Dragon King's Harem Chapter 598. Empty Thrones VI
Dragon King's Harem Chapter 598. Empty Thrones VI
“I used that crystal to prove my innocence,” I said slowly. “To show everyone that I didn't attack the dwarves or nymphs out of bloodlust. And now they want to use it to convince my allies to attack the Nymph Kingdom?”
“Some of them believe those allies will sympathize with the dwarves.”
I stared at her. “Sympathize?”
Seraphel nodded. “Perhaps enough to provide military support.”
I looked up at the night sky.
Give me strength.
Actually, no.
Don't give me strength.
That was precisely the problem.
I already had far too much of it, and my patience was dangerously close to becoming a historical footnote.
“Do they understand what the broadcast actually shows?” I asked. “It shows Elowen and Seranaya committing crimes. It doesn't show every nymph in existence agreeing to those crimes.”
“I doubt the distinction matters to the more aggressive council members.”
“Then it had better start mattering.” My voice came out colder than I intended.
Seraphel noticed. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't interrupt.
I looked down at the city.
There were nymph merchants here. Nymph children. Nymph families who had lived alongside dwarves for years.
I had already arranged temporary escorts because I knew resentment would follow the assassination. But if the council formally declared war, those civilians would become targets whether they supported Elowen or not.
And on the other side?
Dwarven traders living in nymph territory would face the same danger. One queen's ambition could become a thousand ordinary people's graves.
“We should force them to sign a peace agreement,” I said.
Seraphel studied me. “A peace agreement?”
“Between the Dwarven Kingdom and the Nymph Kingdom. No retaliation against civilians. No military incursions. No collective punishment. Border security under neutral observation until both thrones stabilize.”
I started counting the terms on my fingers.
“Reparations for the poison victims. Independent investigations into any surviving conspirators. The new Nymph Queen acknowledges Elowen's crimes without making innocent nymphs responsible for them.”
Seraphel listened quietly. “And the dwarves?”
“They agree not to use Durharn's death as an excuse to invade.”
“That will be difficult. The council may refuse.”
“Then force them.”
Seraphel turned toward me. For the first time that night, she looked genuinely surprised.
I met her gaze without blinking. “I've had enough of playing the wise judge here.”
The breeze shifted between us. Her little phoenix stirred on her shoulder, its tiny wings flickering as if it sensed the change in my mana.
I continued, my voice quiet. “I've listened to their accusations. I've tolerated their insults. I even let Durharn's guards attack me because I wanted the truth exposed properly. I gave everyone chances to make reasonable decisions. Now I'm tired.”
Seraphel watched me carefully.
I smiled. The sort of smile that had once made enemy generals reconsider whether their life insurance was sufficient. “If they want to drag innocent people into another war, I'll stop them.”
“By threatening the council?”
“By giving them a choice.” I straightened from the railing. “They can accept a peace agreement and settle their succession peacefully, or they can explain to their people why they're picking a fight with the World Protector while their own capital is still recovering.”
Seraphel folded her arms. “You realize some might accuse you of interfering with dwarven sovereignty.”
“Oh, I'm counting on it.”
Her brow rose.
I smiled wider. “Let them complain. Let them call me arrogant, controlling, unreasonable, or whatever. I'm not choosing their king for them. I'm telling them they don't get to start a war that threatens the entire region.”
She was silent for a moment. Then she sighed. “You really have changed.”
I glanced at her. “Better or worse?”
“I'm still deciding.”
“Take your time. I've got at least another thousand years to disappoint you.”
That earned me a soft laugh.
But the amusement didn't last.
Seraphel looked toward the palace's council wing, where several windows remained illuminated despite the late hour. “If we intervene together, our position will be stronger,” she said thoughtfully. “The Phoenix Tribe and Dragon Tribe could offer guarantees for the agreement.”
“Exactly.”
“And if the council refuses?”
I turned toward those glowing windows. My smile slowly disappeared. “Then they can choose what kind of Dragon King they want standing at their gates.”
Seraphel said nothing.
I let the silence settle before continuing. “I can be the ally who helps rebuild their kingdom. I can be the judge who makes sure both sides receive justice.” My eyes narrowed. “Or I can become the disaster that reminds them why starting another war was a terrible idea.”
The little phoenix on her shoulder went very still.
I looked back at Seraphel. “They can choose.”
For several seconds, she simply studied me. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled. “Well,” she murmured, “it seems I really did find myself a partner-in-crime position.”
I chuckled.
Seraphel laughed softly, and for a moment the tension between us eased. Then she looked toward the council wing again.
“We should meet them in the morning. Before they formally endorse any military action.”
“Agreed.”
She nodded.
I stretched my shoulders, feeling the exhaustion return now that the anger had cooled. “Good. Then we have a plan.” I turned toward the balcony edge and opened my wings.
Seraphel watched me. “Where are you going?”
I looked over my shoulder. “To bed.”
“Just like that?”
“Seraphel, I've fought two queens, survived a coup, negotiated over corpses, and discovered that three noble houses are competing to become my next headache. If I don't sleep now, tomorrow's peace negotiations might become considerably less peaceful.”
Her lips curved. “Good night, Argod.”
I paused. Then smiled. “Good night, Seraphel. And next time? Send a normal magic messenger.”
The tiny phoenix chirped indignantly.
I pointed at it. “Not you.”
Seraphel's laughter followed me as I launched myself into the night.
Tomorrow, I would try diplomacy.
And if diplomacy failed?
Well, the dwarves had already seen what happened when my patience run out. I sincerely hoped they wouldn't need a second demonstration.