“Fafnir, are you ready to choose the recruits for the Dragon Knight Legion?”
A carriage was driving slowly down the road from the palace to the Royal Academy. In the carriage, King Landhar III spoke to Fafnir, who was sitting opposite him.
Fafnir was in a black gown. Her young face looked mature. Hearing King Landhar III’s words, Fafnir patted a black box that was even bigger than her.
“We always keep our promises. Since I promised you to choose the recruits, I have come fully prepared! Last night, I asked our Dragon Lair to record the bloodline information of all the dragons who are willing to partner with a Dragon Knight. Now, that information is in this box. It recorded the bloodline information of thousands of dragons, which is equivalent to one-third of all the dragons. ”
“As expected of Lady Fafnir. You make me feel at ease! The probability of choosing one of the thousands of dragons to be a match for my people and me is still very high.”
A cloud of white mist spewed from his nose. Fafnir did not accept the praise. Instead, she pressed on the black tophat on her head. “King Landhar III, I have fulfilled my promise to you. Now, it’s your turn to fulfill your promise! Before I help the students carry out the test, I want a potion that can increase the fertility of dragons. If you can’t do that, then it’s all empty talk. I can break the treaty at any time.”
“Don’t worry. Watson is handling that for you. I believe that one day is enough for him to develop that potion.”
King Landhar III narrowed his eyes. There was something he did not say. Even if Watson could not produce the medicine, he could still get Sidi to prepare it. He would not bet on just one person. That was the quality of a king.
“I hope so.”
Fafnir did not say much. She placed her hand on the black box and looked out of the window. As her palm touched it, a dragon’s roar suddenly came out of the huge black box. It shook faintly as if there were a thousand dragons sealed inside.
Similarly, King Landhar III also looked out of the window and muttered, “We’re here.”
The entire warrior department had gathered in front of the academy’s massive square. Even students from the mage, archers, and priest departments had gathered, as had students from previous years. They stood in formations according to their grades.
The selection of Dragon Knight recruits had caused all the students in the Royal Academy to be in an uproar. If it were not for the fact that King Landhar III had clearly stated that only suitable people would be selected from among the students, the academy teachers would probably be interested as well. After all, the Dragon Knights were an invincible legend. All the soldiers wanted to be part of that group.
Tens of thousands of people stood in front of the gate as King Landhar III’s carriage slowly drove up to it. He got down from the carriage with Fafnir. The three princes, Kiana, Olena, and Rem, got down from their carriages as well.
After everyone got down from the carriage, they did not enter the academy. At that moment, a few guards rushed toward them. The guards carried a massive throne on their shoulders and placed it at the gate.
King Landhar III walked to the throne. After he sat down, a few guards respectfully stepped back. He was like a god sitting on the throne, exuding a power that people could not directly look at. The members of the Dragon Clan and the royal family stood beside him. They were like his contrast.
Under normal circumstances, the Dragon Clan would not be inferior to humans, even if the person was the King. At that time, Fafnir and the others gave King Landhar III enough respect.
The students understood that the rumors they had heard about the expansion of the Dragon Knight Legion were not false. If it were not true, why would the elites from the Dragon Clan be so obedient?
With that thought in mind, everyone looked forward to the upcoming selection process for the Dragon Knight recruits.
“I’m sure you’ve heard that I want to expand the Dragon Knight Legion and select 90 students from the Royal Academy, where the pillars of the kingdom are gathered! As long as you meet the requirements and can satisfy our distinguished guests from the Dragon Clan, you can join the Dragon Knight Legion. Without further ado, I announce that the recruitment for the Dragon Knight Legion has officially begun. Before that, I would like to introduce you to the three people. The Dragon King, Lady Fafnir, from the Dragon Clan, and her subordinates, Lady Olena and Lady Rem.”
King Landhar III sat on the high throne. His voice was like thunder, resounding throughout the entire academy. All the students who heard his voice showed a mixture of respect and excitement.
As soon as his voice fell, the roar of a dragon suddenly came from the sky. Nine giant dragons of different colors flew in the sky, and one or two humans sat atop each of the dragons. Those nine dragons soon arrived in the air above the Royal Academy. Then, they landed on the square.
Ten experts wearing golden armor with giant dragons embroidered on them and holding long spears in their hands descended from the dragons. Even if King Landhar III did not introduce those ten experts, everyone could recognize them at a glance; they were the Dragon Knights.
After the Dragon Knights arrived, they held their heads high and puffed out their chests to demonstrate their powerful strength to the students. Their eyes were filled with disdain as they looked around them. Only one Dragon Knight did not look at anyone else after he landed. Instead, his gaze landed on Watson, carrying a faint trace of resentment.
That made Watson somewhat puzzled, but he ignored it. What made him even more puzzled was another matter.
“Why does His Majesty bring that three-meter-tall throne everywhere? Doesn’t he feel tired?”
He has fused that throne for King Landhar III. Due to its huge size, it was not easy to bring it out of the palace. However, King Landhar III brought that throne with him at all times; it was more like he was showing off than protecting himself.
