The Dragon of the Eastern Clouds

On the towering southern gate of the Imperial Palace, standing nearly a hundred meters tall, three majestic watchtowers stretched across the skyline.

Beneath the steps of the pristine white stone imperial dais, a grand imperial procession stood in perfect formation, symbolizing the emperor's authority. Hundreds of golden-armored imperial guards, wielding long-handled powered axes, lined the path.

Leaning casually against the intricately carved railing—decorated with patterns of various super-danger beasts—Selene gazed southward, her crimson, diamond-shaped pupils filled with thought.

Accompanied by the resonant sound of drums and horns, a black dragon of soldiers extended from the Upper City's Imperial Guard garrison along the grand South Lake Avenue, reaching far into the horizon.

Under the noonday sun, a gentle breeze carrying warmth brushed against Selene's cheeks. She found the feeling of standing high and looking down at the world quite delightful—unless one had a fear of heights, it offered a unique perspective.

"Your Majesty, General Esdeath requests an audience," a servant reported.

As for Sebas, he was likely occupied, assessing the design modifications for Selene's new palace.

"Esdeath? Let her come in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Click, click, click—

The crisp sound of boots echoed as Esdeath, wrapped in her white military uniform, ascended the stairs under the gaze of the palace attendants and imperial guards, kneeling behind Selene.

"Your Majesty."

"Stand up, Esdeath," Selene said, turning around. "As I understand you, this upcoming campaign to crush the rebel forces in the south might be the last large-scale war in this world... Do you have any thoughts on that?"

Esdeath rose, standing three paces behind Selene. "Of course, I have thoughts. However, I can join the battle at any time. I've come today to report other news."

"Oh? What news?"

"Najenda is dead."

Esdeath sounded slightly regretful as she continued, "After her defeat, she fell into a death-seeking state and was eventually killed in prison by the assassin Akame."

"Akame... fitting, in a way. After all, Najenda's rebellion nearly wiped out the elite unit Akame once belonged to," Selene mused.

"And what about her body?" Selene asked.

"I took the liberty of having her buried. As comrades once, it seemed unnecessary to disgrace her corpse further," Esdeath explained.

"Hmm." Selene nodded, approving Esdeath's decision regarding Najenda's remains.

For Najenda, this was likely the best ending she could have hoped for. Normally, as a traitor, even in death her head would be displayed as a warning, her skull sent to the borders as a symbol.

"Esdeath, you've come at a good time. Walk with me—I have something to ask you." Selene said as she moved, her elaborate gown trailing behind her as she walked along the high platform. The echo of her footsteps resonated in the vast, empty hall.

"At your command," Esdeath responded, keeping several steps behind Selene as they strolled through the grand structure.

"Little Esdeath, we've known each other for nearly ten years now... Do you still believe you can defeat me?" Selene asked, her tone playful, as she walked ahead of Esdeath.

This sudden use of a familiar nickname startled Esdeath, but she quickly adapted, smiling bitterly as memories surfaced. "Your Majesty jests. I gave up on that long ago. I haven't been able to defeat you once, despite countless attempts during my time in the capital. You always played with me so easily."

Esdeath, as a fierce, battle-hardened warrior, had never truly submitted to anyone who couldn't beat her. Her current obedience and humility towards Selene were only because Selene had physically dominated her time and time again.

"I'm offering you a chance—immortality, an eternal opportunity to fight alongside me and forever engage in battle. Are you interested?" Selene suddenly proposed.

"Immortality?"

Esdeath blinked in surprise but quickly connected the dots. Over the past ten years, Selene's appearance had remained unchanged. Many others around her—Sebas, Alyssa, Leiva, Gensa, and even the golden-armored imperial guards—likely were no longer human either.

"Yes, immortality. The price is simple—your life will belong to me. I can end it with just a thought..." Selene stopped walking and glanced over her shoulder at Esdeath.

"I accept," Esdeath answered without hesitation, dropping to one knee and pressing a hand to her chest in respect.

"So decisive. A wise choice," Selene said with a hint of satisfaction at Esdeath's prompt submission. "But... it's not time yet. First, we need to fully integrate this world. The power of the Herrscher of Ice will be yours."

Sitting gracefully on the finely woven silk carpeted steps, Selene extended her hand, and with a flash of purple light, an artifact appeared in her grasp—the shape-shifting Teigu: Cross Tail.

"Esdeath, as a descendant of the Partas clan, known for hunting danger beasts, I assume you've heard of the legendary super-danger beast, the Dragon of the Eastern Clouds. How much do you know about it?"

"The Dragon of the Eastern Clouds... I've only heard of it in legends," Esdeath admitted. "It's said to be the strongest super-danger beast, capable of destroying cities with a single blow. It's the embodiment of a natural disaster. Beyond that, I know little."

"Wait, Your Majesty... does it really exist?!" Esdeath's eyes lit up with excitement as she realized what Selene was implying.

"Yes, and it's far more powerful than the legends say."

Selene tugged on a thin thread from Cross Tail, which shimmered coldly under the light. "This is a thread made from the Dragon of the Eastern Clouds's fur. Not only is it extremely strong, but it's also incredibly sharp."

"This thread contains records of the Dragon of the Eastern Clouds. Here, take a look," Selene said, with another flash of purple light, summoning the World Chronicle and gently pushing it toward Esdeath.

"Open to the marked page. You'll find records left by the first emperor of the Empire."

Esdeath's breathing quickened as she flipped through the pages of the World Chronicle. As a descendant of the Partas clan, her desire to hunt powerful beasts was second only to her passion for interrogation and torture.

The Dragon of the Eastern Clouds, the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, was the most powerful known danger beast in the world. It resided in the clouds above the Eastern Sea, and unlike other dragon species, its form combined features from various animals—horns like a deer, a camel-like head, eyes like a rabbit, a snake-like neck, and scales like a fish. Its immense size blotted out the sky.

...

After swiftly reading through the records on the Dragon of the Eastern Clouds, Esdeath looked up with exhilaration in her eyes. "Your Majesty, I've decided—I'm not going south. I'm heading east!"

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