So, what is the cost?
Titania's words reached the ears of the Red Iron Dragon, each one filled with allure.
However, Garos knew very well what was going on.
These are certainly not free.
The fact that the Joyful Court was willing to provide this level of support meant that the Fairy Gods hoped to receive at least an equal return from Garos.
Only by firmly refusing can we avoid potential trouble in the future.
But that's the mindset of the weak!
Risk also means reward; to either completely reject or completely accept such an opportunity is an extremely foolish choice.
At the very least, one must first clearly understand what the cost is and what one can gain before being qualified to make a judgment.
Red Iron Dragon slowly exhaled a scorching breath, calming his turbulent thoughts and suppressing the chaotic ideas one by one.
He shifted his gaze from the Fey Fruit to Titania's pale purple eyes.
"I believe that the Joyful Court can help me avoid detours and advance at a faster pace, reaching heights I could never have imagined before."
"I have no doubt about that."
He said, "But what do I need to give up for this? It's certainly not a free gift, and I'd like to know the specific terms."
Titania did not shy away from the question, meeting his gaze.
Her previously childlike expression gradually faded.
"It's very simple."
"You have officially joined the Joyful Court Joyful Court, becoming a part of us. Your fate will be intertwined with ours, like vines and pillars, supporting each other and growing together."
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes reflecting Garos's image.
In return, you will no longer be a guest and friend of the Joyful Court, but one of us.
"You will have access to all the resources of the Joyful Court; all knowledge, treasures, and secret arts will be open to you."
"Most importantly, you will receive the protection of the Fae gods."
"For example, when Tiamat turns her gaze to you again, you will no longer be alone and helpless; the entire Pantheon will stand behind you."
What you need to give in return is your loyalty.
"Loyalty to the Joyful Court, loyalty to the Fae and gods, or rather, responsibility."
Garos lowered his gaze.
His thoughts flowed, passing through many images.
Facing the apostles of Tiamat, the invasion of the Abyss, and the desperate situation that pushed him to his limit—he almost always carried it all on his own, with no divine assistance behind him, only his own claws and scales.
It felt like walking on a tightrope, with a sheer Abyss below.
There is no room for error or chance of failure; once you stumble, everything will collapse.
Unlike last time.
When Naitar descended to the Material Plane to shield Garus from Tiamat's avatar, it was the first time Garos truly experienced what it felt like to have a god's protection.
This feels good.
He doesn't deny that.
The deliberation and weighing of options did not take long.
A few seconds later, the Red Iron Dragon raised its head again and looked at the petite Fae queen in front of it.
"I don't deny that I crave the support of a Pantheon."
"The stage between the realms is not something that a single individual can occupy alone. Every being that stands tall in the Multiverse is supported by Pantheon and has countless followers or subjects under its command."
"This is an indisputable fact."
"However, I cannot grant your request."
Titania's expression didn't change much.
Why?
She said softly, " The Joyful Court is a loving and united family. Here you will experience support you've never felt before, and it will be genuine mutual support, not just cooperation based on mutual benefit."
"Here, we are family, and family doesn't need to calculate gains and losses."
extended family----
Does a giant like me seem out of place in a large family of miniature Fae?
"When I was young, I envied Metal Dragon."
Red Iron Dragon spoke in a deep voice, slowly saying, "Back then, I was very weak, struggling to survive in the wilderness. Every time I felt the close connection within the Metal Dragon Clan, I felt an indescribable longing."
"I even want to fit in and become one of them."
That period of the past is quite distant now.
But recalling it now, it's still vivid in my mind.
Red Iron Dragon continued, his voice steady. "Back then, I longed for warmth from the outside world, for a powerful clan to shelter me from the wind and rain, and for someone to protect me in the most dangerous times."
"But that's the mindset of the weak."
"I was quite weak back then, which is why I had such thoughts."
"As I grew up and overcame those hurdles I had to face alone, I gradually stopped having those thoughts. Those former desires were replaced by my own armor."
He looked at Titania, his gaze unwavering.
"I would be delighted to gain the support of the Joyful Court. To have a High Deity standing behind me, and an entire Pantheon willing to pave the way for me, is an opportunity that countless Legendary Realm dream of."
"I can't help but be tempted, I admit that."
"But if I didn't, to be honest, I wouldn't feel regretful about it, nor would I feel like I'm missing anything."
The dragon's mask was as hard as iron, and its voice was calm. "In the past, I relied solely on myself to get to where I am today; now, I can rely solely on myself to reach the future."
