Return of the Mythic Bloodline

Chapter 557: Meeting of the Seven

"You surely jest, Your Highness," Ignis said, keeping his tone calm and respectful, the smile never fading from his face. "Why would I be shocked by your presence when I formally invited you? Even if I did not, the two realms belong to you. No place exists in Vyoman where you are not welcomed."

"No need for the flattery," Maximilian scoffed, his eyes rolling in annoyance. "And you know the reason well enough to be shocked by my presence."

The corner of his lips rose as he continued, "or have you already forgotten what happened back th—"

Vivi pressed his arm slightly with her elbow, silencing him before he could say anything further.

However, Ignis understood the incident he was referring to, the smile vanishing from his face, his jaw tightening.

"Hah... forget it," Maximilian sighed as he moved inside.

Ignis quickly pulled himself together, and said, turning to Vivi, "Greetings, Lady Evangeline. Please."

He showed them the way inside.

Maximilian took a spot beside the table where exquisite wines of different flavours were placed. While he indulged himself in the taste, standing alone, Vivi had been surrounded by one group of guests after another, each one trying to make a connection with her. They all knew how much influence she held in the royal family. Moreover, it was easier to approach her than Maximilian, whom they believed carried bad omens and might bring bad luck upon them.

About an hour later, Maximilian decided he had spent enough time there. He moved towards the spot where Vivi was surrounded by other guests while he wondered, "I haven’t seen Arthur. Did he not co—"

"Your Highness, we have prepared a special meeting with the young heirs of every dragon clan," Ignis said, arriving before him. "I would also like to invite you to the meeting."

’Is that the reason Arthur isn’t here?’ Maximilian murmured inwardly. ’Now that I notice it, none of the dragon heirs are here.’

"Sure," he replied. "Show the way."

Guided by Ignis, Maximilian moved to the upper floor from the main hall. Vivi noticed him leaving and immediately tried to follow him but was held back by other guests again.

---

Ignis guided Maximilian into an elegant room where luxurious sofas surrounded a large mahogany table: two three-seated sofas faced each other across the centre, with a head seat anchoring one end.

Two people were seated on the sofa on one side while three were on the other, with Arthur in the middle. He seemed on edge, his eyes lowered, while the ones beside him both had their elbows lazily placed upon his shoulders.

The moment Maximilian arrived, all of them instantly stood on their feet, their eyes widening as if they had seen a ghost.

"Greetings, Your Highness," they said in unison, their heads low in a bow.

"Greetings, everyone. Take your seats."

They lifted their heads and settled back into their seats as Maximilian reached the sofa where Arthur sat in the middle.

"Get up," he ordered, his tone commanding.

The white-haired, middle-aged man with a long chin beard and the pale-blue-haired one who seemed to be an adult, both sitting beside Arthur, smirked in delight at Maximilian’s order.

"Yes, my lord."

Arthur vacated the seat and moved around the table to reach the other side.

"Wait," Maximilian called as he settled between Vincent and Julian, the heirs of the Neige and Ondine Clans. He spread his legs out lazily, placing his elbows on the shoulders of Vincent and Julian as he continued, "sit there."

He pointed at the head seat meant for Ignis. Arthur flinched at his order for a moment but pulled himself together in an instant before taking the seat.

Maximilian’s action sent a clear message to everyone, filling the room with a suffocating silence.

"When did you arrive?" Maximilian asked Arthur.

"Lord Arthur arrived a few minutes before you," Ignis revealed, taking the seat between Marcus and Felix, the heirs of the Roche and Floraisan Clans.

"Oh, you could have waited for me?" Maximilian muttered, giving a side eye to Arthur. "I was quite bored below."

"I thought you might have already arrived, my lord," Arthur replied, his tone casual, the earlier nervousness he had carried on his face nowhere to be seen.

"Hmm, it is my mistake for not informing you beforehand," Maximilian sighed.

The pressure from his elbows increased on Vincent and Julian’s shoulders, their eyebrows furrowing as they tried to bear the weight of his arms.

"I apologise for being an incapable host and not entertaining you properly," Ignis said to Maximilian as he continued, rising to his feet.

"This is the first time the heirs of every dragon clan have gathered together. Some of us, like Lord Felix, Lord Marcus, and me, have already reached adulthood and might soon become the heads of our respective clans. It will not be long before Lord Vincent, Lord Julian, Lord Arthur, and His Highness also succeed their respective clans. We are the future generation that will lead the Dragons to newer heights under the guidance of His Highness."

He leaned forward, his fingertips pressed together, and smiled. "The main purpose of this banquet is to become acquainted with one another and build bonds that deepen our mutual understanding."

"A vision of a true leader," Felix said in an exaggerated tone, his crimson hair swaying from the movement of his head. "I can already see the Flamme Clan reaching new heights with you as its leader."

"Lord Ignis certainly is far-sighted," Marcus added in acknowledgement. "If all the clans are aligned in mutual understanding, it will make us unshakable against any outside threats."

’Hah... this is why I do not like these people, boot-lickers and hypocrites. They should not be born as dragons but snakes,’ Maximilian muttered inwardly, releasing a sigh. ’One of them claims the Flamme Clan would reach new heights under Ignis’s leadership, indirectly insulting the current clan head. The other mentions the outside threat. There is no bigger threat to Vyoman than the fully unleashed power of a divine dragon. They are just a bunch of kids playing king-king.’

Maximilian was not one to keep these thoughts to himself. He would have already said them out loud if not for Vivi, who had continuously nagged him the whole way not to offend anyone without reason.

’Guess I will play along for now.’

While he was immersed in these thoughts, Vincent, the oldest in the room, said, "Your decision is praiseworthy, Lord Ignis. But how do you plan for us to understand each other better?"

"Thank you everyone for your praise," Ignis said, a smile filled with excitement spreading across his face. "I read somewhere that to learn more about a person, one should always begin with their hobbies. So why don’t we share our hobbies with each other?"

Had Maximilian rejected Ignis’s suggestion that day, he might never have become the ’Bane’ foretold in the prophecy... then again, given those cursed hobbies that might have revealed themselves sooner or later, perhaps he was always meant to be the Bane of Dragons.