Demonic Dragon: Harem System

"Cough, cough," Evelyn cleared her throat, drawing the attention of everyone present, then looked at Strax. "So... about an alchemist... well..." She twiddled her fingers, appearing shy.

"Maybe... I might be the alchemist you need... just maybe," she said, fidgeting with her fingers, still avoiding direct eye contact with Strax.

Strax's eyes widened slightly at Evelyn's words. "You... you're an alchemist?" he asked, surprised.

Evelyn, still avoiding eye contact, nodded slowly. "Yes... I was trained in alchemy, but I stopped because of my duties as the Protector of the Spirit Dwelling. Still, if it's to help you all... maybe I can create the soul vessels you need. At least, I can try."

Tiamat was the first to react, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Ah, this is perfect! Look, we already have our alchemist! A blessing from the heavens—or perhaps from the spirits." She winked at Strax.

'Tsk, she's only acting excited because she wants to sleep with me as soon as possible. Should I send her back to the sword?... No, it's better to have her here. Even when she's in heat, she's still pretty sharp,' Strax thought, watching how Tiamat was behaving, clearly in a more... excitable state.

"Yes, this news changes a lot," he said, trying to steer the attention back to the main topic, away from Tiamat's provocative intentions. He then focused on Evelyn, who still seemed a bit shy and out of place in the situation.

"Evelyn, this is really important. If you can help us with the soul vessels, I'll assist you with whatever you need, even restructuring the Spirit Dwelling," Strax said gently, his voice carrying a sincere tone that made Evelyn relax a little.

"Y-Yes... I just need to understand what I have to do, and I'll do anything... But first... I need to be healed." She scratched her arm nervously, watching Strax's reaction.

"Oh, that's right... Here, take this," Strax said, pulling out a Mythical Ingredient, a Two-Thousand-Year-Old Ginseng, from his [Inventory] and tossing it into her hands. She almost dropped it in shock.

"N-Never do that again!" she cried, both nervous and embarrassed.

Strax chuckled softly at her reaction, his expression amused by her flustered state. "Sorry, I forgot that not every day someone holds something so valuable." He watched as Evelyn clutched the Two-Thousand-Year-Old Ginseng as if it were a sacred artifact about to crumble.

With trembling hands, Evelyn looked down at the Ginseng, realizing the significance of the item now in her grasp. "A Ginseng like this... it's so rare that I'm not sure I should even be holding it. And you just threw it so carelessly?!" she protested, still nervous, but Strax only laughed at the sight of her expressions, which now resembled those of a young girl more than anything else.

Strax nodded, a light smile on his face. "Yes, I did. You said you needed to be healed, didn't you? So, take it. It'll help restore your vitality and energy. Besides, you'll need to be at your best to help us with the soul vessels."

"It's not just something you take! I have to prepare it properly!" she responded, still in shock at how casually he treated something so precious.

"Of course, of course, don't stress," Strax said, raising his hands in surrender. "You know what to do, right?" he questioned.

Still surprised, Evelyn finally took a deep breath and nodded, recognizing Strax's gesture of trust. "Yes, thank you... I'll do my best." She held the Ginseng carefully.

"Well... that's half the problem solved," Strax mused, thinking about what else was needed. "Okay, now we need a blacksmith," he concluded. "Do you know any dwarves?"

Evelyn, still holding the Ginseng with a bit of reverence, furrowed her brow at Strax's question. "A... dwarf?" she repeated, thoughtful. "Well, I don't have many contacts with dwarves. The Spirit Dwelling is more... isolated.

But... I think I might be able to remember someone with experience in forging." She seemed hesitant.

Strax smirked slightly, noticing how serious Evelyn was in her efforts to help. "You don't need to worry. Just let me know if anyone comes to mind."

Tiamat approached slowly, her expression curious. "Ah, the dwarves... I've always wondered what their forging skills are like nowadays. After all, it's a rare talent to craft weapons and vessels powerful enough for us."

Ouroboros, ever impatient, snorted. "I just hope this dwarf is quick and efficient. We don't have time for amateurs."

"Well, if no one knows a blacksmith, maybe it's time to hunt one down," Strax commented casually, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps I can locate one from the ancient clans or even in some of the more distant cities with the help of the Information Guild that Cristine introduced me to."

"Well... Make your remedy. I need to speak with my wives," Strax said and left the room, while Ouroboros, Tiamat, and Kallamos vanished like illusions...

"Did you hear that?" Evelyn asked, as the woman hidden in the shadows stepped forward, dressed in a black cloak similar to Strax's but far more potent.

