Ge Zheng and Miss Feifei returned to the inn, and Norodon's dinner was already back. According to what Dinola said, Norodon was already penniless. He might be eating one day and skipping the next. It seemed that during the time in the capital, another person would join their household as a free loader.
It was all right; let him freeload. Ge Zheng was used to it.
However, things turned out a bit unexpected; they hadn't seen Norodon for three days in a row. Dinola also felt something was off, "Did those loan sharks get a hold of this little guy?" Ge Zheng was also concerned, "Well, since we have nothing to do in the capital for now, let's go check on him at the East Victory Academy." Dinola's teammates had taken on a task and were out of the capital, so there was no one to hang out with. Therefore, when Ge Zheng mentioned it, she immediately agreed.
Feifei and the Duke's trusted adviser, Jerry, set out early in the morning with a gift. The princess was far less comfortable in the capital than in Oba City. Every day, the false aristocratic socializing left her dizzy and tired; she would just fall asleep once they returned to the inn.
"Masters, where are you going?" As they stepped out, a carriage came towards them. The driver stopped the four spirited horses at the inn's entrance, and Geronia pushed open the window to ask.
The Dark Temple in Delson King City was also quite powerful, and Geronia had already changed her carriage to four purebred horses from the grasslands.
Upon seeing Geronia, Dinola's eyes lit up, and she cordially invited, "We're going to East Victory Academy. Geronia, come with us." Geronia had her own thoughts; Ge Zheng was not an ordinary person. Before other forces set their sights on him, she wanted to solidify his close relationship with the Dark Temple. A collaboration between the hero of the Hel Temple and the master touring East Victory Academy seemed like good evidence.
"Alright, get on the car, and I'll take you there." Dinola and Ge Zheng didn't have a carriage, so they got onto Geronia's carriage.
In fact, the social civilization in the Star Refining World was very high, and this could be seen from the scale of Delson King City. The streets within the city were very spacious, with several main roads capable of accommodating eight carriages in parallel. The city housed three million residents, with the wealthy living in their own mansion while the poor could only live in large seven-story magic tower complexes.
The entire city was divided into sixteen large blocks by the three horizontal and three vertical main roads, with each region further divided into different areas based on different streets.
Such a vast city, with municipal construction, supporting facilities, and resource supply, was a complex system in its own right. Its existence alone proved that the Star Refining World wasn't a backward world.
East Victory Academy took up half of the fourth block in the northeast corner of the city. It was no longer just an academy in the traditional sense; it had become an indispensable part of Delson King City. In the mouth of the residents of the old Delson, the fourth block had already become known as the "East Victory District."
Ge Zheng suddenly remembered that he still had Paraclesus's letter of recommendation in his storage space. Paraclesus meant if Ge Zheng had nothing to do, he could go to East Victory Academy as a lecturer.
Ge Zheng himself was a bad student, and he had never thought that he would one day be a mentor. Miss Feifei was at a loss, and he felt he would not be "mentor" material.
It would be quite difficult to find an unknown student in the vast East Victory Academy. Not everyone could simply stop a student at the entrance and easily find the person they were looking for. Dinola had asked nearly a dozen people without any success. It was only when the exceptionally beautiful Geronia arrived that enthusiastic male students quickly offered to help inquire about the whereabouts of the boy called Norodon.
Even so, it took a long time before they found Norodon's dormitory. The student apartments here were entirely private, and the standards varied. Norodon lived in the gathering place for impoverished students. The lord of a city actually lived here, making it easy to imagine his present situation.
The dormitory's corridor was dark and narrow, with a damp musty smell. Dinola suddenly said, "Why do I feel like we're entering a beast's cave?" Ge Zheng laughed out loud, "So, it turns out you also have a sense of humor." He couldn't help but glance at Geronia, who seemed to lack humor.
Ge Zheng released a fire magic, and with the help of its light, they found the dorm number. They knocked on the door, but there was no response. The thin and worn-out wooden door was not locked, so they pushed it open.
The dormitory was very simple, with bare tables and beds. In the capital city, at the transition from autumn to winter, it was very cold. There was a person curled up in bed, wrapped in tattered cotton clothing, shivering. Dinola joked, "Did this guy eat everything edible in the room..."
