Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 117: Chapter 112: Count Red Leaf, Gao Wen

The next morning, a magnificent city bathed in the morning sun came into view.

Unlike the rough, solid construction of Black Stone Castle, Red Leaf City was more exquisite and beautiful. The city walls were built from a light red stone that gave off a warm luster in the sunlight.

The surrounding area was lined with maple trees. Although it was not yet late autumn, the lush green foliage was a beautiful sight in its own right.

Raylo patted Baofeng’s neck.

Baofeng let out a low cry and began to descend slowly.

Lookouts on the arrow towers lining the castle’s perimeter had long since spotted them, and the sound of a Horn echoed from the distance.

Before Baofeng even landed, the city gates swung open, and a group of people hurried out to welcome them.

Leading them was Gao Wen. He wore a brand-new, crimson aristocratic suit with his family crest pinned to his chest. He looked radiant and carried himself with a newfound composure.

”Raylo! You’re finally here!”

Gao Wen beamed, spreading his arms and rushing forward before Raylo had even dismounted from Baofeng’s back.

Raylo dismounted smoothly and met Gao Wen in a firm embrace.

”Congratulations, Gao Wen. The future Count Red Leaf.”

”Hahaha, thanks to you, everything went smoothly.”

Gao Wen clapped a firm hand on Raylo’s shoulder, then his gaze shifted to Baofeng.

”So this is the Storm Griffin King that defeated the Thunder Dragon!”

”It was just a lucky break,” Raylo explained.

”I’ve already instructed the servants to prepare food and a place for your Magical Beast to rest.”

Gao Wen led Raylo into the castle.

”The feast is nearly ready. The lords of the Northern Territory are almost all here. We were just waiting for you.”

Passing through the heavy castle gates, they entered a courtyard decorated for a lively celebration. Servants bustled about, busy yet orderly.

The great hall had been converted into a banquet hall. Long tables were laden with a lavish feast and fragrant wines, and the enticing aroma of roasted meat and spices filled the air.

The hall was buzzing with activity. Finely dressed nobles gathered in small groups, conversing in low tones.

Raylo’s arrival immediately drew all eyes.

”Baron Raylo!”

A cheerful voice rang out as Viscount Baker of Red Maple Territory strode over, wine cup in hand and a broad smile on his face.

”You’re truly my lucky star! I took your advice and invested in Gao Wen, and now it seems the return is more than generous!”

He made no secret of his delight. When Gao Wen was in a difficult position, he had followed Raylo’s advice and provided him with considerable support.

Now that Gao Wen was about to inherit the title of Count, his own fortunes were rising with the tide.

Raylo clinked his cup against the Viscount’s and smiled.

”You’re the one with the good eye.”

”Haha, I love hearing that!”

Viscount Baker was in an excellent mood.

As they exchanged pleasantries, several other lords gathered around, their attitude far more enthusiastic than in the past.

”Baron Raylo, I’ve heard so much about you. Is it true that your Storm Griffin King put on an incredible display of power in the Royal Capital recently? That even the Crown Prince’s Thunder Dragon was defeated?”

a Viscount with a goatee inquired curiously.

The story had already spread like wildfire among the noble circles of the Northern Territory.

The Crown Prince’s Thunder Dragon was considered one of the most powerful among Tier Four Magical Beasts, yet it had been defeated by a previously unknown Storm Griffin King. This had undoubtedly propelled both Raylo and his mount to fame.

Raylo gave a faint smile.

”It was just a stroke of luck.”

”You’re being too modest, Lord Baron,”

another Lord chimed in flatteringly.

”Handing the Crown Prince a defeat isn’t something that can be explained away by luck.”

Amidst the crowd, a burly figure caught Raylo’s attention.

It was Count Barton of Giant Stone. He was sitting alone at a table in a more secluded corner, drinking his wine in silence.

He seemed thinner than when Raylo had last seen him in Black Stone Territory, but his spirits were intact. The failure of the expedition into the Jade Swamp had not, it seemed, completely broken him.

Just then, voices from a few lords at a neighboring table drifted over.

”Sigh, those Demon Serpent’s Fangs from the Jade Swamp have been getting more and more rampant lately.”

one Lord said, his voice heavy with worry.