While Watson was thinking about that, the discussions of the other students around him interrupted his thoughts.
“I can’t believe His Majesty actually invited the Dragon Knight Legion to come here for the recruitment process. It’s exciting to think of the opportunity to work with the strongest warriors of the kingdom in the future. ”
“Everyone is here. Next, it’s up to you, Lady Fafnir, to select the right person to go to the Dragon Lair,” King Landhar III said to Fafnir, who was beside him. He was delighted with the aura of the Dragon Knights and the reactions of everyone there.
“Wait a moment, King Landhar III. Did you forget something?”
Fafnir, who had come down from the carriage, was carrying a box that was even larger than herself. When she heard that, she glanced at King Landhar III. She was a little displeased that King Landhar III had to carry the God-king’s Throne of the commandment when he went out. She understood that King Landhar III was deliberately showing off before her, but she did not care. She only cared about the potion in the treaty that she had mentioned to King Landhar III.
“Well, if you did not remind me, I really did almost forget about it.”
King Landhar III spoke in a seemingly casual manner. He looked at Watson, who looked different from the others in the crowd. His expression was calm and even a little leisurely. He laughed. “Watson, come here for a moment. I wonder if you have completed the task that I gave you yesterday.”
His voice was not loud, but everyone could hear him clearly. That caused many people to cast curious gazes at Watson, secretly wondering what task the King had given Watson.
As if sensing everyone’s doubts, King Landhar III said, “Yesterday, I ordered you to develop a potion that can increase the fertility of the Dragon Clan. You’ve agreed to it, so you should not disappoint me, right? It’s all thanks to you that I was able to sign a treaty with the Dragon Clan to expand the Dragon Knight. If it weren’t for you, the Dragon Clan would not have agreed to my request so easily. Later, if you develop a potion that satisfies the Dragon Clan, I’ll definitely reward you handsomely. Not only me, everyone here must thank you too.”
“What?”
“So it’s all thanks to Watson that the King could sign a treaty to expand the Dragon Knights?”
The students looked at Watson, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Feeling the burning gazes from all directions, Watson braced himself and walked forward. He went before King Landhar III and bowed respectfully. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. After you gave me that task yesterday, I went back and studied it carefully. As I expected, developing a potion that can increase the fertility of the Dragon Clan is not that simple.”
“The human king had agreed to the Dragon Clan’s request. He even promised that Watson would improve the situation in our Dragon Clan. In the end, he failed to do that? He wanted the Dragon Clan to cooperate with and help him expand the Dragon Knight Legion without the potion? Lady Fafnir even informed the rest of our compatriots to make preparations overnight. Do you know that it is a sin to deceive us?”
Before Watson could finish his words, Rem, who was standing behind Fafnir, snorted and spoke in dissatisfaction.
She had long been dissatisfied with King Landhar III. A mere human had dared to coerce them to sign such a humiliating treaty. As for Watson, even though he could upgrade a gold-tier weapon to platinum-tier instantly, she did not have any hope for him to create a potion that could increase the dragons’ fertility rate.
Different professions were like mountains separated by more mountains. The potion-making industry and the forging industry were different. Watson might have done some research on weapons, but it was not enough for potions. If a potion that could improve the dragons’ reproductive ability were so easily obtained, the Dragon Clan would not remain so little in numbers.
“King Landhar III, it seems like you have lied to me. Do you remember what I said yesterday? If you lied to me, I would break the treaty. Even if you use a starlight-tier weapon to keep me here forcefully, it will be useless. If I die here, the Holy Dragon Kingdom will become the Dragon Clan’s enemy from today onward. If you can’t give me a reasonable answer, then we will not continue with the recruitment process for the Dragon Knight Legion!”
Fafnir tightened her grip on the huge black box. She was also furious, but as a Dragon King, she did not show it clearly.
If King Landhar III were just boasting and toying with her, then she and the Holy Dragon Kingdom would fight to their deaths.
Did they have to postpone the recruitment process because Watson did not develop the potion that the Dragon Clan wanted?
“If that’s the case, then we have come here in vain.”
The group of students was disappointed—the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. They saw the hope of becoming a Dragon Knight, and then they were told that the selection might be suspended. How could they accept that?
“Watson, aren’t you the strongest genius in the Holy Dragon Kingdom? It should not be too difficult for you to make a potion, right? Just treat it as if it’s for us and work hard to make it.”
Some students started shouting at Watson.
As soon as one person’s voice fell, another started to jeer at him. “That’s right, Watson. You did not get the title of the strongest genius in the kingdom for nothing. You’re so powerful, and you even displayed all sorts of abilities during the competition. How can a mere potion be difficult for you? Furthermore, I heard that you’ve just displayed a potion that can turn people into platinum-tier angels. Even the Abedor family’s potion-makers can’t stop praising you. That means you have researched the potion, right?”
One voice after another rang out, and very quickly, it turned into a sound wave. No one wanted to listen to him.
‘A potion that can turn a person into a platinum-tier angel. What is that?’
