Dragon King's Harem Chapter 265. Ambush I (Patreon)

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 265. Ambush I

Across the expanse of the grand hall, the unfolding chaos echoed beyond my own encounter. I caught a glimpse of Eir and Guillotine, locked in their own battles against the traitorous dancers. The assailants, driven by their vile intentions, lunged at my companions, their movements swift and calculated.

In an instant, the vibrant atmosphere of the hall transformed into an eerie hush, as if the very air had been sucked out of the room. The once-joyful symphony of chatter, laughter, and music dissipated, replaced by a palpable tension that crackled in the silence. The playful banter and lighthearted jests were now a distant memory, replaced by an impending threat that hung heavy in the air.

In a startling display of unity, the clan leaders, previously engaged in their own revelries, revealed their true colors. With steely determination etched upon their faces, they drew forth their weapons, each glimmering blade reflecting the sinister intent that lay within their hearts. The hall seemed to shrink beneath the weight of their collective gaze, their eyes fixed upon us, the targets of their deceit.

Like a slowly encircling storm, orc soldiers closed in around us, their hulking figures a formidable presence. Each one emanated a raw, primal power, ready to unleash their savagery upon us at a moment's notice. Their muscular frames and battle-hardened expressions left no doubt that they were prepared to carry out their deadly orders without hesitation.

Not only were the clan leaders and orc soldiers aligned against us, but even the seemingly innocent maids and servants revealed their true identities. Their facade of servitude was shattered.

I cast a piercing gaze across the room, my displeasure was evident on my face as I took in the scene that had unfolded before me. My attention shifted towards Burz, a mixture of frustration and disappointment etched upon my features. "What does all of this mean, Burz?" I questioned, my voice tinged with discontent. At that moment, I chose not to acknowledge his elevated status, for the severity of the situation demanded transparency and honesty above all else.

Burz's once amiable countenance hardened, his eyes locking onto mine with an icy glare. "It's something I have been compelled to do in order to protect my tribe, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice tinged with bitterness. He turned to face me fully, a hint of defiance burning in his gaze. "I cannot allow my tribe to bear the burden of my father's crimes," he stated, his tone resolute.

My brow furrowed in response, the weight of his words settling heavily upon my shoulders. I needed reassurance, a steadfast commitment that he would not follow in his father's footsteps, treading down a path of darkness and destruction. "But I require more than just words, Burz," I asserted, my voice holding a firm resolve. "I need concrete actions that prove your loyalty and dedication to peace," I emphasized, my words carrying an undercurrent of authority.

In the depths of my displeasure, I voiced a demand that reflected the shifting balance of power. "This tribe should rightfully belong to me," I stated, a hint of frustration seeping into my words. "The dragons have emerged victorious, and the orcs must acknowledge their place," I continued, my tone firm and unwavering. The unspoken truth hung heavy in the air—the dragons held dominion, and the orcs were to yield to their rightful authority.

Burz's anger simmered beneath the surface as he responded, his voice laced with defiance. "According to the laws of Igixar, perhaps you are right," he retorted bitterly. "But I cannot simply allow the dragons to strip away what the orcs have fought for," he continued, his words infused with a fiery determination. "Whether you like it or not, this battle has already been decided, regardless of whether you imbibed that poisoned wine or not," he concluded, his gaze unwavering.

I put my shocked face on. My eyes widened in a mix of feigned surprise and restrained anger. "You..." I hissed, my voice laced with an undercurrent of betrayal. "What did you put in that wine?" I demanded, my words seething with a simmering anger that threatened to boil over.

Burz's lips curled into a sly smile, a hint of satisfaction playing at the corners of his mouth. His gaze met mine, unyielding and filled with a mix of surprise and admiration. "Not much," he replied nonchalantly, his voice laced with a tone of mischief. "Just something to weaken you, to level the playing field," he explained, his words carrying a hint of cunning.

Eir's sudden scream of agony pierced through the tension-filled air, slicing through the silence like a blade. My attention snapped towards him. "Your Majesty!" he called out, his voice strained and filled with a mixture of pain and desperation. It was a cry for help that echoed in the depths of my being.

I arched an eyebrow, my gaze narrowing as I observed Eir's performance. It was clear that his sudden display of pain and distress was not part of our meticulously laid plans. I deduced that he took the initiative to amplify the situation, heightening the illusion of the orc's poison taking effect.

With a quick mental adjustment, I decided to play along, maintaining the illusion that their scheme had succeeded in weakening me. The shock painted across my face, my voice trembling with feigned concern. "Eir!" I exclaimed, my tone filled with a mixture of worry and disbelief. I projected an image of shock, as though I had witnessed his sudden decline firsthand.

Feigning a display of my own powers, I conjured flames in the palm of my hand, allowing them to dance and flicker momentarily. But just as quickly as they appeared, I dissipated the flames, as though the effort had proven too great for my weakened state. It was a calculated move to further solidify the belief that the poison had taken a toll on my abilities.

"W-What?!" I stammered, my voice betraying a mix of astonishment and vulnerability. I made sure to inject a touch of confusion into my words as if struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the situation unfolding before me. It was crucial to maintain the illusion that the orc's poison had succeeded in shaking my resolve and weakening my formidable powers.