Chapter 78 – A Welcome Reception
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As we returned to the castle, we were greeted by an entourage of Dhampir who welcomed us with smiles, leading us along the way to the throne room. I was just starting to have a bad feeling about it when they revealed the surprise. L-lord Behemoth?! He stood at the forefront with Isis, Cassandra, Tamara, and four new faces I didn't quite recognize. The room was illuminated by magic, and the words 'WELCOME BACK' were floating in the air above us. The magical text appeared to be solid, and its color was crimson. I wonder how they did that...

"You performed above even my expectations on this very first mission of yours," Lord Behemoth began. "So, tonight we will celebrate your accomplishments," He said, all the while looking directly at me. Erm, sir, it was Lucia's idea, I thought to myself. He seemed oddly fixated on me for some reason. Even when we were receiving the blessings, I felt like everything he said was directed at me. I could be wrong tho, and maybe this is just my narcissism coming alive, but... it's strange. 

Before I even knew what was happening, I found myself seated at a banquet table with all the other apostles and Dhampir of high importance. It was to be expected, but Lord Behemoth was nowhere to be found. He didn't strike me as the type who would stick around in one place for too long. This must have been Cassandra's work, I thought to myself as I observed the food on my plate, thinking, Can I even eat this? Just then, however, the lady in question stood up from her seat and hit the glass of what I could only hope was wine with a silver spoon.

"We would have loved to do this in a more formal setting, but these four were eager to introduce themselves to you, and you all know that there's no stopping them when they get like that," She joked, and everybody save Lucia and me laughed. What do you mean there's no stopping them when they get like that? That sounds scary...

"I am Helio! King of the Fire Dragons!" With one foot on the table, he made his introduction brimming with pride. He looked like a muscular young man with orange-red, spiky long hair and black eyes, and he seemed like the type of person you'd never want to anger. 

"Can you pipe it down?" The one seated next to him said nonchalantly. "I'm Ullr. The King of the Ice Dragons," He introduced himself while seated on his chair, arms crossed, and looking like he didn't have a care in the world. He had short white hair, and his blue eyes were cold but strangely enthralling. I felt like there was something more to him, but a sudden sound of thunder scared the living daylights out of me. I almost jumped out of my seat, I thought to myself as I eyed its source. T-to scare me this badly with just a clap...

"I am Indra. King of the Lightning Dragons," He said with a smile like he had successfully pulled off a prank. His long blue hair, blue eyes, and overall appearance were androgynous, but from his voice, I could tell he was male.

"Are you all done?" The last dragon king asked before introducing himself, "Samael. King of the Poison Dragons," He said with a sharp look that honestly made me feel he was more dangerous than the other three combined. Like the Lord of the Land, he had green hair, but his eyes were darker than the night. One could almost get lost inside them, I thought to myself as Cassandra concluded the proceedings, and the banquet began in earnest. 

The food was deliciously made. It was far better than anything I'd ever had in this world. I want to put in my best work from now on, I thought to myself with tears in my eyes as I savored every bite. I mean, this was my first job, so I wasn't really slacking off, but that thought in and of itself was scary. What a man will do for good food.

"Lucia, you've been quiet all this while. Are you still worried about Tibeonia?" I asked as soon as I had finished my food. 

"No, I want to fight one of them," She answered quite honestly, and it was as if time itself stood still.

"Y-you realize that they heard you, right?" I asked, but before I could get a straight answer from her, the Fire Dragon King jumped into action. 

"Yes! I've been waiting for this opportunity!" Helios sprung up from his seat, but before he could make a move, Cassandra grabbed him by the shoulder with a threatening look in her eyes.

"Not here," She said as she transported us to an arena where the two would be able to square off to their hearts content. From there, Tamara helped to set up a barrier to prevent any outside damage. I know Lucia's always been somewhat rash, but this is taking it to the next level, I thought to myself as I observed from the VIP seat next to the queen. "Don't worry. My student would never lose," Cassandra tried to reassure me, but I still had my doubts and as Indra clapped and the roaring thunder served as a signal, I could only hope in the victory of my cute, little, overpowered Sage. 

So, there was an interlude I REALLY wanted to include before this that would've foreshadowed and given some context to an encounter Daphne is going to have. But... with how things are developing, I fear I won't be able to include it before it happens. I really didn't think I'd be able to start a Patreon with this book (as I don't have any advance chapters), and I'm still figuring things out, but I'd like to include that chapter and other things like character backstories, world history, item lists, and pretty much anything else that wouldn't be able to fit into the story. I'm not launching it yet, but I'll inform you when it happens :3

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