Chapter 596 Archer Gets A Dragon Knight
[Inara's POV]
She watched Archer flying south while holding Lioran, who was panicking. This caused the older woman to giggle. When she did this, Sarabi commented with narrowed eyes. ''Grandmother, don't you think you are too old to go on dates with someone so young?''
''Who am I to reject a dragon's offer of getting to know me? It's not like he asked for my body, girl! I've been single for decades and haven't gone on one date. Why not try it?''
The younger lioness wasn't convinced and stared at her. Inara sighed before continuing. ''Didn't you see how he looked at me? It was like he saw past my age, unlike most nowadays.'' Inara commented.
Sarabi sighed but questioned. ''It was only him, you lewd grandmother. I see how you looked at him like you wanted to jump on him.''
"Jump on who? And why delve into the topic of dates, Mother? The man must be either blind or deaf if he hasn't heard of Inara the notorious. No wonder you haven't found a husband since Father passed away. Perhaps you're too much to handle for the unsuspecting suitors!"
When Inara heard the playful voice, she let out a low growl before speaking. ''Nalani. Why do you always try to tease me? Do you want me to start spanking you again?''
She glanced at her grinning daughter, who eternally aimed to ruffle her feathers. With her father's blonde hair and green eyes, she inherited those features, but everything else seemed to mirror her own including the silky brown skin.
"Mother. You know the maids talk, and they speak of a handsome young man coming to visit you. Did you finally listen to uncle and yourself buy a boy toy? Is that who you're talking about?" Nalani teased as she hugged Sarabi, who excitedly watched the catfight that was about to happen.
Inara got visibly annoyed before snapping. ''No, you hyena! He was the one who was staring at me like he wanted me!''
Nalani's smile grew as she finished speaking, and Inara internally slapped herself for giving her cheeky daughter more ammunition to tease her.
''Oh, so he wants you, does he? Not many men love muscular women who enjoy fighting; I wonder who this young man is to lust after my poor old mother.'' The blonde lioness commented.
When Inara heard this, she got annoyed and rubbed her temple before responding. ''Well, Archer will be marrying Princess Nala Lionheart, and she is known to be a celebrated warrior in the kingdom! So he must like muscular women!''
Nalani's eyes widened when she heard her mother's response, but she stopped teasing her and asked. ''The white dragon was here flirting with you?''
Sarabi nodded with a smug grin as she exposed her grandmother. ''Yes, mother. The two were flirting, and she was all over him.''
Inara was shocked and turned to the lion girl, who was smiling before getting back to training.
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[Back to Archer]
Archer surveyed the valley, a silent acknowledgment that the dragon lay within its boundaries. Without uttering a word, he guided his descent to the ground. As they touched down, he said, "Stay here, Lio. It's just up ahead."
The lion boy nodded understanding before Archer ascended again, venturing into the valley. What met his eyes was a scene of utter devastation. Trees blazed with fire, and the ground was covered with craters.
As he made his way further into the valley, the extent of the chaos became increasingly evident. The once-lush trees, now skeletal remains, stood as solemn witnesses to the relentless fury in the valley.
Their branches, mere blackened skeletons, reached out accusingly to the smoky sky. The ground, marred with deep craters, told a tale of violent clashes. Archer inspected the edges of these craters, noticing the lingering traces of mana that had erupted in fierce battles.
Archer looked across the land, trying to find any signs of life. A feeling of worry came over him. The sounds of a big fight lingered in the valley, telling him something intense had occurred.
He continued walking until a deep voice was heard, causing him to stop. ''Have you come to die, boy?''
"Well, you certainly won't be killing me. Now come out, dragon, or I'll drag you out," Archer smiled.
However, there was no response. He sighed in frustration before transforming into his dragon form. The sudden change shocked the hidden dragon, revealing itself as a black dragon.
He was shocked when he saw the dragon because he'd never heard of them, but the dragon was still smaller than him. Archer looked at him with a curious look and asked. ''What are you doing out here?''
