Currently, a meeting with the dragonborns was in progress.
The topic was an ancient tablet engraved with draconic script.
With the Ascension Ceremony approaching, Hedera suddenly decided to
descend to the human realm, receiving the task of deciphering this tablet.
'Is this a failure?'
2nd Princess Hedera still had her hand on the tablet. Previously, there was
some progress with the energy reacting, but recently there had been no
response.
'…Am I unable to focus? Me?'
Surprisingly, that seemed to be the case.
The cause was likely the sinister energy she sensed from the Royal Treasury
vault.
If the Royal Treasury vault had been its usual self, she wouldn't have been
bothered at all. The current distraction was a person.
Auditor, Jaekiel.
He was currently in the Royal Treasury. Hedera was likely unable to focus
on deciphering the ancient script because of him.
Being distracted by thinking about someone.
…It was astonishing.
Even with three dragonborns watching her, she failed. The unmoving tablet
showed their disappointment on their faces.
"…The deciphering seems difficult."
At Hedera's words, the three dragonborns sighed.
"You're skilled in draconic speech, but the ancient script is the problem."
"…Yes."
From its difficulty to the power it held, the difference between regular
draconic speech and ancient script was enormous. Even actual dragons had
to master it to use it.
"Didn't the tablet react last time?"
"Yes, it did."
"It hasn't weakened, has it?"
"Absolutely not. It's just not cooperating today."
She answered calmly, but Hedera was also frustrated.
'This is a big problem.'
In Hedera's life, there was no event she had prepared for more diligently
than the Ascension Ceremony. With it approaching, this situation made her
uneasy.
The ancient script.
She needed to master this perfectly to pass the Ascension Ceremony
without any opposition…
Tak.
At that moment, someone placed a teacup down with a clatter.
There were three dragonborns visiting Hedera today. The central figure
among them was notable for his white mustache.
The elderly dragonborn's name was Gromon.
"2nd Princess, the progress on the ancient script is slow."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not about being sorry; rather, it's time to take swift action. The only
way for you to pass the Ascension Ceremony seems to be a soul
transaction."
Hedera narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Thank you for the advice, but I still don't want to rely on a soul
transaction. I'll try to do it on my own."
A soul transaction.
Selling one's soul to a dragon to gain power in exchange for becoming a
wraith and working in the celestial realm after death.
Hedera had no intention of trading her soul.
The idea of serving as a servant, cleaning dragon scales after death in
exchange for temporary power, was against her pride and beliefs.
Gromon sighed deeply.
"Princess, haven't I emphasized this several times? The more you struggle
with human strength, the further you'll be from becoming a dragon. Just
one transaction, and you won't have to worry about the Ascension
Ceremony."
The other dragonborns began to chime in.
"Gromon's soul transactions are well known. He has produced many
successful candidates. This is a rare opportunity. You should take it."
"Thank you. But I'll think about it a little more."
"Thinking about it is just a waste of time…"
One of the dragonborns sighed.
He openly expressed his disdain.
"…"
The Princess clenched her teeth behind her mask.
The reason she had to endure such reactions was clear.
First, with the Ascension Ceremony approaching, any disturbance would be
disadvantageous for Hedera.
Second, since she had not yet passed the Ascension Ceremony, the
dragonborn held a higher status than Hedera in the celestial realm.
Dragonborns were hybrids born between dragons and humans. Until Hedera
passes the Ascension Ceremony and becomes a true dragon, she cannot
look down on them.
The problem was that their demands were quite unreasonable.
'They will demand enormous things in exchange for the soul transaction.'
Hedera was not a fool.
It was true that Gromon had produced successful candidates for the
Ascension Ceremony, but those who entrusted their souls to him were still
suffering as wraiths in the celestial realm.
She had no intention of ending up like that, and yet they demanded
unreasonable wealth for such an end?
"There is still time until the Ascension Ceremony. I will work day and night
to push my limits."
"That won't do. Why don't you understand that it will be too late once you
hit your limits? Also, Gromon is not someone you can meet anytime."
"Hm."
"I have never seen or heard of humans accomplishing anything on their
own. Even if there were, I wouldn't believe it until I saw it. Just make the
transaction."
Hedera struggled to maintain her composure.
She was clearly the 2nd Princess of the human realm, and that remark was
an insult to the entire human race. It was already a gross breach of etiquette.
Unfortunately, she couldn't point out such behavior now. If she faced any
disadvantage in the Ascension Ceremony, it would ultimately be her loss.
For any being, the Ascension Ceremony was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Only once. There were no second chances.
Therefore, she had to succeed on the first try.
"I'll tell you after some training."
"No, today is the last time I'm advising you. Every meeting has ended with
the same reason, so today we should conclude this conversation."
Gromon stepped in firmly.
"You always told us you would try with your own human strength."
"Yes."
"Then at least show us some potential as a human this time. If not, consider
the recommendation we discussed previously void."
"…!"
Hedera clenched her fist on her thigh.
A recommendation adds points to the Ascension Ceremony. Using it as a
hostage for coercion showed a clear ambition to finalize the transaction
today.
"It doesn't have to be you, Princess, but at least show us some potential that
we dragonborns can acknowledge. Only then will we be convinced."
Just as Hedera was about to say something.
"2nd Princess! 2nd Princess!"
A sudden urgent voice rang out.
Hedera immediately opened the reception room door.
"What's the matter?"
"The Royal Treasury vault! There's a problem in the Royal Treasury vault!"
"The Royal Treasury vault…?"
Hedera trailed off.
She had sensed something strange earlier, and it seemed that something had
indeed happened.
What bothered her was that Jaekiel was there.
"It's the spirit stones in the vault! The spirits are suddenly rampaging all at
once!"
Hedera tried to give calm instructions.
But a voice quickly interrupted.
"…Rampaging spirits?"
It was Gromon.
He wasn't at all displeased by the interruption. Instead, he stroked his
mustache with interest.
"Princess, we should go immediately. If the spirits are rampaging, it must
be serious."
Hedera also nodded.
"Yes. Then let's continue this conversation later."
It was a conversation she wanted to avoid anyway, so this was better. With
that thought, she tried to leave.
"Princess."
Gromon held her back as if he wouldn't let her go.
"I'm curious about your progress with the draconic incantation lately. This
seems like a good opportunity."
"…!"
Hedera's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Revealing Hedera's status in a place where the reporter was clearly listening
was truly rude.
Despite sensing Hedera's discomfort, Gromon continued speaking calmly.
"I would like to see you calm the spirits with your incantation, Princess.
Isn't that also a potential you can show as a human?"
No, incantations couldn't control emotions.
It might be possible to immobilize and subdue the spirits with a spell like
'Stasis,' but calming them by winning their hearts was a completely
different story.
The dragonborns gathered here knew that very well. They were just making
unreasonable demands despite knowing it.
Hedera calmly suppressed her anger and spoke.
"…Let's move for now."
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Royal Treasury vault.
"Are you sure this will calm them…?"
Tether looked at Jaekiel with bewildered eyes.