Reincarnated as a random race, of course I got goblin.

Chapter 59 - A Contest of Strength

I end up having to leave the Chimera cleanup to the more than capable hands of the Raised Wights and Water Deimos. It's time for Puyo's meal, and she kicks up quite the ruckus if she's not fed on time. 

I entrust the Tongue Leech and the two Evil Eyes to the care of Osseous Slime as I prepare some chunks of Digging Sneak. Once Puyo's fed and content, I place her back in her nest, expecting her to doze off like she usually does, but she protests, instead clambering onto my shoulders and wrapping her body around my neck.

After some repositioning, she coos happily. I suppose she's about old enough to start leaving the nest a little, huh? With a little Quetzal scarf around my neck, I head out of the cave. 

What I encounter there is a mess. Two Dragons are having a wrestling match, their large bodies and thrashing tails sending the smaller Servants scrambling for safety. One of them is of a thin, almost skeletal, build, with scales a patchwork of dark blues, blacks and sickly green, almost reminiscent of a bruised body.

The other one emanates vigor, with scales of various shades of vibrant yellows and oranges, altogether giving it a golden glimmer. I'm guessing these are the Death and Life Dragons. 

"Stop that. At once." I tell them, sternly, via Telepathy. They both give me a disinterested glance, and continue wrestling, the Life Dragon almost knocking down one of the hillies as it's thrown against it by the Death Dragon. 

I hurriedly call for Huldr, and hand over Puyo to her. Although she protests, she quiets down once Huldr soothes her. I think you'll be able to handle this better, Shadow...

"Leave it to me."

She activates Royal Presence, immediately getting the attention of the fighting Dragons. They both seem flustered, as the potency of the aura of power we now exude prevent them from moving. 

"I thought they seemed hesitant when I named the condition of establishing a Servants Bond with the Dragons that would be staying guard in my Domain, but to think they saddled me with insolent hatchlings is hard to believe." Shadow broadcasts to the two Dragons via Telepathy.

They both seem to want to respond, but the combination of a steely glare from us and the effects of our Skills and Titles leave them trembling in silence. All the other Servants present shiver at the charade of 'barely in check anger'.

Out of the forest thicket, several other Dragons join in, creeping along the floor as they too are suppressed by the Royal Presence. I count thirteen, so all other than the Rumble Dragon who's still guarding the entrance to the Tri-Ant tunnels are present.

Shadow relents the pressure just enough that the Dragons are able to gather into a half circle around us. Once assembled, they all bow their heads, though I get no notification of wanting to establish a Servants Bond. 

"So- why the open defiance of your Master?" Shadow asks. Several of them take on a haughty expression, as if we'd just asked a stupid question. <You're not our Master. You're a Monarch in title only. I at least, hold no loyalty to some Chimeroid upstart.> The Life Dragon huffs, their voice a sing-song tune in my head, though it holds no joy.

The others nod in agreement. Seems only the Rumble Dragon is of Pseudo-Dragonoid lineage, and these are born Dragons, complete with the 'mightier than thou' attitude. Not that I don't understand why- they are the descendants of the physical embodiments of the fourteen Elements. 

"The question then is, what would W- I need to do to convince you?" Oh dear, this is going to get serious. I sense Shadows excitement. She's setting us up on purpose, no doubt to take delight in outdoing the Dragons.