Too much happened in one day, so Aegon decided to ignore everything else for the time being. His focus was the Supremacy Games, so that took utmost priority.

Fortunately, Xiu's arrival created the perfect distraction. Her presence meant the arrival of not only Elara but also the Valerian Elders he had requested to come.

Sometimes, a name alone didn't scare people, so they needed an overwhelming display of power. Sure, Valerians still created terror in everyone's hearts, but very few had seen their prowess firsthand, and it was hard to remain frightened by something you had never witnessed.

Aegon didn't want to take any risks after asking Elara to come for him, so he did this. With two dragons present along with two Valerian Elders at his call, his prestige soared instantly.

His enemies would think twice before doing anything after such a display.

But it wasn't enough. That's why Rovan gestured towards Vhagar, his crimson dragon.

Understanding his meaning, Aegon smiled thankfully at him before walking toward the dragon who could easily swallow him like a small bamboo stick.

Vhagar's reptilian eyes blinked at him as he growled upon seeing Aegon approach. Dragons were territorial and immensely possessive and arrogant about their things.

Not just anyone could become a Dragon Rider, and not just anyone could approach them. In most cases, dragons would straight up turn people into ashes, but Aegon wasn't afraid of that.

His smile remained warm as he allowed his Soul Essence to flow toward Vhagar. He said, "Hey there, buddy! Been a while since we last saw each other."

Granted, the last time Vhagar had tried to incinerate him, only to fail miserably. It confused the dragon a lot, so they had become acquaintances where this big guy tried again and again to burn him.

It was quite funny to Aegon, so he remembered him well.

Vhagar opened his maw, letting out a threatening growl as his hundreds-of-meters-long blade-like fangs came fully on display.

"What, planning to burn me again?" Aegon asked casually. "I don't mind, but I'd prefer if you didn't burn my clothes. They're pretty expensive, and I also don't have exhibitionism as a hobby."

Vhagar pulled his head back, feeling a sudden shift around him, but then, as if drawn by something, he came closer. His posture no longer threatened—just endless curiosity swirling in his intelligent vertical eyes.

All of a sudden, Vhagar lunged forward at Aegon, making many yelp in fear. Everyone thought the dragon was going to devour Aegon, but the man himself stood without a care in the world.

Aegon just laughed, feeling the warm breath envelop him as the dragon's gigantic head stopped only a meter away. He said, "Finally recognize me?"

Vhagar opened his maw again, letting his long tentacle-like tongue lick Aegon's hand. If this was done to anyone else, their hand would have disappeared from existence.

A dragon's tongue always remained close to their flame source, after all. So there were hardly any materials hotter than their tongues.

Yet nothing happened to Aegon's hand.

"Are we good now?" Aegon asked as he raised his hand toward the dragon's snout, and the creature silently lowered his head, letting Aegon do whatever he wanted.

The audience watched everything in stunned silence. Even Samuel was watching with interest, so it was no surprise everyone across the Empire was fully engrossed.

Dragons were legends for everyone, and their fame only grew after the heavens burned. People wanted to know everything about the creatures who stood at the apex, so they memorized any legend they found.

But this was the first time they witnessed everything with their own eyes. The legends had been exaggerated, yes, but many of them were true.

True Valerians could never be harmed by flames.

Everyone considered it a myth, but now they changed their minds.

Every action of Aegon was engraved into their minds as they satisfied their curiosity. But along with that came the realization of their own weakness. Even if the dragons didn't attack them, they could sense how powerless they were before these creatures.

Sure, some powerful individuals might stand a chance against some dragons, but they could never defeat them. It was something told to them since their childhood.

Dragons could never be defeated by humans or any other race.

It was a myth… until now.

Vhagar alone was enough to bring down the whole Dusk City. They could feel it in their bones.

Yet there was someone who stood above all these terrifying creatures of legends. The man with the greatest potential, the one who commanded the entire Dragon Race, the Sole Heir of House Valeria.

The man to whom Vhagar submitted so easily.

Aegon Valeria Augustus.

And this man had invited a guest officially. Two Valerian Elders were here to oversee the matter, along with two powerful dragons.

People who had planned to scheme against the Elves felt their hearts shake. Hesitation crept in as many silently withdrew.

It simply wasn't worth it.

Aegon smiled, feeling the shift in the atmosphere. It was subtle, but he had always been sensitive about such things.

Thanks, Xiu.

Xiu taught him many ways to deal with enemies, but the most recurring lesson among them was to always be ruthless and absolute about it.

If he was going to kill a snake, smash its head completely so there was no chance of survival.

Absolute Authority was necessary.

This was why he created this scenario.

He knew it wasn't enough to quell all enemies, but it didn't matter. He could deal with the few that remained.

Hugging Vhagar's snout, Aegon said, "Thanks for coming, buddy."

He could feel Vhagar's emotions through the subtle bond he formed with him. This was how all Dragon Bonds worked and the reason why only a Soul Cultivator could become a Dragon Rider.

Standing some distance away, Rovan smiled and said, "He's more talented than Mistress."

"He is?" Xiu raised an eyebrow. "But I heard Mother had the best talent among all Valerians."

"She was the most talented Valerian, but even for her, bonding with a dragon like this took many years. Only when she was nineteen did she accomplish it," Rovan replied. "He is our future, Xiu."

"Heheh! That's my boy!" Xiu grinned in happiness.

How was it possible for someone to compliment her baby and she not beam with happiness?

Impossible!

Something occurred to her as she muttered, "I think we're forgetting something."

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