MTLNOVEL Chapter 06: Dragon Valley (6)
*Facing the "public," and a group of dragons at that, with nothing but words as his weapon...*
*Gray was likely facing this kind of situation for the first time.*
*When those who needed persuasion had extremely divergent opinions and lacked consideration for their own thoughts, it became an impossible task.*
*The key issue was their unique dragon arrogance, believing that their words were always right. It's already hard to persuade humans, let alone a group of self-important dragons.*
*If the supporting voices were like this, what would the opposing voices be like?*
*After listening to the voices in the key all night long, early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Gray found Archil Norman.*
"Does the Lord of Lich King want to meet Elder Gjestav again?"
"Yes. Can you arrange it for me?"
"Of... of course. I will arrange it for you right away."
Archil Norman pressed his finger to his temple, closed his eyes, and then quickly opened them again, smiling and saying, "Please wait a moment."
"Thank you," Gray replied softly, and then the two stood quietly, looking at each other.
Archil Norman maintained his smile; Gray remained dazed. After all, liches had no expressions.
After a while, Gray softly asked, "Is there a problem?"
"Oh no, there's no problem," Archil Norman replied, "I have already informed her. Waiting for her response now. It should be quick, don't worry."
"You've already told her?"
"Yes, through another key. Just wait a moment."
*Gray waited anxiously.*
After about ten minutes, Archil Norman suddenly hesitated, closed his eyes, and then after a while opened them again, "It's done. Elder Gjestav invites you to come over now."
"Thank you," Gray said once again.
The black cat and Richie were lying on the balcony, watching them leave from afar.
Richie glanced at the black cat beside him, then at Catherine and Vivian in the room, and whispered to the black cat: "Uncle Black Cat, aren't you going too?"
"Please call me Uncle Bolaisidong, thank you."
"Alright, Uncle Bolaisidong. Aren't you going too?"
"Your father insists on going by himself. I also believe he can handle it. Don't worry, I think if he can't solve the problem now, neither can I. In fact, he no longer needs me."
"No, Father still needs you. Father says you are his most important mentor."
*The black cat looked at Richie, sighed slowly, and said: "I actually didn't teach him anything, even advised him not to be a knight, but to be a good lich. He just wouldn't listen to me. The most important thing has always been himself, not anyone else. Whatever he wants to do, no one can stop him."*
...
*One of the mountains at the edge of Dragon Valley. At the top, the wind blew fiercely, mixed with snowflakes.*
*After walking a long way up the mountain path to the top, Gray found that above Dragon Valley, there was actually a huge magical shield, isolating all the cold and strong winds. And supporting this magical shield was a large magical array with six points arranged in a hexagram pattern.*
*Elder Gjestav lived at one of the points. It was a large dragon nest on the mountain peak, similar to an oversized bird's nest. However, the dragon nest was not built with leaves and branches like a bird's nest, but rather with numerous long stone pillars engraved with talismans, arranged in a certain order.*
*Elder Gjestav was coiled up in dragon form in the nest.*
*Gray walked up against the fierce wind.*
*Elder Gjestav slightly opened her large dragon eyes, watching Gray.*
"Lord Lich King, why have you come to see me?"
"Honorable Elder." Gray crossed his hands over his chest in the formal Dragon Clan gesture, respectfully bowed to Elder Gjestav, and then softly said, "Thank you for your help in allowing me to access the thoughts of the Golden Dragon Clan more conveniently."
"It seems you had quite a pleasant time with them in the key."
"I want to ask you for another favor."
"Speak, Lord Lich King, what do you need me to do for you?"
"I want to hear the opposing voices."
*Elder Gjestav was stunned, slightly widened her eyes and looked at Gray.*
"Did I hear you correctly, you want to hear the opposing voices?"
"Yes."
"I think you won't like listening to them."
"But I must hear them, this is even more important than the supporting voices. And..." Gray paused briefly, then continued, "In the key you gave me, there are three hundred twenty-one Dragon Clan members. This means that the opposing voices in the Golden Dragon Clan are the mainstream."
"You don't need to be so pessimistic." Elder Gjestav replied softly, "Three hundred twenty-one members, that's indeed a bit few. But the voices outside the supporting ones are not just opposing ones, but also those who are uninterested. You must understand, not every dragon is engaged in this matter."
*Gray quietly looked at Elder Gjestav.*
*Elder Gjestav also quietly watched him.*
*The two seemed to be at a stalemate.*
After a while, Gray emphasized again: "I want to hear their voices."
"Alright, if you insist." With that, Elder Gjestav helplessly closed her large eyes.
Soon, four additional runes appeared in front of Gray.