"Nieve, calm down." I said, quickly patting her small shoulders. "Panicking here won't get us anywhere... Everyone is watching, be careful."

"A-Ah... Right..." Nieve sighed.

"Wait, what did she said?"

"The sword... stolen?!"

"What sort of insult is this to our great king, who traded for it fair and square?"

"Who is that insect-winged foulmouthed brat?!"

"I'm sorry, she's just... got excited. We apologize, she really didn't mean it." I smiled gently. The people sighed and then forgot about it, though some still were glaring at us weirdly.

"L-Lady Planta... Why are you acting like this? Doesn't it frustrate you that they have our Queen's treasure that was stolen away from her?!" Nieve whispered to me angrily.

"It does, but there's nothing we can do right now." I said. "Nieve, think carefully before acting. We'll first meet the King, and then, through negotiations, we can reach some sort of agreement. Don't worry, I won't forget about it." I gave her a reassuring smile. "Let's go now."

"I will trust you, Lady Planta." She sighed. "Because I've given my utmost trust and loyalty to your judgement. I shall walk down the path you've chosen..." Nieve calmed herself down and nodded with a confident smile.

Well, she is certainly a little knightess.

"You're about to be in the presence of the Dwarf King, so please, make sure to watch out your manners." The guards said, as they glared at Nieve while raising eyebrows...

Creaaaak...!

The doors to the Dwarf King's throne room opened, revealing to us a gigantic hall, beautifully decorated with gold-made statues and accessories, a red carpet over the floor leading to the throne, which seemed to have been made of several precious jewels, ores, and more.

The King sat there, glancing at us with a calm yet surprised gaze. His appearance wasn't really that far from any of the other old male dwarves we've seen so far. A long black beard, fierce red eyes, big eyebrows, and his long hair made into several braids down his back.

Wearing a combination between a battle armor and regal clothes, he greeted us, raising his hand with a smile. I couldn't really detect any malice from him, he was a genuinely normal person, just a King, I guess.

His Aura though, was quite strong, he exuded a great magical power, but also a strong physical power aura all together combined into a gigantic presence... Yet at the same time, I could tell why he wasn't able to defeat that Dragon, he was still lacking on Skills and Magic Knowledge to make total use of his amazing strength.

"Welcome to my throne room." He said with a smile. "I have heard that outsiders composing a party of both players and people of our land have defeated the Viper Drake Queen. I had heard you also held the proof; can you show it to me? That you've truly defeated that beast that has tormented my people for so long?"

"Yeah, I got it right here." I smiled, quickly waving my hand, as the inventory opened and the beast's giant head dropped over the floor.

BAAAAM...!

"W-Woah!"

"T-That giant head...!"

"Without a doubt, my king!"

"Impressive!"

The many guards and councilors of the King were all shocked as they saw this. And then I noticed a young, dwarf girl with long red hair and blue eyes glancing from behind the King's throne. Who was she?

"A-Amazing..." The King gasped. "You've felled one of the Four Great Dragons... Now there are only three left, and that accursed black dragon left!"

"More or less." I nodded. "We were actually doing an errand for Richard here..."

Like that, we began explanations to the King while we introduced ourselves to him. Nieve tried her best to keep herself calm, but she was constantly letting out a chill aura of cold winds.

Richard also introduced himself alongside Kestrellius. The later was much more shocked than the former, as Richard was a rather calm man, even before being in front of the King.

He then, explained the reason of his research, which also was related with our own research. We explained him about the Demon King of Death, and also of the possibility of this black scaled dragon to be related with him, as Nether, the energy he exudes and controls, is present in every dragon we've hunted.

"So the reason why the dragons are so exceedingly strong compared to other lesser dragon type monsters we've fought before is the Demon King of Death's resurrection!?" The King was amazed. "Also, I was not aware you were actually Planta, the embodiment of the new World Tree, and a World Boss yourself... I apologize for my rude behavior earlier, you are of an equal, if not greater status than me, Lady Planta."

The Dwarf suddenly stood out of his throne and bowed his head to me. I was honestly amazed, but he seemed very grateful for having defeated the previous Demon King, and also, he held great respect and even thought of me as a goddess among mortals.

"A-Ahahaha, please, don't worry about that." I smiled with a giggle. "Let's act casual for now, I've never been someone that liked titles and all of that."

"F-For sure." The Dwarf King nodded, blushing a bit over my smile. "But, if you could let me say, your beauty is unparalleled. Since you entered this room that I've been struck with a great shock. Not in my entire life have I ever seen such a beautiful woman. Lady Planta, if you could, would it be alright for you to accompany me in my dinner? Of course, your friends can come too."

"E-Eh?" I felt a bit shocked. Was he just flirting with me just now? It felt a bit weird, but I guess I should had expected it... "Ah, well, we're in quite a hurry, but sure thing. If it can be made quick."

I noticed Mark glaring at the Dwarf King. He didn't seemed angered, but rather surprised of his sudden speech.

"But of course, fair lady of the world tree!" The Dwarf King seemed lovestruck. "And-"

"FATHER!" Suddenly, the girl hiding behind the throne appeared, roaring at the King. "How can you be so shameless?!"

"G-GEH...! B-Brisingra, my daughter?!" He cried in surprise.