King Landhar III was already a little disappointed after hearing Watson’s words. He wondered if Watson’s fusion ability could not produce a potion that met the conditions. He was prepared to get Sidi to help him with Fafnir’s potion. However, when he heard the students’ words, he was somewhat at a loss.
When did Watson display a potion that could turn a person into a platinum-tier angel? How did he not know that?
It could turn a person into a platinum-tier angel? The effect of that potion must have been much stronger than the potion to increase the fertility of the dragons. If he could create such a powerful potion, why would Watson not be able to develop a simple potion for the dragons? Did he want to conceal his ability?
King Landhar III had a dangerous look on his face. He knew Watson all too well. When he had asked Watson to fuse and create weapons for him, Watson had tried to stop him. He had to trick Antonio and Reid into helping him to persuade Watson. The young man had no choice but to agree to his request. Was it the same situation?
“Watson, why didn’t I hear about this potion that could turn a person into a platinum-tier angel?” King Landhar III asked with a serious expression.
“Your Majesty, I didn’t make that potion. It exists, but I discovered it in some ancient ruins. I’m not very proficient in potion-making, so just because I have such a potion doesn’t mean that I can make a potion that can increase the dragons’ fertility rate,” Watson responded to the inquiry humbly.
“Is that so? Where is that ancient ruin? I will send an army to explore it and see if we can get the same potion.”
“Your Majesty, I’m sorry. That ancient ruin had already collapsed after I discovered it. I’m afraid we can’t enter it any longer.”
“Really?” King Landhar III sneered. He was sure that Watson was making up nonsense. He knew how many ruins were in the kingdom and where those ruins were. Such a mysterious potion could not have been found in a ruin that he did not know about.
“Very well, I will ask you about the potion later. For now, I only want to know one thing. Do you really not know much about potions and can’t make a potion that can help the dragons to increase their fertility rate? If that’s the case, you will be severely punished if you fail to complete the task I gave you. I will strip you of the title as the Kingdom’s strongest genius, and you can spend the rest of your life in prison.”
Many of the students gasped after hearing King Landhar III’s words. The most severe punishment in the kingdom was the death penalty. The second harshest punishment was life imprisonment. It looked like Watson would be imprisoned if he did not fulfill King Landhar III’s request. Was that not too severe?
Even though they wanted Watson to develop that potion, they knew that they could not force him. Watson could not produce it even if he tried to do it, not even if they hacked Watson into pieces.
It seemed like the Dragon Knight recruitment process would end without a start. Many people felt regretful. Of course, not everyone felt sorry. On the contrary, some people were very excited, such as Augustus.
‘So, His Majesty has given Watson such a task. If he cannot complete it and is thrown into prison, does that mean that I won’t have to see his hateful face again in the future, and I won’t have to return the 900 holy relics that I owed him?’ Augustus pondered that.
His eyes lit up as he leaped out of the crowd. He said in a clear voice, “Your Majesty, Watson is very knowledgeable about potions. I saw him write down the formula that can turn a person into a platinum-tier angel and hand it to the Abedor family. Now he says he can’t produce a potion to increase a dragon’s fertility. I think he’s deliberately hiding it.”
“I think so too. I saw Watson use potion to heal people. The potion he created could even make people’s limbs grow back.”
“I saw it too. My uncle’s sister’s brother’s son’s friend used that method to recover from his broken arm. I even heard that Watson could heal a dead person!”
A few students on good terms with the Campbell family echoed the same sentiments.
“When have I ever done such a thing?” Watson’s mouth twitched. He glanced at Augustus and those students. Sure, he had used a potion to help a person with a broken limb, but it was ridiculous to say that he could heal the dead.
He knew that Augustus had said that deliberately; he wanted to make it even more difficult for him to back down. He wanted to get him killed.
“Let’s talk about a nearer example. Master Antonio’s strength was permanently fixed at platinum-tier because of the Spring of Life. However, Master Antonio’s strength had progressed to diamond-tier after he went to the border! Watson was the one who broke the Spring of Life’s curse.”
With the support of his underlings, Augustus became more confident in his words.
Many people in the kingdom knew about that. Everyone knew that Antonio had become stronger after his trip to the border. No one knew what method he had used. Many people guessed that Antonio might have used his extraordinary wisdom to obtain some powerful treasure to counter the curse. Augustus did not know about that. However, at that moment, he could pin it on Watson.
“Come on, Watson. Let us see what else you can do. If you can’t make the potion, you will be thrown to prison for life.” Augustus’s expression became sinister.
King Landhar III, sitting on the throne, became impatient and asked, “Watson, I will give you two choices. You can either make the potion or be imprisoned for life. You can choose.”
Watson sighed and said calmly, “Alright, since you’ve found out, I won’t pretend anymore. Indeed, the reason Master Antonio was able to break the curse of the Spring of Life is not unrelated to me! I only said that it’s very difficult to create a potion to increase the dragons’ fertility rate. I didn’t say that I couldn’t do it. I haven’t finished speaking yet. Why are you so anxious?”