Ge Zheng casually cast a flame spell, and Norodon mumbled in his delirium, "So warm..." Dinola also sensed something was wrong; she reached out and touched him on the forehead, "He's burning up! This guy's sick." Dinola never cared about gender boundaries; she reached out, lifted Norodon, and carried him. Norodon was not tall, and Dinola was quite a large woman; although lifting someone in a piggyback posture was usually done by men for women, Ge Zheng, who was watching, didn't feel it was inappropriate.
Dinola ran with the patient in her arms, and the three of them quickly found a temple, where they spent a gold coin to have a priest cast a healing spell. Norodon's fever subsided quickly.
Here, a fever was called "fire illness." Ice-based healing magic couldn't be used, as the cold and heat clash was too strong and could overwhelm a weakened body, risking the person's life. Water-based magic should be used to gently reduce the temperature.
Ge Zheng was silently mocking the high prices in the capital, spending a gold coin just to treat a fever. Meanwhile, Norodon had already woken up and stretched, "I'm so hungry..."
Dinola poked him and said, "Come on, you're a lord, how did you end up like this?" Norodon rubbed his nose, looking like he had just woken up, completely unaware that he had just recovered from a serious illness, almost losing his mind in the process.
"I've waived the taxes for the fiefdom for three years..." Norodon was already poor, and the last time because of the plague, he had put all his property into it. He had also waived the taxes for the fiefdom for three years, so for the next three years, he would be living a precarious and uncertain life, not knowing where his next meal would come from.
"Oh..." Norodon sighed, "Don't mention it, after the plague, there was a drought. Although I know that not collecting taxes might leave me with nothing to wear or eat, I can't bear to see my subjects selling their children, can I?"
This time, even the well-meaning lord looked helpless. Ge Zheng asked, "How much do you still owe?" Norodon recounted, "Including the interest, I still owe twelve hundred and forty-one gold coins."
Ge Zheng took out a crystal card, "There are two thousand gold coins inside, take it to settle your debt, and the rest can be used as living expenses for the next three years." He added, "Don't think I'm giving this to you for nothing, I earned this gold coins through hard work, and I expect it to be repaid. After three years, give it back to me, and if you can't find me by then, then... give it to her." He pointed to Dinola.
Everyone present ignored why Ge Zheng would say "if you can't find me after three years".
Norodon clenched the crystal card, nodded calmly, "I will repay this favor." When Ge Zheng saved his people back then, Norodon was deeply grateful, and now that he had saved his life, he still saw it as a favor, showing that this somewhat weak little aristocrat had his own limits of value in his heart. In their eyes, there were still some things in the world that were more important than their own lives. Ge Zheng liked this kind of person.
The two of them sent Norodon back to his dormitory. On the way back, Dinola seemed worried and kept saying, "Will this guy be in danger when he goes to repay the money? Will eight hundred gold coins be enough for him to live for three years? I also don't know how his studies are going..." Ge Zheng suddenly stopped and stared at Dinola strangely, then said, "Don't you have some private money? You could well afford to keep a gigolo."
To everyone's surprise, Dinola didn't get angry as expected, and instead said with some embarrassment, "What are you talking about..."
Back at the inn, Princess Feifei came out excitedly, "Teacher, I've come up with a way to help Baron Demonte." Ge Zheng immediately became interested, "What method?" Princess Feifei looked proud, clearly proud of her clever little brain, and said, "As long as we help him find an eighth or ninth level riding beast, won't that be enough?"
Ge Zheng had a thought: yes, a high-level riding beast's strength alone would be enough to compensate for the rider's lack of skill. "But..." Before he could say anything, Dinola had already spoken, "A seventh-level riding beast is the highest level that can be bought. Riding beasts are not summoning beasts, the higher the level, the harder they are to tame."
"Surely there are some?" Miss Feifei didn't say with absolute certainty. Grenia stepped forward and said, "Indeed there are, but rarity increases with levels, and they're even harder to find in a rush."
"Who said that?" A lazy voice suddenly spoke up beside them, and everyone turned around to see Solgviel finally speaking out on a topic other than food.
