The council chamber did not quiet even after the returned explorers left.
If anything—
The atmosphere only became heavier.
The enormous blackwood doors slowly closed behind the departing expedition members while their footsteps faded through the distant corridors of the Southern Council Headquarters.
Yet inside the chamber—
No one moved immediately.
The nobles remained seated beneath golden chandelier light while cold silence spread slowly throughout the hall like mist before a storm.
The expedition reports still rested across the enormous council table.
Maps.
Resource inventories.
Combat records.
Drake transportation diagrams.
And now—
Everything felt different.
Because until today—
The Southern Council still resembled an ambitious regional alliance struggling to establish legitimacy.
But drakes changed everything.
Drakes were not resources.
Not trade goods.
Not ancient relics.
They were symbols of power.
Military superiority.
Future dominance.
And now the South possessed them.
The atmosphere in the chamber carried something dangerous now.
Excitement.
Greed.
Fear.
Ambition.
All mixed together beneath flickering golden light.
Duke Altair slowly leaned backward within his chair while interlocking his fingers before him. His sharp eyes remained fixed toward the massive southern map hanging across the chamber wall.
Meanwhile—
Duchess Seraphine quietly sat near the left side of the council table beneath silver candlelight. Her elegant violet dress flowed softly across the blackwood seat while her violet eyes remained thoughtful.
Silent.
Watching everyone.
And around them—
The council members slowly began speaking again.
"We cannot keep the drakes exposed within the outer grounds."
One military advisor immediately nodded.
"If word spreads too quickly…"
His expression darkened.
"…the imperial capital will interfere."
Several nobles visibly stiffened hearing that.
Because they understood immediately.
The Empire tolerated Southern autonomy currently because the South remained fragmented and politically unstable.
But drakes?
Drakes altered military balance entirely.
The Northern territories.
The Imperial Court.
Even rival kingdoms beyond Aurelia's borders—
Would become interested instantly.
Another noble spoke sharply.
"We should move the drakes into hidden mountain facilities immediately."
"And the eggs."
"Yes, especially the eggs."
The chamber gradually descended into overlapping discussion once more.
One scholar nervously adjusted his glasses while reading the expedition notes.
"The eggs require temperature stabilization and mana regulation."
Another immediately added—
"And controlled imprinting protocols after hatching."
Several council members turned toward him instantly.
"…Imprinting?"
The older scholar nodded carefully.
"Draconic species develop initial attachment recognition after birth."
His tired eyes shifted toward the reports mentioning Heral's theories.
"If managed correctly…"
A faint pause followed.
"…the hatchlings may eventually recognize the Southern Council as primary authority."
The room became quieter.
Because everyone understood what that implied.
Loyal drakes.
Not captured monsters.
Raised aerial units.
One military commander slowly exhaled.
"…Gods."
Another noble whispered quietly.
"The South could create an entirely new military division…"
Meanwhile—
Duke Kael remained silent for most of the discussion.
The giant duke sat heavily against his chair while one scarred hand rested near the table edge.
His expression remained unreadable.
Then finally—
He spoke.
"You're all thinking too far ahead."
The chamber quieted instantly.
Kael's cold eyes slowly moved across the gathered nobles.
"We still know almost nothing about drakes."
Several military officers frowned slightly.
The duke continued calmly.
"They are intelligent predators."
"Territorial."
"Violent."
His scarred fingers tapped lightly against the table.
"And now we hold their offspring."
The atmosphere subtly cooled afterward.
Because deep down—
Everyone understood the danger too.
What if the drakes escaped?
What if they could not be controlled?
What if future hatchlings turned against humans?
One older noble quietly muttered—
"…Or what if more drakes come searching?"
Silence followed immediately.
That possibility had not fully entered the discussion yet.
But now—
Several faces visibly changed.
Because if the wilderness contained multiple drake territories…
Then the captured pair might not be isolated creatures.
And if organized draconic species existed deeper within the wilderness—
The implications became terrifying.
Duke Altair slowly narrowed his eyes.
"The expedition reports mentioned no additional drakes nearby."
Kael answered immediately.
"Yet."
The single word settled heavily across the chamber.
Meanwhile—
Duchess Seraphine quietly observed the growing tension while resting her chin lightly against interlocked fingers.
Yet unlike the others—
Her thoughts drifted elsewhere again.
Toward Heral.
Because instinctively—
She understood something important.
That man already considered these possibilities.
Of course he had.
Nothing about the drake capture sounded impulsive anymore after hearing the full report.
Even the transportation strategy.
The restraints.
The egg stabilization.
Everything carried preparation behind it.
The silver-haired duchess slowly lowered her gaze slightly.
What exactly are you building…?
Not merely a council.
Not merely exploration routes.
Something larger.
Something systematic.
Meanwhile—
The council discussion intensified again.
"We need specialized handlers."
"Researchers too."
"Military oversight."
"Dedicated hatchery facilities."
"And aerial combat training eventually."
One merchant noble suddenly leaned forward eagerly.
"Do you understand what mounted drake units would mean for trade security alone?"
Several others immediately nodded.
Fast aerial transport.
Border patrol.
Rapid military response.
Monster suppression.
The economic and strategic value alone bordered immeasurable.
Yet amidst the growing excitement—
One older scholar quietly spoke.
"There is another problem."
The chamber slowly quieted again.
The scholar looked toward the drake reports carefully.
"Heral."
Silence.
Several nobles exchanged glances immediately.
The scholar adjusted his glasses slowly.
"Most of this…"
His tired eyes darkened slightly.
"…depends entirely on him."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Because everyone realized it simultaneously.
The expedition structure.
The survival systems.
The negotiation methods.
The drake capture strategy.
Even the egg transport theories.
Almost everything traced back toward one person.
Heral.
One military advisor frowned deeply.
"…That level of influence is dangerous."
Another immediately countered.
"So is losing him."
Silence followed.
Because both statements were true.
Duchess Seraphine quietly smiled faintly afterward.
Not mockingly.
Almost knowingly.
Because now—
The Southern Council faced a truth none of them could avoid anymore.
Heral was no longer merely useful.
He had become foundational.
And foundational people always changed the balance of power around them.
Meanwhile—
Duke Altair slowly exhaled before finally speaking again.
"For now…"
His sharp voice echoed steadily through the chamber.
"…priority remains containment."
Several council members immediately straightened.
"The drakes and eggs will remain classified under highest council secrecy."
No objections came.
"We establish secured facilities."
"Dedicated handlers."
"Research divisions."
Then Altair's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And we prepare for the expedition's eventual return."
Because deep down—
Everyone understood something clearly now.
If this was merely the second batch…
Then what the remaining expedition might eventually discover deeper within the wilderness—
Could reshape the South entirely.