The lawful ruler of Alina prefecture: Adonis Alina.
The strongest being in Alina prefecture: Nina of the Oswald clan.
The apex predator of Alina prefecture: Arad Orion.
Those three sat facing each other on a small round table, with all the nobles surrounding them and listening carefully.
"What do you wish as a reward? Let's set it here, as I feel it will be long before I see you again." The city lord. Adonis said with a smile, staring at Arad's face.
Arad tilted his head, looking around him. "There is nothing I'd want from you. And nothing that you can offer, isn't it?"
Nina's eyes darted between them. ^The lord doesn't know he's dealing with a dragon. To a dragon, offering gold or land is an insult.^ She looked at Arad. ^I doubt Arad will act like other dragons. But we can't take that possibility out.^
As Nina squeezed her brain for a solution, she remembered Arad's words. ~Strange. The last time I asked the ground, it said I own the place~ Her eyes opened wide. He wasn't joking.
^Did we build a city on a dragon's territory? Was he hibernating, or did he come after? No, that won't matter to a dragon. He has a lair and sees the land as his own. The lord could die if he offered Arad the land he considers his own.^
"Lord Alina." Nina stared at the lord. "I believe offering gold, land, or housing isn't suitable."
The lord blinked as he looked at her, "You believe so as well?" He smiled, "Do you have any suggestions?"
Nina scratched her chin. ^What would a dragon want? Sacrifices?^
"People," Nina said as she looked at the table. "And probably recognition. It would be better if he is recognized to have some power."
"People?" One of the nobles mumbled, "Are you suggesting we give him troops? We can't do that without him being a noble."
The lord scratched his beard and smiled, "I have an idea, but it will take some time." He leaned forward, glaring at Arad. "I will send a petition for the king to recognize you as a noble. When the king's decree returns, I will grant a few servants for your house, and you can even take Sara's hand in marriage."
"Father!" Abel glared at the lord, grunting.
"What?" The lord looked at Abel with a tired face. "You said it yourself. Arad is different. Even I was surprised when you asked me to attend this party with you all." It was Abel who brought the lord here. He knew something could happen and wanted his father to be present so the story can't be twisted.
Abel grabbed his sword, "Remember what I said before? Sara is the one to decide, force her into marriage, and I will be the first to cut your head."
The nobles gasped, hearing Abel's words. Nina could feel bloodlust coming from him. He wasn't joking.
She glared at Abel, "Do you really intend on killing your father?"
"Mother's wish is for Sara to live happily. And I'm to see it happen." Abel growled.
The lord smiled. "I see, I see. We raised you well. Lilith would be proud." He then looked at Arad, "It seems I can't offer my daughter's hand. But everything else still stands. What do you say?"
Arad looked up and then at the lord, "I don't need anything, but I might soon."
The lord laughed, "You're a smart one." He then looked at Nina, "Isn't he?"
Nina stared between them. "I can't tell."
"He doesn't need to ask for anything now. If he needs help in the future with anything. He can come to me." The lord explained. Arad is taking a ticket to redeem later.
"I see. But can I say something?" Nina looked at Arad and the lord. "Don't send any soldiers close to Arad's house. Or any location he decides upon. Inform the guards and the nobles behind us never to stop him or get in his way. It's for the city's benefit to never anger him."
The lord blinked twice, as did Arad and the other nobles. "Come on, Nina. He isn't you, is he?" The lord laughed.
"You might as well consider him as much dangerous. I bet you know he will soon reach Alcott's level as an S-rank. But I think he might even get on my level, if not better." She glared at the lord, "It will be in your interest to build a relationship with him now."
Arad is a dragon, and power runs in their blood. If the soldiers walked into his layer, they might get eaten. She also saw Arad getting angry and impatient when Chuzuke took Mira. He wouldn't think twice about devouring a noble family if they stood in his way.
"You think he will get as strong as you? I don't want him going to another country, would I? The king won't be happy to let such a talent slip from our hands." The lord smiled, "Arad, the location?"
Arad thought about it for a second. "If the forest became foggy, turn around. Otherwise, you might never get out." He replied with what Mom said. If Loci was trying to keep them away from a location, they better not try getting in.
"Anything else?" The lord looked at Arad with a smile.
Arad shook his head, "Nothing that I can think of at the top of my head."
The lord stood, leaning at the table with his hands. "AH!" He sighed, extending his old back, "I haven't fought in years. My back is hurting."
Arad blinked, "Did you fight?"
Merida stepped forward and looked at Arad. "I killed nine thralls. He killed six. Aella eight and Jack killed one thrall and their leader, the butler." She then looked at Lydia, "We didn't allow her to fight at the start, so she went for Chuzuke."
"I hit one with a chair, Allowed Aella to get a hit in." Lyla smiled, puffing her arm.
Arad looked in the back, seeing one broken wooden chair.
"So with this!" The lord said with a strong voice, looking at the nobles behind him. "I will send a letter to the kind. It will be a few weeks before we get a reply. In the meantime, treat Arad as a noble, and don't stand in his way."
The nobles bowed, Merida included, as her family was one of them
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