Reincarnated as a Phoenix

Chapter 141.5 – Empire’s Update (Announcement)

---I've finally embraced the dark side and decided to do the evil author thing of advanced chapters over on Patreon. I purposely won't mention it too much other than link it once or twice a volume. I know this sort of thing can be a little annoying if it keeps getting brought up (Link is at bottom of page as well as connected to the site).

---As for this 0.5 chapter itself, a bit shorter than the usual hence why it's not a full one. I'll probably do something like this at the start of every volume, call it something like 'Tales from the Empire/anything else'.

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(Temporary Perspective Change)

(Esmerelda) "Could thou pass me my glass?"

(Nathan) "Y-Yes ma'am!"

(Desmond) "For the love of the Gods Nathan! She's no longer in dragon form so stop that incessant stutter of yours!"

"E-Empress isn't the reason y-your majesty. I d-didn't think I'd be meeting M-Mr Dermakvar again"

"Hmph, you really are a terrified little mortal. If I meant to eat you, I would've done that when you saved little one years ago"

"Cu?"

"No littlest one, you can't eat him either"

After fending off the invasion, me and Nathan, the empire's most trusted advisers are currently in the war room again with the leaders and two additional hidden dragons right this moment. I'm obviously being sarcastic about the adviser thing but we are heavily favoured after all, it's a shame Nathan still can't speak around dragons, even hidden dragons no less.

Should we really be having this kid inside this place? What am I saying, of course it's okay. That smaller brown dragon was a right little danger towards the demons when the invasion was in full force, he does seem pretty shy and keeps using cu when around us humans though.

He kinda reminds me of Desmond when he was young, albeit much cuter and a hell of a lot more violent. I've seen firsthand what him and his father can do to a bunch of demons and boy, they don't disappoint. It's a bloody good thing we're no longer pursuing them like with the old empire.

The war room has seen better days at this point but this is really the first time we've had a break since the invasion. Dermakvar in particular wanted a breather before heading back home to his cave so he's been an important guest for a bit. Considering he apparently despises this form; he doesn't look all that concerned right now having Minos sitting on his lap.

"Jekyll, are even paying attention right now? Give me a recap again so I know what we've got to do"

"I'm listening, just rather not to get involved when you're playing games. As for an update, we've lost considerable parts of the city Emperor Desmond but if you want honesty... we've come out of this exceptionally well compared to other places. Having three dragons in the vicinity obviously helped massively"

I've heard reports from other places mostly within the empire that didn't fare as well from the day long invasion and even more sightings of the rare dragon popping up around the place to assist us mortals. If the enemy didn't disappear without a even a trace, things could've been pretty dicey.

Ah, forgot about that. Esmerelda herself made a public appearance in her true form during that battle and the population is in an uproar right now. I say that as it's a good thing, the idea of having mythical creatures protecting citizens is something everyone has been a huge fan of. Even the hidden remaining rebels in the east have either started to surrender or have switched allegiance. They still can't be trusted due to that city needing a complete overhaul from that slavery situation but at least that battle should now be over with no more death for both sides.

"As much as everyone hated my brother, that deal he made really can't be underestimated. You as well Minos, that bite of yours sent many demons into despair"

"Cu!"

"Hmph! You mortals fail to see us dragons would've destroyed those demonic bastards without being indebted to your little empire. Other than wyverns, there's nothing worse than those pointy horned, crimson idiots"

"Yeah yeah, everyone knows about your wyvern disgust Dermak. That hasn't gotten boring yet"

"One agrees with Des, one is also tired of Dermakvar's wyvern plight"

The more and more you spend time around these dragons, the less and less you actually see them as superior mythical creatures. All seem to be uniquely strange and Dermakvar in particular has an unnatural disgust for wyverns.

The black dragon just scoffs at them like they know nothing and decides to be quiet now.

"Then, let's start to get serious, shall we? First off, we need to enhance the defence on the eastern side because..."