”Several villages on the edge of my territory have been attacked, and many of my people have been abducted.”

”Isn’t that the truth? They were active before, but never this frequently, or this brazenly.”

another agreed.

”And why is that... Sigh...”

a voice trailed off, its owner’s gaze subtly flicking toward Count Barton.

”Ever since the Allied Army stirred up the Demon Serpent’s lair, they’ve been retaliating like mad.”

Though it wasn’t stated outright, the blaming tone was perfectly clear.

Count Barton’s hand tightened around his cup. His expression darkened, but he offered no rebuttal.

Raylo’s brow furrowed. ’It seems unfair for these lords to pin all the blame on Barton.’

’Barton may have had his own agenda, but was organizing the Allied Army to purge the Jade Swamp really the wrong decision?’

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Gao Wen walked to the head of the banquet hall. He raised his cup, his clear voice cutting through the chatter.

”My lords, thank you all for taking time from your busy schedules to attend my succession ceremony.”

Gao Wen scanned the crowd, a sincere smile on his face.

”Red Leaf Territory would not be where it is today without all of your support and help. I will never forget the aid you provided during our most difficult time, when my father was gravely ill.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Raylo, Viscount Baker, and others, giving them a slight nod.

”Today, I officially inherit the title of Count Red Leaf. I am keenly aware of the great responsibility this entails, and the road ahead may be filled with challenges.”

Gao Wen’s tone became solemn.

”But I believe that as long as we stand united, we can overcome any difficulty and protect our homeland.”

His powerful, resonant words stirred many of those present.

Afterward, with a Court Minister sent by the Duke presiding, the succession ceremony officially began.

The minister read the Duke’s decree of investiture. Gao Wen knelt on one knee and received from the minister’s hands the crested sword and territorial seal, the symbols of a Count’s authority.

”By decree, I invest Gao Wen of Red Leaf as the Count of Red Leaf Territory! May he be loyal and valiant, safeguard his lands, and serve the Duchy faithfully!”

”I humbly accept the Duke’s decree!”

Gao Wen accepted the sword and seal, his voice ringing out in response.

”Congratulations, Lord Earl!”

”Congratulations, Count Red Leaf!”

The banquet hall erupted with congratulations and thunderous applause.

The clamor of the afternoon feast gradually subsided as the nobles began to depart.

Gao Wen asked Raylo and Viscount Baker to stay behind, inviting them to a more elegant parlor within the castle.

Sunlight filtered through stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns of light and shadow on the thick carpet.

A servant brought in fragrant black tea and then quietly withdrew.

”Raylo, Uncle Baker.”

Gao Wen personally poured their tea.

”Thank you both for everything today. I will never forget the support you gave me during my most difficult times.”

Viscount Baker picked up his teacup and took a satisfied sip.

”Gao Wen, my boy, you’re being too formal.”

Gao Wen smiled faintly and turned to Raylo. ”I promised you both that if you helped me inherit the title of Count, I would reward you by granting each of you half ownership of a medium-sized Iron Ore Vein.”

Viscount Baker agreed without hesitation. It was a matter they had already settled, so there was no need for modesty.

”Haha, Count Gao Wen is truly a man of his word! This is a magnificent gift, and it would be rude of me to refuse.”

For him, the profits from half a medium-sized Iron Ore Vein would be enough to elevate Red Maple Territory’s finances to a whole new level.

”Gao Wen, I appreciate your generosity,”

Raylo began.

”The profits from a medium-sized Iron Ore Vein are indeed astonishing. For any Lord, it’s a fortune that’s impossible to refuse.”

”But...”

Raylo’s tone shifted.

”While the profits are stable and long-term, the return is too slow. It doesn’t quite align with my current development plans.”

He looked at Gao Wen.

”If possible, I’d like to trade my ownership of the Iron Ore Vein for something I can put to use immediately.”

Gao Wen was taken aback for a moment, but then he understood.

’Raylo’s rise had been nothing short of miraculous. The Pegasus Knights, the Storm Griffin King, the annihilation of the Blood Wolf Corps... Each was a major accomplishment, yet Raylo had achieved them all in an incredibly short amount of time.’

”Oh? What do you need, Raylo? Feel free to say.”

Gao Wen said readily.