Chapter 87: A Royal Predicament and Dragonish Delights

As was his custom, Larkin woke early that morning. After his ablutions, he settled down to eat the breakfast brought to him by the church staff.

All of this felt entirely natural, for he had, after all, resided within the church for a month now, having largely adapted to its daily rhythm.

Habitually, he retrieved the latest edition of the Holy See’s newspaper, intending to peruse it over his meal.

Then… *Pfft!*

The mouthful of milk he had just taken instantly spluttered from Larkin’s lips.

He didn’t even spare a moment to wipe his mouth, his gaze practically burrowing into the newspaper’s surface.

The animated magical image on the enchanted newspaper vividly displayed the entire Holy Communion ceremony.

Their conversation, his and the Pope’s, was recorded verbatim. Beneath the magical projection, a small line of text read:

“The Grand Prince of the Aral Empire has extended a gracious invitation to His Holiness the Pope to visit the Imperial Capital, aiming to thaw the frosty relations between the Church and the Aral Empire and foster friendly exchanges between the two parties.”

‘No, he hadn’t!

‘Calm down, calm down,’ Larkin tried to reassure himself. ‘Father Emperor won’t necessarily see this newspaper published by the Church. After all, relations between the Empire and the Church are so strained, and he’s so busy. Why would he care about such things?’

However, his self-reassurance did little to ease his anxiety.

After much deliberation, to avoid being suddenly stripped of his imperial citizenship or unilaterally declared dead in a few days, Larkin resolved to ask the church staff to remove any information pertaining to him.

‘Better late than never,’ he thought.

Yet, as Larkin swiftly approached the door, yanking it open, he found a church staff member poised to knock on his very own door.

After a moment of mutual surprise, the church worker spoke first. –Prince Larkin, His Imperial Majesty, your father, has initiated a long-range magical communication with the Church. He wishes to speak with you privately.–

Larkin’s facial muscles twitched violently. With a trembling hand, he unfurled the newspaper he held and presented it to the staff member.

“Did my Father Emperor see what’s on this?” he managed to ask.

–He should have seen it yesterday. His Eminence specifically had a copy delivered to His Majesty by the Bishop stationed in the Imperial Capital.–

Larkin felt his citizenship flying away.

****

In stark contrast to Larkin’s despair, Theresia and Theodore were engaged in a harmonious discussion with the Old Patriarch in a dedicated communication room.

Their interaction was far more genial, perhaps even suspiciously so.

Theresia affectionately draped herself over Theodore’s shoulder, resting her head there, and waved at the Old Patriarch alongside a beaming Theodore.

–Old Patriarch: Hold on, my communication crystal is having some issues. I’ll restart it.–

With that, the Old Patriarch disconnected the call, meticulously examining the communication crystal for any flaws. After repeatedly confirming there were none, he re-established the connection.

–“Darling, I want that one.”

–“Are you sure it’s okay to eat so much this early in the morning?”

–“Hmph, don’t underestimate a dragon’s stomach! Hurry and feed me.”

–“Alright, alright, Theresia. The Old Patriarch is reconnecting.”

–“Ignore him. Ah~”

No sooner had the connection been made than a deluge of public displays of affection flooded the Old Patriarch’s dragon maw. Before he could be choked to death, the Old Patriarch abruptly cut the communication, staring in horror at the now-darkened communication crystal.

“What just happened?!” he exclaimed.

Although he was indeed over ten thousand years old, he theoretically still had a millennium or so left to live. Was he already so senile and muddled-headed?

Morbia, seated some distance away, watched the Old Patriarch inexplicably disconnect the communication crystal a second time. He had positioned himself far from the screen, not wishing to see Theresia, that rebellious disciple.

“What’s wrong, Patriarch? Is the communication crystal broken?” he inquired.

The Old Patriarch rubbed his dragon eyes. “Morbia,” he said, “could you take a look for me? Is there something wrong with the communication screen, or am I starting to hallucinate?”

White Dragon Morbia gave the Old Patriarch a strange look, then rose and approached the massive communicator, reactivating the connection.

