Chapter 828: Visit (Three in one)
Seeing the looks on Bernie and Lady Carrie’s face, Abel knew they didn’t believe him even though he put it bluntly.
He laughed and took out a little piece of scale. Although it was not eye-catching, both Bernie and Lady Carrie suddenly froze up. They could sense dragon energy coming from that scale.
Don’t underestimate that scale. Normal people didn’t know, but they knew it was a scale from an infant giant dragon. It was what guarded them, so every giant dragon would keep their scale as a token after they matured.
Both Bernie and Lady Carrie were the elites of their race. They’ve seen those tokens from the giant dragons before. They could be used to summon dragons when their race was in crisis.
A scale like that was a true treasure for their races. They were normally locked in the safest secret chambers, but Abel just took one out just like that.
They could sense blue dragon Emmanuel’s scent on it, so Abel was not lying.
A ray of blue light flashed on the scale, and a little pattern emerged on the surface. The pattern was not drawn. Every giant dragon was born with it.
“Abel, are you going to invite me over? I’ve been waiting!” The excited voice of blue dragon Emmanuel emerged.
The words from the blue dragon made Bernie’s jaw drop. He was in disbelief. How could a dragon sound this friendly? They were normally so arrogant.
Lady Carrie was in the same situation. Although she knew a lot about Abel, she still couldn’t believe Abel’s relations.h.i.+p with the dragon. Druids tightly guarded the dragon swamp in the Double Moon forest. She never heard of Abel or Bennett going there.
She would never have expected that Abel ran into blue dragon Emmanuel in the ocean. It was too much of a coincidence.
“Emmanuel, you free now? If yes, I’ll officially invite you over to my castle as a guest!” Abel laughed and said. It seems like Blue Dragon Emmanuel had a scary amount of free time anyway.
“Of course, I have free time. I just came back to the dragon swamp from my mission!” Blue dragon Emmanuel laughed as well.
“Emmanuel, make sure you keep your vigor in. I have a lot of normal people here!” Abel quickly added as he was reminded of the vigor of a blue dragon.
“Yeah yeah, I’m on my way to the teleportation circle. Be there in a second!”
Abel cut off the connection with the scale and said to the blank s.p.a.ce. “Flora, give blue dragon Emmanuel the permission to connect to the castle!”
“Yes, Master!” Tower Spirit Flora Voice emerged from mid-air.
Since Abel’s power and status had increased, he no longer needed to keep that much secret. Flora sounded more human than ever, you would not see a spirit like that every day.
Bernie and Lady Carrie exchanged glances but didn’t say anything.
As he was speaking, Blue Dragon Emmanuel had already teleported to Harry Castle. “He really is fast!” Abel scratched his head.
“I’ll go to greet blue dragon, Emmanuel. I’ll be off now!” He bowed to Bernie and Lady Carrie.
“Grandmaster Abel, greeting Mr. Emmanuel is important!” Lady Carrie bowed back.
Bernie also urged Abel to go faster. He didn’t want blue dragon Emmanuel to think the dwarfs and the elves were clinging to Abel. The dragons were known for not being reasonable. Abel disappeared in a flash of white light. He then appeared at the teleportation circle in 2 flashes.
Lady Carrie was in disbelief once again as he saw Abel flash away.
“The rumors are real. Grandmaster Abel really has become an intermediate wizard!” She shook her hand and said to Bernie.
Bernie knew what Lady Carrie meant by rumor was just the information the elves got through their investigation department because the dwarfs were also doing the same. It was no surprise looking at Abel’s rate of progress in the past anyway.
Bernie was more shocked at Abel’s progress in forgery and metallurgy anyway, but it was most likely he didn’t know much about being a wizard.
Lady Carrie knew what being an intermediate wizard signified, so her shock was reasonable.
“I won’t be surprised if Grandmaster Abel becomes an elite wizard soon!’ Bernie said blankly. He has seen too many miracles from Abel, and it has always made him look at this friend of his differently.
