The Dragon Lord's Aide Wants to Quit [BL] Chapter 386: Helpless Hands

The abrupt halt caught everyone by surprise.

For many, though, it was a moment of much-needed relief.

Beyond granting them a few extra seconds to recover their breath, this brief pause proved exceptionally beneficial for individuals like Lawrence and Renee Hale.

Ever since the children had darted off towards the entrance, the Hales had been relentlessly attempting to activate the magical orb situated in their son-in-law’s office.

Their anxiety for the children had escalated beyond rational bounds, plunging them into sheer desperation. Renee, in particular, had exerted herself beyond her limits. Her fingernails dug into her own arm, her knuckles stark white, as the sharp sensation of pain served to prevent her mind from succumbing to the overwhelming dragon fear.

It was the sole anchor keeping her functioning.

This exertion should never have been necessary in the first place.

However, the entire Ministry of Balance and Enforcement had been plunged into utter disarray. The ambient mana had become dangerously unstable, distorted by the fierce clash between two dragons. While the protective barriers remained intact, any device connected to the ministry’s internal mana network refused to function as intended.

Magical artifacts were triggering spontaneously, and crucial connections could not be established due to the severe disruption of the leylines beneath the ministry.

It was in this critical moment that Lawrence found himself yearning to possess a power beyond his human limitations.

He had never previously felt slighted or inferior due to his human birthright, but now, standing in a comparatively secure location while the children battled outside, he felt the sting of inadequacy.

If he had possessed any power, he could have contributed more meaningfully. He could have stabilized the orb himself, forced a connection through the chaotic interference, or done anything other than stand there, repeating the same desperate pleas while hoping for an improbable outcome.

Yet, he was utterly incapable.

And precisely as this feeling of powerlessness peaked, as the dire thought solidified that Young Lord Orien might not be able to endure much longer—

The oppressive pressure abruptly vanished.

"!!!"

Renee almost pitched forward. She had been bracing against the invisible force for so long that its sudden disappearance caused her body to lurch forward due to its own momentum.

She steadied herself on the desk and acted without a moment’s delay.

No hesitation whatsoever.

She channeled her mana into the orb, enveloping the volatile surface and compelling it to stabilize despite the surrounding interference.

Beside her, Lawrence held his breath. Neither of them uttered a word. Neither of them averted their gaze.

They fixated on the swirling, opaque surface of the orb, awaiting what would come next with bated breath.

The ensuing silence stretched on and on.

It felt as though it would last an eternity.

Then—

A voice crackled through the orb.

"Hello?"

"...Dad?"

"!!!"

__

Back at the Nest, Riley had been on the verge of obliterating the entire structure.

Normally, he was the voice of reason within their group, but in that moment?

In that moment, his vision was consumed by a blinding rage, tinged with darkness and, frankly, a deep shade of blue sorrow.

Because how could anyone be expected to maintain composure when confronted with such overwhelming circumstances?

Multiple irrefutable pieces of evidence. Clear. Undeniable. All unequivocally pointing to someone’s profound selfishness and astonishing stupidity.

Yes.

Riley was incandescent with anger.

But more than anger, he felt a deep sense of personal offense.

Because how could an individual reputed to be intelligent behave in such a manner?

For someone capable of orchestrating such a complex scheme right in the heart of dragon territory, shouldn’t they have possessed a greater degree of foresight?

Did Chancellor Malrik—that utter fool—genuinely believe he would gain anything by aiding the Wyverns through the trafficking of dragonlings?

Admittedly, the vast quantity of dragon blood he had amassed made it abundantly clear that he had intended to betray them from the outset. While this revelation provided Riley a small measure of solace—knowing Malrik was despicable regardless of his dealings—it simultaneously fueled his fury.

Had the man learned absolutely nothing throughout all those years?!

What was the purpose of dedicating one’s life to education if one couldn’t even muster a shred of intellect to comprehend that they would meet a swift demise rather than succeed against beings audacious enough to meddle with the very essence of the primordial dragon!

Riley drew in a ragged breath.

Then another, deeper one.

The black dragon forced himself to continue breathing while Kael, who was surprisingly the more composed of the two, worked to calm him.

Of course, the dragon lord was absolutely incandescent with rage.

However, after enduring Riley’s continuous tirade and the remarkably inventive insults hurled at the Chancellor’s apparently nonexistent brain, Kael opted for strategic silence.

With his lips sealed, he simply extended a hand, preventing his mate from charging headlong into the barrier.

But just as Kael was about to remind Riley of the strategic reasons why they had not yet breached the barrier—

Riley, who had been exhibiting extreme agitation, suddenly stilled.

"Huh?"

He tilted his head, his expression morphing from pure fury to bewildered confusion.

"What is it?" Kael inquired, his senses instantly on high alert due to the abrupt cessation of his mate’s outburst.

"...That’s peculiar," Riley murmured. "I believe someone is attempting to contact me through the orb."

Kael raised an eyebrow as the black dragon retrieved the magical orb he had previously mentioned.

"Hello?"

The connection crackled with static.

"...Dad?"

The transmission came through with a jarring mix of static and broken signals, yet the raw fear echoing in the voice was undeniably clear.

"Son!"

Riley’s body went rigid at the sound.

Sensing the immense urgency, the other Dravaryn clan members instinctively drew closer, their attention fixed on the communicator.

No one had anticipated positive tidings.

However, the ensuing revelation far surpassed any grim expectations.

"Son! A red dragon is attacking the MBE!"

The visuals were fragmented and warped, but Riley could still discern the terrified expressions on his parents’ faces, etched with profound alarm.

As if this dire report wasn't shocking enough, his father continued, his voice strained, "Orien and Liam have already gone to confront the dragon!"

"!!!"

"WHAT?!"

A collective gasp of disbelief and dismay erupted, a sound so potent it seemed to summon the very might of the Dravaryn lineage before his father could even utter the word 'help'.

This latest piece of news was arguably the most preposterous development they had encountered since uncovering the Chancellor's corrupt dealings, yet little did they know, their day was far from over.

For upon their arrival at the scene—

Riley Hale Dravaryn, the sole surviving scion of the Iltheran clan, abandoned all pretense of composure.

In that moment, a singular, unwavering conviction solidified in his mind.

Someone was destined to perish this day.