Chapter 366: Dragon Pact Sorcerer (Part 1)
"This place..."
"Is this the palace?"
Misha cautiously surveyed her surroundings, her gaze sweeping across the towering walls, the standing stone pillars, and the majestic steel palace in the distance.
Old John had once told her that this palace was the residence of His Majesty Cassius, housing all the Kingdom's treasures.
"Roar—"
Upon seeing Langpu and Misha approach, the wyverns perched on the stone pillars raised their heads and let out a long cry, while the tiefling guards at the gates bowed in greeting.
The tiefling captain, Ekemon, stepped forward respectfully and said, "Good day, Lord Langpu. His Majesty is waiting for you in the main hall."
"I understand."
Langpu nodded slightly and tapped his staff lightly, descending to the ground with Misha to walk the rest of the way.
As he led the way, Langpu explained softly, "This is His Majesty Cassius's residence, the most sacred and inviolable place in the Kingdom. Here, any flying or teleportation spells are considered acts of transgression."
"Even I must walk on foot. This is a sign of respect for His Majesty."
The ogre mage's massive frame made his stride long, despite deliberately slowing his pace. Each step spanned two meters, leaving Misha struggling to keep up.
Still, she panted as she replied, "Yes, my lord."
However, as they fully entered the palace grounds, the sight before her left Misha in awe, causing her to pause.
"This is..."
Despite the newly planted vegetation covering parts of it, the ground was still marked with black, solidified lava, undulating in gentle mounds or flowing shapes, as though it were still in motion.
A wave of heat tinged with the pungent smell of sulfur hit her, making her feel as if she were standing at the mouth of a volcano.
Langpu stopped and said excitedly, "Do you see this? This is His Majesty's power. Even an inadvertent release of his strength is beyond mortal comprehension."
"I will cast a spell to shield you."
Just as he raised his staff, he noticed Misha closing her eyes and taking a deep breath of the scorching air. Her entire body relaxed.
"No need, Lord Langpu."
"Thank you for your concern, but I feel wonderful—better than ever."
Misha opened her eyes slowly, firelight flickering in her brown pupils, her face alight with exhilaration.
For a sorcerer with extreme affinity for fire elements, entering the fiery environment created by the red dragon felt like a fish returning to water, filling her with energy.
"That's even better."
A trace of subtle surprise crossed Langpu's face.
To feel comfortable in such extreme conditions meant Misha's talent might surpass his expectations, even evoking a tinge of envy in him—he finally understood why some wizards disdainfully called sorcerers "brutes."
Along the way, Langpu repeatedly emphasized Cassius's supremacy to Misha, reminding her of the proper etiquette for an audience.
After walking for dozens of minutes, they finally reached the end of the path and beheld the full grandeur of the palace.
"Wow."
Despite mentally preparing herself, Misha couldn't help but exclaim in amazement as she looked up.
The Steel Dragonwing Palace was built into the mountain, shaped like expansive dragon wings. Its structure was forged entirely from refined steel—adorned with hundreds of jagged cracks left by the red dragon's power. Even after numerous repairs, they could not be fully concealed, giving the palace a raw and powerful aesthetic.
Langpu bowed slightly outside the palace and whispered instructions:
"Misha, this is the main hall of the palace, His Majesty's primary residence. Remember the etiquette I taught you."
"Go ahead. His Majesty wishes to see you alone."
"Yes, Lord Langpu. I will remember your teachings."
Misha nodded solemnly.
As she walked forward, she occasionally glanced back nervously. Only when Langpu signaled her to continue did she muster the courage to proceed.
"Lord Langpu may look a bit ugly, but he's a kindhearted person—much better than those beastly nobles. They all deserve to be burned at the stake."
Misha thought to herself.
"I wonder what the legendary His Majesty is like."
Lost in thought, she looked up to find herself standing before the heavy palace doors. Anxiety surged within her.
She called out softly, "Y-Your Majesty... I am here."
Realizing she had forgotten Langpu's instructions in her nervousness, she quickly covered her mouth.
Thankfully, nothing unexpected happened.
"Boom—"
With a thunderous rumble, the massive doors, carved with ferocious dragon heads, slowly opened.
Misha's legs trembled slightly, but she suppressed her nervousness, keeping her head bowed as she walked step by step toward the throne, finally kneeling at the foot of the stairs.
"Your Majesty, I am Misha. I've come to seek an audience."
"Don't be nervous. Rise."
The voice carried a hint of warmth, not as cold and ruthless as she had imagined.
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty."
Misha stood and cautiously lifted her head, finally beholding the magnificent figure on the throne.
—The massive red dragon sat atop the steel throne, his body rippling with lava-like patterns. Crown-like horns adorned his head, and firelight flickered in his pale golden eyes.
The red dragon was the embodiment of fire itself, his mere presence overwhelming.
Yet, strangely, while Misha felt fear and awe, another, stronger emotion overtook her—familiarity.
Yes, familiarity.
More precisely, a sense of kinship with a higher form of her own elemental affinity.
Firelight danced in Misha's brown eyes as she felt the fire elements within her body responding, leaping as though bowing in reverence to the red dragon.
Meanwhile, Cassius observed the girl intently, a trace of curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
"Misha."
"The 'Mad Fire Witch' who once killed countless players is now just a little girl."
"How fascinating."
In his eyes, the girl before him seemed almost inhuman, akin to a semi-magical creature. Every drop of her blood brimmed with fire elements.
Such talent had a fitting name in his past life—"Child of the Elements."
Misha hesitated, clutching the hem of her garment, unsure of what to say.
Cassius spoke first, his voice calm: "Langpu has informed me of your intentions. You wish to take revenge on Leo Bosque?"
"Yes, honorable Majesty."
"That despicable man orchestrated the Magur Incident and cruelly murdered my grandfather. I must avenge him!"
Misha responded quickly, her voice firm and resolute as she spoke of her purpose.