“Blue dragon Abel!” Blue Dragon Emmanuel stepped out of the teleportation circle and bowed. He was in a human form, but his skin still had that strange blue tone.
“Blue dragon Emmanuel, Welcome. You can just call me Abel!” Abel laughed.
“Abel, the defense of your castle is too scary!” blue dragon Emmanuel sensed the energy in the castle, and his face immediately changed.
Although he couldn’t identify what creature that energy belonged to, he knew it was definitely very powerful.
That energy was neck to neck with the energy of a giant dragon. According to the Holy Continent rules, energy like that should not appear in the common world.
“I’ve got a guardian from the ancient sight. He agreed to protect my family and castle!” Abel knew blue dragon Emmanuel was referring to Babala. Babala was too powerful to hide, so Abel just told the truth.
“You are lucky, Abel!” Blue dragon Emmanuel also wanted to find a living guardian from an ancient sight, but it was not that easy.
Not many things from the ancient world could still survive to this day, let alone obtaining them. Every one of them was extremely powerful.
“Let’s change the topic. I have something to ask you. Let’s head to the lounge. I’ll get someone to prepare lunch!” Abel made an inviting gesture.
“Abel, just say it, I will definitely help you!” Blue Dragon Emmanuel said with a laugh as they walked. He knew Abel’s potential, so his friends.h.i.+p with Abel was very genuine.
The dragons were highly intelligent, more intelligent than any human. But they were not as cunning as humans. Their intention was a lot purer.
The dragons had the natural ability to sense good and bad intentions. On top of their almost invincible abilities, they didn’t need to plan any ill intent plot or please anyone. They just do what they want.
“No need to ask the dwarfs or elves for grandmaster wine, all the wine in the Holy Continent is made by me!” Abel said as he led blue dragon Emmanuel into the castle.
“Haha, I didn’t know that. You should have told me earlier!” Blue Dragon Emmanuel laughed as he entered the lounge. When he saw Bernie and Lady Carrie, he immediately knew what happened.
“From now on, the dwarfs and elves no longer need to give me grandmaster wine. I will directly ask Abel for it!” He waved at Bernie and Lady Carrie.
Bernie and Lady Carrie immediately bowed in grat.i.tude. The grandmaster wine mission their race had given them was way too challenging. As long as Abel could promise the dwarfs, he would make some master wine and grandmaster wine for them from time to time and make some lotion and conditioner for the elves. They would be very happy.
Abel’s status was too prestigious at the end of the day. A grandmaster Blacksmith, a master alchemist, and the king of the most powerful Duchy in the human world. He was still willing to supply resources for the dwarfs and elves. Things like this were very rare.
“Blue dragon Emmanuel, I will send you some grandmaster wine from time to time. I can’t promise I’ll give you a lot since, you know, the food shortage affects wine production a lot!” Abel laughed and explained.
“Don’t worry, the food shortage won’t last more than 10 years. I can wait!” Blue dragon Emmanuel brushed it off like it was nothing.
The food shortage would not affect the dragons anyway.
Bernie and Lady Carrie did not say a word as he watched Abel talk to Blue dragon Emmanuel, nor did they ask to leave.
After a while, Steward Lindsey stepped in and bowed, “Young master, lunch is ready. Please go to the dining hall with the prestigious guests!”
“Blue Dragon Emmanuel, you will definitely need to try the good food in my castle. We are known for it in the Holy Continent!” Abel smiled and made a welcoming gesture.
“It has been many years since I’ve tried human food. Since you speak so fondly of it, I will definitely give it a try!” Blue Dragon Emmanuel laughed and stood up.
“Bernie, Lady Carrie, please come along as well!” Abel turned and bowed to Bernie and Lady Carrie.
“Yes, Grandmaster!” The two immediately bowed back.
Although their faces didn’t say much, Abel saw the unwillingness in their eyes. He suddenly realized, not everyone could interact with a giant dragon normally.
