CHAPTER 81: WHY CALL ME

"Is that even possible?" Valka asked. "To ally with us?"

Ragna had a strange look on his face. He shrugged lightly. "I don’t know, but it’ll be great to have the heir of the Vorrakyn in our clan for a while.

"You know, one of my plans is to settle the fight against the two sides. That way we won’t have to worry about constantly looking behind us for a sneak attack."

Valka nodded. "I understand. But... to ally with the humans. That’s another concept altogether. Are you sure you want him to come with us?"

Ragna nodded with a small smile. "We need to show our thanks for saving me. Although, as his guest it was probably his duty. It’s not in a situation like that where everything is chaos."

Valka nodded, but then his eyes narrowed. "I still don’t understand. From your explanation, even that assassin guard shouldn’t be able to protect you easily.

"Besides, the intruders should target you as well, as you are from the Warbines Clan."

Valka’s hands clenched at what might have happened. He took a deep breath to wipe the red from his eyes as he focused back on his master.

Ragna shrugged. "This is humans’ territory. They probably don’t attack because they don’t want any trouble with my clan. After all, if the rulers here change, they would also inherit the need to be close to us.

"Let’s leave all the boring words and let’s talk about how we are going to keep the Clans from tearing humans apart when we arrive."

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’...why did you go to the Head healer’s residence, you should have come back here and started your training!..’ Rith scolded as Vacuse once again sat in a cross-legged position.

He shrugged. "Just to learn about how some herbs can counter some poisons. He also gave me some potions."

Rith snorted. ’..fool.. if you learn the Void Thread well, you can stop the flow of poison and then use the worst healing herbs to cure it. And when you reach great height, then you can directly erase such things away.

’..the beauty of the Void is at its height. All this low technique is to set the foundation and teach you how to control and master the power you’ll have in your hand!..’

Vacuse sucked in a sharp breath as he heard that.

To erase memories and sickness, poison and such... then?

"Can I erase techniques as well? Attacks sent my way, can they be wiped away?"

When Rith looked at him it almost seemed as if the small Void Dragon was smiling. ’...why do you think I was sealed away? But why are you trying to run when you can’t even crawl? Focus on your training or you’ll just accidentally erase yourself when exposed to such power!..’

Vacuse made himself comfortable and his eyes narrowed in concentration. Dark energy twisted around him and split into small strands of thread that fell away the next instant.

’...Again!..’ Rith shouted.

Vacuse nodded and began.

And so the days passed like that.

Kragthar had settled into a type of ’preparing’ mode. It was as if all its inhabitants were waiting for something to happen. And they weren’t happy with the Dragon Lord or anyone with red eyes.

With Vacuse’s plan, Drenvar had created two new Vassal families and transferred the territory and wealth of the previous ones over. Those two new Vassals were now the leaders of the Kragthar Association, and they did all in their power to stop the merchants, farmers, and artisans from relocating.

Of course, it took a lot of gold coins. And the fact that the Red Leaves were blocking the way.

Either way, they stayed and work sort of began.

But things were bad.

With the Red Leaves closing down their borders, the restrictions on goods reached an all-time high and the effect fell on the Kragthar people like a hammer.

And that made Vacuse angry, so much that he complained to all the people that would hear him.

Rith, Lyra, Harkon, and Kagerou were the ones that were subjected to his complaints.

Why don’t the Vorrakyn eradicate the Red Leaves already? Why don’t they leave their territory at the far edge of the West and go straight to the middle where the Red Leaves are?

Those were the questions that Vacuse asked but received no answers.

It seems the Vorrakyn’s arrogance was truly blinding. Why care about the far edge of the West when they could just fly over?

But Rith didn’t let him complain for long, as each time he would glare and shout at him to start training.

And so the days passed. Vacuse trained and attended meetings while he made preparations for the upcoming ’diplomatic mission’ to the Warbines Clan.

For two weeks straight he threw himself into his training and worked himself hard, so much so that Rith secretly gave him a nod of praise.

On the third week that he was to start his journey to the Warbines Clan, the Dragon Lord summoned him.

"You’re here," Drenvar said.

He was standing before the open window of his study that overlooked Kragthar. The Dragon Lord turned to him and Vacuse, his red eyes like coal.

Vacuse clasped his hands and bowed. It was the first time the two of them would be alone, both in his past and present life. "Dragon Lord."

Drenvar stared at him for a long time and then he looked away, a small, humorless smile curling his lips. "You don’t like me. Your voice is always laced with hate when you speak to me, and your eyes with cruelty.

"You hide it well, but I’ve spent my life looking at people that don’t like me. There are a lot of them."

Vacuse was unfazed.

Drenvar knowing or not knowing had little against what he had in mind to do to the person that killed him.

But he tilted his head. "Why did you call me?"

Drenvar turned back and walked over to a table, picked up a cup of very strong spirit and sat down. "I just want to impress some things on you."