"He wants to bring three dragons into the physical world... What does he want? To cause an apocalypse?" Lyana questioned.

"That's not the issue... He's no longer human. He's a dragon," Evelyn stated, leaving Lyana silent.

"At least we have a chance to truly restore our race... The world still thinks the Elves are fine, but... Sylvandor won't hold out much longer, Princess Evelyn," Lyana said, looking at Evelyn. "The Queen... can't be in the best state right now. We need to resolve this quickly and return home, Princess."

"My mother is wise; she knows what must be done. Just trust her until we're finished here. When we return... I will reestablish the spirits' dwelling and our connection to the World Tree," Evelyn concluded with a gentle smile.

"Now... Could you gather some herbs? I need to restore this fragile body. Even my hair's color has faded. We need to fix that, don't we?" Evelyn said with a smile, and Lyana couldn't help but smile back. "Of course, Your Highness," she said, disappearing into a blur.

"I wonder how long it will be until I see you... Mother," she said, gazing out the window in the direction where the elven continent should be.

...

Location: Vorah Palace

Well… Let's just say that a lot happens when Strax isn't keeping an eye on things, and honestly, who would care? But this time... there's quite a bit to say about Xenovia.

"Xenovia," Albert began, his voice low but weighted, "this union with the prince doesn't have to be permanent. It's a temporary alliance until we can find a better solution to secure the kingdom's stability... and our family's. You know how much this marriage can protect us."

Xenovia clenched her fists slightly. She had always known her father was strategic, willing to sacrifice even the emotions of his children to maintain House Vorah's power and influence. But this? Marrying a prince, even temporarily, felt like too high a price.

"Father," she began, her voice sharp and controlled, "do you really think an alliance with a prince solves our problems? Or are we just delaying the inevitable collapse? I won't submit to a false marriage, even if it's temporary. I'm more valuable to you in the field, not stuck on a throne."

Albert took a deep breath, rubbing his chin, where streaks of gray were beginning to show. He knew Xenovia wasn't easily manipulated, and perhaps that was exactly what made her so valuable. Still, the situation was delicate.

"I'm not asking you to submit, Xenovia," he said, leaning slightly forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "I'm asking you to see the bigger picture. This marriage would give us time. Time to react, to strengthen our alliances, and when the right moment comes, you can dissolve the commitment. But in the meantime, we'll be protected."

Xenovia shook her head, her eyes gleaming with restrained anger. "I'm not a chess piece to be moved at your whim, Father. I understand what you're trying to do, but this puts everything I am at stake. Everything I've fought to build."

.

Albert sighed heavily, rising from his chair and walking over to the window of the grand hall. The view from there was breathtaking, but his thoughts were far away. He knew he was asking a lot. But he also knew time was against them.

"Xenovia, I take no pleasure in asking this. You're strong, stronger than anyone I know, but we are in dark times. And Strax... well, I wouldn't be surprised if he fled to another kingdom in the meantime. I failed as a father when I left him at the mercy of fate, all because that woman asked me to."

The mention of Strax sparked a flicker of emotion in Xenovia's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

"What did you say? What do you mean, 'because that woman asked'?" Xenovia questioned, her violet eyes gleaming fiercely, and Albert couldn't help but let out a muffled chuckle.

"Strax's mother, the strongest woman I've ever known. She asked me to let him endure everything he had to, until he awakened," Albert said. "But this isn't about him. At least, not right now."

"What are you referring to?" she pressed, trying to understand.

"The boy is already close to reaching your level. Or rather, he may even surpass you in a few more months," Albert said. "That's why I'm telling you, ally with the prince temporarily, until the boy comes for you. Or do you think I'm unaware of your relationship with him?"

Xenovia listened, and her body trembled slightly.

"Nyx, stop pretending you're not here. Show yourself," Albert ordered, using the power of the Tiger. Immediately, the familiar, Xyn, appeared.

"I've told you not to call me that," Nyx responded, as intimidating as ever.

"So, you've gone back to using your human form. You haven't changed at all," Albert remarked.

"It's about the boy, isn't it? Tsk, I can't speak on it. I made an oath with Ifrit," she replied.

"Yeah, I figured," he answered.

"Wait, what are you talking about?! And what do you mean, Nyx?!" Xenovia, already agitated, demanded.

"You'll understand soon enough. For now, just know that your brother... fought General Kryssia to a draw," Albert commented, and Xenovia's face shattered like a mirror.