[Thelvadore, the Draconic Monarchy]
Founded by Shade Dragon Vuthe de Thal, Thelvadore was a kingdom built by former slaves who escaped the clutches of the slaver guilds common amongst the human kingdoms. Regarded as the source of evil by their enemies, Thelvadore quickly became a bustling kingdom as more and more escaped slaves joined their ranks in search for safety. It is, to this day, the fastest growing kingdom in recorded history, helped, in part, by the high approval rating its government enjoyed among their people.
Since its founding, the kingdom found itself in an ongoing war against the slaver guilds its people opposed, a war that dragged on for millennia. Eventually, after over two thousand years of ongoing conflict, the human kingdoms allied themselves with two powerful entities, in an attempt to crush their opposition. Their ploy succeeded, and in a final clash that reshaped the lands on which the capital of the Draconic Monarchy stood, Thelvadore, and its people, were destroyed without mercy.
That… was quite curious. Given Vuthe’s title of [Dragon Queen of Thelvadore], she had, of course, already been aware of her role as the kingdom's monarch, but to hear that she was also the founder was quite surprising.
The implications of the revelation were equally intriguing. Taking a moment, Lucy surveyed her surroundings with a newfound appreciation. Of course, she still had a lot of questions about this place, but they had to wait.
Given that Miss Cecily didn’t have the same knowledge she had, Lucy quickly relayed what the System had told her to her companion, reading it out verbatim just in case the wording held any relevance.
The swordswoman nodded silently, her gaze once again locking onto the woman still standing in front of them.
“So, Flame Dragon Chatan…”
The dragoness nodded softly, her expression not betraying any emotion. “Yes… He was part of the human forces. One of the few beings powerful enough to stand against the full might of Thelvadore, although alone he wouldn’t have been much trouble for me to deal with.” Her gaze grew distant, obviously reminiscent, and she snorted in derision. “His ego had always been his biggest weakness. Once upon a time I looked up to him for how powerful he was. But our relationship didn’t last long. He couldn’t bear witnessing someone other than him soar without his help. Much less a female of lesser strength than him.”
Nobody missed the way she had enunciated that last part. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that there was a lot of history packed into that short sentence.
There was a long moment of silence during which Vuthe was lost in thought, before the former Queen finally shook herself out of her contemplations. “Alone he wouldn’t have been enough to sincerely threaten the capital. But he wasn’t alone. With him was Apocalyptica, an Apocalypse Dragon. One on one I could’ve beaten them handily, but two on one was a different matter entirely. I’m powerful, certainly, but I’m not all powerful. Both of them weren’t far weaker than me. And Apocalyptica in specific has a very good idea on how to put me on the backpaw. I managed to kill Chatan, but it appears I wasn’t able to do the same for my former student.”
She glanced around, before her gaze lingered on the view through one of the nearby windows and onto the ruined cities outside.
“Then this is…?” Lucy said slowly, gesturing around.
Her comment drew the goddess’ attention, and the woman nodded. “The capital city of Thelvadore. Or what’s left of it, anyway.” She shook her head once again. “I’m not sure what exactly happened. It must’ve been after I lost, since I wouldn’t have let anyone pass my defences uncontested. Whatever my former student has done, it destroyed the city for good. There’s some inconsistencies here, like the sheer lack of personal items. And, of course, the weird perpetual twilight the city is trapped in. Then there’s the magical array that seems to either keep something inside, or something else out. My theory is that it was meant for me and mine, but I can’t prove anything.”
Again silence followed. Lucy wasn’t quite sure what to say or do. She had a number of questions, although she also didn’t want to interrupt. While she wasn’t hostile, the dragoness seemed disturbed, and the hostility from before was still fresh on the courier’s mind.
Finally, the former Queen shook her head once again, blinking a few times. For a moment she seemed a bit lost, a small frown tugging at her lips, but it quickly vanished. To Lucy it was clear that she made a conscious effort to clear her thoughts, before she turned to the two companions still waiting in silence.
“Now you know who I am. Where we are. No doubt you have your reservations and worries, and I can’t blame you for them. For the time being you can rest here, before you set off again. Although, once you do, I have a request.”
Lucy glanced at her bodyguard, a gesture that the masked woman reciprocated in kind. Neither was sure what to expect, although both could make some guesses. Miss Cecily in specific seemed to have an inkling on the possibilities.
“And what would that request be?” The adventurer asked.