Although Blue Dragon Emmanuel had retracted his vigor, both Lady Carrie and Bernie felt pressured just thinking about the fact they were standing next to a giant dragon.
It must be torture for them.
But at the same time, they could not reject an offer in front of Blue Dragon Emmanuel. It would be a disaster if blue dragon Emmanuel thought they weren’t respecting the dragons.
Blue dragon Emmanuel could turn them flat with one smack, so they wouldn’t dare to risk it.
They entered the dining hall, and Abel gave out the master seat to Blue Dragon Emmanuel.
He was the strongest of the bunch, and it was also reasonable to give out the seat because of his age. Lady Carrie and Bernie also did not say a word.
Abel had done it out of respect. Although the master seat normally belonged to the owner. If a guest’s status was far superior, it was reasonable to give it out.
Blue Dragon Emmanuel knew this as well, so he did not reject it. Although he had not interacted with Abel for long, they had become close very fast. If not, he would not pa.s.s down the ‘crystal inhaling spell’ to Abel and gave him his contract scale.
Steward Lindsey immediately knew the prestige of the guest as Blue Dragon Emmanuel took the seat.
Abel did not do that even when the elite wizards from the dwarfs visited. In fact, Abel had never done this despite the countless prestigious guests that showed up in Harry Castle.
When the first dish was ready to serve, Steward Lindsey lowered his voice and said, “be extra careful today!”
When the first dish was placed on the table, Blue Dragon Emmanuel began to question. The human world’s food had not changed much for countless years, but the dishes today looked a little different. “Abel, what food is this. It has been many years since I’ve come to the human world, I can’t recognize these dishes!”
The method of cooking used in this dish was totally different from anything he saw before.
“It is a steamed fish, sweet and sour pork, and Steamed Eggs….” Abel introduced the dishes one by one.
The aroma filled the nose of Blue Dragon Emmanuel. Even a giant dragon could not resist the scent of the Horadric Cube combined rabbit essence.
As Abel was talking, he had already automatically stuck a fork in the plate and put some food in his mouth.
Suddenly, an intoxicating feeling emerged from within. He soon regained himself, and a shocked look emerged in his eyes. He was a dragon. How could he be intoxicated by food?
Wizards couldn’t be impressed easily because of their age. They had seen too much joy and suffering in their lives. Countless goodbyes and countless emotional impacts. Most wizards were numbed to most things.
However, their life span was still be nothing compared to a giant dragon. They might have curiosity when they were young and go out to explore during their prime, but they would mostly stay in their dragon swamp after that.
Dragons wouldn’t care much about most things, and there were not many things that could trigger emotions from them.
Ever since Blue Dragon Emmanuel ran into Abel, he got a sense of optimism from interacting with someone of his race. He had not felt this way for countless years.
This was why he had to get Abel to invite him to Harry Castle. He needed to feel something different.
This dish had given him exactly what he wanted, a different feeling. It was extremely rare.
“Abel, this food is really special!” Blue Dragon Emmanuel stopped his fork and exclaimed in admiration.
Abel only got the chance to take one bite before Blue Dragon Emmanuel finished all the dishes and a gla.s.s of juice. Bernie and Lady Carrie were slow, so their fork and knife were still clean.
“Blue dragon Emmanuel, if you like the food here, I can order my men to teleport someone to you!” Abel laughed.
Abel was the only one who truly understood the value of these dishes, but it was still not as valuable as the grandmaster’s wine. The food shortage had impacted wine brewing too much. Countless lives could be saved with every gla.s.s.
“Abel, from now on, you are blue Dragon Emmanuel’s brother!” Blue Dragon Emmanuel reached his hand on Abel’s shoulder and padded.
Bernie felt his heart drop when he saw the look of blue dragon Emmanuel’s face. How come a giant dragon could be this uncultured? He only ate Abel’s food once and wanted to become his brother.