The black dragon watched him with a shocked look before shaking its big head and replying. ''My king. I was banished from home because I killed another dragon during a challenge.''
After speaking, Archer returns to his humanoid form and uses Mana Manipulation to create a chair. He sat down and asked. ''Interesting. I'm guessing you're just angry and rampaging down here?''
The dragon looked down and nodded its head. ''Yes, Your Majesty. Now, I have no purpose in life.''
''Become my soldier, and I'll spare you. If not, I have to deal with you now.'' Archer replied while looking around. When the black dragon heard this, its eyes widened, but it nodded and transformed.
A man with jet-black hair and equally dark eyes stepped forward, his gaze sharp and unwavering. The man looked like the definition of what a knight would look like.
The air around them seemed to carry an air of skepticism as the man questioned, "What can you do for me? Why should I serve the white king when the only thing I've heard are rumors?"
Archer regarded the man with a calm expression. His silver eyes reflected wisdom acquired over centuries of ruling. He understood the weight of doubt and rumors that might surround his name.
"Rumors may paint a picture, but actions speak louder than words," Archer replied with a measured tone.
He cast Mana Manipulation to create a screen to show his past battles and other things he's done. When Archer showed him the fight between himself and the red dragon, he fought a while back.
After half an hour, the man's eyes widened before commenting. ''You fought a red and beat it while being so young?''
''Yes.''
When the man heard this, he knelt and started swearing a mana oath always to be loyal to Archer and be his sword. After hearing this, he became curious and asked the man in a disappointed voice. ''Why are you submitting so quickly? I expected a good fight or some resistance.''
''My King. We dragons know who our rightful ruler is: the white dragons. Many of our kin don't share the same thought, but I do.''
Archer shrugged as he realized that some dragons are just loyal. After that, he asked with a curious voice. ''What's your name?''
''Eldric, Your Majesty. Will you accept my service?''
''Yes. But you can't go wandering around like that.'' Archer answered with a grin at the man who was wearing clothes that reminded him of beach wear.
The black dragon nodded with a calm smile. He rose from his kneeling position, and a subtle glow enveloped him, gradually getting brighter into a radiant aura. The air crackled with mana as Eldric's form underwent a profound change.
Shortly after, the glow faded, revealing an awesome armor set on him. The armor, a dark creation made from dragon scales, looked strong and tough to him. It shimmered with a deep, obsidian hue, reflecting the shadows of a moonlit night.
The helmet concealed most of Eldric's features, leaving only his red eyes visible. Archer grinned when seeing this and nodded. ''Good. I like it. Now let's go as Lioran is waiting.''
Once he said that, Eldric nodded and summoned his wings as Archer started flying toward the waiting lion boy nearby. After flying for ten minutes, he saw Lioran sitting against a tree with his eyes closed.
He seemed to be sleeping, which gave him a good idea, causing him to laugh as he touched down and turned to Eldric. "Give the lion a startle. But keep it harmless."
The dragon knight gave a nod, strolled up to Lioran, and unleashed a mighty roar. The lion boy leaped up, scanning the surroundings in a mild panic. When spotting Archer, he complained. ''Why are you roaring at me, idiot? I thought you were another beast.''
He started to laugh uncontrollably while Eldric stood back and watched their surroundings. Lioran saw him and asked in a wary voice. ''Who'se the knight?''
''Oh, that's the dragon that was terrorizing the Silvermane lands. He became my dragon knight.''
''Are you serious? How does someone get a dragon knight just like that?'' Lioran asked as he stretched his head.
Archer glanced at the lion boy and shrugged. "Well, I'm a white dragon, and I happen to be the ruler of all dragon kind, but not all of them share that sentiment. But enough of that, let's get back to the empire and start training for the tournament.''
[End Of Volume 4]
[If there are any mistakes, point them out, and I'll edit it. Thanks]
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