A Dragon against the Whole World

Chapter 367 - 304: You, Go Kill the Count

Having done similar things himself, Galos almost instantly realized the true motives behind the Albert Family’s keen interest in charity.

His thoughts raced.

Thinking further about the nearly fanatical bravery and self-sacrifice recently displayed by Albert’s Private Army—surpassing that of ordinary noble private armies—the answer was almost self-evident.

"Blinded by lies without realizing it, even going so far as to whitewash them... Knight, your level of stupidity makes even the most ignorant White Dragon seem wise."

"If I truly were a brutal Evil Dragon acting purely on instinct, you would have long since turned into a pool of muck nourishing moss, without even a single intact bone remaining."

Faced with the Red Iron Dragon’s blatant mockery, there was no trace of anger on the face of the Flower Knight, Shire.

He simply took a deep breath, pale-faced, forcing himself to endure the excruciating pain spreading throughout his body, especially the sharp ache from his broken ribs and internal organs. He braced himself on the ground with his arms, struggling to stand.

Even though he was unsteady, his body swaying slightly, he still worked hard to straighten his spine, paying a formal knightly respect to the giant dragon before him.

"Respected King of Molten Iron, I sincerely thank you for your mercy."

Shire said, "It is precisely this unexpected kindness that has strengthened my belief—there must be a significant and unresolved misunderstanding between the Molten Iron Tribe and the Albert Family."

Galos scrutinized the Flower Knight intently.

A few seconds later, he abruptly changed the topic, asking, "Do you think the Albert Family would be willing to pay a ransom for you?"

The Flower Knight hesitated little before nodding, "They certainly will!"

Hearing this, the dragon let out a low, rumbling laugh from deep within its throat.

He slightly turned his massive head, with an amused look in his eyes, as if observing a rare specimen, staring intently at the Flower Knight’s pale face.

Then, Galos posed a second question.

"So, Shire Knight, tell me this."

"If you were to have all your limbs broken, becoming a cripple reliant on others’ care, merely lingering on a sickbed."

"If you lost the power, handsome appearance, and the renowned ’Flower Knight’ aura you once possessed, turning into an ordinary person of no value and even a burden."

Galos slowed his voice, eventually asking, "Would Count Mills, that gracious and benevolent man of the Albert Family, still make the same decision? Would he still be willing to pay a high ransom for you?"

Shire Haines’ confident expression froze.

He paused slightly, his pale lips subconsciously moved, as if wanting to immediately refute, but some intuition blocked the words in his throat.

A profound hesitancy and uncertainty clearly surfaced on his somewhat translucent face, due to blood loss.

"You hesitated."

Galos captured that fleeting moment of indecision.

"If Count Mills truly is as you firmly believe, a man of consistent virtue and integrity, he would never sit idle as a Righteous Knight who once risked his life for his family languishes and dies in the so-called Evil Dragon’s Nest."

The Red Iron Dragon lowered his head, casting a massive shadow that completely enveloped the Flower Knight.

"In that case, Shire Knight, tell me, where does this hesitation in your heart come from?"

"No!" Shire suddenly looked up, raising his voice slightly: "I am sure! Count Mills would never abandon his promises and friends!"

Galos let out an even louder, deep laugh, causing the air to buzz with the sound.

But that laughter quickly subsided.

The Red Iron Dragon gazed at the Flower Knight, slowly saying, "Very well, in that case, let’s make a bet. The stakes are—your life and your future freedom."

The Flower Knight was silent for a moment, as if making a significant decision, and finally, he slowly nodded.

Meanwhile, in the distant south.

Within the Raymond Duchy, at the core of the Albert Family’s territory, in the study of a luxurious manor.

Count Mills stood before a gigantic floor-to-ceiling window, his usually well-groomed hair looking somewhat disheveled.

The glaring sunlight outside did not bring warmth; instead, a strange irritability and chill enveloped him.

He had completely lost contact for quite some time with the elite family private army sent to the Sel Wilderness to assail the Molten Iron Tribe.

Attempts to contact the Evil Wolf General, who served as the commander, or the alchemists, Defense Mage, and other senior leaders, and even the mid-level Cavalry Captains... every magical communication fell like a stone into the sea, without any response.

This profound silence was like an ever-expanding boulder, heavily weighing on Count Mills’ heart.

A harsh reality seemed unavoidable now.

Count Mills believed he had already overestimated the strength of the Molten Iron Tribe, knowing that those wild monsters and dragons were not weak.

In his expectations, even if the family’s most elite private army couldn’t capture the Molten Iron Tribe in one fell swoop, it should by no means have been utterly annihilated or completely controlled by the enemy.

The opponents were nothing more than a group of adolescent dragons, along with a horde of rabble patched together from various monster races.

However, the complete loss of contact with the family legion hit his heart like a silent yet heavy blow.

This harsh reality made him restless and uneasy these days.