Chapter 17

"Samuel! Can just anyone see the dragons that guard the empire?"

Klaus Bart's face suddenly changed, and he did not hesitate to rebuke.

Although he had never seen the dragons of the Imperial Royal Dragon Riders Corps with his own eyes, he had heard from rumors just how terrifying these beasts were.

If the young dragon rider in front of him were to summon her dragon mount, the Bart family, which had never seen a dragon, would likely suffer an unforeseen disaster.

Dragons are not humans; if they are not properly attended to, once they become angry, the Bart family's wealth accumulated over hundreds of years might turn into ruins.

"Father, I was just curious!"

The eldest daughter of the Bart family, Samuel, lowered her head and twirled her chestnut shoulder-length hair, looking pitiful and wronged.

She had never seen a dragon in her life, and if she could catch a glimpse, it would definitely become a hot topic at gatherings with her girlfriends.

"Sorry, Uncle Klaus, I think this Lord Morin will never be able to summon his dragon again."

A young man's voice suddenly rang out in the dining room.

All eyes in the room immediately focused on him.

He was a young man dressed in a double-breasted black velvet suit, with neatly oiled short hair, who bowed slightly to Klaus Bart and Lin Mo.

No one noticed that in the moment he lowered his head, a flash of unusual light passed through his eyes.

Surprise, confusion, and a decision, a myriad of complex emotions were all present.

"What are you talking about? Lord Morin is a true dragon rider."

Klaus Bart was somewhat angry.

Unable to summon? What does that mean, questioning the guest's identity?

In the Slan Empire, who would dare to impersonate a dragon rider? That would be a sign of extreme recklessness.

Seeing Lin Mo's knightly heavy armor and textbook-perfect noble manners, Lord Bart would never believe that the other party was an impostor.

Just the appearance and exquisite craftsmanship of that heavy armor were almost unprecedented, even unheard of.

Perhaps only the top masters of the empire could create dragon rider armor of such quality.

"Lord Morin, please forgive the young man's rudeness."

Klaus Bart was worried that Lin Mo's anger might be directed at his nephew, so he deliberately did not mention his name and even planned to find an excuse to send him away from the banquet.

"Hello, I am Roger, the son of a merchant from Lian City."

The young man performed a commoner's etiquette to the nobles.

"Roger! Are you trying to provoke the empire's dragon rider, Lord?"

Klaus Bart's face became even more unpleasant, as his nephew had not understood his good intentions.

The consequences of angering a dragon rider were far beyond what a merchant's son could bear, and even he, a hereditary noble with a fief, could not protect him.

Did this ignorant brat not know what a dragon meant?

That dragon could easily flatten Roger's father's shop in Lian City by just rolling on the ground, and the city lord and other nobles would only pretend not to see, unwilling to risk offending the Royal Dragon Riders Corps for a mere merchant.

After all, even a single dragon rider and his dragon had the ability to raze a city, and once a dragon rider was angered, there was no chance of survival.

Lin Mo only maintained a faint, respectful smile on his face and did not intend to speak.

"Uncle, I am just stating a very likely guess." Roger remained unmoved, glanced at the others in the dining room, and continued, "Two years ago, I once went to the capital, Delan City, and heard some rumors about the Dragon Riders Corps. Of course, this information was confirmed by some noble friends, and it happens to include a story about Lord Morin."

"Is it true, Roger?"

Samuel's eyes immediately lit up; girls have always had a negative resistance to heroes, even the daughter of a baronet.

"Shut up, Roger, get out!"

Klaus, of course, understood his nephew, who was indeed a very smart and well-traveled young man, but sometimes he was too clever.

After all, his years of experience told him that his nephew's next words would be shocking.

If it were an ordinary person, it would be one thing, but the family was entertaining an imperial dragon rider, someone who absolutely could not be offended, even though he was a military noble, he had a terrifying dragon!

"Let him continue, Klaus! I am also very interested in Lord Morin's deeds."

"Still, let him go out. Young people don't know when to stop; he's not a noble!"

"I'm also very curious, Roger, continue telling us the rumors you heard in the capital!"

In the dining room, the other direct-line members of the Bart family unexpectedly split into two factions, some supporting Roger's boldness, whether out of curiosity or for other purposes.

Only a small portion still agreed with the old and experienced head of the family, who held the title. They also realized that Roger's words had deeper meanings and were not as simple as the rumors on the surface.

When did this nephew gain such influence in the family?!

Klaus quietly frowned and looked at his only daughter.

Roger's past actions and behaviors suddenly made him realize something unusual.

In other words, Klaus Bart's invitation to Lin Mo to the family banquet in the name of the family was also a bit of his own ulterior motive.

A fief, for a military noble, even the smallest fief, was an irresistible temptation.

Similarly, a dragon rider not only brought powerful protection but also considerable merit and honor.

Hearing the support from some of the direct-line members of the Bart family, Roger seemed to gain great confidence and stood even straighter.

"The Royal Dragon Riders Corps does indeed have a dragon rider named Morin. I have never doubted Lord Morin's identity." Roger's words made Klaus's face a bit better, and he continued, "However, Lord Morin's dragon is a gold dragon!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the dining room erupted in a chorus of gasps, and even the music for entertainment came to an abrupt stop.

A gold dragon?!

Most of the direct-line members of the Bart family turned pale.

Clearly, this term was almost synonymous with terrifying, nightmare, and great horror for them.