But at the same time, he was extremely jealous. Blue Dragon Emmanuel was not joking when he called Abel a brother. If Abel had a problem, the dragons would definitely help him.
Bernie didn’t know that blue dragon Emmanuel had already recognized Abel as a brother when they met in the ocean. He just didn’t say it out loud. All blue dragons were brothers, but since Blue Dragon Emmanuel had gotten so much from Abel, he just had to show some grat.i.tude.
Abel was too weak at the moment, but Blue Dragon Emmanuel was committed to turning Abel into a truly powerful figure.
Steward Lindsey saw the guests were not full, so he quickly ordered the men to serve up some more food. Although Blue Dragon Emmanuel was in a human form, he still had a blue dragon’s stomach.
These delicate dishes were mostly cleaned up by blue dragon Emmanuel once again.
When the lunch was coming to an end, a flash emerged in the hall “master!”
“Bartoli, why are you here?” Abel asked in confusion.
Bartoli had been guarding in front of the a.s.sa.s.sin union Headquarters magic tower. Why did she come to Harry Castle?
Although Bartoli connected with Abel through the soul chain, it might disrupt his training if Abel was in retreat.
Therefore, Bartoli could only teleport to Harry Castle to find Abel.
“Master, the Kingdom of St Ellis Prince Derek had gathered 20,000 knights, 50 intermediate wizards, a few hundred beginner wizards, 200 Griffin knights, and even some elite wizards. They are all heading to the duchy of Carmel now!” Bartoli bowed and said.
Blue Dragon Emmanuel looked at Bartoli. She looked like a human, but she was not a human. It seemed like some kind of energy altered her.
It was extremely evil energy. Even the dragons could not do that, so the thing that altered Bartoli must have been more powerful than the dragons.
He was shocked, but he also spotted a soul contract on Bartoli. It was an unbreakable spell.
Maybe Bartoli was a product of the ancient time Abel got from an ancient sight.
As for the invasion from the kingdom of St Ellis, which Bartoli talked about, he did not even care for a single bit. All he needed to do was to leak out some dragon vigor, and the horses of those 20,000 knights would drop immediately.
A knight would lose half their strength without a mount, and those 200 Griffin knights were just the same. As for beginner wizards and intermediate wizards, they were just like ants to Blue Dragon Emmanuel.
The only thing surprising to him was all those strange creatures that kept appearing around Abel. He loved this place.
“The kingdom of St Ellis is invading?” Abel dropped his knife and fork and immediately stood to bow at Blue Dragon Emmanuel, Bernie, and Lady Carrie “we have a problem. I have to go first!”
“Abel, if there are any elite wizards coming, just leave them to me!” Blue Dragon Emmanuel said with a smile.
He knew knights and intermediate wizards couldn’t do much to Abel, but Elite Wizards might be a bit of a problem, so he offered to help.
He was a giant dragon. He didn’t need any excuse to strike back.
“Blue Dragon Emmanuel, thank you so much. If I need your help, I will definitely ask for your support!” Abel bowed in grat.i.tude.
“Grandmaster Abel, do you need the dwarfs for help?” Bernie asked. He was slowly getting used to blue dragon Emmanuel being next to him.
“Bernie, no need. This is the business between humans. It’s best you guys don’t get involved!” Abel shook his head.
Bernie did not make a sound, but he was very thankful for Abel. The dwarfs should remain neutral in regard to human conflict.
The Holy Continent was in chaos, and the humans were at war with each other. If the dwarfs got involved, it might s.h.i.+ft the human’s attention towards them.
Countless lives were lost in the human world anyway, so unleas.h.i.+ng an attack on other races would have a lot of support.
Lady Carrie wanted to say something, but she didn’t. Her status in the elves was not as high as Bernie in the dwarfs. She did not have the authority to send out troops on behalf of the elves.
Abel politely bowed and walked out of the dining hall. His face immediately sank, and he said, “Lindsey, tell the reporter to call my father, Earl Brooks, and Head Commander Bodley to come here!”
