Beneath the Red Dragon

Chapter 53: Chapter 11: White Tower Mage

”Good day, esteemed Mr. Karon. Your majestic gaze has once again graced this world,” the obsequious Vampire Count performed an elegant yet exaggerated gesture of respect, bowing to Karon, who had just opened his eyes.

”Ah, Mr. Karon appears even more formidable today,” the silver-haired werewolf forced a smile on his scarred and misshapen face, his tail wagging unconsciously twice behind him.

Then, the half-man, half-horse caught sight of the wagging tail. The werewolf quickly pressed his misbehaving tail down with his hand, glaring at the centaur.

Karon shook his head. He was used to it.

After days of sorting, he finally organized all the redundant information collected by the sub-brain node group. Thanks to the feedback from the Ogre Giant Demon, his ever-strengthening mental power easily handled this task.

The current Ogre Giant Demon was akin to another head growing from Karon. This was the result of the Giant Demon’s talent being counteracted and its resultant influence.

As long as the Ogre Giant Demons survive and grow, Karon can receive positive feedback from the Giant Demon Fafnir. Although Giant Demons are severely inclined towards spiritual power, this can still benefit Karon greatly.

The increase in mental power has multifaceted benefits, not only enhancing Karon’s own magic protection for mental power attacks but also allowing his mind to stay clear. Maintaining clarity can avoid unnecessary mistakes.

With the strengthening of mental power, Karon’s perception strength and range have also increased. Although accurate judgment cannot be made inside the prison cell, Karon can feel it.

Furthermore, powerful mental strength can help Karon dig into the treasure hidden within his Evil Dragon Bloodline, those heritage marks of the Giant Dragon.

The current Karon has started to touch the fringe edges of the Evil Dragon Bloodline without relying on sleep. In time, he will genuinely open the treasure-filled door.

If Karon desires to pursue the path of magic knowledge exploration in the future, powerful mental prowess is an excellent talent.

Even now, the Red Dragon’s Evil Dragon Blood absorbs magic power at a slightly faster pace, proving that the growth of spiritual power can affect Karon’s body. It is beneficial for Karon’s growth and development.

”Get out, Carlette. Not only do you willingly bow to humans, but you also try to help them convince us? Be careful, or one day, when we get the chance, the Dragon Group will tear you apart!” An angry roar in Dragon Language echoed through the quiet corridor.

This was the voice of the Blue Dragon Doss. Apparently, Doss was also deeply ashamed of his kin for betraying the Dragon Group. Although the juvenile dragons’ prison cells were relatively far away from Karon, Doss’s angry voice reached here quite clearly.

Carlette came to persuade the juvenile dragons? Karon recalled the information gathered by the sub-brain node group and indeed noticed Carlette’s presence in the stands.

Although Carlette appeared in the form of a human using transformation skills, Karon recognized Carlette not because he had seen his transformed appearance before, but due to the sense among the True Dragon Race.

However, the lady sitting next to Carlette gave Karon an incredibly odd feeling. He sensed that the lady seemed to possess emotional fluctuations more intense than everyone else in the gladiatorial arena.

Additionally, the silver-haired beautiful lady and the golden-haired young man caught Karon’s attention. Squinting his eyes, he sensed that these two individuals too should belong to the True Dragon Species, though he couldn’t ascertain their specific species without a face-to-face meeting.

However, this information temporarily held no practical use for Karon as he familiarized himself with the functions and operations of the sub-brain node group, awaiting the arrival of the Squinting Mage.

Yesterday, Riven had already informed him that Mage Xiuse would visit him today.

Karon waited until late at night, thinking Mage Xiuse wouldn’t come and just as he was preparing to rest, Squinting Mage Xiuse quietly appeared outside his prison cell.

”I almost thought you would stand me up today, Mage,” Karon’s vertical pupils shone brightly in the dusky lamplight, his crimson eyes particularly dazzling in the dim light of the night.

Although Mage Xiuse didn’t skip the appointment, he intentionally left this juvenile dragon hanging. Last time, this juvenile dragon mocked him for his small eyes. The Mage was generous, but a bit small-minded.

The Squinting Mage didn’t speak to the Red Dragon. He instructed the attendant to open the prison cell door and with a smile, raised his magic staff to cast a veil-like stealth spell over the Red Dragon, then said, ”A Mage doesn’t easily break an appointment. Credibility is very important to a Mage.”

”By the way, Red Dragon, don’t take this opportunity to escape. Your outing today was approved under my teacher’s name for an experiment on dragons by the Emperor of the Imperial. Don’t cause trouble for me.”

Karon revealed a toothy, white smile, ”I’m not that foolish.”

”Good, follow me. My teacher is waiting for you.” Xiuse led the Red Dragon, now hidden, out into the deep underground passage.

He saw the sleeping juvenile dragons, each curled up in the furthest corners of their cells, most of them bearing minor wounds.

Evidently, these juvenile dragons had experienced battles during this time. He didn’t step forward to greet them at this point; with Riven’s help, his communication with the juvenile dragons had never been interrupted.

Karon silently gathered all necessary information using the sub-brain node group, from the underground cell to outside the gladiatorial arena, and from there to the slightly secluded Mage Tower.

Ignoring the brightly lit areas and the somewhat noisy populace even at night, the city’s layout gradually became clear in the Red Dragon’s mind along the way.

During this journey, Karon also detected the scent of Pick Elves. Clearly, Pick Elves had been secretly following Karon, and the clever Riven didn’t reveal any trace.

”That is the High-level Mage Association,” Xiuse noted Karon’s gaze. It was a cluster of circular lighthouse buildings occupying a vast area.

This area remained brightly lit even in the dead of night, with occasional haunting cries of ’I succeeded, I succeeded’ emerging from unknown towers.

”The Emperor of the Empire concentrated all registered extraordinary mages in the city in this area for convenience of management. You see the Guard Army patrolling day and night nearby.”

Xiuse didn’t mind explaining these things to the Red Dragon. Everyone in the Gata Empire knew their Emperor had a strong tendency for control.

”Go ahead, I won’t go in. My teacher is waiting for you inside. I hope you’ll receive the good news you’re hoping for.” Mage Xiuse stopped as a large six-story white tower appeared before Karon.

Two neatly dressed servants were waiting for his arrival at the door, ”Welcome, esteemed guest.” The servants spoke in a mechanical-like voice, seemingly more machine than real, as their eyes gleamed with faint magical light, surprisingly seeing through Mage Xiuse’s stealth spell on the dragon.

The Red Dragon’s attention was instantly caught by these two seemingly human-like servants.

Magic Puppets, life-like puppets powered by magic gemstones or magic nodes, can serve as experimental assistants and daily servants in the hands of some mages.

There are rumors of more powerful mages hiding stronger golems and similar magical construct creatures within their half-planes and Mage Towers.

Yet, many mages’ demonic puppets are easy to see through. The ones before Karon seemed so realistic, even the dragon thought they were two real people.

It seems the owner of this White Tower has considerable capabilities, Karon thought, raising his head as he stepped through the White Tower’s gate.