"This process may be more tortuous, may take longer, and may involve more thorns and obstacles along the way."
"But the final outcome will not change, and I firmly believe that."
Titania listened quietly, her posture focused.
She asked, "What if it fails?"
"You're being watched by a Evil Dragon God. Tiamat's patience is limited, but her obsession is far from over. She will reach out her claws at you again and again until she has you firmly in her grasp."
Titania's gaze deepened.
"Without the protection of other gods, you cannot afford to make a single mistake."
"One mistake, one misjudgment, one moment of weakness can lead to total defeat. Everything you've built, everything you own, will vanish with your failure."
Didn't you consider these consequences?
She asked, her gaze falling on Garos's visor.
Upon hearing these words, the Red Iron Dragon lowered its head and looked at its own scales.
Due to his Dense Body, his scales now appear smooth and shiny, with a mirror-like surface and not a single scratch.
However, he himself knew very well what was going on.
He once had countless scars, layered upon each other to form a rough and complex texture. Although they have now healed and disappeared, each one was once deeply engraved in his flesh and blood, telling the story of the battles he had experienced and the blood that had flowed.
Red Iron Dragon raised its head and met Titania's gaze once more.
He grinned, revealing thick, sharp teeth, and a smile appeared on his visor.
"I have paid a heavy price to get to where I am today, and to live and reach even further places."
"Blood, pain, loneliness, and countless sleepless days and nights."
"However, if death truly comes to me one day, and is inevitable, then after giving my all, I will be able to accept my end without regret."
"The worst-case scenario----"
"It will nothing more than turning to ashes and being shattered to pieces."
Titania's eyebrows curved into a smile, and something seemed to light up her violet pupils, a soft light flowing within them.
"How carefree!"
She said admiringly, "When ordinary beings face Deity, some tremble, some yearn, some grovel, and some face death without fear—but among these postures, I rarely see true composure and humility. You, however, have achieved it."
I simply know what I want.
Garos answered simply.
Titania circled the dragon's head once, and finally returned to him.
She smiled with interest, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.
"I'm starting to understand why Tiamat cares so much about you."
"If it were me, I would also try every means to bring you under my command. A powerful being who knows what he wants and has the ability to pursue it is more valuable than a thousand or ten thousand servants who will only obey."
Garos's eyes narrowed slightly, the light in them sharpening as if he were becoming wary of the direction the conversation was taking.
He looked at Titania and said seriously, "Please don't joke around. You are not an evil god who will stop at nothing. You have your own principles and bottom line."
This is the Joyful Court, Titania's domain. If she wants to do anything to Garos, Garos is currently powerless to resist, and any resistance will be futile.
Titania let out a very soft laugh upon hearing this.
She raised a hand and lightly touched the tip of Red Iron Dragon's nose with her fingertip, the touch almost imperceptible, and said, "Oh? You're even using honorifics again."
"Are you afraid I'll really resort to any means necessary? Afraid I'll act like Tiamat, using coercion and threats to bind you to the chariot of the Joyful Court?"
It's not impossible----
Titania belongs to the Order side, but she is definitely a good-versus-good faction rather than a lawful one; her actions are never bound by rules and regulations.
"Although it's a bit of a shame, a forced relationship isn't necessarily bad."
The Fairy Queen's voice grew increasingly dangerous as she stared intently at the Red Iron Dragon: "Now that you've come here, you're destined to be my dragon, whether you like it or not."
A surge of intense malice erupted instantly, sweeping across the land.
Red Iron Dragon instinctively tensed his entire body, lowered his limbs, and slightly hunched his back, assuming a battle stance.
But the next second, Titania smiled again, all the malice and oppression vanished, and the air became relaxed and warm again.
"I'm just kidding."
She patted the fine scales on the dragon's nose. "Although I would love to emulate Tiamat, I am not a chaotic and evil deity. I have my own principles and cannot be as ruthless as she is."
"I wouldn't stoop to doing what she did."
Garos:----
His muscles slowly relaxed, and his tense limbs stretched out again, but his mind was still a little tense after the rollercoaster-like ups and downs, and his heart was beating a few beats faster than usual.
At the same time, he was also deeply aware of this.
Although the face before me looks normal, it is in essence a benevolent Deity.
Like Naitar, her thoughts cannot be guessed using common sense; she does everything solely based on her own feelings and principles.
Titania flapped her wings, creating some distance between herself and the dragon, and hovered in mid-air.
At the same time, she extended her palm, palm facing up.
