A Treacherous Courtier Manages the Empire Well

70 – Dragon Delivery

The 7 dragons stood in front of the imperial palace with an exasperated expression. Adran’s expression was one of not knowing what expression to make, and the nobles in the palace had similar expressions.

“So… you mean to say… all 7 Ancient Dragons have become citizens of the Empire?”

“Yes. Lowly…”

As soon as the word “lowly” was mentioned, Karia’s gaze shot up, prompting the Red Dragon to quickly change the subject.

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“Your Majesty. I do not know how long this Aylam Empire will last, but for now, please abide by the laws of the Empire.”

Though everyone was full of discontent, since this Empire had probably been around for hundreds of years, they bore the expressions of enduring a bit longer with the mindset of enjoying it until then. The Emperor was looking at me with a greatly agitated expression, and I posed with exaggerated courtesy as if I were an actor.

“That’s right. Your Majesty.”

The dragons’ expressions as they looked at me had deteriorated even further, but what could I do? The die had been cast by swearing the oath of allegiance. Now, as the Guardian Dragon of the Empire, I had to spend time with them, unable to do anything.

“Welcome to the Empire. Great beings. We will establish special laws for you to ensure that your life in the Empire is not uncomfortable.”

Yes. That’s right. The dragonkind were fiercely selfish and arrogant beings, but their arrogance was understandable given the immense strength they possessed.

Having taken advantage of being in a state of mental weakness due to experiencing pain for the first time, I had sworn the oath of allegiance, but there was no need to needlessly provoke those guys and make them feel filthy.

In response to Emperor Adran’s courteous greeting, the dragons nodded their heads satisfactorily, with faces that seemed to say, “Well, this guy does have some backbone after all.”

“Bring us the proposal for the bill so we can review and judge it ourselves.”

“Of course. We will discuss and create the law together. We will honor you as the Empire’s guardian dragons.”

“Naturally.”

The dragons chuckled in satisfaction, their severely crumpled pride somewhat restored.

“By the way, where is that foolish Black Dragon who was defeated centuries ago? In this battle, a seemingly newly hatched Azure Dragon, who seems like it has barely lived a hundred years, appeared as a guardian dragon.”

“You are referring to the former guardian and former Empress Mother. She passed away a hundred years ago.”

“She died?”

Adran nodded somberly at those words.

“A hundred years ago, the former guardian dragon conceived an egg. Unlike the children she had in human form through the Emperor, she had offspring as a dragon through as*xual reproduction.”

Dragons reproduce as*xually. Apart from the offspring they have with the Emperor, they had children as dragons, which became the current Azure Dragons.

“The former guardian dragon did not favor you, who were usually unremarkable. Therefore, she intended to raise the new hatchling as a perfect dragon.”

Perhaps because they were the same kind of dragon, the dragons understood the situation as soon as they heard the Emperor’s words.

“She probably intended to focus mana on the egg, right? If that foolish one had his way, the child would have been born with mana filled in its dragon heart, aiming to make it an exceptionally strong dragon from birth.”

“Yes. However, historical records state that he was consumed by greed. The magic circle supplying mana to the egg went out of control, and in an attempt to contain it, he ended up sacrificing himself to protect the egg from flying away. His remains are still carefully buried in the underground graveyard.”

I was familiar with this story as well.

As the former guardian dragon’s actions became reckless, the absolute power of the Emperor began to waver due to that incident. Eventually, during the reign of Adran’s predecessor, Emperor Ailam, a period marked by conflict between imperial authority and the nobility reached its peak.

Tracel spent his life fighting to reclaim imperial authority from the nobles, ultimately succeeding, but it led to a very dismal and gloomy end for him. Thus, the original novel depicted how the weakened emperor was manipulated by Randor into a despicable tyrant.

“Hmm. Seems like a death befitting that foolish brat. Still, sacrificing himself to protect the egg seems somewhat fanciful.”

This was the dragons’ evaluation of the former guardian dragon.

After glancing at the guardian dragon parked outside the Imperial Palace, the dragons began to confer with each other.

“It’s a dragon who hasn’t even lived a hundred years. Raised among humans after its mother died prematurely in an accident.”

“It seemed incapable of even speaking during the battle. It appeared to have no knowledge of spellcasting.”

“Damn it. Are we supposed to babysit a kid at this age?”

“But since we have made a pact, we have no choice but to assist the Empire. Educating the guardian dragon is now our duty.”

The dragons’ casual conversation quickly turned rough.

“Good. You are in charge of the guardian dragon’s education, Red.”

“What? Why me?”

“If you hadn’t foolishly gotten into a fight and acted like a crybaby, we wouldn’t be here arguing. It’s all your fault. So, you’re in charge of looking after the kid.”

“What a damn nuisance! You want me to take on the tedious task of educating for decades to come!”

Despite the Red Dragon’s protests, the momentum of the other six dragons was equally formidable.

“Because of your stupidity, we are now entangled in human laws!”

“When you think about it, it’s all your fault! You deal with the most difficult tasks!”

“If you refuse, we’ll fight you without hesitation. Don’t think you can take on all six of us and win.”

The sight of six dragons systematically verbally beating down one was truly uncompromising. Despite the Red Dragon’s defiant outburst, she eventually had to bow her head under the relentless pressure from the other six.

“You damn brats! Fine! I’ll take it on!”

After the Red Dragon grumpily accepted, she turned to the Emperor and asked, “Who is in charge of the guardian dragon here?”

“It’s me.”

As Karia stepped forward, the dragons, noticing the holy sword at her waist, flinched momentarily and stepped back.

