harleyscars Page 75
Page 75
“Our king intends to isolate me. The more high-profile I become, the more likely I will become a thorn in the side of those good-for-nothings who are only envious of others.”
Since that's the case, why not just make a high-profile trip to the capital? Firstly, to create a grand spectacle, and secondly, to establish the image of a loyal and devoted minister!
Faced with Verna's dissuasion, Liu Tianyu chuckled and patted Verna's delicate face.
"Hoohoho!"
Soon, a loud dragon roar reached the sky, and a huge black dragon, as black as night and with claws like swords, appeared above the capital.
Chapter 109 A Reverse Show of Power
"Sigh, how boring! It's usually bustling with people, but now they've suddenly ordered the Holy Heaven Gate to be sealed off, and even the Prime Minister has come. What on earth is going on?"
On a watchtower of the Holy Heaven Gate city wall, a kingdom's desperate swordsman looked utterly dejected.
"Kid, even if we don't need to observe the people coming and going anymore, you still need to stay alert. If the Prime Minister and the others see you like this, being forced to retire will be the least of your worries!"
The Kingdom Temple Knight walking beside the Kingdom's Death Knight reminded him.
"Yes, yes, Master!"
The Kingdom's Death Knight responded to the Kingdom's Temple Knight's words, but his face still showed a lazy expression.
There's nothing we can do. The last major battle in the capital was over a decade ago, during the Demon King's War. The capital has been at peace for a long time now.
When he took office, the capital city was far from experiencing any major incidents; the most serious issues he dealt with were usually nobles causing trouble while drunk.
It's understandable that he would act so lazy, having never been tested by blood and fire.
"Hoohoho!"
"Strange, where did that sound come from? It's so loud! And the white clouds in the sky seem to have been blown away too, what's going on?"
Just as the Kingdom's Death Knight was lounging lazily on the watchtower, he was jolted awake by the sudden roar and the unusual sight in the sky.
"What's that sound?! This is terrible! Sound the alarm immediately! That's the roar of a dragon!"
Compared to the Kingdom's Death Knight's utter bewilderment, the Kingdom's Temple Knight reacted immediately upon hearing the roar and shouted back at the Kingdom's Death Knight.
"Ah? Ah! Okay, okay, Master!"
Looking at his master, who usually appeared aloof, a look of shock and even fear suddenly appeared on his face.
Although the Kingdom's desperate swordsman wanted to enjoy the spectacle, he knew the seriousness of the matter and quickly rang the large bell beside him, letting the sound reverberate throughout the entire Holy Heaven Gate.
"Boom boom boom——"
The heavy tolling of the bells soon began to spread outwards from the watchtower, even overpowering the first roar of the dragon coming from afar.
"What's going on? An alarm? Why is there an alarm? Has something happened at the Holy Heaven Gate?"
"I don't know! But the problem is, I haven't seen any enemies, so why would I sound the alarm?"
The nobles who had already stood at the entrance of the Holy Heaven Gate to welcome the guests couldn't help but look around, their hearts filled with unease.
It's no joke. Being sent by the king to greet a country nobleman had already infuriated them, who considered themselves noble. Now, with the sudden sound of an alarm, they immediately wanted to run away.
If it weren't for the Prime Minister, who was still standing there calmly, they probably would have already disappeared.
After all, they were neither spellcasters, nor did they have guards befitting nobles, and they were about to be greeted by a country bumpkin. Given these three factors, they had no choice but to make a hasty retreat.
"A dragon? And judging by its size, it's an adult, sixty meters long. It's probably larger than most adult dragons. If a conflict breaks out, I definitely won't come out on top!"
But it actually has an owner! That's unbelievable!
Compared to the restlessness of the insect nobles behind him after hearing the alarm, Duke Purple Gold remained remarkably calm.
On one hand, his strength as a Gold-rank adventurer gave him confidence; on the other hand, although he had sensed the black dragon Drogon, he also sensed Liu Tianyu riding on Drogon's neck.
If he had only sensed the black dragon Drogon, he would have returned to the capital without hesitation, reported the news of Drogon's approach to the king, and then summoned the royal guard to slay the dragon.
As for him going himself? He doesn't want to become a lump of nutrients or blend into the air.
To accomplish the feat of slaying a dragon, especially a fully grown one, a team of Gold-rank adventurers is required.
