Dragon Genesis: I Can Create Dragons

Chapter 361: Ashen Heights is not yours to search.

“Rumors that a certain Hero… and another figure of interest… may have found their way to Ashen Heights.”

Imperia spoke, repeating the words her ants heard Zephyr say and stared at Kael and Lavinia. Right now, the two of them were sitting in their house, just as Morvain instructed them to. The moment they heard the ant’s words, the two turned towards each other with solemn looks on their faces.

“A traitor…”

Kael muttered in a low voice. Lavinia nodded as well, her body trembling ever so lightly as she hugged her knees and lowered her head, as if coiling around herself. Till now, there was still a possibility of Drakthar coming here for some other reason, but with Zephyr speaking those words directly, things couldn’t be clearer.

Drakthar knew they were here and…

They were here to get them… they were here to get… her.

Memories of that cold, dark cage resurfaced in Lavinia’s head. Her very being abhorred the idea of going back to that place. She had gotten too used to being around Kael; she didn’t wish to go back, ever.

Kael, who was sitting right next to her, sensed her messy state. His hand started gently rubbing her back, and she placed her head on his shoulder.

“Nothing will happen, don’t worry.”

Kael spoke reassuringly, and Lavinia trusted him, just that…

“If Lord Zephyr is here, things won’t be easy…”

She muttered in a weak voice. It would have been fine if it was anyone else, even if it was the Drakthar King himself, but Zephyr…

As someone who was part of the Drakthar Royal Family and had interacted with the Shadow Regent more than once, Lavinia knew what sort of man he was.

And it wasn’t just Lavinia. Kael was the same.

He still recalled what Veylara told him about Zephyr, a Demigod who is not only strong but also knows things that most people in the entirety of Nerathis do not.

Veylara herself was wary of him, even though she did not show it outright. Kael even remembered the woman mentioning that she would rather have Varyon, the strongest being in Drakthar, as an enemy than Zephyr because of how tricky and resourceful this man was.

But right now—

“Zephyr or not—it doesn’t change anything.”

Kael shook his head confidently. He then pulled Lavinia close to him and—

“If it comes to it, we will escape, and no one here will be able to stop us.

As I said before, stop worrying about everything,

Just close your eyes and continue to hug me.”

At those words, Lavinia raised her head and looked into his eyes. He smiled confidently, once again showing everything was under his control, and in the end, Lavinia crawled on top of him, pushing his back towards the wall. The Princess then placed her head on his chest and wrapped her legs around his body, making herself as comfortable as possible.

For a moment, Kael felt like he was petting his Nyrri, and the sight made him chuckle. He then hugged her gently, his hands rubbing her back calmly, and Lavinia closed her eyes, just as Kael told her to.

“Then take care of everything here.”

Lavinia muttered lightly.

“Mm.”

Kael nodded, and once again, he glanced at Imperia, who nodded back and continued to tell him everything that was happening at the East Coast.

…

At Zephyr’s words, just like Kael and Lavinia, Morvain deduced the existence of a traitor as well. She, however, did not show any change in her expressions. She didn’t want to give any sort of advantage to the enemy.

The people around her, however, didn’t have the same level of control. Tarevian Velmourn, the Voice of the Commonfolk and the youngest Elder of the Elder Council, flinched at Zephyr’s words—a reaction that Zephyr did not miss.

However, before the Shadow Regent could say anything about it—

“I will not speak of rumors, Regent.”

Morvain spoke up, attracting his attention.

“No,”

Zephyr nodded softly.

“You will not. That much, I expected.”

He then brought his hands forward and—

“Then allow me to put forth a proposal.

Let my men… search.”

He suggested directly.

“We will be quiet, the operation will be discreet, I promise you that. We will not trouble your people and their daily life one bit.

Three days, that is all I ask.

If the individuals we seek are not here, then no harm is done. And for your trouble, we will leave behind enough supplies to last you through the winter.

Food. Weapons. Medicine. And even metals to rebuild your forges. All of it will be yours in just three days.

We can even pay in advance if you desire.”

The Shadow Regent offered.