“Um, yes. That’s right. It’s you. The three hundred or so dragons you humans are raising, all descendants of the Black Dragon, right?”

“Yes.”

At those words, the Red Dragon let out an irritated sigh.

“A foolish judgment fitting for a Black Dragon. Because your own power is weak, you tried to gather many under your wing. Dragons don’t usually carry so many followers. Creatures like followers are only called upon when needed. Truly powerful dragons don’t need followers like that.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“During the growth stage where your identity hasn’t been firmly established yet, being the ruler of the dragons, your personality will become more like that of a wyvern than a dragon. The wyverns must be driven away.”

“That cannot be done. The wyverns are strategic weapons of the empire. They cannot be driven away.”

“I am enough as a strategic weapon on my own. There’s no need to keep useless creatures like wyverns around.”

Karia gazed silently at the Red Dragon before suddenly hitting the nail on the head.

“Isn’t it bothersome for you to have to care for even the wyverns?”

The Red Dragon’s body trembled slightly. Without coughing or denying, the creature did not affirm either.

It seemed to be the correct answer.

Karia looked at the Red Dragon with a strange expression and then began speaking with a peculiar tone.

“Surprising. I thought you could handle far more wyverns than the First Guardian Dragon you called so foolish. Do you not possess that ability?”

The Red Dragon shot Karia a look as if offended by his pride being questioned.

“The wyverns living in the Dragon’s Nest exceed thousands! If I wish, I can bring all those thousands here to serve under me! It’s just that I find it bothersome!”

At the Red Dragon’s words, Nawa, Adran, and all the nobles of the Royal Court turned their gazes simultaneously to the Red Dragon.

“All of them, you say?”

At Adran’s words, the Red Dragon raised its head arrogantly.

“Do not compare your inferior Guardian Dragon to me. I am far superior.”

Although the words about such a great being being intimidated by a holy sword and even forming an alliance were about to slip out, I quickly swallowed them. Then, I subtly signaled Karia to provoke the Red Dragon’s pride a bit more.

Karia quickly understood the signal and looked at the Red Dragon with a teasing tone.

“I can’t believe it. Not just hundreds, but thousands at once? Even if you’re an Ancient Dragon, that seems difficult, doesn’t it?”

The Red Dragon, perhaps offended by those words, erupted in anger.

“You doubt my abilities? If I wish, I can bring thousands of wyverns to this palace tomorrow!! Including the existing 300 wyverns, I can control them all!”

Karia smirked at those words, then glared at the Red Dragon with a look of disbelief.

“Go ahead. If you can bring thousands of wyverns in front of the Royal Court by tomorrow, I will address you with respect as the empire’s Guardian Dragon.”

At that, the Red Dragon chuckled.

“Really? You said you’d fix that annoying tone of yours?”

“Oh, absolutely. I will do my best to show respect as the Guardian Dragon. If I can command thousands of wyverns in front of the Royal Court by tomorrow, can’t I handle that too? Of course. It’s just words. After all, there aren’t thousands of wyverns in the world with anyone’s name on them.”

With that, the Red Dragon swiftly dashed out of the Royal Court.

“Wait right there. I will lead thousands of wyverns back here by tomorrow! If I bring them, you will have to address me with respect as the Guardian Dragon!!”

After saying that, the Red Dragon transformed into a dragon and flew off towards the Southern Jungle, roaring like a bullet.

Karia shrugged his shoulders as he watched the Red Dragon disappear.

“Just by giving a title of respect, thousands of wyverns come for free. It’s a profitable deal, isn’t it?”

“Of course.”

Adran also burst into laughter at Karia’s wise handling of the situation.

The remaining six dragons looked at the direction in which the Red Dragon flew off, with expressions that seemed to say they were also being threatened like fools and bound by an alliance.

But it didn’t matter. Something had become certain from this incident.

‘Arrogant and high-nosed. So, if you scratch their pride and self-esteem even a bit, they move in the desired direction like children.’

Simply put.

It was easy to handle.

The next day.

“See! hahahahaha!! Didn’t I say I would keep my word! I’ve brought all the dragons from the Dragon’s Nest into my possession!!”

The Red Dragon kept his promise.

We witnessed the historic spectacle of thousands of dragons growling and occupying the entire imperial capital and even spreading across the entire capital region. As soon as Karia saw this sight, she quickly bowed her head.

“Excellent. Guardian Dragon. You are truly remarkable. I apologize for causing some minor wounds with my mediocre sword skills and making it difficult for you.”

“hahahahaha! That’s how it should be! That’s it!!”

The Red Dragon restored his wounded pride and became happy again.

And there, in front of the Emperor, Karia, myself, Karl Hanson, and Adran, we were left speechless at the sight of the enormous number of dragons that the empire could now control.

“From just 300 dragons, it suddenly increased to thousands in no time! hahahaha!”

“With this many dragons, where on earth should we put them all? Even if we expand the Dragon Knights to 500, it would be overflowing!”

Karia, Selene, Karl, and I, along with the Emperor Adran.

The five of us who always gathered together immediately began discussing how to utilize the newly acquired dragons.

And at that moment, I strongly pushed forward one particular idea.

The project that had been stalled due to the Dragon Knight Commander’s [Are you suggesting using dragons as delivery shuttles for the Empire’s strategic assets? Are you out of your mind? Absolutely opposed!!].

“Please distribute the dragons to the Merchant Guild. I will establish a new distribution company, Rumpang, and start a new business of aerial delivery using dragons!!”

It was the Dragon Delivery business.