The Fey Fruit leaped from her palm, tracing a gentle parabola as it flew towards Garos.
"This is a small gift to mark our meeting; you won't have to pay anything for it."
"Take it."
"Whether you join the Joyful Court or not, this Fey Fruit is yours."
Garos extended its forepaw and caught the fruit.
To a dragon's claw, it is like a speck of dust, so light that it is almost weightless, yet its presence is exceptionally strong, emanating a rich fragrance that makes the dragon's mouth water.
Garos accepted it without hesitation, saying, "Thank you for the Queen's gift; I love it very much."
He did not want to be deeply bound to the Joyful Court, nor to entangle his own destiny and will with the Pantheon.
However, if one can gain the friendship of Fae, that would certainly be a good thing; having one more powerful friend among all realms is always better than having one more enemy.
Titania stared at the Red Iron Dragon and said casually with a smile, "Even though it was free, you took my things, so you can't just leave without saying anything, can you?"
Garos was slightly taken aback.
Didn't you just say it wouldn't require any payment, just a small gift?
They changed their minds so quickly.
However, he wasn't too surprised. Dealing with the gods of the mixed good faction was unavoidable; their thinking was always unpredictable and capricious.
The Red Iron Dragon lowered its gaze, looked at the Fey Fruit in its claws, and then looked up at the smiling Fairy Queen.
Her expression was completely calm, without the slightest hint of shame for going back on her word, and she smiled as if it were perfectly natural.
I can give it back to you.
Garos extended its forepaw and presented the Fey Fruit to Titania.
Titania showed no intention of taking over, crossing her arms over her chest, tilting her head, and a mischievous glint in her eyes.
That won't do.
"What's done is done. Do you think I, the chief fairy god, am so narrow-minded that I would even take back a gift that's already been given away?"
Looking into her sparkling eyes, Garos fell silent.
He retracted his claws, put the Fey Fruit away, and then asked directly, "So, what does Your Majesty desire in return?"
Titania crossed her legs and placed her hands on her knees, her previous casualness and playfulness completely gone.
It seems like we're about to get down to business.
"It's very simple."
She said, "I think I know what you're thinking."
"You don't want to be deeply bound to the Joyful Court, and you don't want to intertwine your fate with that of others. This is your bottom line, and I respect that. I won't try to shake it."
"So, I can give you another option, a more flexible approach."
Garos's gaze fixed on her, and he asked, "What choice?"
Titania extended her finger and made a light swipe.
Two concentric circles, one large and one small, appeared in front of her, suspended in mid-air. The boundaries between the inner and outer rings were distinct, each radiating a different luster.
"You may not know this, but the deities of the Joyful Court are divided into two types, belonging to the Inner Court and the Outer Court."
Inner courtyard, Outer Court?
Garos seemed lost in thought, a faint light flickering in his eyes.
He had never heard of this matter before, and there was no corresponding record in the Dragon Inheritance. In his understanding, the Joyful Court was the Joyful Court, a unified whole.
However, he didn't interrupt, but simply waited quietly for what was to come, his gaze focused.
Titania pointed to the inner ring.
"The deities of the Inner Court belong entirely to the Joyful Court, sharing its glory and Royal Court, life and death, and thus receive greater protection from me and support from the Royal Court."
"But at the same time, members of the inner court also need to shoulder more responsibilities and obligations."
"For example, participating in major decisions of the Royal Court, standing up when the interests of Fae spirits are threatened, and binding their own fate firmly to the Joyful Court without reservation or hesitation."
"As I said before, we share the same fate as the Joyful Court, and we cannot stand idly by no matter what the circumstances."
At this point, Titania lightly touched the outer ring, which had a wider area.
" The Outer Court deities are different."
" The Outer Court can receive some support from the Royal Court Royal Court and, in some cases, its protection, but it does not have to assume the obligations of an inner court member, does not need to report to the Royal Court on everything, and is not required to place its will under the Royal Court's decisions."
"In a sense, the Outer Court and the Joyful Court had a more like a friendly cooperative relationship."
"Closer than allies, freer than members, and able to maintain its own completely independent will."
"Both sides benefit from each other, but remain independent."
Outer Court Deities----
Titania's description makes it sound more like an honorary title, a loose form of connection?
It can also be described as a mutually beneficial cooperation, where both parties obtain what they want.
The path to Immortal Path is ruthless, and the struggle for faith among gods is equally fierce. This kind of relationship probably exists not only in the Joyful Court, but also in other Pantheon.
