The Underdark, Fungal Forest, Screaming Valley, Dark Ember City.
Black Dragon Prince Kangerweian lay on the throne of power that had once belonged to his mother, Lady of Corruption Savivian, his expression brimming with excitement. Yet he forcibly composed himself, imitating the way his mother usually listened to political affairs with narrowed eyes, as though dozing.
Though this was already his third year governing in Savivian's stead—and it was highly likely that once his mother awoke from her long slumber as an ancient Black Dragon, he would have to return this power to her—Kangerweian still treasured this precious opportunity to serve as an "intern lord."
After all, there had never been such a precedent in the past.
Even when Savivian entered her slumber, she had only temporarily delegated her authority to several capable Retainers rather than handing it to one of her children—let alone her youngest son, the disgrace of Dark Ember City.
But perhaps because she had been extremely satisfied with what he had done during the Year of Upheaval, she had deliberately chosen to cultivate him this way.
Of course, before entering her slumber, she had swept every last treasure off the dais clean, not leaving Kangerweian even a single copper.
That had given Kangerweian quite a headache.
As an acting lord—and especially as a dragon—how could he possibly have no treasure to display his wealth and majesty?
Thus, the clever Kangerweian recalled his days as a hostage in Zelandia. With a slap to his head, he directly used himself, a dragon, and his lair in some small territory of the Underdark as collateral, taking out a loan of a full thirty million Hogg copper coins from the Ascore branch in Zelandia, Northlands.
What a joke. Even if he truly went to work himself to the bone for