Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 137: The Curse Belonging to an Emperor

Daniel and his companions are gathered in the lounge of the airship after the applicants for various serving positions of the Citadel have been guided out.

Immediately after the door has closed, Aramellianna leaves her seat to kneel before Daniel surprising him as much as anyone else.

"Daniel, I have no excuse. I am aware that I am already in a great debt with your trust as it is. I accept full responsibility for a spy infiltrating the candidates."

Wenlianna glances at each of them nervously. The human mechanic from Earth sighs softly. "Mother, that isn't necessary. None of us would have caught it were it not for Doephluev. She was using the same techniques as the archoneldwyn assassins."

Hekate sucks her teeth, and Geirahoel grumbles, "At least she is useful for something."

"You grace me with your words, your Illustrious Grace," replies Doephluev with a slight bow and obvious sarcasm in her otherwise neutral tone.

Thankfully, she doesn't antagonize anyone further, and Vaergraes points out, "The question is, are there more archoneldwyn, or was there someone controlling Brosjak after all?"

Ryuogriar nods in agreement. "The obvious answer, regardless of who was pulling the strings when he was alive is that our enemies still possess the powers to threaten us."

"And, they have no qualms about attempting to infiltrate to do so," adds Treia pointedly.

"Frontal assaults very clearly don't stand a chance," starts Kera'tai. "That has been proven by one of the largest armies of the east marching to the Citadel. The fact that the Covenant didn't try to attack right after indicates that they realized they didn't have the forces necessary to make a dent either."

Aoloan speaks up next, speaking a little softly, "I fear it may have been an overstep on our part to make a show of force to the Empire... specifically..." She looks at the dragons, adding cautiously, "The eggs..."

"But, they're just eggs," remarks Hekate. "N-No offense. But, what I mean is, why would the Empire want to do anything about eggs and not us directly?"

"An excellent way to destroy a ruling body is to destroy their future," replies Aramellianna grimly. "Our Graceful Dragon Empresses are demonstrably powerful on their own, and the last surviving male greater dragon is one of the largest creatures alive." She looks at Neith, bowing her head respectfully, and he nods in gratitude. The Grand Duchess then continues, "Even the rest of the Einherjars and Valkyries are the scale by which easterners wager that we can take a dragon at all. A greater dragon would require a great deal of luck with an entire army just to bring one down. But,... an egg, or even a child..."

"Significantly easier targets," replies Hekate as she understands. "But, wouldn't that be stupid? I mean, NONE of us will take that lying down, no matter whose egg it is. The only thing I would have to say to an angered mother would be to wait for me to put my own armor on." She takes Ryuogriar's and Reignleif's hands, since they're closest, and she smiles at both of them, also smiling at Geirahoel. "There will be nothing left."

"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, your Greatness," chimes in Magnir. "But, I don't think the success condition of such a plan is to distress a dragon." He looks at Daniel, adding, "The Fievegal is powerful now without technology from Earth, but... The worst power of the Fievegal comes from one man."

"Would anyone really think the eggs were Daniel's?" asks Gwenesphia gently. "Not that I disagree with Hekate, since I, too, will fight for all of our family, but if their goal is to harm Daniel..."

"It would succeed," replies Daniel bluntly. "No matter what other rumors go around about me, many people know I risked everything to save Erimaya. To anyone who sees me in a negative light, I may be a lecher interested in children, but to anyone who knows me in any sort of positive light..."