The Epic Dragon Titan

"That's too long, Your Highness. Please give us a reasonable timeframe. Although we came to help you under the Dragon King's orders, according to dragon rules, you should pay us for our efforts. After all, you are the sole beneficiary of this war; we merely contributed."

"Dragon King's orders." Muria, who had anticipated this, wasn't too surprised and raised an eyebrow. "Which Dragon King gave the order? The Starshine Dragon King? The Thousand Waves Dragon King? Or the King of the Mountains?"

"It was His Majesty, the Cold Dawn Dragon King!"

"...I only recognize four Dragon Kings," Muria said, looking calmly at the silver dragons opposite him.

"So, you don't know His Majesty, the Cold Dawn?"

"This is the first time I've heard the name."

"Is that so?" The nine silver dragons exchanged glances, seeming to understand something.

"How about this: I'll try to repay this debt within a century. You can provide a detailed list of war expenses, and I will compensate you accordingly. However," Muria continued after a moment's thought, "since you didn't come to help me voluntarily but under the Cold Dawn Dragon King's command, your reward will be halved. Is that agreeable?"

In Muria's experience, orders from a Dragon King usually came with some sort of compensation. Even dragon scales or blood, which were trivial to a Dragon King, were rare treasures for ordinary dragons.

To Muria's surprise, these silver dragons were descendants of the Cold Dawn Dragon King from countless generations ago. Their ancestor's orders didn't benefit them even by a copper coin.

"Agreed," the silver dragons replied happily, not expecting to get anything from Muria in the first place. This was an unexpected bonus. "So, where do you live? We need to know where to find you when we need to."

"Synapses!" Muria announced, but it was evident the silver dragons had never heard of it.

"What is that place?" Several silver dragons looked confused.

"It's my floating domain, currently traveling around the world," Muria said proudly. "If you have time, after my subordinates finish cleaning up the battlefield, you can come back with me and visit."

"Is Synapses on the Deporosen subcontinent?" Queen Elf Shashir asked, puzzled.

"Of course," Muria nodded, then added, "It's temporarily stationed here."

"Alright!" Unaware that Muria was just being polite, the silver dragons agreed without hesitation. Why refuse an invitation from a powerful peer?

"Uh..." Muria was slightly taken aback. He had merely extended a polite invitation, like a host asking a guest if they would like to stay the night.

"Muria, what's the matter with you? They helped you win this war, what's wrong with reimbursing their war expenses? You're so stingy," Ilvester, Muria's brother-in-law, arrived with Mikaela. Seeing the four legendary captives at Muria's feet, he showed some surprise but didn't hold back his words.

"I didn't say I wouldn't pay; I'm just short on funds at the moment," Muria replied, his attitude changing as Ilvester approached.

"You? Out of money?" Ilvester scrutinized Muria, who stood in dazzling legendary armor amidst five powerful legendary captives, with a star-studded chain gleaming. This was called being out of money?

"I borrowed five billion elemental crystals, so of course, I'm broke. I need to sell the spoils of this war to repay my debt," Muria explained, looking at his brother-in-law.

"Five billion in debt? And you still pursued my sister?" Ilvester's gaze turned hostile. "Are you planning to make her repay it with you?"

"Do you think I'm that kind of person?" Muria's eyes narrowed. "This is my personal debt. How could I let Mikaela take responsibility?"

"You never mentioned this, Muria."

"It wasn't necessary," Muria chuckled awkwardly. Such a huge debt was astronomical to anyone present.

"We are engaged," Mikaela said seriously, her platinum eyes with a hint of crimson flame staring at Muria. "I can help you repay this debt."

In the Seraphic value system, debts had to be repaid promptly, and a couple was considered a unified entity, sharing life and death.

"No need. I can repay it soon," Muria smiled involuntarily at Mikaela's words, his gaze softening.

"How will you repay five billion elemental crystals?" Ilvester asked skeptically.

"Brother-in-law, why do you think I took on this debt?" Muria countered. "It's for greater returns!"

"What returns?"

"I..." Muria noticed the curious looks from the nine silver dragons and chose to withhold some information. "I purchased a fleet of warships."

"Warships shouldn't cost five billion," a silver dragon couldn't help but interject.

"They are void-traversing warships."

"Why would you buy something like that?" Ilvester asked curiously.

"I need them to transport my army to another world for a war."

"For transporting your army, my floating fortress would have sufficed. No need to buy warships," Mikaela said, puzzled. To her, void warships were unnecessary when her Celestial Pearl's floating fortress could serve the same purpose.

"You were asleep at the time," Muria explained. "I couldn't afford to wait. My opponents wouldn't let me delay."

"So, you were off fighting in another world recently, not in the main world," Ilvester said in surprise.

"Exactly."

"How did it go?"

"Quite well. Given enough time, repaying the five billion debt is just a matter of time," Muria replied confidently.

_________________________

[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!] 

[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]

[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter]