Dragon Monarch System Chapter 2

“The Master has lost consciousness. Perhaps we should administer a healing potion? If this continues, he could slip into a coma or, even worse, lose his life.” Watson Singer, an elderly man who had served as a butler for numerous generations, spoke with concern. Although he appeared to be in his sixties, his true age spanned several centuries. His extensive lifespan had granted him the opportunity to witness the ascension and collapse of powerful empires, legendary geniuses, and peerless powerhouses.

Watson possessed a snowy beard and long hair, dressed in the classic attire of his profession. Currently, he held the position of head butler within the castle.

.

“There is absolutely no need for that. It would be better if that scoundrel simply died,” the maid seated across from Watson replied with a freezing tone. Her name was Julia Onard, the daughter of one of the continent's most influential noble houses. Julia was technically one of Aditya’s wives, yet she maintained a disguise as a lowly maid to ensure Aditya remained ignorant of her true identity and appearance.

“But milady, should Lord Aditya perish, your own life will end as well. As a loyal servant of the Onard House, I cannot permit such a tragedy.” The only reason a high-born princess remained hidden in a maid's uniform was the necessity of protecting Aditya from the shadows, as her very life force was magically tethered to his.

“I am well aware, Watson. I am simply exhausted by it all. That individual... no, he doesn't even deserve the title of a man. He cares nothing for our survival. If it weren't for the binding contract, I would never have set foot in a place like this.”

“Milady, I believe…” Watson’s words were cut short as both he and Julia fell into a sudden silence at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Tap! Tap!

A figure emerged from the shadows, approaching the dining table before continuing toward the kitchen. For a brief moment, both Watson and Julia were paralyzed with sheer disbelief.

While others might have been unaware, Watson and Julia knew exactly how intoxicated Aditya had been. They hadn't expected him to regain his senses for at least a week.

The dining hall spanned roughly fifty meters. At its center sat a massive table, ten meters long and two meters wide, surrounded by numerous chairs. From their seats, Julia and Watson watched Aditya, who was muttering something about food as he made his way toward the kitchen area.

“Master.” Aditya halted his steps and glanced toward the dining table. The entire hall was bathed in gloom, as not a single light source was lit within the castle. He relied solely on the faint moonlight to navigate the darkness.

The flickering amber glow of the candles on the table eventually illuminated the faces of his steadfast butler and maid. Since Aditya’s arrival, Watson and Julia had been his only constant servants. Even when every other staff member abandoned the castle, these two had never wavered.

“How are you, Julia?” Aditya asked, stopping with a faint smile. Recalling the loyalty they had shown him in the past, he couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth.

Unlike ordinary Cultivators, both Julia and Watson possessed the ability to see clearly through the dark. They were stunned to witness such a genuine, clear expression on Aditya’s face. Previously, Aditya was perpetually inebriated, making any real conversation impossible. This was the first time they had ever seen him truly smile.

Despite his disheveled hair, that pure smile enhanced his features. This version of Aditya was a far cry from the drunken mess they were used to.

The current Aditya appeared exceptionally handsome and charismatic. As a member of the Dragon race, he was naturally gifted with striking looks, which were now fully apparent without the haze of alcohol. He possessed long, dark blue hair that flowed down his back, a sharp, defined jawline, and an otherworldly facial structure. Standing 177 cm tall and weighing about 85 kg, his weight had been steadily climbing due to his constant drinking habits.

‘What has happened to him? The smell of alcohol is gone. And what is this sudden shift in his Aura? Has he actually changed? No, it's impossible for a man like him to reform. What am I even thinking?’ Julia’s mind raced with conflicting thoughts.

“Young Master, when did you awaken?” Watson, drawing upon centuries of experience, kept his face a mask of neutrality. While Julia was lost in her thoughts, Watson had immediately noted the subtle transformations in Aditya, though he chose not to comment on them yet.

“I woke up about thirty minutes ago.” Aditya’s gaze drifted to the food on the table, and he felt his hunger becoming unbearable.

“Watson, would you mind if I joined you both?” Aditya inquired, his eyes locked onto the served dishes.

Once more, Watson and Julia’s eyes widened in astonishment. The Aditya they knew would never dream of dining with servants. Even after being cast out by the royal family, he had clung to his arrogant noble etiquette, never allowing staff to eat in his presence. Everyone in the castle was traditionally ordered to eat only after he had finished.

“If it pleases you, you are more than welcome to join us, Young Master,” Watson replied swiftly, masking his internal shock.

‘Since when did he learn such manners?’ Julia wondered again.

Without hesitation, Aditya took his place at the head of the table. Julia sat to his right, while Watson took the left.

As Watson began serving food onto his master’s plate, Julia couldn't stop staring at Aditya, which began to make him feel slightly self-conscious.

“Julia, is there a reason you’re staring at me like that?” Aditya asked with a slightly awkward smile. Her gaze was unyielding.

As he spoke, Aditya took a moment to observe Julia. She had long purple hair reaching her waist, tied into two messy low pigtails with a square fringe resting above her violet eyes. She possessed a curvaceous figure and a notable bust. Even without the aid of cosmetics, her beauty far surpassed that of an average woman. Many men in the town harbored feelings for her; in the past, whenever Aditya visited a tavern, men would often try to buy her from him. However, the previous Aditya had always flatly refused.

“Master, I simply noticed that you seem... different than before.” Julia found it difficult to speak under his intense gaze and lowered her head. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, unnoticed by anyone, including herself.

“I have managed to awaken a Dragon Bloodline.”

“I see you awakened your Dragon Bloodline. That’s reall—WHAT?!” Both Julia and Watson dropped their utensils simultaneously, their bodies freezing in absolute shock.

Unfazed by their outburst, Aditya began to eat with a ferocity that suggested his hunger grew with every passing second.

A full minute passed before the two recovered. Watching Aditya eat with such composure, Julia struggled to decide if he was being truthful, even though she could sense the shift in his physical state. Previously, there was no mana circulating through his body, but now, a distinct presence of mana was beginning to stir.

“Master, is this truly the case?” Watson asked, his voice noticeably trembling with anticipation.

Gulp!

After swallowing a piece of bread, Aditya nodded. “When I woke up today, something unusual occurred. Afterward, I realized my entire constitution had been altered.”

“Master, which specific bloodline did you awaken?” Aditya’s royal lineage contained various types of heavenly dragon bloodlines, making the awakening process entirely unpredictable. In the world of Cultivation, one's bloodline is the primary factor in determining their ultimate potential. For dragons, a successful awakening means they are destined for greatness.

“My bloodline is that of the Inferno Blaze Dragon.”

“Young Master, are you absolutely certain it is the Inferno Blaze Dragon Bloodline?” Aditya simply nodded again while continuing his meal.

“Why are you both reacting this way? Is the Inferno Blaze Dragon Bloodline particularly significant?” Aditya possessed virtually no knowledge regarding dragon lineages. Since he had failed to awaken his own for so long, he had abandoned his studies on the subject.

Julia and Watson exchanged a look and sighed. This was indeed their Aditya; there was no doubt now. Watson had briefly suspected an impostor, but this casual, uninformed attitude confirmed it was their master.

“Master, you may not realize it, but the Inferno Blaze Dragon bloodline is exceptionally rare. While it may not be as potent as the primary royal family bloodlines, you are the first individual in thousands of years to awaken it.”

“On another note, Watson, I meant to ask... what happened to the light mosses in the castle?” In this world, light mosses are bioluminescent plants used to illuminate homes and paths. They were considered a luxury, far too expensive for commoners.

“Master, do you not recall? A week ago, you sold every patch of light moss to fund your alcohol purchases.” Aditya felt a sting of mockery in Julia’s explanation.

Sigh!

Aditya pressed a hand to his forehead and exhaled deeply. ‘To think the previous owner of this body had fallen so low as to sell the very lights of his home. No wonder the castle is a tomb of shadows. Years of drinking have clearly drained the treasury. I doubt there’s even enough left for Watson and Julia’s wages.’ The former Aditya had liquidated almost everything for wine, even dismissing the guards and other staff to save coins.

Even the meal Aditya was currently consuming was of the quality usually reserved for the impoverished, likely bought with Watson’s personal funds. ‘It seems I must review the financial records and secure enough capital for basic necessities.’

“Young Master, are you feeling unwell?” Watson asked with concern.

“How could I be well, Watson? We are on the verge of being thrown into the streets. I must find a way to settle our debts and begin my future objectives.” Having been raised under his grandfather, who served as a Prime Minister, Aditya was well-versed in the nuances of governance. He already had concepts for revitalizing his small territory, but those plans required capital.

“Young Master, have you run out of funds for your wine again?” Watson assumed Aditya was merely looking for his next drink.

Aditya felt a wave of shame wash over him. It was his fault his loyal companions were in this plight.

“No, I am finished with drinking. Let us move past that. Once we have finished eating, Watson, please join me in my study.” Though puzzled by his sudden change in demeanor, both Julia and Watson continued their meal.

“By the way, have the nobles submitted their taxes yet?” Despite the kingdom being one of the smallest in existence, Aditya still had two vassal nobles under his jurisdiction.

Watson paused, a look of complexity crossing his face. “Young Master, the truth is that neither noble has paid taxes in years. Rumors suggest they are conspiring with neighboring realms to usurp your rule. We have intercepted hundreds of assassins already, and their frequency is only increasing.”

“I see.” A chilling, sharp smile spread across Aditya’s face. If they were intent on his assassination, he saw no reason to show them any mercy.