In a bustling city, every mortal were going to their jobs. Some were doing their business with honesty, while some were haggling others in a scam. It was basic routine of every creature in this city.

The urban life of any man or woman were full of struggles and competitions. They had to become strong and wild, in a subtle way, to press down their competitors. And today, another competitor was going to join them. This competitor was about to break many hearts, many lesser plots and absorb tge attention of all with her charms alone.

A beauty with a brain. A woman whose number of suitors had no limits and her magical powers were enormous as well.

Her name was ...

"... Lady Claugiyliamatar. Please wake up!"

"Lady Claugiyamatar, please!"

A familiar voice woke up the infamous green dragon from her morning's sleep. Her eyes shot open in daze for few seconds, and then she growled.

"Who dare?!"

Her tone was full of malice and anger. She could not contain herself. For she was not some random dragon like her colleagues. She was an Ancient Green Dragon who ruled the underworld of Waterdeep through the machinations of her secret organization called Gnawbones. As it's founder and fund supporter, she held a prestigious position amongst her colleagues.

A dragon who managed to fool the military and security agencies of the Waterdeep and through her sheer intellect, she destroyed her enemies in the battle of wits.

Unlike other chromatic dragons, she was readily prepared to spend her money for the sake of her dreams. Her ultimate goal that nobody would understand. Her dream of reaching the apex of power without actual powers!

She growled at her minion for disturbing her dreams.

"Tell me one good reason for not ending your pitiful life right away. Because if I find your reason baseless, then you and your family will be transferred in my belly. Did you understand?!"

Her minion paled in horror and bowed down to her.

"La-La-Lady Claugiyliamatar! This is a serious matter! It truly requires your attention."

"Hoh? And that is?!" She prepared her claws as she was ready to punch upon the poor hobgoblin.

Garbul was terrified beyond measures. He knew that his position as the servant of this Green Dragon put him above the rest of her minions, but he hated his job. The possibility of being devoured by this crazy dragoness was a nightmare, but the worst part of all this was also losing his family. He had once once tried to transfer his children and wife to another continent, but somehow, Claugiyliamatar found about his treachery. Her immediate action was not killing him, but to threaten him and his family. She knew that he loved his family members more than her.

As a warlord, he trained many talented individuals in his small troop. But they all were useless compared to her. Whether it was her strength or magic, she was an undefeatable foe for him. However, her greatest asset in her arsenal was her intelligence.

She was smart, manipulative, deceptive and a petty dragoness who would stop at nothing to fulfill her fetishes. Her draconic ego had been smashed a long time ago. And she was not above to beg for more power if there was anyone to present her with powers.

And he was sure that this Green Dragon would love to talk with these new suitors.

"My Lady, the new leader of Dragon's cult wishes to speak with you. He has some offers for you."

"New leader? But why am I not informed of this new leader?"

"W-Well, the Dragon Cult has been divided into two factions. The old faction members wanted to turn you into a dracolich. They are still trying to recruit dragons who wishes to become immortal. The goal is still same for these members. And it is, to make an army of immortal and ageless dragons."

"Hmm, those idiots are very determined, aren't they?" She thought loud in amusement. Garbul could not help, but nod in affirmation.

"And about the new factions?"

"On the other hand, we have a new faction who are led by a young calishite human named Severin Silrajin. He thinks that the dragons have earned the devotion of the lesser races, rather than those who are undeads. He wants to bring back Tiamat onto the world again. And for that, he offers us a seat in this whole new cult."

For the first time in their whole conversation, Claugiyliamatar looked impressed about this new cult. She was curious if this whole offer has some merits for her as well. But then, her mood soured.

"No need to make any offers with this new cult. They will pester me and my Gnawbones to take part in their fights. I am not interested to waste my resources so easily. However, if they have a way to turn me a human woman, then I am all ears. Got it?"

"Yes, my Lady."

While she found this new leader's motto very attractive, she knew that the man seemed too sweet to be a cult leader. Thus human had plans to bring back Tiamat and then, the Goddess would destroy the humans as a show of her power.

And if that ever happened, Claugiyliamatar would regret her decisions on joining this new faction. She did not want to kill the human societies. If she could control them with her words and schemes, no matter how strong they were in reality, then all she had to do was to sit at one place and enjoy the whole drama.

She had far better things to do than to waste her time over an ambitious cult leader. He could die in the flames of Nine Hells. His goals were not what interested her.

Garbul saw how his mistress slowly calmed down and went back to her sleeping form. It was one of her most peaceful state if he swore.

And though he was eager to make her join this new faction, his and his family's life were far above than the rest.

She might not join this new faction, but he would. He had his own agenda to fulfill. And as the hobgoblin warlord, he would like to seek the glory for his kind and the freedom from his crazy mistress.

He slowly went back to his camp where his servants waited for him. They were all sleepy and tired of thus job. He could tell this from their faces. They wanted to get released from this jail, but could not.

"Lord Garbul, did she hear you out?" One of his servant asked. She was a Warrior just like him and a talented one in the close combat.

He replied negatively. But then he assured her, "Don't worry about it. I have a plan on how to deal with her. Make sure the children will safely get put of this hell when the time comes."

"Understood."

With that, she and her colleagues dispersed.

Claugiyliamatar might be a fearsome strategist, but she lacked one thing that he and his family. One thing that he and his clan valued above all.

Trust.

"Soon, we will write a new future. And if it comes to meet death in our path, we will embrace it whole-heartedly. For the future of clan, we are ready to die." He muttered in low tone and took out green mask from his side bag.

It was a mask that seemed akin to a green dragon face with designs made up of real dragon scales. He wore the mask and walked deep into the woods.

He had a person to speak with.

"Hope, it turns well for us."

His hopeful words vanished into the winds of tge chilling night. Unaware of his grim fate, he walked straight to meet Alandra.

Fun Fact : Claugiyliamatar is the only chromatic dragon who is ready to spend money just for the sake of power. She loves to make fanfictions, watching dramas and role-playing as a gorgeous shoujo character.