As soon as my feet touched the ground in front of the castle, the difference became clear. The city was already impressive, but here... it was on another level. The air felt denser, heavier, as if every breath carried more weight than normal. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it made it obvious that this place was not ordinary.
The main doors stood open, tall enough to allow a dragon in its original form to pass through. That alone said a lot about who ruled here. The architecture was not designed only for humanoid forms.
"This explains a lot," Lyannis said, looking up.
"Yeah," I replied. "They don't limit themselves."
Scarlett observed the surroundings carefully.
"This kind of structure facilitates large-scale combat."
"Or the reception of very large guests," Liriel commented.
Elara analyzed the details.
"The columns... they look natural, but they've been shaped."
Vespera lightly ran her hand across one of the surfaces.
"And reinforced with magic."
Rai'kanna nodded.
"This place is protected in several ways."
We started walking toward the entrance. Guards stood on both sides, motionless and alert. Unlike the ones in the city, these carried an even stronger presence. It felt as if each one of them could fight at a high level without effort.
None of them stopped us. They only watched.
We passed through the doors.
The interior of the castle was even more impressive than the exterior. The space was vast, with an entrance hall stretching for dozens of meters. The floor reflected light as if it were constantly polished, and the walls featured golden details arranged in complex patterns.
But what stood out the most wasn't the shine.
It was the feeling.
Power.
Concentrated in every part of the environment.
"This... is different," Elara said quietly.
"It's mana pressure," Lyannis replied. "But controlled."
"Absolute control," Vespera added.
Scarlett never looked away.
"This isn't just decoration."
"No," I replied. "It's a demonstration."
One of the attendants approached.
"Welcome. Your arrival has already been announced. Please, follow me."
I nodded.
We followed through wide corridors, passing internal areas that revealed even more about the place. Open rooms, elevated structures, spaces that seemed designed for both daily life and combat.
"They don't separate things the way we do," Liriel said.
"For them, everything is part of the same system," Rai'kanna replied.
"Living and fighting," Scarlett added.
"Exactly," Vespera said.
We climbed several levels. With every step, the sense of presence increased. It was as if we were approaching something... greater.
"They're here," Lyannis suddenly said.
"At least two," I replied.
Rai'kanna confirmed.
"The king and queen."
We continued until we reached a massive double door. The attendant stopped.
"The king awaits you."
The doors slowly opened.
We entered.
The royal hall was enormous, even larger than the first one we had passed through. At the far end, elevated by several steps, stood the throne.
And on it...
The Dragon King.
He was in humanoid form, but there was no mistaking it. His presence was unlike anything I had felt so far. It wasn't just strength. It was authority. It was as if the space around him recognized who he was.
Beside him, seated on a slightly smaller throne, was the queen.
And farther ahead, slightly to the right...
The princess.
We stopped at a respectful distance.
The king was the first to speak.
"So you are Takumi."
His voice was firm and unhurried, yet filled with authority.
"Yes," I replied. "It's an honor."
He observed me for several seconds. He didn't speak immediately. He simply analyzed me.
"I sensed your presence before you even entered the city."
"I imagine that's not difficult for someone like you."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You don't seem intimidated."
"I don't see a reason to be."
The queen observed in silence. Her gaze was calmer, but just as attentive.
The princess took a step forward.
"So you really came."
Her voice was different. Lighter, but firm.
"I said I would."
She quickly examined me.
"You don't seem that different from what I imagined."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
She gave a small smile.
"I'm still deciding."
Liriel stepped a little closer to me.
"So that's the princess."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"Her presence is strong."
"But controlled," Elara said.
Scarlett kept her eyes on the king.
"He's the problem."
Vespera agreed.
"Without a doubt."
Rai'kanna maintained her posture.
"This is the level of pure dragons."
The king spoke again.
"I've heard a lot about you."
"I can imagine."
"But hearing is not the same as seeing."
"I agree."
He stood up.
Even in humanoid form, the difference in height and presence became even more evident. Every movement seemed heavy, not because of a lack of control, but because of the opposite.
Absolute control.
"You defeated the second demon general."
"Yes."
"And survived."
"That helped."
A light laugh echoed through the hall.
The princess watched the exchange.
"You're straightforward."
"I don't see a reason not to be."
The king slowly descended the steps until he stood face to face with me.
"Good."
He looked directly into my eyes.
"Because so am I."
Silence filled the hall for a moment.
"I didn't summon you here just to talk."
"I figured."
He crossed his arms.
"I want to see with my own eyes."
"See what?"
The answer came without hesitation.
"Whether you're truly worthy of everything they say about you."
The atmosphere became heavier.
Scarlett adjusted her posture.
"So that's what this is."
Lyannis sighed.
"It was inevitable."
Liriel made a slight expression.
"Of course it was."
Elara observed carefully.
"Is this going to happen now?"
Vespera kept her eyes fixed on the king.
"Probably."
Rai'kanna said nothing.
She simply watched.
The king kept his gaze on me.
"But that..."
He took a small step back.
"Will be for another time."
The pressure in the room eased slightly.
"For now..."
He walked back up the steps.
"Welcome to my kingdom."
The queen spoke for the first time.
"We hope your stay will be worthwhile."
The princess continued watching me.
"I want to see how far you can really go."
I nodded.
"You will."
The king sat back down on his throne.
"And so will I."
The hall remained silent for a few seconds.
But one thing was already clear.
This was not just a meeting.
It was the beginning of something much greater.
And I was standing right at the center of it.