Chapter 477: 477. Third Faction
A warm blast of air inundated Tyler, dispersing the chill he had brought in. His sharp eyes swept across the spacious chamber, first falling on the uniquely designed fireplace.
Inside, pieces of deep-red, smokeless charcoal glowed faintly, radiating a gentle warmth. The firelight painted the cedar-paneled walls in gold, giving the place both majesty and comfort.
Azure’s office cabin was not merely a room—it was nearly the size of a courtyard. The floor was layered with fine carpets, each embroidered with flowing patterns of rivers and dragons.
Oil paintings of vast mountain ranges and stormy seas lined the walls, each framed in silver wood. Floating shelves crowded with books hovered in neat order, their spines glimmering faintly as if enchanted to protect the knowledge within.
A lizard-girl maid slipped inside gracefully, balancing a tray. She placed down steaming coffee and slices of glossy black cake. The aroma was intoxicating; the strong bitterness of roasted beans blended with the sweet, almost wine-like fragrance of the "Queen Black Cake," a delicacy whispered to have originated from the ancient civilization kitchens. The room itself seemed to hum with serenity.
Azure smiled lightly, breaking the silence. "Actually, word of the Dragon Princess making waves in the corner region has already spread across the Dragon King’s territory." His tone was conversational, yet every syllable carried weight.
Zuzia crossed her arms, her lava orange eyes narrowing. "I’m not anyone’s savior. I only helped Myrtle."
Beside her, the turtle girl nodded quickly, almost defensively.
Azure chuckled, shaking his head. "Perhaps that is how you see it. But perception rarely cares about truth. To the people, you’re already something else entirely." His smile faded, and his tone sank low. "Tell me, Princess... is it true you met him?"
"Who?" Myrtle asked cautiously.
Azure leaned forward, his wolf-like ears twitching. His eyes glowed faintly under the firelight. "Of course... the Dragon King."
The name alone seemed to thicken the air.
Zuzia blinked, tilting her head. "I... did meet an old man. But I don’t know if he was the Dragon King." Her voice carried genuine confusion.
Azure’s expression grew more solemn. "Do you realize what you’re saying? The Dragon King has not shown his face in over five centuries. Five billion Immortal Practitioners and families live under his territory, yet only a handful have truly seen him. The weight of his authority is usually carried by the Sky Dragon Palace and the Sea Dragon Palace. And yet..." He studied Zuzia as though trying to peer through her very soul. "...you are the third person I’ve encountered who bears an aura resembles to his."
Myrtle stiffened, her usual sarcasm fleeing as she clutched the hem of her coat "The third...? Then who are the other two?"
Azure leaned back, sipping his coffee before answering. "The masters of the Sky Dragon Palace and the Sea Dragon Palace themselves. Legends in their own right. And now, the rumors spread that a Dragon Princess with the same presence will one day establish a new faction—one powerful enough to rival the palaces."
Zuzia blinked in surprise, then scoffed, tossing her silver hair back. "So that’s why so many fools kept sending me invitations to become their mate. Hmph. I thought it was just because they were shameless." She smirked. "Well... all of them ended up beaten down by Myrtle anyway."
Tyler, silent until now, finally chuckled beneath his mask. The low, distorted sound sent shivers across the room. "Seems your name has already stirred the hornet’s nest. Factions, palaces, and even the throne itself... all are watching. The question is, Princess— what will you do with their eyes on you?"
For once, Zuzia did not answer immediately. She looked into the fire, her reflection flickering in the flames.
Azure’s smile returned, thin and sharp. "That is the question I wanted to hear. Because once your choice is made, the tides of this world may never flow the same again."
"I am going to leave. It’s booring here," Zuzia simply said, her tone flat and indifferent.
Silence instantly engulfed the hall. No one dared to speak for a heartbeat, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air.
Then—
"Hahahahaha..." Azure’s laughter broke the tension like a thunderclap. His voice echoed throughout the chamber, brimming with mockery and amusement. "So you have no intention of forming a faction. Looks like those people are just afraid of nothing! What a joke!"
Myrtle frowned. To her, this was nothing short of a wasted opportunity. With Zuzia’s name alone, they could have gathered loyalists and secured influence across the seas. But if her Princess wasn’t interested, Myrtle would not push her. Forcing Zuzia only led to stubborn refusal.
"Then," Tyler suddenly spoke, his voice calm but sharp, "can you tell us why the Red Dragon Boat is targeting the princess?"
"Oh..." Azure tilted his head, the humor still lingering in his eyes. "Actually, that’s what confuses me as well..."
He paused for a moment, as though gathering old memories, then continued, "It’s because of the master of the Red Dragon Boat. He calls himself Red Dragon. But don’t be fooled—he is not a true Dragonian. He’s a mutated human who forcefully turned himself into one. Once, he was nothing but a pirate. Then, more than fifty years ago, he joined the Sea Dragon Palace."
The air grew heavier as Azure’s voice deepened. "He was lucky enough to obtain an Immortal Spark. But after consuming it, he failed to attain the Beginner Immortal Realm. Instead, he became what we call a Loose Immortal—someone cursed with half-immortality. His body is powerful, yes, but unstable. What makes him dangerous is his talent in divination. He won’t provoke anyone unless he’s absolutely certain it benefits him."
"Which means..." Tyler muttered, frowning. "There is a reason he’s targeting her."
Myrtle crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Maybe he wants the princess’s bloodline. Since he artificially turned himself into a Dragonian, perhaps he needs real bloodline power to stabilize or strengthen himself."
Tyler’s eyes widened slightly, surprised. He turned and stared at her with an expression she couldn’t quite read.
"W-what?" Myrtle shifted uneasily under his gaze. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"I didn’t expect you to be smart," Tyler said with a small, approving smile. "Your assumption is worth considering."
"Hmph! Glad you finally understand..." Myrtle sniffed, lifting her chin proudly. But then realization struck her, and she whipped her head back toward him, glaring. "Wait—are you saying I’m usually dumb?"
Tyler shrugged, feigning innocence, but the mischievous chuckle betrayed him.
Myrtle’s cheeks flushed red. "Y-you...! I’ll make you regret that!"