I Received System to Become Dragonborn

Chapter 455: The Show

Saeldir made his way back through the bustling halls of Khazadrim, his mind heavy with the weight of the conversation he had just left. The Dwarf king's reluctance to part with the Starsteel was expected.

Saeldir go inside the chamber where Erend, Adrien, and Billy waited. He found the trio seated around a sturdy wooden table.

Saeldir took a deep breath and addressed them. "I have spoken with the Dwarf king about the Starsteel. I explained its importance in forging weapons powerful enough to combat the Great Calamity."

Erend, Adrien, and Billy listened intently.

"The king, however," Saeldir continued, "is reluctant to agree. The Starsteel is a closely guarded secret of their kingdom. I'm sure that now his advisors is saying to him not to agree to it, they fear that it will revealing its location and properties to us could lead to their exploitation and their vulnerability."

"Damnit. I thought we already agree to work together. Turns out, there is still trust issue here," Billi said.

Adrien frowned, his frustration evident. "So, what do we do now? We've come too far and seen too much to turn back now. There has to be a way to convince them."

Saeldir's eyes met Erend's, a glint of resolve shining through his own apprehension.

"There might be a way. The king and his advisors need to see clear proof of the power we possess. They need to understand that we are not just asking for their metal to exploit them but that we have the strength and purpose to use the Starsteel."

"You mean... you want me to show them my Dragon power," Erend said.

Saeldir nodded slowly. "Yes. They need to witness firsthand the might that we bring to this fight. Your Dragon power are our strongest arguments. If they see what you are capable of, it may sway their decision."

Billy glanced at Erend, a mixture of concern and encouragement in his gaze. "You want to do it?"

Erend took a deep breath. "Sure, why not?"

Saeldir gave a firm nod, then said. "Very well. I will arrange for an audience with the king and his advisors."

Saeldir moved with purpose through the labyrinthine halls of Khazadrim.

Saeldir approached the dais with measured confidence then he started to explained that they had something to show the king and his advisors, something that would demonstrate the true extent of the individual power who have recognise the Starsteel and the necessity of their request.

He spoke of a display that would leave no doubt in their minds about the might and sincerity of their cause.

The room fell silent as the king considered Saeldir's proposal. The advisors exchanged uncertain glances, clearly torn between their duty to protect their kingdom's secrets and the pressing threat Saeldir had described.

After what felt like an eternity, the king nodded. His agreement was reluctant, but there was a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.

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The cavernous hall echoed with the steady march of armored feet as Saeldir, Erend, Adrien, and Billy made their way back to the throne room.

Upon entering the grand chamber, they were met by the king, his advisors, and a few of the kingdom's most formidable bodyguards, their expressions stern and questioning.

The king sat upon his ornate throne. His advisors stood close by and bodyguards with their broad shoulders and intense gazes, flanked the sides, ready for anything.

"Time is of the essence," the king said. "We have many matters to attend to. Show us what you have come to show us."

Erend stepped forward, his posture confident yet respectful. He took a deep breath before speaking, his voice steady and clear. "Your Majesty, I possess the power of the Dragon."

There was a moment of silence, then a ripple of disbelief passed through the gathered Dwarves. Murmurs filled the air, skeptical glances exchanged. One of the advisors raised an eyebrow, his expression one of doubt.

"Dragons are creatures of myth and legend," one of the bodyguards scoffed. "What proof do you have of such a claim?"

Erend could feel the weight of their skepticism pressing down on him, but he remained undeterred. He knew that words alone would not suffice. The power within him stirred, a latent force eager to be unleashed.

Saeldir glanced at Erend, and nodded his head. The Elf Archmage had seen Erend's power firsthand and knew its potential. Erend nodded back, then addressed the assembly once more.

"I understand your disbelief," he said. "Then allow me to show you the truth of my words."

With that, Erend closed his eyes and focused inward, summoning the fiery essence that lay dormant within him.

The air around him began to shimmer with heat, a low rumble resonating from deep within his chest. The gathered Dwarves watched in rapt attention, their skepticism slowly giving way to awe as the temperature in the room rose.

Flames began to dance along Erend's arms, their golden light casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. The fire swirled and grew, coalescing into a blazing aura that enveloped him entirely.

The raw aura of ancient and strong power was now unmistakable, its presence filling the hall with an otherworldly heat. The king himself could feel that.

The Dwarves' expressions shifted from disbelief to shock, their eyes wide with wonder. The advisors exchanged incredulous glances, while the bodyguards took a cautious step back. Even the king, with all his stoic composure, couldn't hide the astonishment in his eyes.

"This is the power of the Dragon," Erend said, his voice a resonant growl beneath the roar of the flames. "With this power and your Starsteel, we will have more strength to combat the Great Calamity."

Erend could still hear the murmurs of disbelief from few of them. So he decided to add some more for the show.

The flames that had enveloped him slowly dying down. He took a deep breath, feeling the familiar surge of energy coursing through his veins, and decided to reveal more of his Dragon nature.

He activated his Dragon Scale.

Closing his eyes, Erend focused on the deep well of power within him. He could feel the transformation beginning, his skin tingling and his muscles tightening. The room seemed to darken slightly as the air grew thick with an energy.

Suddenly, his skin began to shift and change. Black and red scales started to emerge, creeping across his flesh like living armor.

The scales were sleek and glistening, each one reflecting the light in a mosaic of crimson and obsidian hues. They covered his arms first, then spread across his chest and up his neck. His hands morphed, the fingers elongating and nails hardening into sharp, claw-like tips.

The transformation was mesmerizing and terrifying all at once. The Dwarves gasped, their eyes widening as they witnessed Erend's metamorphosis.

The advisors, who had been so skeptical moments before, now exchanged looks of sheer astonishment. Even the king leaned forward, his normally impassive face betraying a hint of shock.

Erend opened his eyes, now glowing with an intense, fiery light. His voice, when he spoke, was deeper and carried an undeniable weight of power. "This is the true nature of my Dragon power. I am not merely a wielder of fire Magic."

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