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Chapter 294: The Sky People

The Chainbound Sky was an independent nation built after the Grand Solar Empire freed them from the control of Corals. Now, the native people of it, called Sky People or Vayrins, ruled this small nation consisting of so many floating islands.

The population was also very small, numbering only a few million. But they were a happy, very hospitable group of people and very welcoming to outsiders.

Its main economy was dependent on tourism, after all. Many lords of outside kingdoms and nations often came here to enjoy the natural scenery.

Though, the people here only opened a few islands to outsiders, keeping others closed to preserve their culture and let the people live in peace. They also didn’t want outsiders to gain too much control here, as they had already suffered in the past because of that.

The Sky People didn’t have any ruler. Instead, they were governed by the Aerial Council, a group of more than fifty seats, each seat representing their floating islands.

Finally, there was one Administrator who managed the Aerial Council too.

Currently, Administrator Kaelis of Skyreach was sitting in the Council’s meeting room, accompanied by some of his trusted people. All of them were tense, their expressions grim.

Opposite them sat three men in noble suits, each having a disgusting smile in their eyes as they eyed Kaelis and the others.

"I hope you reconsider it, Admin Kaelis," the man sitting in the centre said. "It is for mutual benefit. I’m sure you want the best for this kingdom too, right?"

Kaelis punched the table, growling in anger, "How dare you threaten me! I can choke the life out of you without even changing a shade."

"Of course, we know you can, but we also know you won’t do that," the man’s smile didn’t falter. "After all, you care about this nation so much. Just like us."

His companion nodded, "Since we both care so much about it, we shouldn’t be fighting ourselves. Instead, we should help each other. I’m sure you also want the same."

Before Kaelis could say anything else, the three men stood up as the leftmost man put a wooden box on the table, while the centre man said, "I’m sure you’ll come to the right decision."

"Take this back!" Kaelis said, his hand gripping tightly. "I don’t want something filthy in my place."

"Haha! You already have that filth in your home, dear Admin," the man chuckled, taking the box back. "But whether that filth spreads or not, that’s for you to decide."

With that, the three men left, and Admin Kaelis slumped back in his chair, losing all the strength and bravado he had shown to those three men.

In just a few seconds, he turned from the domineering Administrator of Chainbound Sky into a helpless leader who felt like his limbs had been cut off.

Exhaustion and fatigue filled his being as he said, "It’s all over."

"Please don’t say that," Seat Orien of Thaylen patted his shoulder, trying to be hopeful. "I’m sure we can do something. Anything. Maybe the Empire will help."

"It won’t be any different," Kaelis shook his head. "The Empire is busy fighting the demons. The war between them has grown too serious, so they won’t send any military help."

He clenched his hands, "I would have begged them. I would do anything that could help us, but it’s useless. At best, they would order some noble house to clean this mess."

Turning towards Orien, he asked, "Tell me, what will happen if those noble houses succeed? They will do the same as what these bastards are trying to do."

He began laughing, tears forming in his eyes, "It’s choosing between two evils. We are doomed, my friend. This is the beginning of our nation’s end."

Orien and the others wanted to console him, but even they knew it was pointless. Everything he said was right. Everything they and their elders had worked hard for was going to end soon.

And they couldn’t do anything to stop it. They were helpless.

Technically, they could try to fight, but even they knew their forces were far too weak and small compared to their enemies. The outcome would be the same. Their defeat was inevitable.

Except, if they tried to fight, then many people would die meaninglessly.

As the room’s atmosphere grew darker, they heard five consecutive knocks. Kaelis stood up immediately and said, frowning, "Come in."

Five knocks were used for emergencies, making him wonder if the men had done something extreme to warn him. His blood ran cold as he got ready to fight.

If the worst came, he would fight to the death.

On his command, a young man wearing grey armour came inside and saluted him, his eyes darting around. Kaelis could even hear his heart pounding.

"What happened?" Kaelis asked, as the others got ready to fight too.

"Reporting to Administrator," the guard said, trying to keep his voice level. "Many people have seen a dragon flying around the islands. A large red dragon with a long neck, a narrow and sharp head, and a dangerous aura. It was encircling the islands."

Kaelis’s eyes widened in disbelief, "What did you say? A dragon? Here? Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir!" the guard replied. "In fact, it is still there, so I decided to inform you instantly. We need instructions, sir. What must we do?"

"Instructions, my foot!" Kaelis cursed. "As if any of us can do anything if that dragon decides to go berserk on us. The whole Chainbound Sky would be reduced to ashes in no time at all."

His heart pounded rapidly against his chest as he asked, "Did you see anyone else? Maybe on top of the dragon?"

"Y-Yes, sir." The guard nodded. "We did see two silhouettes on the dragon’s back."

"By Aeolus!" Orien stumbled back in horror. "A Dragon Rider is upon us. What do we do? This is worse than those bastards visiting us."

"Calm down," Kaelis said, even though he couldn’t calm his own nerves. "They have no interest in us, and we also haven’t done anything to offend them. Why would they harm us?"

"You think dragons need a reason to turn something into hell?" Orien shook his head, his hands trembling. "No! They do what they want. And have you ever heard of a Dragon Rider visiting someone like us randomly?"

Someone beside him added, her eyes full of horror, "The dragons are known as the rulers of the skies. What if they were just passing by and saw us? We are on their turf. The skies belong to them, but we are occupying it."

Kaelis’s face paled. He wanted to reject her guess but knew it might as well be true. Dragons were unruly, arrogant creatures who ruled the skies. It was theirs alone, so naturally they would hunt down those who tried to challenge them.

The only reason the Chainbound Sky had been safe till now was because House Valeria had no interest in them. And they controlled the monstrosities known as dragons.

Kaelis knew that House Valeria was without a Supreme currently, so there was no one to hold back the dragons from destroying them.

"The time truly has come," Orien said, a dry laugh escaping his mouth. "We are done for. Rather than those bastards, we are going to die by a dragon. How fortunate!"

"No! I refuse to believe it!" Kaelis said, shaking his head. He really didn’t want to believe it. "The Dragon Rider is only circling, not attacking us. Maybe there is room for talking."

Confidence surged in his heart as he said, "Yes, they must want something. They didn’t come here to destroy us, not immediately at least."

He stormed out of the room, saying, "Let’s go. We need to see things through."

They went out of their headquarters building and, using their great speed, they soon found themselves standing at the edge of Skyreach, the highest and main floating island of the Chainbound Sky. It was also where the Aerial Council was held.

Many soldiers and other important people of the Chainbound Sky had already gathered there, watching the distant sky as a majestic red dragon showed them what it truly meant to rule the skies.

The wind seemed to bow before the dragon, serving it like a subordinate. Hug wings bloating the sky. It was as if the world itself was biased in favor of the dragon.

They all stood there, dazed and stunned by the mesmerizing sight. They didn’t even dare to blink, afraid they would miss this spectacle.

Rarely did people get to see a dragon flying freely like this. Usually, they would only see it in their last moments.

Kaelis stared at it, mumbling to himself, "How beautiful!"