Miss Feifei had no goodwill towards this person, who not only lacked gentlemanly demeanor but also always struggled with her for food, making her lose her ladylike composure. She coldly retorted, "People who only eat and sleep shouldn't butt in." Solgviel's dragon dignity had been completely trampled on, but for love, he was able to endure, "Fine, I have no objections. But this person you refer to as someone who only eats and sleeps is a genuine beast tamer."
Solgviel never expected that, because of spending so much time with Ge Zheng and the others, he had been constantly "traumatized" and finally earned the title of "the most amiable giant dragon" on the mainland. This title won him high esteem in human society, but also made him a laughingstock in dragon society.
Miss Feifei's eyes widened like two black glass marbles, "What did you say? You? A beast tamer?" She asked three questions in succession, clearly not trusting this person who only "eats and sleeps."
Everyone in the room, except Feifei, clearly understood that Solgviel was no ordinary person. Ge Zheng was the first to speak, "If that's the case, please tame a high-level riding beast for Baron Demonte. After what happened last time, Solgviel realized the strength of Ge Zheng, feeling that his previous strategy was a mistake. He wanted to change his strategy: first, to establish a good relationship with Ge Zheng, to make him less vigilant against himself. Secondly, to show Ge Zheng his own strength, to let him understand that becoming "friends" with him would be of great help to Ge Zheng. Finally, to show his attitude to Ge Zheng, even if they got married, he would be there whenever Ge Zheng needed help.
This was a huge plan that could not be accomplished overnight. However, the wise dragon believed that with his wisdom, he would be able to achieve it someday.
He felt that Ge Zheng was not a fool. Although his summoned dragon was gone, if help was needed, two flying dragons could arrive—this deal was very worthwhile.
Currently, Solgviel was executing the first two steps of his plan: establishing a good relationship with Ge Zheng, and showing him his own strength.
"No problem," Solgviel said confidently, patting his chest. "I'll be back soon." After that, he left on his own.
Beast taming? Of course not for Solgviel. Although a dragon's life was almost limitless, that was only "almost," and dragons also had limits. One couldn't learn everything; devoting a limited life to something as meaningless as beast taming was an insult to the wisdom of a wise dragon.
Beast taming was simple. With Solgviel's dragon power, what kind of magical creature wouldn't submit?
His words sounded somewhat arrogant. Recently, he had met—I'm afraid the crocodile snake head python wouldn't submit.
After Solgviel left, Ge Zheng also had his own thoughts. Perhaps, relying on alchemy, he could also help Baron Demonte. This idea wasn't certain, he had to see Baron Demonte's mount first.
Ge Zheng's visit reignited a glimmer of hope in Baron Demonte's heart. Despite being faint, he still held on to that last thread of hope.
"Master!" Baron Demonte had always been very respectful of him. Ge Zheng said, "Take me to see your riding beast." Baron Demonte was overjoyed, "Thank you very much, Master..." Ge Zheng stopped him as he prepared to bow, "Don't thank me yet, I just thought of a way; whether it will work or not, we'll have to see after I've seen your riding beast."
"Alright, this way, Master." Baron Demonte made a gesture inviting him.
"My lord, young master Rossis's steward is here." Just as the two were about to see Baron Demonte's mount, the deputy steward of the baronial estate, who had been promoted, ran up panting to report.
Baron Demonte frowned deeply, "What's that guy here for?" The deputy shook his head, "My lord, he's so full of himself, there may not be anything good happening."
Ge Zheng said, "The baron has something to deal with first, I'm not in a hurry." Baron Demonte appeared somewhat impatient with the steward, "Forget it, let's not offend Rossis, go see him. You come with me, Master." Ge Zheng didn't have any objections.
In the baron's reception room, a middle-aged man with a two-pronged curved mustache leisurely sipped his tea, with an expression that didn't make him feel like a guest, but rather like the owner of the place.
*cough*... Baron Demonte coughed twice as he walked in, and the steward saw him and made a reluctant smile, barely bowing, "The lord is here..." Baron Demonte was furious, and his face grew dark as he said, "Is young master Rossis doing well?" He was reminding the other party of their status. Unfortunately, the steward showed no reaction, smiling and saying, "Of course our young master is just fine."
