Chapter 366: Dragon Oath Mage (Part 1)
"Here."
"Is this the Royal Palace?"
Misha cautiously scanned her surroundings, her gaze sweeping over the towering City Wall, the massive Stone Pillars standing like ancient sentinels, and finally landing on the distant, majestic and grand Iron Dragon Wing Palace.
Old John had once told her this was King Kai Xiusu’s residence—the heart of the entire kingdom, where all its treasures were kept.
"Arooo—"
As Lanpu and Misha approached, the Two-Headed Dragon perched atop the Stone Pillar raised its heads in unison, letting out a long, thunderous roar. The Tiefling guards stationed at the entrance lowered their heads in respectful greeting.
Tiefling Captain of the Guard Ekmon stepped forward, bowing slightly.
"Good day, Lord Lanpu. The King awaits you in the Main Palace."
"I know."
Lanpu gave a slight nod. Then, with a light tap of her staff, she descended to the ground, leading Misha onward on foot.
Lanpu moved with practiced ease through the inner passage, murmuring,
"This is where King Kai Xiusu resides—the most sacred and inviolable place in the entire kingdom. Here, any form of Flight or Teleportation Spell is considered a Transgression."
"Even I must walk in. It is a sign of respect to the King."
The Cannibal Magician was massive in frame. Though she deliberately slowed her pace, each stride still covered two meters, forcing Misha to struggle to keep up.
Still, she panted out,
"Yes, Lord."
But when they stepped fully inside, the sight before them left Misha utterly stunned—she halted in her tracks.
"This is..."
Though some newly cultivated vegetation partially concealed it, the ground was still littered with black, solidified Molten Lava, gently undulating or forming broad, hilly ridges, some still visibly flowing. A thick, sulfurous hot breath blew toward them, making Misha feel as if she had stepped into the mouth of a volcano.
Lanpu stopped and spoke with quiet excitement.
"See? This is the King’s Might. Even an accidental Power Leakage from him is beyond the imagination of any Mortal Entity."
"I’ll cast a Spell to protect you."
He began raising his staff—only to pause, realizing Misha had closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath of the searing air, her entire body relaxing.
"No need, Lord Lanpu."
"Thank you for your concern, but I’m feeling... surprisingly good. Better than ever."
Misha slowly opened her eyes. In her brown irises, flickers of Flame Light danced like embers. Her face, once strained, now glowed with euphoria.
For a Sorcerer deeply attuned to the Fire Element, stepping into the scorching environment forged by the Red Dragon was like diving into a river of life—her very being surged with energy, replenished and awakened.
"Then that’s perfect."
A barely perceptible flicker of surprise crossed Lanpu’s face.
To feel at ease in such an extreme environment—Misha’s innate talent must surpass even his expectations. Even he felt a pang of envy. At last, he understood why some Mages scorned Sorcerers as "barbarians."
Throughout the journey, Lanpu had repeatedly emphasized the Red Dragon’s supreme authority, drilling into Misha the proper protocol for the Audience.
After walking for several minutes, they finally reached the end, and the full majesty of the palace unfolded before them.
"Woah."
Despite having prepared herself mentally, Misha couldn’t help but gasp aloud as she looked up.
The Iron Dragon Wing Palace was built into the mountainside, its shape resembling a vast, open dragon’s wing. The entire structure was forged from refined steel—crisscrossed by over a hundred jagged, grotesque cracks left by the Red Dragon. Though repeatedly repaired, they could never be fully hidden. Yet, they gave the palace a raw, primal strength.
Lanpu bowed slightly, waiting outside, then whispered to Misha:
"Misha, this is the Main Palace—the King’s permanent residence. Remember the protocol I taught you."
"Go. The King wishes to see you alone."
"Yes, Lord Lanpu. I will remember your teachings."
Misha nodded solemnly.
Throughout the walk, she kept glancing back nervously. Only when Lanpu’s gaze reassured her did she dare move forward.
"Lord Lanpu may be ugly, but he’s kind-hearted—far better than those noble hypocrites with human faces and beastly hearts. They should all be tied to a Pyre Stake and burned alive with fire."
That was Misha’s silent thought.
"I wonder… what kind of King is the legendary one?"
In her reverie, she suddenly realized she had reached the heavy doors. Her heart thudded in her chest.
She whispered softly:
"Your Majesty… I’ve come."
Before she could finish, she clapped a hand over her mouth—she had forgotten the proper formality in her nervousness.
But fortunately, nothing went wrong.
"Boom—"
With a deep, echoing rumble, the massive door—carved with the grimacing face of a dragon—slowly creaked open.
Misha’s legs trembled, but she steadied herself, following Lanpu’s instructions. Head down, she stepped forward, then knelt at the foot of the stairs.
"Your Majesty, I am Misha. I have come for my Audience."
"Relax. Rise."
The voice carried a hint of amusement—far less cold and distant than she had imagined.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Misha stood, carefully lifting her head. At last, she saw the towering figure upon the Iron Throne.
—A colossal Red Dragon, seated upon the throne, its body radiating a slow, lava-like ripple. At the crown of its head, a set of horn-like antlers stood like a royal diadem. Its淡金色 pupils burned with flickering Flame Light.
The Red Dragon, simply by existing, was the living embodiment of the Fire Element.
Yet strangely, though Misha trembled with fear, another emotion—far stronger—overwhelmed it.
It was… familiarity.
Yes, that was it. A deep, instinctive connection—something akin to a Soul-Twin bond with a higher power.
In Misha’s brown irises, Flame Light flared. Her body’s Fire Element responded with a fervent call—her very core pulsing, as if cheering, bowing in submission to the Red Dragon.
Kai Xiusu studied the girl before him, curiosity in his eyes.
"Misha."
"The 'Madfire Witch' who slaughtered countless Players in a past life… and now, just a child."
"How fascinating."
To him, she was no longer quite human. She belonged more to the realm of semi-magical beings. Every drop of blood in her body thrummed with the Fire Element.
In another era, such a talent would have had a more fitting name—"Child of the Elements."
Misha hesitated, clutching the hem of her robe, unsure what to say.
Then, Kai Xiusu spoke first, his voice calm.
"Lanpu has already informed me of your purpose. You wish to seek revenge on Leo Bosk?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"That despicable traitor orchestrated the Magul Incident, brutally murdering my grandfather. I must avenge him!"
Her voice, once shaky, now rang with unwavering resolve.
(End of Chapter)
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