Epic of Ice Dragon: Reborn As An Ice Dragon With A System

"Anyways, for now, it would be better if we talk about the topics we can accomplish within our current path." Said the Turquoise Frozen Pavilion. "There's room for improvement in our strategies, but shouldn't we adress the most important thing now? We need to ample our securities. Of all of us here."

"Indeed, I agreed." Sighed the Frost Tear Kingdom's King. "However, investing on security costs more than we can possibly afford."

"The Frost Emblem Empire has been taking over several dungeons, they leave little for us!"

"I heard the Frost Tear Kingdom has lots of sea they use to fish for resources, how come you have little money?"

"Both of them are the richest in the entire continent yet pretend to be poor and vulnerable? Then what are we? Trash? Garbage?"

"As the greatest of this continent, shouldn't you be more solidary and understanding with us?"

The rest of the governors began to complain, a whole discussion broke out. The Emperor and the King were getting rather annoyed. The Emperor barked back at them and shut down a lot of them, but they continued complaining more and more.

This was perhaps the only time they had to voice their opinions like this, from face to face, even if the one they were talking to was someone so above them, they were too worried about their people to care about their own lives anymore.

"Fine! Fine! The Alliance of the West Kingdoms, stop being so pathetic already! I'll lend you three of my dungeons, the ones nearest to your territory. With that you should have enough resources to arm yourselves, as long as you actually are capable enough to complete them! However, I'll get 60% of your profits, that's fair, right? I am merely lending them to you guys."

"That's good but…"

"60%?!"

"Hey, you're barely leaving anything to us!"

The "West Kingdom Alliance" was made of a dozen small kingdoms and sects and had three representatives here. They were closer to the Empire, and they had most of their resources taken away by the Empire's greedy forces. I am surprised the Empire hasn't just invaded them and added them to their territory already.

"60% is not rational, Emperor." The Court Elder said. "Be more generous as one of the greatest monarchs of this continent. The Frost Queen is watching over you."

"Well I certainly am…"

The Frost Queen's voice whispered to me.

Ah, she's here, huh.

She's probably seeing things through me somehow.

"My children had become all very greedy, to think they would be fighting over such trivial things as dungeon ownership…" She sighed.

"How about you talk with them then?" I asked her.

"I don't know how I could, and that would only create more chaos, the other Venerables might feel threatened as well." Sighed the Frost Queen.

"Then how about I become your vessel?" I asked her. "Something like your hero, your chosen one. If you give me a divine protection or something. Is there some sort of mark for it?"

"A mark… Certainly." Said the Frost Queen. "But are you sure about this, Drake? Are you willing to take this responsibility and aid these people you don't even know?"

"The Gods watching over them seem to only be there for protection, as someone that can be between the mortal and god realms without being affected, I think it is my responsibility. It also doesn't hurt to spread my presence." I laughed.

"Very well… I like how you speak, you're truly a good-hearted man." She sighed.

FLASH!

Suddenly, a mark emerged in the palm of my left hand, showing what resembled a beautiful woman with snowflakes around her. This was, according to her, the "Mark of the Frost Queen" that only those with her Divine Protection possess.

Of course, as a non-mortal, I don't benefit from it anymore, but it certainly a nice thing to show off. With this, I might also earn more credibility than just my feats alone.

"Don't force me to increase it to 70%! You're being too greedy for small kingdoms! Most of your realms are so small they're the size of my Empire's villages!" The Emperor furiously said. His authority couldn't really be suppressed by anybody.

"Hahh… I don't know if we'll ever be safe enough like this…"

"We have a serious problem with food shortage as well."

"Monsters have become more aggressive lately, our crops had been destroyed several times…"

The three representants of the alliance sighed. If the monsters have become more aggressive, that might also be provoked by something, perhaps the awakening of the Demon King, or maybe the weakening of [Fate], or worse, my very existence.

"Emperor, I believe you should leave it at 20% ~ 80%." I said with a smile.

"Huh? Ah, I guess you're not like I had thought you were, Drake. Indeed, that's fair, right? 80% for me and 20% for them. They're so small they don't need more than that! Hahaha!" The Emperor laughed.

"No, I mean you get 20%." I said with a domineering voice.

"Huh?! What sort of joke is that? I cannot ever give out my dungeons for such a cheap price!" He said furiously. "You might be regarded as a hero, but you're in no position to give me such request!"

F L A A A S H!

I showed my mark to everyone.

"T-That mark?!"

"What?!"

"I see… it makes sense now!"

"Drake… he's really a chosen one by our Frost Queen!"

The Court Elder opened his eyes wide in surprise, he quickly ran to my side, checking my hand with everything he had, using magic and the like.

"It is authentic! By the Ancient Gods! What is this?! Lord Drake, you were a chosen by the Frost Queen, a Frost Guardian of our Continent?! I see, your feats, your strength! It makes sense now…" The Court Elder said, everyone else went insane in surprise as well.

I guess it is finally time to have some order in here.