(Royal Capital, King's Chambers)

Crrrk~

The door slowly creaked open, dust trailing down the moment it moved. Standing in front of the now-open underground pathway were Revina and Dorian.

Since the announcement about Dorian becoming a new duke in the Lumberg kingdom, news had been spreading all around the capital, all with different sides to the story.

Those who were in the higher echelons of power all believed the King was being manipulated—how could an ordinary baron suddenly gain such a title? Meanwhile, the commoners heard a different side to the rumor; they believed the new Duke was righteous and just, bringing people out of poverty and helping the kingdom from behind the scenes.

All in all, it sparked an ongoing uprising amongst the capital's people and the nobles ruling it.

Some wanted Dorian gone, and others wanted to see the face behind the entire topic, the man who managed to sway the heart of the King.

Gulping down his saliva, Dorian stared into the hole with hesitation written all over his face.

"We are going in there?" he asked.

"Yes. Are you perhaps afraid of the dark?" Revina looked at him, her gaze somewhat hardened.

"Eh, no, it's fine," Dorian replied back. For the most part, he couldn't sense his life being in danger, so it shouldn't be a problem. He had assumed Revina called him to confirm his noble title; however, all she said was for him to follow her, and to his surprise, this was where they ended up.

"Let's go then." Revina turned away and slowly walked down the stairs. Dorian followed right after, which then caused the stone walls to close right back up.

Walking right behind her, his eyes accidentally picked up on her butt.

Revina was dressed in a white, tight gown that moment, which vividly highlighted her assets more than usual. It was hard for anyone not to look in such a situation.

But just as Dorian wanted to look away, Revina uttered from the front, "You must have a lot of questions if you are staring at me that intensely. You don't have to worry; I'll answer whatever I can in the meantime."

'Well, she is being awfully generous.' Nevertheless, Dorian didn't plan to waste the opportunity.

"Then, I know demi-humans face discrimination daily, from both demons and humans alike. This kingdom has a policy against slave-trading demi-humans, and while that is true, it doesn't necessarily stop the hatred that stems from it."

With her face still focused to the front, Revina voiced out, "And you're wondering how an elf became King with no issues? Or perhaps it's the fact most of my mansions are filled with elves and barely any humans, and you feel I intend to make this a kingdom for demi-humans?"

"I wouldn't go that far." The sound of their feet dropping onto each stair echoed amidst the silence.

"My father was known as the King of Lumberg the Great, the only man to have tamed a dragon, other than the king that followed his grandfather. As such, he was considered a Dragon King, one of a kind. However, he lacked the mana needed to keep the dragon healthy, which led to him having to use his lifeforce. This, as well, caused him to be infertile. He could not have kids, or an heir."

Dorian was silent all through, listening with intent.

"That was when he found me, a lone elf who was aiming to become the greatest knight that ever lived. I faced hatred left and right, but I never stopped. And when I finally got to the top, the Dragon King adopted me as his own, bestowing upon me the crown. There, are you happy?"

'There is obviously more to the story, but I doubt she is willing to say all that to a man she only just met. What a bummer…' Dorian chuckled a bit.

Without any warning, Revina stopped and looked at him.

"You do understand the situation you are in? Correct?" she uttered. "Rumors have been going around spreading the fact I intend to give you the title of Duke. Are you sure you are ready for what's to come?"

"Are you worried about me, Your Majesty?"

"You are really annoying." Revina turned around aggressively as she walked away.

Though it was only a hint, Dorian was sure he noticed a slight red blush on her pointed elf ear.

He simply smiled and then followed behind her.

Mid-way, Lili appeared on his shoulder in her bat form.

(Master, careful. I sense something powerful down there.)

'You finally decided to wake up.'

(Master used a lot of my mana last time; I had to refill. Anyway, please be careful. I can sense mana similar to that of Ciel. Though it's weak, it's definitely there.)

'Your senses are better than mine, so I am not too surprised if you can sense something I can't. Worst-case scenario, I'll fight for my life. Not really much to worry about.'

(Masterrrr~ please take this seriously.)

After a while of walking, they finally arrived at the bottom of the underground lair. The floor was white marble, etched with lots of intricate and ancient symbols.

At the center of the roof hung a large lantern, bringing light to the entire place.

However, all of these were quite minimal compared to the rest of the sanctuary.

On the walls were dragon ores, hung and connected with a single wire; at least seven or eight could be seen mounted on the walls. And where were they all connected to?

The sole dragon at the center of the room.

Its skin was pale white, the large body covered in glowing runes, and it was shackled to the ground.

A dragon that was at least half the size of the room, yet it had no life in its eyes.

From the looks of it, the dragon was dead; it had been dead for quite some time now.

"A dragon?" Dorian uttered, his voice filled with shock.

"The very same dragon my father tamed," Revina replied, walking over to it.

The dragon was still being supplied with mana from the surrounding ores, all connected to the center of its body, where a giant runic circle could be seen glowing with green light.

"I am sure you think it's dead, and you'd be somewhat right," Revina continued, placing her hand on the dragon's large snout.

"I was only a child back then. My father died not too long after adopting me, and the nobles, they all tried to take my crown. But then he appeared, this dragon. He fought for me, and when his life ran out, he became like this, a statue."

Dorian was still taken aback by the situation. A dragon. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for the beast.

"What's your plan for it?" Dorian asked, looking at the large body.

"My plan?" Revina looked at him, a faint smile on her face.

"I intend to revive it, of course."

Dorian's eyes widened, a sense of shock returning to him. "Revive it?"

Revina smiled at him, then she slowly took a couple of steps forward, her eyes glinting with ideas.

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