SWNOVELS
Chapter 460 Chapter461-The Quest to Steal the Dragon Egg
In homage to the ancient dragons, the dragon race has continued to use the ancient method for calculating their strength levels.
From the moment of their birth, a dragon's strength is categorized into several stages: juvenile dragon, young dragon, adult dragon, ancient dragon, primordial dragon, elder dragon, and primeval dragon.
Although the ancient dragon is only the fourth rank, in comparison to humans, it is equivalent to the pinnacle of supreme magi, on par with the average celestial magus.
It's unthinkable for Howard and his peers, let alone the current king of the Silverwind Kingdom, who would be considered delusional if he gathered an army and marshaled the kingdom's magi to form an elite fifty-person team, to even stand a chance in conquering such a dungeon.
"Do you really think I'd joke about something like this?" Nula asked solemnly, locking eyes with Howard.
"We wouldn't assign a quest that's guaranteed to lead to death."
"So, what you're saying is that you think we have a chance to slay an ancient dragon? Or that we can find several celestial magi to act as our hitters?" Howard straightened up, his gaze firmly fixed on Nula.
"We don't stand a chance of completing this quest. If you don't offer a different quest, then our deal might just end here."
"It's not as simple as that," Nula shook his head.
"As I mentioned earlier, there's no time limit for any quest. You could very well spend your time training until you reach the level of celestial magus before going after the ancient dragon. Plus, I never said you had to kill it, did I? Killing an ancient dragon wouldn't benefit us in the slightest."
"What do you want, then?" Howard's pupils narrowed.
Nula hadn't indeed mentioned slaying the dragon.
Perhaps they were only after a few dragon scales?
"In the lair of that ancient dragon, there lies a dragon egg," Nula disclosed.
"According to our investigations, the ancient dragon is male, making it impossible for it to lay an egg on its own. Furthermore, it's not customary within the dragon race for the male to assist the female in nurturing their offspring. Additionally, there's something peculiar about that dragon egg."
"We want you to retrieve it for us. There's no time limit and the method is up to you. Whether you choose to steal, rob, or deceive, it doesn't matter, but the dragon egg must remain intact."
The task seemed less daunting, yet it was still an impossible mission for Howard and his companions.
"Look for another otherworlder," Howard stated bluntly.
Stealing a dragon egg from beneath an ancient dragon was akin to slaying the dragon itself.
The ancient dragon would undoubtedly not forgive those who dared to steal its egg.
Howard had no desire to experience being hunted by an ancient dragon, a calamity on the move.
Moreover, if his identity as a king were to be exposed, his people would suffer.
"It's too late to refuse now," Nula shook her head, her response not exceeding her expectations.
If refusal were effective, why would the world still be dominated by those in power?
"If you don't go, we will start by assassinating those around you, beginning with those least related to you, then moving on to friends, family, and loved ones! This is a direct threat; we are capable of anything," Nula said with a cold laugh.
"Of course, you can choose to hide, you can choose to seek revenge against us. But let me make it clear, that would be far more difficult than slaying a dragon."
This was not an idle threat.
The power behind Nula certainly had the capacity to fulfill such a promise.
If they were able to precisely locate Howard amidst the vast sea of people, they could just as easily find anyone else.
Howard remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking up, "Ali, Vivia, Jelia, there's been a change in plans. You should stay behind."
"For a quest of this magnitude, even if you were to come along, you wouldn't be able to intervene effectively.
I might have a higher chance of success operating solo, and it would be easier to hide."
"How much higher can your chances be? You haven't even figured out the lay of the land here, let alone know how many countries there are in this world! Once you leave Breeze City by yourself, you'll hardly be able to move a step!" Ali was the first to retort.
Howard smiled and said, "Don't underestimate me. After all, I am an otherworlder."
"What does being an otherworlder have to do with anything? Are you also an Undying Body?"
Howard paused for a moment, perhaps he really was? But it was probably best not to divulge such information.
The secrets it implied could be even more astonishing.
"Howard, I won't leave your side," Jelia said, gripping the edge of Howard's clothing tightly.