Garos pondered, taking all this information into consideration one by one.
The information passed down is vast and extensive, but the knowledge about deities is still too limited. After all, it's estimated that few of his ancestors were able to access this level of knowledge.
Titania said, "Take Naitar, for example; he is Outer Court deity."
"Although he spends all his time running around in the Fey Wilds, busy teasing Fae and playing pranks, he never needs to attend inner court meetings or fulfill inner court duties."
He lived a very carefree life.
The inner courtyard and the Outer Court, the core and the periphery—two different locations correspond to two different obligations and rights.
Garos composed himself and asked, "Does the Queen mean she wants me to join the Outer Court?"
"Yes."
Titania nodded decisively.
"I've already realized that the inner court isn't suitable for you."
"Your character and will dictate that you cannot accept the constraints of the inner court."
"You don't like your will being suppressed by anything, which isn't a flaw, but the problem is that without a formal relationship, there's only so much the Joyful Court can do for you."
" The Outer Court is a good compromise."
She said, " In the Outer Court, you won't have to shoulder too many obligations for the Joyful Court, but you can rightfully gain our support. You won't be isolated and helpless when facing evil gods, and you'll have a reliable backing when you encounter difficulties."
" The Joyful Court will not interfere with your decisions; you remain your own master."
"You can continue to develop in your own way. If you wish, you can even formally join other Pantheon. I won't be upset about that."
The conditions were surprisingly lenient.
Garos was somewhat surprised and asked, "Does the Joyful Court not mind if the Outer Court Gods only join other Pantheon? Won't that cause conflict?"
Titania nodded, her expression calm.
"Of course, this is on the premise that the Pantheon maintains friendly relations with the Joyful Court; we only associate with friendly neighbors."
"For example, our Outer Court's Centaur God and Treant King."
"They have a very close connection with the Elf and gods of Avando, and our Joyful Court and the kingdom of Avando are, as a whole, friendly neighbors."
"If you want to join the Elf Pantheon, I won't stop you; I'd even be willing to act as a go-between."
Garos noted down this information, and then suddenly thought of something.
"And what about Naitar?"
He asked, "You say he is Outer Court deity, but he only belongs to the Joyful Court, and he seems to bear many responsibilities for Fae; for example, he was the one who fought against Tiamat's avatar before."
Upon hearing this, Titania gave a helpless yet amused look.
" Naitar."
"He was once a deity of the inner court, but he always managed to mess things up. Various plans would always go awry in his hands, and in the end, I expelled him from the inner court."
She shook her head, recalling some unpleasant scenes.
" Naitar's greatest pleasure now is running around the Fey Wilds playing pranks, and then coming back every now and then to ask me when he can rejoin the Inner Court."
"He volunteered to descend into the Material Plane last time."
"It's all in order to gain leverage in order to return to the inner court."
This is exactly the kind of thing Naitar would do.
Garos had no doubts and slowly said, "I roughly understand the difference between the Outer Court, but I still have one question, a question about myself."
"Feel free to ask any questions you may have; there's nothing that can't be said here."
Titania nodded, looking at him encouragingly.
I am not a god.
Red Iron Dragon said, "I am more inclined to walk the Immortal Path, ignite the Divine Fire, accept faith, and establish Divine Kingdom —these things, at least for now, are not in my plans."
Will the Joyful Court accept an Immortal One as a member of the Outer Court?
"As far as I know, the roster of the Joyful Court seems to be full of deities; I've never heard of any Immortal One being included."
Titania blinked, then smiled.
" Deity and Immortal Realm are not contradictory paths."
"In fact, among all realms, there are many beings who walk both paths simultaneously, using their Immortal Realm bodies to bear the Divine Fire and their Divinity to solidify their Immortal Realm. On some level, the two are complementary rather than mutually exclusive."
Many higher life forms view them as two sides of the same coin.
She changed the subject, her tone becoming more serious. "However, you know very well what you want."
"Since you are not ready to walk this path, I will not force you. Putting an unprepared soul on a divine throne will only create a twisted existence."
"That would do you no good, neither for you, nor for the Royal Court, nor for any life connected to you."
She rose from the flower chair, flapped her wings gently, and flew to eye level with Garos, her violet eyes looking directly at him.
"You want to purely walk the Immortal Path? No problem."
"I can help you create a Godhood, a position belonging to the Lord of Victory and Glory."
She knew that Garos had briefly Ascension to Godhood, and she also knew what his Divine Domain were after his Ascension to Godhood.