"Quick, look at the sky! There, there's a dragon! A giant dragon!"
"Why is a dragon appearing in the capital? Quick, quick, someone protect me!"
"Calm down! We are an ancient noble family of the Gensokyo Society. Don't embarrass Gensokyo!"
Seeing the black dragon Drogon piercing through the white clouds and hurtling down at top speed, most of the nobles who were waiting at the Holy Heaven Gate to welcome Liu Tianyu almost wet themselves in fright.
Perhaps their ancestors, or even their grandfathers, were all people of great merit and power, but after the title was passed down to them...
Picking out ten good-for-nothings out of ten might be unfair, but picking out nine good-for-nothings out of ten means there will definitely be some who slip through the net!
"This is truly embarrassing! I was originally planning to give Viscount Liu Tianyu of Storm a taste of his own medicine, but judging from your current state, I'm afraid I'll have to give you a taste of your own medicine instead."
Sensing the behavior of those good-for-nothings behind him, the Duke of Purple Gold couldn't help but sigh.
"Quickly, quickly, pull up the Magic Dragon Hunter Crossbow, and bring up the Demolition Machine as well!"
Compared to the cowardly behavior of the nobles, the elite soldiers stationed in the capital were loyal to their duty. Perhaps they had never experienced war, or perhaps they were afraid, but they still chose to defend their country without hesitation.
In this light, the king's rule, if not absolutely impregnable, was at least at a passable level.
"Hoohoho-"
As the black dragon Drogon swooped down, it opened its gaping maw and let out a deafening roar, announcing its arrival to the capital.
"Uh uh uh--"
"Ahhh-"
The piercing roar reached the ears of the nobles and soldiers.
Some nobles were immediately terrified, wetting themselves in fear and displaying none of their aristocratic manners; while some soldiers let out painful groans, covered their ears with their hands, and collapsed to the ground.
"Alright, Zhuo Geng, listen to my order and behave yourself. I don't want to repeat myself!"
Seeing that the capital's garrison had brought out giant crossbows and stone-throwing cannons, Liu Tianyu knew that it was about time. If they came any further, it would not be a high-profile action but a declaration of war and provocation.
Therefore, after the black dragon Drogon let out a roar, Liu Tianyu immediately mobilized his strength to amplify his voice and make it resound throughout the entire Holy Heaven Gate.
Upon receiving Liu Tianyu's order, the black dragon Zhuo Geng immediately nodded obediently, then switched its rapid dive to a slow flapping motion, gradually landing on an open space not far from the Holy Heaven Gate.
"Yes, someone jumped off that dragon!"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
When the black dragon Zhuogeng landed on the open ground not far from the Holy Heaven Gate, the good-for-nothings who were originally extremely nervous and worried that the giant dragon in front of them would suddenly attack and hurt people had already turned around and ran away.
But upon hearing the exclamations of the crowd, driven by curiosity, they couldn't help but turn their heads and discover that a young man had indeed jumped down from the dragon's neck.
Moreover, the usually calm Duke of Purple Gold actually stepped forward to greet him!
"call……"
Upon seeing someone approaching its master, the black dragon Drogon spewed out two blazing flames from its dark nostrils.
"Zhuo Geng, stop! He means no harm. Even if he did, there's nothing to worry about!"
Liu Tianyu quickly reached out a hand and touched the nose of the black dragon Zhuogeng, signaling him to calm down.
Under Liu Tianyu's reassurance, the black dragon Drogon calmed down a bit, but its headlight-sized eyes still stared unkindly at the Purple-Gold Duke.
"Hahaha, Viscount Storm, your entrance really caught me off guard! I must say, your entrance this time is probably going to go down in history!"
Duke Zijin burst into hearty laughter as soon as he arrived beside Liu Tianyu.
"Oh, you know me? You must be Duke Zijin. It is truly an honor for a country noble like myself to know someone of your stature!"
Liu Tianyu certainly didn't recognize Duke Zijin, but judging from his aura alone, he could sense that Duke Zijin was powerful.
Therefore, Liu Tianyu chose to extend his hand directly.
When Duke Zijin saw Liu Tianyu extend his hand, he paused for a moment, but quickly smiled and shook hands with Liu Tianyu.
"I'm getting old, I'm getting old. The future ultimately belongs to you young people. His Majesty awaits your arrival in the palace hall! You, my dragon..."