“Ashen Heights is not yours to search.”

Morvain shook her head. Her words felt like she wasn’t even considering Zephyr’s offer, and this somewhat frustrated him.

“It is not yours to starve either,”

Zephyr said, and for the first time, there was an edge beneath all his courtesy. Morvain’s rigid attitude made things far more difficult than what he was expecting.

“Winter is coming, Matriarch.”

He began with words that attracted not just Morvain’s but every Velmourn’s attention.

“We know your situation. Your mines are nearly dry, your forges can barely keep up, even food supplies are dwindling, and the next batch wouldn’t be enough for everyone.

You people are hungry and exhausted. The old and sick do not have enough medicines to survive, and all of this will only get worse as winter approaches.

It happens every year, and it will happen this year as well.”

Absolute silence fell over the place as Zephyr said those words. No one could retort against them. After all, the Shadow Regent wasn’t lying.

“But we can help.”

Suddenly, the Shadow Regent raised a hand.

“Food, enough to last you the entire winter and beyond. Fresh metals for your forges. Weapons. Warm clothing. Medicine. Even artifacts to keep an enclosure warm for months, even in harsh winters.”

Zephyr began, and just as he expected, the Velmourns reacted to his words. Even the Matriarch’s poker face broke, even if it happened only for a slight moment.

The Shadow Regent pushed forward,

“What we are offering isn’t something that any countryside merchants can give you. Our food will be a delicacy, filled with nutrition and taste. Our metals will be of far better quality. The weapons we offer will be the latest weapons built through the combination of forging and magic. Even our clothing will be enchanted.

Our medicines will be strong enough to heal most of the problems your people face, and the artifacts will help you survive through winters with ease. Your people won’t even know when the winter came and went.

All of this will be yours—with no war, no bloodshed.

All we ask is your cooperation.”

Zephyr offered, and for a moment, Morvain stayed silent. The Shadow Regent actually thought that the woman might cave in, but—

“I thought the Treaty of Vorgath stopped the Ashen Heights from trading with other nations.”

She commented sarcastically. Zephyr, however, kept a straight face and—

“This is not a trade.

Please see it as a gift.”

“But you want something in return. How is this a gift?”

Morvain smiled lightly, and in the end, Zephyr’s mouth twitched.

“Is this… stubbornness? Or loyalty?”

He couldn’t help but question.

He didn’t know why the Matriarch was going this far. Sure, the Hero was important, but from what he knew, Morvain did everything for her people’s survival. His offer should have been more than enough for her to cave in.

Then…

What’s stopping her?

’Has he charmed her already?’

He wondered in his head.

If it was the Hero… then it was indeed possible.

After all, he still remembered how Veylara seemed prepared to go against the entire Royal Council to take his side.

’Does he have a way to charm older women?’

Zephyr felt frustrated.

“Everyone in Ashen Heights is mine to protect. I do not put a price on my people.”

Morvain answered proudly, calling them ’her people,’ indirectly telling Zephyr that she had accepted them. And if that was indeed the case, then according to the Treaty, Drakthar no longer had any right to demand anything.

“You’ve accepted them,”

Zephyr said softly, understanding her message.

“Both of them.”

“…”

Morvain did not reply. Even though she had indirectly admitted it, she didn’t wish to give any official statement.

Zephyr stayed silent for a long time as well, thinking what to do from here. For a moment, everything seemed to have come to a halt.

And then finally, Zephyr heaved a big sigh of relief, as if he was taking a big decision, and he turned his gaze to the mountains in the distance.

“Very well,”

He murmured.

“Let us set aside the matter of the Hero.”

Morvain’s fingers twitched slightly.

“I will speak only of one,”

Zephyr continued.

“Princess Lavinia Dragonborn.”

He said the name, a name that instantly attracted the attention of the Men of the Watch.

“Lavinia Dragonborn…?”

“Who is he talking about…?”

“Has he lost his mind…?”

Whispers and murmurs began. Morvain’s expression faltered, and Zephyr, when he heard these murmurs, grinned in realization.

These people…

’They have no idea who they are trying to protect with their lives on the line, do they?’

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