"Is the Dragon Race waving the white flag?" Angre asked coolly. "If so, I'd welcome it. Or are the Kings finally working together?"
"Both are... difficult," the water-man replied, waving his hand. "But where there's a will, there's a way."
Inside the containment room, Norton rested his hand on the jar.
It looked like brass, but it wasn't. It was a special alchemical material. Because heat and metal fed the King of Bronze and Fire, they couldn't use either for his cocoon. Otherwise, he would never sleep.
An inscription was etched into the surface:
I offer my bone and blood to the great His Majesty Nidhogg, the supreme, the most powerful, the most virtuous, who rules the world by fate.
This was the "egg."
It had two chambers. One for Norton. One for Constantine.
Norton had hatched long ago.
Constantine was still asleep.
"Brother..." a faint voice whispered.
"Hmph!"
With a grunt, Norton lifted the jar and strode out. "Now what?"
"We leave," the water-man said, turning to Angre. "I think we can make a deal."
"That depends on your objective." Angre raised an eyebrow.
Under the threat of those water needles, even he couldn't move. He had tried. The tiny slits in his suit proved it.
A veteran knew when resistance was meaningless.
Since the other side wasn't attacking, Angre stayed calm.
But beneath that calm, his muscles were coiled. If he moved, it would be all-out.
"My objective is research," the water-man said. "I believe dragon violence is a genetic flaw. If we study it, we can fix it."
"Maybe humans and dragons can find a new way to live."
"...In harmony?"
Angre stared at him for a long moment.
"...Are you joking?"
"No," the water-man replied. "I haven't started yet. It's only an idea."
"To show sincerity..." He glanced at Norton. "Prince Norton?"
"What?" Norton snapped. He was busy communicating with his brother inside the jar.
"Borrow some blood."
"What-"
Pain flashed through Norton's arm.
Before he could react, blood flowed out, suspended in midair, then sealed into a glass vial. His wound closed immediately under his healing factor.
The researchers stared at the vial with shining eyes.
That was Norton's blood.
They were losing a Dragon King.
But they had gained a sample.
They were satisfied.
"What was that for?!" Norton roared. His fear of the water-man deepened. This being could crush him mentally and physically.
Constantine sensed his agitation and tried to awaken faster.
Norton slapped the jar. "Quiet! Don't wake up now and make things worse!"
He felt a vague response-Okay.
Only then did he turn back, face stiff, waiting for an explanation he could use to save face.
"For research," the water-man said simply.
"Why not use your own?"
"I'm water," the water-man shrugged. "Specifically champagne right now."
"Relax. A little bloodletting is healthy."
Norton fell silent, expression dark.
He couldn't win the fight.
He couldn't win the argument.
Fine. I just have too much blood anyway. I'm bestowing it upon these mortals.
"Who are you?" Angre asked.
He could tell this water-man was the leader. But what could possibly restrain a Dragon King like Norton?
The Black King?
Unlikely. That one would've enslaved humanity outright.
Angre had killed many dragons. They were all insane, genocidal, and arrogant.
This was an exception.
A dragon pursuing a "harmonious society"?
That was less believable than the dead rising.
And yet-
"You can think of me as the King of Oceans and Water," the water-man said with a smile. "I'm sane. And friendly."
"We're leaving."
He looked at Angre. "Principal, why don't you walk us out? I'd hate for there to be any misunderstandings."
"What if I get impeached?" the Principal asked, unable to shake his head, shifting only his eyes. "An old man needs his pension."
"Don't be modest," the water-man replied. "If I let go, you'd probably tear us apart in a second. You're still very strong."
He pointed at the camera.
"It's all recorded. Evidence. If they try to fire you, tell me."
"I'll assassinate them for you."
"Any family, any power. Ten thousand dollars per head. Friends' discount."
"...How thoughtful," the Principal coughed. "I actually do have someone in mind. We'll discuss it later."
"Should I notify the staff? I'm reasonable, but some of them are stubborn."
"Please do," the water-man said pleasantly.
"Why aren't they retreating?" Schneider muttered. "If their target was the Ice Cellar, staying this long makes no sense."
"Unless they've already succeeded."
"Well reasoned," a voice said. "If only you'd realized earlier."
"Principal?" Schneider froze as he looked at the screen.
"Order a full evacuation," Angre said calmly into the camera. "The Kings of Oceans and Bronze are visiting."
"It would be rude to treat guests as enemies."
"Whether they become friends or foes depends on us."
The feed was broadcast directly into the control room.
Schneider saw the restrained Principal.
The water-man.
And Norton, scowling, holding the jar.
"Norma... verify," Schneider said hoarsely.
"Verification complete," Norma replied. "Principal Angre confirmed."
"Unknown water-man: self-identified as King of Oceans and Water."
"Identity confirmed: Norton, King of Bronze and Fire."
"Identity confirmed: unhatched Constantine."
"...All students," Schneider grabbed the microphone.
"All students and staff, regardless of rank-evacuate immediately."
"Cease all combat. Leave at once."
"Do not fire under any circumstances."
"Repeat: do not fire. Do not take action."
The order echoed across the campus.
Students were stunned.
What about the intruders?
"What's happening?" Mai asked through her earpiece. "Su? Is this the plan?"
"Did Morin cause this?"
"No," Su replied, typing furiously. Her snacks lay forgotten. "This wasn't the plan."
"Constantine was supposed to be forced awake!"
"This is impossible..."
Her Heavenly Calculation accounted for everything.
Except this.
"It's that faction from Kui Gate," Su said, pacing. "It has to be."
"Everyone, retreat!"
"Robot Girl, hide!"
"Mai, get out. Now!"
"Looks like the party's over," Mai muttered. She turned and ran, leaving mercenaries and students staring at one another.
The chapel.
The petite girl turned and left without a word.
Johann looked down, wondering what he should eat later.
"Norma, confirm the order?" Caesar asked.
"Confirmed. Issued by Professor Schneider."
"Why?" Johann asked.
"I've isolated this channel," Schneider said, voice hard as steel. "Only you, Caesar, and Lancelot can hear this."
"The Kings of Bronze and Oceans are in the Ice Cellar."
"They have the Principal."
"The evacuation order was his."
"He's right."
"Understood," Caesar said. He switched channels. "Student Union, fall back."
"Lionheart Society, fall back," Johann ordered.
No one disobeyed.
"Where will they exit?" Caesar asked.
"Valhalla," Schneider answered. "You should leave too, Caesar."
"Johann?" Caesar ignored him, turning instead. "Coming?"
"On my way."
"Obey the order!" Schneider barked. "Those are Dragon Kings."
"Even the Principal is a hostage."
"They haven't started a massacre yet. Don't be reckless!"
"It'd be a shame," Caesar said lightly, "to study how to kill dragons and never see a King."
"And besides..."
"Our S-rank Lancelot hasn't left yet, has he?"
Lancelot stayed silent.
Would they believe him if he said he'd just zoned out and missed everything?