CHAPTER 08
Leodian stood before the Great Sage and the Council of Elders, exactly as Roziana had imagined.
Everyone attending the Elder Council held their breath as they watched the scene unfold.
“Behold, all of you. This is the divine beast summoned by my daughter, Rozie.”
Leodian raised the yellow chick high in the air before carefully placing it atop a large, ornate table.
“Ooh!”
Cheers and murmurs of awe erupted from all corners.
“This is truly extraordinary.”
“Indeed. It feels like just yesterday that His Highness Alex successfully summoned his beast on his seventh birthday and was acknowledged for his powers.”
“Exactly. That’s how he became the crown prince. And now the princess has succeeded in summoning hers so early!”
“Even His Majesty the Emperor didn’t summon his winged lion until the age of four.”
Such an early manifestation was unheard of, so their surprise was natural.
While most members of the Dreatian royal family were born with the power of dragons, the strength of that power varied greatly.
Only those with exceptionally strong power could summon a guardian beast. Since the first summoning was not done by will, people referred to a successful summoning as being “chosen by the divine beast.”
As the chick lifted its tiny wings atop the table, the elders’ eyes widened even further.
“Golden feathers covering its entire body—and two wings!”
“Gold is a symbol of pure dragon power, bestowed only upon the royal family.”
The reason Leodian had brought Roziana’s chick before the elders was to prove that it was indeed a divine beast.
A divine guardian beast, empowered by the strength of dragons, briefly reveals its true form when first summoned.
Since Roziana’s chick had just been summoned, its body was still small. That’s why the Council was convened indoors. But some divine beasts, once grown, could rival castles in size—like Leodian’s own divine beast, the golden-winged lion.
“The reason I’ve summoned both the Great Sage and the elders is to confirm and officially declare that my daughter Roziana possesses dragon blood.”
He intended to proclaim that Princess Roziana held the power of dragons—not that of the celestials, as Graeham hoped.
‘There’s no way I’ll acknowledge some divine power that puts Roziana in danger.’
Whether she became a Saintess or a dragon-blooded princess, Leodian believed it should be her choice.
In the meantime, the deal was that the Great Sage would remain at the palace to help Roziana control her divine power.
Everyone stared in silence at the small, adorable yellow creature.
– Ppyak?
As the chick tilted its head curiously—
Golden light surged from the emperor’s hand in rippling waves.
The chick’s body, infused with dragon power, began to grow. Its wings expanded, and its head gradually shifted into the form of a bird.
Rumble.
Not just the council chamber, but the entire palace began to tremble.
“W-What is happening?”
“It’s shaking the floor!”
The elder council fell into confusion. Amid the commotion, the Great Sage’s face lit with amusement.
As chaos erupted, Leodian calmly lifted his gaze to follow the ever-growing chick.
It had been a mistake to place it on the table, thinking a mere chick wouldn’t grow that big.
“!”
CRACK!
The grand, decorative marble table collapsed completely.
Moments later—
Everyone in the chamber stood slack-jawed, staring at the massive winged beast before them.
– Kyaaaarrrrk!
The chick that had chirped so cutely just moments ago was gone.
What stood now was a creature with golden wings, the head of an eagle, and the body of a lion—
A griffin, the divine beast said to be sent by the Dragon God to rule the skies.
“The Princess’s divine beast is a griffin!”
It had been nearly a thousand years since one had been seen. The Council was dumbstruck.
The griffin was both massive and powerful—and to them, terrifying.
“Hasn’t it remained hidden since the war between dragons and celestials a thousand years ago?”
“This is bad news. The return of a griffin as a divine beast could signify the approach of a new calamity.”
According to records, griffins only appeared when dragons were in mortal danger—as elite protectors in times of dire need.
“Yes, that’s exactly what the records state.”
Leodian frowned at the whispering among the elders.
“Old age must have filled your heads with worry and fear.”
As soon as Leodian retracted his golden dragon power, Roziana’s divine beast reverted back into a chick.
“Your Majesty, this could indeed be a sign of great danger.”
“It must mean that the approaching threat is somehow tied to the princess…”
But before the elder could finish, Leodian’s cold voice cut through the noise.
“If you value your lives, keep your mouths shut.”
Golden aura flared around the emperor, chilling the very air.
So they do value their lives more than their opinions.
As silence fell over the room, Leodian spoke again:
“Yes, the griffin once appeared in the time of the Great War to protect the Dragon God. But doesn’t that mean the Princess, too, will overcome any future peril just as the dragon did?”
Her griffin would protect them, just as before.
“You old fools seem to have forgotten that our empire also has other divine beasts, swordmasters, and the knights.”
The emperor’s glare fell upon the ten elders, his expression full of restrained fury.
“The Council of Elders must never forget to be grateful to the empire that has given them peace and prosperity.”
Then, the cold, composed boy at his side raised his voice—it was the youngest master, Asterios.
