Tales of Astora: Legacy

Chapter 46: Decisions

Chapter 46: Decisions

"How are our troops, Malick?" a king sat on a throne made out of stone asked his general.

"All prepared milord! Half of Oros is already under your rule. More and more dragons are coming to your side every day. The council of dragon has been nothing but a thorn in their eyes since its creation so it's obvious than when someone like you, who demonstrated strength that even surpassed dragons came along and promised them freedom, they will naturally follow." A knight in white armour said to his king.

Kaiser has been busy with the dragon recruitment, especially ever since he recruited Malick, a white dragon with incredible power. It was also Malick who has advised Kaiser instead of talking about ruling over the dragons; he should say that he was here to free them from the dragon council's tyranny. And it was a perfect strategy that aimed at the core of every dragon. They were a race that valued individuality, strength and most importantly freedom. To not be bound by anyone's rules, that was the adage of the dragon. To some extent, they could be seen as egoist who only cared about themselves. Taking advantage of this natural instinct, Kaiser has assembled an army of a thousand dragons in just a few days, a testament of discontent of the race against their council.

"Somehow I feel like I am tricking them...Not something a king should do to his people." Kaiser admitted his uncertainty about this strategy.

"While what you are saying is correct, a king should not limit himself to moral means. Sometimes a king must commit acts that would make him like a villain in order to protect his people. Just look at yourself! When those humans wanted to harm miss Syralth, you kill them without any hesitation. To their family, what you did was an atrocity. But to others like Celdora, it was justifiable.

Morality is defined by people and people are not perfect creatures. Therefor the norms of morality itself are relative to each and every one of us.

The end justifies the means. In our case, you will get your army of dragons to aid your father. Although you must release them afterward. If the dragons want a king, they will elect it themselves. A king that takes his throne by force usually doesn't last long." Malick said.

"Then why are you helping me, Malick? I find it weird you are willing to aid me even though you knew my true intentions."

"Don't misunderstand me! I judge you as a great individual, one who is destined to be a monarch. Perhaps one day you will rule over the dragons for real. Who knows? Just not now.

As for aiding you, I have my own reasons. Let's just say that I too share the desire to free the dragons."

* * *

"Find anything yet?" a small girl spoke.

"Give it time! You can't skim through a book like that. It will damage them. These are treasures left to us. Who knows what wisdom and knowledge it holds?" a skeletal figure held an old grimoire gently.

"You damn bookworm! I ask you to come with because I think you are the wisest in that castle. Now I am starting to regret it." Lilith said with disappointment.

"Thanks for the compliment but I will take my time. You don't even tell me why you brought me here and just want me to look for clues about a god-know-what rock called Akroma. How the hell am I supposed to know what I am searching for?"

"Even God knows nothing about that thing! Just keep searching! I don't want to spend more time in this creepy place." The Goddess complained as she resumed to reading the book she had. To her this was all just some strange words putting together as she understood nothing.