Ge Zheng secretly thought, noble stewards are all shrewd people, this person must have heard the meaning in Baron Demonte's words; his current performance clearly showed that he didn't regard Baron Demonte as someone important. Ge Zheng wasn't sure what kind of person this young master Rossis was, to send a steward who was so arrogant.
"Baron, "the steward said, "Our young master sent me to tell you a message, if you are willing to join our family, he guarantees that you will receive the title of at least a viscount and a mid-sized city fiefdom in the future."
Baron Demonte coldly snorted, "Rossis heard that my riding beast was injured, and that I have no hope of winning the royal challenge, so he sent a dog like you here."
The steward jumped up, pointing at Baron Demonte and cursing, "Demonte, young master Rossis is giving face, don't make a fool out of yourself! With your background, young master Rossis has given you a lot, if you don't know what's good for you, there are countless members of the royal family in the capital who wouldn't get what he's offering! You don't have to put on airs with me; if you don't agree, just wait to be dragged to death in the capital, humpf!" After saying that, he angrily flung his sleeve, smashed the teacup he had just used, and walked away.
Ge Zheng was stunned; this was too arrogant, wasn't it?
Baron Demonte's expression was extremely grim, and good for a long while, before suddenly sighing deeply and sitting down slowly, a desolate air about him.
"Baron, why was that man so arrogant, just a steward?" Ge Zheng asked. Baron Demonte answered sadly, "The Systym family is also a big family in the imperial capital, and their patriarch holds the position of imperial commerce minister, controlling the nation's trade. The Systym family is known as the imperial treasury of the empire. As for small imperial families like mine, if we can't win the championship of the imperial family challenge, the inevitable result is a life of insignificance in the capital and a lonely old age."
"The best choice is to attach oneself to some big families. Those small imperial families who think they have no hope of winning the championship are all scrambling to curry favor with the big families, hoping to one day receive a fief from them with their help. That's why their stewards can also lord it over us small imperial families who have no background."
After Baron Demonte finished speaking, he kept shaking his head, feeling desolate for a long time.
Ge Zheng patted his shoulder, "Go, take me to see your riding beast."
It is a magical beast of the wind attribute, extremely fast and capable of casting wind blade magic. This kind of magical beast is absolutely full of energy, always jumping and playing in its nest in normal times, creating a ruckus. But today, Anonda's once energetic nest was now despondent, showing no interest in the fresh meat brought to it. Within the artificial nest, a rotten smell permeated the air. Although its wounds had been treated, they continued to deteriorate.
"Anonda..." Desmonde called out sorrowfully, as the half-open eyes of the swift-wolf lizard quickly shut once more. Desmonde sighed, lovingly stroking the beast's fur, and said to Gezheng, "Magical beasts possess simple intelligence. Anonda knows it's done for. It has been refusing food for three days now."
Gezheng examined its injuries, finding that its left front paw had been completely charred, and the damage was spreading upwards towards the lizard's shoulder.
He asked, "Why not treat it?" Desmonde shook his head, saying, "Of course we did treat it. A priest attends to its wounds daily, but the effect is not very obvious. I now suspect that the third prince's beast is equipped with quasi-artifact gear, otherwise the magical damage wouldn't have lasted this long." He continued, "Master, take another look. If you can't find a solution, I will ask a top priest to regenerate its paw. This time, I will participate in the royal challenge on foot!"
Facing a knight, Busan had almost no chance of winning, even if he was several levels higher than his opponent, it would be difficult to withstand the massive impact of the knight and the beast working together. Gezheng's intention was not only to check the injuries of the swift-wolf lizard, but also its physical condition. He took out a silver needle and lightly pricked the lizard's hind leg. This needle was an alchemical item that could break through low-level magical defenses.
As the silver needle pierced it, Anonda showed no reaction. A drop of blood oozed out, which Gezheng caught on a piece of glass. He then added a drop of purple solution to the blood, and immediately they merged into a pink liquid. Gezheng breathed a sigh of relief.
Desmonde saw that he had finished and asked, "Master, what are you doing?" Gezheng showed a relieved smile, "No problem, my method works!"