Dragon King: Throne of Demons and Gods-Chapter 26: The Final Push

He had wasted time looking for knowledge among humans, trying to make sense of things through their understanding. But humans weren't like him. They could never truly know what it meant to be a dragon.

If there were answers, they had to be here.

He had wasted time searching for answers among humans. He had scoured their knowledge, read their theories, but none of it had helped him. Because they weren't like him. He wasn't one of them.

He moved to the far end of the library, settling into a quiet corner away from anyone who would feel his presence again, and flipped the book open.

Meanwhile, within the grand halls of the kingdom's assembly, tension thickened the air.

The chamber was vast, its walls lined with banners of noble houses, each representing the most powerful families in the land. Seated at the head, the king listened as the room filled with debate, the voices of nobles, generals, and scholars clashing like swords.

The topic? The return of the demon race.

"The demons do not act without reason," an elderly noble spoke gravely. "If they are seeking the Seven Treasures, then we must assume they plan to break the seal."

A murmur rippled through the room, some nodding in agreement, others shifting uncomfortably.

"Two relics have already been taken," a military commander added. "Our enemy moves in the shadows, and we have no means of stopping them. We risk war if we do not act now."

"Then what is your solution?" a merchant scoffed. "We do not have a hero like in the past. Without one, how do you propose we stand against such a force?"

A heavy silence fell.

The next hero.

For decades, the kingdom had waited, hoping for another chosen warrior to emerge. But none had appeared. Without the divine mark, their greatest weapon remained absent.

Then, the king rose from his seat.

"We will not wait for fate to decide our future," he declared. "If the next hero has not yet come, then we will cultivate strength ourselves. The Adventurer's Guild will receive royal funding. We will forge a new generation of warriors, trained and equipped to stand against the coming threat."

Some nobles exchanged wary glances. The Adventurer's Guild had always been unpredictable, its strongest members once growing powerful enough to challenge the authority of the nobility. But now, they had no choice.

With controlled funding, the guild would become a force they could guide, ensuring it remained within their reach.

As the discussions continued, a steady, composed voice cut through the chamber.

"Your Majesty, may I be permitted to make a suggestion?"

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All eyes turned toward the speaker.

The Duke.

Silence settled as the room focused on him. Whenever the Duke spoke, it was never without purpose.

Seated nearby, the Baron cast him a doubtful glance. What exactly was he planning?

Time passed, and soon the afternoon sun cast long shadows through the windows of the grand library.

Bel remained immersed in the book before him.

He had spent hours poring over the text, absorbing every detail about dragons. Their legends, their immense power, the way they lived, each revelation painted a clearer picture of what it truly meant to be one of them.

But one particular passage caught his attention more than the rest.

Dragons, by nature, hunted any kind of monsters, but among them, they only ate the strongest.

The act of devouring only the powerful creatures was not simply about sustenance; there should be something more behind it.

Bel frowned, leaning back slightly. Was this what he had been missing all along?

The idea of eating the monsters he slew wasn't exactly appealing. He had fought countless beasts in the wild, but never once had he considered consuming them.

The very notion felt primitive, even unsettling. But as he sat there, mulling over the words, something nagged at the edge of his thoughts.

The core.

A monster core, one of the rarest components found within a few beasts. He had read about them countless times in his studies.

They were said to be crystallized manifestations of a creature's raw essence, a condensed well of power formed only in the strongest beasts of any species.

Bel's breath steadied as he recalled the many books he had studied. Cores were highly prized, sought after by mages and alchemists for their potential in enchantments and spellcraft.

But what if they weren't just valuable to humans? What if dragons and other monsters consumed them?

Bel's eyes widened as the pieces clicked together.

"Dragons hunt the strongest beasts... and those beasts are the ones that form cores. That means..." He muttered, gripping the book tighter. "That's how they grow stronger. That's how they evolve."

He exhaled sharply, pressing a hand against his chest.

"This is it. This is what I've been missing."

The realization sent a rush of energy through him. He had to confirm it. He had to hunt. Bel exhaled sharply, closing the book with a quiet thud. He had read enough.

Now, more than ever, he needed to leave the nobles behind and return to the wild. He had to test this himself. To do that, he had to hunt.

Later that evening, Bel returned to the palais, his steps steady, his mind set. This time, he would make it clear, he was leaving, and no one would stop him.

As he passed through the gates, he noticed the Duke standing outside the building with the Baron. The two seemed to be in the middle of a conversation, the Baron looking tense while the Duke appeared unusually pleased.

Nearby, the Duchess stood with a small gathering of elegantly dressed nobles, their laughter and chatter drifting through the courtyard.

Bel paused, debating whether he should come back later. Just as he turned to leave, the Duke's voice rang out.

"Bel! There you are. Perfect timing."

Bel stopped, exhaling through his nose. The Baron's expression tightened as the Duke stepped forward. The Baron hesitated as if considering stopping him but ultimately sighed in resignation.

The Duke approached, his usual composed demeanor replaced with something too joyful.

"I was just about to send for you all. There's good news."

Bel raised an eyebrow.

"Good news?"

The Duke nodded.

"After the council meeting today, we've reached an agreement." He glanced around, then frowned slightly. "Where are Crest and the others? This is something they need to hear."

Bel shrugged.

"Elsewhere. I had different plans."

The Duke sighed, clearly annoyed but quick to shake it off. He placed a hand behind his back, straightening.

"Regardless, you'll want to hear this. You're finally going to get what you wanted."

Bel's eyes narrowed, watching him carefully.

"And.. what exactly is that?"

The Duke's smile widened slightly.

"From now on, you won't have to be a noble anymore."

Bel blinked.

"Uh?"