High above the ground, tens of thousands of meters in the sky.
A majestic dragon wrapped in seven-colored radiance flew across the heavens before arriving at the border of the Dragon Kingdom, an uninhabited and desolate land.
The enormous dragon descended, sending dust scattering into the air.
The radiant light gradually faded, and the dragon transformed into the form of a Dragonoid.
"Come out."
"You're still the same as ever, lurking in the shadows and spying on others."
The Brightness Dragon Lord glanced to the side, brilliant light flowing through his eyes.
As a True Dragon Lord who ruled over the seven elements, he could clearly sense the presence that had been deliberately revealed.
"We haven't seen each other in hundreds of years, yet you've changed quite a bit."
"I thought you'd still be busy doing those lowly things of yours~"
A voice filled with ridicule echoed through the air.
As the surrounding space rippled, a figure slowly emerged.
Black hair paired with dark clothing, his entire body shrouded in shadow. Only a pair of deep, unfathomable eyes could be seen.
The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord.
For someone who had mastered Wild Magic, changing forms was a trivial matter.
"Hmph. If you came here looking for trouble, I don't mind fighting you."
The Brightness Dragon Lord shot back without hesitation.
Their relationship was not good. In fact, it was rather terrible.
The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord despised the Brightness Dragon Lord's habit of spreading his bloodline everywhere, viewing him as a disgrace to the Dragon Race.
Dragons, especially True Dragon Lords, were meant to be noble beings.
But what had things become now?
If you randomly grabbed a demihuman off the street, there was a chance their ancestors could trace back to a True Dragon Lord.
That thought infuriated the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord.
The Brightness Dragon Lord, however, also looked down on the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord.
Everything he had done was clearly for the future of the Dragon Race.
By breeding with different races, he sought to produce descendants with Talents, hoping those abilities might one day restore the corrupted Wild Magic.
Admittedly, there was a bit of personal preference involved.
But did that really matter?
He had already sacrificed so much. What was wrong with enjoying himself a little?
In the Brightness Dragon Lord's view, he stood firmly on the side of righteousness.
Besides, the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord had not participated in the war against the Eight Greed Kings.
That was the true reason the Brightness Dragon Lord despised him.
Ignoring the survival of their race while focusing only on personal interests.
If they were not both True Dragon Lords, whose battles were difficult to decide, and if the threat of Players had not existed back then, he would have long since eliminated that traitorous wretch.
But times were different now.
A faint glint flickered in the Brightness Dragon Lord's eyes.
"You…"
Looking at the detestable face of the Brightness Dragon Lord, anger rose within the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord.
Hundreds of years had passed, yet this bastard was just as irritating as ever.
As a being standing at the peak of the world, it had been a long time since anyone dared speak to him like this.
He almost wanted to kill him outright with a single breath attack.
However, reason ultimately prevailed, forcing the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord to calm down.
If they wanted to eliminate the Players who had descended this time, the power of the Brightness Dragon Lord was indispensable. This was not the time for internal conflict.
Just you wait. One day, I will make sure you completely lose the ability to spread your bloodline.
"The aftershocks of a century have appeared again. New filth has descended upon this world."
"This time, the enemy is comparable to the Eight Greed Kings."
"Platinum has most likely already encountered misfortune and has been captured by the filth."
The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord spoke coldly.
"So what?"
The Brightness Dragon Lord replied casually.
If this had been in the past, he might have taken it seriously. But now, it hardly mattered.
"I hope we can cooperate. Gather all the True Dragon Lords and kill this filth together. When it's over, the items left behind by the filth can be divided equally."
"As True Dragon Lords, this is our destiny. Neither you nor I can escape it."
Seeing the Brightness Dragon Lord's indifferent attitude, the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord frowned and stated his terms.
What he received in return was a mocking laugh.
"Destiny?"
"Hahahaha. After all these centuries, Deep Darkness, you really haven't changed at all."
The Brightness Dragon Lord burst out laughing.
Destiny.
What a ridiculous excuse.
"Don't tell me things like that. I'm not an idiot."
"If you want my help, that's fine. But you'll have to offer something tangible."
The Brightness Dragon Lord lifted his head slightly, his words carrying an obvious implication.
"What do you want?"
The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord's expression darkened.
Three hundred years ago, he had killed a Player. Nearly every True Dragon Lord knew about it.