“Ahem. Ahem.”
“Of course, we haven’t forgotten.”
Only then did the elders stroke their beards and try to mask their awkwardness.
If it hadn’t been for their past contributions to ancient research or their roles as regional governors, the Council would’ve long been a hollow title for obsolete aristocrats.
‘That damned blood oath…’
Long ago, the wise founding emperor had established a blood oath to prevent his successors from becoming tyrants. All emperors were bound to heed the Council’s opinions—an obligation that had endured for generations.
“It seems none of you deny that Roziana is of imperial blood and has inherited powerful dragon strength.”
Leodian looked around the room.
Everyone either remained silent or nodded.
At that moment, cutting through the icy atmosphere, a man entered the chamber.
It was Eltor, the Minister of the Interior, who had recently been tasked with reaching out to the Mage Tower.
“Your Majesty, we’ve just received a transmission from the Mage Tower via the crystal orb.”
Leodian stood and spoke curtly as he exited the chamber.
“That will be all for today.”
Asterios and Eltor followed him out. After relocating, the minister relayed the contents of the message.
The Mage Tower’s reply was unexpected.
“I was expecting a negotiation about the price of mana stones—but they want to come in person?”
Leodian’s brow twitched. Eltor responded dutifully:
“Yes, Your Majesty. The Mage Tower says they are happy to proceed with the trade and that the Tower Lord himself wishes to bring the mana stones and visit the empire.”
‘What are they scheming now?’
Mana stones, monopolized by the tower, were always in short supply and sold at exorbitant prices.
Even so, Leodian was prepared to spend whatever it took to buy them.
He needed to sever Graeham’s absurd ambitions for Roziana.
But now, not only had the Mage Tower agreed to the deal—they wanted to come in person.
‘The Tower Lord, who never shows himself, wants to visit…’
Granted, this was the first time Dreat had reached out to initiate trade. Still, the Tower had never shown this much enthusiasm before.
But unfortunately, the empire was the one in need—so they couldn’t exactly say “just send the goods.”
There was no need for long deliberation.
The only concern was whether the mana stones would actually help Roziana.
“Tell them we accept their visit.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Not long after they sent the confirmation through the crystal orb, the Tower Lord arrived—almost as if he’d been waiting.
A young man with white hair greeted Leodian with a radiant smile.
As he moved, the red crystal earring on his left ear shimmered.
“It’s been a long time, Your Majesty. May the glory of dragons and the sacrifice of darkness bless Dreat.”
“It’s an honor to have you here in person, Tower Lord.”
“Please, just call me by name, as you did before.”
To Leodian, the Tower Lord was like a savior to his father.
It was Edwin who had saved the former emperor Vartigan during a fierce battle against the monsters of the north.
Thanks to Edwin’s aid, the emperor survived—and they had even won the war.
Leodian had been just six at the time. They’d fought side by side 30 years ago—and yet, Edwin looked exactly the same as he had back then.
“Very well, Edwin.”
Edwin Roel Conrad.
Leodian repeated the name of the Tower Lord, who now looked younger than himself.
“Thank you for the warm welcome, Your Majesty. The guest quarters and meals were splendid. I almost wish to stay longer.”
The Tower Lord offered a soft smile as he complimented the palace’s hospitality. His enchanting grin suited his youthful, handsome features perfectly.
“I’m glad you were pleased. Shall we go see the princess now?”
“Of course. I’ve come to see whether the mana stones’ healing enchantments will be effective.”
With a snap of Edwin’s fingers, two mages carrying a box fell in behind him.
“Shall we go?”
Without delay, they headed for Roziana’s room. The Empress and the princes, who were with Roziana, greeted the Tower Lord.
Edwin approached the cradle where Roziana lay.
“I hope it works. That way we can get rid of those Graeham priests and their pompous Sage.”
“Exactly.”
Prince William and Crown Prince Alex exchanged thoughts quietly.
Everyone was hoping the healing magic in the mana stones would help stabilize Roziana’s divine power.
At Edwin’s signal, the bespectacled mage accompanying him opened the box.
Inside were three large, blue-glowing mana crystals.
“Wow… So pretty.”
Second Prince William whispered in awe.
The Empress gently laid Roziana onto the cradle.
“Don’t be scared, my sweet girl. It’ll only take a moment.”
Roziana blinked her big, round violet eyes and tilted her head curiously.
“Adorable Princess, I am Edwin, from the Mage Tower.”
The Tower Lord stood in front of her, dressed in a wine-colored robe and sky-blue tunic that perfectly matched his white hair. The red crystal on his ear gleamed.
The baby princess stared in fascination at the shimmering gem.
“Your Highness, I will now check if the mana stone is effective for you.”
Edwin picked up the largest of the three crystals.
It was so big he had to lift it with both hands. As he chanted a spell, the crystal emitted a brilliant blue light.
Then, Roziana’s body began to glow gold—and slowly rose into the air.
