Nuclear? It sounded foreign, sharp, and somehow mechanical...

Nothing like the ancient, primal forces she was accustomed to in Goliathens.

Yet the way Benjamin had said it, I’m that calm and certain demeanor, made it feel like something far more dangerous than any simple spell or dragon fire she knew.

Benjamin continued without pausing, his voice still steady and measured, carrying the calm authority he had slipped into moments earlier.

"I understand that you do not want me to be entirely owned by the Amazons, as it would tip the delicate balance of power amongst the seven Great Kingdoms in ways that could lead to open conflict or uneasy alliances fracturing overnight."

He met her gaze directly, his blue eyes clear and unshaken.

"I understand that you are requesting, or perhaps more accurately insisting, that I see the rest of the world before choosing where I will ultimately belong. That is actually pragmatic. Strategic, even. But the truth will always remain that I have my own autonomy. I can, and will, make my own decisions, regardless of how any kingdom tries to sway or contain me."

A brief silence hung between them, broken only by the soft rustle of Titania’s wings as she shifted slightly in his lap, still pressed close to his chest.

"However, it cannot be helped," Benjamin said with a small sigh, the sound carrying resignation rather than defeat. "I will go around the kingdoms and pay them a visit."

Dynamis’s lips then curved into a thin, satisfied smile; not really triumphant, but more approving.

She nodded once, lightly, the motion majestic and regal.

"That is a wise choice, Benjamin. You have impressed me."

The admission came without flourish, but the weight behind it was unmistakable.

The ogre princess of Goliathens did not offer praise lightly.

"But..." Benjamin continued, raising one finger as though to halt any premature celebration, "...I will not spend any more than seven days in ALL the kingdoms combined before returning to my family. Are we clear on that?"

Dynamis tilted her head slightly, studying him for a bit.

"I do not truly care about the other kingdoms," she replied evenly, voice low and unapologetic. "I only used them to strengthen my rhetoric. To make the proposal feel fairer and more balanced, when my true interest has always been Goliathens alone."

"At least be discreet in your deception!" Benjamin whined, the frustration slipping back into his tone for a moment.

His shoulders slumped just a fraction, the emperor-like composure cracking to reveal the young man beneath once more.

Dynamis’s smile widened only a hair, but enough to show a glint of amusement in her dark eyes.

"So, how about this," she insisted, leaning forward once more, elbows resting on her powerful thighs. "Stay at Goliathens for a week. Then spread your stay across two days with each of the other kingdoms: Gihon, Steelwood, and the Elven Empire."

"Then that’d be more than two weeks again," Benjamin pointed out calmly, doing the math in his head without hesitation. "And staying for one whole week with you is unreasonable. It would delay my return far too long."

Dynamis exhaled slowly through her nose, the sound heavy with calculation.

"Then three days," she countered. "I swear to you, you will not want to leave Goliathens after three days of being with us."

Benjamin raised an eyebrow and huffed.

"Sakura said the same thing," he answered dryly. "No matter how interesting the place might be, I will always love Verdant Spire because it is the first place I called home in Elyndor. But fine; three days with you, and two days with each of the remaining three kingdoms, and that’s it. No more extensions."

Dynamis regarded him for a long moment, then inclined her head in acceptance.

"It is a wonderful deal, Benjamin. You could use this opportunity to create political advantages for your Amazons, besides simply letting them treat you like a jobless pig."

"Ouch." Benjamin winced theatrically, but a wry smile tugged at his lips. "But you have a point. And hey, am I really restricted from contacting Elara?"

"Yes," Dynamis sighed, leaning back against the couch cushions. The movement made the spotted animal skin shift across her chest, her adornments catching warm light. "Elara can be very unreasonable when she’s angered. She has been harassing my tribe for days now, suspecting us of kidnapping you with some extremely esoteric magic."

Benjamin frowned. "She doesn’t suspect Shishi-no-su?"

"Unlike Goliathens," Dynamis explained patiently, "Shishi-no-su is a very large civilization and nation with things like vast territories, deep resources and more intricate alliances. Showing too much open hostility when Sakura might not be the culprit could cause severe, cascading results. Despite this, Amazons still perch around Shishi-no-su’s borders like vultures waiting for a sign of weakness."

[Ugh, I have to get back fast before they do something crazy.] [Ben]

And with that, it was settled.

Dynamis extended her large hand once more.

This time the handshake was slower and more understanding, a formal sealing of terms rather than a test of power.

Benjamin met her grip firmly.without his aura flaring.

It was not a challenge, just a mutual understanding now.

She rose from the couch with fluid grace for someone of her size, her red-haired guard falling into step beside her without a word.

And the two ogres turned toward the grand vine-draped exit.

"Incidentally, Tyta," Dynamis added over her shoulder as they prepared to leave, "the red dragon has been released for a while now. Are you aware of it?"

Titania, who had finally stood up from Benjamin’s lap to see their guests off, blinked in mild surprise.

"Ah, Seraphina’s niece, you mean?" she asked, tilting her head. "Yes, I heard she was released from Tartarus a few centuries ago actually. She’s been imprisoned there for over four thousand years for suddenly disrupting the Eighth Celestial War by attacking her aunt, the Star Dragon Seraphina."

"What a wild beast," Dynamis muttered, squinting slightly as though recalling old battle reports. "Why was she released if she is so much trouble? Will she not interrupt this soon coming Ninth Celestial War?"

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com