Chapter 439: Chapter 370: Astra Entrusts Its Offspring, Raylo Gets Another Dragon

Behind the Blazing Flame King, Otto III, an old man in a deep red Mage Robe with a Flame Emblem pinned to his chest made his move.

His face was gaunt, yet his eyes remained sharp. He took a single step, crossing the distance in an instant to appear beside Philip.

Without a word, he gently tapped Philip’s chest with his Magic Staff.

A soft green halo immediately enveloped Philip. A faint CRACKLE emanated from within his body—his dislocated bones were being forcibly reset by the Magic Power.

Within a few breaths, Philip slowly regained consciousness, his eyes still filled with lingering fear and confusion.

Supported by the guards, he returned to stand behind Otto III, cutting a wretched figure.

Throughout the entire process, Raylo didn’t even lift an eyelid.

He sat upright in his seat, as if the person who had just sent Philip flying with a single punch had nothing to do with him.

He knew, of course, that Philip’s provocation was not a spur-of-the-moment impulse.

Although this neighboring Prince was proud, he wasn’t stupid.

’There must be someone pulling the strings.’

Raylo’s gaze discreetly swept toward the side of the head table, landing on Lady Anna. She was dressed lavishly and still possessed a graceful charm.

His nominal stepmother was holding a wine glass, her elegant smile looking a little stiff.

’It was her.’

’The Eldest Princess of the Blazing Flame Kingdom.’

Raylo understood.

’She wanted to use Philip, that genius Knight, to defeat me in front of everyone and strike a blow to the prestige I’ve just begun to build within the Duchy.’

’After all, how could an heir who couldn’t even defeat a neighboring Prince control this land that worships martial prowess in the future?’

’A classic aristocratic attack. A good scheme, but unfortunately, she miscalculated my strength.’

’To me, a tactic like this couldn’t even be called a conspiracy. It was just a rather clumsy play.’

A somewhat dry laugh broke the stagnant air.

Thunder Dragon Duke Aiden stood up. Holding his wine glass, he surveyed the hall, his gaze finally landing on Otto III’s grim face.

"Lord Otto, sparring between young people is always full of passion. Prince Philip’s courage is commendable, and my son, Raylo, seems to have indeed grown a lot from his trials in the Northern Territory."

His words both offered Otto III an out and openly displayed his admiration for his own son.

Otto III’s mouth twitched, and he squeezed a few words out from between his teeth.

"Philip... his skills are unrefined. My apologies for the poor display."

"Nonsense!"

Duke Aiden waved a hand, his voice regaining its resounding tone.

"Come, let us toast to the bravery and future of the younger generation! May our futures be as mighty as that of a Giant Dragon!"

He raised his glass high and drained it in one gulp.

The icy tension was forcibly shattered. The nobles, as if waking from a dream, hastily raised their glasses in accord.

The musicians quickly struck up a new tune. It was somewhat disorderly, but it at least restored a semblance of liveliness to the banquet.

But beneath the revelry, an undercurrent churned.

The gazes of all the guests, intentionally or not, drifted toward Raylo.

The might of that one punch spoke louder than a thousand words.

Glasses clinked and the hall once again filled with insincere toasts and laughter.

Raylo had no interest in this; he just calmly ate the food before him.

Avril, sitting beside him, asked softly.

"Are you all right?"

Raylo wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin and put down his knife and fork.

"Just a pointless piece of theater."

The banquet continued for another hour or so.

After the banquet ended, Raylo went alone to bid the Duke farewell.

Duke Aiden looked at him, his gaze complex—a mixture of relief, pride, and the faint sense of unfamiliarity a father feels for a grown son.

He didn’t press him to stay, merely clapping a hand on Raylo’s shoulder.

"Things are busy in the Black Stone Territory, so it’s good for you to head back early. Be careful on the road."

"Yes, Father."

Raylo nodded slightly.

...

「That afternoon, in the grand plaza outside the Royal Palace.」

Thirty Griffin Knights had already assembled. The Griffins beneath them were extraordinarily majestic, restlessly pawing the ground with their talons.

Baofeng, Raylo’s Storm Griffin King, held its head high, its regal aura on full display. Its tawny Iron Feathers glinted with a metallic sheen under the Sun.

Raylo swung himself onto Baofeng’s broad back, just about to give the order to depart.

At that very moment, an indescribably terrifying pressure suddenly descended from the sky!

The air in the plaza seemed to freeze, and everyone’s breathing stopped at that moment.

The thirty Griffins, poised for takeoff, froze as if struck by lightning.

They let out a series of terrified cries, their legs gave way, and they collapsed to the ground in unison. Their huge bodies trembled, and they didn’t even dare to lift their heads, burying them deep within their wings.

Only Baofeng, the Griffin King, managed to avoid collapsing. Even so, it lowered its body and let out an anxious GURGLE from its throat, its tawny Iron Feathers bristling as it faced a formidable foe.

Raylo looked up at the sky.

A colossal shadow blotted out the Sun.

The Thunder Dragon Astra’s enormous body slowly descended from the clouds. It didn’t deliberately flap its wings, yet its form hung steadily in the air a hundred meters above the ground.

The sunlight outlined its ancient, powerful form. Each piece of its Scale Armor seemed carved from deep blue Gemstone, radiating a wild and potent aura.

Those molten-gold draconic eyes calmly watched Raylo below.

The entire royal city fell silent at this moment.

Countless people poked their heads out from windows, streets, and city walls, looking up in awe at the Guardian in the sky.

Astra made no sound, merely giving Raylo a slight nod as a form of greeting.