Since Abel spent most of his time in Harry Castle, most of the investigation department reporters were nearby.
“How come the investigation department did not know the kingdom is plotting an invasion?” Abel said furiously. He had invested a lot into his investigation department, especially after taking over the duchy of Keyen.
They still haven’t realized it even after 20,000 knights were sent out.
“Your Majesty, the investigation department system was attacked by an unknown force 10 days ago. He has been trying very hard to fix it, so we missed out on this important information. Please forgive us!” A reporter bowed.
Although Abel didn’t know how an investigation system worked, he knew the kingdom must have something more powerful. The kingdom must have kept a close eye on everything they did. Since their investigation system was newly built, the Kingdom had directly wiped it out.
“You can go now!” Abel waved his hand.
“Yes, your majesty!” Abel was disappointed, but he also blamed himself. He decided he had to restructure the investigation department once he came back.
Abel did not expect what triggered the Kingdom was not his investigation department but his dark power, the a.s.sa.s.sin union.
Luckily those two departments operated separately. Even if the a.s.sa.s.sin union took a big hit, it was not something a new duchy could wipe out.
Since the use of teleportation circles was widespread in the duchy of Carmel, the people Abel wanted to see arrived at no time.
After an hour, all the core members of the duchy were gathered in an office.
“The kingdom of St Ellis is sending large amounts of men our way. Do we have another war on our hand?” Abel lowered his voice.
Both Earl Bennett and Earl Brooks were shocked. They knew how powerful the Kingdom of St Ellis was, and this kingdom was unleas.h.i.+ng an attack on its own duchy.
As for Head Commander Bodley, his eyes were filled with the yearning for war. His status had increased dramatically through war ever since he came to the duchy of Carmel. Even his domain was a few times bigger.
War was the glory of a knight. Everything could be exchanged with war glory. He needed a good future for his offsprings, and he needed his family coat of arms to s.h.i.+ne even brighter.
“Why did the Kingdom of St Ellis decide to attack us?” Earl Brooks asked in confusion.
“Earl Brooks, is a question like this even relevant anymore?” Earl Bennett was not satisfied.
Both were rulers of the duchy of Carmel, so the tension for profit was inevitable. The n.o.ble family that followed each of them was starting to grow unhappy with each other.
Abel didn’t want this, but he also wouldn’t help Earl Bennett even though he was his father. Earl Bennett was not only representing himself but the benefits of the entire Bennett Family.
He wouldn’t help Harry Family in Bakong City as well, even though Earl Brooks was Abel’s grandfather on paper, and he represents the benefit of the Harry Family in Harvest City as well.
As long as the conflict of the two didn’t affect the duchy too much, Abel couldn’t care less.
The duchy of Carmel was operating awkwardly. All the n.o.bles were beginning to fight for power, and both the Bennett family and the Bakong City Harry Family were getting more and more powerful.
But no one had ever doubted the sovereignty of the Harvest City Harry Family even if Abel didn’t care about how the duchy was run as a king–even if the Harvest City Harry family only had 2 people–him and Earl Marshall.
Abel was too powerful. All the wizards in the duchy were extremely loyal to this king. Large numbers of head Commanders were also cultivated here, let alone those war machines and flying boats controlled by the royal palace.
Most importantly, Abel’s existence itself was a legend. Even without his wizard circle and knights, no one would go against him.
“Emperor Ambrose was the one who placed the a.s.sa.s.sin order last time in Bayli City !” Abel lowered his voice.
The earls suddenly felt their hearts drop. Both of them couldn’t understand why the emperor would unleash another war after a failed a.s.sa.s.sin.
“Father, Earl Brooks, you guys can order the troops. Head Commander Bodley, gather the knights. We will meet the Kingdom of St Ellis before they arrive here!” Abel did not explain too much since they were the only ones in the office.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The 3 powerful figures of the duchy of Carmel bowed.