Vuthe chuckled, putting her hands on her hips and shaking her head with an expression of what might have been self-deprication. “I’d like to accompany you, if you don’t mind. It may be selfish, but Lucy here is my best way to get up to speed on what exactly I missed and what the world outside might look like these days. I am ignorant of the ways of the world, and while I am powerful, knowledge is far more important than raw strength, despite what so many dragons will tell you.” Her expression softened into that of a smile. “I must also admit to a certain level of personal curiosity at the prospect of exploring this world. Given that Lucy is a courier, a profession bound to venture far and wide, and you’re an adventurer, I’m certain you will travel quite a bit. Then there’s the guild, which I also have to admit to a certain level of curiosity about. Joining it might be something I consider in the future, depending on what I find that institution to be.”
Again, the two companions exchanged glances. The request wasn’t too outlandish, and to a degree both had expected something along those lines. Still, neither was quite sure how to respond.
Miss Cecily was obviously worried, that much Lucy knew. She was far better at assessing threats and planning ahead, and she would undoubtedly feel reluctant to have someone this powerful with them, since they didn’t know the woman’s motivation yet. At the same time, if she did indeed sign up to become an adventurer, then hiring her onto the team would at least give them some assurances. Not that either of them had any illusions about anyone from the guild being able to stop the goddess if she truly tried to do something to them. But even then, antagonising the guild would make Vuthe’s life a whole lot harder.
Then there was her own curiosity. For as much as the sheer insanity of Vuthe as a whole was quite terrifying, Lucy couldn’t help but want to know more about this walking mystery. It wasn’t every day one met a Goddess, especially one so ridiculously powerful that it was seriously beyond any reasonable estimation or even imagination.
Of course, she was aware that this curiosity of hers was exactly why she so often ended up in trouble, but she still couldn’t help but yearn to learn more.
“I… We might have to talk about this before we can give you a response,” Miss Cecily said carefully. Her tone was respectful, but also stern.
“Oh, sure,” Vuthe said with a smile. “I wasn’t expecting a response right this moment. Honestly, you should probably rest a bit before we continue this conversation. I certainly have a lot to think about, so I can’t imagine how much you have to come to terms with. As I said, you are welcome to stay here as long as you want. As far as I know, there is nobody else around. You can grab whatever rooms you want, excluding the four which still hold personal effects. Those belong to my old friends, and I’d ask you to leave them be for the time being.”
Lucy glanced at Miss Cecily, having gotten used to relying on the other woman for guidance in situations like these. Her own way of doing things could easily make things worse, so she decided to leave it to someone who was better at handling it.
“Thank you. Again, you do have my gratitude for helping us,” the swordswoman said with a respectful bow. “But you are correct that we require rest and some time to think.”
“I’ll probably be either in the library or Tizanta’s room. Uh, that’s the one with all the trinkets and stuff displayed everywhere, you’ll know what I mean when you see it. Don’t be afraid to visit if you have questions. I’d offer you some food, but I haven’t actually looked for anything still edible yet. The only thing I did find was a cabinet full of drinks, and I’m not sure if that’s something you’re interested in. Not that I would bar you from having one, mind you.”
“We appreciate the concern, but we will be quite fine.” Miss Cecily said tactfully, giving the woman another nod. “If there is nothing else…?”
“Nothing right now, no,” she shook her head, then paused. “Actually,” Vuthe turned to Lucy, which made the courier worry a little. “I don’t know you, but I’d have to be blind to not notice the curiosity, concern, and fear wafting off of you like a tsunami. And I can guess the reason at least in part. I don’t mind you going through whatever the system tells you about me. And I don’t mind you discussing whatever you find with your companion. But only with your companion. Even after you leave, even if we part ways, I’d really rather neither of you speak to others about it.”
Her tone and expression were friendly, although there was a certain level of seriousness there that made Lucy swallow. She had absolutely no interest in pissing off a draconic deity, so she quickly nodded. “O-Of course. Thank you.”
Vuthe nodded. “Alright. Then, uhm… I guess, if you are looking for rooms inside the palace, keep to your left and follow the main hallway. You’ll eventually reach the servants quarters. Otherwise… I guess I’ll talk to you later.”
She gave the two a small wave, then turned and wandered off, leaving the two companions behind. They both exchanged a glance, before Miss Cecily turned around, evidently not planning to stay within the confines of the palace.
As much as Lucy really wanted to explore the place, she could sympathise, so she didn’t comment and instead simply followed the adventurer in silence.
Today certainly had been a day. From the relaxed morning and the continuation of their journey, to the eventual run in with the Grunloks, to the meeting with a Goddess, and the revelations of her… everything, really. Lucy wondered just what she had gotten herself involved with this time.
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