Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Dragon King’s Duties

Adonis slowly opened his eyes as the first rays of morning light filtered into the royal bedchamber. The massive bed still carried the musky scent of last night’s passion. Sapphira lay curled against his chest, her Sapphire hair spread across his shoulder like a oceanic shit.

Her breathing was soft and steady, one arm draped possessively over his waist.

He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.

Even in sleep, the Dragon Queen looked majestic.

Sapphira stirred at his touch and opened her eyes.

A small, satisfied smile curved her lips.

“Good morning, my husband,” she murmured, voice still husky from sleep and the long night before.

“Good morning, my queen,” Adonis replied, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “Did you sleep well?”

“Better than I have in centuries.” She stretched against him, her naked body pressing closer. “Though I must admit, I feel a pleasant ache in places I had almost forgotten about.”

Adonis chuckled. “I hope I wasn’t too rough.”

“You were perfect. I never imagined humanly way of breeding could be this satisfying,” she said, tracing a finger along his chest.

“But now that you are awake, we should discuss your new responsibilities. As the Dragon King, there are many duties waiting for you.”

Adonis sighed but nodded. “I know. Lead the way.”

—

The morning assembly hall was grand and cold. Columns of black obsidian lined either side of the chamber, each carved with the names of Dragon Ruler of the past.

Adonis walked between them slowly, reading a few names as he passed. Some he recognized from the histories Sapphira had briefed him on. Most he did not.

He reached the elevated platform at the far end and turned to face the hall.

A dozen dragon generals knelt in formation before him, each one a warrior of terrifying caliber. He could feel the pressure of their suppressed bloodlines even from a distance. A lesser man would have flinched.

But Adonis stood straight and met their collective gaze without expression.

“Rise,” he said.

They rose in unison.

General Brax, the largest of them, a dragon-blooded warrior whose humanoid form still stood well above two meters, stepped forward and pressed a fist to his chest.

“My King. The morning report is ready.”

“Speak.”

Brax unrolled a scroll. “The eastern borders remain stable. The Ironscale Clan has submitted their tribute without incident. The Sky Serpent Clan has requested a formal audience regarding territorial disputes with the Ashwing. Additionally, three young drakes underwent their first transformation last night and caused minor structural damage to the lower barracks.”

Adonis almost smiled at the last one. “Anyone hurt?”

“Pride, mostly,” Brax said flatly. “The barracks can be repaired.”

“Good. Schedule the Sky Serpent audience for three days from now. Give me time to review their dispute record before I hear it.”

He clasped his hands behind his back.

“What about internal governance? Tribute records, labor quotas, the rebuilding of the outer barrier?”

Then, another general stepped forward, a lean woman with copper-scaled markings along her jaw.

“Barrier reconstruction is forty percent complete, my King. At current pace, it will be finished before the next attack. Tribute records are in order. However, there has been friction in the lower city. Several of the human settlements within dragon territory are uncertain about the new regime. Some have slowed their grain contributions.”

Adonis was quiet for a moment.

Then he asked, “Are they uncertain, or just afraid?”

The woman paused, and replied, “Both, I suspect.”

“Send a representative to speak with their elder councils. Not soldiers. A diplomat, preferably someone who speaks the common tongue without an accent that makes them want to run.”

He looked across the assembly.

“I will not rule through fear alone. Fear makes people obedient. It does not make them loyal.”

A few of the generals exchanged subtle glances. Whether they were impressed or skeptical, their faces gave nothing away.

He dismissed them with a wave and spent the next several hours working.

—

The next day, he went to meet the Royal Council members.

The council chamber was smaller than the assembly hall. A circular table of dark stone dominated the center, covered in maps and documents.

Adonis sat at the head, surrounded by senior advisors and two of Sapphira’s longtime ministers who had agreed, somewhat cautiously, to serve under him.

The older of the two, a dragon-kin named Vael who had served under Sapphira for three centuries, placed a hand-drawn trade route in front of him.

Vael uttered,

“Your majesty, the western supply chain is our most vulnerable point currently. With the human kingdoms no longer in favourable positions, and the roads through the mountain passes being disputed by roving clans, we cannot guarantee consistent flow of resources to our northern guard posts.”

“What do the northern outposts guard?” Adonis asked without looking up from the document.

“Two things primarily. The Frozen Vein, which is our primary source of spirit iron, and the border crossing that separates dragon territory from the Corrupted Wastelands.”

Adonis tapped the map with one finger. “If we lose spirit iron, we will lose the capacity to forge new soul weapons for the younger generation. That is unacceptable.”

He traced the pass with his eyes.

“Reroute a portion of the eastern tribute through secondary roads. It adds two days to delivery but it avoids the disputed section entirely. Have the clan dispute resolved before the winter season makes the eastern roads impassable.”

Vael studied him for a moment, then wrote it down without argument.

It was then, a young dragon borne entered the room like a storm.

“Your majesty, the Queen called for you. She said your allies from the Fernis Kingdom could be arriving at any moment.”

Adonis’ eyes lit up. He was just waiting for this kind of news.

With the participation of Millia, Valentina and Rai; rebuilding the dragon army will be much easier.

“Prepare guest quarters in the east wing. Arrange for human food and clothing. They should feel at home.”

“As you wish, your majesty.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep