The Kingmaker System
Chapter 343 - 342. Edging Towards The Dawn (1)

Chapter 343: 342. Edging Towards The Dawn (1)

The invisibility spell worked flawlessly as I soared through the vast, moonlit sky, Nox gliding beside me with silent grace. The cool night air rushed past, crisp and clean, carrying the faint scent of earth and the lingering warmth of the day.

Below, the kingdom stretched out in a tapestry of lights and shadows. Even from this height, I could tell how much had changed in the past four years. The streets were no longer as tense, the people no longer burdened by the weight of fear. The purge of the corrupt religious order had brought about a visible transformation—buildings repaired, markets bustling even in the late hours, and an air of cautious prosperity settling over the land. It wasn’t perfect, not yet, but it was better.

But my attention soon shifted to my true destination—the palace.

It loomed ahead, a grand structure of marble and stone, its high towers reaching for the heavens, bathed in the soft glow of torchlight and the occasional flickering lantern. From this distance, I could make out the patrol routes of the knights and guards stationed along the palace walls. Their movements were calculated, disciplined. Clearly, the man inside was well-protected.

But it wouldn’t matter.

A few more yards and I was upon it. I tilted my wings downward, descending swiftly through the night, the wind ruffling my clothes and hair as I approached the palace’s intricate balconies. The guards stood firm at their posts, their eyes scanning the darkness for the slightest hint of danger. Yet, they saw nothing—not me, nor Nox, who mirrored my movements with predatory precision.

Like a whisper lost in the wind, I maneuvered past the numerous windows and terraces, my sharp gaze seeking out the one I needed. And then—I found it.

The chamber beyond was dimly lit, the flickering glow of candles casting long shadows across the polished floor. The man I sought was inside.

With one final, silent dive, I landed smoothly on the balcony railing, my cloak settling around me like a phantom’s embrace. Nox followed suit, perching lightly beside me.

The guards below remained unaware.

I exhaled slowly, my sapphire eyes narrowing as I reached for the handle.

It was time.

The night air rushed inside the room as soon as I opened the door and the man inside snored away unaware of my presence.

My Dragon’s Presence entered the room before me and the man stirred sitting upright in a flash as I created a huge water Dragon inside his room.

This was Augustine De LaVera the King of Denril and the second party who would be lending me a hand in ending this war.

"L-Lord Dragon!" He gasped as he climbed down from his bed quickly and walked up to the water Dragon.

"How are you, Your Majesty?" I asked still keeping myself invisible while the water Dragon kept the front.

"I-I am well thanks to you, Great Dragon!" He spoke reverently and I smiled.

"That’s good to hear." I replied, "Do you remember when I met you last time I told you that I don’t have anything to do with this war?"

"Yes... yes, Great Dragon." He nodded.

"Then I also hope you understand the consequences of this war that you and the other kingdom are facing." I prompted and he nodded.

"Yes, Lord Dragon "

"For how long are you planning on stretching it then?" I asked and Augustine looked at me and opened his mouth as if to remind me of who was at fault here.

"I know your kingdom hadn’t started this war." I spoke before he could.

"I know you were wronged but then again, you humans don’t sit quietly," I sighed.

"I... want this war to end as well, Lord Dragon." Augustine started, "I also want my citizens to live without any fear of invasion or losing their loved ones on the battlefield. But I’m bound by the duty to protect this land. I cannot accept defeat or Sestia will take over my land, enslave my people and also suck away all the wealth and prosperity that my people have worked so hard to gather."

"I understand that," I said, "Sestia had been quite a pain since the past decade. But the time for their transition is close."

Augustine looked at me curiously, "Pardon, Lord Dragon?"

"The new ruler of Sestia will be of my choosing and that ruler will set everything correct. This world is heading towards chaos that’s why I am choosing those who could take the responsibility to help me protect it."

[Defender of Divine Glory warns you against oversharing of information.]

[Goddess of Wisdom reminds you that you will be punished if you shared any more than this.]

"Don’t worry, I won’t give away a lot but if I tell him that I am choosing heroes then he will side up quickly. Besides, where is Giver of Gifts? She hasn’t showed up for some time."

The two remained silent and I sighed returning my attention back to the King.

"A-Are you saying that this kingdom will be destroyed?" He asked with his face going pale.

"I can’t be sure of that, but the destruction isn’t quite far. So, as a precaution I am gathering the heroes who will protect their territories."

"Then who have you chosen as your hero from Denril?" He asked.

"Your son." I spoke, "He has a Dragon sword, he will become stronger till the time the calamity hits and he will be the hope of this nation."

Augustine started at the water Dragon with wide eyes before I added.

"But if this war goes on any longer then there is no saving this world."

He inhaled sharply and asked, "But I can’t drop weapons now, Sestia will-"

"I know," I spoke up, "That’s why I am here. I won’t ask you to accept defeat but there will be some negotiations that I will handle myself."

"What kind negotiations?" He asked cautiously.

"Sestia’s future ruler and your son will have a duel day after tomorrow in the morning in front of the knights and witnesses. I shall be there as well. Whoever wins will fight me."

Augustine’s eyes widened and I continued, "But rest assured I won’t kill my own chosen heroes, the fight will be to show the world that the new generation is strong and can stand with a Dragon."

Augustine’s eyes sparkled at that and he asked, "What then?"

"Invite the one who will win the match here and announce that the relations between Denril and Sestia shall return to how they were. You don’t have to give anything except for a couple of sea routes, I won’t tell you which to give and what to do. You will be free to hand them any number of routes as you please. But the relations between these two countries should be smooth or you could forget about keeping your kingdom safe."

Augustine gulped, "Lord Dragon, even if I agreed to these terms... There is no way Sestia will accept them. They will find one way or other to restart the war."

"You don’t need to worry about that, I have already rendered Sestia helpless. They know if this war stretches any longer then they will have to face bankruptcy and I am sure they wouldn’t want that."

"Is there no other way?" Augustine asked.

"I’m afraid this is the most peaceful way, if you have any other suggestions then do keep your opinion here." I offered.

Augustine was quiet for a long while before he looked at me.

"The basic protocol to keep another kingdom in check is marriage or trade deal, Lord Dragon. Is there any way we could make use of these ideas?" He asked.

As if I hadn’t thought of them before.

"I had thought of these choices," I told him, "But I have come to cherish your son that’s why I won’t ask him to marry the Princess of Sestia. She is like her mother the Queen and I’m sure you know how that woman is."

Augustine’s face tightened as if he remembered as particular incident or something and he nodded.

"Yes, I know, Lord Dragon."

"If you are still willing to have a marriage alliance then there is one way."

"Yes, what is it, Lord Dragon?"

"Your sister, Duchess of Livelstone has a daughter who is about to have her debutante, right?" I asked and he nodded.

"I shall have her engaged to the son of the Duke Aurelius who is contributing a lot to the war. That way, you will have a marriage as well as the trade alliance."

Augustine seemed to ponder over it for a while before he looked at me with worry swirling in his eyes.

"Do not worry about the safety of your niece, the boy I’m talking about is also one of my chosen heroes. He will love and respect your niece will all his heart and also will his family. Your niece will be in safe hands." I assured him.

Augustine still looked a bit hesitant so, I told him that he could take time to think over it.

"But the thing about the duel is already fixed between your son and the First Prince of Sestia. Whatever happens, don’t lose faith and trust me, I will make sure that no one loses their life in vain."