Duke Zijin looked at the black dragon Zhuogeng, which was as big as a small mountain, behind Liu Tianyu, and couldn't help but look worried.
Let it come with us into the capital. If it gets upset, the capital will be in big trouble.
Even with the royal guards watching over it, there's no guarantee that something might happen if it's left here!
"buzzing"
With a ripple, the massive size of the black dragon Drogon vanished without a trace.
"This?! I didn't sense any magical fluctuations at all?"
Looking at the empty space that was now just a large pit, the Duke of Purple Gold could no longer maintain his politician's smile and stared at Liu Tianyu in astonishment.
"Your Grace, there's no need to look at me. This is just my bloodline magic; it's a rather convenient giant warehouse!"
Liu Tianyu shrugged slightly and explained.
"Bloodline magic? Hahaha, Viscount Storm, please come with me into the palace to meet His Majesty. Your soldiers will be entertained by someone else!"
Although quite curious, the Duke of Purple Gold suppressed his curiosity and began to lead Liu Tianyu to the right place, as business was of the essence.
When Liu Tianyu and Duke Zijin arrived at the Holy Heaven Gate, they heard the system's voice.
[Count Saen, favorability -20.]
[Count Mills, favorability -25.]
Marquis Mawei, favorability -35.
……
Good heavens, I haven't even stepped into the capital yet, and a bunch of clueless nobles already have a negative opinion of me.
The nobles looked at him with all sorts of expressions, none of them showing any positive emotion. Clearly, they had just been terrified by the black dragon Drogon and had lost face.
However, due to the intimidating presence of the black dragon Drogon, they dared not speak out against it, which was quite ridiculous!
Liu Tianyu wrote down the names of these guys whose favorability ratings had turned negative after just one meeting in his notebook, intending to treat them well in the future!
Chapter 110 A Hotshot [Two Chapters Combined]
"Da da da……"
After arriving at the palace, Liu Tianyu followed behind Duke Zijin, with elite soldiers guarding both sides of the palace road.
The guards stationed here are all top-tier soldiers; there are no lower-tier soldiers among them.
The capital city is indeed the core of the entire kingdom, and the royal palace is naturally the core of the core. There are probably two thousand guards stationed here alone.
Most importantly, they are top-tier soldiers, and they are also equipped with a full set of enchanted equipment. Moreover, judging from the way the light flows, it is definitely not low-level enchanted equipment.
Two thousand people fully armed with enchanted gear... Even if he sold himself, he probably couldn't scrape together a hundred complete sets of enchanted gear.
After all, a complete set of enchanted equipment is not something that money can buy. Even a combination of a master blacksmith and an enchanter would take a year to craft.
Even if they did nothing else their whole lives but worked together to create enchanted equipment, they still couldn't make a hundred sets.
Not to mention, master blacksmiths and master enchanters are extremely rare, and even nobles have to treat them with utmost respect.
The fact that there are now two thousand guards wearing fully armed and enchanted equipment is enough to demonstrate the kingdom's powerful foundation. It is indeed a thousand-year-old kingdom!
If these two thousand guards were actually taken out to hunt a fully grown dragon, the dragon would probably not even be able to run away and would die on the spot!
Even ants can kill an elephant if they are numerous, let alone two thousand guards who are fully equipped with enchanted gear and whose strength is in no way inferior to silver-level adventurers.
The quality of an army is more important than its quantity!
This group of top-tier soldiers, whose entire bodies are enchanted with weapons, is enough to be worth ten or even twelve ordinary top-tier soldiers.
"Your Majesty, Viscount Liu Tianyu, Lord of Stormlord of the Black Phoenix Clan, requests an audience!"
Just as Liu Tianyu was secretly observing the layout of the palace, a young-looking attendant walked out of the palace hall and respectfully addressed the people in the hall.
"Huh? Are there eunuchs in another world too?"
Looking at the attendant, who was fair-skinned and beardless, and who did not appear to have an Adam's apple, Liu Tianyu thought with suspicion.
"Viscount Storm, you seem quite curious about Chief Squire Narciss?"
Even with his back to Liu Tianyu, the Purple Gold Duke could see Liu Tianyu's confusion and asked softly.
"Um, I'm sorry, Your Grace, please forgive my curiosity."