing what we can.”

“And this is just pure speculation right now,” Tina added.

“Perhaps, but I have a bad feeling about this.” The woman turned to her. “I was the one to teach you about cults and followers of the evil True Dragons in the ancient past but we have never considered those old enemies to still be a threat to anyone. Everything is starting to make sense.”

“How so?” The Summoner girl tilted her head slightly.

Asterios found that gesture extremely cute, almost sure that she had involuntarily picked it up from their mutual feline friend after spending a lot of time next to the bubbly panthergirl.

“Noctis,” he said after refocusing on their conversation.

“Exactly.” Althea nodded tiredly.

“The dark subrace of elves who did bad things in the past and were ostracized for it?” Tina turned to Asterios. “You met some of them, right?”

“Yes. And as Althea said, it’s all starting to fall into place.” He smiled at her wryly. “We didn’t really think much of it, but most of the executive positions in this poison cult belong to noctis. There was this woman by the overseer’s side we defeated during the raid in Dagger’s End, even though it’s far away from any elven settlements and communities. I bet there are more of them in each of the hidden laboratories.”

“There are,” the Dragon lady confirmed. “I remember it from reports and my own experience during the raid of the facility I brought you to before. It’s nothing surprising to associate noctis with nefarious activities so no one thought too much about it. But, this entire operation might have been on them since the very beginning. Perhaps even the very cult is their doing.”

“Will this information help us in any way?” Tina asked hopefully.

“I can’t say. I feel like we shouldn’t generalize in the current era but look where it has gotten us.” A small, distraught chuckle escaped Althea’s supple lips. “I will share this news with Civienne and her intelligence officers but I don’t know how much poking around the known habitats of noctis will provide us. Or if it’s even a good idea to do so in the first place. It could notify the true criminals that we are onto something.”

“So, we are back to the point of doing all we currently can,” Asterios said. “Should we return to the topic of the Lizardkin then? If you don’t mind still assisting us with this issue.”

“Not in the slightest.” She shook her head. “I will do whatever I can to assist you. It’s only natural considering how much you are doing for me. I will be honored to share my knowledge whenever it might be needed.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.” He nodded respectfully. “Then, slaves. You think I should take them as mine. Is there any particular reason why besides me being able to and them already being in a similar position?”

“It will definitely make them happy to serve a living True Dragon rather than a dead one. They are currently trapped in their predicament, which is more like a curse than a blessing,” Althea explained. “You also should really start building up your forces so both sides gain something from this exchange. Taking normal slaves is a good first step at it.”

“You mentioned that before, normal slaves. I’m not even sure if I can properly take any slaves. I did read a bit about the process, especially the deeper, more bonding one, but they already are someone’s subordinates, aren’t they? Will that work?”

“I know the necessary sigils and ceremony, of course. Anyone from my race and time would, really. It’s not a problem for me to teach you.” She smiled gently. “Their current servitude hangs on a thin thread connected to the existing Dragon’s Heart. Thanks to that, it should be even easier to take it over than to start a completely new one. You could either bind just the leader of their tribe and let the influence spread through his connections with all his people or personally reassign every single person. The latter will make your control over them and their descendants much finer. But, naturally, since you wouldn’t be making anyone into a true slave, you wouldn't really be able to call upon them through any means you could possibly have.”

“Call upon them?” Asterios frowned in confusion.

“I have to say, your means of transporting your true subordinates through Summoning Magic is extremely smart and innovative.” A somewhat impressed smile made it onto Althea’s lips. “Some of the more powerful True Dragons possessed the ability to transfer their bonded to their side but that’s currently very much a rare feat amongst them. No matter the distance, they could technically summon a small army to aid them. That’s part of the reason they often mated with most if not their entire entourage, sharing their essence with everyone, regardless of the receiver’s will.”

He pondered over something for a brief moment, the frown not leaving his thoughtful forehead. After staring at his hand resting on the table, he reached into his core and called for the scorching hot energy under his control.

“Do you perhaps mean this?” Asterios asked as his arm finished transforming into the scaly, crimson-red version and made a light, vertical swiping motion.

A tiny tear of dark scarlet shade appeared in the air where the tip of his finger had crossed through and Althea’s eyes turned wide as saucers. Tina let out a quiet, amazed woah as she stared at the little breach too. Its insides rippled mysteriously and enchantingly like crimson flames while dark red embers seemed to fall off the sharp, ferocious edges.

“I should have figured.” The Dragon lady laughed softly, gently shaking her head. “You come from not just one but two primordial bloodlines.”

“Does this mean I possess that ability?” Asterios closed the breach as it wasn’t exactly easy to keep it under his control and it drained his energy at a rapid rate, but for replicating something he had only seen once or perhaps twice, he felt satisfied.

“No.” Althea’s response knocked him down a little bit from his high. “You possess much more.”

“What do you mean?” It was Tina who asked for clarification first.

“The ability to call upon their bonded is a rare one but even that isn’t as unique as being in control of a spatial element,” the Dragon woman replied. “This is how all the Dragons made it out of this realm.”

“And how Red managed to sneak Kaguya into Umbra’s realm,” he added, feeling his shadow flutter. “So, what exactly is this? And how does it work?”

