Timeless Assassin

Chapter 988: Envoys

(A couple days later, Planet Du Lohora, Moltherak’s POV)

A couple days after Moltherak seized Du Lohora, a long line of human messengers formed outside the shattered capital complex, each requesting audience with the newly returned Dragon King, as they arrived adorned in clan insignias and diplomatic silks, representing rival factions and sovereign interests alike, hoping to secure private terms before the next wave of conquest reached their own worlds.

The irony did not escape him.

The very Great Clans whose territories he intended to claim now stood waiting to offer portions of them willingly, bargaining for the illusion of safety in exchange for temporary mercy, as if surrender dressed in diplomacy could slow what was already inevitable.

"Next..."

Moltherak’s voice rolled across the throne chamber, as he reclined upon a makeshift seat fashioned from the skulls of fallen Commanders and Du Clan nobles, their polished bones stacked into a deliberate monument of humiliation, while molten braziers burned along the walls and dozens of dragons lounged across the stone floor, their laughter low and predatory beneath the glow of embers.

"Send in the next messenger."

He spoke with lazy authority, as a human guard pulled open the massive doors and a solitary envoy stepped forward into the suffocating heat of draconic judgment.

He wore formal Du Clan robes, though the trembling of his hands betrayed his composure as he forced himself to stand upright beneath the suffocating weight of draconic gazes.

"I am Du Farage of the Du Clan, and I bring a message from my Lord Du Trask, the Great Du Clan God, for you—"

He did not finish.

Moltherak threw his head back and burst into laughter, slamming his palm against his thigh as the sound echoed through the chamber.

"Du? As in the former owner of this planet?"

He leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Hahahaha!"

The dragons behind him erupted into rough chuckles as Moltherak continued.

"Tell your God that I stole a planet from beneath his dominion as easily as taking candy from a child, and that he could do absolutely nothing about it."

His voice lowered, though the mockery remained.

"Tell him, if he has a spine, then he can come take it back himself."

He said, as he looked at the gathered dragons and gestured for them to casually turn their attention towards the trembling envoy.

"Look at these pathetic humans. Instead of coming here personally to challenge me, Du Trask sends a messenger to speak in his place."

His lips curled.

"What kind of God hides behind parchment and servants?"

The dragons burst into laughter once more, the sound heavy and merciless, as Du Farage’s face flushed deep red, his jaw tightening while sweat gathered at his temples.

Moltherak waved a dismissive hand.

"You may leave."

The words were not permission. They were dismissal.

The envoy opened his mouth, perhaps to salvage dignity or deliver the remainder of his prepared speech, yet no sound emerged as the oppressive aura of Moltherak pressed down on him like an invisible weight.

*Choke*

Unable to breathe, he bowed stiffly and retreated, his footsteps echoing hollowly across stone once ruled by his own clan, as Moltherak watched him go with mild amusement.

"Next."

The Dragon King demanded, as an envoy representing Kaelith walked into the room with his head held high.

"I am Calitz Voi," he said evenly, his voice cutting cleanly through the low rumble of draconic amusement.

"I come bearing a proposition from the Eternal Sovereign himself."

He began, as a few dragons shifted, their claws scraping faintly against stone, as Moltherak’s golden eyes narrowed with faint interest rather than mockery.

Calitz did not bow.

"You, puny dragon, have been granted an audience."

The words landed deliberately.

"The Eternal Sovereign offers you the privilege of meeting him within the Eternal Garden. Should you choose to accept, he will extend to you an opportunity unlike any other, whereby you may ascend beyond your current limitations and become powerful beyond measure."

The chamber grew still.

"If I were you," Calitz continued calmly, "I would not discard such generosity lightly. However, knowing that you are a beast and not a statesman, I understand that logic may not be your strongest faculty."

A ripple of growls spread across the hall.

"Therefore," he added, his tone unwavering, "do not deliberate for too long. The offer expires in twenty-four hours."

Silence followed.

Not nervous silence.

Tense silence.

For Moltherak did not immediately laugh this time, and instead chose to study the man, who to his surprise did not seem worried at all.

The envoy’s aura did not waver.

No tremor in his heartbeat.

No flicker of fear.

Only resolve.

Several dragons began to rise, their wings shifting as heat gathered in their throats, ready to incinerate the insolent mortal where he stood.

However, Moltherak raised a single finger in protest, forcing them to stop, as Calitz reached calmly into his robe and pulled out a small vial.

*Shake*

*Shake*

A few dragons leaned forward, ready to tear him apart should he attempt anything reckless, yet he simply shook the dark, viscous liquid, before uncorking the lid.

*Pop*

The sound travelled through the chamber, as he met Moltherak’s gaze one final time.

"Consider your answer carefully."

He warned, before tilting his head back as he swallowed the vial’s contents in a single motion.

*Gulp*

The reaction was immediate.

His veins darkened.

His skin tightened and shrank against bone as if centuries passed within seconds, moisture evaporating from his flesh while his eyes hollowed and sank inward.

*CRACK*

His spine arched violently as his body withered, robes collapsing around him as muscles disintegrated and skin shriveled into parchment-thin husk.

Within moments, the man who had spoken so boldly stood reduced to a dried shell, his lifeless form collapsing forward onto the stone floor with a brittle thud, as absolute silence engulfed the throne room.

No scream.

No plea.

No hesitation.

He had delivered his message.

And chosen his death.

Leaving the gathered dragons utterly speechless.

"What the hell?"

One of them said, as Moltherak remained seated, his expression unreadable as he observed the husk lying before him, the faint scent of alchemical decay lingering in the air, as he processed the events that had just taken place....

A mortal had insulted him to his face.

Delivered an ultimatum.

Then denied him the satisfaction of execution, in what was a bizarre event to say the least.

"So."

His voice was low.

"The Timeless Assassin’s eldest son wants to meet me."

The air in the chamber grew heavier as ancient curiosity flickered behind his eyes.

"How interesting...."