Power.
The one thing that was important to nobility. Without power and authority, then status is useless. Power doesn't only come in the form of status but in all sorts of different forms.
Physical power. The power to overcome any adversity. The power to overpower any opponent with ease.
Verbal power. The power to win against a difficult opponent with words. The power of persuasion.
Mental power. The mental fortitude to not succumb to enemy tactics or tricks. The power to trick your opponent in a battle of wits.
Authority. The power of status, dealing with opponents with money, status and wits.
There were many different types of power along with different ways to define it. However, every single type was indispensable to a noble.
"So, why are you telling me this?"
I asked Alexander.
He smiled.
"Though there are different types of power, I believe there is a single definition for true power."
"I wonder what that could be."
I sarcastically said.
"Sarcasm. I like that."
Alexander didn't seem to get mad. It was like with everything I did, he became more intrigued no matter what.
"True power is all and any strength that can overcome anything. That type of power is what Emperors and Mortal Sins have."
He was so smooth talking that he seemed like an authentic orator to me but it was most likely his verbal skills at work.
"I may be a noble but I do not have that true power. My family have power but I am weak."
He clenched his fist as he grimaced.
"I need more power. For I want to inherit the title of the He Who Rules."
He Who Rules? That title is new to me.
"For that, Shoya,"
He laid out his hand, wanting me to accept it.
"Join me."
All that I could think about was how conceited and arrogant this bastard was. Since the moment I arrived, he's simply been talking about himself and nothing more.
"No."
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry, but why would I join you?"
"For my quest to become the world's true ruler, of course."
I thought he was a smart guy but he's just a vain and spoiled noble. Alexander believes that he's the only one who matters in the world. He thinks that he's destined to become the world's ruler, or whatever, and is making his journey.
I feel bad for these guys who have to humour him.
"Did you know? There's a protagonist in every novel."
For the first time, Alexander lost his smile and furrowed his brow.
"In everyone's life, they are the protagonist of their story, no matter how insignificant their story may be. Protagonists and other characters are what make stories enjoyable."
I said to him.
"If one person were to be the protagonist in everyone's story, that would be one boring story."
"Stop using abstract concepts and tell it to me straight. What are you trying to say?"
He asked, glaring at me.
Now, this was the treatment that I was expecting. Not that I'm happy to be receiving it.
"I'm trying to tell you to get off of your high horse. As long as Emperors and Mortal Sins exist, your dream will never be realised. Even if they didn't exist, you wouldn't even be a step close to becoming the world's ruler."
The noble gritted his teeth while listening to me.
"You are not the only one who matters in this world. Everyone does. The world's ruler? Cut the bullshit."
I rose from my seat and walked toward him.
"You being born into the King family was only chance. So was everything else in this world. Don't act like you are the chosen one when you don't have any of this 'true power' you speak of."
"Get out."
He said to me.
"Get out!"
Alexander repeated with flare, this time.
I turned around and walked toward the door. Before exiting, I looked over at Anastasia. She instinctively looked away.
I smiled at her.
"If I'm a caged bird, then you're a sheltered princess."
Upon hearing my words, she peered over at me with a shocked look.
"I'll take you out of your castle, don't worry."
I closed the door behind me and laid against the wall, covering my face.
Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!
That was corny as fuck! Goddamn it! Why the fuck did I say that?! I hate myself! Die, die, die!
Ugh! I feel like I'm in my chunni phase! (A phase which I never went through, excluding grade school years.)
I'm never saying that shit again. I don't know how it sounded cool when Anastasia said it but it sounds so fucking awkward when I say it.
I'm never repeating anything Anastasia says again...
Ah! This fucking disgusting sensation tingling through my body is hell!
·———·
"Sideri. What is the time?"
In an unknown castle, perhaps even a sanctum, a man walked into the grand throne room. Due to the dim lighting, most of his features were not visible.
The woman standing next to the throne was a woman—dragonkin.
She looked like a normal woman. She was extremely beautiful. With ochre-hued eyes and scarlet-red hair. Beside her eyes were orange lines, outlining dragon scales. From her forehead, two black horns proudly revealed themselves.
Sideri was what someone would call a Divine Dragon. A title bestowed upon only 4 dragons in the world:
The Moonlight Dragon, Artela
The Darkness Dragon, Quanta
The Wisdom Dragon, Kyndur
The Celestial Dragon, Sideri
They all received the title from the Dragon King, also, the Mortal Sin of Pride.
"Sir, time is not something you should currently be worried about."
"Ah, you're right. Dragons do not worry about time, do they? I forgot."
"S-so, what do you say, Lord Indraith?!"
A human was asking the Dragon King. The dragon, Indraith, sat on his throne while staring down at the human.
"Creating a pact with my family, the Regant family, what do you say, Lord Indraith? It would be such an honour."
"I refuse."
The Dragon King refused without hesitation. He looked fairly bored.
The human lost his patience. He gritted his teeth and lost his temper.
"You! I was being nice because you're supposedly a strong Mortal Sin but you're nothing more than a dumb animal! What sort of smart person wouldn't want to make a pact with the Regant family, you reptilian!"
"Maybe your anger is the reason why you have no pacts."
Indraith retorted.
Sideri lost her cool; she released mana from her body and directed bloodlust at the human, causing his legs to give out.
"You insolent—"
"Sideri. Do not worry."
"But, Sir..."
"There's no point in talking to a corpse, is there?"
Before he could figure out how the man had died. Almost seamlessly, his head was sliced clean off and a fountain of blood rained from his wound, tainting the white carpet.
The Celestial Dragon clicked her tongue at the corpse.
"Rejoice. The Dragon King has bestowed you with his mercy."
"My current goal is to see how far the King family grows. Especially that conceited child, Alexander. No one has more potential than he has."
The lights in the grand throne room became brighter, showing the full appearance of the Dragon King.
He looked handsome in the body of a young man. His hair was blonde. It was long and well-styled. His eyelashes were long like spider legs. His seductive eyes glowed in a golden tone. Unlike Sideri, he had no horns.
The Dragon King was enjoying himself despite his apparent lack of emotions.
"Say, Sideri,"
He called out to his attendant, who turned away and stopped cussing the corpse.
"What time is it?"
"Time is not a matter to be concerned about, Sir."
"Ah, that's right. I forgot."