Chapter 75

PS: This is the third update, still seeking votes for the Three Rivers, recommendation votes, favorites, donations, and clicks.

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

Chuci was stunned when the unbelievable happened. It had only been three days since he went to save Aya, yet when he returned to Varden, Eragon's entire demeanor had changed. The dragon power within him surged like the tide, endless waves rising and falling. Compared to Brom, his only weakness might be his lack of combat experience.

Such strength was also due to Saphira's contribution. Saphira had grown even more robust, her nearly fifty-meter-long body covered in the finest product of the dwarves, a fearsome dragon armor embedded with magical arrays. Her vulnerable belly and neck were wrapped in chainmail, and her already razor-sharp claws and teeth were fitted with steel claws to increase their lethality. Except for her wings, which were left unarmored for flight, almost every scale was fortified. A row of spikes on her spine, aside from the dragon saddle on her neck, also held a weapon rack, filled with nearly two-meter-long knight swords.

---

Why are they knight swords?

Chuci was stunned and then grabbed Lotgar to question him.

"Dragon Riders, of course, use swords," the honest dwarf leader Lotgar said.

"Riders should use lances, especially dragon riders, who should use fifteen-foot-long lances. How can you reach the enemy with a sword?" Chuci tried to lift the sturdy Lotgar but failed, so he let go of his collar and pointed at Saphira, gesturing to her size and roaring.

"But that's the tradition of Dragon Riders." Lotgar's stubbornness was as unyielding as the dwarves' will, showing no intention of considering Chuci's opinion.

"No, you must add a dragon lance." Chuci still thought it was inappropriate. A two-meter-long knight sword would barely extend beyond the dragon's back, how could it have any killing power?

"Chuci, you're just a mage, you don't understand the combat style of Dragon Riders." Brom, who happened to pass by, saw the two arguing and, after understanding the situation, directly told Chuci, "Knight lances are not useless, but that's because horses can only cause trampling and collision damage. As a Dragon Rider, if you really need to use a weapon, what use is the dragon? Generally, the knight sword is used to protect the dragon's vulnerable neck. On the dragon's back, a length of about two meters, which is the maximum length of a knight sword, does not interfere with the dragon's flight. Holding a knight sword, you can sit on the saddle and command the dragon in battle, and also move freely on the flapping dragon to protect its wings and tail."

"So, the battle between Dragon Riders is actually the fight between the dragons and the protection of their vital points?" Chuci had never heard of such a combat style before and couldn't help but find it a bit ridiculous.

"What, do you have a problem with it?" Brom might not match Chuci in other areas, but when it came to Dragon Rider combat, he could proudly say that he had been riding a flying dragon while Chuci was still drinking milk.

Brom's disdain was blatant, which infuriated Chuci. He then proposed a different Dragon Rider combat style he had been thinking about, combining movies, novels, and his analysis of Saphira's model. This was a dual-cultivation combat style.

By abandoning the crude dragon bites, using the mental resonance between the dragon and the Dragon Rider, they could develop an effective combined combat style. The dragon's bites and strikes, combined with the Dragon Rider's dragon lance enhanced by dragon blood magic, could create a more powerful killing force than a single dragon attack. In aerial combat, while circling and adjusting the angle of impact, Saphira's gem magic and fire breath, along with the ancient elven magic Eragon had learned, would form a continuous long-range attack.

Since Saphira is a gem dragon, she can enhance speed. If the enemy is strong and we are weak, she can also enhance herself, using a kite combat style.

Against an army, it should be...

Chuci considered all scenarios and unexpected situations, forming a complex and comprehensive Dragon Rider combat style. Brom was stunned and couldn't find any words to object.

"In short, a dragon lance is essential. No, if possible, two." The more weapons, the better, especially for Dragon Riders in aerial combat. If a weapon slips from their hand, the enemy won't give them a chance to pick it up.

"Ruel, come here." Lotgar was convinced by Chuci and finally agreed to forge two dragon lances for him to test the new combat style.

Ruel was a young dwarf, unlike Lotgar with his red, wine-soaked nose. He kept himself clean, with a neatly combed beard. Most dwarf blacksmiths liked to drink, as it increased their strength and made their weapons pure and sharp. However, to ensure the armor had sufficient durability, he never drank. Saphira's dragon armor was his masterpiece.

Chuci couldn't draw, so he could only gesture and describe the dragon lance he wanted. Ruel was very patient, listening to Chuci while calculating the design of the dragon lance in his mind. He soon nodded in agreement and returned to his forge to prepare the dragon lance.

"Where is Eragon? I have something to show him." After completing his request, Chuci turned around, but Saphira and the others had already disappeared. He asked the people around him and hurried to Varden's training ground.

Besides Saphira and the two others who had disappeared, Eragon, Ajihad, and Aya were there, seemingly discussing something serious.

"Are you studying how to deal with the northern army?" Chuci walked over with a smile.

"Our three races united, the northern army is no match for us, but Desa is a big problem. Eragon is still young and may not be able to handle Desa." Ajihad's fear of the famous sorcerer of Alagaësia was not new. Even though Eragon had made great progress, he was still no match for Desa.

"Then," Chuci stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, "what if we add another Dragon Rider? Can we handle Desa?"

"Another Dragon Rider?" Brom was immediately stunned. Could there be an unknown Dragon Rider?

"Exactly, come and see. This is a treasure I took from Desa." Chuci took the dragon egg from his shoulder bag and handed it to Brom, who was the most authoritative here.

"This is a crystal dragon egg, incredible, it actually appeared here." Brom immediately identified the type of dragon egg and carefully took it, examining it while explaining to everyone, "The scales of a crystal dragon are white. Compared to a gem dragon, it may not have the ghostly speed, and compared to a metal dragon, it may not have the hard scales, but the specialty of a crystal dragon is magic enhancement. Its dragon language magic is the most powerful among dragons. The rider of a crystal dragon is usually a powerful mage, either an elf or a human. It seems Desa betrayed Galbatorix and also wants to become a Dragon Rider."

"But, don't dragons only hatch for their destined master?" Chuci was confused. If anyone could hatch a dragon egg, Saphira would have been his long ago.

"Galbatorix, he is a fallen Dragon Rider, why don't you ask him why?" Brom showed disdain for Chuci's ignorance. "Now, we need to see who can hatch this little one. Let the elven mages come and take a look, Chuci, you should also try."

Before Brom finished speaking, the dragon egg in his hand suddenly started to jump, making a cracking sound.

Crack~

The dragon egg instantly exploded, and a small white figure jumped from Brom's hand onto Chuci's head. The egg-sized head stretched out, making a weak "ao" sound.

...

---

Page AD starts

Page AD ends