Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Master Barnaby

The attendant was a sharp young lad. The moment he heard ”Master Barnaby,” his eyes brightened, and he respectfully pointed the way.

”The Master is in the high-level suite on the third floor—the easternmost one with the balcony.”

Raylo thanked him and headed straight upstairs.

The third-floor hallway was lined with a thick carpet, making his steps completely silent.

Raylo arrived at the easternmost door, where the name ”Barnaby” was indeed engraved on the nameplate.

He adjusted his collar and knocked softly on the door.

”Come in.”

A resonant voice called from inside the room.

Raylo pushed the door open. The room was elegantly furnished, and a peculiar scent hung in the air—a faint mixture of herbs and Magic.

A middle-aged man in a simple gray Mage Robe sat behind a desk. A heavy tome lay open before him, and a monocle was perched on his nose.

’This must be Master Barnaby.’

”Master Barnaby, good morning.”

Raylo bowed slightly.

”Pardon my intrusion. I am Raylo, Lord of Black Stone Territory. I saw your notice seeking Dragon Scales and came to pay a visit.”

Master Barnaby looked up, his gaze lingering on Raylo for a moment before he nodded.

”Lord Baron, please sit.” He pointed to a chair in front of the desk.

Once Raylo was seated, Master Barnaby set down his book and leaned forward slightly.

”Oh? You have Dragon Scales?”

His tone was calm, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of interest that was difficult to perceive.

Without another word, Raylo carefully retrieved the five Dragon Scales from his coat and gently placed them on the desk before Master Barnaby.

The scales clinked together with a crisp, pleasant sound, exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

Master Barnaby’s gaze was instantly captured.

He picked up one of the Dragon Scales, holding it under the light of a Magic Lamp to examine it closely.

The silver scale shimmered in his fingers with a radiance like moonlight, its intricate Magic Power runes clearly visible.

For a moment, the only sound in the room was the faint sound of Master Barnaby’s breathing.

After a long moment, Master Barnaby put down the Dragon Scale, picked up another, and examined it repeatedly. He even scraped the edge of the scale lightly with his fingernail.

His brow furrowed and relaxed in turn.

Finally, he looked up.

”Excellent! These are indeed Dragon Scales. And what’s more... they’re from a very rare juvenile Silver Dragon. The quality is superb, they are suffused with Magic Power, and they’ve been preserved exceptionally well.”

Relief washed over Raylo, and a hint of joy appeared on his face.

Master Barnaby adjusted his monocle and looked at Raylo, his gaze turning inquisitive.

”Lord Baron, forgive me for being forward, but where did you acquire these Silver Dragon Scales? To my knowledge, Silver Dragons are reclusive and rarely make contact with humans. Furthermore, there have been no known sightings of Silver Dragons in the Thunder Dragon Duchy or its neighboring kingdoms.”

Raylo had prepared for this question and answered calmly.

”You may not be aware, Master, but my domain, Black Stone Territory, is on the Duchy’s frontier, near the Black Stone Mountain Range. A while ago, one of the hunters from my territory happened upon these scales in a hidden cave on the outskirts of the mountains. I imagine they were shed by a Silver Dragon that was resting there.”

The explanation was plausible. After all, dragons shedding their scales is a natural occurrence, and strange encounters are not uncommon in the borderlands.

Master Barnaby nodded, seemingly accepting this explanation.

”I see. Quite a fortunate discovery, then.”

He picked up the five Dragon Scales, his eyes filled with admiration.

”I am very pleased with these five scales. As my notice stated, I can pay you in Gold Coins, or you can choose to exchange them for a Potion of my own making.”

Raylo’s objective was clear; he naturally chose the latter.

”Master, I wish to exchange for the Earth Knight’s Breakthrough Potion.”

Master Barnaby nodded. From a special wooden box behind him, he retrieved two small crystal vials. The vials held a viscous, red liquid that looked like molten gold and emanated strange fluctuations of energy.

”Master, I noticed the sign mentioned that this Earth Knight’s Breakthrough Potion was ’specially prepared’?”

”They’re called ’specially prepared’ because while I was brewing this batch, I was fortunate enough to acquire some... ah, special ingredients.”

He paused, then lowered his voice.

”I added a small amount of Giant Dragon Blood.”

Raylo’s pupils constricted slightly. ’Giant Dragon Blood?’

’This Master’s research into Giant Dragons must be quite advanced. He’s already had some success.’

”A standard Breakthrough Potion has a success rate of twenty percent at best.”

Master Barnaby continued.

”But these two specially prepared Potions of mine, because they are infused with the Power of Giant Dragon Blood, can raise the breakthrough success rate to at least thirty percent! For someone at the bottleneck of the Earth Knight realm, that extra ten percent chance is incredibly significant.”

”Master, these Potions are far too valuable...”

For a moment, Raylo was at a loss for words of gratitude.

Master Barnaby waved his hand dismissively, his expression nonchalant.

”The Dragon Scales you provided are of extremely high quality; they’re worth the price. I’m currently launching a research project on Giant Dragon scales, and these Silver Dragon scales are quite rare. They will be very significant for my work.”

He paused before adding,

”Take them. Remember, the timing is crucial. It’s best to take it when your body and mind are at their peak.”

Barnaby handed the Potions to Raylo.

Raylo accepted them with great care. They were warm to the touch, as if he were holding two burning Flames.

He carefully placed the Potions inside his coat and thanked Master Barnaby once more.

Master Barnaby waved his hand. ”If you come across any more treasures like this in the future, feel free to bring them to me.”

”I will, I definitely will.”

’That little fellow Moonlight probably has quite a few more of these in his belly,’ Raylo thought.

After bidding farewell to Master Barnaby, Raylo’s steps were a little lighter, the two precious Potions tucked safely away.

When Raylo returned to his room, he found Moonlight sprawled out on the soft carpet, its belly stuffed and round. Its silver fur shimmered with a soft luster in the sunlight streaming through the window.

It squinted its pale gold eyes, the tip of its tail flicking idly. It looked the very picture of contentment.

”Little fellow, you sure know how to enjoy life.”

Raylo shook his head with a chuckle, securing the two precious Potions close to his body.

’These things are far more valuable than a pile of Gold Coins.’

He had barely sat down when a knock came at the door.

”Lord Baron, my lord, Count Barton Giant Stone of Giant Stone Territory, would like to invite you to luncheon.”

The steady voice of a Knight came from outside the door.

’The main event of this trip to Giant Stone City has arrived.’

”Please inform the Lord Count that I will arrive shortly,” Raylo called out.

”Yes, Lord Baron.”

The Knight acknowledged the order and departed.

Raylo glanced at Moonlight, who was still feigning sleep on the carpet, and instructed, ”I’m going out for a bit. Be good and stay in the room. Don’t run around, and definitely don’t cause any trouble.”

Moonlight’s ears twitched, and its tail wagged a little faster in response.