"Do we really need to go this far?" Nolan scratched his head helplessly and muttered.
Seeing this, Placidusax gave a soft laugh and asked in return,
"If you cannot surpass me, how can you replace me as King? And how will you protect the Dragon Clan?"
Nolan's eyes widened at once, and he shot back,
"Hey, hey, I never said I was going to protect the Dragon Clan. You're the Dragonlord. That's your responsibility, so don't dump it on me."
Inwardly, he grumbled that this old dragon was every bit as annoying as Gwyn. They both loved forcing inexplicable responsibilities onto other people.
Placidusax paid it no mind. Instead, he showed a smile that made Nolan very unhappy and continued,
"Are you not the Lord of Cinder? A King needs no reason to conquer all. Naturally, the Dragon Clan lies on your path of conquest as well. Cut off the old King's head, and all dragons shall become subjects of the new King."
Nolan clicked his tongue and complained, "Tch, you old fellows really do know how to order people around."
Still, deep down, he understood that the Ancient Dragons were indeed one of the targets he would have to conquer.
And although Nolan did not particularly like the method Placidusax proposed, it was certainly the one with the lowest cost.
Sacrifice a single old dragon, and in exchange, gain the submission of the entire Dragon Clan.
The proposal truly tempted Nolan. In the dynasty he wanted to build, there could certainly be a place for the Ancient Dragons.
So he could, in fact, have said to Placidusax, "You can choose to live."
But the moment he first saw this old dragon, he knew there was no need to say those words at all.
How could a true King submit to another King?
This old dragon was the revered King Florissax spoke of, the old fellow who never handled matters in Sethlinsax's words, and the being Josdasax protected even unto death.
He had his own pride and dignity. He would never become another's vassal.
This King was Placidusax, not Asimi.
Still, Nolan was somewhat surprised that Placidusax had such confidence in him.
He smiled and said, "If I were a tyrant, you'd be inviting a wolf into your home."
Placidusax shook his enormous head and slowly said,
"Florissax told me many things about you. A merciful King beloved by all people. Humans, Misbegotten, even Flying Dragons, all lives sing the greatness of the Lord of Cinder."
Nolan had not expected Florissax to put in a good word for him before the old dragon.
It seemed Florissax deserved no small credit for why the old dragon was now treating him so kindly.
"Since you've already made up your mind, there's no need for more nonsense. Old man, before you die, fight and roar to your heart's content!" Nolan grinned.
Though the process had been unexpected, the result did not seem all that unsatisfactory.
Placidusax had shown his sincerity and given Nolan a reason to start this battle, one that could save him a great deal of trouble.
Hearing Nolan's words, Placidusax was not angered. Instead, he revealed a teasing smile.
"Brat, I am not waiting here to die. So you may be the one who dies. But you truly are arrogant. Just the kind of one I like."
Placidusax burst into laughter, his voice deep and powerful, carrying a formidable pressure.
Nolan was laughing too, the curve of his mouth growing wider and clearer. His body was swelling.
His pupils seemed to ignite, glowing brighter and brighter. That light surged from the depths of his eyes like flowing lava.
Rock-like scales grew across his body, and muscle gradually filled out his frame. He, too, became the embodiment of violent beauty.
With a sense of delight, he spread three pairs of enormous dragon wings. The wings gently beat against the wind, stirring up a fierce current of air.
Nolan's body was lifted by that current, rising into the air. All things could feel the overwhelming power contained within that body.
The entire colosseum fell into dead silence. No one dared make even the slightest sound.
The only sound was thunder, like the roar of a god, echoing endlessly above the colosseum, as though welcoming the descent of the King who stood high above the heavens.
That strange dragon had fierce, imposing horns upon its head, yet its form was graceful and elegant.
It was neither Ancient Dragon nor Flying Dragon, yet the traits of both could be seen in it.
When the thunder finally faded, Placidusax raised his head and looked up into the sky, where a silver-white dragon looked down at him from high above.
It was a perfect creature. It drifted lightly down from the storm and spread its snow-white membranous wings before Placidusax.
A gale swept in like a flood, shaking the Ancient Dragon's throne until it seemed ready to collapse.
The giant dragon Nolan had become opened its mouth, and scorching flame rapidly gathered within.
That blazing dragonfire, like a burning sun, poured forth in a torrent and engulfed Placidusax.
Yet from within the roaring flames came Placidusax's calm voice.
"You brat. You really are pitying me."
"I already told you. I want to fight you at your peak," Nolan's voice echoed faintly through the space swallowed by fire.
Within the sea of flames, a fierce gale suddenly rose. It was Placidusax beating his enormous dragon wings.
The flames dispersed in an instant, revealing the four-headed Ancient Dragon.
All four of Placidusax's heads lifted toward the sky at once. They opened their great mouths and unleashed a deafening roar.
That roar carried an exhilaration he had never shown before.
"I like you more and more, young dragon!" Placidusax's voice rang clearly within the roar, filled with undisguised admiration.
If only that boy Bayle had possessed such boldness back then, Placidusax could have laughed even in defeat. Unfortunately, that boy fell far short in both strength and breadth of spirit.
"Healing wounds of the flesh is not difficult, but I have no way to deal with wounds of the soul for now."
Nolan stood quietly where he was, looking up at the sky where lightning fell without end, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile.
He extended his tongue and lightly licked his lips. His sharp dragon teeth brushed against it, gradually stirring excitement in him as well.
A King like this finally made his blood burn in a way he had not felt for a long time.
All the opponents he had met in the Lands Between before were far inferior compared to this old fellow.
"It has truly been a long time since I felt this exhilarated!"
Placidusax's four heads lowered, and four streams of turbid breath came from his massive mouths at once.
"I should thank you, young dragon," Placidusax said, his voice low and majestic.
"You healed my body and restored my strength. That means that even if I kill you now, I will have more power with which to face that Tarnished One."
"Dream on, old man. I healed your body only so killing you would feel better. The one dying here today will definitely be you." Nolan snorted twice.
"Hahahaha... Then let us fight!" Placidusax laughed aloud. "Pale words cannot conquer Ancient Dragons. Only claws and thunder prove the King!"
"Come!" Placidusax's laughter stopped abruptly. "Fight! Upon the throne high above the heavens, there is room for only one King!"