MTLNOVEL Chapter 07: Dragon Valley (7)
The voice within the key continued relentlessly as the Golden Dragon Clan intensely debated. Their neutral stance showed no sign of wavering; if anything, it seemed to grow stronger.
Gray listened quietly.
For an entire day, Gray spent his energy within the key. Even as others grew tired, and the dragons within the key changed several times, Gray remained there silently, continuing to listen.
"Did you find any flaw? A flaw that could persuade them?" the Black Cat asked Gray.
Gray shook his head lightly.
Without a doubt, from a perspective of interest, the Golden Dragon Clan's consideration was undeniably the most correct. But if Gray only thought from a standpoint of interest, he wouldn't be the Gray he was today.
Both sides' thoughts seemed like two parallel lines, the idealistic Lich and the pragmatic dragons, apparently destined never to intersect.
...
At dusk, Gray once again arrived at the mountain peak.
"Respected Elder Gjestav, I have a question to ask you."
"Please, go ahead."
"I would like to know when the Grand Elder will make a decision."
"You want to ask this?"
"Yes. I want a specific time."
"The decision should be made the day after tomorrow. In fact, we're discussing it internally. However, only the elders can enter the 'key.' I don't have the authority to let you in."
"Alright, I understand. Thank you." Gray bowed deeply to Elder Gjestav.
Lying in his dragon's nest, Elder Gjestav quietly watched Gray leave.
...
"What are you planning?" the Black Cat asked.
"If we can't persuade everyone at once, then we can try convincing them one by one," Gray replied.
"Eighteen thousand dragons, persuading them one by one... Are you serious?"
"Of course, that's why I specifically asked about the time. We must always give our best effort, mustn't we? At least until the decision is made, we shouldn't give up or surrender."
*"Actually, I think we have already succeeded. At the very least, they are very likely to agree to neutrality... Alright, I know you don't agree. A stubborn Lich would never accept a goal with compromises,"* the Black Cat said with a helpless sigh.
...
Night fell.
Returning to his temporary residence, Gray made a small preparation and then quietly set out on horseback.
The members of the Silver Moon Knight Order silently watched him.
Soon, Richie, who stayed in the room, heard an uproar within the dragons' key.
"Oh my God, the Lich King came to see me!"
"He came to see you? Why did he come to see you?"
"He wants to persuade me to accept his idea..."
"No, I mean, why would he want to persuade you to accept his idea? You're neither an elder nor a dragon of any significant prestige. Convincing you helps?"
"I also want to know. But he was seriously answering my questions, and I was almost convinced..."
...
"Uh... now it's my turn. He has come to me. Does he know that I've been talking bad about him lately?"
"Use those harsh words you've said about him on him!"
"I can't bring myself to... Alright, I admit, as soon as he said, 'I came specifically to hear your opinion,' I decided to change my mind and accept him!"
...
"I have returned to my nest to wait quietly for the arrival of the Lich King."
"He will never come to you because I am already prepared to intercept him!"
...
"Who can tell me where the Lich King is now? I want to run into him by chance!"
...
All the dragons' keys suddenly became active like never before. Every dragon engaged in heated discussions.
...
From his nesting place, Elder Gjestav slightly opened his eyes.
...
Richie hurried outside. Under the silver moonlight, many dragons were flying in one direction.
"What did Father do?"
"I also want to know," Vivian said in a daze.
"Let's go take a look!" Richie jumped directly from the balcony, mounted his horse, and headed straight toward Gray.
Vivian quickly followed.
In no time, they saw Gray.
He stood on a dragon's nest in the middle of a cliff, surrounded by countless giant dragons. Compared to them, Gray appeared so small, yet all eyes were focused on him.
The owner of the dragon's nest was foolishly grinning.
Have you ever seen a dragon foolishly grin?
It was Richie's first time, and he widened his eyes slightly, staring in a daze.
"Honestly, I am a bit flattered. You are the Lich King, and you came personally to persuade me. It made me feel important. I've never felt this important before."
"It was my duty. Everyone is equal and important. That is my pursuit, not differing from anyone else because I am the Lich King. To achieve this equality, I need your strength."
"Actually, I've said a lot of bad things about you. Don't you find me annoying?"
"Questioning is everyone's right; it is legitimate. I won't deny this legitimacy just because I am the one being questioned."
"Alright, I... I choose to support you."
"Thank you. With your support, the force guarding justice in this world becomes stronger." Gray crossed his hands and solemnly bowed.
Richie was dumbfounded: "Is this even possible?"
Vivian pursed her lips, smiled, and slowly shook her head, saying with relief, "Actually, I initially wanted to oppose it. After all, as the Lich King, he indeed did not need to do this. But on the other hand, precisely because he is the Lich King and he is willing to do so, perhaps a miracle might happen."