"Didn't we all make a promise? Are you going to break our agreement?"
"I'm sorry." Howard gently stroked Jelia's hair, then pinched the back of her neck.
Jelia stiffened, falling unconscious.
He lifted her up and placed her on a chair, then raised his left hand.
On his ring finger was a plain, unremarkable ring.
"All my belongings are inside it. I can leave at any moment now. If I choose to go, you won't be able to stop me," Howard said slowly.
"I know you want to help me, but I can't let you throw your lives away for nothing!"
He might still have a chance to revive, but Ali and the others did not.
No matter what secrets lay within him, he had never been as grateful for them as he was now.
This gave him one last chance to fight.
Howard slowly backed away, Nula following behind him, while the people inside the tavern made no move to stop him.
Among them, Howard was the fastest and had the sharpest reflexes.
If he decided to leave, they truly had no means to prevent him.
Were they to just stand there, do nothing, and watch him leave, then face their demise?
That was equally unacceptable.
Just because Howard insisted they shouldn't follow, did it mean they couldn't trail behind on their own? They knew the location of the ancient dragon's dwelling; they could simply wait nearby for Howard.
As Howard stepped out of the tavern, everyone made their own decision.
...
"It's useless, you know. They have legs of their own. Even though they can't keep up with you now, they can still find you later. You're eventually going to seek out that ancient dragon, and its reputation in these parts is not insignificant."
On the bustling streets, Howard carried a straight sword on his back, wore a half suit of leather armor, and sporty trousers filled with pockets, a dagger fastened to his waist, embodying the look of a novice adventurer.
Nula followed him, her gaze darting left and right, continuously speaking.
"That's why I want them to cool down," Howard said.
"If they're rational enough, they'll know what the right choice is. What good is a level 3 magus, even if there were a few more of them?"
"It's easy to say that, but people aren't entirely rational," Nula replied, quickening her pace to catch up with Howard and asking by his side, "To be honest, were you moved just now? I was somewhat touched. It's rare these days to find people willing to die for others."
"That's exactly why I don't want them to die."
Howard glanced at Nula to his right.
"Do you plan on following me indefinitely? Are you here to supervise me? I recall there being no deadline for completing the quest."
"Of course not. It's just that it's not yet time for me to return. It's not often I get to come out; how can I not take a good look around? How about I accompany you for a bit and help you get acquainted with the place?" Nula said, speaking to herself more than to Howard.
"Look, I'm strong, not afraid of death, and I even have an even stronger teacher backing me. If you could win me over, perhaps you could complete this quest with ease. Let me remind you, the next quest is much simpler than this one!"
"No need."
Howard's voice was neither cold nor warm, maintaining a neutral tone that naturally created a sense of distance.
"I have my own methods."
He touched the space ring on his finger, which contained the basic legacies of magi that Antalya had collected from various sources for him.
If Ali were to join him on this journey, then these resources would certainly be redundant, but he had anticipated this situation from the start and had prepared accordingly.
"I'm actually quite curious," Nula nodded and then continued, "But you don't have much money on you right now, do you? Even going to the nearest city would require at least a day's travel by carriage. Or do you intend to walk?"
"What else?" Howard retorted.
"The time spent on the road is perfect for some revision."
"How about I give you a lift! I'll help you find a better city, so you can get into the swing of things faster and complete this quest sooner.
Otherwise, dragging out the time could become an issue," Nula patted Howard's shoulder, adding, "Plus, I have an old friend who's eager to meet you. You'd never guess who it is."
"An old friend?"
Howard looked at Nula with a puzzled expression.
He had only been here for two months, spending his time in Lorinda and Breeze City, and knew only a handful of people.
Where could an old friend have come from?
"That's right, it's the first creature that made contact with you here. It came all this way just to see you."
Nula blinked, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.
Seeing the smile on her face, Howard paused for a moment.
Did he really have such a friend here?
The last mana collapse had destroyed more than half of his body and even affected part of his memory.
If it were true, would it be somewhat impolite to leave without saying goodbye?
contemporary romance