While we're starting to discuss rebuilding plans, a messenger quietly sneaks into the room in search of the royal knight Nathan. This almost looks like some secretive spy thing going on but there's only one thing on this continent that could turn his attention away from duty...

"...L-Lotte's finally returned!? Apologies your m-majesty but could I be excused?"

His face always lights up when the priestess is back in town. We all found it strange how she basically left without even telling the reason why but she has always been serving the 'Lord', whoever that is.

"Of course knight! It's perfectly fine that you turn your back on the empire for your girlfr-... ouch!"

"Des..."

The emperor receives a beating from his wife and rightfully so. He treats the royal knight way too much like a drinking friend at times and sometimes it comes across a little weird. That sarcasm in particular get on the empress's nerves.

"He knows I'm only messing with him, right Nathan? That was uncalled for this time around Es"

"Thou's incessant teasing of the boy is getting stale as much as the wyvern hatred around here now"

Almost as if they both know this situation all too well, I see Dermakvar and Desmond's eyes meet as comrades in arms or something. Have zero clue what that was about but maybe it has something to do with couples? Never cared all that much for such distractions really.

"Is t-that a yes then y-your majesty?"

"Sure, just make sure you give me any updates you two may receive... stop giving me that glare Es! I'm actually not making a joke this time, updates on what she's been up to. I really don't care what they get up to while dating..."

And so, the royal knight goes off in search of his priestess lover. Can't say I blame him for his noble quest, anything to get out of these meetings at times. It's not exactly like two of the most powerful people within the empire need protecting anyways.

"*Sigh*... can we get back on topic now then? As I was saying before, what we need..."

Just as Desmond is about to start discussing plans again, another messenger pops through the door. This time, he really is starting to get pissed at the distractions.

"...For the love of who knows what! What is it this time!?"

"Your majesty! There's been an update to the goings on around the world... the volcano has erupted!"

...

A devastating silence fills the room with all of us knowing the consequences of this problem. Out of any problem this world could face, this might be up there with the worst...

That volcano has erupted, the one which nearly killed half the elves and even effected temperatures and harvests over here? History has never been well recorded but the last eruption was known for being extremely deadly, and it's now just erupted with no warning? 

Some historians I spoke to a while back reckon it could've killed close to a quarter of the population if you account for initial impact to long term starvation. Keep in mind, the last eruption was small compared to others...

The first to break the deafening silence ends up being Dermakvar flooding the room with an extremely angry aura.

"Those fucking Gods... don't repeat what I just said to your mother littlest one. They just couldn't help meddling down here again, I bet those demons had something to do with this as well"

"Cu?"

"Dermakvar is correct. One knows the Gods must be inflicting punishment on mortals for some reason. Those vermin just cannot leave this mortal world alone"

So, the Gods have decided will should suffer immensely? What sick, twisted game is this? The last was rumoured to be a God's work as well but no one was ever too sure on that. If the dragons say it was the Gods, then this must be the case.

The strange thing is, all of us seem depressed about this news but strangely enough, it's the emperor who seems to be pondering on something. It's almost as if Desmond knew something like this was happening soon.

"Having been in contact with Jarl Denver, I feel like you two may be a little off the mark with this"

"You think you know better than two dragons, little emperor!?"

"Agreed, Es shouldn't downplay what the Gods are capable off"

His reluctance on the matter seems to piss them both off but there's something Desmond knows that he hasn't shared just yet. He may come across rough but he'd never neglect something like this.

"I've done or doing nothing of the sorts. It's just a previous conversation with the boy comes to mind about a contingency plan, something related to what could happen if a God tampers with the volcano. He called it the last resort that would doom thousands, but end up saving millions in the process"

(Jekyll) "What was that plan then?"

Before responding, you can actually hear his gulp. It doesn't matter if the dwarven jarl is involved or not, it's still the magical volcano that's been the bane of this world.

"He personally... would set it off before it fully erupted. It had something to do with reducing the force..."

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