Chapter 96: Welcome To The Duchy!

"-Even in a world like this, filled with magic, dragons are considered mystical creatures.

From what Eva has gathered, there are some confidential files regarding dragons in Eterna, the Dragonborn Empire located towards the South of Lunara. Those records detailed the dragons whereabout, how much influence they have on the nature, and finally, the ranks among dragons.

According to those texts, dragons are divided into five tiers based on their power and abilities.

Low Tier Dragons:

Wyrmling: Newly hatched dragons, still learning their abilities.

Drakes: Smaller, wingless dragons known for their agility and cunning.

Pseudodragons: Tiny dragon-like creatures, often with a mischievous nature and telepathic abilities.

Mid-Tier Dragons:

Fledgling Dragons: Young dragons who are starting to explore their independence and establish territories.

Elemental Dragons: Dragons tied to natural elements like fire, ice, water, earth, air, and lightning. Each type has unique abilities and characteristics.

High Tier Dragons:

Ancient Dragons: Dragons who have lived for centuries, amassing great power and knowledge.

Elder Dragons: Revered and wise leaders, possessing advanced magical skills and considerable authority.

Legendary Tier:

Dragon Emperors: Rulers over multiple dragon realms or continents, their authority nearly absolute.

Celestial Dragons: Dragons that are connected to the heavens, often possessing the ability to manipulate cosmic forces.

World Eaters: Mythical dragons believed to have the power to devour entire worlds, their existence often debated in legends.

God Tier:

Primordial Dragons: Ancient beings from the dawn of time, their powers are fundamental to the world's existence.

Divine Dragons: Worshipped as gods, their power is limitless, capable of shaping reality itself.

And to think that dad here has a legendary tier dragon's power is in him… No wonder he is given the title of a 'Hero'."

Kai had pierced together all the details regarding dragons that he found through Eva, after hearing that Hiro too had a power of a legendary tier dragon: <The Red Dragon Emperor>.

For a moment, everyone in the carriage was silent in awe, hearing about Hiro's true powers. But that silence was cut to Ferio's voice, who spoke as if it was normal.

"Well, even if he does have a dragon emperor's powers, he's still a human. It's just that… his strength surpasses all humans and us dragonborn."

Kai leaned back in his seat, lost in his own thoughts. The carriage's gentle sway lulled everyone else into a momentary calm, but not Ray.

Ray's mind was filled with questions. Curiosity evident in his expression, as he finally asked, unable to contain himself.

"There's something I'm curious about…"

As he spoke up, everyone looked at Ray as he continued to ask.

"I read in some of the books in the royal library, that the powers of a dragonborn is passed down through generations. So, does the power uncle Hiro has also gets passed on to his next generation?"

At his question, Lala and Karina also started to wonder, glancing at Kai with curiosity. Kai however, remained calm, a smile on his lips as if he already knew the answer.

The three were deep in thought until Ferio spoke up. "That could have been the case if Hiro was born a dragonborn like me."

Everyone turned to Ferio, as he continued. "Hiro is the first human to obtain the power of a dragonborn. If he had been a dragonborn since birth, then Kai here would have been a dragonborn as well, but that's not the case."

Ray, Lala, and Karina listened intently. Karina then voiced her question, "But how did His Grace, the Archduke, manage to obtain the power of a dragonborn? And that too, a Dragon Emperor?"

Ferio chuckled. "Like I said before, I can't tell you much because I don't know either."

Everyone in the room felt in silence, making their own theories.

Ferio noticed the contemplative silence that followed his words and decided it was time to shift gears. "Well, enough about Hiro's powers for now," he said with a grin. "We're almost at the duchy, and I'll be your guide to explore the place."

Ray blinked in surprise. "Wait, I thought I was supposed to be the guide?"

Ferio chuckled, shaking his head. "You're the crown prince of the Lunara Empire. We can't just let you roam around in public without any guard. And that's where I come in. Maximus personally asked me to take on the role of your guard, along with being a guide."

Ray could only sigh to this, mumbling to himself. "I am not a kid anymore…"

Ferio's tone became teasing, laughing light. "Don't worry, I'll keep you all safe. Besides, the festival in the duchy is a grand event. If any trouble does arise, I'll be there to handle it while you all enjoy the festivities."

Lala and Karina both thanked Ferio for him to become a guide for them, along with Kai who just gave a small nod. Ray, seeing all of them agree to it, had no choice but to go with the flow as well.

Ferio gave a proud smile to himself, as the carriage continued to roll along the path.

After some time, they arrived at the main entrance to the duchy. The carriage rolled to a halt at the grand entrance of the duchy, where the imposing gates stood as sentinels, crafted from wrought iron and adorned with intricate designs that hinted at the region's rich history. Flanking the gate were towering stone pillars, each etched with the heraldic symbols of the Archduke's lineage. Vines of ivy crept up these columns, their green tendrils weaving a natural tapestry that softened the austere stone.