At that moment, Theresia was clinging to Theodore, looking drowsy and happily chewing food, completely indifferent to the re-lit communication crystal.

It was Theodore who offered Morbia an awkward smile, nudging Theresia. “Theresia, the communication crystal,” he prompted.

Theresia burrowed her head into Theodore’s chest, letting out a captivating, languid murmur. “Mm-hmm, I’m so sleepy.”

Morbia, startled, fumbled and knocked the communication crystal to the ground, severing the connection once more.

‘Hahahaha, you foolish Patriarch and Master!’ Theresia thought.

Morbia and the Old Patriarch stared at the enormous communication crystal, both falling into a profound silence.

“You saw that too, didn’t you?” the Old Patriarch asked in a deep voice.

Morbia nodded gravely. “Yes.”

“This communication crystal has been in use for a hundred years,” he said, sounding unsure. “Although those fellows in the Dragon Research Hall claimed its shelf life was a thousand years, perhaps they sent us a defective one.”

“Are you suggesting we replace it?” the Patriarch asked.

Morbia nodded vigorously. “If I have to choose between believing what I just saw and replacing the communication crystal, I choose the latter.”

Thus, the Patriarch and Morbia journeyed together to another room, where another colossal communication crystal stood. This was the Dragon Research Hall’s latest model, in service for less than a decade.

‘They once swore to us that if any equipment issues arose within a thousand years, they’d send their own heads over for us to kick around like balls,’ the Patriarch recalled.

Then, the Patriarch and Morbia, their dragon eyes fixed intently on the communication crystal, watched as it lit up again. The instant it did, they saw Theresia pressing herself against Theodore, her lips near his earlobe, a seductive smile gracing her face as she whispered sweet nothings.

Morbia spun around, ready to leave. “I’m going to collect the heads of those old geezers from the Dragon Research Hall. I’ve never kicked a dragon-head ball in my life!”

The Patriarch grabbed his dragon tail, pulling him back forcefully. “Though reality feels utterly fantastical, this is no reason for us to flee.”

His eyes blazing with determination, the Patriarch declared, “Morbia, contact the Holy Light Church! I’m willing to pay handsomely. We could even announce the opening of a Dragon Race Embassy in the City of Light right now, no problem!”

Theresia, having climbed down from Theodore, addressed the Old Patriarch and her teacher.

“Great Black Dragon, after extensive discussion with Theodore, we’ve reached a consensus to formally engage in a free and loving relationship. I was merely doing what a femme fatale ought to do.”

The Patriarch’s pupils dilated in shock, while Morbia exclaimed in disbelief, “Has the magic of the Holy Light Church become so terrifying in just a thousand years?! It can mess with people’s minds and even interfere with their thoughts! Don’t worry, Patriarch, I’ll go negotiate right now!”

With that, Morbia stormed off to another communication room without a backward glance. He vowed to retrieve that magic, even if it meant selling himself for a thousand years!

Theresia merely smirked.

‘Though this act of mine cost me dearly, seeing the Patriarch and Morbia question the Dragon Lord in such a way makes it all worth it!’ she thought.

The Old Patriarch observed Theresia again and again, very carefully and seriously. From the defiant glint in Theresia’s eyes, he confirmed that this dragon had not gone mad.

It seemed to have nothing to do with magic.

He considered another possibility, one equally absurd, but by eliminating all impossibilities, even the most outrageous answer must be the correct one.

“Theodore, it seems I underestimated you.”

“?” Theodore had, in fact, been trying to explain the situation earlier, but he couldn’t find the words to describe Theresia’s current rogue-like state. Then he heard the Old Patriarch’s statement.

The Old Patriarch slowly began, “I had always believed a Black Dragon’s stamina was unrivaled, that they should be able to make a gargantuan Black Dragon dance with ease. I never imagined there would be a heaven beyond heaven, a giant beyond dragons. You, young man, appear to be an honest sort, but your capabilities are considerable indeed! To have ‘convinced’ a Black Dragon into submission, you truly are a talent to be nurtured!”

“?” Theresia was utterly bewildered.

“?” Theodore was equally perplexed.

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