“In simple words, you are strong enough—well, almost—to tear through the fabric between dimensions and reach any destination you have in mind. It’s kind of like the interdimensional travel provided by Summoning Magic,” she explained. “At least that’s what the legends say. I’m pretty sure there’s a bit more to this. Nevertheless, you should be able to use this kind of breach to transport not just your bonded but even unbonded subordinates. The stories do exclude slaves from that list but who knows how much is true out of that and how much is just the usual True Dragon propaganda.”

“This could be huge,” Tina commented. “You could be able to move your friends as effortlessly as you move us. Imagine the possibilities with that. You really could build a force to be reckoned with.”

“If you do have friends and allies whom you can trust, I would advise you to start building your entourage,” Althea continued after her. “Just as one needs an army to defeat a Dragon, a Dragon needs an army to defend themselves. You seem to be focusing on quality over quantity right now, but in the long term, such a solution isn’t the safest or most efficient. In my humble eyes, you should both seek out powerful mates who would strengthen your family and recruit trustworthy allies into your forces. It’s often that pride and arrogance of not needing anyone lesser that is the downfall of many True Dragons.”

Asterios sighed softly. “I just didn’t want to follow in their footsteps. I might be a True Dragon but the atrocious approach of my kin isn’t exactly too appealing. I’ve been blessed with many incredible mates and I didn’t really see any reason to make use of the rest of this quite predatory system. But, maybe it’s plain impossible for me to run away from who I am.”

Tina scooted as close to him as she could and wrapped her arm around Ast’s waist, pulling herself into his side. As she enveloped him in a loving hug, her head rested against his and she started tenderly stroking his hand.

“You are an amazing man, that’s who you are,” she whispered affectionately. “It doesn’t matter a male of what kind of species you are, only how kind and compassionate of a person you are. Which certainly is partially thanks to Miss Kindra, but also just you.”

“And you don’t have to treat your slaves, servants, aides, and mates like all the other True Dragons do,” Althea added with a kind smile. “We haven’t known each other for that long, but I know that it would be an honor for many to come under your wing.”

“Right. But it won’t matter that much without me mastering this ability,” he replied, stroking Tina’s palm back with his thumb.

“I’ll do my best to aid your growth.” The emerald-haired lady lowered her head. “Considering the fact that you have already mastered a much more complex and roundabout way through Summoning Magic, I believe it won't take you long to become proficient with this realm-tearing means of travel.”

“Would the tribe’s Dragon’s Heart be of use for that?” he asked.

“Personally, I would advise you to try and harness its energy into your third, natural source rather than fill either of the two draconic ones or split between them,” she shared her thoughts. “Of course, it won’t magically turn it into a third Dragon’s Heart but the energy and essence should supplement its growth by a more efficient amount than if it would be spent on your already powerful source. But, no one can say if this will have no effect on your dimensional ability.”

Asterios thought about it for a bit and sighed again. “So, this entire slave thing, how does it exactly work?”

“Let me fill you in on all you need to know.” The Dragon lady nodded while Tina gently pecked Ast’s cheek and gave him some more space to focus on the topic, of course, listening just as attentively.

Althea then proceeded to show them all the various runes and sigils that True Dragons use on all types of their subordinates. Naturally, the duo was familiar with at least one of them, the same that Asterios had used to properly bond with the girls after finding out about the Dragon’s Coupling Bond and the ritual.

Thanks to that, their draconic friend did have a base to work on and didn’t have to start completely from scratch. They went once more through the deep, intimate bonds on all levels just to recall those details and confirm what they knew with Althea’s first-hand knowledge.

Then, they moved on to the non-true bonds and how to form them. The Dragon lady introduced various types of rituals and ceremonies she knew of, from the most official and grandiose to those quick and straight to the point which could even be held right on the battlefield. As expected, Ast’s essence and blood played a crucial role in those ties, while a different kind of spiritual carrier could be used for the more personal bonds.

After covering all the important aspects of taking subordinates, they briefly discussed Ast’s tear-making ability. He and Tina explained everything they knew and assumed about it from the few instances they had heard about or witnessed it through various memories while Althea used that to reaffirm her belief that they were talking about the same thing.

They would need much more time to talk about and exercise it so they saved that for when they weren’t in the middle of a possible nation-level crisis. She suggested a few ways to practice getting a feel of it and Asterios accepted the help gratefully. There was so much he would love to learn about from the old and wise Lesser Dragon Lady so he hoped that they would succeed in nullifying the poison troubling their new friend.

At some point during their conversation, after it had turned into a slightly more casual chat and banter, the other girls informed Asterios that they had just been notified about changes in the tin ore they had been experimenting on, and the duo bid farewell to Althea, promising to return soon.

Stepping through a crimson gate, the two Summoners returned to their clay residence and met the excited expressions of all their companions, eagerly awaiting their arrival. Miria basically pounced on Asterios while giggling adorably and letting him take her for a little spin.

Soon they stopped and he glanced over all of them. “Good news, I take it?”

Grea grinned at him. “See for yourself.”

He chuckled and yanked the demon lady into him to steal a kiss from his impish lover. “Lead the way, then. We have a pretty big ceremony to prepare soon.”