If the Brightness Dragon Lord intended to demand the Player's items, then there was no point continuing this conversation.
He barely had enough for himself. There was no way he would hand them over to someone else.
"Don't worry. I'm not interested in your items."
"My request is simple. Just hand over the Wild Magic you developed."
Seeing the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord's expression, the Brightness Dragon Lord could more or less guess what he was thinking.
Although his face remained calm, a cold sneer formed in his heart.
He wanted to deal with Players, yet he was unwilling to pay even the slightest price.
Just as selfish as ever.
"Wild Magic [Heavenly Downfall]. That is my condition."
"In exchange, I will offer my Wild Magic [Elemental Burst]."
Wild Magic [Heavenly Downfall].
This was a Wild Magic personally developed by the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord.
It had been modified from the instant death magic used by the "Filth", turning it into an even more terrifying form of Wild Magic. It was also the key that allowed him to kill that Player three hundred years ago.
The Brightness Dragon Lord had never expected the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord to hand over a Player's item, because he knew that was impossible.
The Wild Magic possessed by the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord.
That was his true objective.
Or rather, it was what his king wanted.
"As you said, the enemy this time is comparable to the Eight Greed Kings. We must gather all available power."
Seeing the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord hesitate, the Brightness Dragon Lord added fuel to the fire.
Opportunities like this were rare. He intended to squeeze as much as possible out of the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord.
Otherwise, there might never be another chance.
"…Very well. I accept."
After struggling internally for a moment, the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord finally agreed to the Brightness Dragon Lord's terms.
Wild Magic was not an item, and the Brightness Dragon Lord was offering his own Wild Magic in exchange.
After weighing the situation, the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord accepted the deal.
"Then the agreement is settled."
A moment later.
Watching the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord leave, the Brightness Dragon Lord's lips curled into a faint smile.
He had not asked about the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord's World-Class Item. That was the other's most sensitive point.
Obtaining the Wild Magic was enough.
Besides, that fellow would not be around for much longer anyway.
The Brightness Dragon Lord snapped his fingers, and his figure instantly vanished.
...
Dragon Kingdom, inside the royal palace.
Draudillon sat high upon the throne.
At the moment, she was casually chatting with Rigrit and the others.
But the next instant.
Space twisted, and a flash of seven-colored light appeared.
When everyone looked up, a figure materialized beside the throne.
"Grandfather."
Draudillon's eyes lit up as she called out excitedly.
The sense of crisis in her heart disappeared instantly. Being surrounded by these people had made her incredibly nervous.
Rigrit and the others below also spoke respectfully.
"Your Majesty, the Brightness Dragon Lord. It is an honor to meet you."
Lakyus quietly raised her head and observed the figure above.
A True Dragon Lord. A legendary existence.
Even she could not help but feel curious.
"If we can persuade the Brightness Dragon Lord, maybe we can save Renner."
Lakyus quietly entertained the thought, letting her imagination run wild.
"You all traveled a long distance to the Dragon Kingdom. That must have been quite tiring."
The Brightness Dragon Lord looked at the group below, especially the person leading them, and a trace of amusement flashed in his eyes.
He truly could not help but find it funny.
"This is our duty, Your Majesty."
Rigrit did her best to maintain a gentle expression.
Although she had a good relationship with the Platinum Dragon Lord, that did not mean the other True Dragon Lords would show her the same courtesy.
Facing a terrifying being capable of destroying an entire nation with ease, she deliberately lowered her posture.
"Very well. Then you may all rest completely."
The Brightness Dragon Lord nodded and pointed forward.
Blood-colored crystals appeared out of thin air. Before anyone could react, they were completely sealed inside.
Looking at the crystal statues in front of him, their faces still frozen with smiles, the Brightness Dragon Lord lifted his hand.
A crystal longsword flew over and landed in his grasp.
"Thank you all so much for delivering such a wonderful gift."
The Brightness Dragon Lord sighed.
His gaze then shifted to the Dragon Princess beside him.
"Do not tell anyone about this."
The Dragon Princess had only informed him, which meant the others knew nothing.
The Brightness Dragon Lord hesitated for a moment before deciding not to report it for now.
As a scholar-type True Dragon Lord, he was very interested in the Eight Greed Kings' Guild Weapon.
He planned to study it himself for a while first.
Surely the King would allow him this small indulgence.