Chapter 66: Chapter 66 Announce Your Arrival to This City!
Tap tap tap~
They heard the sound of hooves gradually approaching.
All living creatures around seemed to be in awe, watching that team get closer with wide eyes.
Only Beatrice exhibited a joyous demeanor.
At the moment she saw Jino, she knew Louis had returned.
Not until the figure carrying the gigantic "War Horn" appeared beside her did she finally show a bright smile, completely different from the one she wore in front of students, and she went forward to greet him.
"I’m back, Beatrice."
"Louis, welcome back."
The voices sounded one after the other, and finally the onlookers and students understood why their princess was waiting by the gate.
—She was waiting for someone to come home!
Especially the students of Saint Louis Academy.
Their time at the academy had given them a far broader perspective than most people, and they quickly recognized the special pattern entangling the giant horn, identical to that of a dragon horn.
Moreover, it was obviously not the size a young dragon would have.
Soon, someone reached a suffocating conclusion—
Ancient Dragon or higher.
For a moment, they seemed to be able to hear their own breathing and heartbeats.
"Could it be a dragon-slaying team?"
In knight novels circulated among the populace, there is never a shortage of brave souls willing to challenge dragons.
But due to the limited knowledge of ordinary bards, most dragon-slaying team members in those novels have an average level of just 13-16.
—They didn’t even dare think higher.
Because in some small countries, even the legion commanders are just level 16 professionals.
But the students of Saint Louis Academy are different.
Ense is a nation with a history of dragon-slaying, and they’ve done it more than once.
Especially when the emperor first took the throne in earlier years, it coincided with the most antagonistic period between the Ense Empire and the Dragon Empire.
Later on... the Dragon Empire didn’t make much noise and instead turned to sincere cooperation with the Supreme Forest, whom they never really regarded highly.
The official history of the Dragon Empire barely mentions this matter.
Ense is different.
In short, since then, emperors of various countries may have their subordinates call them ’Emperor’, but outside of formal occasions, when people mention "Emperor", it’s a reference to just one person.
That would be His Majesty of Ense.
Ancient Dragon level... that’s already a level surpassing the limits of regular professionals.
Level 1-10 professionals are like heroes in the eyes of mortals.
Level 11-20 professionals are the epitome in the eyes of professionals.
Above level 20... that’s the stuff of myths and legends!
Therefore, when they looked at the young man carrying the gigantic dragon horn, they were astonished.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
"At this age, how could he have participated in a dragon-slaying battle!!"
"Even if they were the church’s Holy Son or Holy Daughter, or a divine offspring, they couldn’t defeat an Ancient Dragon at this point!!!"
However, still no one dared to ask a question.
What if it was true?
For a moment, everyone’s gaze focused on Louis.
Among their peers, only Beatrice remained wholly unaffected.
She was still so gallant, riding toward Louis on horseback, smiling cheerfully:
"Have those two Ancient Dragons on the Burning Smoke Mountain Range been dealt with?"
Beatrice walked straight to Louis’ side, speaking in a clear and sharp voice.
Everyone could hear her words clearly.
Louis smiled and said, "As I thought before, we reached a consensus. They are willing to pay a sufficient price to gain our friendship."
He paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed aloud: "And as for what price they should pay, that’s for you to decide."
It was the first time he had seen this side of Beatrice.
Entirely different from her usual attire that leaned more toward office wear.
Today her style had completely changed.
Her golden hair was neatly combed, cascading over exquisite Mithril armor, and beneath her metal battle skirt, one could faintly see a moon-white silk dress.
Beatrice laughed.
That smile was so radiant it was blinding.
"So why did you bring back a dragon horn?"
Louis blinked: "I wanted to, so I brought it back."
Kulin and Jino, who seemed to have finished their sparring as well, approached one after the other.
Kulin supported his waist with one hand.
Jino appeared to have a limp, grumbling as he walked:
"Your Highness, don’t believe this kid."
"This boy pressured the two Ancient Dragons into negotiating terms with us, and afterward, said he needed to prepare a gift for his fiancée."
Jino pointed at the large dragon horn and said:
"And that’s how this thing came about."
Beatrice nodded.
Kulin looked astonished at his student.
Unexpectedly, in these few years since joining the guild, this brat can even play wingman?
Kulin was also a veteran of the Empire.
He instantly realized Lady Beatrice was making a point about someone.
Just earlier, he hadn’t understood exactly who it was.
Now he finally knew who it was.
But he thought, there was no need at all to make a point.
That dragon horn sitting there made it all clear.
"So..."
Beatrice approached him, wearing a supremely affectionate smile.
"Is this thing for me?"
Louis responded in a lukewarm manner: "You gave me a gift before and told me to bring you something interesting next time I saw one, right?"
"I thought an Ancient Dragon’s horn was pretty interesting."
Hiss!
The crowd collectively inhaled sharply.
Even the accompanying Jino and others whistled.
They had initially thought Louis was just pressuring those two dragons.
Who would have thought it was all because of a promise to the princess?
If those two dragons learn the truth, they might just drop their Little Pearl!
As for Louis...
Actually, when he saw Beatrice greeting him at the city gate, he realized she was setting the stage for the official announcement next week.
"Hold your back straighter, keep your gaze as stern as possible, I’ll get rid of the nuisances."
Beatrice whispered.
Louis blinked in agreement.
Then she lifted her head and gave a slight nod to those around:
"Ladies and gentlemen, Louis and I have some matters to attend to; we’ll be heading off now, so as not to disturb the students."
With that, she displayed an impeccable, flawless smile.
Cold yet not entirely aloof.
"Louis?"
The man who had earlier attempted to make conversation asked.
Louis slightly raised his head, casting an apathetic gaze at the man.
Master Kulin stroked his beard, showing mild astonishment.
At that moment, Louis’ eyes carried a peace akin to an abyss.
The coexistence of pure and violent aura in one person, when you meet his gaze, it was as if you heard a dragon’s roar.
Thus, the students, including that man, instinctively averted their gaze.
Only then did they truly believe that this mysterious young man really went to negotiate with Ancient Dragons and acquired benefits for the Empire with an overwhelming advantage.
—What audacity.
Beatrice felt secretly delighted, yet maintain her composure as she said:
"Louis Charles Julius, my fiancé, you’ll remember this name in the future."
Then she softly asked Louis: "What was with that?"
"Greed Dominator, Limuru, Long Wei."
Louis conveyed the situation to her with just three words.
"Wonderful! Good Louis, truly making me proud. Come, ride into the city with me."
Louis nodded, obediently accompanied Beatrice and the accompanying large group as they walked toward the site.
Wherever they went, all was silent.
Before anyone could react, they vanished like fleeting shadows.
Leaving behind only the sensational Tino residents.
On that day, Louis declared his arrival to this city!