Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 758: No Saint ()

"The infernal dragons will not face the Fae battalion in battle." Neveah made it clear.

It had been only a short time since Neveah had joined the council, after the necessary introductions had been made, Neveah quietly listened through the attack strategy of the infernal dragons as was relayed by the Lord of Fort Inferno. And she had not spoken a word since.

The Fae offensive was growing worrisome. They had erected a barrier to keep the dragon lords from approaching while they spun an ancient battle rune right in the skies of Fort Inferno, the strength of their magic was terrifyingly fuelled by the mana pools, the very reason they had chosen Fort Inferno. The mage of the Infernal castle reported that upon completion of the spell, the skies would become inhabitable.

The Infernal dragons had come up with a swift retaliation. But Neveah had come to a different decision and her words sent the council into uncertain silence as that was most likely the last thing they expected to hear.

"What does My Lady mean? If we do not face them...who will? The squadrons cannot take point over us in our own territory." An infernal dragon lord argued.

It probably sounded to them like Neveah considered Keep dragons more battle ready than the Infernal dragons. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"I do not mean to move the squadrons either, unless absolutely necessary. They will remain as stationed. The situation is still within control." Neveah continued. "However, as I have said, our responding attack to the Fae’s ongoing offensive will not be made by the Infernal dragons."

She walked over to the map and gestured at the mana pools. "The Fae battalion have taken up strategic positions in order to ensure a steady supply of magic energy. That is to say their most prominent weakness, which is the rapid exhaustion of their magic has been well compensated for."

"On the contrary, the Fae advance magic unit is currently spinning a spell, toxifying the skies. As you have already stated, flight from either end of Fort Inferno will soon become too tasking if we fail to retaliate by sundown. However, they have taken up camp right in the midst of a human settlement. Due to the...disturbance of the werewolves, lower district cannot be evacuated. Any fire power used will result in numerous casualties." Neveah said meaningfully.

She understood what the Fae were playing at. And why they had brought werewolves here. On one hand, they were denying the dragon lords of all advantage, on the other hand, they were flashing what they believed to be Neveah’s weakness in her face.

It was only that they were terribly wrong. Neveah was not the same insignificant girl she had been two years ago.

"I am not certain how doing nothing is a better option, My Lady." Lord Kiroff of Inferno stated directly. "There are risks, but the sooner we act, the faster we can take control of the situation and reduce the casualties to a minimum." He argued.

"Do not be mistaken. I will not have us do nothing." Neveah clarified. "The Fae are familiar with dragon ways. They understand dragon battle techniques and the entirety of their plan is centered on limiting the natural advantage of flight and fire."

"In a nutshell, they are well prepared for this offensive. And their purpose is to incapacitate us. Regardless of how quickly we act, they have had enough time... we might not be at a disadvantage just yet, but the non-dragon casualty will be too great."

The Infernal dragons exchanged looks, they understood Neveah’s point of view.

"Then what does My Lady suggest we do?" Lord Kiroff asked.

"They have their eyes fixed on the Infernal dragons and that is all the weakness we need. Knowing dragon ways, the Fae expect the infernal dragons to retaliate with a fire offensive... because, well, that is what dragons do." Neveah murmured. "No offence."

"None taken. We’re proudly all about the fire." Lord Kiroff’s response was backed by a few chuckles.

"That you are." Neveah agreed, "Now, what the Fae do not anticipate is that we fight magic with magic." Neveah said directly.

She could see the expression on the faces of the dragon lords at the mention of magic but Neveah ignored them. No matter how advanced the dragons were as a species, Neveah had realized that their prejudice against magic kept them limited. More than a vice, it had become a weakness.

Because they detested magic, they made no attempts to understand it and because they did not understand it, they did not know how to overcome it.

"Now, I understand the dragons have their principles and their pride and honour. But I will have you know that Neveah Vairheac lives by only one principle... I win, no matter what." Neveah made clear.

"Here is my plan. The mana pools are of no use to dragons and so you have never explored that as beneficial as it is to the magic-borne, it can also be a weakness when it is used rightly. In the same manner a magic rune can toxify the skies... the mana pools can also be toxified. Why? Because magic is easily contaminated. Is that not why you all detest it so?" Neveah asked.

"Are you suggesting..." Xenon said in astonishment.

"I have kept an eye on the academy of magic and in their training, they developed a means of reversing the magic effect of various artifacts. The mana pools are natural artifacts of some sort, if I am not mistaken, the same principle can be applied."

"Yes, Lords of Inferno. I intend to corrupt the mana pools and poison the magic root of every last Fae currently drawing energy from those pools... I will deliver to them the same measure of cruelty they had in mind when they began toxifying the skies and with each magic energy drawn from the mana pools, they doom themselves further." Neveah’s gaze was cold and determined.

"I will defeat them with their own plot... taking away what they pride on the most, their magic. And I will do it without moving a single dragon from his place of comfort."

"Yes, I will poison the Fae. I will not fight fairly, they count on the tendency of dragons to always be fair. Well, I’ll have no part in that. There is nothing fair about magic. I am no saint, I do not intend to become one. My Lord Dragons fight with honour...as for me, I only care about ensuring our enemies can never rear their heads again."

"If you have an issue with my methods, you may submit a petition to Dragon Keep and have them oust me. But until then...you will obey." Neveah deadpanned. "The advance unit of Inferno will not be infernal dragons...summon the mages of the academy of magic, it is finally their chance to put all that training to use."