The guards at the gate recognized the carriage, slowly approaching towards it. Ana and Elysia, both had fallen asleep inside the carriage, as Sakura pulled over a blanket on them and stepped out of the carriage together with Hiro. As the guards saw the two coming out, they bowed and greeted Hiro and Sakura warmly; as the Archduke and Archduchess. The guards seemed to be excitement over Hiro and Sakura coming to the duchy, when one of the guards stepped forward.

"Sorry for taking your precious time, Your Grace. I shall announce your arrival right now," he said, preparing to perform his duty.

But Ferio quickly intervened, stepping out of the carriage with a mischievous grin. "No need for you to do the hard work," he said, jumping up onto the gate with ease. "I'll handle it myself."

Sakura sighed with a mix of amusement and exasperation, while Hiro began to panic, ready to jump out as if to stop Ferio. "Wait, don't—"

But it was too late. Ferio took a deep breath and cupped his hands around his mouth.

"HEAR ME, EVERYONE!"

Ferio shouted.

"THE PLAYBOY IS BACK IN THE DUCHY!"

…

Ferio's announcement momentarily left everyone stunned. Lala and Karina exchanged confused looks, while Ray and Kai glanced at each other in disbelief. Kai turned to look at Ferio, who was proudly giving a thumbs up to Hiro. When Kai looked back at Hiro, he saw that Hiro's ears were turning red as the gate slowly began to open.

Sakura couldn't help but laugh softly, shaking her head at Ferio's antics. "He never changes," she muttered with a smile.

Ferio jumped down, chest puffed out as he boasted about his grand announcement for Hiro's return to the duchy. With a triumphant grin, he walked toward Hiro, hand raised for a high-five.

But as the gate slowly started to open, Ferio was sent flying through the way, crashing to a few walls and destroying them. The people looked at Ferio flying away for a while, before looking at the entrance where Hiro stood, with an annoyed look. As they saw Hiro walking up, excitement filled their face, as they warmly greeted him.

"Welcome back, Your Grace!!"

Beyond the gates, the path to the duchy was lined with rows of tall, ancient oak trees, their branches interlacing overhead to form a canopy that filtered the sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers from meticulously tended gardens, vibrant with bursts of colour from roses, tulips, and exotic flora.

As the gates completely creaked open, the sounds of the bustling duchy seeped through—a harmonious blend of market chatter, the clinking of blacksmiths at their forges, and the laughter of children playing in the courtyards. The cobblestone pathway led to the central plaza, where a majestic fountain stood as the focal point, its crystal-clear waters cascading down into a marble basin.

The surrounding buildings, with their elegant architecture and slate roofs, framed the plaza, their facades painted in warm, welcoming hues. Flags bearing the crest of the Archduchy; A Moon with Six Stars Around It, fluttered in the gentle breeze, adding a touch of reality to the lively atmosphere.

Slowly, the rest entered the duchy, following Hiro who just walked ahead to where Ferio was sent flying. Inside, the atmosphere was a blend of anticipation and humor, the perfect prelude to the festival awaiting them.

As the carriage went inside the gate, a group of villagers rushed towards the approaching carriage, their faces alight with joy. At the forefront was a young girl, her hands clutching a delicate flower crown made of daisies and wildflowers. With a shy smile, she offered it to Sakura, who accepted it with a warm, appreciative nod.

"Thank you," Sakura said softly, placing the crown on her head. Her eyes sparkled with genuine affection as she looked at the children gathered around her. "You've all grown so much since the last time I was here."

The children giggled, some hiding behind their mothers' skirts, while others boldly stepped forward, eager to present their handmade gifts. As Sakura leaned down to speak with them, her gentle laughter and kind words drew more villagers closer, each wanting a moment of her time.

From their vantage point in the carriage, Ray, Kai, Karina, and Lala watched the scene unfold. Ray leaned back with a wistful smile, the memories of a decade ago playing in his mind.

"It's just like the last time," Ray remarked. "Ten years ago, when I first came here, everyone in the duchy greeted her like this. It's all because aunt Sakura made the duchy lively again, and since then, she has always had a special place in their hearts."

Kai's curiosity was piqued. "Why is that?" he asked. "And what do you mean by making the duchy lively again?"

Ray sighed, his expression turning serious. "To be honest, I don't know much. But from what I got to know; the duchy was barren land for two generations. Uncle Hiro's grandfather made some kind of grave mistake that brought a curse upon this place, rendering it infertile. Despite his efforts, nothing worked. The responsibility then fell to uncle Hiro's father, but he wasn't able to break the curse either. And to add with it, he also lost his right to the family. A relative took over, as he was forced to leave the family. The new head tried to break the curse as well, but the curse persisted, and the duchy continued to suffer. All the people in the family slowly died, expect for uncle Hiro's father mother."

The revelation left Kai, Karina, and Lala wide-eyed in shock. "So, what changed?" Lala asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ray gave a thoughtful look before he slowly continued, "I think it all changed when uncle Hiro returned to the empire with a letter to the previous emperor."

As Ray began his explanation, everyone listened to him carefully.

-To be Continued