This is also why Titania values him so much.
The Divine Domain, to a certain extent, represents the essence of God and cannot be faked.
Lord of Victory and Glory ----
In any pantheon, a deity with such a title is certainly not a weak one. In the Joyful Royal Court, no god holds any divine authority other than this, which is a huge vacancy for the fairy gods.
" Godhood?"
Red Iron Dragon glanced sideways slightly. "I don't know what it is, or what effect it will have on me?"
This word exists in the tradition, but it is only a name without a detailed explanation. Garos was not sure of its specific meaning, only that it was related to Deity.
It sounds similar to Divine Spark, yet it seems entirely different.
" Godhood, simply put, is a location."
Titania said casually, "It's like a chair, engraved with your name, belonging exclusively to you, placed in the hall of the Joyful Court."
It will help you gather the faith that flows towards you.
"Every prayer and every praise offered to you by your believers forms the power of faith, and that intangible faith will naturally converge into the Godhood."
"Now, you have not ignited the Divine Fire."
"In this situation, your faith can at best remain at the level of Demigod; anything more would be a waste."
She stretched out her hand, her fingers slightly spread, and made a lifting motion.
"But if you have Godhood, these beliefs will be collected by it, not a single drop will be wasted."
"All the faith, offerings, praises, and prayers that should have flowed to you will slowly settle, condense, and grow within your Godhood, accumulating over time to become the most solid foundation for your Ascension to Godhood."
"The key is, you don't have to sit on it directly."
"Only when you yourself are willing, for example, when you feel the time is right and you want to truly embark on the path to godhood, can you directly ascend to the throne. At that time, everything will be ready."
"If you meet with misfortune and die unexpectedly—"
"Unlike other Immortal One, you will not transform into Divine Power Destiny Core after death, becoming a prize to be fought over and picked up and used by those who come after you."
"Instead, Godhood will give you an option."
"You can choose to rest in peace, or you can choose to be reborn on Godhood and become a true god. Of course, this has many problems compared to actively Ascension to Godhood, and there will be many troubles afterward, but at least you will not perish completely."
Red Iron Dragon's eyes showed a thoughtful expression.
Godhood ----
It's like a container for categorizing beliefs, but its effect goes beyond that of a container, making it more like a special place.
But in any case, this is a fairly strong safeguard.
Without Godhood, any further faith he may have would be wasted. If he were to perish and die, he would have no chance of being resurrected through faith, and everything would end with his death.
But with Godhood, everything will be completely different.
"How about it?"
"As long as you are willing to join the Joyful Court, even the Outer Court, I can create Godhood for you, a condition that other Pantheon rarely offer."
"Establishing Godhood for you is no simple matter; even I would need to put in some effort."
Titania suppressed her laughter and spoke seriously.
On the other side, Garos's thoughts were racing.
Even if one only joins the Outer Court, there will still be a certain degree of connection with the Joyful Court. One will need to do some things for the Joyful Court and will not be able to remain uninvolved at certain times.
Garos wanted to refuse; it was his initial, instinctive reaction.
He's not used to joining any organizations.
However, the offering from the Joyful Court was far too generous and showed immense sincerity, exceeding his expectations and making it difficult for him to refuse.
To put it bluntly, the Fae doesn't actually need him that much.
He was ultimately just a Legendary Realm, far from achieving a pivotal position on the chessboard of all realms.
Titania favored him because she saw his potential and his future, and was willing to invest in him rather than following the principle of "equivalent exchange" for mutual benefit. She was betting on his growth.
Finally, after some deliberation, the Red Iron Dragon looked up at Titania.
"It is my honor to have the Queen's favor."
"I, Garos Ignas, am delighted to join the Outer Court Joy and become a member of Outer Court."
Titania's eyes lit up.
She made no attempt to hide her joy, flapping her wings and landing on the right side of his enormous head, where she reached out her small hand and vigorously patted his scales.
"The right choice."
She burst into laughter. "Follow me, and I won't treat you badly."
"From now on, you're under my protection. Mention my name, Titania, and at least half the trouble will automatically steer clear. If Tiamat comes after you again, I guarantee I'll pluck her dragon horns off!"
She paused, then patted the dragon's scales with her little hand.
"However, you'll have to stand up for me when necessary in the future."
"You should know that the Joyful Court isn't very good at fighting in the Material Plane. We're just a bunch of pitiful and weak fairies who need the protection of powerful and mighty dragons... Don't refuse when the time comes."