hotmtlnovel Chapter 410 New Team Member
Chapter 410 New Team Member
"The incidents are becoming more frequent," Caelum continued. "And the voice in favor of being more proactive against the Abyss is growing louder. This mission wasn't just about rescuing Elorians or training you. It was about making sure you understood the stakes firsthand. You're not just soldiers of the Empire anymore. You're witnesses. It's easier for people to want to stick their heads in sand when they don't know what's coming."The room fell silent, the gravity of Caelum's words sinking in and not long after a few more questions were answered, everyone dispersed in a sombre mood.
Since the Elorians had been freed from their 'active duty' they would be leaving the dragons within the next couple of days—they only need to wait for some of the people injured in the attack to completely finish recuperating. Although they'd had their physical injuries healed already, some of the more severely injured were still not 100% travel-ready.
However, while the others were preoccupied with preparing for the journey back home or stressing over the looming threat of the abyss, Kain was preoccupied with his own thoughts.
Their time here was coming to an end, and if he was going to convince Vauleth to sign a contract with him, it had to happen soon. But every interaction with the prickly red dragon had been met with resistance or disdain.
"I'm running out of time," Kain muttered to himself as he walked toward the edge of the village, he vaguely sensed that Vauleth was in the forest not far from here and he was debating going to find him in a last-ditch attempt to convince him to form a contract.
Finally deciding to follow his gut, he left in
"Vauleth?" Kain said, trying to maintain a surprised façade, but after eavesdropping on the conversation between Vauleth and Galadriel, Kain had been waiting for this moment.
The dragon's eyes glinted with a mix of determination and something darker. "I've decided."
"Decided what?" Kain asked trying to tamp down on appearing too excited.
"I'll sign a contract with you," Vauleth said, his voice firm. "But only on one condition."
Kain raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"
"You have to make me a true dragon. The strongest true dragon," Vauleth said, his tone laced with determination.
Kain's heart raced as he met Vauleth's fiery gaze. He had suspected for some time that Vauleth harboured a deeper ambition, but hearing it stated so plainly was another matter entirely.
"The strongest dragon?" Kain repeated.
Vauleth nodded. "You said you're one of the Empire's best evolutionary planners. If that's true, then prove it. Make me stronger than anyone else—including the Red Dragon King."
Kain chuckled. "I like your ambition. I'm not one to back down from a challenge. But if you want to be the strongest true dragon, you'll have to trust me completely"
"Trust..." Vauleth's expression faltered briefly before hardening again. "Fine. But if you fail to deliver on your promise, I'll rip you into shreds."
"Fair enough," Kain said, extending his hand. "Let's make it official, then."
Vauleth hesitated for a moment, his crimson eyes flickering with a mix of apprehension and determination. Then, with a sharp intake of breath, he stepped forward, raising one claw. He placed it against Kain's hand, and a ripple of energy surged through the air as the contract began to form.
A surge of power coursed through Kain, signalling the completion of the bond and Kain's fourth star began to transform, turning into an environment that Kain assumed was ideal for red dragons.
Kain grinned, feeling the familiar surge of spiritual power as a new connection settled into place. "Welcome to the team, Vauleth."