Chapter 251: After the Battle
In the topmost level of the thousand-meter-high Mage Tower in Bologna, Muria sat in a wicker chair, sipping tea with one hand and fiddling with a somewhat comical jester mask with the other. Through the crystal window, he admired the night view of the bustling city.
Since it was her own territory's core city, Caslana had not stinted on her wealth for infrastructure development. Basic magical installations like crystal streetlights and colorful fountains were scattered throughout the city. As night fell, the city, like the modern metropolises from Muria's previous life, was bathed in resplendent light, enchantingly beautiful.
"You released legendary dragon might with this ugly mask!" Caslana, also holding a cup of tea that seemed as hot as lava, curiously examined the Joker King mask in Muria's hand.
"Correct." Muria passed the mask to her. "If you don't believe it, you can try it on. It's quite an interesting item."
"No thanks, it's too ugly." Caslana looked at the jester mask on the table between them with disdain. "But how did you manage to create such a huge commotion? How did you simulate such intense battle fluctuations? You don't have legendary-level strength even with the mask."
"It was easy. Barbossa had his ghost ships fire blanks, and he himself slashed at the air. He also gave me a bunch of high-level spell scrolls to activate and hurl into the sky."
"What about those spell scrolls?"
"All used up," Muria shrugged. "Since I couldn't take them with me, why not indulge in playing a great mage? Much more fun!"
"That makes sense. Muria, you really made a name for yourself this time." Caslana smiled at Muria, her eyes glittering. "Almost all the young dragons participating in the mission owe you a favor. When they return, they will surely do their best to help you find information about those six chromatic dragons."
"It's only right to help fellow dragons in need." Muria replied calmly. "I didn't save them for that."
"Some dragons might not even ask for a reward if they help you find the chromatic dragons."
"I'll still offer rewards." Muria smiled. "I must keep my word."
Greed is but one of a dragon's traits; pride and arrogance are also synonymous with dragons. Dragons, proud creatures, struggle to accept help, even from more powerful kin. Thus, those proud dragons will help Muria unconditionally— a simple mindset of reciprocating help to avoid feeling uncomfortable or unable to sleep. (This applies to metallic dragons only.)
"All dragons you saved owe you a favor, which is the biggest gain from your participation in the Brent capture mission.
As for your second gain!
For successfully capturing Brent and sealing him, completing the joint bounty of the Dragon God and Dragon Kings, every participating dragon will receive a reward.
And you, who put many of your tainted kin to eternal rest, have the greatest merit next to the ancient dragons, having contributed the most.
Thus, among the rewards distributed by the Dragon God and Dragon Kings, yours, excluding the ancient dragons, is definitely the most substantial among all dragons."
"Hmm, if it arrives, just keep it here as the bounty for those six chromatic dragons." Muria nodded, uninterested in the rewards mentioned by Caslana.
The rewards from the Dragon God and Dragon Kings were unknown, but the highest value was rumored to be a drop of Dragon King's true blood, capable of enhancing bloodline and breaking its limits. Knowing this, Muria lost interest in the so-called reward. Having merged with the Dragon King's source blood, he hardly cared about the Dragon King's essence blood.
"Muria, your reward might be unknown, but considering your achievements, its value will definitely exceed six thousand cubic elemental crystals," Caslana remarked. "It's not suitable to use as a bounty, especially since the bounty you set is already high."
"Alright." Muria pondered, stroking his chin. "Let's see what the reward is when it arrives."
"Oh, by the way, in a couple of days, the Dawn Church will deliver the reward for the four soul intention werewolves you captured because of you. Plus, your fee for capturing the red dragon Otlis and the green dragon will also be sent."
"What are they giving me in return?" Muria asked curiously.
"Elemental crystals, what else?"
"Oh!" Hearing it was elemental crystals, Muria's interest waned.
"It won't be less than eight thousand cubic crystals!"
"That much?" Muria was taken aback.
"That's my estimate. Considering your status, it might be even more." Caslana glanced at Muria. "As a descendant of Lady Artis, the Dawn Church will not skimp on elemental crystals to forge a good relationship with you."
"Forge a good relationship!" Muria's mouth twitched. What were they planning?
"It's necessary. You've just appeared recently, and many forces don't know about you yet. In time, when churches of good deities and other powers learn of your existence, they will try every means to give you treasures, money, territories, and even beautiful females."
"That sounds good." Muria smacked his lips.
"Don't be careless," Caslana warned, glancing at Muria. "Once your existence becomes known, not only will there be forces seeking to curry favor with you, but there will also be those wanting to eliminate you. Our dragon enemies are numerous."
"Really!" Muria's lips curled up. "Let them come. I'm ready."
"Muria, you're not yet a legend. Stay low-key for now." Seeing Muria's eager demeanor, Caslana's face showed concern. "Your mother, Lady Artis, offended many powers and powerful beings because of her love for justice.
They couldn't do anything to her because of her formidable strength, but once they know about you, they will pour all their anger and hatred for your mother onto you."
"Just a bunch of weaklings, I'm not afraid!" Muria remained fearless.
"There are legends among them!" Caslana reminded.
Muria frowned. He was well aware of his own capabilities. Even at the soul intention level, although only at the second stage, with his nine exclusive weapons and the Sanctified Royal Abyss merged into his dragon scales, there were few soul intention beings in Eralasia who could challenge him.
But legends were on a completely different level of existence from soul intentions. Soul intentions couldn't stand against legends, who wielded near-irresistible abilities like space manipulation.
"Alright, I'll keep a low profile for now." Muria thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. Legends were not to be trifled with at his current stage. The power of space was something soul intentions simply couldn't counter.
Even if mages could utilize wisdom to prematurely access and wield spatial power, developing various teleportation spells, they could never use it as effortlessly as true legends.
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